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Spring in the South of France: A Virtual Tour of the Region’s History, Culture, and Sights

Marseille and Aix-en-Provence

Evening Lecture/Seminar

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Everyone from ancient Romans to Post-Impressionist artists to movie stars have been lured to the enchanting South of France. Its abundance of lavender-laced valleys, glittering seashores, medieval hill towns, and lively cities, all bathed in translucent light, are downright seductive.

Journey with freelance travel writer Barbara Noe Kennedy to discover Provence and the Côte d’Azur, including the region’s most intriguing sights, historical aspects, food and wine, and art in a virtual exploration using maps, photos, videos, and other visuals.

Kennedy, a freelance travel writer and editor, is a former senior editor at National Geographic Travel Publishing. She served as an expert on National Geographic Expedition tours to Italy and France and wrote the National Geographic Traveler: Provence and the Côte d’Azur guidebook.

Session Information

Starting off in Marseille, the oldest city in France and its second most populous, explore how this famously gritty port city has undergone a recent renaissance. Hop to Aix-en-Provence, a genteel Provençal town often referred to as the city of a thousand fountains. Perfect for culture lovers, Aix boasts an exquisite historic quarter, quaint cafes, and—perhaps most famously—the birthplace of Cézanne. Go beyond the hustle and bustle of the cities to discover the gorgeous Calanques, with their turquoise waters and steep-sided limestone cliffs, plus two fishing towns beloved by the Post-Impressionists: Cassis and La Ciotat.

Additional Sessions of the Spring in the South of France Series

• March 30: Avignon and La Vraie Provence
• May 4: Côte d’Azur
• June 1: Off the Beaten Path

General Information

• View Common FAQs and Policies about our Online Programs on Zoom .

Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea – with Smithsonian Journeys

• Get inspired by the possibilities.
• Build your ideal trip.
• Discover Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Italian Riviera
• Explore Avignon, where Palace of the Popes is located
• Spend an evening in the resort town of Portofino
• Enjoy your discovery of the Pisa's Leaning Tower and the Duomo of Florence
• Archaeological Site Visits
• Small Ship Cruises
• French Riviera
• Mediterranean
• Civitavecchia
• European Union
• Portovenere

Full Itinerary

Day 1: barcelona | embarkation, day 2: sete.

• 1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Day 3: Marseille 

Day 4: nice, day 5: portofino , day 6: sailing off cinque terre | porto venere, day 7: livorno, day 8: bonifacio, corsica, day 9: civitavecchia | disembarkation.

• 1 Breakfast

Le Champlain

Dates & prices, my preferred start date.

Initial deposit is 30%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.

Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or AmEx

See our general terms and conditions:

• Adventure Life Terms & Conditions

We are an agent for one or more providers on this trip with specific cancellation policies and terms:

• Ponant Special Terms & Condition - Ponant

For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.

• 8 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 8 Dinners
• 8 Nights Accommodations
• Accommodations as listed
• Ground transportation as listed
• Activities as listed
• Meals as listed
• Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
• Unlimited Wifi
• Onboard Entertainment 
• Captain’s Welcome Cocktail and Gala Dinner
• Gratuities to Onboard Crew
• “Open Bar” (pouring wines, house champagne, alcohol except premium brands...list available upon request)
• 24h Room Service (special selection)
• English-Speaking Lecturer 
• Highly experienced and bilingual (French-English) expedition staff
• Park Entry Fees into Protected Areas
• Water sports activities (except scuba diving) using the ship’s equipment, when permitted by local authorities and confirmed by ship Master according to safety and sea conditions onsite. 
• A program of onboard enrichment provided by two Smithsonian Journeys Experts
• Luggage handling from the airport to the ship on the day of embarkation.
• Transfer from the ship to the airport in Rome at the end of the cruise on the morning of disembarkation
• Travel Insurance
• Personal Expenses
• Flight costs (please request a quote)
• Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
• Optional Excursions - Ponant allows you to pre-book your excursions approximately six to two months prior to the cruise* departure. Please note that this is subject to change. Please contact us for more details.
• Any ground services before and/or after the cruise other than the ones mentioned
• Laundry Services, Hair Salon, and à La Carte Spa Treatments
• Pre or post cruise programs, overland programs or shore excursions 
• Beverages other than the ones mentioned in inclusions
• CDP recommends that every Traveler has full and adequate travel insurance covering the risks of cancellation, assistance being required, repatriation, damages to and loss of baggage, and medical expenses

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SMITHSONIAN JOURNEYS ANNOUNCES NEW TRIPS FOR 2023 

New Itineraries Include a Deluxe New Year’s Train Journey to Vienna; Cultural Stays in Scotland, England’s Lake District, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and Alaska; Stargazing in Chile, Cave Exploring in France and Spain; a Classic Land Journey to the Canadian Maritimes; and Smithsonian + PONANT small ship expeditions

Washington, D.C. (July 11, 2022) Smithsonian Journeys, the travel program of the Smithsonian Institution – the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex – announces new trips for 2023 including new deluxe train journeys, new cultural stay programs, new, small-ship expeditions with PONANT including Antarctica, and new land journeys, including two new specialty trips.

All  Smithsonian Journeys  are accompanied by a Smithsonian Journeys Expert—whether an art historian, an archaeologist,  or an international relations expert—whose expertise and knowledge shed new light on a destination and deepen a traveler’s immersion in the destination and culture of the place. 

“We’re very excited about our new offerings for 2023.  Smithsonian’s long heritage as a leader in preserving cultural and natural resources and in deepening people’s understanding about our world is reflected in each of these itineraries”, noted Lynn Cutter, Senior Vice President, Smithsonian Travel.

New Deluxe Train Journeys 

Smithsonian Journeys offers  several train journeys , and for 2023, there are two new trips. 

• New Year’s in Vienna

Dec. 27, 2023 – Jan. 4, 2024 – 10 days from $14,995

Climb aboard the  Golden Eagle Danube Express  and journey through four Central European countries during the holiday season discovering architectural gems, layers of fascinating history, and festive Christmas Markets from Budapest to Prague.

• Across the Alps

May 14, 2023 – May 25, 2024 – 12 days from $19,595

Surround yourself with extraordinary mountain vistas as you cross the Alps—and six countries—aboard the stunning  Golden Eagle Danube Express  on a rail journey from Budapest to Venice that includes stops in Innsbruck, Zurich, Lake Como, Lake Bled, and more. 

New Classic Land Journey 

Smithsonian Journeys Classic Land Journeys are exciting forays into the history, culture, and natural world of a single country or region. Some of Smithsonian Journeys’ most popular itineraries over the years have been these 10 – 23-day trips that often include airfare for even more value. 

• Seascapes of the Canadian Maritimes

Several dates available in Summer 2023 – 12 days from $6,597 (includes airfare) 

Discover dramatic coastal landscapes, unique historic sites, and a vibrant seafaring culture derived from British and French roots on a journey to the captivating regions of the Canadian Maritimes: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island.

New Cultural Stays

Cultural Stays are one of the mainstays of Smithsonian Journeys trips and are shorter 7 – 10-days trips, with a stay in one place generally in smaller towns, so guests unpack once, and immerse themselves in one area. Popular Cultural Stay programs in Segovia, Barcelona, and Andalusia, Spain, Amalfi Coast, Puglia, and the Italian Riviera, Normandy and Basque regions of France, and Ireland continue in 2023 as well as  new  trips to Dubai, Scotland, the English Lake District, and Alaska. 

• Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Several dates available in 2023 – 10 days from $5,490

Venture into centuries-old souks and zoom to the top of the world’s tallest skyscraper, exploring the past, present, and future of the United Arab Emirates as you make your way from the labyrinthine streets of old Dubai to the dunes and oases of the Arabian Desert to the innovation-focused city of Abu Dhabi.

• Heart of Scotland  – A One-Week stay in Stirling 

Several dates available in 2023 – 9 days from $4,990

Settle into the medieval old city of Stirling for a week ensconced in Scotland’s history and culture. Trace the legends of William Wallace and Mary, Queen of Scots; cruise Loch Lomond; visit the country’s oldest distillery; and experience the thrill and pageantry of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

• England’s Lake District  –  A One-Week Stay in Historic Cumbria

The Lake District Culture immerses guests in the mystical landscapes of England’s Lake District during a one-week stay on Lake Windermere, exploring Cumbrian villages, Roman ruins, and the homes of celebrated writers.

• ALASKA – A Stay in Anchorage & Denali National Park

Several dates available in 2023 – 8 days from $6,290

Experience two of Alaska’s great treasures—its unspoiled wilderness and its rich cultural heritage—on a journey that will have you hiking in Denali, spotting wildlife while cruising the Prince William Sound, and getting acquainted with Alaska Native cultures in Anchorage.

New Special Interest Trips

Special Interest Trips are at the heart of Smithsonian Journey’s expertise. Whether art or astronomy or film, Smithsonian Journeys ensures a unique and top-notch learning experience.

• Prehistoric Caves of France and Spain

Several dates available in 2023 – 10 days from $6,995

Tucked into rolling countryside from southwestern France to Spain’s northern coast lies a treasure trove of artifacts and art left by early humans tens of thousands of years ago. Witness some of the oldest art in the world in caves from Lascaux to El Castillo, and marvel at the artistic skill and sensitivity of our early ancestors. 

• Chile Earth and Sky : A Stargazing Journey from Santiago to the Atacama Desert

Several dates available in 2023/2024 –  13-days from $9,990

Delve into the world of astronomy with Smithsonian Journeys  experts  beneath the clear skies of northern Chile and enjoy exclusive access and behind-the-scenes tours of major observatories. This unique journey balances culture, food, and wine alongside stargazing—from Santiago to the Atacama Desert.  

Living In … Immersive Three-Week Stays 

Travelers can fulfill their dream of living abroad during these three-week immersion programs with time to explore many of the must-see sites as well as lesser-known treasures. These programs can be personalized with special enrichment tracks including Language, Cuisine, Art and Architecture. Popular options continue in France (Aix-en-Provence) and Italy (Florence).  The new program in Andalusia, Spain allows participants an additional Hiking Adventure option.

• Living  in Spain: A Three-Week Stay in Andalusia – 23 days from $6,290

Participants will immerse themselves in seaside Marbella, in the Andalusian way of life, discovering the region’s fascinating blend of Spanish and Moorish culture on excursions to World Heritage sites and charming villages off the beaten path.

New 2023 Small Ship Sailings with PONANT 

For 2023, there will be twenty-one Smithsonian Journeys + PONANT, a leader in small ship expeditions, with several new itineraries which will provide opportunities to engage with a variety of Smithsonian Journeys Experts, ranging from archaeologists and scientists to anthropologists and historians. As part of the itineraries, ports of call never previously visited will be visited, including Ploče, Croatia and Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.  The full list of 2023 sailings can be viewed  here. , and include the following. To reserve a trip, call 855-330-1542 or visit  smithsonianjourneys.org/PONANT .  

• Circumnavigation of Sicily
• Cruising the Arabian Coast
• Symphony on the St. Lawrence: From Québec to the Canadian Maritimes
• Cruising from Morocco to Spain’s Andalusian Coast
• Southern France and the Italian Riviera by Sea

*Pricing is based on the number of staterooms available at time of this announcement. See our website for current pricing. Book early for higher savings.

About the Smithsonian   

Since its founding in 1846, the Smithsonian Institution has been committed to inspiring generations through knowledge and discovery. It is the world’s largest museum, education and research complex, consisting of 21 museums, the National Zoological Park, education centers, research facilities, cultural centers, and libraries.  Two of the 21 museums – the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum – are in the early planning stages. The total number of objects, works of art, and specimens at the Smithsonian is estimated at nearly 155 million, of which nearly 146 million are scientific specimens at the National Museum of Natural History. www.smithsonian.org   

About Smithsonian Journeys    

Smithsonian Journeys is part of Smithsonian Enterprises, a division of the Smithsonian which oversees the institution’s commercial activities, including the Smithsonian Channel, which is available in over 55 million households globally; the retail operation, which includes 35 museum and airport stores, food concessions; an E-commerce business, Smithsonianstore.com, and  Smithsonian  magazine, which reaches more than 8 million monthly readers, consumer and education licensing, and books. Smithsonian Journeys is a global leader in cultural travel for diverse audiences, offering unique, expert-led trips on all seven continents. Smithsonian Journeys offers small-group land journeys, small-ship ocean cruises, river cruises, active journeys, cultural stays, private jet trips, tailor-made journeys for the independent traveler, and student travel programs. For more information visit www.SmithsonianJourneys.org or call 1-855-330-1542.   

Promo Communications is an Aspen-based boutique agency. Small by design, yet big in quality—like the mountain town where we are based. Promo Communications delivers results-driven public relations, content marketing, social media, content distribution, and brand storytelling for clients. And, Promo has a proven track record with destination resorts, craft experiences, luxury products, and adventurous brands. We tailor every strategy by hand after learning about a client’s goals, objectives, and needs. We execute dynamic strategies while emphasizing measurement and ROI.

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Smithsonian Journeys Consumer Reviews

VIRGINIA -- We had the opposite experience with Smithsonian. We had booked a family trip to Yellowstone in 2020, which of course was cancelled because of the pandemic. We chose to roll over our deposit instead of taking a refund. In 2021, the no one else had signed up due to the continued pandemic, so we rolled it over again. In July 2022 we had a fabulous trip to Yellowstone with our grandson. Throughout our experience we were able to talk to a Smithsonian representative personally. We were contacted about adjusting the date of our trip one week earlier to be sure the trip would go. Smithsonian was dealing with travel chaos, just as we were. They were very professional and courteous, as we were with them.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS -- In February 2021, we reserved a trip run by Smithsonian Journeys to Normandy, France, scheduled to take place October 2 - 10, 2021. A deposit of $1,000 was sent to Smithsonian Journeys, who used AHI Travel to book hotels and airlines for the trip. We paid a total of $14,476 by check and credit card to AHI Travel for the full cost of the trip including Airline reservations in July and August, the last payment was made on August 3.

On August 25 we received notice that Smithsonian had cancelled the trip because the U.S. Department of State rated travel to France as "Advisory Level 4", DO NOT TRAVEL. Smithsonian offered the option of a full refund, which we took. Smithsonian refunded our $1,000 deposit within two weeks, but as of yet, we have not received the remainder of the funds from AHI Travel. They are claiming that it will take of to 8-weeks for the refund, but $6,300 of the $14,476 we paid to AHI was paid by them to Air France for air travel.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, "If a passenger is owed a refund, an airline, travel agent, or online travel agency must process it within seven business days if the passenger paid by credit card, and 20 business days if the passenger paid by cash or check".

The Normandy trip was not the first trip we have taken with Smithsonian travel and we have previously been happy with their service. However, based on our experience on the Normandy reservation, we would not recommend booking travel with Smithsonian Journeys and AHI Travel.

WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA -- My friend and I booked this trip as a "reunion" with our college buddies. We paid the deposit $1,000.00 on 11/15/19. Then Covid came along, and the trip was cancelled. We chose to have them keep the deposit in anticipation that we could make the next trip. The year 2020 passed, and in late May, 2021, they notified us we could make the trip in October. We talked with our friends, and found out that they had talked to Smithsonian about us all changing our trip to an earlier time slot. Then we found that AHI Travel (awful), booked my friend and I on a different date from our friends in Arizona. We tried to get it changed, and long story short, they finally had an opening on the other date, but did not notify us until mid September with sailing in October.

It had all been a nightmare and a mess, which they caused. We declined the new sailing date, and they have declined to return our $1,000.00 deposit. 2019-2021, and through no fault of ours they refuse. DO NOT TAKE A TRIP WITH THESE PEOPLE. I have travelled for 20 years, and never had such a terrible experience, lack of communication, and refusal to work with us.

Smithsonian Journeys suck!!! Would like to give them zero stars but unfortunately this is not an option. Booked a Peru family adventure trip through Smithsonian Journeys in August 2017. Got confirmation, paid trip in full. Few weeks later got an email from Thomson adventures - the company that Smithsonian had contracted to provide the actual trip - notifying us that Smithsonian Journeys had canceled our trip.

Smithsonian Journeys didn't even had the guts to call us personally to inform of cancellation. Smithsonian Journeys never apologized for the cancellation either. Luckily Thomson Adventures stepped up and offered to take us to the same trip minus Smithsonian lecturers. Turns out that Thomson Adventures never cancel - not for any reason. We had a wonderful trip thanks to the Thomson Adventures.

Shame on Smithsonian Journeys. Don't ever book the trip with Smithsonian Journeys - check out which tour operator they use and book directly with the tour operator. Thomson adventures and Tauck tours are good options - they don't cancel. Have never disappointed us.

TENNESSEE -- I had to cancel a trip with Smithsonian Journeys due to issues with the coronavirus. I cancelled it 6 months in advance. They will not refund my deposit! They want to transfer it to a future trip. I am very futile find that my respect for the Smithsonian is misplaced.

CAMBRIDGE, MA, MASSACHUSETTS -- In October of 2005 my wife and I booked a trip to Peru with Smithsonian Journeys located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The trip is scheduled for May, 2006. We selected this tour because of a great interest in the ruins of Machu Picchu and because it was one of the very few tours that included a stay in Sanctuary Lodge which is the ONLY hotel located within the walls of Machu Picchu. As one of the seven wonders of the modern world, it was CRITICALLY important to us to stay in that facility to achieve our travel desires. We paid a deposit of $500 for each of us.

Over a month later we noticed in one of the brochures from the company that the tour would NOT be staying in Sanctuary Lodge but in another facility some miles away from the monument itself. When I called the company to inquire about this change in January, 2006 I was told that the company uses several different hotels for that part of the trip and they were not going to use Sanctuary Lodge on this trip. I told them that staying at Sanctuary Lodge was the ONLY reason we selected this tour and that if the tour was not going to stay at Sanctuary Lodge we would like to cancel our participation in the tour and have our deposits returned. They refused to do so.

After a series of letters were exchanged they continued to refuse to refund our deposit offering only “travel vouchers” for another tour. In NONE of the letters does the company deny having switched hotels without notification. Obviously, this is unacceptable to us since we believe that Smithsonian Journeys used a form of “bait and switch” and we can NEVER trust this company again. We are experienced travelers and we have never been treated in such a shoddy manner by any other tour operator.

We believe this “bait and switch” tactic to be unethical and the failure to refund our deposits is, at the very least, a terrible business practice. We would like to alert you to the practices of this company as we believe them to be totally unacceptable for any legitimate travel agent.

This Neolithic Monument Found in France Has No Equal

A trio of interlocking enclosures, the structure may date to the time of the Bell Beaker culture, but experts are unsure of its exact age and purpose

Sonja Anderson

Daily Correspondent

A newly discovered structure in France could be thousands of years old—and its odd shape is one of a kind, archaeologists say.

Researchers from the French National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research (INRAP) unearthed the monument while excavating a prehistoric site in the eastern commune of Marliens. According to a statement , the site’s anthropological history spans the Neolithic era to the First Iron Age.

From above, the structure resembles a wonky, incomplete bowtie, outlined in lines of raised, shaped earth. Its middle is a complete circle, measuring 36 feet across. Horseshoe-shaped lines protrude from either side of the circle. One of these enclosures is complete—measuring 26 feet across—while the other is dashed and gapped.

“This type of monument seems unprecedented,” notes INRAP in the statement. “As of now, it has been impossible to make a comparison.”

Researchers inferred the monument’s age by examining a “plethora of artifacts” found at the site, writes Live Science ’s Jennifer Nalewicki. These include a bundle of seven stone arrowheads, a couple of protective armbands worn by archers, a flint lighter and a copper-alloy dagger.

Per the statement, these items may date back to the time of the Bell Beaker culture, which originated in the Iberian Peninsula and spread across Europe some 4,500 years ago. Possessing lighter eyes, skin and hair than their predecessors in Europe, the Beaker people are famous for the bell-shaped pottery—or “bell beakers”—that they brought to the continent during the Neolithic period.

Archaeologists at the Marliens site also discovered evidence of human occupation from later periods, including several wells thought to date to the Early Bronze Age, which lasted from about 2300 to 1650 B.C.E., per Newsweek ’s Aristos Georgiou. The wells’ clay linings could reveal characteristics of the surrounding valley during the first half of the second millennium B.C.E.

A third historical period—the Middle-Late Bronze Age—is represented on site by a necropolis consisting of five circular enclosures. None of the burials are complete today, as the area’s soil acidity was not conducive to the preservation of unburned bones, writes INRAP. But five pins made of copper alloy and a necklace of amber beads found nearby suggest this small cemetery dates to between 1500 and 1300 B.C.E.

Finally, researchers excavated a second necropolis, this one containing six urns holding cremated remains, as well as a cache of bracelets and rings. Researchers believe this burial ground dates to the First Iron Age, which took place in France between about 800 B.C.E. and 100 C.E., per Newsweek .

According to the statement, the complex of small necropolises is the first of its kind to be discovered in the region of eastern Burgundy . INRAP scholars are now studying the remains to learn more about the funerary practices of the society that buried them.

The raised monument remains this site’s oldest and most unique feature. Researchers have concluded that its three components are about the same age, but they’ve made no determinations about the structure’s purpose or exact date of creation.

“The dating still remains uncertain,” the statement says. “For greater precision, radiocarbon analyses are underway to clarify the chronology of this monument.”

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Sonja Anderson | READ MORE

Sonja Anderson is a writer and reporter based in New York City.