This page is interactive with the client and will change and develop until the last days of the tour in June 2009. Details will be accessible for the client anywhere in the world at anytime.
.JPG)
All tours are booked and developed through,
Lifestyle Travel Ballarat an arm of Travelscene American Express.
http://www.lifestyletravel.com.au/
Your destination: a new way of seeing the world.
Welcome to Curious Traveller tours. We specialize in private or escorted, tailor-made arts based travel to
Best experiences are about the blending of your needs with the unique and special context we provide about the places you wish to see. For those of you looking for the extra thrill of going alone but with the knowledge and experience of our guides, we created a self guided section.
Our travel requirements are no longer about somewhere to rest and relax. We want to understand the places we are experiencing. The walk-by tour without real engagement is a thing of the past. We, at Curious Traveller have specialized in providing unique travel products. Our connections with some of the most important cultural establishments in
Any style choices of events and accommodation cited below are types of examples which reflect on what may be your tour requirements.
Welcome
.JPG)
Tuscany / South of France
Self Guided
The brief:
To explore Tuscany and the south of France while staying mainly in small country villas. A request was to limit where possible long periods of winding roads. A preference for country stays was expressed in order to have unique regional experiences and cultural challenges. Preferred quality stays in large cities. Detailed itinerary will be in hard copy and this will include the Curious Traveller cultural pathway notes to our concept of "andor-per-le-fodore", finding a destination via secret pathways. Cultural pathway headings are highlighted in colour.
Itinerary 
Roma
Day 1
.JPG)
Morning
Arrival early during the day Walk to Saint Peters
Afternoon
Pantheon and Spanish steps
Evening
Dinner Piazza Navona - accommodation Hotel Raphael
http://www.raphaelhotel.com/hotel-in-rome_256_ENG.htm
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&q=rome&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl
Day 2 .JPG)
Morning
Orientation bus tour
Afternoon
Walk Palatine Hill/ Colosseum/ Nero's Palace.
http://www.vaticantoursinc.com/tours/tour.php?id=7
Evening
Dine at ease. Taxi to Trevi fountain
Toscana
Day 3 
Morning
Termini Station travel to Florence
Afternoon
Drive to your villa in Impruneta and maybe take a plunge in the pool.
Evening
Orienate yourself to the Tuscan landscape
http://www.relaisfarmholiday.it/
Farm stays in
Days 4 & 5 
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&q=florence&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl
Choices
From the Arno to the Medici tomb - Find the link?
Pitti palace to the Ponte Vecchio - shop/ eat/ dine
Il Duomo to the Harangue
Champagne and the Uffizi
Explore local countryside at leisure - make up a picnic from local produce plus wine!
Days 6 to13 
Choices:
Accommodation
http://www.tuscanyrent.it/schedaappartamento.asp?AppartamentoId=611
http://www.escapetotuscany.com/
Tuscan Dreams
http://www.comune.volterra.pi.it/english/museiit/metru.html
http://www.terrediarnolfo.it/colle/index_en.html
http://www.sangimignano.com/sghomei.htm
Etrucan Jewelry Tapestries
Venezia 
Days 14 to 20
Venice from the insiders viewpoint
http://www.venice-rentals.com/venice/v231.shtml
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&q=venice&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl
http://www.venice-rentals.com/
South of France
http://www.whytraveltofrance.com/category/booksmagazines/
Day 21 .JPG)
Morning
Depart Venice fly to Marseille
Afternoon
Book in to hotel http://www.hotels-de-marseille.com/english/
Evening
- Stroll along the quay and enjoy the sea breezes.
Day 22 Drive to Avignon
.JPG)
Days 23 to 31
Let Avignon surprise you.
Morning Drive from Marseille through the idyllic French landscape
Afternoon Acclimatise to your new home
Evening At leisure
http://www.letresorcache-luberon.com/anglais/index.php
http://www.ownersdirect.co.uk/france/fr171.htm
Accommodation choices:
Self-contained villa - www.ownersdirect.co.uk/france/fr171.htm
Top floor apartment, separate entrance, owners downstairs - www.holidaylettings.co.uk/collias/
Apartment in the medieval walls of
Choice
Your chance to come up close and personal to
The winery may be famous, but the handmade chocolates are to die for!
Feel the power and glory of the art of falconry from the middle ages
Taste the green gold cold pressed olive oil milled on the farm
See the splendours of antiquity - viaducts, arenas, temples, thermal springs, papal palaces
Experience the colours and light of the Provencal artists and landscapes
Soak up the sun, lazing on the deck of a river cruiser - relax and enjoy.
Some photos just have to be large so you know what you are about to experience.
Paris
Days 31 to 34 Paris 
http://hotelbretonnerie.com/
.JPG)
http://www.louvre.fr/llv/commun/home.jsp?bmLocale=en
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&q=paris&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl
http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/home.html
http://www.musee-rodin.fr/welcome.htm
http://www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com/en/jacquemart/
Favourite Museums closed Mondays
The Rodin Museum
Musee Carnavalet
Musee du Quai Branly
Musee de la Vie Romantique
Musee d'Orsay
Catacombs
Orangerie
Musee Marmottan
Favorite Museums closed Tuesdays
Le Louvre
Pompidou Center
Picasso Museum
Cluny Musee du Moyen Age
Eugene Delacroix Museum
La Cinematheque Francaise
Choices of Accommodation:
Rome:
Traditional & Classical : Hotel Raphael - http://www.raphaelhotelrome.com/ - Approx $ 650.00 per night
Hotel Splendid Royale- http://www.splendideroyal.com/ - Approx $ 550.00 per night
Contemporary Classic : Sofitel Roma http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-1312-sofitel-rome-villa-borghese/index.shtml - Approx $ 565.00 per night
Hotel Stendhal - http://www.hotelstendhalrome.com - Approx $ 580.00 per night
Modern : Capo d'Africa Hotel - http://www.hotelcapodafrica.com/ - Approx $ 670.00 pr night
Tuscany:
Relais & Chateaux - Gorgeous luxurious Tuscan Complex which is also the town - http://www.relaischateaux.com/en/search-book/hotel-restaurant/borgofelice/ - Approx $ 550 per night.
Traditional Cottage - Castello Vicchiomaggio - Imilda'' is contained within the grounds and is a typical rustic Tuscan stone farmhouse in the vineyards. Highly recommended - http://www.vicchiomaggio.it/eng/index.html - Saturday to Saturday - Approx $ 1850.00 for 7 nights.
Tuscany, Italy 16 to 23 May 2009
Mulino - Frantoio $Aud 1250 per week plus €50 for final cleaning and heating (based on consumption) which shouldn't be required at this time of the year. So likely just the €50 for final cleaning. According to our local agent:
This accommodation is such a nice place with all modern comforts and one can walk into Gaiole in Chianti. The owner is an American lady who used to stay often in rental properties so when she decorated her own (these apartments) she knew exactly what holiday makers are looking for in a rental place !
Venice:
Traditional & Classical Hotel: Hotel Savoia & Jolanda - Lovely 4 star hotel in fantastic location with view of St Mark's Basin - http://www.hotelsavoiajolanda.com/ - Approx $ 540.00 per night
Contemporary Classic Hotel: Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal - Again 4 star hotel in great location on Grand Canal - http://www.hotelsavoiajolanda.it/ - Approx $ 595.00 per night
Classical & Romantic Hotel: Hotel Londra Palace - Renowned Venice hotel with canal & basin views - http://www.hotelondra.it/ - Approx $ 760.00 per night
Apartment - Grand Canal - 23 to 26 May 2009
Ca Rezzonico 1 $Aud 1310 for 3 nights
Marseille:
Softiel Marseille Vieux Port - Lovely 4 star with great views of the old port. - http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-0542-sofitel-marseille-vieux-port/index.shtml - Approx $ 490.00 per night
Novotel Marseille Vieux Port - 3.5 Star located under the Sofitel - http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-0911-novotel-marseille-vieux-port/index.shtml
- Approx $ 300.00 per night
Aix-en-Provence:
Luxury Villa - Relais & Chateau experience at Villa Gallici - Beautiful amazing experience for both ambience and food ( Michelin star chefs ) - http://www.villagallici.com/uk/navigation.php
Would be good for a couple of nights but may be too expensive for a long stay
Avignon:
26 May to 2 June 2009
Saint Theatre - The Penthouse $Aud 4200 per week Sat 23 to Sat 30 May 2009
Les Camelias $Aud 2720 Mon 25 May to Mon 1 June 2009
Paris:
Traditional : Hotel Regina - Beautiful classical famous 4 Star Parisian hotel in fabulous location opposite the Louvre - http://www.regina-hotel.com/uk/navigation.htm
- Approx $ 580.00 per night
Duminy Vendome - Great 3 star hotel in excellent right bank location - http://www.hotelduminyvendome.com/uk/index.htm
- Approx $ 330.00 per night
Contemporary Classic: Hotel Pont Royal - In the heart of St Germain a lovely 4 star hotel - http://www.hotel-pont-royal.com/
- Approx $ 520.00 per night
------------------------------------------------------