Kick off your trip in dreamy Aix-en-Provence, a magical city where the sounds of cicadas and church bells echo from façades of carved yellow stone and drift between the plane trees • Hike old shepherds’ paths through the rugged hills and catch views over a tranquil reservoir • Beat the heat poolside in the sumptuous luxury of Villa Gallici, which Condé Nast Traveler has named the best hotel in France • Marvel at the imposing massif of Mont Sainte-Victoire, which has been painted by the likes of Cézanne and Picasso.

The charming town of Cassis welcomes us to the coast with its unique calanques, narrow coves where crystalline water laps at the cliffs • Steep hillside vineyards are bathed by sea breezes, framing the views on a coastal hike • Get up close and personal with the calanques on a boat ride to secluded swimming spots • Dine on the catch of the day paired with delicious local wines.

Hike from one hilltop village to the next as we head east into the heart of the Riviera • Grab a bite to eat in the hidden lanes of Ramatuelle, one of the Plus Beaux (Most Beautiful) Villages of France • Watch old-timers play pétanque in Saint-Tropez, where ancient traditions coexist with the glitz of the modern jet set • Lighthouses and sandy beaches await as we explore the stunning Tropézienne coast on foot • We celebrate our week together with a scrumptious meal and one last morning stroll by the sea.