10 days in Lake Como & Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur Itinerary

A favorite vacation spot for more than a century, Lake Como was once an exclusive retreat for local aristocrats and wealthy people. It is not only one of Europe's most beautiful lakes, but also one of the deepest at more than 400 m (1,300 ft). Surrounded by elegant villas, the lake has become a popular holiday destination for tourists because of its range of attractions, from landscapes, wildlife, and spas, to activities like sailing, windsurfing, and kite-surfing. The area has been an inspiration for artists since Roman times. English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley wrote, "This lake exceeds anything I ever beheld in beauty…It is long and narrow and has the appearance of a mighty river winding among the mountains and the forests."

You'll feel the sun getting bigger and brighter the closer you get to Provence on the Mediterranean. When you glimpse your first red-tiled roof, you'll know you've entered the south, filled with vineyards, cypresses, and the crisp, inviting scent of lavender and rosemary. Since before the Roman Empire, Provence has been a vibrant community, partially due to its intensely bright sunlight--bathing the people in its radiance, as well as soaking sunflowers, olive groves, vineyards, and purple lavender fields with its warm rays. Breezy, star-filled nights set the mood for a romantic vacation highlighted by a moonlit stroll, a dramatic performance at the theater, or dynamic nightlife decked out in the height of fashion at the trendiest nightclubs.

Since Provence is a historical province, some people include the French Riviera as part of the region, because it shares the cultural and linguistic identity unique to Provence, while others view the area north of Cannes as separate from the region.

Joining the Mediterranean Sea, and flanked by the Rhône River and the Alps, this region captivated master artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh, and Cézanne. If included on an itinerary, it will do the same for you, with its tranquil gardens, mysterious caves, rustic vistas, Roman ruins, and enchanting old harbors. You can enjoy the finer things in life here, like searching for that special something at the area boutiques, visiting the workshop of a local artisan for authentic regional arts and crafts, and learning historical tidbits from a resident's perspective by antiquing in the country's best stores. Like its native Provençal inhabitants, you too can enjoy world-class people watching. If you're lucky, you'll catch a glimpse of a major celeb or two followed by the relentless paparazzi, all while sitting at an outdoor café overlooking any one of the magnificent Mediterranean marinas, one of the most quintessential things to do in the region.