I made four powerpoints. F-O-U-R. Each had a different possible honeymoon itinerary, and most importantly, photos. The photos were the most important for Ryan, who I was presenting these powerpoints to. We mixed and matched the itineraries and settled on the below – A week of adventure followed by a week of relaxation. I really tried my darnedest to incorporate as many new places in Europe that I hadn’t been before. I was mildly successful at that but definitely 100% excited about the 2-week itinerary below.
This map shows the route we’ll be taking during the first week road trip portion of our trip – beginning in Antibes and staying in Moustiers-St.-Marie and Oppede before we ditch the car and switch to public transportation.
DAY 1 / Arrive Nice, France
- Afternoon: Uber to Antibes (about a 20 minute ride). Check into AirBnB.
- Evening: Wander around and grab some dinner
- Overnight: AirBnB in Antibes
DAY 2 / Antibes / Beach Day in Juan Les Pins
- Morning: Wander around Antibes, visit the farmer’s market
- Late morning/early Afternoon: Take “Le Petit Train” over to Juan Les Pins and grab a couple beach chairs at one of the beachfront restaurants. Spend the whole afternoon relaxing, eating, enjoying the water.
- Evening: Dinner in Antibes
DAY 3 / Let the Road Trip Begin!
- Morning: Lazy morning, grab some breakfast, check out of our AirBnB and then pick up our rental car nearby in Cannes
- Note: Another option is to visit Grasse or Mougins in the morning before lunch at La Bastide St. Antoine.
- First Stop: Lunch: La Bastide Saint-Antoine
- Second Stop: Village of Castellane
- A Provencal mountain town in the Verdon National Park
- Third Stop/Overnight: Village of Moustiers-Saint-Marie
- Overnight: La Bastide de Moustiers or La Fabrique in Moustiers-Saint-Marie
- Based on our budget, we’re staying at La Fabrique, but both options seem great!
DAY 4 / Gorge du Verdon
- Morning: Start early and head over to the Gorge du Verdon!
- Drive around the Gorge and enjoy the views
- Rent a paddle boat and take a spin around the water
- Try to tackle some of the hiking trails
- Picnic and lounge by the water
- Early-Mid Afternoon:Drive 2.5 hours to the Luberon and check into Les Roullets B&B in Oppede.
- Late Afternoon / Early Evening: Visit Oppede le Vieux, grab a drink at Le Petit Cafe
- Evening: Dinner at Bistrot le 5, Menerbes
- Overnight: Les Roullets
- Note: Another option is to stay another night in Moustier St. Marie and visit Valensole and Cotignac the next day on the way to the Luberon.
DAY 5 / Provence-ness
- First Stop, Early Morning – Get there before all the tourists! Visit medieval cistercian Abbey Senanque
- Second Stop: Gordes
- Note: Tuesday is market day in Gordes (roughly 8am-1pm). If this aligns with your timing, grab some picnic lunch items (and some snacks for later) from the market, explore Gordes
- Late morning / Early Afternoon: Visit a winery or two and have picnic lunch
- For Example:
- Domaine de Marie (visit by appointment)
- Aureto Vignobles
- Has cheese & charcuterie and a patio to sit out as well as free guided (or un-guided) visit of the cellar and vineyards.
- Late Afternoon / Evening: Lazy afternoon/evening at the hotel. Take a swim, lay by the pool, drink some wine you picked up at the wineries. If they’re not already gone, dig into the rest of the snacks you picked up from this morning’s market.
- Overnight: Les Roullets in Oppede
DAY 6 / More provencal villages, please
- Morning: Visit/Explore Rousillon
- If there’s time, and we haven’t yet made it to Goult or Lacoste, visit one of those.
- Late Morning/Lunchtime: Visit Brasserie Lub
- Lunch / Try their artisanal beers
- Early Afternoon: Rent Bikes in Bonnieux and ride path to Apt/Pont due Julien (1 hour bike ride there and back).
- Evening: Dinner at Le Fournil in Bonnieux
- Overnight: Les Roullets in Oppede
DAY 7 / Goodbye Provence!
- Early Morning: Around 8am, drive to L’Isle Sur La Sorgue (20 minute drive)
- Explore the town, which is very well known for its antique stores and canals as it’s located along the Sorgue River.
- Sunday is market day and is known for being a particularly large market.
- Lunch: If a michelin-starred dining experience appeals to you: Le Vivier
- Afternoon: Around 2:00pm, drive to Avignon, return the rental car.
- If there’s time, hop a cab and explore Avignon
- Evening: 4-Hour TGV train straight to CDG Airport.
- Overnight: Aloft Hotel at Charles de Gaulle Airport
DAY 8 / Paris, France –> Paros, Greece
- Morning: Fly Paris CDG to island of Paros, Greece
- Overnight: Hotel Senia in Naousa
DAY 9-10 / Paros
- Greek Island Life
DAY 11 / Ferry from Paros, Greece to Milos, Greece
- SeaJet direct ferry from Paros to Milos (1.5 hour ferry ride)
- Hotel: Niki Savvas
DAY 12-14 / Milos
- Greek Island Life
- Our hotel booked a Buggy for us to explore the island with
DAY 15 / Fly Milos, Greece –> Paris, France
- Overnight: Le Meridien Etoile with Marriott Bonvoy Points
DAY 16 / Paris, France
- Morning: Wander into a patisserie and pick up a couple croissants for breakfast
- Late Morning: Fat Tire Bike Tour of Paris
- Mid-Afternoon: Wander around Le Marais and Montmartre neighborhoods
- Overnight: Le Meridien Etoile
DAY 17 / Fly home
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