Silversea Luxury Cruises A SAINT TROPEZ

Embrace the scenic beauty of Provence during this half-day outing to the seaside village of Bormes-les-Mimosas. Located in the heart of the Mediterranean coastal region of the south of France, this medieval ancient village offers a step back in time.

After tendering ashore in St. Tropez, depart for the scenic, 50-minute journey southwest to Bormes-les-Mimosas. En route, the coastal road follows the St. Tropez Peninsula past numerous beaches, and the villages of Ramatuelle, La Croix and Valmer. Of particular interest are the monuments and landing beach at Cape Cavalaire, where Churchill's 'Operation Dragon' came ashore in August of 1944.

Bormes-Les-Mimosas

Located just three miles from Le Lavandou, yet a world away, is Bormes-Les-Mimosas, one of the most attractive and flower-filled villages in France. Precede through the Massif des Maures along a hairpin road that affords breath-taking views at every turn of the indented coastline, which is replete with beautiful mimosa, palm and gum trees. Built as an amphitheatre, the hilltop village of Bormes-Les-Mimosas is famous for its benign climate, fabulous panoramas and a flowery charm that has attracted many artists, painters and sculptors.

Village Walking Tour

Next, take a guided walking tour through the narrow streets of the village. Your route begins at the Renaissance Chapel of Saint-François de Paule, located next to the old cemetery and remains of windmills. Traverse the charming, narrow and twisted streets dotted with arts and crafts shops en route to the old castle.

Provence Castle

Built between the 13th and 14th centuries, the castle bears witness to the reign of the Counts of Provence; parts of it have been registered as historic monuments. Although now a private residence, its threshold offers a wonderful panoramic view across Lavandou Bay, the Levant and Port Cros islands, the Port of la Favière, and the private grounds of Cap Bénat and Gaou Bénat.

Your visit concludes with a refreshing drink and some free time to stroll about the slender, steep passages before re-boarding your coach for the return drive along the coastal road to St. Tropez Harbour.

Please note: This tour requires an extensive amount of walking for approximately 1100m (3/4 of a mile) over cobblestones and some uneven pavement with some steep inclines or steps in the village of Bormes. Tour coaches are not permitted to enter the port area of St. Tropez; therefore, a lengthy walk is required to-and-from the coaches. This tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. We recommend lightweight clothing, comfortable shoes and sun protection.

Go on an adventure for the day discovering wilds surrounding the French Riviera on your nimble off-road buggy. Fill your eyes with views of spectacular landscapes including vineyards, forests and wilderness, as well as incredible panoramic vistas over the Mediterranean Sea.

Departing the pier, drive via coach with your guide to St. Raphael, a resort town on the Cote d'Azur that serves as your starting point for your buggy adventure. Receiving a safety and technical briefing from your English-speaking instructor, and then it is time to set off.

Discover the incredible rocky coastal wilderness of Estérel, which provides spectacular terrain for cruising while taking in sweeping views of the sea below. Follow your instructor to a private field for an exclusive session driving off-road. Travel to the wild playground at the heart of the forest in Fréjus, getting close-up to the iconic wild donkeys that dwell here.

Departing Fréjus, drive along the iconic, winding road: the famous Corniche d'Or. Drive along in convoy, awestruck at the views offered here as you coast between land and sea in your buggy. Prepare to be awed at the bright turquoise blue sea before you and the red rocks of the Massif of Esterel behind you.

Part-way through the trip take a pause in the wilderness to quench your thirst and enjoy a snack in an inspiring natural setting near a modest hunter's home. Enjoy an improvised snack of Provencal treats like fresh fruits, sweet candies, biscuits and syrup. Prepare to share with a wild donkey as they often take quite a bit of interest in picnics!

There are many opportunities to stop, relax, switch drivers and take in the views before you. Remember to bring your bathing suit as there are a few chances to jump into water, in the sea and also in a wild creek.

Please note: This tour involves a moderate amount of activity over uneven natural terrain, navigating the off-road experience in a buggy. Due to the activity level and uneven ground, this tour is not recommended for individuals with limited mobility or those with back or neck issues (also not suitable for pregnant women). Buggies are not equipped for wheelchairs. This tour is for adults only, no children are allowed. Guests must sign a waiver to participate on this tour and provide a valid ID and driver's license. Guests are recommended to wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes, bring a swimsuit and towel, and also to bring a bandana/scarf to protect face from dust. Guests should expect significant sun exposure. Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment. Wildlife sightings likely but not guaranteed

See the French Riviera like you never have before, touring above Saint Tropez on a panoramic helicopter ride that you will never forget. Transfer from the pier by coach and arrive at the Heli pad for your exclusive private tour of the heart of the French Riviera, the exclusive, glamorous city of Saint Tropez.

Tour past the space-age multi-million-Euro yachts and get a rare opportunity to see secluded villages as well as luxury properties that are otherwise inaccessible to the public. Fly over the Saint Tropez Citadel, which from the air casts a striking shape, like an elongated star.

Enjoy the spectacular scenery of the brilliant turquoise of the Mediterranean giving way to beaches, and further inland the ancient villages with their distinctive rooftops. See the spectacular harbor of Cavalaire lined with luxury boats, and the colorful homes lining the canals of Port Grimaud.

At the end of your brief flight (a total of 20 minutes in the air), make the return trip to the pier, or to downtown Saint Tropez to explore at your leisure.

Please note: This tour involves little walking (150 m) and the ability to take one large step to enter the helicopter. Guests with limited mobility must be able to get in and out of the helicopter and board the coach without assistance. This tour is not accessible for wheelchairs, but guests who are able to transfer on their own may participate. Guests do not need to sign a waiver but the must bring a copy of a valid photo ID and present it in order to board. This tour is not recommended for those prone to motion sickness or with a fear of heights. Participants must be at least 6 years old to participate on this tour (children must be accompanied by an adult). There is a weight limit of 130 kgs (285 lbs). Space on this tour is extremely limited; we suggest you book well in advance to avoid disappointment.

Experience an eclectic blend of cosmopolitan chic and country charm in the area of St. Tropez during this scenic cruise along Port Grimaud, and a visit to its charming hilltop village.

After tendering ashore, depart the pier for the brief drive via coach to Port Grimaud.

Port Grimaud

Port Grimaud was created in the 1960s as a private lagoon pleasure city with waterways for roads and yachts parked at the end of every garden. This extraordinary architectural experiment was the idea of François Spoerry who envisioned a town built in the manner of Venice with channels of water and traditional French fisherman's houses, each with a personal boat mooring space at the end of the garden. The houses are built in the tasteful old Provençal style. Upon arrival, take a pleasant guided stroll through this unique enclave, followed by a 15-20 minute motorboat cruise past exquisite homes, lovely gardens, tiny squares and bridges spanning the manmade canals.

Grimaud Village

Next, re-board your coach and proceed for a countryside drive to the village of Grimaud, and a look at the quieter side of life in the South of France. Known as a 'village perché', Grimaud is perched on a hillside high above the fertile valley, and is accessed by an uphill walk. Your reward is a serene, rustic village with warm, ochre-coloured houses grouped around an 11th-century church. Until the end of the 19th century, the Castle of Grimaud was the command post overlooking the Gulf of Grimaud. The remains of a medieval castle are an added attraction, as are the stunning views from its hilltop location.

After a leisurely stroll around this charming setting, walk back to your coach for the return drive to St. Tropez Harbour.

Please note: This tour requires an extensive amount of walking on cobblestone, unpaved and paved surfaces, with steps to negotiate, and is not recommended for guests with limited mobility or guests who utilise a wheelchair. Total walking distance is approximately 1400m (1 mile). We recommend wearing comfortable clothing, walking shoes and sun protection. During high season traffic may be congested in the area and may affect timing of this excursion.

Explore St. Tropez at your leisure during your full-day (8 Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Participation is limited to 2 guests per car. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.

Explore St. Tropez at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Participation is limited to 2 guests per car. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.

Explore St. Tropez at your leisure during a full-day (8 Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Participation is limited to 6 guests per van. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.

Explore St. Tropez at your leisure during a half-day (4 Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Please note: This tour is non-refundable if cancelled within 48 hours prior to arrival in the port. Actual vehicle type varies depending on availability. Participation is limited to 6 guests per van. The price, exclusive of meals, entrance fees and gratuities, is per vehicle. Therefore, when making your reservation, please indicate the number of vehicles, not the number of guests. Only one person in the party needs to reserve this program. Please see the Shore Concierge Office on board the ship to arrange your individual itinerary.

Indulge your senses with the culture, architecture and flavours of St. Tropez during a scenic stroll around this seaside resort, and a wine class and tasting in a quaint village private terrace. Medieval streets lined with walled gardens, little squares set with dripping fountains and picturesque houses all await your exploration.

St. Tropez

Although St. Tropez is world-renowned as an ultra-chic haunt of the rich and famous, this charming seaside resort is also a genuine Provençal village with a rich cultural heritage.

After tendering ashore, meet your guide at the pier station, then take a guided walking tour to discover the architectural and traditional beauty of St. Tropez. As you proceed along the old harbour, often painted by famous artists, see an 1866 statue of Bailli de Suffren, seaside houses with vaulted basements that used to be boat garages on quai Jean-Jaurès, and the famous Sénéquier Teahouse.

Next, your walking tour continues on to the Town Hall Square for a look back at a time when St. Tropez was an independent republic so rigorously well-defended by its inhabitants that it was never conquered.

Wine Tasting

Your tour concludes at an intimate village terrace, where an expert oenologist greets your arrival and introduces you to the world of wine and winemaking on the St. Tropez Peninsula. Learn the three techniques, sight, smell and taste, as well as the art of using the right words to describe these sensations. The expert then puts your senses to the test in an interactive game of flavour-detection. Learn how to discern different types of wine, and match food with the correct wine.

Following this unique experience, you may return directly to the pier or spend the afternoon in town at your leisure.

Please note: This tour requires an extensive amount (approximately 1.5 hours) of walking, at times over cobbled surfaces and it is not suitable for guests with limited mobility or those who utilise a wheelchair. We recommend lightweight, comfortable clothing, walking shoes and sun protection. Guests need to be of legal drinking age to participate in the wine tasting.

Experience Gassin and Ramatuelle in the Var region in the south of France, both beautiful hilltop villages set high above the Mediterranean Sea and the peninsula of Saint Tropez. The villages were originally created to escape the pirates who terrorized the local Mediterranean waters. Gassin is believed to be one of the oldest villages in the south of France with first written evidence dating back to 1234. Ramatuelle is located above the famous Pampelonne beach, famous for its role in the Allied landing and also renowned as one of the main beaches of Saint Tropez.

After tendering ashore, depart via coach for a scenic drive through the heart of the St. Tropez Peninsula.

Gassin

Your first stop is at the picturesque village of Gassin. Its shape and size is reminiscent of a small ship perched on a summit. The original name of Garcin dates back to earlier times to the 10th century. The Knights Templar is thought to have built the castle on the rock and you can see traces of the Templiers on the ancient walls in some of the streets and doors. Once a Moorish stronghold, today Gassin is a chic and popular tourist destination. It is known as 'the most beautiful village of France' and has an unrivalled panoramic view of the Golfe de St. Tropez, the Iles d'Or and the surrounding hills.

During your visit, walk the maze of alleyways, sometimes linked by stairs, and take in the cosy atmosphere of the village. Leaving Gassin's hilltop location, proceed to its lower-lying neighbour of Ramatuelle.

Ramatuelle

Larger than Gassin but just as old, Ramatuelle is surrounded by some of the best Côte de Provence vineyards. Upon arrival, commence your guided walking tour. The guide points out the area's most interesting sites and the main highlights of the area as you proceed through the twisting arcade of streets abounding with arts and crafts shops. Old houses, recently restored, huddle against the ancient town wall. Ocher facades and pastel shutters are decorated with jasmine, honeysuckle and bougainvillea, a feast for the senses.

Of special interest is a monument to the members of the Special Services who died in World War II, and the ivy-covered tomb of French actor Gerard Philippe, who died in 1959 and is buried in Ramatuelle's cemetery.

Following your visit, re-board the coach for the drive back to St. Tropez Harbour.

Please note: This tour requires an extensive amount of walking over cobbled and uneven surfaces, with steps to negotiate in the villages. Since the tour coaches are not permitted to enter the port's parking area, a lengthy walk is required to-and-from the coaches. This tour is not recommended for guests with limited mobility and guests who utilise a wheelchair. Timings may vary during high season due to increased traffic in St. Tropez.