AZAMARA OFFERS A FREE LOCAL EXCURSION ON
EACH CRUISE. OUR ‘AZAMAZING’ EVENING INVOLVES
AN OPERA SINGER, CHAMPAGNE AND STILT-
WALKING FIRE-JUGGLERS AT 18TH-CENTURY CHATEAU
D’ALPHÉRAN IN THE PROVENÇAL COUNTRYSIDE. #3
PROVENCE
On a Land Discoveries tour
(Azamara’s extensive optional program),
I head off through the Provençal
countryside on a four-hour trip to
Aix-en-Provence (above), birthplace
of Cezanne, site of Roman ruins and
medieval churches, lavender fi elds
and van Gogh’s sunfl owers. Aix’s
fabulous open-air market is overfl owing
with fl owers, gourmet produce and
all the local specialities, including
big cakes of olive-oil soap.Corsica, Cinque Terre,
Portofi no, Monte Carlo
Simply wandering on shore is adventure enough and costs little;
€1 for a glass of chilled rosé in Corsica (above), a few more for the
tourist train. In Bastia I discover Chez Mireille, where mother
and daughter conjure specialty breads and pastry. But Land
Discoveries tours are a highlight, with brilliant local guides
illuminating destinations further afield. On one such tour, we
meander through the legendary Italian Cinque Terre (left),
returning to the intoxicating seaside village of Portofino
(below, left) with the evening still ahead of us. I am on the last
shore-to-ship tender at 9.30pm. Next port is Monaco, where
I pick up some memorable house-made terrines at Formia
Boucheries in Monte Carlo for a picnic on the run.4