Top Things To Do In Marseille

So we were on a cruise with a stop in Marseille. None of the cruise ship excursion offerings interested us so I looked up and found Bonjour Provence in TripAdvisor. After reading a few reviews and exchanging a couple of emails, we decided to hire one of their cars for a private tour to Aix-Provence and the Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine region. Silvio of Bonjour Tours was easy to work with and spoke perfect English when we spoke on the phone. Since they did not have an itinerary that fit our wants, Silvio told me not to worry and that once the driver picked us up we could curate our own tour. The price was reasonable for a private car for the two of us so we went for it. Precisely on time, we walked off our ship and stepped into a beautiful BMW that wished us away from the cruise terminal. Clem [Clement] was our driver who knew the roads and got us out of Marseille quickly. As Silvio said, we quickly modified the scheduled trip and took off in the other direction from Cassis and Marseille. First stop was Aix-Provence, which we didn't think looked interesting in the brochures. We were surprised. What a marvelous town. Clem took us to the center and we all walked around the plazas, the fountains and shops for over an hour exploring, nibbling on goodies and learning about this area of Provence from Clem. Then back to the car and off to the Châteauneuf-du-Pape wine region, which was a long way from the cruise terminal. Because of the importance of the wines from that region we decided to stretch to visit it. We were not disappointed. Clem took us to a winery that had a restaurant high on a hill. While we gazed over the Rhône River and the amazing vistas of hundreds of acres of vineyard, we were served a delicious lunch on an outdoor patio. Our hosts curated our lunch selections with local wines, each better than the last. When we were full and a little tipsy, we walked over to the winery where we sampled more wine and made a few selections to take home. When we were done, I texted Clem, who brought our car around. In the car, Clem asked if we would like to visit another winery that was special. He said they didn't have a reservation slot for us, but we went there anyway where Clem used his charm to get us a tasking. That was an amazing and wholly unscripted stop. The wine was fantastic and we bought a case that the winery kindly shipped to the US. Since we were far from the coast, and quite full, Clem took us back to Marseille in time to meet our ship's boarding time. I was disappointed that Bonjour Provence Tours weren't in every one of our stops on the cruise. Bonjour Provence Tours was an amazing and friendly host that took the extra step to make our visit unique and special. We were far from the cattle car of a cruise ship excursion. At every step Clem and Bonjour Provence Tours treated us with the highest level of service and professionalism. If we ever return to Provence, we will be working with them again. Bonjour Silvio and Clem - until next time.

2024-04-20

Our experience began with a punctual pickup, followed by an immersive stroll through the bustling fish market. We then proceeded to explore the scenic beauty of Parc Langchamps. After absorbing the sights there, we returned to the old port and ventured to Duclaux Park, where breathtaking views of the marina captivated us. To cap off the morning, we received an excellent restaurant suggestion that did not disappoint. Deep gratitude to Kalil for curating such a delightful itinerary. For those looking to replicate our memorable journey, it was all seamlessly organized by Tratoli.

2024-07-21

Experience the Magic of Provence with an Unforgettable Adventure! Embark on an extraordinary day trip, orchestrated by Tratoli, that surpasses expectations. Our journey began with a seamless pickup from Marseille and took us through the heart of picturesque Provence under the caress of perfect weather. Guided by the multilingual Pepe, whose fluency in English and French melded effortlessly, we delved deep into a tapestry woven with thousands of years of history. His passion for Provence and his profound knowledge of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art periods significantly enriched our experience. In a single day, we discovered an array of sights that far exceeded our anticipation. One of the tour's highlights was tracing the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh during his most creative phase at the St Remy Asylum—leaving an indelible impact. My husband gained fresh insights into Van Gogh's work, recognizing not madness, but a meticulous reflection of the landscape and his daily visions. Our adventure was sprinkled with delightful surprises, from a vibrant street and food market bursting with fresh produce to the enchanting Les Baux, a gem that was previously unknown to us. Strolling through the ancient streets of Arles felt like stepping into a fairytale. The true, unforgettable highlight was Pepe, whose wisdom and storytelling brought the soul of Provence alive for us. Thankful for his unique perspective, Pepe and this remarkable tour orchestrated by Tratoli will forever remain etched in our memories. Whether you're an art aficionado or a lover of French culture, this Provencial exploration promises to capture your heart.

2023-06-08

Booking our Mediterranean cruise through Tratoli, my friends and I sought an exclusive adventure that surpassed the standard offerings from the cruise operators. I took the initiative to organize a unique wine-tasting experience and discovered the sterling reputation of Provence Wine Tours on Trip Advisor—a truly fortuitous find. Faced with time constraints, we required a tailored excursion that not only delivered a memorable journey through Provence's wine country but also respected our strict schedule to return to port punctually. Collaboratively, we crafted the perfect itinerary, thanks to their flexible planning. Gathered at the port, our group of fifteen was warmly greeted by our guides, Eric and Stephan, who escorted us in two cozy vans toward the picturesque vineyards of Provence. The landscape unfolded like a scene from a cinematic masterpiece, replete with stunning vistas of lush vineyards. Our guides imparted their impressive wine wisdom with enthusiasm, enlightening us with intriguing tidbits that captivated even the seasoned wine tour veterans among us. The vineyard visits showcased superb wines, each tasting leading to the unanimous decision to purchase bottles to savor beyond our excursion. The personalized wine tour rivaled the cost of typical cruise shore excursions, yet the experience was unanimously hailed as superior by my companions. The consensus was clear: this enchanting wine tour orchestrated by Provence Wine Tours, a decision made thanks to our booking through Tratoli, was the highlight of our cruise's portside adventures. These experts truly delivered the best!

2018-09-13