Join The Kindness Empire's Experience on the Côte d'Azur, July 7-13, 2025
Day 1: July 7
- Bienvenue! Arrive at Nice airport or Cannes train station.
- Just 45 minutes away from Nice airport and less than 5 miles from the world-famous Cannes, take a taxi to the Château de La Napoule and Villa Marguerite.
- Staying at these historic properties overlooking the Mediterranean Sea is a rare opportunity. The Villa is not open to the public and only guests of La Napoule Art Foundation are invited to stay at this art center. Enjoy the beauty, light, and peace. Unwind after your journey. Stroll to the beach for a swim, if you like. It's just a 5 minute walk away from your new home.
- Connect with your group over happy hour with champagne, wine, and cheese, hosted by The Kindness Empire.
- Enjoy your private welcome supper on the terrace of the château overlooking the Sea and hosted by The Kindness Empire.
- Explore the Château gardens after supper. Wander the 6 acres of walled château gardens deemed a "notable garden" by the French Ministry of Culture. You will have behind-the-scenes-access to this incredible garden, château, and villa all week.
Day 2: July 8
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After your breakfast of croissants, fresh fruit, yogurt, and coffee, served on the castle terrace overlooking the Mediterranean, enjoy a private tour of the Château de La Napoule, its artist studios, and gardens. End this tour in the small fishing village of La Napoule. Tonya will show you her favorite local boutiques, cafes, and wine bars.
- For Plus and Luxe guests, Tonya will take you to Nice to enjoy a cooking lesson with a chef. Walk through the markets of Nice, learn how to choose the best produce and cheeses. Then, return to cook lunch under the guidance of a chef. Enjoy your lunch with wine, hosted by The Kindness Empire.
- Plus and Luxe guests, return to the Château by private car.
- When you return, for all Plus and Luxe guests relax with a private yoga session. Suitable for all levels, a local teacher will lead you through poses to help you unwind and connect with the beautiful gardens by the Sea.
- For supper, Tonya will share the best, local restaurant recommendations with you, make reservations, guide you there. Maybe supper at a local bistro with live music, or dine on the beach. It's your choice and Tonya will make certain you get access to the best cuisine the area has to offer.
Day 3: July 9
- Begin your day on the château terrace overlooking the Sea with fresh fruit, croissants, and coffee.
- After breakfast, for Plus and Luxe guests, Tonya will take you on a ferry to a beautiful island inhabited by a silent order of monks. Relax and enjoy the view of the coastline during this 30 minute boat ride.
- Both Plus and Luxe guests will receive a private tour of this incredible island rich in culture, history, and religious significance.
- Enjoy a wine-tasting in the vineyard, hosted by The Kindness Empire for both the Plus and Luxe Experience guests.
- A delicious lunch, included in the Luxe Experience only, served at a restaurant on the island overlooking the Sea.
- After lunch, return to the Château and Villa.
- All transfers including private car and ferry are included in both the Plus and Luxe Experiences.
- For supper, perhaps visit the local markets and use your new culinary skills to create your own supper at the Villa and eat in the gardens. Or, Tonya will reserve a restaurant for you to ensure you secure the best restaurants in the area. Luxe guests receive free private transfer to restaurants.
Day 4: July 10
- Begin your day with croissants, fresh fruit, and coffee served on the Château terrace overlooking the Sea.
- After breakfast, if you are part of the Plus or Luxe Experiences, you will be driven by private car to Antibes to enjoy the vintage market. This open-air market is perfect to find a bit of France to take home with you. Whether it's jewelry, fashion, homewares, art, or a simple trinket, you will find something unique and meaningful (and enjoy negotiating for the best price, supported by Tonya).
- Tonya will reserve spaces for you at the best local restaurants for lunch in Antibes.
- After lunch, explore the beaches of Antibes, visit the Picasso museum, or the historic fort.
- Leaving Antibes, Tonya will take you to St. Jean-Cap-Ferrat for supper at a restaurant on the beach. Dine under the stars and then enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle of walking, maybe shopping and enjoying an ice cream, after supper.
- You will be driven by private car back to the Château and Villa where you can swim or explore the gardens with a glass of wine before retiring for the evening.
Day 5: July 11
- After a fresh breakfast on the Château terrace, for the Plus and Luxe guests, you will be driven by private car to 2 incredible museums and gardens. Enjoy a private tour and lunch on site (lunch included for Luxe guests only).
- After lunch, return to the Château by private car.
- Plus and Luxe guests will be guiding in a private workshop led by French artist Louise Laffaille. Louise is represented by a Paris gallery, but will be flown to the Château so you can be part of her "In the Footsteps of Water" art workshop. Louise will share her technique of painting with water from the Mediterranean Sea. This workshop is suitable for experienced artists or people who've had little or no artistic training. Louise's skills and joy for her craft are inspiring. You will leave this workshop with at least one piece of art that you can frame for your home.
- Enjoy a glass of champagne and private supper on the terrace of the Château with artist Louise Laffaille, hosted by The Kindness Empire.
Day 6: July 12
- Begin your day with croissants, fresh fruit, and coffee served on the Château terrace overlooking the Sea.
- For Plus and Luxe guests, The Kindness Empire will drive you through the beautiful countryside to the village of Grasse.
- Explore the museums, boutiques, and restaurants of Grasse. Tonya will guide you to the best local restaurant for lunch.
- Return by private car to the Château to relax or swim in the Sea.
- Take time to pack and be ready for the next morning departure.
- For supper, you will be driven to the world-famous Colombe d'Or restaurant. Sit in the beautiful gardens for your supper, but be sure to visit the inside of the restaurant to see the famous art hung on the walls of this iconic restaurant.
- You will be driven home in a private car. No need to worry about booking a table or transfers to and from this world-famous restaurant.
Day 7: June 13 Departure by 10:00 am (breakfast provided). Luxe guests will have their private cars reserved and ready for the short trip to the airport.
What's Included:
- Accommodation at the private Villa Marguerite or Château de La Napoule. Only friends of the La Napoule Art Foundation are invited to stay at this historic castle and villa overlooking the Mediterranean. Rooms are comfortably furnished with antiques. There is no elevator in this historic castle, its gardens, and art center. This is not a place that you can book to stay independently, online or via travel agents.
- All breakfasts, plus suppers and beverages where noted on the itinerary as hosted by The Kindness Empire.
- All guides, tours, and activities.*
- Everything you create yourself, such as your custom perfume scent and art created with water from the Sea from the Louise Laffaille art workshop.*
- Knowledge, planning, and connections to the local sites and people from Tonya and The Kindness Empire.*
- Transportation* (by private car, ferry, or train) and entrance fees to all off-site workshops and cultural institutions.
- Transfers to and from the airport on July 7 and July 13 are included ONLY for LUXE guests.
- Please note, itinerary subject to change
*Amies and Petite bookings do not include these additional services.
What's not included:
- International airfare to and from Nice, France
- Transfers from the airport or train station at the beginning and end of your trip (unless you are a Luxe guest).
- Travel Insurance (while travel insurance is not required, it is highly recommended to purchase a plan.)
- Meals or drinks at restaurants or where not noted on the itinerary
- Personal shopping items
Experience Prices Vary According to room, view, and activities (all prices are listed per person):
Amis: This is an exclusive offer only for guests who have been part of The Kindness Empire Experience France in the past. Perhaps, you'd like to return just to rest and spend time at the Sea and exploring the château and town of La Napoule. The Amis space is perfect for you! You will receive one extra night, July 6th, at the Château or Villa. You will be assigned a room, not of your choice, it may or may not have air conditioning. You will be part of the "family supper" evening on July 6th. This is the night before guests arrive and Tonya cooks a family supper for her local friends. As an Ami, you will be included in this special supper. Your special rate does not include any art workshops or visits to cultural institutions. Because you have been part of the Experience in the past, you will be expected to know where you are going and what you would like to do. Book quickly though, there are only 4 spaces of this type available. This special Amies rate includes only: accommodation at the Château or Villa (your room will be assigned to you without choice), breakfast every morning, and supper on July 6, 7, and 11. $3,000. Rooms reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Petite: This is for you if you'd like to relax at the Château and Villa and enjoy joining group breakfasts and suppers. You will NOT be part of any of the tours or workshops on or off site.Includes: You will have a choice (based on availability) of accommodation in the Villa or Château from July 7 -13, breakfast on the château terrace every morning, and supper on July 7 and 11. $4,250/person or share a room and pay $3,825 per person. Receive a special 10% discount if you reserve your space with a $500 non-fundable deposit paid by October 1, 2024. Rooms reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
Plus: This Experience is for you if you'd like to enjoy all that Tonya and The Kindness Empire have to offer! In addition to staying in one of the best rooms at the Château or Villa, after breakfast on the Château terrace each morning, Tonya will drive you to incredible places to inspire with the best people and places of the Côte d'Azur. You won't have to organize or think about anything. Enjoy all the cultural activities, such as visiting lesser-known, beautiful villages, creating your own, unique scent, learn to unleash your creativity and paint using the Sea as part of your materials, and take a ferry to an island inhabited by a silent order of monks, and enjoy a wine tasting. $6,000/person or share a room for $5,250/person. Includes everything listed in the section above "what's included". Spaces are limited for the Plus Experience. Receive a special 10% discount if you reserve your space with a $500 non-fundable deposit paid by October 1, 2024.
Luxe: This Experience is for you if you want it all! The top-of-the-line Experience includes everything listed above, plus you will stay within the Château walls in a private, air-conditioned apartment with sitting room and terrace overlooking the Mediterranean. You will also receive lunch on the island after wine-tasting, a personal driver to the restaurants, and private transfers to and from Nice airport on your arrival and departure days. $8,000/person or $7,500/person sharing. Spaces are limited for the Luxe Experience.
This is a special Experience and spaces are limited!
To hold secure space, pay your non-refundable $500 deposit. After your deposit is paid, you will be charged two payments. Half of your Experience cost, minus the $500 reservation deposit you already paid, will be due on December 1, 2024. The final half of your Experience cost will be due on May 1, 2025. All payments are non-refundable. Travel insurance is highly recommended.