Day 1 - Friday, June 19th

Arrival in Marseilles, the group meets for a Bienvenue dinner in the Hotel Residence du Vieux Port on the ancient waterfront of the Old Port, rich in associations from the Greeks to Marcel Pagnol. Overnight Marseilles.

Day 2 - Saturday, June 20th

All-day exploration of Marseilles; the Musee d' Archeologie Mediterraneene with fabulous artifacts from Egypt, Greece and Rome. Afternoon visit to the famous Black Madonna in the crypt of the Basilique St. Victor, where Candlemass rites harken back to more ancient rituals of Persephone’s return from the Underworld. Overnight Marseilles.

Day 3 - Sunday, June 21st

Visit to the legendary cave & chapel of the Magdalene high in the forest of the Massif St. Baume. On to the Basilica at St. Maximin-Ste. Baume where the skull of the Magdalene is enshrined. On to Aix-en-Provence, to explore the old city.
Overnight in Arles or the Hostellerie de St. Baume.