Beautiful Provence Discover
the wonders of Provence in depth, not like a tourist on this unique tour with
accommodations in a luxurious guesthouse. Jackie will not only show you breathtaking
sceneries but she will help you understand the culture.
Discover the enchanting Palace of the
Popes in Avignon, the World Heritage Pont du Gard, Gordes, a hilltop village listed
one of the most beautiful village in France. Experience a unique jeep safari
in Camargue, stroll through beautiful medieval villages, visit vibrant markets,
taste delicious Chateau Neuf du Pape wines, chocolate, nougats, shop at colourful
Provencal markets, discover the untouched countryside,...
You will understand why Provence has been an inspiration for thousands
of artists and writers. |
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Day 1: Welcome Reception We will pick you up at the Avignon
train station. Upon your arrival at our guesthouse, take time to settle in, relax
by the pool, explore the private park around the house or the village. In the
evening, you will enjoy a welcome reception followed by a gourmet dinner. | |  |

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Day 2: Provencal Market, Gordes and Roussillon
Morning: Provencal and Antique Markets at Isle sur la Sorgue
Stroll and shop on this incredible market. In the charming village
of Isle sur la Sorgue built on an island, the river flows through,
past, in and around the town, in its many natural beds and several
canals. On Sundays, the village has two markets: the biggest
Provencal market and the biggest antique market in Provence.
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Afternoon: The Ochre village of Roussillon and the Hilltop
Town of Gordes.
In the afternoon, we will visit 2 villages listed "most
beautiful villages in France": the reddish village of Roussillon
that sits on top of the world's biggest vein of ochre and Gordes,
sitting on a rock with an incredible view on vineyards and hills.
Stroll the cobblestone streets or the reddish trails through
the ochre formations, shop in cute small stores or have a drink
watching people go by.
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Day 3: Chateau Neuf du Pape Wine and Chocolate Tasting.
Morning: Wine Tasting and Discovery of the Village of Chateau
Neuf du Pape
The Chateau Neuf du Pape village is dedicated to its world famous
wine "Châteauneuf-du-Pape" which is also part
of the famous Côtes du Rhône.
We will have a guided visit in a well known winery, to learn
everything about this famous wine, including how to taste wine.
The visit will end with the tasting of three exquisite Chateau
Neuf du Pape wines.
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Afternoon: Chocolate Tasting
Not only will you learn everything about the history of cocoa but you
will also attend the making of wonderful chocolate by the chocolate
maker himself. At the end, you will savor this wonderful treat.
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Day 4: Lavender museum and Jeep Safari in Camargue
Morning: Lavender Museum
One cannot really separate Provence from images of purple lavender fields, the
heady lavender scent in the air and the distinctive taste of lavender infused
dishes. Discover the whole history of lavender, its distillation and use in medicinal
therapy and in cooking at the lavender museum. This will be the perfect time to
shop for all the products made out of lavender. |
| Afternoon: Wildlife in Camargue on a Jeep Safari
Camargue, a wild and mythical land is the house of wild black bulls, wild white
horses and thousand of pink flamingos. A local farmer will take us with a 4x4
on an authentic safari into the very heart of this mythical region where we will
explore lakes, salt marshes, wild fauna and flora, rice fields, birds, pink flamingos,
white horses and bull farming ranches. We will finish this incredible experience
by tasting Camargue specialties. | |  |
Day 5: Olive Oil in Gordes and Pont du Gard
Morning: From Olive Tree to Oil
A local producer of olive
oil will take us on a walk through his olive fields and share with us his knowledge
and passion for olives. After the walk, he will show us the olive mill and the
visit will finish with a tasting of his olive oil and tapenade (a purée
of black or green olives). The history and the production of olives will have
no secret for you after this enjoyable visit. You will have a chance to buy all
olive products like tapenade, oil, olives but also bowls and items made out of
olive wood. | |  |
| Afternoon: Visit of the Pont
du Gard We will explore the Pont du Gard, listed World Heritage site by
UNESCO, built 2000 years ago by over 1000 people who worked for 5 years. The Roman
architects who designed this bridge, which stands almost 150 feet high and is
on three levels - the longest measuring 825 feet - created a technical as well
as an artistic masterpiece. To understand better the building of the bridge
as well as learning about the rich Gallo-Roman civilization, we will spend some
time in the interactive museum of the Pont du Gard: full scale replicas, maps,
multi-screen images, video and sound archives and all with a common denominator:
water. | |  |
Day 6: "Palais des Papes" in
Avignon The Pope's Palace, first built in the 1300s, is the size of four
normal French cathedrals. This amazing and expansive structure is the highlight
of Avignon. We will have an audio-guided visit of one of the largest and most
important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. After the visit, you will have
leisure time in Avignon. There is so much to do: stroll in the old streets in
search of antic dealers and art galleries. In addition to the large variety of
well-stocked luxury shops, you will find Provencal materials, ceramics and pottery,
terra cotta figurines (santons), handicrafts, and other specialties of the region.
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You can also savor local cuisine in the tea-rooms and restaurants, taste the flavours
of Provence such as the "Papalines", Avignon's specialty, a delicacy
made of fine chocolate, sugar and oregano liqueur. You will also have a huge
choice of museums (10 in the old Avignon): from Provencal history to paintings,
sculptures, contemporary art, etc
We recommend a private mansion turned into
a museum with paintings from Cezanne, Van Gogh, Picasso, Degas, Modigliani,
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Day 7: Sound and Light Show of Van Gogh in Les Baux de Provence
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Morning: The charming village of Les Baux de Provence Discover this
amazing medieval village dominating the valley and its Château. Perched
on a rocky outcrop, the site provides a unique view over the vineyards and olive
fields of Provence towards the sea.
Afternoon: Sound and Light show of Van Gogh
Impressive limestone quarries still remain in Les Baux de Provence.
Today, CATHEDRALE D'IMAGES uses the quarry as natural screens for the projections
of huge images on the walls and ceilings. The bases of these natural pillars measure
between 15 and 30 feet and they are between 21 and 27 feet high. | |  |
Moving around, you will discover
new angles of view and perspectives, submerged in a world in which the ceiling
is lit up with images creep along the floor and burst onto the ridges. In 2008,
the theme is Van Gogh. | |  |
Day 8: Departure
After our last breakfast together, we'll drive you to the Avignon train station.
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Accommodations
We have chosen an elegantly restored villa-hotel dating from the
XVIIIth century located in the heart of Provence, in the Luberon
(25 minutes east of Avignon).
The luxury guesthouse offers 12 bedrooms with private full bathrooms all with
high comfort, tranquility and relaxation, with its heated swimming pool set in
over 2 acres of private grounds, landscaped with pine and 100-year-old oak trees.
The house has 2 living rooms for you to enjoy, with antique furniture,
game tables, a fireplace and a piano. | | 
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We will take all our breakfasts and some dinners there. The refined cuisine
of the Chef, based on fresh seasonal local products, is an innovative blend of
Provencal and contemporary gastronomy. From your bedroom window, you will have
a breathtaking view of the Mont Alpille and internationally renowned vineyards.
Each room has: a flat screen TV set, telephone, heating and AC, a minibar, a safe,
ADSL and WiFi and a big full bathroom. | |  |
Dates & Rates
Sept 20-27, 2008: (women only trip) (2 spots left)
US $2,990 per person (+ US $450 for single room)
Oct 18-25, 2008 (women only trip) (2
spots left)
US $2,990 per person (+ US $450 for single room)
Get $200 off if you sign up before August 31
Includes
- Avignon train station pick up and drop off
- A
welcome reception
- All nights at the luxurious guesthouse
- All authentic
French breakfasts
- Four gourmet dinners
- Transportation in a comfortable
van with A/C
- A personal bilingual chauffeur/guide throughout the week
- Entrance
fees to all sites on the tour
- A free Paris planner for a self guided visit
in Paris: suggestions of hotels, restaurants and places to visit
Excludes
- Flights to and from France
- Lunches
- 3 dinners
- Drinks
- Optional
activities (those not described in the itinerary)
- Personal expenses and
tipping
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