Beautiful Provence
Discover the wonders
of Provence in depth, not like a tourist on this unique tour to Provence. Jackie will not only show you breathtaking
sceneries but she will help you understand the French culture.
You can choose the cultural,
the painting or the cooking
tour to Provence:
Cultural Tour to Provence
Discover the World Heritage Pont du Gard, experience an unique
safari in Camargue, view the untouched countryside, stroll through
beautiful medieval villages, visit vibrant markets and taste delicious
Chateauneuf du Pape wines.
You will understand why Provence has been an inspiration for generations
of artists. |
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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 hotel. In the evening, you
will enjoy a welcome reception followed by a gourmet dinner. |
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Day 2: Olive Oil in Gordes and Roussillon
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 olive oil making.
He will show us the olive mill and we'll get a chance to taste
his olive oil and tapenade. The history and
the production of olives will have no more secret for you. You
will have the opportunity to buy many olive products like tapenade,
oil, olives but also bowls and items made out of olive wood.
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Afternoon: The Ochre village of Roussillon
and the Hilltop Town of Gordes.
In the afternoon, we will visit two villages listed as the "most
beautiful 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 of 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: Chateauneuf du Pape Wine and Cooking at a Local Farm
Morning: Wine Tasting and Discovery of the Village of Chateauneuf
du Pape
The Chateauneuf du Pape village is dedicated to its world famous
wine Côtes du Rhône wine,"Châteauneuf-du-Pape".
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 Chateauneuf du Pape wines.
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Afternoon: Visit to a Local Farm and Cooking session
Located near Mont Ventoux, the Pedagogic Farm will open its doors
to us so that we can discover their biologic agriculture
world: grapes, olives, lavender, cherries, herbs, forgotten vegetables
and, of course, their animals. You will have a chance to pet and feed
them.
The visit will end around the farmer's table where you will prepare
and savor a dish with the fresh products found on the farm.
Day 4: Safari in Camargue and Historical Village of Les Baux
Morning: Safari in Camargue
Camargue, a mythical land, is the house of wild
black bulls, white horses and rice fields.
A local farmer will take us on a trailer pulled by his tractor
into the very heart of his ranch where we will discover rice
fields, white horses and wild black bulls raised
for the "race Camarguaise" in arenas. His "cow-boys"
will do a demonstration of herding bulls with their horses.
You will find yourself in the middle of the herd. Very impressive!
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Afternoon: The charming village of Les Baux de Provence
Discover this amazing medieval village dominating the valley and its
Château, listed one of the most beautiful villages in
France. Perched on a rocky outcrop, the site provides a unique
view over the vineyards and olive fields of Provence towards the sea.
Day 5: Masterpiece of Pont du Gard
We will explore the Pont du Gard, listed as a World Heritage
site by UNESCO, built 2000 years ago by over 1000 people who
worked for 5 years. This is a technical as well as an artistic
masterpiece.
We will spend some time in the interactive museum not only
dedicated to the building of the bridge but also to the Roman
civilization: full scale replicas, maps, multi-screen
images, video and sound archives.
You can also walk the beautiful trail surrounding the bridge.
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Day 6: Provencal Market and Van Gogh
Morning: Provencal Outdoor Market
Stroll and shop the incredible and colorful market.
It is an accessible and rewarding way to immerse yourself in the
lifestyle of the area.
Fresh food and its artful display speaks for itself. But there
is much more than food: colorful arrays of Provencal fabric,
tablecloths, pottery, silk scarves, natural soaps with
dozens of scents and of course lavender products. |
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Afternoon: Van
Gogh in St Remy de Provence
We will visit the beautiful old monastery
of St Paul Mausole in St Remy de Provence. This is where Van
Gogh spent the last year of his life and painted 150 of his
famous paintings. This is now a nursing home that has a permanent
exhibition of paintings by the patients.
It is very emotional and fascinating to stroll through the
bedroom where Van Gogh stayed during his very troubled time
in 1889-90.
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"Starry nigth", painted by Van Gogh in St
Remy de Provence |
Day 7: Hidden village of the Luberon and Lavender Museum
Morning: Our germ among the villages of Provence
You will be enchanted by this medieval village not listed in
travel books. This "kept-authentic" little
hill-top village is built on a rocky outcrop surrounded
by lush vegetation.
It will be a pleasure to stroll the little streets and discover
the 12th century church, the ruins of a castle and historical
houses from the 15th and 16th century. You too will fall in
love with this place, just like I did when I first discovered
it.
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Lavender
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 cooking at the
lavender museum. This will be the perfect time to shop for products
made out of lavender.
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Day 8: Departure
After our last breakfast together, we'll drive you to the Avignon
train station (at 10am). | |
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Accommodation
We have chosen an elegantly restored villa-hotel dating from the
XVIIIth century located in the heart of Provence (25 minutes east
of Avignon).
The luxury hotel offers 16 bedrooms with private full bathrooms
all with high comfort, tranquility and relaxation, with its
2 heated swimming pool set in over 2 acres of private grounds.
The refined cuisine
of the Chef, based on fresh seasonal local products, is an innovative blend of
Provencal and contemporary gastronomy.
Each bedroom has: a flat screen TV set, telephone, heating
and AC, a minibar, a safe, ADSL and WiFi and a big full bathroom.
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For more pictures, visit
our photogallery and for travel stories from our guests with pictures
and info about France, visit
our blog.
Dates & Rates
Sept 22-29, 2013 women-only tour
US $2,990 (+ $550 for single suppl)
Includes
- Avignon train station pick up (at 3pm) and drop off (at 10am)
- A welcome reception
- All nights at the villa/hotel
- All breakfasts and 4 dinners including wine
- 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/from France
- Train to/from Avignon (from either Paris or Marseilles)
- Lunches
- 3 dinners
- Optional activities (those not described in the itinerary)
- Personal expenses and tipping
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