.Best of Provence Tour
Enjoy the best of Provence in a small group tour. Provence is one of the places you fall in love in first sight. Its perched villages, magical landscape and seductive coastline inspired many artists, writers and film makers.
The best of Provence tour designed to explore the lifestyle, the cuisine, the wines and the culture. On this Provence Tour, You will meet the people of Provence, the chef who welcomes you into his private kitchen, the chocolate maker, the vendors in the markets and families of wine makers. And whats better than touring with a local guide that knows the secrets of his region. This tour gives you an incomparable value of the length of time, activities, quality and amount of meals and authenticity above all.
Accommodations
Your home for the week of the tour to Provence is a lovely old stone farm, near Gordes, one of most beautiful villages in the Luberon. The house was transformed to an authentic private hotel with a lot of character. Each room is decorated with country antique and Proven?al fabrics. The restaurant is well known as one of the best in Gordes .with a beautiful view of the Luberon it only makes a perfect Provence tour.
Tour of Provence Itinerary
Day one Saturday
Your tour of Provence starts in Avignon TGV train station. The group will meet in the afternoon and drive to the hotel. You will have time to relax, get to know youre surrounding before meeting for a first delicious gourmet dinner together at the restaurant of the hotel.
Day two Sunday in Provence
Wake up and smell the coffee. Your vacation in Provence off to a good start. You will head to the famous market at LIsle-Sur-La Sorgue. The town called the Venice of Provence as it is built on five branches of the Sorgue River. The river flows around the town. This market also known for its antique finds. You will have time to mingle and to explore this charming town on your own and maybe have a picnic from the produce.
Next, we will head to another picturesque town Fontaine-de-vaucluse. A key feature is the unique site of a river gushing up out of the ground.
Tonight, you will be greeted by one of the chefs of Gordes in his own house, and cook with him Dinner in the magnificent landscape of Provence.
Day 3- Monday in Provence
Start your day with French yummy pastries and homemade Jams. Then off to Roussillon, an ocre-red village from the outside. Its even more spectacular inside the village, red stone buildings and colorful medieval streets. Your tour in Provence just getting better with a private visit to an olive mill and tasting.
Next is a visit to a unique hamlet, the village of Borie, a 100% made of dry-stone, evidence of the rural life of Provence 3,000 years ago. We will continue to Gordes, one of the most visited towns in the Luberon. You will have time to explore the village and adventure on your own at one of the many bistros.
Day 4 Tuesday in Provence
Today, the adventure continues. Your tour in Provence takes you to some superb hilltop villages, Bonniex, Lacoste and Menerbes. Lacoste known for its notorious resident, the Marquise de Sade, who lived in the old Castle at the top of the town. Menerbes got famous by Peter Mayle, the author of A year in Provence as the village where he lived in. One of a kind experience is next; you will have lunch at a goat farm. The owner of the farm will welcome you with specialty treats you will also visit local wineries for a wine tasting. And if its not enough, another discovery awaits for you in your vacation in Provence. You will dine at a superb butcher shop, owned by the same family since 1928 and became a restaurant by one of the family members, who is a chef. (The full story will be told).
Day 5 Wednesday in Provence
No tour of Provence is complete without visiting St. R?my bustling market on a Wednesday. Seduced by the setting and atmosphere, many writers, painters and musicians chose to live here. You will have time to walk around the stalls, enjoy the colors, the smells. ?Then, you will have the pleasure to eat authentic lunch prepared by LOLO at his farm. Next, to Les Baux de Provence, a magnificent little village built on a rock. You will have the opportunity to visit a private winery for a wine tasting. In the afternoon, a chef who owns B&B and a cooking school welcomes you his house to cook dinner and enjoy the sights and tastes of Provence.
Day 6- Thursday in Provence
After breakfast, you will start with a walking tour of the fortified city of Avignon. After working your appetite, you will eat Lunch like French, in Les halles market. (Surprise) After lunch we will drive to Chateauneuf Du Pape, home of the world famous Cotes de Rhone wines. The village is almost completely dedicated to its world famous wine chateauneuf du pape. Tasting is a must. Another satisfying day of vacation in Provence ends with a gourmet Dinner at the hotel.
Day 7 Friday in Provence
Your tour of Provence is up to a great finale. Visit to Cassis, an ancient fishing and today a vacation spot. You will have time to walk around before embarking on a boat to explore the breathtaking Calanques, the Mediterranean version of fjords. These are majestic inlets with stunning steep rocky cliffs. Lunch will be no other then bouillabaisse. Cassis is famous for its white Wines and you dont want to skip that tasting, whether Cassis red or Ros?.
Tonight we will gather for a Gala dinner, sharing, laughing and toasting.
Day 7 Saturday
Its hard to say goodbye. Head home or extend your stay.
A Bient?t!