Additional Information About our Small Group Provence Tours
Tour Summary • Provence Dates & Prices • Provence Itinerary • Tour Price Includes • Provence Hotel
Download and print the PROVENCE TOUR DETAILED BROCHURE (Adobe pdf)
Download and print our PROVENCE TOUR -SHORT VERSION- BROCHURE (Adobe pdf)
Frequently Asked Questions about Our Provence Tours
Are Off the Beaten Path, LLC tours in English?
Yes. All tours are conducted in English and designed for an English speaking clientel. The majority of OTBP Guests come from the U.S.A., Australia, Canada, New Zealand and England. Guests have also come from the Caribbean, Singapore, the Philippines, South Africa and Israel.
Where do we rendezvous on day 1 of the Provence Tour?
Your OTBP Guide(s) will meet you at the Avignon TGV train station, Avignon, France. The group pick-up time is at 4:00 PM at the Avignon TGV Rail Station. Specific meeting location details will be included in your complete tour information package we send you 30 days prior to the tour.
Where does the Provence Tour finish?
We depart the hotel in the morning in order to arrive at 11:30 AM at the Avignon TGV train station in Avignon, France. Guests opting for an earlier train departure need to contact us directly to make arrangements for an earlier transfer back to the Avignon TGV station.
How should I go about making my travel plans?
Off the Beaten Path is a full service tour operator and it is our pleasure to assist you with all aspects of upcoming travel plans. Whether you are looking for a suggestion for a hotel in Paris or assistance with your rail tickets, simply contact us at contact@traveloffthebeatenpath.com or call us at 1.877.846.2831 for assistance.
What is the weather going to be like in the Provence?
Provence is a very comfortable dry climate and spring (May-June), early summer (June) and early fall (September-early October) are the best periods of the year to visit the region. April, May, September and October, day time temperatures in Provence range from the upper 70's- to mid-80's Fahrenheit and very comfortable, with evenings being slightly cooler. June day time temperatures in Provence average in the low to mid 80's Fahrenheit with evenings being again slightly cooler. Typically it is sunny, but be prepared with the proper rain gear.
What is not included on my Provence Tour?
Tours exclude - Airfare to and from the trip, Train fare to and from the trip, gratuities(tips) to guides and driver, personal purchases.
How should I tip my Off the Beaten Path guide(s)?
While OTBP provides very competitive salaries to its guides, it is customary to tip tour guides and drivers, as a show of appreciation for their hard work and services during your tour. Gratuities (tips) to tour guides and drivers are not included in your tour price. Our guests often ask us for guidelines on tipping, so these are presented as a service so you can know what industry standards are. The following are industry recommended tipping suggestions - It is recommended that each individual guest gives the following gratuities to each guide at the conclusion of the tour : 100 euros per person to each tour guide, 10 euros per person to the driver. Some guests tip more, some tip less. Thank you for your consideration and gesture of appreciation to our guides and drivers!
Who are the Provence Tours designed for?
Our Provence Tours are designed for discerning travelers of all ages and backgrounds, from the seasoned traveler and independent traveler to the first time traveler to France. Join any one of the our tours as a solo traveler, a couple, a small group of friends or family, or bring your entire travel club, affinity group, women's organization or wine society. No culinary, history or other type of experience is necessary. Join us for the vacation of a lifetime to discover the Best of the Provence, as an insider, and make new friends along the way.
Do I need to be an expert to take your Provence Tour?
Not at all. The idea is to learn about French culture, traditions, wine, daily life, artisan lives and culinary practices in a fun and relaxing environment. Our tours offer great learning opportunities for everyone. Off the Beaten Path guides are very skilled at adapting their discussions to the general level of knowledge of the group, providing good introductory information for novices, and more advanced discussions for those who have more experience or a specialty interest. It’s vacation and our tours are all about having fun, enjoying new experiences and being active!
Is wine included at meals? What kind of wines are included at meals?
Yes, wine is included at all scheduled meals together. We expertly match premium wines from the region we're visiting with each dish. Meals offer an excellent opportunity to try wines from appellations not available to guests at home, and to introduce guests to some select wines worth a favorable mention or that are exceptionally appreciated by the locals.
Do I need to be an athlete to participate in the Provence Tour?
No. However France is a country of walkers. Our Provence Tours are designed for active travelers of all backgrounds. This tour includes daily options for travelers of varying interests and ability levels. There are 3 optional, active walks designed for interested guests who enjoy walking, and there is daily leisure walking that is suitable for all travelers. Our Provence "Alpilles winery to village" walk takes us through picturesque vineyards and olive orchards at the foot of the Alpilles and is rated easy to moderate-Ideal for those who walk for a morning or afternoon on a regular basis. Terrain is country and vineyard trails. Our Provence "Alpilles village to village" walk from Les Baux de Provence takes us through picturesque vineyards and olive orchards offering spectacular views of Les Baux valley and the castle and on a clear day one can see all the way to the Mont Ventoux - The walk is rated easy to moderate-Ideal for those who walk for a morning or afternoon on a regular basis. Terrain is country and vineyard trails. Our Provence "Luberon village to village" walk takes us through picturesque villages, vineyards, lavender and sunflower fields in the Luberon valley and is rated easy to moderate-Ideal for those who walk for a morning or afternoon on a regular basis. Terrain is country and vineyard trails. Appropriate walking shoes are recommended for all walks. We enjoy the "slow road" taking in the beautiful scenery of the countryside and local villages daily. Non-walkers have alternative activity options available to them each day of the trip. Review the day by day Provence tour itinerary for complete details.
How are the Provence Tours structured?
Having over 18 years experience in the tour industry, specifically with small group touring, we have found that our guests are generally more interested in active experiences, culture, people to people experiences and guided tours of museums and sites. Our guests like to visit private homes, and pursue their hobbies when they travel. Our guests enjoy being able to shop locally for items, such as, collectibles, art and local products. Our guests tend to do more homework and want a meatier trip, and also want to enjoy down time or leisure time to explore independently. All of our trips are designed based on these factors. Each trip offers organized activities and excursions daily combined with periods of leisure time each day. Our tours encourage individual approach and pursuit of your interests, as well as introducing you to new experiences and people during each trip.
How should I pack? How should I expect to dress during the tour?
Please limit your luggage to one medium-sized suitcase and one carry-on. Try not to over pack; you will not wear all your clothing! A suggested packing list will be enclosed in your tour information package. Pack comfortable light weight, casual clothing. It's vacation and we want our guests to feel and be as comfortable as possible during our daily activities and excursions. Our dinners together include a mix of Michelin star and casual bistro style restaurants. For men we suggest a business casual ensemble (no tie or jacket necessary unless it's your personal preference) and for women we recommend a casual dress for dinners.
What travel documents will I need for my Tour?
All travelers to France are required to have a valid passport. Please make 2 copies of your passport and personal identification before you depart. Keep one set of copies with you in a separate location from your travel documents, and leave the other set of copies with a contact at home before you depart. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please check with your consulate general for entry requirements.
Provence Tour Guest Testimonials
"I really enjoyed the cooking classes and meals. I also really enjoyed going to the savonnerie. I think it is great that you offer truly off the beaten path visits to places I could not have found on my own. Thank you so much for a great time. I really enjoyed it!" Linda Lorenat, San Mateo, CA (Provence Tour)
"The mix of all the different experiences made this a totally enjoyable visit! I loved the cafes, food, cooking classes, the little villages, cassis and calanques and the other guests! Our guide was really knowledgeable, and went out of her way to make this an unforgettable vacation for all of us in the group!" Ross Lomon, Toronto, Canada (Provence Tour)