Best Adventures in Provence Active, Gourmet Tour Itinerary - 6 Days/5 Nights
Provence Tour Summary • Tour Price Includes • Provence Tour FAQ • Provence Hotel • PROVENCE TOUR BROCHURE (Adobe pdf)
Award winning Off the Beaten Path Tours voted BEST small group tours in France for active travelers by Conde Nast Traveler, Forbes Traveler, CNN Traveller, The New York Times and Travel & Leisure!
Off the Beaten Path's Small Group Provence, France Tours Feature:
- Professional Off the Beaten Path, LLC Tour Guide(s) - history, culinary and wine specialists
- 5 Nights, luxurious hotel accommodations at Les Ateliers de l'Image (NO Hotel Hopping)
- 10 Meals: 5 buffet breakfasts, 1 gourmet lunch, 4 gourmet and bistro style dinners
- All restaurants and bistros on this tour are Michelin-star and/or have been featured/recommended by top "foodie" magazines. We dine in both gourmet restaurants and our favorite hide-a-ways cherished by the locals.
- Regional wines included at all meals
- A personalized photo album of your tour in Provence.
- 2 fun culinary (cooking) classes (1 in Aix-en-Provence countryside and 1 Les Baux de Provence)
- Day along the Mediterranean sea coast: wine growing village of Cassis and the calanques (fjords)
- Guided walk of the calanques (Optional: for interested guests. Non-walkers: calanques viewing by boat available)
- Cultural discovery of the colorful, Luberon (Vaucluse) perched villages of Gordes and Roussillon (and Ochre Park)
- Cultural visit & shop at our favorite Provence "Savonnerie" (Artisan Soap Maker's Workshop) where 18th century methods are still employed
- Cultural visit, taste & shop at our favorite Olive Oil Maker's Mill, 2009 winner of 2 gold medals and 1 silver medal at the Paris agricultural competition
- Optional: Guided walk of the countryside between St. Remy and Les Baux de Provence (For interested guests. Non-walkers: Leisure/shopping time in St. Remy)
- Guided cultural discovery walk of the "Medieval" and "Gall-Roman" ruins of Vaison-la-Romaine prior to shopping at the market
- Shopping at weekly Provence, art, artisan, crafts and regional products markets in Vaison-la-Romaine and Saint Remy-de-Provence
- Leisure time to visit historic monuments (Glanum), explore art galleries and shop in St. Remy
- Cultural visit in Les Baux de Provence village
- Cheese and wine tasting throughout the trip
- This exclusive Tour is limited to 8 guests per Tour date. Small Groups, Couples, solo travelers, friends traveling together all welcome to join.
Click the following link to download the detailed PROVENCE TOUR BROCHURE (Adobe pdf).
EMAIL US or CALL 1-877-846-2831 to speak with one of our tour specialists.
Day-by-Day Itinerary Outline for Off the Beaten Path's Provence, France Tour
DAY 1: Group Pick-Up at Avignon TGV Rail Station, Hotel Check-in in Saint Remy-de-Provence, Dinner Together - D
Meet and Greet by your tour guide(s) at AVIGNON TGV Rail Station at scheduled group pick-up times and location inside the TGV station. There are 2 Group pick-up times: 1st pick-up is at Noon and the 2nd pick-up is at 4:00 PM at the Avignon TGV Rail Station. Transfer, as a group, to your luxury historical hotel, L'Hotel: Les Ateliers de l'Image, in the heart of the Gallo-Roman village town of St. Remy-de-Provence.
Dinner: Our first evening of Provence cuisine together prepared by one of our favorite celebrity, Michelin-star Chefs.
DAY 2: Fun Culinary Class Demonstration with friend and Master Chef Marc at his Aix-en-Provence Bastide, Luberon (Vaucluse) Villages: Cultural Visit in the "Golden Stone" Village of Gordes, Visit in the Artist Village of Roussillon and a Walk in the Colorful Ochre Park, Dinner Independently - B, L
Breakfast. Fun cooking class and demonstration with our friend and master chef Marc in his antique bastide in the heart of Aix-en-Provence countryside. Marc's specialty is historical Provencal recipes and the importance they played in daily life throughout the centuries and during changing economic times in the south of France. Photo left: historical regional recipe prepared in class using locally raised chicken, fresh herbs from Marc's garden - rosemary, thyme plus home-made sun dried tomato paste along with a few secret family ingredients. Lunch: Savouring these fabulous recipes prepared in cooking class accompanied by regional wines.
Afternoon. Departure to the picturesque "Luberon" area of Provence made famous by Peter Mayle's books A Year in Provence and A Good Year. Our visits this afternoon focus on the artist villages of Gordes and Roussillon, the two most beautiful of the Luberon. Gordes, one of the most stunning of the perched villages of Provence, appears like an Atlantis surrounded by fields instead of ocean. To one side looms the massif of Mount Ventoux, the Olympus of Provence, to the other, the pastoral whale-back of Mount Luberon.The breadth and height of this region balance in utter serenity in Gordes. The viewpoint of our initial stop perches us dizzyingly at a canyon's edge across from which the village could be mistaken for a masonery version of an anthill. The village's private houses, chateau and imposing church form a kind of medieval cliff-dwelling community. Arriving to the village center, we are afforded a stroll of the cobbled lanes where dry stone walls serrate the magical vistas of the sunny land at our feet. After a leisurely visit in the village, the day's casual pilgrimage again must faithfully recommence and we crusade on to one more stop, Roussillon.
We next encounter the canto of color in Roussillon. It is a mythical story of a lover, a murder and the suicide of the faithful bereft that describes how the name of the village honors a redhead. The romance colors the very ground and reddish walls of the buildings that lines its winding streets. Known as the village of ochre, this unique mineral creates a substance formerly used as a dying agent. A meandering walk of the preserved ochre quarry reveals the handiwork of nature amidst the collapsing excavations of man. Underfoot fine clouds of red dust rise with every step, while the red, yellow and brown striated towers of sand emit a rosy glow against the opal blue of Provencal sky. As some would say, all the colors of passion are contained here. The residents of Roussillon are predominately artists and artisans. This has led to many shops being authentic and individual in character.
Dinner: Independently in St. Remy de Provence. The town offers a large selection of dining opportunities from simplistic to sophisticated cuisine. A wonderful selection of cafes, bistros and restaurants is located just outside the front door of the hotel.
DAY 3: Guided Cultural Discovery Walk of the "Medieval" and "Gallo-Roman" Ruins of Vaison-la-Romaine, Shopping at the Vaison-la-Romaine Village Morning Market, Afternoon: Choose Your Option: #1 - Leisure Afternoon in St. Remy or #2 - Guided Nature Walk of the Vineyards and Olive Orchards in the countryside between St. Remy & Les Baux de Provence - B, D
Breakfast. Morning in the historic Provence village of Vaison-la-Romaine. This small picturesque village, situated on the Ouveze River, offers a magnificent backdrop for a cultural walk to explore and discover its well-preserved Roman monuments and romantic medieval upper village. It's also market day in Vaison-la-Romaine, a great opportunity to find local products, such as, lavender in all forms, Provencal table linens and much more. Lunch is independently in the village.
Afternoon: CHOOSE YOUR OPTION:
Option No.1: Leisure time in historic St. Remy de Provence to pursue independent interests and shop.
Option No.2: Join your guide for a "leisure" walk through the vineyards and olive orchards in the countryside between St. Remy and Les Baux de Provence. This scenic walk takes us through the most beautiful olive orchards and Cotes de Baux vineyards, and is the perfect back drop for photo opportunities of traditional Provencal scenery. Return to your hotel in Saint Remy afterwards.
Dinner: Together this evening at one of our favorite traditional Provence bristros in Le Paradou.
DAY 4: Shopping at the St. Remy-de-Provence Artisan, Art, Crafts and Local Products Market, Cultural and Castle Visit in Les Baux de Provence Village, Visit and Tasting at Artisan Olive Oil Mill, Evening Hands-on Culinary Class in a Provencal Country Domaine - B, D
Breakfast. Spend the morning perusing and shopping at the local art, artisan, crafts and local products market in St. Remy-de-Provence, the town that inspired some of Van Gogh's most famous art work.
After lunch: Many choices are available:
- Independent visit at the archeological site of Glanum,
- Explore and shop in St. Remy independently or
- Independent cultural visit to the perched village of Les Baux de Provence and its castle followed by a cultural visit at our favorite Artisan Olive Oil Maker's Mill where you'll be able to taste different types of olive oils, and witness the use of traditional production methods. This prestigious producer is considered the best in France and in 2009 was again winner of 2 gold medals and 1 silver medal at the annual Paris agricultural competition.
Evening and Dinner: This evening Guests embark on a culinary adventure with a fun, hands-on cooking class at an 18th century Domaine (farmhouse) surrounded by a pine forest, vineyards and olive trees in countryside near Les Baux de Provence. Following class, cocktails and a gourmet dinner of the recipes prepared together in class with regional wines.
DAY 5: Along the Mediterranean Coast: Choose Your Option: #1 - Walk of the "Calanques" between Cassis and Marseille or #2 - View the Calanques by Boat, Afternoon: Explore Cassis Wine Growing Village, Cultural Visit at Artisan Savonnerie (Provence Soap Maker), Michelin Star Gourmet Dinner - B, D
Breakfast. Departure to the picturesque Mediterranean coastal, wine producing village of Cassis, France which dates back to 500 BC, is surrounded by vineyards, and bordered by the Mediterranean sea, colorful cliffs and beach. Stroll through this art deco style village pedestrian streets for photo ops of the cobblestone streets, colorful port and beautiful vineyard covered coastline. Shop and try a local cafe at the port.
CHOOSE YOUR OPTION:
Option No.1: Participate in a spectacular Mediterranean coastal walk of the historic, 10,000 year old calanques (also known as fjords) (designed for interested guests). The colorful Mediterranean port in Cassis will serve as the starting point for our calanques walk.
Option No.2: Guests not participating in the walk will be dropped off directly in Cassis wine producing village where they will be able to embark independently on a scenic boat tour of the Calanques, shop at the village specialty boutiques or market, explore the historic streets or simply enjoy a local cafe and people watch by the colorful port.
On our return from Cassis, we'll stop for a cultural visit and time to shop at our favorite Artisan "Savonnerie" (Provence Soap Maker's Workshop) where 18th century methods are still employed. Our soap maker is one of the few remaining artisans in southern France still producing authentic Provencal soaps using traditional methods, and has been voted best artisan soap maker in France. This is a fabulous opportunity to watch the artisans at work, and witness how the soaps are still hand made.
Dinner: Together at our favorite Michelin-star gourmet restaurant of the region. The perfect setting to celebrate a wonderful time together in Provence.
DAY 6: Tour Conclusion - B
Buffet breakfast. Trip concludes today with a 11 AM arrival to Avignon TGV Rail Station. Earlier and later departures can be organized. Please contact us for details.
Click the following link to download the detailed PROVENCE TOUR BROCHURE (Adobe pdf).
(B) = Breakfast Included, (L) = Lunch Included, (D) = Dinner Included
Provence, France Small Group Tour Guest Testimonials:
"We loved the calanques hike, cooking classes with Marc and Pascal, the markets, the walk in the ochre park. The small group was great, we learned a lot of new things about Provence and France in general, plus we did a lot of relaxing. Thank you! We had a blast!" Brent and Marti Gutwein, West Lafayette, IN (Best Adventures in Provence Tour)
"We really enjoyed the small group size, we had a good chemistry...cooking classes and calanques walk were great, as was our guide who was prepared, knowledgeable, friendly and helpful throughout the trip!! The tasting menus were delicious!" Sam and Shannon VanLandingham, Terre Haute, IN (Provence Tour)