Provence Tour Itinerary – Day 1:  TOUR BEGINS

• Meet & Greet by Guides (Times & Meeting locations detailed below)
• Transfer to Hotel for Check-in
• Welcome Cocktail Hour & Orientation
• Gourmet Welcome Dinner Together at Celebrity Hide-a-way
• Dinner Included Today

Meet and Greet by your Provence Tour guides at — We provide a 1:30 pm transfer from Marseille Airport and a 4 pm transfer from AVIGNON TGV Rail Station. Your tour information package will include specific details on where your guides meet the group at each location.

We transfer, as a group, to our Conde Nast recommended deluxe boutique hotel accommodations – The Hotel Gounod in the heart of the historical Gallo-Roman town of St. Remy-de-Provence — (NO HOTEL HOPPING). Gounod Hotel has a perfect and quaint location in the heart of St. Remy-de-Provence town.

Owned by local friend Karine, Hotel Gounod, serves as a perfect base for discovering Provence and experiencing the very best of this magical region. The hotel is perfectly located for you to enjoy the peaceful hotel gardens and charming on-site wine bar, or step out the front door into the cobblestone streets of St. Remy to explore the town at any time during the tour. Click here to view our hotel photo gallery of the hotel’s fresh and chic look.

EVENING & DINNER – Following check-in at the hotel for our 6 day/5 night tour, you’re invited to join your guides for our welcome cocktail hour and dinner at our favorite celebrity hide-a-way made famous by Cookbook Author Patricia Wells – Dinner dress is resort chic. You’ll partake of your 1st taste of Provence specialties prepared by one of our favorite chefs of the region accompanied by classified regional Provence wines.

Throughout this exclusive Best Adventures in Provence Tour, we select different regional, classified wines for each group meal to ensure you the opportunity to try as many fabulous wines produced in this region as possible.

Day 1 Highlights: Group Arrival, Check-in at Hotel, Welcome Cocktails & Dinner – D

(B) = Breakfast Included, (L) = Lunch Included, (D) = Dinner Included

PROVENCE TOUR ITINERARY – DAY 2:   THE ALPILLES

• Private tour & tasting at friend Joel’s Artisan Chocolate Workshop!
• Shopping at St. Remy de Provence Weekly Artisan & Craft Market
• Gourmet Lunch Together
• Afternoon — Select an Option: Options Detailed Below – Including…
• 1- A Guided Walk — “HIDDEN GEMS OF PROVENCE!” Van Gogh’s Presence in Provence
• 2- Privately Guided Van Gogh Tour at St. Paul de Maussole, Plus Option to Visit Glanum or Les Baux-de-Provence
• 3- Leisure Time
• Breakfast & Lunch Included Today

BREAKFAST.  MORNING – We start our morning with a personalized, private tour, and chocolate tasting as exclusive guests into the world of Provence chocolate creation with our local friend, a World Famous “Chocolatier” (chocolate-maker), at his Artisan Chocolate Workshop. Enjoy tasting some of his famous creations – our personal favorite? Lavender chocolate. Afterwards, we continue on to enjoy the morning perusing and shopping at the weekly market in the town that inspired some of Van Gogh’s most famous art work.

Market day in town is a must for any stay in Provence. Your OTBP tour guides provide a guided tour and introduction to the market after which guests enjoy time to explore and shop at leisure.

Noble names of our time include Princess Diana who once had a home here and Princess Caroline of Monaco.  Situated in the heart of the Alpilles, surrounded by lush valleys of olive trees and Baux de Provence vineyards, the sounds of cicadas chirping, the visual delight of plane trees and flowers and its Gallo-Roman architecture, St. Remy reflects the heart and soul of Provence.

LUNCH: Together at our favorite gourmet hide-a-way.

AFTERNOON – Following Lunch – CHOOSE YOUR OPTION:  Select an option from our afternoon activity and excursion options below –

CHOOSE AN AFTERNOON OPTION —

OPTION NO. 1 – “Hidden Gems Walk” – Participate in a guided walk — VAN GOGH in Provence! — “HIDDEN GEMS OF PROVENCE” Walk – You’ll stroll through the countryside taking in the sites and smells that make Provence so mystical and magical, and learn fun facts about local history that make St. Remy-de-Provence a true gem! You’ll walk “La Via Dolmitia”, the first Roman road built in Gaul, to link Italy and Hispania through Gallia Narbonensis across what is now southern France with the most spectacular views of the Roman city of Glanum!! Along our path, experience in person many of the sites painted by Van Gogh during his year of confinement at the hospital. Olive orchards and vineyards of the AOC Les Baux de Provence dominate also your path to complement this unique walk! Plus, it’s a great way to walk off those fabulous foodie calories!!! Photo-ops all along your walk are endless.

OPTION NO. 2 – Shuttle to/From St. Paul de Mausole & Glanum – VAN GOGH in Provence! Embark into the world of Van Gogh with one of your OTBP guides who is a specialist on Van Gogh: his life, art, and presence in Provence for a privately guided tour of St. Paul de Mausole Hospital where Van Gogh spent a year confined in the men’s pavilion. During this privately guided tour, you’ll imagine life as it was for Van Gogh, witness the landscapes he painted while confiend, and learn rare information of the role his brother played in his daily life. A walk through the spectacular gardens completes our exclusive Van Gogh experience. Afterwards, you may opt to also visit the Roman city of Glanum next door or visit Les Baux-de-Provence.

OPTION NO. 3 – Enjoy the AFTERNOON AT LEISURE to explore more of this picturesque Provence gem of a town independently, shop for souvenirs and local artisan products, or pick-up any “must have Provence goodies”.

LATE AFTERNOON at leisure on our return to the Hotel.

DINNER – Independently this evening – try one of our recommended St. Remy’s restaurants – ask for details – we have a complete list of wonderful options – some offering bonuses for our guests.

Walk Rating For Today’s Walk…

WALKERS:  Guided walk – “Hidden Gems of Provence” walk is rated EASY to Moderate (optional: designed for interested guests). Walking on country trails through picturesque landscapes featuring olive orchards and biodynamic vineyards along the “La Via Domitia” (Roman road) and French country architecture with beautiful village scenery, St. Paul de Mausole, sites painted by Van Gogh and the Roman city of Glanum plus spectacular views of Les Baux valley. Ideal for those who walk for a morning or afternoon on a regular basis. Walk distance is 4 miles – approximately 1.5-2 hrs. depending on photo-op stops.

DAY 2 Highlights: Private, personalized tour at local Artisan Chocolate Maker Workshop, Shopping at the St. Remy de Provence Artisan & Craft Market, Lunch Together, AFTERNOON OPTIONS – Hidden Gems Village Walk, Guided Tour St. Paul de Mausole – Glanum or Leisure Time.

(B) = Breakfast Included, (L) = Lunch Included, (D) = Dinner Included

Provence Tour Itinerary – DAY 3:  The Luberon Valley & Hilltop Villages (April, May, September, October) : Perched Villages Gordes & Roussillon

During Lavender Season (June, July, August) : Valensole Plateau, Lavender Capital, Roussillon Village

• Morning — Select An Option: 1- WALKERS – Guided “LUBERON VALLEY VILLAGE TO VILLAGE WALK” (with time for walkers to explore each village also) –OR– 2- NON-WALKERS – Guided Cultural Tours of Hilltop Villages in the “Golden Stone Village” of Gordes and “Artist Ochre Cliff Village” of Roussillon…
• Year Round: Visit a local, family owned and operated Lavender and Essential Oils Distillery
• PLEASE NOTE: During lavender season (June, July, August) – Walkers: Our morning Luberon village to village walk is replaced by our morning lavender trail walk through picturesque lavender fields and villages of the Valensole plateau! Non-Walkers: shuttle to lavender fields to experience and photograph the endless fields of lavender and enjoy non-walking cultural experiences with your guide.
• Gourmet French Picnic Lunch Amidst the Spectacular Landscapes of the Luberon
• Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included Today

BREAKFAST. CHOOSE AN OPTION – We’ll visit the Luberon Valley and its perched villages of GORDES and ROUSSILLON and during lavender season, we visit the Valensole plateau, the lavender capital, and its endless lavender fields plus a family operated lavender and essential oils distillery.  You’ll shuttle to Gordes village from where you’ll embark on your day’s adventure by SELECTING AN OPTION BELOW.

OPTION NO. 1 – Morning — Awaken your senses today during our spectacular, guided, “Luberon Valley Village to Village” WALK. The Luberon countryside is absolutely beautiful with incredible, often unexpected variety of ladnscapes and architecture, and offers the perfect setting for a golden walking experience unlike any other.  Ancient bories, a Roman oppidium, old mills, a 700-year old chapel, a truffle farm, and charming villages connect the dots along this unique walking trail. Also famous for its vineyard and lavender covered countryside, walking through the Luberon offers photo opportunities of spectacular colors of lavender, poppies and sunflowers (in season), and scenery that will completely contrast your experiences in the Alpilles and along the Mediterranean coast. Enjoy time to discover and visit Gordes and Roussillon villages pre- and post walk.

PLEASE NOTE: During lavender season (June, July, August) – Walkers: Our morning Luberon village to village walk is replaced by our “Lavender Trail“ Walk – Participate in a Spectacular, guided walk amidst some of the most beautiful landscape of Provence; walking through magical fields of lavender. The countryside is absolutely beautiful with incredible color and aromas, and offers the perfect setting for a walking experience. Non-Walkers: shuttle to lavender fields to experience and photograph the endless fields of lavender and enjoy non-walking cultural experiences with your guide.

OPTION NO. 2 – Shuttle from village to village where you enjoy privately guided tours of and free time to explore two of the most beautiful, perched villages in the picturesque “Luberon” area of Provence made famous by Peter Mayle’s books A Year in Provence and A Good Year – Roussillon and Gordes villages.

Gordes village, one of the most stunning of the perched villages of Provence, appears like an Atlantis surrounded by glorious vineyards, fruit orchards, and fields of flowers and grains 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 at our first 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 golden colors and ancient architecture complement the colorful valley below.

Roussillon village, a canto of color, with 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 cobblestone streets. Known as the village of ochre, this unique mineral creates a substance formerly used as a dying agent.  Today, Roussillon is known as the most dramatically colorful village of the Luberon, and renowned for its panoramic vistas of the ochre valleys surrounding the village.

LUNCH: A lighter fare, Gourmet French picnic together amidst spectacular landscapes of the Luberon Valley. Our picnic is comprised of specialty and regional products and cuisine traditional to Provence accompanied by a selection of classified regional wines including Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Crozes-Hermitage wines (picnic is for entire group – both walkers and non-walkers).

AFTERNOON – Year Round: Visit a local, family owned and operated Lavender Distillery followed by return to the hotel in St. Remy-de-Provence.

EARLY EVENING at Leisure on return to the hotel.

DINNER – A Michelin-star Gourmet Dinner prepared by one of our favorite acclaimed Chefs of the region and family friend.

Morning Walking Rating  For Today’s Walk…

WALKERS – April, May, September, October:  Guided walk – “Luberon Valley Village to Village” walk in the Luberon region of Provence is rated EASY to MODERATE (optional: designed for interested guests). Walking on vineyard and country trails through picturesque lansdcapes and French country architecture, lavender and sunflower fields with a variety of beautiful villages in the background. Ideal for those who walk for a morning or afternoon on a regular basis. Walk distance is 6 miles – approximately 2-2.5 hrs. depending on photo-op stops.  Please note: During lavender season (June, July, August) – Walkers: Our morning Luberon village to village walk is replaced by our morning trail walk through picturesque lavender fields and villages of the Valensole plateau! Non-Walkers: shuttle to lavender fields for a non-walking experience to photograph the endless fields of lavender.

WALKERS – JUNE, JULY, AUGUST – WALK RATING:  Guided walk – “Lavender Trail” walk in the Luberon region of Provence is rated EASY to MODERATE (optional: designed for interested guests). Walking on country trails of gravel and pebble stone through picturesque landscapes of lavender fields with a beautiful village in the background. Ideal for those who walk for a morning or afternoon on a regular basis. Walk distance is about 3.5 miles – approximately 1.5-2 hrs. depending on photo-op stops.

DAY 3 Highlights: The Luberon & Artist Hilltop Villages – Walking amidst some of France’s most spectacular landscapes, cultural visits in Gordes and Roussillon, lavender and sunflower fields, Visit to lavender distillery, Michelin-star dinner together. During lavender season: also experience the Valensole plateau, lavender capital.

(B) = Breakfast Included, (L) = Lunch Included, (D) = Dinner Included

Provence Tour Itinerary – Day 4:  Mediterranean COAST – CASSIS

• Guided Introduction to Cassis Village
• Shop at the Cassis Weekly Artisan & Craft Market
• Visit an Artisan “Perfumery” 
• 45-minute Cruise to View the Historical Calanques (coastal Fjords)
• Enjoy a hosted tasting of famous French Pastis with local foodie specialties!
• Michelin-Star Dinner Together Prepared by Family Friend Christian
• Breakfast Included Today

BREAKFAST.  MORNING – We’ll spend a full day in the picturesque Mediterranean coastal, wine producing village of CASSIS, France. This spectacular coastal village 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’s pedestrian streets for photo-ops of the colorful port, historical architecture, and beautiful vineyard covered coastline.  It’s market day also in Cassis, and coastal markets offer a completely different  experience to that of inland Provence.  Peruse the stands, taste artisan products, and photograph the colorful stands and products on offer.

A Day Along the Mediterranean Coast in CASSIS – On arrival in Cassis your guides introduce you to the village, after which you have the opportunity to shop at the morning market and village shops.

CULTURAL TOUR – Whether you’ve heard the stories about the origin of French perfume creation or not, we highly recommend not to miss visiting one of the French Riviera’s oldest and most famous artisan “perfumery” with your OTBP cultural guide.

Late Morning – Embark on a scenic 45-minute cruise tour of the historical, Mediterranean calanques. These Roman ruins protrude into the Mediterranean Sea with grace, and transform the Mediterranean coast into a work of art for onlookers! (Optional and designed for interested guests). Afterwards, for interested guests, enjoy a very local experience meeting our dear friend Roger, a pastis producer, and tasting several of the famous French pastis and local foodie specialties with him!

LUNCH: Independently along the Mediterranean coast of Cassis. Try one of our recommendations and enjoy the Mediterranean ambiance!

AFTERNOON – Enjoy Leisure time in the village before our departure from Cassis.  

LATE AFTERNOON return to St. Remy-de-Provence.

DINNER – Independently this evening – try one of our recommended St. Remy’s restaurants – ask for details – we have a complete list of wonderful options – some offering bonuses for our guests.

DAY 4 Highlights: The Mediterranean Coast & Wine Producing Village of Cassis, Artisan & Craft Market, Artisan Perfumery, Cruise the Calanques (Roman Fjords), Pastis Tasting, Free Time.

(B) = Breakfast Included, (L) = Lunch Included, (D) = Dinner Included

Provence Tour Itinerary – Day 5: CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE, ARLES ROMAN RUINS & Cooking Class

• Morning – Select An Option: 1- WALKERS – Guided “CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE AMIDST THE VINEYARDS WALK” –OR– 2- NON-WALKERS – Guided Tour of Orange & Roman Theatre
• VIP Wine Tasting & Lunch at Chateauneuf-du-Pape Estate
• Evening: Select An Option:  1- Participate in Hands-On Cooking Class –OR– 2- Enjoy A Guided Tour of Arles Roman Ruins (for non-cooking guests)
• Farewell Cocktails & Dinner at Our Chef’s Workshop/Home at Cooking Class (For ALL guests – non-cooking guests join the rest of the group at cooking class after their guided cultural visit) 
• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included Today

BREAKFAST.  MORNING – Begin your morning in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. In Provence, as well as in the entire country of France, it’s no secret that wine is a daily staple at meals. Today, our wine hosts welcome you to discover one of France’s best loved wine producing appellations.

SELECT AN OPTION:  You’ll shuttle to Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and select one of the options below to begin to begin your day’s adventure.

OPTION NO. 1 – “CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE AMIDST THE VINEYARDS” WALK. Walk beautiful trails of this historically famous wine region through the vineyards ending with the best view of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and the Rhone River as you descend into the village. Our walk takes us to the historic site of the former summer residence of the Popes, and surrounding vineyards. Its unique soil of rounded river stones and pebbles provides this papal land with a beautiful flora and fauna.

OPTION NO. 2 – Join your OTBP cultural guide for a privately guided tour of ORANGE to visit the Roman theatre, and explore this off the beaten path town’s historic sites. Afterwards, shuttle to Chateauneuf-du-Pape village to meet up with the walkers in the group for our wine tasting excursion and lunch at our 13th century wine cellar.

BOTH walkers and non-walkers are invited to one of the most famous historical wine cellars (13th century) of the region owned by our local French friends for a private wine tasting & introduction to the famous Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines (both red and the RARE white) – you are exclusive guests at their restored 13th Century Wine Cellar. French are very proud of their world-renowned reputation as the country of “savoir-faire” in wine-making. And our local friends enjoy opening their estate to welcome you!

LUNCH: THE ENTIRE GROUP — A fabulous privately hosted Provence lunch together prepared by our Friend, a Michelin-Star Chef at our friend’s 13th century Chateauneuf-du-Pape estate.

AFTERNOON at leisure on our return to the Hotel.

EARLY EVENING – CHOOSE AN OPTION – (1) COOKING CLASS OR (2) CULTURAL VISIT (ARLES ROMAN RUINS) – You’ll shuttle to cooking class early evening, and upon arrival to our Chef’s estate, you select an option to either participate in our fun, hands-on cooking class with our Chef, a family friend at her home, or participate in a guided cultural tour of the Arles Roman ruins with your OTBP cultural guide.

Option #1 – Cooking Class – Cooking class takes place at the family home of our Chef’s estate in the beautiful Provence countryside. Our dear friend and Master Chef has been featured in gourmet and culinary shows and magazines worldwide. A humble and happy chef whose passion for cooking and sharing that passion in a fun and easy-going, relaxed environment, welcomes us into her private home workshop during each of our Best Adventures in Provence Tours.

Our chef loves welcoming us at home for a fun, hands-on cooking experience unlike any other that one might experience in the region.

During class, you learn about local Provence cuisine, put your hands to work chopping, slicing, and dicing, and are privy to learning the secrets of Provence recipes while preparing a traditional southern three course dinner. After you’ve finished, let’s sip some champagne and fabulous wines together in the garden along with a gourmet meal of the recipes prepared together in class.

No Experience Necessary! The focus of class is to have fun while learning about traditional Provence cuisine! It’s always lots of fun, and an authentic French experience spending time with our Chef!

OPTION #2 – CULTURAL VISIT – If you’re opting out of the actual cooking portion of cooking class in order to participate in another guided cultural visit —  you’ll enjoy a privileged visit with a privately guided insider tour led by one of your OTBP cultural guides at the Roman Ruins in Arles. Following the cultural visit and photo ops to/from your visit in Arles, you’ll  return to our chef’s family home to join the rest of the group for a gourmet dinner of recipes fellow travelers prepared in class.

DINNER: The entire group — Dine as VIP guests at our celebrity Chef’s table for our farewell dinner of the recipes prepared in cooking class with regional wines from our Chef’s private cellar. Time to celebrate a fun and fabulous week in Authentic Provence!

Morning Walking Rating For Today’s Walk…

WALKERS: Guided Walk – “CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE – Amidst the Vineyards Walk”- is rated EASY to MODERATE (optional: designed for interested guests). Sturdy walking shoes recommended. Walking on vineyard and country trails with riverbed rock and large gravel stones, occasional easy ascents and uneven terrain. The trail offers spectacular views of the Chateauneuf-du-Pape vineyards – The walk is rated moderate-Ideal for those who walk on a regular basis. Walk distance is 6 miles – approximately 2-2.5 hrs. of walking depending on photo-op stops.

DAY 5 Highlights: Morning — Chateauneuf-du-Pape Village to Village Walk, Wine Tasting, Lunch in a 13th century wine cellar at our friend’s Chateauneuf-du-Pape Estate, OPTIONS – Hands-On Cooking Class with Celebrity Chef, Arles Roman Ruins Tour for NON-Cooking Guests, Cooking Class Dinner for Entire Group.

(B) = Breakfast Included, (L) = Lunch Included, (D) = Dinner Included

Provence Tour Itinerary – Day 6:  Tour Conclusion

• Transfer to departure locations (Times and locations detailed below)
• Breakfast Included Today

BREAKFAST. Trip concludes — We provide a group transfer to Marseille airport for a 9:AM arrival time at the airport, and a group transfer to AVIGNON TGV rail station for a NOON arrival time at the station, followed by transfer to Avignon Centre rail station.

Earlier and later departures can be organized. Please contact us for details.

Complimentary Comprehensive Trip Insurance Included in Tour Prices! Book a 2018 Tour BEFORE July 18, 2018 — OR– a 2019 Tour BEFORE August 18, 2018 and trip insurance is included in the tour price (valued at US$440 per person and included free of charge in our promotion); Making your tour deposit and balance payment 100% refundable up to 31 days before tour departure and 100% transferrable 31 days or less before tour departure.

More Provence Tour Information —

• 2018 Provence Tour Dates and Prices
• 2019 Provence Tour Dates and Prices

Mike & Pam Curtis gave Off the Beaten Path, LLC 5 stars!
Outstanding Small Group Tours

  OTBP is a top notch small group tour company. Every aspect of these tours – from the hotels, experiences, food, and guides – just couldn’t be better. We’ve done the Loire Valley and Provence trips, and we’re hoping to get to Bordeaux soon! For us, staying in one hotel and enjoying the local area is a highlight. Hotel hopping is not fun, and with Christy you don’t have to! Go on one of these tours! You will have a fabulous time with like minded travelers and fun, informative guides! And just consider the once in a lifetime experiences, from a hot air balloon ride over majestic chateaux, cooking in the home kitchen of a famous chef, or a perfect picnic in the Provençal countryside a bonus!  

Tina Losinger and Susanne Weisman gave Off the Beaten Path, LLC 5 stars!
Absolutely We Will Recommend This Tour!!!

  “Absolutely we will recommend this tour!!! Our guides were top notch–terrific! We loved them. They ensured our safety and well being throughout the trip! We loved our group!! Great age range, well matched (though we know you have little control over that). Great value as well, incredible food, delicious wine (and plenty!), top of the line excursions. We would change nothing about the tour! We loved the lunches and dinners! Awesome people throughout. By taking the tour, we were able to see and do things we would not have otherwise-we would have missed so many memory making moments. We want return for the Loire Valley tour soon. Great job!!” –Friends -Tina Losinger and Susanne Weisman, Austin, Texas  

PLEASE NOTE – Our Walks are nature walks through the Provence countryside that include walking through vineyards, forests, olive orchards, flower fields, a truffle farm, and other such landscapes in nature. These are country walks, enjoying the scenic backroads and natural landscapes to discover Provence. We enjoy the “slow road” taking in the beautiful scenery of the Provence countryside and local villages daily.

(B) = Breakfast Included, (L) = Lunch Included, (D) = Dinner Included.