PROVENCE TOUR ITINERARY – Small Group Tour In Provence France

Provence Tour Itinerary – Day 1:  TOUR BEGINS

• Meet & Greet by Guides (Check out the Provence Tour Dates page for our complimentary Transfer Times Day 1 and Day 6)
• Transfer to Hotel for Check-in
• Welcome Cocktail Hour & Orientation
• Gourmet Welcome Dinner Together at Celebrity Hide-a-way
• Dinner Included Today
• Click here to view our photo gallery of the beautiful Hotel Gounod

• Dietary Requests & Food Allergies — We accommodate ALL dietary requests and preferences (including vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, etc) and ALL food allergies (gluten, shellfish, etc) while ensuring an amazing foodie experience for all tour guests with restrictions and/or allergies.
• Throughout this exclusive Best Adventures in Provence Tour, we select different regional, classified wines for each group meal to ensure guests 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 – Small Group Tour In Provence France

PROVENCE TOUR ITINERARY – DAY 2:   THE ALPILLES

Les Alpilles & Villages of Baux de Provence Valley, Shop at Weekly St.Remy-de-Provence Market, Chocolate Making Workshop & Tasting, Michelin-Star Gourmet Lunch, Afternoon Walk, Van Gogh in Provence

• BREAKFAST.
• Guided tour of and Shopping at St. Remy de Provence Weekly Artisan & Craft Market.
• A privately hosted, gourmet lunch exclusively for our guests prepared by friend, Chef Jeremy; awarded his 1st Michelin-Star in 2019!

Select An Option:

• Learn to make chocolate during our 1.5 hour hands-on chocolate making workshop with local family friend, Master Artisan Chocolatier Joel Durand. No Experience necessary, a fun hands-son experience designed for interested guests.
• A guided cultural excursion is available for guests not interested in participating in the 1.5 hour chocolate making workshop.

Afternoon — Select an Option: For Walkers & Non-Walkers…

• 1- WALKERS – A Guided Walk — “HIDDEN GEMS OF PROVENCE!” Van Gogh’s Presence in Provence (scheduled walk designed for interested guests)
• 2- NON-WALKERS – Privately Guided Van Gogh Tour at St. Paul de Maussole, And Les Carrieres des Lumieres in Les Baux-de-Provence – the 2019 Exposition Theme is “Van Gogh“!! (optional – designed for interested guests)
• 3- Leisure Time
• Breakfast & Lunch Included Today

Afternoon Walking 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, some uphill 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 number of stops made for photo-ops.

DAY 2 Highlights: Private Tour and Chocolate Making Workshop, Guided Tour and optional shopping at the St. Remy de Provence Artisan & Craft Market, Michelin-Star Lunch Together, AFTERNOON OPTIONS – Hidden Gems Village Walk, Guided Tour St. Paul de Mausole, Glanum, and/or Carrieres de Lumieres, Leisure Time.

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

PROVENCE TOUR ITINERARY – Small Group Tour In Provence France

Provence Tour Itinerary – DAY 3: Luberon Valley, SAULT, VALENSOLE – LAVENDER

Luberon Valley :  Visit Hilltop Villages of Gordes & Roussillon AND in Lavender Season (June, July, August) : ALSO Visit Valensole Plateau and Lavender Capital Sault – Walk Lavender Fields Featured in National Geographic

Breakfast : Morning — Select An Option: For Walkers & Non-Walkers…

• 1- WALKERS – Guided “LUBERON VALLEY VILLAGE TO VILLAGE WALK” (with time for walkers to explore each village also)
• 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
• Today, You’ll visit Gordes, Roussillon, Sault, Valensole Plateau throughout the morning and afternoon.
• 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
• Michelin-Star Dinner together prepared by friend, Chef Christian.

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included Today

Morning Walking Rating for today’s walk…

• WALKERS – April, May, September, October: Guided walk – “Luberon Valley Village to Village” walk in the Luberon 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 4.5 miles – approximately 2-2.5 hrs. depending on number of stops made for photo-ops.
• Non-Walkers: Shuttle to each of our beautiful hilltop villages and gourmet picnic lunch.

ADDED NOTE: During lavender season (June, July, August)…

• WALKERS – June & July:  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.
• WALKERS – JUNE, JULY, AUGUST:  WALK RATING for Guided “Lavender Trail” walk in Valensole area 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 2.0 miles – approximately 1.5 hrs. depending on number of stops made for photo-ops.

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

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

PROVENCE TOUR ITINERARY – Small Group Tour In Provence France

Provence Tour Itinerary – Day 4:  Mediterranean COAST – CASSIS

Mediterranean Coast – Wine Producing Village of Cassis and Calanques Cruise (Roman period fjords), Perfumery Visit, Pastis Tasting, Lunch Along the Picturesque Port

• BREAKFAST.
• Guided Tour and Introduction to Cassis Village, the port, and the market.
• Shop at the Cassis Weekly Artisan & Craft Mediterranean Market
• Option available for interested guests: Join your guide to meet our local family friends to learn about their family’s perfume making trade and history, tour the workshop, and sample perfumes and hand-made soaps made exclusively at their Artisan “Perfumery”.
• Guided 45-minute Cruise to View the Historical Calanques (coastal Fjords).
• Option available for interested guests: Meet our local friend and artisan pastis maker, Roger.  Roger welcomes guests to his place in Cassis where we’ll enjoy a hosted tasting of famous French Pastis and Cassis wines accompanied by local foodie specialties!
• Lunch: Independently. Ask for our list of recommended “must try” places along the port.
• Remainder of afternoon: Leisure time to pursue independent interests.
• Breakfast Included Today

DAY 4 Highlights: The Mediterranean Coast & Wine Producing Village of Cassis, Artisan & Craft Market, Artisan Perfumery, 45 minute Cruise of the Calanques (Roman Fjords), Pastis Tasting, Lunch Along the Picturesque Port and Leisure Time.

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

PROVENCE TOUR ITINERARY – Small Group Tour In Provence France

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

Chateauneuf-du-Pape Wine Country: Walking Amidst Vineyards, Orange Roman Theatre, Private Wine Tasting in 13th Century Cellar, Learn About Famous Wines of the Region, Gourmet Lunch Overlooking Rhone River Prepared by Our Friend, a Private Michelin-Star Chef, Guided Tour of Arles Roman Ruins, Cooking Class & Dinner

Breakfast: Morning – Select An Option: 

• 1- WALKERS – Guided “CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE AMIDST THE VINEYARDS WALK”
• 2- NON-WALKERS – Guided Tour of Roman Town of Orange & Roman Theatre
• VIP Wine Tasting in a 13th century cellar to learn about Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines with our friend, Master Sommelier, Guy.
• Lunch: Privately hosted lunch prepared by our friend, Chef Jean-Claude (former 2-star Michelin Chef of La Mirande) at Chateauneuf-du-Pape Estate overlooking the Rhone river.
• Afternoon: return to hotel.

Early Evening: Select An Option:

• 1- Participate in Hands-On Cooking Class with our family friend, Master Chef Catherine.
• 2- Enjoy A Guided Tour of Arles Roman Ruins (for non-cooking guests)
• Farewell Cocktails & Dinner: Privately hosted 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 tour of Arles)
• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included Today

Morning Walking Rating For Today’s Walk…

WALKERS: Guided Walk – “CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE – Amidst the Vineyards Walk”- is rated MODERATE due to large Rhone River bedrock at end of trail (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 about 4 miles – approximately 2-2.5 hrs. of walking depending on number of stops made for photo-ops.

DAY 5 Highlights: Chateauneuf-du-Pape Village to Village Walk, Wine Tasting Workshop of Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines (red & white), Visit of Orange & Roman Theatre, Privately hosted Lunch at a 13th century wine cellar overlooking Rhone River, OPTIONS – Hands-On Cooking Class with Celebrity Chef, Guided Tour of Arles Roman Ruins for NON-Cooking Guests, Cooking Class Dinner for Entire Group.

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

PROVENCE TOUR ITINERARY – Small Group Tour In Provence France

Provence Tour Itinerary – Day 6:  Tour Conclusion

• BREAKFAST.
• Trip concludes — We provide a complimentary 9 AM transfer arrival at Marseille Airport and a complimentary 12 pm (Noon) transfer arrival at AVIGNON TGV Rail Station followed by drop-off at Avignon Centre rail station.
• Earlier and later departures can be organized. Please contact us for details at Email: contact@traveloffthebeatenpath.com.

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

• Click here to review ALL 2019 Provence Tour Dates & Price!
• Click here to review ALL 2020 Provence Tour Dates & Price!
• WALKERS – Van support is provided for walks to offer maximum flexibility to all guests. You decide how much walking you’d like to do, if participating in our walks. Walker rating = Easy to Moderate.
• NON-WALKERS:  Shuttle to/from all activities, excursions, meals and visits. NON-Walker rating = Easy.

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

PROVENCE TOUR ITINERARY – Small Group Tour In Provence France