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 complimentary 1:30 pm transfer from Marseille Airport and a complimentary 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. 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 so guests can enjoy the peaceful hotel gardens and charming on-site wine bar or step out the front door into the cobblestone streets of St. Remy and explore town at any time during the tour. Click here to view our hotel photo gallery of the hotel’s fresh and chic look. Following check-in at the hotel for our 6 day/5 night tour, join your guides to enjoy a glass of regional Rosé wine together while tour guides for the week provide an introductory briefing about the tour during our welcome cocktail hour.

DINNER – Welcome cocktail hour and dinner at our favorite celebrity hide-a-way made famous by Cookbook Author Patricia Wells. Enjoy 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 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 – 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!” – 2- Guided Van Gogh Tour at St. Paul de Maussole, Visit Glanum 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” – Walk through the countryside taking in the sites and smells that make Provence so mystical and magical and learn fun facts of local history that make St. Remy-de-Provence a true gem! Photo-ops all along the walk! Plus, it’s a great way to walk off those fabulous foodie calories!!! We walk through the vineyards of the producer who makes the wine we’ll drink one evening of the tour!

OPTION NO. 2 – Join one of your guides, a Provence history and Van Gogh specialist, for a privately guided tour of St. Paul de Mausole Hospital to learn about Van Gogh’s presence in Provence and the town of St. Remy-de-Provence. Afterwards, explore the Roman ruins of Glanum.

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 – WALK No.1 –

WALKERS:  Guided walk – “Hidden Gems of Provence” walk is rated EASY (optional: designed for interested guests). Walking on vineyard and country trails through picturesque landscapes and French country architecture with a variety of beautiful village scenery, lavender, wild flower fields, and olive orchards in the background and along our walking trail. Ideal for those who walk for a morning or afternoon on a regular basis. Walk distance is 4 miles – approximately 1.5 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 to 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 & Hilltop Villages

• 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 Village” of Roussillon…
• Gourmet French Picnic Lunch Amidst the Vineyards
• Michelin-Star Dinner Together Prepared by Family Friend Christian
• Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included Today

BREAKFAST.  MORNING – CHOOSE AN OPTION – All guests shuttle to Gordes village and, once arrived in the village, choose one of the options below.

OPTION NO. 1 – “Luberon Village to Village” Walk – (optional – designed for interested guests) – Participate in a spectacular, guided, “Luberon Village to Village” walk from Gordes to Roussillon. The Luberon countryside is absolutely beautiful with incredible, often unexpected variety, and offers the perfect setting for a golden walking experience unlike any other. Comprised of very unique experiences, our Luberon walk takes us from Gordes, a golden stone village with an imposing noble 11th century castle, to Roussillon, a famous artist village whose history evolved around the tale of a red-headed damsel and her troubadour lover. We’ll pass through farms, vineyards, orchards and wooded areas, past beautifully restored homes and simple farm dwellings.

The area surrounding the Luberon is a designated natural park. The countryside is rich with bits of history and evidence of life from other times, and on foot you’ll discover special places that aren’t in the tourist guidebooks. We pass prehistoric caves, ancient bories, a Roman oppidium, old mills, 700-year old chapels, and abandoned villages. Also famous for its vineyard and lavender covered countryside, walking in the Luberon offers photo opportunities of spectacular colors of lavender, poppies and sunflowers, and scenery that will completely contrast your experience in the Alpilles and along the Mediterranean coast.

OPTION NO. 2 – Shuttle from village to village for guided tours of and free time to explore 2 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 – Gordes and Roussillon villages. Time permitting, we offer a photo stop in Goult.

Our first visit takes us to Gordes, one of the most stunning of the hilltop villages of Provence. The village appears like 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 canyons edge across from which the village could be mistaken for a masonry version of an anthill. The private homes, 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.

LUNCH: A lighter fare, Gourmet French picnic together amidst the vineyards 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).

Visit the village of Roussillon, a colorful hilltop village that reflects the canto of color and harbors tales of 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 line the winding village streets make Roussillon a very special place in Provence. 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. The residents of Roussillon are predominately artists and artisans. This has led to many shops being authentic and individual in character. Explore the village and the colorful Ochre Park.

AFTERNOON – Return to the hotel in St. Remy-de-Provence.

EARLY EVENING at Leisure…

DINNER – A gourmet Michelin-Star dinner together prepared by another of our favorite Chefs, and our family friend Christian.

Walking Rating  – WALK NO.2 –

WALKERS:  The 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 landscapes 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.

DAY 3 Highlights: The Luberon & Artist Perched Villages – Luberon Village to Village Walk, Cultural Visits in Gordes and Roussillon (Goult and Lumieres – time permitting), Hilltop Villages of the Luberon, Celebrity Winery.

(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 “Perfumerie”
• 45-minute Cruise to View the Historical Calanques (coastal Fjords)
• Michelin-star Gourmet Lunch with a Spectacular View Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea
• Leisure Time
• Breakfast & Lunch Included Today

BREAKFAST.  MORNING – Departure for a full day in 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 the pedestrian streets of this art deco style village for photo-ops of the cobblestone streets, colorful port, and beautiful vineyard covered coastline.

On arrival in Cassis your guides provide an guided tour of the village and market, then guests have the opportunity to shop at the morning market and village shops – guides are available to assist with market purchases and help with any questions. The coastal markets offer a completely different experience to that of inland Provence. For interested guests, join your cultural guide for a tour at one of the oldest and most famous artisan “perfumeries” in southern France. Try a local café at the port.

In Cassis, discover typical Mediterranean decor and quaint cafés while exploring the historic village streets — take time to enjoy a glass of locally produced Cassis wine, and people watch from a café or brasserie along the colorful port. Some guests may also wish to go for a swim in the Mediterranean Sea or sunbath at the beautiful beach — changing facilities are available at the beach — your guides will direct you where to go.

LATE MORNING – (Optional and designed for interested guests) – Embark on a scenic 45-minute boat tour of the historical, Mediterranean calanques (Roman fjords). Afterwards, we head to a fabulous Michelin-rated restaurant that features the most spectacular view of the Mediterranean coast!

LUNCH: A Gourmet, Michelin-star lunch together overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, prepared by one of our friends and favorite chefs, Dimitri, and accompanied by classified Cassis wine.

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.

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

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

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

• Morning – Select An Option: 1- WALKERS – Guided “CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE AMIDST THE VINEYARDS WALK” –OR– 2- NON-WALKERS – Guided Tour of Carpentras or Avignon
• 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: GUIDED VISIT OF CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE. Guided Visit of Chateauneuf-du-Pape and leisure time. plus photo-ops. In Provence, as well as in the entire country of France, it’s no secret that wine is a daily staple at meals. Today we’ll discover one of France’s best loved wine producing appellations.

CHOOSE AN OPTION:  All guests shuttle to Chateauneuf-du-Pape, lunch and the winery. In the morning, guests choose one of the options below.

OPTION NO. 1 – “CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE AMIDST THE VINEYARDS WALK”. Guided walk of this spectacular wine producing area and village. The walk takes us to the historic site of the former summer residence of the Popes, and through the famous vineyards of Chateauneuf-du-Pape — with its unique soil of rounded river stones and pebbles — and follows the Rhone river, which provides this papal land with a beautiful flora and fauna.

OPTION NO. 2 – Opt for a guided tour of either the town of Carpentras or Avignon. 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.

LATE MORNING – Guests (BOTH walkers and non-walkers) are invited to one of the most famous historical wine cellars 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)– we’ll be exclusive guests of 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 friend enjoys opening his estate to welcome us!

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 – All Guests shuttle to cooking class early evening. Once arrived at cooking class, guests select their option – participate in our fun, hands-on cooking class with our Chef, a family friend, or participate in a guided cultural visit with your 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 a 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, we learn about local Provence cuisine, put our hands to work chopping, slicing, and dicing, and are privy to learning the secrets of Provence recipes while preparing a 3 course dinner. And after we’ve finished, we’ll enjoy fabulous wines together in the garden along with a gourmet meal of the recipes prepared together in class.

No Experience Necessary! The focus of this 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 – For Guests opting out of the actual cooking portion of cooking class in order to participate in another guided cultural visit — Join your cultural guide for an insider tour of the Roman Ruins in Arles. Following the cultural visit and photo ops to/from the visit, non-cooking guests head over to our cooking class 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 — Dines as VIP guests at our celebrity Chef’s table to enjoy a farewell dinner of the recipes prepared in cooking class with regional wines from our Chef’s private cellar.

Walking Rating  – WALK NO.3 –

WALKERS: The Guided – “CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE – Amidts the Vineyards Walk”- is rated EASY to MODERATE (optional: designed for interested guests). Sturdy walking shoes recommended. Walking on vineyard and country trails with occasional easy ascents and uneven terrain with large gravel stones and clay soil. 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 9 AM drop-off arrival at Marseille Airport and a 12 pm (Noon) drop-off 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.

• 2017 Provence Tour Price – US$3,498 per person instead of US$3,898 per person – 6 Days/5 Nights – double/twin occupancy – when booking BEFORE June 30, 2017 – Save US$400 per person!
• **2017 Tours – This Week Only Bonus** – Book A September 2017 Provence Tour this week (June 18 – 25, 2017), and Also Get 1 FREE Additional Night at Hotel Gounod with Breakfast for 2 Included and Complimentary Roundtrip Transfers – Arrive a Day Early or Stay a Day After the Tour – We also include the roundtrip transfers for whichever you choose !
• 2018 Provence Tour Price – SAVE US$1,000 per person! US$3,298 per person instead of US$4,298 per person – 6 Days/ 5 Nights – double/twin occupancy – when booking BEFORE September 8, 2017!
• **2018 Tours – This Week Only Bonus** – Book A 2018 Provence Tour  Date anytime this week (June 21-28, 2017), and Also Get 1 FREE Additional Night at Hotel Gounod with Breakfast for 2 Included and Complimentary Roundtrip Transfers – Arrive a Day Early or Stay a Day After the Tour – We also include the roundtrip transfers for whichever you choose !
• Complimentary Trip Insurance Included in Tour Prices! – Book a 2017 Tour BEFORE June 30, 2017 -OR- a 2018 Tour BEFORE September 8, 2017 and Trip insurance is included in the tour price to cover the cost of your tour – Making your tour deposit and balance payment 100% refundable!

More Provence Tour Information —

• 2017 Provence Tour Dates and Prices
• 2018 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.