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Discover the Best of Provence
May 7 - 15, 2009

The sun-washed Luberon and Verdon regions of Provence are a walker's paradise, filled with vineyards, orchards, herb-covered hills and ancient Roman ruins. Provence delights the senses with its fragrant smells of lavender, rosemary and sage along with its luminous light that has inspired artists, musicians and writers. Come along -discover with us this wonderful region of France, escorted by Rose Tomassini.

Our program :

  • 1 night Nice
  • 3 nights Castellane
  • 5 nights Aix-en-Provence

Our Itinerary :

May07 - Nice - meet up with our group escort, Rose Tomassini and other members of the group. After settling in we will enjoy a welcome dinner.

May 08 - After breakfast we travel from Nice up into the region of the 'Alpes de Haute Provence' and charming market town of Castellane. Situated on the 'Route Napoleon' and at the eastern end of the great Verdon Gorge the surrounding scenery creates a terrific backdrop.

Enroute to Castellane we will stop to visit a little village hugged within a loop of the Var River. We enter the village of Entrevaux by crossing the drawbridge (over the river providing a natural moat) and through the "Porte Royale" gate. The Town was fortified by order of Louis XIV's masterful military engineer "Vauban". This along with the totally pedestrian streets, tall, narrow houses, ancient fountains in the little public squares and fascinating zigzag ramps to the citadel - all set in this rugged region, gives us the experience of an authentic fairytale escape into another world and time.

We will spend 2 nights in Castellane, and as the Chef is so wonderful we will have our Welcome Dinner here.

May 09 - Today we have a guided walk in the Verdon Gorge. We enter the great canyon at le 'couloir Samson' and after crossing a beautiful stone bridge we walk up into a beech forest to a natural Viewpoint on the rim of the canyon called the 'Belvedere de Rancoupmas' for a stunning view.

May 10 -

After breakfast today we leave Castellane. Our route to Aix-en-Provence takes us along the stunning 'crete sublime' to give you a full-length view of the 21 mile long canyon gorge. We will have our lunch break in the village of Moustiers Ste. Marie. This village seems to clamber over the rocks that cling to the hillside at the exit of the Verdon Gorge. Originally named Monsterium it was so named after the monastery founded here in the 5th century. Ater lunch we carry on to Aix-en-Provence

We settle into "Aix" for 5 wonderful nights !

"Aix" is a delightful old Roman Spa town. today a vibrant university town that shows off its history, culture, and character in a very hospitible way. Higgly-piggly streets, old golden hued stone buildings, cafés and fountains everywhere make this a wonderful base for our five night stay.

May 11 - Cassis a little fishing village with shops and restaurants lining the quay - a snug harbour with sailboats from around the world. We will hire a boat to tour the fascinating coastline where the 'Calanques' - long fingers of limestone reach out into the azure Mediterranean. On the way back we will drive the 'Crete' road showing off magnificent views of the Mediterranean.

May 12 - Today we are off to visit some of Provence's most interesting and historic towns: Magnificent Arles, the medieval fortress of Les Baux, Ste Remy (where Van Gogh painted "The Irises", and the ancient Roman site of Glanum.

May 13-Today, we travel up onto the Luberon plateau where we find the villages that were secret until Peter Mayle's book, "A Year in Provence". As we enter this beautiful region we first come across Lourmarin, considered one of the most beautiful villages of Provence. After our visit here we will continue on a little further to begin our guided walk which will take us through a fascin- ating landscape offering forest, open hills with wild rosemary and meadows with lavender and rock walls where people lived as troglodytes in ancient times.

May 14 - A free day to explore Aix-en-Provence. We would be remiss if we didn't save a day to just be "provençal" - walk the old streets, sit at a café along the Cours Mirabeau and watch the people going by.

May 15 - After breakfast our program is over. Aix-en-Provence is about 30 kms from Marseille airport. There is very frequent shuttle service right from Aix-en-Provence to Marseille at a cost of 10.00 Euros per person.

As a fully licensed Travel Agency we are happy to arrange flights from anywhere in North America to meet up with this program.

The city of Aix-en-Provence was first known as Aquae Sextiae (the water of Sextius). Sextius Calvinius was the Roman proconsul who founded the city in 124 BC after finding the hot springs here. Even now, 'Aix' is referred to as the "City of 101 Fountains" The city's old-time elegance reflects its former role as regional capital.

"a complacently conservative and stunningly beautiful place that considers culture the sustenance of life."

The medieval quarter and the Cours Mirabeau, a majestic tree lined avenue in the heart of the city, (a verdant tunnel of foliage protects against the Provençal sun. Aix's life revolves around this very area) are just steps from our hotel. Lining the north side of the street are cafés (namely the Café des Deux Garçons, once an important meeting place for artists and writers such as Frederic Mistral, 1901 Nobel prize winner and founder of 'Le Félibrige' society whose aim it was to preserve the history, culture and language of Provence).

Cooking School Option: (For Thursday, May 14)

One of the best ways to get to know the Provençal is to learn their cooking! We have arranged for today the opportunity to join Marc Heracle at his "Cuisines du Sud" cooking school which he orchestrates in his oh so charming 17th century chateau in a small village outside of Aix-en-Provence. This is a demonstration class but it is more than just a cooking class. It's a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a visit and indulge in a day in the life of the Provençal including lunch with wine in the garden. Please note this must be booked early (by March 01) - It is limited to a small group. Cost $189.00 CDN including transport. (Minimum of 4 paying participants required)

COST: $2689.00 CDN (twin)

Single supplement : $ 884.00 CDN

Includes :

  • 8 nights accommodation with private facilities
    • 1 night Nice
    • 2 nights Castellane
    • 5 nights Aix-en-Provence
  • Full breakfast each day
  • Welcome dinner in Nice
  • All transportation in itinerary :
    • to Castellane
    • Entrevaux
    • Verdon Gorge
    • Aix-en-Provence
    • Cassis
    • the Luberon
    • Le Tholonet
  • 2 Guided 8-km country walks:
    Verdon Gorge, The Luberon
  • All Taxes