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Contact UsJoin your friends or family and come with us to enjoy a week of leisurely traveling through some of the most beautiful villages and towns in the world. Every day in Provence will be a new experience with destinations of unique character, vivid colors, and multiple fragrances. Exquisite local cuisine will put a perpetual smile on your face and the wines will leave a sparkle in your eye. The memories of a visit to Provence are sure to stay with you for a lifetime! We have included mostly lunches in the itinerary as this is the main meal for the French, but should you prefer, they can be easily replaced with some dinners.
Departure from the US
Arrival at Marseille airport. Meet your English speaking licensed guide who will assist you during your stay in Provence. Transfer to one of the typical villages of Provence where your 3 star hotel will be located near the centre of town. The remainder of the day to rest.
Full day excursion to Avignon, the City of Popes. Morning guided tour of the Pope Palace, the center of town, and Pont Benazet.
Free time in the city center and a three course lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon panoramic tour in the nearby famous vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape. Visit a winery with wine tasting.
Free time to enjoy a Sunday weekly Provencal market.
Early in the afternoon you will go to Fontaine de Vaucluse, a popular village on the River Sorgue, where you will find the ruins of a castle from the gallo-roman era. Then on to Gordes, a dramatic and picturesque village perched on the hillside overlooking fields, forests, other villages and the Montagne du Luberon: free time to wander around.
Close by is the unique village of Les Bories, with its unique dry-stone buildings of one or several rooms where shepherds used to take refuge.
At the end of the day you will visit the spectacular little village of Roussillon, with its colorful and narrow streets. Everything is red, the houses, the roofs, the rocks, and the surrounding earth reflects multiple shades of ochre.
Full day excursion to visit more villages in Provence with lunch.
Menerbes, which was made famous by Peter Mayle’s novel “A year in Provence”. Oppede-le-Vieux, a medieval marvel dominated by the ruins of its castle and a 16th c. church.
Bonnieux, located by the Montagne du Luberon, is another picturesque hilltop village with grandiose panoramic views over the valley and other surrounding villages.
This morning we’ll drive among the many local vineyards and olive groves. We’ll stop for visits or photos at some of the picturesque villages along the way:
Lafare, which is between the Dentelles de Montmirail and Mont Ventoux.
Suzette, where you’ll love to stroll in the quaint little streets,
La Roque Alric, a quiet village of 70 inhabitants which stands up like a sentinelle. We’ll have a photo stop at the castle of Le Barroux.
After lunch a visit to Carpentras, the capital of Comtat Venaissin. Architecture treasures illustrate and revive the rich history of the town, which dates back to the Greeks and the Phoenicians. Along your walking tour you will see the Porte d’Orange, the ruins of the Old Fortress, the Episcopal Palace, Saint Siffrein Cathedral, the Synagogue, and the magnificent 18th c. pharmacy, part of the Hotel Dieu.
Full day excursion to Saint Remy de Provence and Les Baux de Provence.
Visit Saint Remy and enjoy the busy weekly market, then a three course lunch before continuing to the village of Les Baux.
Les Baux is one of the top “must see” sights of Provence. As you walk around you’ll see beautifully restored old houses with Renaissance facades and “hotels particuliers” which are now art galleries and museums. Craft shops, souvenir shops, and Provencal products provide an ideal opportunity to buy that perfect souvenir to take home. Climb to the top of the village and from the top of the fantastic stone fortress you will get a beautiful view of Arles, the Plain of Camargue and the Alpilles.
After breakfast transfer to Marseille airport for your return flight to the US.
This sample tour is just an example of a specific itinerary related to the country we just described to give you an idea of what is available in that country when you travel.
All our trips are tailor-made and we are at your disposal to plan your trip in consideration of how many people will be traveling, how many days you wish to travel, the season, the standard and the location of the hotels, the amount of meals you wish to include, the guided tours or experiences which will show you not only the “must see” landmarks but also the special interest sites and events you will love that are off the beaten track.
Francoise is the president and founder of Celestial Voyagers. She graduated with a tourism degree at Nice University in France and has worked as a tour director and operations manager in France, Australia and Mexico. Settling in New York City, she founded Celestial Voyagers with the aim of creating uniquely curated group travel for adults and Academia.