Come discover the Provence we’ve come to know and love. Where you’ll follow in the footsteps of artists. Explore beautiful hilltop villages. Browse through colorful markets. Enjoy the tastes and aromas of Provençal foods and wines.
And stay in a marvelous stone villa, spending a week in leisurely exploration of the market towns, castles, villages and wineries in this wonderful region of France. This is the perfect time to visit Provence, when the sun is warm enough for sunbathing but gentle enough for sightseeing.
Throughout the week, you will be accompanied by travel writers Judi Janofsky and Rich Steck, who co-founded Provence Escapes. Judi and Rich will share all that they know and love about Provence, including its magnificent food, wines, markets, ruins and villages.
Dates & Rates
2011 Provence Dates
June 5 - 12, 2011 (SOLD OUT)
Group Size
Maximum of 8 people
Tour Guides
Travel writers Judi Janofsky & Rich Steck
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Accommodations
Located in the Luberon area of Provence near the village of Gordes, this luxurious villa with spectacular mountain views, is surrounded by beautiful gardens that include lavender and rose beds, olive trees, fountains and a heated pool. Inside the charming and spacious bedrooms each have their own private bathroom.
Rates
$3,375 per person based on double occupancy.
What’s Included
(Almost everything once you’re there. And because our rates are in U.S. dollars instead of Euros, your costs won’t increase if the value of the dollar decreases.)
• Seven nights in the villa
• Transfers from and to Avignon TGV Station
• Local ground transportation
• Admission to attractions
• Breakfast every day, lunch or dinner daily
• Local wines
A personalized packet of information including market buying tips, restaurant recommendations and information on places we’ll visit.
Not included
Airfare to and from France, roundtrip train fare to/from Avignon TGV station, trip insurance.
The Provence Itinerary
Day 1 – Saturday
Arrival at the Villa
You’ll be met at the Avignon TGV station in late afternoon and transferred to the villa in plenty of time to unpack and explore this luxurious property or take a refreshing dip in the pool before the evening’s welcome reception and dinner served on the terrace.
Day 2 – Sunday
L’Isle sur la Sorgue
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Breakfast at the villa. Lunch on your own in L’Isle sur la Sorgue. And dinner at the villa.
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Day 3 – Monday
Cote du Rhone
We’ll spend the day exploring the Cote du Rhone Wine Route stopping in small charming villages, including Gigondas which produces a very nice full-bodied red wine and where we’ll have lunch.
We’ll also visit Seguret, considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in France, and Crestet, one of our favorite towns.
Breakfast at the villa. Lunch on your own in Gigondas. Dinner at the villa.
Day 4 – Tuesday
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Gordes / Wine Tasting
Today is market day in the spectacular perched village of Gordes. This 12th century village, one of the most picturesque in Provence, is an amazing place to explore on your own. And you’ll have all morning to do it. Stroll along and you’ll see small, sometimes stepped alleyways lined with rampart ruins, art galleries and cafes. The market will be bustling with local people and tourists buying everything from fennel-flavored sausages to foie gras, crusty breads, pottery and linens. Two must-sees in Gordes are the impressive 16th century Chateau de Gordes and the charming church of St. Firmin. In the valley below, poppies spring up among orchards of cherry trees. After lunch, we’ll visit a local family run winery – one of the best in the Luberon region.
Breakfast at the villa. Picnic lunch with foods we purchase at the local market. Dinner on your own -- perhaps at the local bistro or at a delightful butcher-shop-turned-restaurant that’s nearby.
Day 5 – Wednesday
Bonnieux / Afternoon Cooking Class
Enjoy a leisurely morning strolling the narrow streets of Bonnieux, a lovely perched village topped by a 12th century church. In the afternoon, you’ll create several wonderful Provençal dishes during a cooking class at the villa taught by Judi. Those who don’t participate in the cooking class can spend the afternoon hiking, biking or exploring the nearby Lavender Museum.
Breakfast at the villa. Lunch on your own. Dinner will be the cooking class creation.
Day 6 – Thursday
Morning On Your Own / Lourmarin
This morning will be a leisurely one at the villa. where you can enjoy a morning at the pool, a bit of tennis or a hike in a nearby forest. In the afternoon, we’ll travel to the village of Lourmarin with its wonderful cafes, boutiques and galleries. This is the town where Peter Mayle, author of A Year in Provence, lives. Later in the afternoon we’ll visit the Chateau Val Joanis in Pertuis for a tour of its beautiful gardens and winery. Of their Reserve les Griottes, wine critic Robert Parker says: “I feel as if I am drinking a great Chateauneuf du Pape.”
Breakfast and lunch at the villa. Dinner on your own at one of the many nearby restaurants.
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Day 7 – Friday
Saignon / Goat Farm
In the morning, we’ll journey to Saignon, a pretty little village with spectacular views from the ruins of a fortress. For lunch, we’ll travel up the mountains to our guests’ favorite place in Provence -- a goat farm high atop the Luberon where we’ll have a fabulous lunch made by the farmer and his wife.
Breakfast at the villa. Lunch on your own at the goat farm. Farewell dinner at the villa.
Day 8 – Saturday
Au Revoir...
Morning departure to Avignon TGV Station. And bonne journée for those of you who plan to extend your visit in France!
Villa Accommodations
Located near Gordes, one of the most beautiful villages of France, this villa sits on seven acres of privacy with sweeping views of the Luberon Mountains, and includes a swimming pool, pool house and tennis court.
The interior of the house was completely gutted and renovated recently and has been decorated in soothing, comfortable and casually elegant neutral tones. The living room/dining room features a large stone fireplace and a comfortable seating area, and a very long dining table that seats twelve. The kitchen has a large central island that is a wonderful gathering place for people. There are four large double bedrooms each with its own full bathroom.
The highlight of the house though is the outdoor terrace with its magnificent views of the mountains. And where we’ll have most of our meals.
The Details
Deposits
A $750 per person deposit is required at the time of booking, payable within seven days of reservation confirmation (see Reservations). The balance is due 120 days before the first day of the tour. For tours booked less than 120 days in advance, full payment is required at the time of reservation.
Cancellations and Refunds
If we receive written notice of your cancellation 121 days or more from the start of the tour week you booked, we will refund half of your deposit for each person booked. There will be no refund for cancellations made 120 days or less from the start of the tour week unless we are able to fill your place(s) with other participant(s) and unless the program has the necessary required number of participants. In this instance, we shall refund all fees received, less your $750 deposit(s). Once the week of your tour has started, no refunds will be issued for any unused portion.
Cancellation fees apply regardless of the reason. Once you have booked your trip, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance (including trip delay, trip interruption, trip cancellation and baggage coverage), as well as accident, medical and emergency evacuation insurance.
Children
Children 18 years and older are welcome to join the tour.
Pre- and Post-Tour Stays
To avoid missing your pickup in Avignon because of train or flight delays and to help avoid jet lag, we recommend that you make hotel arrangements for the night before and/or after your tour. As a service, Provence Escapes will be glad to give you hotel recommendations for these additional nights.
Responsibility and Release of Liability
There are always risks associated with travel. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip and medical/evacuation insurance. Provence Escapes, Inc., assumes no responsibility for any claim of damages, expenses or liability for any claims, injury, delay, inconvenience, irregularity, loss or damage to person or property or additional costs resulting directly or indirectly from causes that include, but are not limited to, theft, acts of government, delays, cancellations, weather, vehicle problems or accidents, strikes, illness, quarantine, acts of terrorism or “acts of God” incurred during the tour including during transportation by car, van, boat or other conveyance. Participants agree that Provence Escapes, Inc., shall not be liable, directly or indirectly, for any injury, death or damage for any reason whatsoever. Provence Escapes, Inc., reserves the right to alter an itinerary or accommodations. The company also reserves the right to cancel a tour. Should that occur, Provence Escapes’ liability would be limited to a full refund of the reservation deposit and/or fees paid, or to offer an alternate tour date. Provence Escapes, Inc., reserves the right to decline to accept any person at any time should that person’s health, physical infirmity or mental condition impede the health, welfare or enjoyment of other participants.