Delight your senses with the fragrant lavender fields, sumptuous wine, and natural wonders of Provence.
In contrast to cosmopolitan Paris, Provence is the centre of France’s natural beauty. Boasting candy coloured and fragrant lavender fields, rugged beaches, and the spectacular Verdon River with its breath-taking gorges and caves, it’s a perfectly relaxed destination for holiday makers wanting to experience “la vie en rose.” As well as these dazzling doses of mother nature, Provence is also home to a variety of villages and towns that are seemingly unchanged since their formations. Key examples include the photogenic commune of Gordes with its 12th Century monastery, the majestic medieval walls of Aix en Provence, the sleepy, dilapidated monastery of Châteauneuf du Pape, and the ancient Roman remains of the city of Orange. These romantic backdrops are the perfect locations to sip a glass of local wine, allowing vision, taste and smell to come together in one overwhelmingly beautiful feast for the senses.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival
Bienvenue en Provence! Independent arrival in Aix-en-Provence.
Overnight in Aix-en-Provence.
Day 2 – Discovering the Luberon
Spend the day discovering the small, charming villages of the Luberon. Meet your guide at a meeting point in the heart of Aix-en-Provence and drive along the scenic roads of Provence countryside roads to reach Isle-sur-Sorgue. Here you can walk along the canals (Isle-sur-Sorgue is called the Venice of Venaissin County) and stop at the many antique shops looking for rarities. Go up the river Sorgue and find its source at Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, where you can visit the caves where the river emerges. Continue to Gordes, one of the most beautiful villages in the whole of France. During the summer, when the lavender is blooming, there will be a stop at the Senanque Abbey, one of the most photographed attractions of the whole Provence. Conclude your excursion with a visit to the villages of Bonnieux and Lourmarin. Overnight in Aix-en-Provence.
Day 3 – Verdon Gorges and more
Today, visit the stunning course of river Verdon, with its breathtaking gorges, one of the must-see natural wonders in Europe. Meet your guide at a meeting point in the heart of Aix-en-Provence and drive to Manosque were you will have the chance to visit the Occitane cosmetic factory, whose products are all made from local flowers and plants. Driving through the Valensole plateau (between mid-June and mid-July you will have the chance to see the lavender fields in bloom here), you will reach the Moustiers-Ste-Marie, a small village perched between two scenic rocky cliffs. Continue to the Lake Saint Croix for a relaxing stop at the beach before coming back to Aix-en-Provence. Overnight in Aix-en Provence.
Day 4 – Aix-en-Provence/ Avignon
Meet your private driver at the hotel lobby and transfer to your accommodation in Avignon. Residence of the Popes for almost a hundred years in the 14th century, its city center is packed with historical attractions, from the World Heritage-listed Palais du Papes to the majestic Medieval walls.
In the afternoon, guide visit of town and Palais du Pope with your private guide.
Overnight in Avignon.
Day 5 – Orange and Châteauneuf du Pape
Today, discover the hidden gems of Provence, Orange and Châteauneuf du Pape. Meet your guide in the heart of Avignon and reach the city of Orange for a panoramic tour to see its numerous Roman monuments. The Ancient Theatre (entrance fees and audio guide included) is one of the best preserved in the world. Continue to Châteauneuf du Pape and admire the ruins of the Pope’s formal summer residence which dominate the medieval village. Enjoy a wine tasting in one of the local cellars before going back to Avignon. Overnight in Avignon.
Meals : Wine Tasting
Day 6 – Departure
Independent departure transfer. Au revoir Provence!
What is included
• 3 nights in Aix-en-Provence
• 2 nights in Avignon
• Small Group Discovering the Luberon Tour – Full Day
• Small Group Verdon Gorges – Full Day
• Private transfer: Aix-en-Provence – Avignon
• Small Group Orange and Châteauneuf du Pape – Full Day
What is not included
• Arrival transfer
• Departure transfer
Notes
• Hotels in Aix-en-Provence: Cezanne
• Hotels in Avignon: L’Horloge
• Hotel may be substituted with similar category
COST: from EUR 886 PER PERSON SHARING
For more information contact : res@rufaro.co.za
