Premiere Walking through the Majestic Landscapes of the Alpilles and the Luberon South of Avignon

Join the "savoir-vivre" lifestyle of Provence. Follow quiet farm laneways, canals and "Grand Randonee" trails under the bright Provecial sunshine. Hike among vineyards and orchards, open fields of wild poppies, and through aromatic pine forests. Enjoy Provence's warm hospitality and superb accommodations. Dine on "La Cuisine du Soleil" where heady and down-to-earth flavors come alive with local olive oils, fresh basil, garlic, and "Herbes de Provence". Visit quintessential Provençal villages and market towns, Roman ruins and natural wonders. Cruise through the sun drenched landscapes that inspired Cezanne, Picasso, Van Gogh and countless other artists since then. Visit the villages made famous by the writer Peter Mayle. Join Club Toscana in the south of France where the charms of this easy-going region never end.

Day 1 - Les-Baux-de-Provence - Gather in Avignon, an ancient walled city and home to the 14th-century "Palais des Papes".Travel into the spectacular Alpilles mountains. Visit the bequtifully preserved Renaissance village of Les-Baux-de-Provence dramatically perched on a rock crag, and the ancient seat of the Rainier Family of Monaco.Enjoy a light lunch among its ancient streets.Tour the ghostly ruins of the unique Château des Baux, an 11th-century fortress carved into the top of this rocky peak.Walk into the Val d'Enfer where wind carved caves once the source of many legends of witches and spirits now offer a "dégustation" of local wines.

Day 2 - St-Rémy-de-Provence - Walk the crest of the Alpilles with spectacular views of vineyards, olive groves, cypress trees and the Mediterranean sea far in the distance.Discover the 2nd-century BC Gallo-Roman ruins at Glanum.Trace the life and works of Van Gogh from his asylum at the 12th-century Monastere de St-Paul-de-Mausolée to the streets of St-Rémy.Visit a family owned olive oil producer.Walk along canals to a small maker of home-made "gourmandises" sweets.Wander the "Vieille Ville" Old Town of St-Rémy-de-Provence before a dinner of traditional French / Provençal cooking.

Day 3 - Eygalières - Join the locals at St-Rémy's morning food market where fresh farm produce, Provençal food specialties and crafts are proudly displayed.Help your trip leader pick out the perfect items for a Club Toscana picnic.From the Romanesque chapel of St-Sixte meander to the castle village of Eygalières.Walk the "Grand Randonee" to a noted wine Château for a "degustation des vins".Back in St-Rémy, join the locals at a cafe and try pastis, a traditional dinner aperitif.Dinner on your own this evening to discover you own culinary and romantic corner of this charming Provençal town.

Day 4 - Gordes and the Luberon - Travel to the Vaucluse.Discover the dramatic landscapes of the Luberon and the quintessential Provençal "perchés" hilltop villages immortalized by the writer, Peter Mayle in his book "A year in Provence".Discover the ruin covered village of Oppède-le-Vieux, a haven for writers and artists, before wandering along a quiet route of vinyards and countryside "mas" farm houses to Ménerbes, rising like a stone ship adorned with castles and forts.From the Château de Sade, once home of the infamous Marquis di Sade, walk a panoramic route through a valley of small Luberon farms to romantic Bonnieux, known for its handicrafts and a great place to soak up that surreal Provençal sunlight.Meander the cobble stone alleyways of Medieval Gordes, dominated by its 13th-century château, to discover its fascinating Rococo church St-Fermin.Dine on traditional French Provençal country fare surrounded by its ever-present herbs in a noted village restaurant.

Day 5 - Roussillon - Walk the "Grand Randonee" to Roussillon, a magnet for hordes of artists trying to catch all 17 shades of ocher from its dramatic natural landscapes.Walk the surrounding pathways to discover its sunburned exposed rocks.Meander the village streets and join the locals and artists in a outdoor bistro.Attend evening vespers performed by monks at the 12th-century Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque before a celebratory final evening dinner at a prominent restaurant.

Day 6 - Avignon - Homeward bound.Bid a final farewell to the soothing landscapes of Provence and take a private transfer to Avignon for convenient flights or TGV train departures for Paris, or extend your stay in beautiful Provence.As always, we would be more than pleased to help you with any of your post-trip travel planning.
Bon Voyage !