TRUE PROVENCE IN STYLE

A one week holiday. Grade: Easy Saturday to Saturday.

Transfers..Collection and return Marseille Airport and Avignon TGV Station.

An easy to moderate walking holiday which takes in the best scenic paths and places of interest from Vaison la Romaine via Gordes to St Remy. Mainly half day walks with the emphasis on seeking out superb views, wine caves, provencal markets, hill villages, lavender fields and all that is special about provence. The hotels are comfortable and the restaurant meals excellent. We provide wine with some of the evening meals as well. This is an ideal holiday for the recreational walker who seeks a relaxing yet stimulating holiday in our lovely region. Clients are met at Marseille Airport at 1pm and Avignon TGV Terminus at 3pm and returned there at the end of the holiday.

Our hotel in Nyons and the famous Gigondas Vineyards

Itinerary ( Saturday to Saturday).

Day 1 Meet at Marseille Airport at 2pm. Drive to our hotel in Nyons beautifully situated above the town amongst olive trees.Visit the old town before dinner. Nyons is an old market town, very provencal, with lovely old buildings and the usual cafes shaded by magnificent Plain trees. Look forward to a real provencal meal with wine served by the family.

Day 2. Drive to Vaison la Romaine. Morning walk through the pine forests and vineyards to Seguret, a beautiful 10th Century perched village. Explore the cobbled narrow lanes and the artists 'workshops. We provide a picnic lunch at a shady spot high on the Dentelles de Montmirail. A 1hr  walk through the Dentelles eventually leads to Gigondas, the most famous of the Cote du Rhone Wineries. Time now for some tasting. Return to our hotel for a swim before dinner.

Day 3.  A 4km walk through the olive groves near Nyons following an 'olive trail ' with information panels starts the day.This is followed by visits to an olive mill  .Lunch is taken high above the town at an attractive picnic site . . A wine tasting is organised for early evening with a local wine producer who has extensive knowledge of the Cotes du Rhone wines. Suitably inebriated we then sit down to a good dinner and some more wine !

Day 4.  Today we transfer to our next Hotel near Isle Sur la Sorgue .The morning is spent in  Vaison la Romaine for a visit to the famous Provencal market which is very colourful . A chance perhaps to buy those presents ?After lunch we stroll via the Roman  ruins to the Cathedral and then  up to the medieval town across the Roman Bridge . The drive at the end of the day to The Mas de Shogol takes about an hour and the party should arrive by 6pm. Dinner at the Mas

The Mas has very attractive rooms each decorated in a different provencal style and colour . There is a large swimming pool,  attractive gardens  and a tennis court.

The exterior of the Mas

Day 5. A chance to have a look at Peter Mayle's Luberon with a visit to Bonnieux and a 2hr walk through the famous Cedars of Lebanon forest to a superb viewpoint overlooking Mont St Victoire and the Alpilles. After a picnic lunch a short drive leads to Gordes where Francesca, our local guide takes clients on a tour of the village.The day ends with a visit to the famous village des Borries, the famous beehive stone huts of the region .Clients taken to Isle sur la Sorgue for supper this evening. Not included in the price

Day 6.  A  walk is arranged from the village of Maubec to Oppede le Vieux  which skirts the edge of the Luberon hills .The setting is very rural as we walk through olive groves,cherry orchards and vineyards.Lunch is taken in the shade of the olive and oak trees. . . A 20 minute transfer takes us to Roussillon . This delightful village set on a hillside amongst the old ochre quarries is a firm favourite . Plenty to see and masses of photo opportunities .Plenty of time to relax afterwards in one of the attractive cafes in the village square.Return in time for a swim before dinner at the Mas

Day 7.  A 1 hr drive takes us to St Remy de Provence , so closely linked to Van Gogh .We continue to Les Baux de Provence superbly situated on the crest of the Alpilles . After exploring the village a delightful ridge top walk leads  along and down to St Remy via  an old Roman reservoir .At  3pm Mathilde our guide will take clients on the Van Gogh Tour, including sites where he painted and the hospital where he painted over 100 of his works.  A choice is offered after the tour. Clients can either visit the Roman Site of Glanum unguided or  explore St Remy a little more. There are excellent little stores and an interesting perfumery which makes its own essences plus much more.A late return to our hotel in time for a rest before dinner at 8pm/

Day 8. Clients taken to Marseille Airport or Avignon TGV Station .Please note that arrival times are approximately 9.45am  for Avignon TGV Station and 11.30 for Marseille Airport. We can arrange hotel accommodation  for clients who wish to stay on in Avignon.

Price E1000
Inclusive of accommodation, meals as described, transport and collection from Avignon, or Marseille
guides for walks and visits as described, wine with some meals.
Excludes one  1 lunch. 1 dinner.
Accommodation in very comfortable 2 /3 Star hotels in ensuite rooms with either twin or double beds.
All have swimming pools and comfortable lounges.
All are family run with a character of their own AND very provencal.

Based on group of maximum 8. Equipment list on request.