Day 1 - Avignon

On arrival at Avignon TGV station, you are met by a representative, shown to your waiting vehicle and transferred to your hotel.

The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight: La Mirande

Meal Plan: B

Day 2 - Avignon & Chateauneuf du Pape

Today meet your expert local guide for a half-day walking tour (3 hours) in the magnificent papal stronghold of Avignon. Visit the Clock Square before entering the huge Palais des Papes, where seven exiled popes lived between 1309 and 1377 and where the main rooms are decorated with some excellent 14th-century frescoes.

In the afternoon, travel north to Chateauneuf du Pape with your driver-guide.

The town is renowned for its fabulous wines and is set in the hills overlooking its famous vineyards. There are now 35 Chateauneuf du Pape domains strictly controlled by the government. Visit a famous Domaine and enjoy a wine tasting, before being driven back to your hotel.

Alternative option: Head out with your driver and guide to the Camargue, Western Europe's largest river delta, covering an area of over 85,000 hectares. This wild landscape of red salt lagoons makes for a stunning natural habitat, teeming with flamingos and the iconic wild white horses. Visit a ranch, known as a manade, where Europe's only cowboys rear fighting bulls, and venture into the protected reserve by off-road vehicle to gain a better perspective of the fabulous wildlife. On your return, you may wish to visit the town of Arles (time permitting).

Overnight: La Mirande

Meal Plan: B

Day 3 - Les Baux-de-Provence & St Remy-de-Provence

Today, meet your local English-speaking driver-guide and private vehicle for a full-day (8 hours) sightseeing tour to Les Baux-de-Provence and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. Spend time in the medieval village citadel of Les Baux, which sits high above the surrounding countryside. You will also be able to visit St-Rémy-de-Provence with its Roman antiquities.

Overnight: La Mirande

Meal Plan: B

Day 4 - Lubéron & Olive Oil Tasting

The Lubéron, inspiration for the book “A Year in Provence”, is a region of rolling hills and verdant nature dotted with churches and rural communities. Your driver-guide takes you to the great 12th-century Cistercian Abbey of Sénanque and to the enchanting village of Gordes. 

Provence has long been associated with the finest quality olive oils. Today visit a historic mill where olive oil has been produced since 1520, deep in the Baux Valley. Here you are given a guided tour of the mill and surrounding groves, and gain a real understanding of all stages of the growing and harvesting of the olives, as well as the pressing, blending and bottling processes. You also have the opportunity to sample some of the oils with your expert guide. Tasting of the local delicacies is a must, before heading on to the Luberon and upper Provence.

Later this afternoon settle into the Couvent de Minimes, a former convent that has been transformed into a hotel, nestling below the Alps mountainside.

Overnight: Le Couvent des Minimes

Meal Plan: B

Day 5 - Forcalquier

Today, with your driver-guide, you travel further into the lesser-known upper region of Provence, and, in Forcalquier, visit an old distillery that makes pastis, the signature aperitif of Provence, which you get to try for yourself with a tasting session.

Overnight: Le Couvent des Minimes

Meal Plan: B

Day 6 - L'Occitane Factory, Moustiers Sainte Marie & Gorges du Verdon

This morning your driver-guide takes you to the factory of L’Occitane for a private visit of this most famous of Provence’s bathroom and toiletry products, and continue to the charming village of Moustiers Sainte Marie, wedged in between two rocky bluffs and famous for its “faïence” potteries. 

Afterwards, drive the spectacular road above and along the awesome Gorges of Verdon, considered one of the great natural wonders of France, and indeed of all Europe, with breathtaking views of the river cascading along its course thousands of feet below. Later this afternoon, return to the delightful Couvent des Minimes.

Overnight: Le Couvent des Minimes

Meal Plan: B

Day 7 - Aix en Provence

Meet your driver this morning for the transfer to Aix en Provence. After checking in and lunch at leisure, meet your local guide for a half-day (3 hour) walking tour of Aix, once the capital of the Provence region. Enjoy the bustling Cours Mirabeau, the heart of the town, and a visit to Cézanne's studio. It was here that Cézanne painted some of his most well-known works. There is also a striking collection of simple objects which once featured in his still life paintings.

Overnight: Villa Gallici

Meal Plan: B

Day 8 - Depart Aix en Provence

Today you are privately transferred to Marseilles airport or Aix train station for your return home or onward journey.

Meal Plan: B