Week 1: June 9 - 16, 2012. Week 2: June 16-23, 2012. Fully-guided sight-seeing tour and wellness retreat in Provence. Stay for 1 or 2 weeks.
Basic package is $995 per person per week (includes airport pick-up and drop-off, accommodation, breakfast, and dinner. B&B only ($695 pppw).
Guided day-trips (optional add-ons) are $95 per person per day (includes transport by car, a restaurant lunch, and entrance to activities).
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In the South of France, between the azure
blue of the Mediterranean and soaring French Alps, lies
a land of such beauty that writers and painters have flocked
here for hundreds of years. This is a place of ancient
history and timeless traditions, where you will experience
wonderfully preserved Roman architecture, centuries-old
monasteries, palaces and castles. Stroll along the winding
cobblestone lanes of the famous perched villages, explore
the local galleries, museums and artists' workshops, and
pick out the perfect Provençal souvenirs to take home.
The fruit and vegetable markets are brimming with the
taste and smell of the famous local cuisine with creamy
cheeses, an astounding choice of olives, and endless varieties
of wine. The miles of lavender fields, sprawling vineyards
and the stunning scenery create memories that will remain
with you forever.
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We offer a small-group tour with a difference. We are
not a tour company, and run only one tour per year, marketing
by word of mouth to relatives, friends, and their friends
and relatives. We treat you as our guests, making all
the arrangements for you and taking the stress and uncertainty
out of travel... all you need to do is book your flights.
Our tour combines peace and tranquility with the opportunity to experience all that Provence
has to offer: wonderful food and wine, and truly breathtaking
scenery. Accommodation is in a fabulous 17th century villa,
with nine bedrooms, pool, tennis court, bicycles, and
wi-fi. For more details see our accommodation
page.
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Each day begins with a gentle pilates session
before breakfast (beginners welcome!). Breakfast consists
of fresh-baked croissants and pastries from the local
boulangerie, hot coffee or tea, juice, and eggs
and fresh fruit from the local markets. After your leisurely
breakfast you can participate in a mindfulness meditation
session, swim, or simply read or relax by the pool before
we head out. Our drivers and guides are there to ensure
your days are as delightful as possible and we will transport
you around Provence in the comfort of a sedan. |
We listen to what you are personally interested
in seeing during your time in Provence. We make all
the arrangements, so that ALL your time is spent relaxing
and enjoying your immersion in the Provençal
way of life. We offer optional extra activities, e.g.
cooking classes, horse-back riding, so you can customize
your vacation by doing what you love.
If you choose to join our guided day-trips, we will eat lunch in a local café or
restaurant, and spend the afternoon sight-seeing. While
all activities are included in the cost of the daytrip fee, you may choose
to opt out of any activity at any time. |
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We will return to the villa most evenings,
where you can relax and sip an apéritif before
dinner. Our evening meal, served late in true European
fashion, will be sourced from local markets and prepared
by our chef, director of catering at A Southern Season,
who will select the perfect wines to accompany your meal.
If you like you can swim in the pool, or book a private
session with our in-house massage therapist, pilates instructor,
tennis coach, certified hypnotist.
One chair massage (head, neck, & shoulders) is included in the weekly price of your
vacation. |
We offer a choice of packages: join us for either one or two
full weeks. If you prefer to fly into Paris and spend a few days
there at the beginning or end of your trip, the TGV (fast
train) will get you to Avignon in under 3 hours. We will meet
you at Marseille airport, or the train station in Avignon.
The basic vacation package ($995 per person per week) includes accommodation,
airport pick-up/drop-off, breakfast, dinner (including wine) and a chair massage (head, neck & shoulders from our in-house massage therapist). Our guided day trips are optional add-ons ($95 per person per day). You may choose to rent your own car and be independent, or alternatively join us on any or all of our wonderful sight-seeing excursions. The daily fee includes transport (by comfortable sedan), lunch in a restaurant, and the entrance fee to any activities. You will need additional
spending money for e.g. souvenirs, postcards, extra drinks
and snacks, private sessions with our in-house health and
well-being experts, or any other activities ("extra"
activities) you choose to do that are not part of the tour.
Our day trips include Gordes, Roussillon, The Pont du Gard,
Arles, Cassis and the calanques, Les Baux, Oppède Le
Vieux, Buoux, Bonnieux, the Bamboo Plantation of Prafrance,
Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Avignon, Fontaine de Vaucluse, Nîmes, Montpellier,
and the famous vineyards at Chateauneuf du Pape. See our itinerary
page for more details of our day trips and sight-seeing activities.
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