Loire’s Châteaux & Burgundy’s Canals
A CULTURAL WALKING ADVENTURE AWeek in Provence A CULTURAL WALKING ADVENTURE
Tucked into our antique provençal bed,with farmhouse shutters latched against the morning sunlight on the Grand Luberon, our room was filled with the aroma of rosemary and thyme.Where did it come from? “Vos vête- ments,” our host volunteered.Our clothes.On our countryside strolls,we’d brushed against so many wild herbs that our trousers smelled like an herb garden!We’ve linked the places, people and activities we love best into one relaxing journey.Come with us to explore the village markets and make a picnic of goat cheese, baguettes and cherries. Follow scenic footpaths to the Romans’ Pont du Gard aqueduct…and charming hill towns.Thread your way through fields and orchards on the path toVan Gogh’s home.This is the pure Provence—and you’ll never forget it!
ITINERARY
We’ll meet in Avignon for a stroll that includes an exploration of the 14th century Papal Palace. Then it’s on to the walled town of Vaison la Romaine (2 nights) and a walk across the crest of the Dentelles de Montmirail. In nearby Séguret, you can sip pastis under the plane trees and watch the local sculp- tors and santon makers. As a special favor, a friend invites us into her kitchen for a lesson in provençal cooking…and a chance to lunch on the results.
From our hotel near the Pont du Gard (2 nights) we enjoy wonderful walking and take our lunch with the soaring aqueduct as backdrop. We also venture into the renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards for a wine-tasting.
Across the Rhône, our 16th century farmhouse hotel nestles amidst olive groves near Lourmarin (2 nights). Morning is the perfect time for a walk through the lavender fields to picturesque Sénanque Abbey, followed by a visit to the classic hilltown of Gordes. Our last day, we follow in Cézanne’s footsteps through Aix-en-Provence before parting company.
Tour Dates: April 10-16, May 8-14, June 19-25, September 4-10, October 2-8
Trip Length: 7 days/6 nights
Price: From $3995 (includes all breakfasts, 1 lunch, 5 dinners and 1 cooking instruction) Single Supplement: $695 Begins: Avignon Ends:Aix-en-Provence
Other Tours in Provence: Family Journey pg 41, Culinary pg 49.
20 Paris Tours
On our wonderful (and slightly decadent) journey to the French heartlands, you’ll live the good life like never before. First,we board a luxurious canal barge for a float through Burgundy.The pace is deliciously slow…with fab- ulous food…and a real close-up look at classic French villages and country- side. Just when it seems like it couldn’t get any better,we enter the Loire Valley and—in keeping with the region’s opulent reputation—take up resi- dence in our own château. From our gracious home base,we’ll meander out for some gorgeous walks and explore the stupendous “getaway cottages” that bedeck the river’s banks. If you love to take your time when you travel and soak up your surroundings, this is the perfect place to be!
ITINERARY
We meet in Dijon for a stroll in this culinary capital of the region, before a champagne welcome to our luxury all-suite canal barge (3 nights). Cruising the Burgundy Canal, the tempo makes it easy to join our guide for a walk to a village, borrow the on-board bicycles or to pick fresh strawberries. Our leisurely progress takes us through 15 locks. With our guide, we taste the wines of the Côtes de Nuits vineyards and explore the medieval town of Beaune, with time also to roam and shop on our own.
From our own château in the Loire Valley (3 nights), we visit stately Chenonceau. After time inside the world famous château, we take a lovely walk along the Cher River. One day begins with a visit to Château de Cheverny with its remarkable furniture collection. From here, we stroll in the sculpted flower gardens of Château Villandry, then refuel over a farmhouse lunch.
Near Amboise, an amble through scenic countryside includes the option of visiting Le Clos Lucé, the last home of Leonardo da Vinci, which today holds many of his inventions and original drawings. Our last day we part company in Tours, just an hour from Paris by train.
Paris
Beaune Dijon
Tour Dates: June 6-12, July 4-10, August 1-7, September 4-10, October 10-16
Trip Length: 7 days/6 nights Vaison la Romaine
Pont du Gard Lourmarin
Avignon Aix-en-Provence Avignon
Price: From $4195 (includes all meals and open bar while on barge; all breakfasts and dinners, except 1, while on shore) Single Supplement: $985 Begins: Dijon Ends: Tours
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