Our trip to the Provence area was planned pre...
France
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Sep 2 - Sep 11, 2022
Our trip to the Provence area was planned pre-pandemic. Kim Kim worked with us to plan and
delay the trip until September 2022. Initially Stephen was our planner, but Valentine ultimately was our planner for this past year. We liked the detailed itinerary and especially appreciated the variety of experiences we requested : historical visits, art experiences, with a blending of market and food experiences. The balance of busy days with free time worked well for us, as we could be spontaneous too. We will always appreciate our guides - Julian, Sophie, Gilles and Clare! They were very prompt and patient with our questions! All of them took us to markets and explained the various foods to us as we sampled the best of Provence! A real special experience was going to Gilles' lovely home to cook a fantastic meal and of course, enjoy eating together. Our accommodations were excellent and we felt at home especially in St Remy and Ferme de Belugues! Our hosts, Spencer and Karen were the best!
Hotel Reviews
We had the pleasure of staying at this restored farmhouse! Karen and Spencer greeted us and gave us a tour of the lovely B& B! Our stay of two nights was idyllic and we could have stayed longer! The rooms were cozy and comfortable - spacious as well. There is a dedicated living area for guests with beer and wine available to purchase. Every question was answered in their lovely British accents. Breakfasts were customized to order and were delicious. The pool area was first class lovely! The hotel is in a quaint setting on a road that also may host the Tour de France in certain years. Many bicyclists rode by enjoying the hills and valleys!
We were able to stay at this hotel right in the heart of St Remy de Provence for five beautiful days! We could walk to town and also to the Van Gogh walk exhibit - the location was perfect for our needs! Our room was small but very comfortable with a large tiled shower! The pool area was so convenient and we found time to relax there most days. The gracious concierge, Doris, answered our many questions! The breakfast area was outstanding with an array of items that varied and could only be described as fabulous!
Activity Reviews
Julian took us on a tour of Avignon market with too many tastings to remember!! He was witty and full of energy as he explained each food item to us. At the end, we had a lovely picnic in a food market with an array of food and wine that was delicious!
This experience included a visit to a winery and a wonderful cooking class with Gilles! He was very attentive and focused on the tour of the market and going to his home to cook was a highlight of our trip! He kept us busy with food preparation and the results were well worth it!
Sophie was prompt and took us all around the town market! It could have been confusing because there were so many vendors - but she took us to the heart of the market. The clothing and variety of items were truly off the charts!
This experience was a surprise! We expected to see a vineyard, of course - and that was lovely! The fields were lush with grapes and our tasting at the end was pure joy! The combination of art and architetcure tour was off the charts gorgeous! Chateau la Coste was full of surprises as the tour went into the mountainside and back to the winery.
Our guide, Clare, made this experience a treasure! She was full of energy and information that she shared in a fun and meaningful manner! We toured the market area of Old Town and loved how Clare made everything fun. Our final experience at the Halles Paul Bocuse was delightful and could have been boring without Clare!
Bonjour Deborah,
Merci for your lovely feedback! I am very that that you could finally visit Provence, enjoy charming villages, and relax in a Provençal way. Nice pictures by the way!
See you very soon in France,
All the best,
Valentine