Immortalized by the paintings of Van Gough and celebrated by Peter Mayle, this southern French region has delighted visitors for generations. A Provence tours experience offers the diversity of package or custom tours. The coasts, mountains, fields, rivers, towns and cities in between offer a plethora of opportunities to explore its special beauty.
Visitors may fly into the international airport in Nice or the one in Marseille. There are rail links connecting these cities to other towns within the region. London travelers may catch a ride on the Eurostar to Paris. It is less than 5 hours from there via TGV to Marseille. The Paris to Avignon ride takes 3 hours and 45 minutes. Bus travel is also available between the towns and villages.
This area is clearly influenced by its situation on the border with Italy and Spain. St. Remy, Monte Carlo, the Papal city of Avignon, Aix en Provence, Arles and St. Tropez offer diverse diversions. The contrast of high society and relaxed rustic beauty attract different types of vacationers. Some favor the sophisticated pleasures of Monte Carlo, while others prefer the beautiful landscape of the interior.
During the tourist season sightseers clog even the small picturesque towns. It is wiser to go there in the less visited spring or autumn periods. If you would enjoy a scenic journey viewing Alpine scenery, the Train des Pignes between Digne les Bains and Nice should be on the itinerary. A serene way to enjoy the scenic countryside is to go on a river cruise on the Rhone. River cruises will take travelers along the western border down the Rhone River and continue along the Saone River, a tributary of the larger river.
If you would like to include outdoor activities, kayaking, boating, white water rafting and bike riding are widely enjoyed. They are particularly popular in the spectacular Gorges du Verdon and the romantic Camargue. The famous white horses of Camargue can also be ridden and are a highly recommended experience. For invigorating hiking, the GR9 trail covers the hills that include Monts du Vaucluse, the Luberon Range and Mont Ventoux. In the northeast skiers may want to make the Pra Loup ski resort a stop on their trip.
The sunflower fields and vines lie south, the lavender Luberon hills lie west and the Southern Alps lie northeast. To many the lavender fields are the essence of this area. Lavender flowers bloom from the fourth week of June to early August. The sunflowers bloom from July to August.
The distinctive Provencal gastronomy is famous for its fresh and fragrant ingredients using native produce. For Cezanne, potatoes in oil were so delicious, this simple dish was his favorite. Although Marseille and bouillabaisse are most identifiable, almost every town is associated with an individual dish or ingredient. Aix en Provence is famous for its marzipan like petal shaped Calisson sweet that consisting of a firm almond and candied fruit paste with a white topping. The refreshing Pastis is a native drink.
As any visitor will discover a single trip is merely an introduction. There will be more Provence tours to come in future. Although travel is possible during any season, the less busy periods are more relaxing.
Visitors may fly into the international airport in Nice or the one in Marseille. There are rail links connecting these cities to other towns within the region. London travelers may catch a ride on the Eurostar to Paris. It is less than 5 hours from there via TGV to Marseille. The Paris to Avignon ride takes 3 hours and 45 minutes. Bus travel is also available between the towns and villages.
This area is clearly influenced by its situation on the border with Italy and Spain. St. Remy, Monte Carlo, the Papal city of Avignon, Aix en Provence, Arles and St. Tropez offer diverse diversions. The contrast of high society and relaxed rustic beauty attract different types of vacationers. Some favor the sophisticated pleasures of Monte Carlo, while others prefer the beautiful landscape of the interior.
During the tourist season sightseers clog even the small picturesque towns. It is wiser to go there in the less visited spring or autumn periods. If you would enjoy a scenic journey viewing Alpine scenery, the Train des Pignes between Digne les Bains and Nice should be on the itinerary. A serene way to enjoy the scenic countryside is to go on a river cruise on the Rhone. River cruises will take travelers along the western border down the Rhone River and continue along the Saone River, a tributary of the larger river.
If you would like to include outdoor activities, kayaking, boating, white water rafting and bike riding are widely enjoyed. They are particularly popular in the spectacular Gorges du Verdon and the romantic Camargue. The famous white horses of Camargue can also be ridden and are a highly recommended experience. For invigorating hiking, the GR9 trail covers the hills that include Monts du Vaucluse, the Luberon Range and Mont Ventoux. In the northeast skiers may want to make the Pra Loup ski resort a stop on their trip.
The sunflower fields and vines lie south, the lavender Luberon hills lie west and the Southern Alps lie northeast. To many the lavender fields are the essence of this area. Lavender flowers bloom from the fourth week of June to early August. The sunflowers bloom from July to August.
The distinctive Provencal gastronomy is famous for its fresh and fragrant ingredients using native produce. For Cezanne, potatoes in oil were so delicious, this simple dish was his favorite. Although Marseille and bouillabaisse are most identifiable, almost every town is associated with an individual dish or ingredient. Aix en Provence is famous for its marzipan like petal shaped Calisson sweet that consisting of a firm almond and candied fruit paste with a white topping. The refreshing Pastis is a native drink.
As any visitor will discover a single trip is merely an introduction. There will be more Provence tours to come in future. Although travel is possible during any season, the less busy periods are more relaxing.
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