Choose Provence Tours For A Perfect Holiday

By Maryanne Goff


If you're looking for a great holiday destination, the south of France should be high up on your list. The sunny climate, stunning beaches and breath-taking landscapes make for a perfect vacation, which is why the famous and fabulous flock here in summer. Before you buy a chateau in the area, however, you may want to get to know the region through some Provence tours.

Provence lies in France's south-east. The region is located between the Italian border and the Rhone River. It also includes the Cote D'Azur in the south.

Marseilles is the major port in the region and the starting point for many tours. Many tours also include cities like Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Arles and Nice. You can go on a day trip of the region but it's better to spend a little more time here to see the charming little villages dotting the breath-taking landscape.

While general tours are a great way to get to know the region, you may also want to consider a tour with a specific theme. For example, Provence is renowned for its wines, particularly rose and red wines. A tour of the vineyards and wine cellars here is a must for oenophiles. Be sure to try and include a visit to a pastis distillery too to sample the area's traditional liqueur.

Many of the world's top chefs cite Provence as a favorite for its variety of fresh produce and its rich culinary tradition. This is, after all, the birthplace of dishes like bouillabaisse and ratatouille and people here are so serious about food that at Christmas, they traditionally serve no less than thirteen desserts. You may want to get some Provencal herbs from the local market and go on a food tour that will tantalize your taste buds.

Another thing that the region is famous for is its place in the perfume industry. Many of the world's foremost perfumers get their ingredients from flowers like roses, lavender, tuberoses and jasmine grown in the Grasse area. Grasse is a lovely medieval town and it's well worth touring its perfumeries. You may even get the opportunity to create your own fragrance.

Provencal history dates back many centuries and you can tour the Roman and prehistoric sites for a journey back in time. A more colorful option is to explore the areas like Arles that have been immortalized on canvas by painters like Cezanne, Matisse and, of course, Van Gogh. Many writers have lived and worked here too, including Edith Wharton, Colette and F Scott Fitzgerald. Robert Louis Stevenson even wrote a travel book on the region and it's a great idea to follow the trails that he traveled.

When it comes to finding Provence tours, you're spoilt for choice. Simply do a quick online search for a package that suits you. Alternatively, have a travel agent create a personalized tour for you. Just remember that it's very easy to lose your heart here and never want to go back home.


About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment