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ggggggg “The problem for people visiting Provence is what to see…should you search out the tiny villages perched upon craggy cliffs, or visit the brightly colored harbors with their fishing boats...or sit on a café terrace and admire the vividly painted shutters and window boxes spilling over with flowers.” (Provence/Biovanna Magi) ggggggg ©2007-08 Best of France Travels - all rights reserved	Provence Highlights g g g g g g g St. Remy Six Days and Nights We will meet you at the Nice airport upon your arrival and transport you to St. Remy-de-Provence. Check in at our charming Provencal country inn and welcome dinner with the group this evening. You will have time to relax and settle in before dinner. The lovely Gallo-Roman village of St. Remy is on the plains at the northern edge of the mountain range, Les Alpilles. More recent residents than the Romans include Dr. Schweitzer, Nostradamus, and Van Gogh. The old village of St. Rémy is pretty and picturesque, and protected by the circular 14th-century wall, which is lined by its protective circle of buildings. The town is filled with pretty squares, plant-filled alleyways, and cooling fountains. This is a busy, active village, with a good selection of restaurants, cafes, galleries, and shops. The roads leading into St. Remy are lined by plane trees that are lovely and give beautiful shade during the warm months. Huiles du Monde Taste the world champion of olive oils and the French gold medalist olive oil. Presentation of olive oils from several domaines, suggestions for use of the various flavored olive oils and tasting, of course! Sample basil, garlic, black and white truffle olive oils as well as a variety of flavored vinegars. Chocolatier of Joel Durand, Known as the top chocolatier in France, Joel works almost exclusively with ganaches that melt in your mouth. He infuses his ganache with over 32 different flavors. These range from the classic to the exotic, from the spice to the herb, from the flower to the fruit: jasmin tea, lavender, cloves and lemon, rosemary, praline, rose petal, star anise, bitter honey, orange, tira misu…yum. Chateau de Valdition Wine tasting at the Domaine de Valdition, in a renaissance chateau that dates back to Francois I. In a setting of olive groves, vinyards, lavender fields, and herb gardens, sample the wines, olive oils, and tapenade products from Valdition. Afterwards picnic beside the provencal gardens. Market Day in St. Remy Wednesday St. Remy offers the most beautiful Provencal market. You will have the entire morning to search for Provencal specialties, artisan pottery, lavender products, brightly printed Provencal fabrics, honeys and jams, French milled olive oil soaps. The colors and smells, the street performers of the market will be a highlight of your visit to St. Remy. Les Baux de Provence: This is an extremely picturesque village with royal history. Perched on a craggy rock formation, this tiny village will astonish you. Explore the ruins at the top, wander the narrow streets lined with artisan treasures and galleries. St. Paul de Mausole, The former monastery where Van Gogh was a patient after cutting his ear after a dispute with Gaugin. During this period of his life he painted two of his most notable works: Starry Night and Self-Portrait. Buoux Sunday in the country lunch at the Auberge de la Loube. Featured in A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle. Read the last few pages of the May chapter for a description of the food and setting. Domaine d’Arnajon Preparation of a four course meal with chef Marc Heracle. Based on 18^th and 19^th Century recipes of the region and using local and seasonal ingredients, learn how to prepare these simple recipes yourself. After the cooking lesson, enjoy lunch under centuries old mulberry trees in the garden. Glanum Guided tour of the ancient city of Glanum that dates back to 600 BC. The most important archeological site in France! Discover the ruins of Celtic-Ligurian, Hellenistic Greeks, and Roman civilizations. Our guide will explain the culture and history of the three civilizations while visiting the site. Roussillon Perched on the southern edge of the high Plateau de Vaucluse, the the entire village is built out of the reddish local stone. The Romans used this ochre earth to make pottery glazes over 2000 years ago. A popular village for artists who are inspired by the bright red and orange hues, sprinkled with the tall dark green cyprus trees. La Camargue and Aigues Mortes Fascinating landscape of marshes, wild ponies, black bulls lead to the walled medieval city of Aigues Mortes from which Louis IX departed on his first crusades. Walk along the ramparts that surround the charming town, visit the tower dungeon where Huguenots who refused to deny their faith were held prisoner. This is the region of the Gypsy Kings. If you are lucky, you may get to hear some of the traditional gypsy music, which is often performed in the town square. Riviera Highlights g g g g g g g Nice for 3 days Nice is a center of activities. Dining, shopping, sunbathing and swimming, movies, theaters, opera, museums -- or just strolling along the Promenade des Anglais and enjoying the good life. In Vieux Nice the Cours Saleya has a daily flower market and a food market in the mornings…taste the specialties offered by the vendors of marzipan, calissons, and nougat. There are scores of stands, from large, professionally displayed wares to folding tables set up by family farmers with their produce and live fowl directly from the farm. The length of the Cours Saleya is sided by the low buildings separating the "Cours" from the seaside. Once housing the fishermen's catch, they have given way largely to seafood restaurants. The other side of the Cours Saleya is lined by terrace cafés, lovely old buildings and the grand Prefecture. Matisse had an apartment here in the big yellow house at the end of the courtyard. Stroll through a labyrinth of secret passageways and cobblestone streets. Be sure to enjoy one of Nice’s private beaches, complete with umbrella, lounge chair and waiter to serve you! For art and history lovers there are several museums: the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Beaux Arts museum, the Palais Lascaris, the Matisse Museum and the Chagall Museum. Savor local cuisine of seafood, bouillabaisse, raw oysters, or enjoy one of the many Italian restaurants in the town. Dance the night away at the disco or try your luck at the Casino Rhul on the Promenade des Anglais. Eze Hill town, known as the most picturesque perched village in France. From Eze visit the Fragonard perfumery where you can purchase perfumes at nearly wholesale prices. Scenic Riviera Drive Drive along the upper corniche, the high mountain road that runs along the Riviera.(Featured in the film “To Catch a Thief” with Grace Kelly and Cary Grant). We promise to drive more slowly so you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Mediterranean and the towns of Villefranche, Monaco, St. Jean-Cap Ferat, and Beaulieu. Rothschild Villa and Gardens Located near St. Jean Cap Ferat, the villa and gardens overlook the Mediterranean. Fountains set to music in a variety of garden styles: Provencal herbs, Greek gardens, Italian gardens, the famous Rothschild Rose garden, Exotic Asian gardens. Inside the Villa you will see Madame Rothschild’s love for art and collecting. Many rooms are still decorated as it was when she lived here. St Paul de Vence Visit the hilltown of St. Paul de Vence, a village of artists and artisans. Formerly home to Renoir, Matisse, Cezanne, Picasso, and other post-impressionist painters. Also known for it’s Boules matches in the center square. Have an aperatif at the nearby café and watch the boules players! ggggggg How we are different | What to expect | Tour highlights Booking Info | Application | E-mail ~Call today to book your trip to the South of France~ Best of France Travels 115 East Patrick St Frederick, MD 21705 301 624 5500 ~ 240 409 2237 ggggggg Visit Evangeline @ FRANCESTUF.COM POTTERY | SANTONS | PAINTINGS | LINENS SOAPS | JEWELRY | SUNDIALS | EMAIL ME
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