Explore The South Of France With Provence Tours

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 is the region that covers the south-eastern part of France. The Rhone River forms its western border while the region extends eastwards all the way to the border with Italy. It also stretches southwards to the coastline known as the Cote D'Azur.

Many tours of the region start in the historical port city of Marseilles. Other cities often included in the itinerary are Avignon, Nice, Arles and Aix-en-Provence. There are packages that will let you see the area in a day but to really appreciate the beautiful landscape and the little medieval villages, it's best to spend at least three days here.

Several travel companies offer specialized tours focusing on a specific aspect of life in the region. If you're a wine enthusiast, for instance, you'll definitely want to explore the local wineries, famous for their rose wines. It's a good idea to also include a pastis distillery in the itinerary. Pastis is the local liqueur with an anise flavor.

Food lovers have long known that the region is culinary heaven and that people here take their food seriously. After all, a Provencal tradition at Christmas is to serve a whopping thirteen desserts after the main meal. The variety of fresh produce has given rise to dishes like bouillabaisse from Marseilles and ratatouille from Nice. On a food tour, you can try the many regional specialties and may even visit a local market, where a great gift to buy for loved ones back home is Provencal herbs.

For an olfactory sensation, try a perfume tour. The little medieval town of Grasse is the heartbeat of the perfume industry and the surrounding area is fragrant with the smell of roses, jasmine, lavender and other flowers. You may visit some of the traditional perfumeries here and learn how fragrances are made.

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.

Several companies offer a variety of Provence tours. A quick search online will guide you to a package that suits your needs and your budget. Any good travel agent will also be able to create a tailor-made package especially for you. All you need to do is enjoy the journey and save up for that chateau, because once you've visited the region, you'll want to stay forever.




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