Practice saying: “I’m vacationing in the south of France this year.” Wonderful as it sounds, it’s even better in real life. Think quiet country trails that wind through cherry orchards beneath rustic perched villages. In season, purple ribbons of lavender drape the hills. A friend (who also happens to be your local guide) insists on drizzling your warm bread with the award-winning olive oil she presses herself. You bask in the legendary sunlight, in the very landscapes Cezanne and van Gogh painted. The cultural landmarks are inspiring too – from the Roman’s Pont du Gard aqueduct to serene Sénanque Abbey. And fair warning: on our walking tour in Provence you can get very used to lunches that end with ripe figs, goat cheese and a final sip of chilly rosé. This is Provence at its purest, and you will never forget it.

DAYS 1-3 - AVIGNON / COLLIAS
We’ll meet in Avignon for a stroll that includes an exploration of the 14th century Papal Palace. This afternoon, we settle into our hotel near the Pont du Gard (3 nights) to enjoy wonderful walking and take our lunch with the soaring aqueduct as backdrop. We also venture into the renowned Châteauneuf-du-Pape vineyards for a wine tasting and later the Roman theater of Orange, one of the best-preserved structures dating back to ancient times.

DAYS 4-7 - NOVES / AIX-EN-PROVENCE
Across the Rhone, we’ll treat you to Carrieres de Lumieres, maybe the world’s finest artistic sound and light show in the dramatic rock quarry in historic Le Baux. Then it’s on to our hotel retreat nestled in the country side of Noves with its own pool and private gardens (3 nights). We’ve also arranged a cooking instruction with Chef Alain Nicolet who has earned Michelin stars for 16 years...and this year, you get to see why. Morning is the perfect time for a walk through the lavender fields to picturesque Sénanque Abbey, followed by a visit to the classic hilltown of Gordes. Our last day, we follow in Cezanne’s footprints through Aix-en-Provence before parting company at the rail station.