The south of France has long been a favorite among the jet set. It's not without reason that the world's premier film festival is held in Cannes on the French Riviera. The Mediterranean climate makes this part of the world the perfect destination for a summer break. If you need some time away from the gorgeous beaches and want to see more of the region, it's a good idea to book one of the Provence tours offered by travel companies.
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.
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.
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.
Foodies all know that Provence is the first and last word in flavorful cuisine. The area has an abundance of fresh produce that have become the main ingredients in dishes like ratatouille, which originated in Nice, and bouillabaisse, the seafood soup from Marseilles. A food tour will give you the opportunity to learn more about regional specialties and Provencal traditions like the thirteen desserts served at Christmas. Try to include a visit to a market as well, so that you can stock up on essentials like 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.
If your interests lean towards art and culture, be sure to book a special cultural tour. You may want to explore the ancient Roman ruins or hunt for the locations of movies like 'Jean de Florette'. The Arles area is especially known for one-time resident Vincent Van Gogh and there are tours in which you can follow in the tortured artist's footsteps. A literary tour can take you to the places that inspired writers like Colette, F Scott Fitzgerald and Robert Louis Stevenson while you may also see the places immortalized in paintings by Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse and others.
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.
Follow our articles about beautyProvence 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.
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.
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.
Foodies all know that Provence is the first and last word in flavorful cuisine. The area has an abundance of fresh produce that have become the main ingredients in dishes like ratatouille, which originated in Nice, and bouillabaisse, the seafood soup from Marseilles. A food tour will give you the opportunity to learn more about regional specialties and Provencal traditions like the thirteen desserts served at Christmas. Try to include a visit to a market as well, so that you can stock up on essentials like 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.
If your interests lean towards art and culture, be sure to book a special cultural tour. You may want to explore the ancient Roman ruins or hunt for the locations of movies like 'Jean de Florette'. The Arles area is especially known for one-time resident Vincent Van Gogh and there are tours in which you can follow in the tortured artist's footsteps. A literary tour can take you to the places that inspired writers like Colette, F Scott Fitzgerald and Robert Louis Stevenson while you may also see the places immortalized in paintings by Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse and others.
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.