France: Slow Road Through Provence​

Upon arrival at Marseille (MRS) Airport, claim your luggage and clear customs. If your luggage is lost, fill in a PIR form before leaving the customs area -- VBT representatives are not allowed into the customs area. Make sure that your VBT luggage tags are attached to your bags. This helps the representative identify you.

After exiting customs, enter the arrival hall and look for your VBT representative, who will be holding a VBT sign. Your representative will welcome you to France and arrange for your transfer via taxi or van (approximately 45 minutes depending on traffic) to your Aix-en-Provence hotel. (Please verify with your VBT Trip Leader the time of your transfers at the end of your trip, from your Aix-en-Provence hotel to the Marseille airport, or your Nice hotel to the Nice airport if you are taking the post-trip extension). Important: If you are delayed in meeting your VBT representative at the Marseille Airport, please call 04 42 93 01 44 from within France. Outside of France, call +33 442 93 01 44.

VBT provides you with City Information in your Final Travel Booklet that includes information and recommendations on what to see and do in Aix-en-Provence during your stay. Use the rest of the day to relax or to begin exploring the city. Please note: If you arrive early, your hotel room may not be available until 2 p.m. You may store your luggage with the Reception Desk.

VBT No-Air Package guests: Meet in the lobby of the Hotel Aquabella, Aix-en-Provence at 12:50 p.m. for a 1:00 p.m. departure and transfer with the group to Vaison la Romaine. Please have lunch on your own before meeting your VBT Trip Leaders. Your VBT Trip Leaders will be wearing VBT staff garments, so they are easy to recognize. If your arrival in Aix-en-Provence is later than 1:00 p.m. or if your arrival is delayed, you must make your own arrangements to the first hotel. Please contact the hotel to let them know if you are delayed. The hotel will pass your message to your VBT Trip Leaders.

VBT Air Package and Pre-Trip Extension guests: After breakfast check out of the hotel (luggage can be stored with reception) and enjoy a morning in Aix-en-Provence. Have lunch on your own before meeting your VBT Trip Leaders in the hotel lobby at 12:50 p.m. to join the private coach transfer, departing at 1:00 p.m., to Vaison la Romaine (approximately an hour and a half). 

Upon arrival in Vaison la Romaine, enjoy a walk that loops from the center of town into the countryside and back. As you make your way to our hotel in the medieval section of town, walk along cobblestone streets, through small squares, past fountains and a belfry with a wrought-iron campanile. 

You then have free time to relax and settle in before attending a welcome reception and dinner in the hotel. 

This morning, we walk from the hotel, through the old town of Villeneuve and across the bridge onto the banks of the Rhône River, with one of the best views of the magnificent ancient city of Avignon, stopping to take in the ruins of the historic Pont d'Avignon. Built in the 12th century, this bridge originally spanned the Rhone, but has suffered frequent collapses from floods. Only 4 of the original 22 arches remain. Enjoy a short crossing of the Rhône River on a ferry used by locals before entering the ancient city walls where we stroll the timeless stone streets.

We'll meet a local guide for a walking tour of this ancient city. Later, you may decide to explore some of the city's highlights, such as the former papal residence, the immense Palais de Papes. Now a museum, this Gothic building has walls up to 18 feet thick.

The afternoon is yours to do with as you please. Perhaps you'll buy some local pottery or a handmade tablecloth, try lunch at one of the local bistros or enjoy a picnic by the river. Later, meet back up with your trip leaders and walk back to our hotel.

Tonight, you are free to enjoy one of the local restaurants in Villeneuve-les-Avignon or to dine in our hotel's restaurant. 

Our first destination today is the fascinating village of Les Baux, perched on a rocky plateau 803 feet high, commanding brilliant views over the surrounding countryside. The village can only be visited by foot, so you can wander around, admiring the carefully restored Renaissance facades, art galleries and many craft shops selling Provençal goods. The 500 permanent residents surely have the impression of living in a real-life museum.

After a short time to visit the ancient village we transfer a few minutes to the top of the ridge and start our morning walk in Les Alpilles. This chain of limestone hills running east-west is where bauxite was first discovered (named after the village of Baux-de-Provence), and are an extension of the Luberon mountains. Although the ridge along the top seems white and barren, the Alpilles have been rich in almonds, apricots, olives and grain since the Middle Ages. Our walk enables magnificent views along the surrounding plains before we drop down through the wooded slopes into St Remy and the home of Odile Mifsud, a renowned pastry maker who invites us into her home for lunch.

After lunch we meet the second of our local friends, historian Mathilde Hamel, who will escort us on a walking tour following the footsteps of van Gogh. His paintings come alive as we visit the very scenes he immortalized. Perhaps his most famous painting, van Gogh's The Starry Night was inspired by St Remy's cityscape. After the tour we will drive the short distance to our hotel for the next two nights, just a mile and a half outside of St Remy.

Select one of St Remy's many inviting bistros for dinner on your own this evening. 

Walk directly from the hotel this morning through St Remy to St Paul de Mausole and onto the footpath that skirts the bottom edge of the Alpilles. Our undulating walk takes us through olive groves and oak woodlands, with beautiful views over the valley. We end at the domain of Chateau Romanin surrounded by vineyards with a backdrop of the white Alpilles Mountains.

Enjoy a tour around the wine cellar, including the underground “cathedral”, followed by a tasting of a few vintages. Afterwards, relax and enjoy a picnic lunch prepared by our Trip Leaders. 

  

We drive back to St Remy where you can wander the main square and its narrow lanes before returning to our hotel to try your hand at the Provençal pastime of pétanque on the hotel grounds.

Tonight, celebrate with your fellow travelers during a farewell dinner in the chateau.