Relax In Our Chateau Located On A Vineyard
Enjoy Gourmet Meals with Wine Poured Right From The Source!
Go On A Truffle Hunt
Experience A Cooking Class In Our Chateau
Taste Some Of The Best Châteauneuf-Du-Pape Has To Offer
Visit Roussillon and Walk Along The Ochre Trail
Visit Beautiful Vineyards in Provence
Visit Spectacular Perched Villages Like Gordes
Date:
June 12, 2021 – June 21, 2021
Start Location:
Avignon, France
Nearest Airport: MRS or you can use CDG to visit Paris 1st
End Location:
Avignon, France
Nearest Airport: MRS or you can use CDG to visit Paris
Duration:
10 days / 9 nights
There is something magical about the combination of fields of lavender and sunflowers, a glass of cool rosé on a warm summer evening, markets full of gorgeous produce, delicious cheeses and local delicacies, and medieval towns with cobblestone streets so perfectly preserved that you expect a knight in shining armor to appear just around the bend. This is our Provence and we want to share it with you. The towns, the wineries, the food, cooking lessons, truffle hunting, the scenery that inspired Cezanne and Van Gogh- they all await you on our exclusive, small group, Provence Dreams tour. Join us this summer for an exclusive, small group private tour showcasing some of what we consider the Best of Provence.
Cheers,
Ruth and MikeProvence Dreams – The Best of Provence Tour
June 12- June 21, 2021Here are some of the highlights
- VIP Accommodations: 2 nights in a 4-Star Hotel in Avignon &
7 nights in a Château in the Middle of a Vineyard near Châteauneuf du Pape- Exclusive Wine Tastings & Pairings
- Gourmet Meals
- Truffle Hunting & Tasting Experience
- Sightseeing in Some of France’s Most Beautiful Villages & Medieval Towns
- Cooking Class with a Local Chef
- Eat, Shop and Meander through France’s Colorful Markets
- Amazing Photo Ops in Provence’s Famous Lavender Fields
- Immersive Art and Light Show – Carrières de Lumières
- Private Mini-Coach Transportation & English-Speaking Local Guides
(click on the above itinerary tab for detailed day by day activities)Our VIP accommodations start with 7 nights in a chateau in a vineyard near the famous wine region of Chateauneuf-du -Pape! We’ll spend the last 2 nights in a 4-star hotel in the center of Avignon. All rooms in both the hotel and chateau are air conditioned, with private en-suite bathrooms. All rooms have showers and most rooms in the chateau also have large soaking tubs. (Please note: Guests will be able to choose their room in the chateau based on the order in which they book, but all rooms are absolutely lovely). The outside patio at the chateau is a fabulous place to enjoy cocktails, facing the lavender field and vineyards. There is also a private pool to cool off in or relax by and boules available to play petanque.
We’ll dive right into the fabulous food experiences one expects in Provence with a gourmet welcome dinner cooked by our favorite local private chef. More delicious dinners will follow during our stay, as well as a cooking class (those who would rather relax than cook can still participate in the meal). Daily breakfasts and some fabulous lunches are also included, with one of the lunches being a serious indulgence of local specialties from appetizer to cheese plate at one of our favorite restaurants!
In Avignon, our award-winning guide will lead us around the historic city, from the Popes Palace to the Pont d’Avignon and on to the famous Les Halles food market.
We’ve planned outings to some of our favorite perched villages and other charming towns in the surrounding areas. Our drives will bring us through the picturesque countryside and towns made famous by artists like Cezanne and Van Gogh. Whether you enjoy painting, photography, cooking or any art form, including admiring others’ works, you can’t help but be inspired by the beauty that will surround you.Seeing the lavender fields that Provence is famous for is a must experience. You will be surprised to find the myriad uses for the essential oils distilled from this product that has become one of the symbols of Provence.
We’ll explore Vaison La Romaine, an incredible medieval town with winding cobblestone walkways that make you think a knight in shining armor will be riding around the corner any minute! You can hike up to the ruins of the castle at the top of the town or visit the Roman ruins in the lower part of the city. There are a number of fabulous art galleries we will have a chance to visit and even an award-winning fromagerie in town. The choices abound and will delight your senses.
You will want to bring extra batteries for your digital camera or phone so you
can keep taking pictures when we visit Roussillon, located in the heart of one of the largest ochre deposits in the world. The buildings in this beautiful town are literally pigmented in red and rust tones derived from the the indigenous ochre mines. Here we’ll have the option for a beautiful, short and easy hike through the mines as well as time to enjoy the picturesque Provencal village.
Any visitor to France must see at least a few of the towns classified as one of “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” (The Most Beautiful Villages in France). You will find those that are perched up on the top of the hillsides like Gordes and Le Baux de Provence are pretty incredible. Sometimes it is hard to decide which is a more amazing sight the view of the villages like this photo to the left, or the views from the villages over the surrounding countryside!
Imagine what it would be like if you could walk into and through some of the world’s most famous paintings. In the old, inactive chalk mines in Les Baux de Provence, you will be mesmerized by one of the world’s most beautiful multimedia art presentations – the Carrieres des Lumieres. Let’s just say that there is no way to describe this amazing, immersive presentation except to experience it in person.
Of course we could not bring you to Provence without plans for private VIP visits and tastings at some of the best wineries in Chateauneuf du Pape and other regions. And because we want you to be able to experience as much of the wonderful regional products as possible, we have also arranged for a guided wine and chocolate tasting!
Foodies and dog lovers alike will love our unique truffle hunting experience. Truffles are one of the most expensive foods in the world and truffle hunters tend to be very secretive and territorial.We will learn how these “black diamonds” grow, the mystique behind them, meet the truffle dogs(not pigs!) and go on a truffle hunt. Afterwards we will have the opportunity to taste some of the amazing products created with truffles in our beautiful Provencal setting.No trip to Provence would be complete without spending some time at one of the weekly markets and the famous weekend market in L’Isle sur la Sorgue is one of the most lively and colorful in Provence. From the Antiques and Bric a Brac (Isle sur la Sorgues boasts the second largest Antiques center in France after Paris) to the delicious local products such as cheese to charcuterie, or locally milled soaps to lavender sachets, you are sure to find some souvenir of Provence as you stroll along the stands lining the streets and waterways.
All of this and more awaits you in Provence.Won’t you join us on vacation in our happy place?
This 10 Day/9 night tour will start in our Chateau near Chateauneuf du Pape, and finish in Avignon. TGV to/from Avignon is close by. We are happy to assist with pre- and post hotels and tours, flights as well as trip insurance… just ask!
Space is very limited and room assignments will be based on a first come first serve basis.Early Booking Price of Only $4490 pp person double occupancy
for 10 days/9 nights.
Single Supplement add $1000Please Email or Call Us at 1-888-846-2337 for availability, pricing or any other questions.Please Read our Terms & Conditions, and complete your Signature & Release Form before you travel. You will need to sign and then either mail or fax this page back to us at least 30 days prior to tour departure-thanks.
Our tour itineraries are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances such as inclement weather, transportation problems, or an unexpected business closure. We’re continually looking for ways to improve our tours and we sometimes come across a special new event, winery or sight since the itinerary was published that we’d like to share with you. Since our tours are planned far in advance, we may occasionally adjust the itinerary as necessary to provide you with the best trip possible! Since a minimum number of passengers are required in order to run each trip, we suggest you refrain from non-refundable air purchases until 2 months prior to your departure date or confirmation that the tour is a go.
Arrival day at Chateau. After settling into our home for the next week, we’ll gather on the veranda to meet your fellow Provence Dreamers. We’ll have an opportunity to tour the wine cave beneath the chateau and enjoy a welcome drink.
Tonight we’ll relax and chill out in the chateau as our private chef prepares a gourmet provencal welcome dinner for us. We will accompany the dinner with wines from our chateau.
Dinner
Early Booking Price of Only $4490 pp person double occupancy
for 10 days/9 nights.
Single Supplement add $1000
This morning we’ll have breakfast in the chateau and then we’re off to one of the best markets in Provence – and maybe even in France! The Sunday market at L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, “The Venice of Provence”, has it all – a food market, “brocante”(flea market) and antique market all in one so you can buy everything from artisanal cheese to an antique wardrobe! Stroll along the streets lined with vendors and flower-filled riverside cafés. Check out the waterwheels, do some great people watching and take a peek into the local church. Taste your way along the vendors sampling tapanade, olive oil and cheese! When you have totally whet your appetite, find a waterside or garden café and relax with a cool glass of some local rose and a nice lunch. If you are looking for a reservation at somewhere a little out of the crowded market, then check out our app for suggestions. Some of the smaller restaurants fill up fast on market day, so make sure to reserve in advance.
Afterwards, since one cannot visit Provence without seeing some of the gorgeous lavender that paints the valleys in myriad shades of purple during mid-summer, we’ll head to nearby Coustellet to visit the Musée de Lavande (Lavender Museum) where we will learn about the different types and uses of lavender and see how it is processed, from growing to distillation. (Yes, of course we had to include something with distillation!)
Then we head to our Chateau, located just outside of Châteauneuf-du-Pape.
This evening, you are invited to join us for “Ruth and Mike’s Favorite Provence Vacation Dinner”: a casual picnic al fresco, weather permitting, of local meats and cheeses, fresh bread, fruit, vegees, wine and beer. If you prefer to dine out, taxi and local restaurant info can be found in your BBV app.
Breakfast, Dinner
This morning we are heading out a bit later than usual so you can indulge in a second croissant or maybe even sleep in a bit, why not? You are on vacation after all! Our plan today is to head into nearby Châteauneuf-du-Pape for a tasting of some of the best from this famous region. Upon arrival, you’ll have some free time to wander around the town and see the ruins of the chateau before we enjoy a delicious lunch at a lovely, local restaurant.
Then we are off to Chateau la Nerthe for a visit of the cellars where wine lockers store wines for some of the most famous restaurants in the world! And of course, we will do a tasting of these wonderful wines!
Next, we head to another local winery, where we will have a workshop on wine and chocolate pairing!
Then we’ll head back to our Chateau where you can relax by the pool or learn how to play Pétanque. You may have seen groups of French residents enjoying this relaxed game of boules in some of the village squares or “boulodromes”; It is an institution in the South of France and is quite fun, especially while enjoying an aperitif!
This evening, dinner is on your own. Taxi and local restaurant info can be found in your BBV app.
Breakfast, Lunch
After we fuel up at breakfast this morning we’ll head to the stunning town of Roussillon, where the quarries which once supplied ochre for products such as dye and paints in fabulous hues from crimson to gold now stand like a mini Grand Canyon. We’ll descend into Les Sentiers des Ocres for a magnificent but easy walk through the dazzling red and yellow sand cliffs. (The short version is only ½ hour or you can opt for a longer trail of about 45min to an hour.) Afterwards, you will have free time to stroll around the town, explore the shops and galleries and climb to the top of the viewing area beside the church for a superb panoramic view. We’ll enjoy lunch here before heading on to visit a local winery that we discovered a few years back for a visit and tasting of their amazing rosés and other local styles.
Next, we will head to Gordes, stopping for photos of the breathtaking view of this popular village perched on the top of a steep hill. The narrow and sometimes arcaded medieval lanes invite you to explore and see what is around each corner of this charming village. Take some time to explore and then soak in the atmosphere over a cool drink on a shaded patio in one of the local restaurants.
We’ll head back via the route that will pass by the famous Abbaye de Senanque. If you have a guidebook for Provence, chances are, there is a picture of this gorgeous setting with lavender fields and the ancient abbaye on the cover or inside the book. We’ll make a quick stop to take our own photos before heading home.
This evening, our dinner will be prepared by our private chef and paired with wines from the château.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is yours to spend as you please. Relax poolside with a good book and a glass of wine, or perhaps a run through the vineyards to work off some of last nights dinner? There are numerous options for touring on your own in the surrounding areas, and taxis and suggestions for both activities and dining will be included in your trip app and from your tour directors. Picnic makings for a light lunch will be available if you are spending the day at the chateau.
This evening, those who are feeling inspired can join in on a cooking class and help prepare tonight’s fabulous dinner, the rest of the group is free to relax until dinner is served!
Breakfast, Dinner
Today we will spoil your senses with amazing sights, tastes and experiences. We’ll start by touring the vestiges of Château des Baux, an 11th century fortress, perched high on a rocky outcropping. The views from up here seem endless, as if you are at the top of the world. If we are lucky, we may even be there during a demonstration of the giant catapult! Afterwards we’ll have some free time to explore the town which dates back to the 10th century.
Then we head to one of our favorite restaurants in Provence, Le Bistro du Paradou, which we “discovered” years ago, thanks to cookbook author and James Beard award recipient, Patricia Wells. Their plate du jour and amazing cheese selection will likely put you into a food coma, but if you can’t indulge while you are on vacation, then what’s the point?
Once we have finished our dessert, wine and cafes at Paradou, we will head back to Le Baux for the Carrières de Lumières. This extraordinary multimedia experience is held in the chalk quarries. Upon entering the cool caverns, we become surrounded by music accompanying images from the works of famous artists, which are projected larger than life onto all the surfaces of the rock, from ceiling to floor. It is a total immersion, as if you are walking into the paintings!
This evening, dinner is on your own. Taxi and local restaurant info can be found in your BBV app.
Breakfast, Lunch
Put on your hunting togs today! After breakfast, we are off to do some truffle hunting! On our truffle hunting excursion, we will go behind the scenes of Provence’s most secretive business to learn how truffles are cultivated and truffle dogs are trained. We’ll go on a hunt for France’s elusive “black gold” with professional truffle hunters who will share the tricks of the trade with us. Finally, we’ll finish up with a sampling of fresh truffle hors d’oeuvres and Champagne. En route back to our chateau, we’ll make a stop at one of the neaby picturesque villages mentioned in Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence, where you’ll have time to explore, enjoy some lunch at one of the cafes and maybe even indulge in a bit of souvenir shopping.
This evening, we will enjoy delicious, freshly prepared Provencal cuisine at one of our favorite local restaurants.
Breakfast, Dinner
We will spend today in one of Provence’s most magical cities. Vaison la 
Romaine. Vaison la Romaine is a unique and interesting town in that it is divided into 3 areas, each representing different time periods. The Roman ruins and the modern town are down in the valley; then, as you cross over a bridge from the 1st century AD, you will be led into the medieval town which winds its way up a rocky cliff.
We will start our visit today with a guided tour of the ruins and some time to explore the museum housed there. Then you are free to head up to the medieval part of town or find a place in the lower town for lunch before you set off to explore. As with many towns that are so picturesque and historic, there are a number of talented artists living here and their galleries are definitely worth a peek! The upper town is a wonderful place to wander, with cobblestone pathways and staircases that lead towards the ruins of a castle at the top of the hill. If you are feeling ambitious enough, you might decide to climb all the way to the top. But don’t worry if this is not your thing; wandering leisurely through the ancient town is magical in itself and will provide for some great photo ops.
We’ll head to Avignon late this afternoon to check into our 4 star hotel. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy exploring the papal city. In the app, you will find a list of some of the locally recommended delicious restaurants for dinner on your own this evening – bon appetite!
Breakfast,
Today we will have breakfast at the hotel and then we are off to explore Avignon on a private walking tour with our local guide. As we wander through town we will see the Pope’s Palace- a UNESCO world heritage site, Saint Benezet bridge (the legendary Pont d’Avignon), The Jardin des Doms and more until we end up in Les Halles, the fabulous food market. After the tour, this is a great place to hang out, sniff and taste your way around, grab a few things and sit down for lunch. You are free the rest of the day to explore, grab some last minute souvenirs or relax as you please until dinner. We’ll meet up at the hotel this evening and take a short stroll to one of Avignon’s gastronomic restaurants where we will enjoy a leisurely and delicious farewell dinner, in true Provencal style. After dinner, you’re free to meander around town and walk off dinner or check out the magnificent view of the Pope’s Palace lit up at night.
Breakfast
All good things must come to an end. Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel before our transfer to the Avignon TGV station – then on to wherever your travels will bring you. Au revoir until next time!
Breakfast
Early Booking Price of Only $4490 pp person double occupancy
for 10 days/9 nights.
Single Supplement add $1000
Such a great trip! Ruth and Mike thought of everything and I was able to just relax and enjoy my vacation as everything was taken care of. The Chateau was so awesome! Couldn’t have asked for more. Can’t wait to book my next tour with Bon Beer Voyage!!
Ruth and Mike’s knowledge of, and connections in the places we visit are what sets their tours apart. We also like the small group approach, as it makes it easy to get to know our fellow travelers. Dining experiences are first rate, as are accommodations. I also liked the fact that while this was a wine tasting tour, we had plenty of opportunities to sample local craft beer. With Ruth and Mike you will experience things you could never do on your own, or with a large group.
Likely the best vacation of our lives!
There is no way to see and do on your own all that Ruth and Mike organize for you on one of their trips. Their access to top-notch locations, experiences, and experts is unparalleled! Having all the logistics handled so you can just relax and soak in the beer, wine and sights, makes for the perfect vacation. It’s like traveling with your most efficient, and fun, friends!
I was expecting a fun, interesting, well-planned, high quality tour and my expectations were not only met, but exceeded. Ruth and Mike share their knowledge of and love for this beautiful area of France and have created this most wonderful “Provence Dream” itinerary. For me, this is what living in Provence is all about – okay, well-to-do living. If you enjoy wine, great food, a beautiful room in a Chateau overlooking vineyards & lavender, day trips to unique hilltop villages, cooking class with a French chef and many other unique stops and experiences are all perfectly planned out for you. Truffle hunting was my favorite activity. Johann did a great job teaching us, he was charming & funny plus served up a spectacular truffle tasting. More champagne, anyone?
We enjoyed the variety of activities–from eating chef-prepared meals in our chateau and truffle-hunting in our small group to the more expansive visit to Carrieres du Lumieres. Most interesting, of course, were the tastings of wines in some exquisite settings in and near Chateauneuf-du-Pape, including at the chateau we stayed at.
As we strive to constantly improve our tours and come across a special new event or winery, we may occasionally adjust the itinerary as necessary to provide you with the best wine-cation experience possible.
Given that there is a minimum number of passengers required for each trip, we suggest you refrain from non-refundable transportation purchases until two months prior to your departure date or confirmation of tour.
