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 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.

Marseilles is the major port in the region and the starting point for many tours. Many tours also include cities like Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, Arles and Nice. You can go on a day trip of the region but it's better to spend a little more time here to see the charming little villages dotting the breath-taking landscape.

A general tour is a great introduction to the region but you may also want to consider a themed tour to focus on only one aspect of Provencal life. Since it's one of France's important wine regions, especially for the production of rose wines, a wine tour here is a must if you're an oenophile. Include a trip to a pastis distillery as well if you can, so that you can try the local anise-flavored liqueur.

Many of the world's top chefs cite Provence as a favorite for its variety of fresh produce and its rich culinary tradition. This is, after all, the birthplace of dishes like bouillabaisse and ratatouille and people here are so serious about food that at Christmas, they traditionally serve no less than thirteen desserts. You may want to get some Provencal herbs from the local market and go on a food tour that will tantalize your taste buds.

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.

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.




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