Our adventure
begins in Aix-en-Provence where we meet and then drive to Cassis. We visit this
picture postcard village on the Mediterranean and travel through the well-known
wine region of Bandol before we reach Le Lavandou, our base for the next 4
nights.
Our walks will take us along an ancient trail near St Tropez and in the idyllic Iles d’Hyeres. The islands have
been known since the sixteenth century as the Golden Islands, on account of the
colour of their southern cliffs. Their natural beauty makes them an ideal
location for some spectacular coastal walking.
After leaving
Le Lavandou we drive to Forcalquier, our base for the next 4 days. This sun-filled corner of
France is a sweet land, scented with lavender, dotted with olive trees, Roman
remains and hillside villages with fountain-filled squares.
Our splendid
walks will lead you through hills, covered in wild rosemary, sage and lavender
and the perfume promises some outstanding cuisine for which the French are so
famous - Aioli, Daube, young rabbit baked in a honey and lavender crust,
fabulous goat cheeses, olive oil and the famous melons.
Of course we
shall visit the wonderful market in our hometown Forcalquier, ancient abbeys,
Europe’s largest gorge, the Luberon Valley and the Lure Mountains - the
setting for many of Jean Giono’s novels.
We walk in the
famous Luberon Valley, an area of great natural beauty and charm. Everywhere
you will enjoy the typical scents of Provence, the fragrance from the
region’s wild herbs, the tang of pine trees and the perfume of lavender.
Our final stop
is the beautiful alpine town of Barcelonnette in the remote Ubaye Valley in the
French Alps. It is rich in history and offers the perfect location to explore
the Mercantour National Park. The park stretches along the Italian border and
surprises us to no end with some spectacular mountain scenery.
Our Hotels & Cuisine
The first two
nights are spent in Le Lavandou on the Mediterranean. Our hotel is set in a
lush garden surrounded by flowers, palm trees, swimming pool and spa. It is
only 5 minutes from the beach and very close to the ferry harbour to the magic
Ile de Port Cros.
In Forcalquier
we stay in one of our favourite hotels. Located in a picturesque Provincial
setting in Haute Provence, it has two swimming-pools and tennis courts. Here we
have selected a number of individual restaurants, which offer truly gastronomic
delights of the so famous "Cuisine Provencale".
In the French
Alps our cosy hotel is situated in the magnificent mountain village of
Barcelonnette. Here we can sample great food with a Mexican influence.
Tour combination
Departure dates have been arranged to allow "SECRETS OF PROVENCE" and "THE MAGIC OF ANCIENT ITALY" walks to be combined.
Secrets of Provence
REQUEST THE TOUR PRE-DEPARTURE NOTES 
