Explore Mediterranean Life 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.

Tours of the area often start in Marseilles, one of France's biggest and most cosmopolitan cities. Avignon is a popular starting point too. Aix-en-Provence, Nice and Arles are just some of the other cities and towns that may be included in an itinerary. The best way to see the area is to spend at least a few days here so that you'll have time to explore the villages and rural landscapes.

Several travel companies offer specialized tours focusing on a specific aspect of life in the region. If you're a wine enthusiast, for instance, you'll definitely want to explore the local wineries, famous for their rose wines. It's a good idea to also include a pastis distillery in the itinerary. Pastis is the local liqueur with an anise flavor.

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.

Another thing that the region is famous for is its place in the perfume industry. Many of the world's foremost perfumers get their ingredients from flowers like roses, lavender, tuberoses and jasmine grown in the Grasse area. Grasse is a lovely medieval town and it's well worth touring its perfumeries. You may even get the opportunity to create your own fragrance.

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.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment