Trip #1: Provence Travels
For our major vacation this year, we skipped a big Disney trip and decided it was time to go back to France! We took our first Tauck Tour back in 2017 for a Week in Amalfi Coast, Capri and Rome and since then have done two other tours (Normandy, Brittany, Paris & Loire Valley in 2019 and A Week In Tuscany & Umbria in 2023) While we are younger than their typical clientele, we do enjoy the level of service provided and the access they are able to give.
The Plan
September 12th
Leave Houston
September 13th – Aix-en-Provence
8:15AM – Arrive Paris
11:30AM – Leave Paris
12:55PM – Arrive Marseille
Tauck has a private driver for you to pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel which is about 30 minutes away from the airport.
Arrive at Hotel: Grand Hotel Roi Rene – Aix-en-Provence
Once at the hotel, we plan on making ourselves human again after the overnight flight with showering and a change of clothes.
Dinner this evening will be some bistro nearby or at the bar at the hotel. There seems to be a ton of options just a 10-to-15-minute walk from the hotel. It will all depend on how we feel.
September 14th – Aix-en-Provence
Morning: My husband will most likely go for a run either around the town or at the gym. I will enjoy a light breakfast that’s included with our stay before we go out adventuring.
11:00AM: No Diet Club Food Tour
I booked this 2.5 hour tour off Viator as it had great reviews and was capped with a smaller group.
“Aix-en-Provence is renowned for its gastronomy but knowing where to find the best sweet and savory treats takes insider knowledge. Get a local’s introduction to the city during this small-group lunch crawl. Roam through bustling street markets and down picturesque alleys on the hunt for tastings like lavender ice cream and the anchovy-based dip, anchoïade. Listen to fun, informative stories along the way—and in between bites.
Enjoy a sampling of decadent Provençal treats, both sweet and savory
Uncover hidden gems left off most tourist itineraries
Explore the historic city center and encounter multiple photo ops”
After the tour – we’ll head back to the hotel until the Tauck portion of the trip officially begins.
3:00PM: Tauck Tour kicks off with an orientation walk through the center of Aix-en-Provence focusing on Cezanne. This includes a visit to the Hotel de Caumont which is an 18th century mansion-turned art center. Here we will dive deeper into Paul Cezanne and his ties to Provence.
Dinner: Welcome reception and dinner at the hotel.
September 15th – Aix-en-Provence
Morning: Head to Chateau La Costa, a 17th century Venetian-style villa. Walk through their sculpture gardens and visit their winery
Lunch: Al fresco at the Chateau
Afternoon & Evening: On our own in Aix-en-Provence
September 16 – Luberon, Gordes, Gargas
Morning: Leave Aix and head towards Luberon to visit their villages, meadows and moorlands.
Lunch: Provencal market walk in Gordes followed by a picnic lunch in a Provencal meadow
Afternoon: Head to Gargas, France for our next two nights of hotel
Dinner: At the hotel
Hotel: La Coquillade – Gargas, France
September 17 – Gargas, Roussillon
Morning: Hike to Abbaye de Senanque, built in the 12th century and is still tended to by a small group of Cistercian monks
Lunch: Roussillon Typical French Fare
Afternoon: Nature walk through quarries of Roussillon
Evening: On our own in Gargas
Based on what the day entails, I’m sure we will want a low key evening. The bar has a decent menu for lighter fare or if we want something more – we can always try the other restaurant that Tauck doesn’t take us to the night before.
September 18 – Fontaine-de-Vaucluse / St-Remy / Avignon
Morning: Exploring Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, which was once the home of an Italian poet, Petrarch
Lunch: Visit St. Remy & enjoy lunch on our own
Afternoon: Visit St-Paul-de-Mausole where we visit the asylum Vincent van Gogh spent a year with a guided tour
Visit Glanum – one of the largest and oldest archeological sites in France
Head to Le-Pontet-Avignon for our hotel for the next 4 nights
Dinner: At our hotel
Hotel: Auberge de Cassagne
September 19 – Avignon
Morning: Walking tour of Avignon
Visiting market with a chef and sample seasonal specialties
Cooking class with items from our market visit
Rhone Wine Tasting
Afternoon/Evening: On our own
Dinner: Pollen – Avignon – 8PM (I booked this) - 1 Michelin Star Meal
September 20 – Pont du Guard / Avignon / Chateauneuf de Pape
Morning: Visit to Pont du Gard – Roman Aquaduct from 50AD
Afternoon: Visit to Palace of the Popes
Evening: Farewell Dinner at a winery in Chateaneuf-du-Pape
September 21st
9:00AM: Viator Tour Booked: Morning Wine Tour to Chateauneuf du Pape from Avignon
The rest of the day TBD
September 22nd
6:00AM – Leave Marseille
7:30AM – Arrive Paris
10:10AM – Leave Paris
1:35PM – Arrive Houston
