Provence France tours 

In the News

Travel Tips
   By Tai Shan Jackson

French Delights

French Vacations is offering “A Week of Cultural and Gourmet Delights in Provence,” designed for eight guests.  The program allows wine, food and art lovers to savor Provençal cuisine and wines and to explore village and châteaux in the Luberon countryside.  Visits to local markets and wineries are planned, as well as a trip to the fishing port of Cassis.  Rates include seven nights, 15 meals, wine, a champagne reception, wine-tasting, admission fees to monuments, transfers from Avignon and transportation to all sites.  For more information, call (602) 953-3173

Tours & Cruises
   By Karin Esterhammer

Spring in Provence

Discover Provence with a native and combine three of France’s most important attractions – wine, food and art.  The tour, “A Week of Cultural and Gourmet Delights in Provence,” is designed for eight guests and runs weekly from April to May and Sept. to Oct. 31.  Participants will visit wineries in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône regions; sample local fare; explore villages, châteaux and abbeys in the Luberon countryside, the Palace of the Popes in Avignon, and such Roman wonders as the Pont du Gard.  Aslo scheduled are visits to local markets, the fishing port of Cassis, and a boat trip.  Guests stay in a newly restored 18th century house in the Luberon Natural Park.  Rates include seven nights’ lodging, 15 meals, wine, guides, ground transportation and transfers from Avignon.  Air fare is not included.  Contact: French Vacations; tel. (602) 953-3173.

Fort Lauderdale
News & Notes
   By Staff and wire reports

A few days in Provence

French Vacations is offering “A Week of cultural and Gourmet Delights in Provence.”  This program, designed for eight guests, is led by Anne-Marie Hampton, Ph.D., a native of Provence.  Participants will explore villages and chateaux in the Luberon countryside, visit Romanesque churches and abbeys, the Palace of the Popes
in Avignon, and such ancient Roman wonders as the Arles Arena and the Pont du Gard.  Visits to local markets and wineries are planned.  Departures in May, June and October.  Call 602-953-3173.

TOURS
   By Thomas Ropp

Phoenix-based French Vacations is offering weeklong “Cultural and Gourmet Delights in Provence” tours.  Participants will visit wineries in the Côtes du Rhône regions, explore medieval villages, and visit the antique and food market of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue.  Phone: 602-953-3173.

Fort Lauderdale

News & Notes

  Staff reports

French Delights

French Vacations is offering two one-week programs: “A Week on the Riviera” and “Cultural and Gourmet Delights in Provence,” which can be combined as a two-week tour in the spring and fall of 1999.  Participants will explore the Cote d’Azur, the Luberon Natural Park, Chateauneuf-du-Pape and Cotes du Rhone regions; visit Monte Carlo, Nice, Cannes, Avignon and the coast along the port of Marseilles.  Contact French Vacations, 4132 E. Gold Dust Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85028-4504; 602-953-3173.

   Staff Reports
A Week in Provence

French Vacations is offering weeklong tours in Provence this spring and fall.  The Cultural and Gourmet Delights in Provence programs visit wineries in the Cotes du Rhone region, sample local fares, explore medieval villages, abbeys and chateaux and the Palace of the Popes in Avignon.  Participants stay in a restored 18th century house
in the Luberon Nature Park.  Contact: 602-953-3173.

Travels designed with your special interest in mind

French Vacations is offering week-long countryside tours in Provence which combines France’s most important attractions: Visit wineries, antique and food markets,enjoy gourmet cuisine, explore châteaux, abbeys, Provencal villages, and discover the fishing port of Cassis, with a boat trip.  This program, designed for 10 guests, is led by a French Ph.D., native of Provence.  Weekly departures from April to June, and September to October.  Rates include 15 meals, wine, guides, transportation.  Also you should reserve now for Christmas and new year.  Call 602-953-3173.

   By Martin Hollander

A WEEK IN PROVENCE
An 18th Century stone house near Avignon is the base for French Vacations’ redesigned week of touring in Provence.  The revamping is aimed at including more local markets.  There is a late-Saturday welcome dinner.  On Sunday, the group - 10 persons - visits the markets in Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and villages in the Luberon hills.  Later, trips are made to the palace of the Popes and the Châteauneuf du Pape vineyards; the medieval cliff village of Gordes and the Senanque Abbey; St. Rémy and the castle at Les Baux-de-Provence; Aix and the springs at Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.  Included are seven nights’ lodging (each bedroom has a private bath), daily breakfast and eight other meals, fees, tips and pick up at Avignon.  Call 602-953-3173.

AJC The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Travel
Special Europe Section: Paris: Provence perfect for culture, cuisine
   By Paula Crouch Trasher
French Vacations is hosting the small group tour “Cultural and Gourmet Delights in Provence” in May, June, Sept. and Oct.  Rates include seven nights in an 18th century house in the Luberon National Park, 15 meals, wine, guides, ground transportation and transfers from Avignon.  Information: 602-953-3173, www.frenchvintagev.com

EUROPE
Provence Highlights 

A Week of Cultural & Gourmet Delights in Provence, is a series of tours offered this spring by French Vacations.  Tours will be led by a French Ph.D., native of Provence.  The ten participants will dine on Mediterranean cuisine and wine; explore historical villages, chateaux and abbeys in the Luberon countryside; discover Aix, Avignon, Isle sur-la-Sorgue and les Baux-de-Provence.  Also scheduled are visits to Cotes du Rhone wineries, food and antique markets, artist’s studios, art galleries and Provencal fabric boutiques.  Guests are home-based in a country inn.  Call:  866-832-1622 or 602-953-3173.

International Travel News

Tours
A selection of escorted tours

"France:  Provence Highlights"

 "A week of Cultural and Gourmet Delights in Provence."  Highlights:  Enjoy Mediterranean cuisine and wine/explore historical villages, chateaux and abbeys in the Luberon countryside/tour Aix, Avignon, Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and les Baux-de-Provence/visit Cotes du Rhone wineries, food markets, antique markets, artists' studios, art galleries and Provencal fabric boutiques.  The pace is relaxed, and tour members are home-based in a country inn.  Rates include most meals, museum and winery fees, and transfer from Avignon.  Group limit, 10.  Phone 866/832-1622 or visit www.frenchvintagev.com

Tour Pick

"A Week of Cultural & Gourmet Delights in Provence"

This personalized and intimate tour is led by a French Ph.D., native of Provence.  The 12 participants will enjoy Mediterranean cuisine and wines; explore chateaux and abbeys in the Luberon countryside; discover Aix, Avignon, and Les Baux; visit wineries, antique and food markets.  Tour package include seven nights' lodging in a lovely inn - no packing or unpacking, most meals, wine, ground transportation, transfers from Avignon.  Weekly departures in May and June.  Visit:  www.frenchvintagev.com.  Or call:  602-953-3173.