Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Travel Through This Southern French Region With Provence Tours


By Andrea Davidson


Immortalized by the paintings of Van Gough and celebrated by Peter Mayle, this southern French region has delighted visitors for generations. A Provence tours experience offers the diversity of package or custom tours. The coasts, mountains, fields, rivers, towns and cities in between offer a plethora of opportunities to explore its special beauty.

To get there visitors can fly into either of the international airports located in Marseille and Nice. From there rail links connect to the main towns of the region. From London travelers can also travel by the Eurostar train to Paris. From there a TGV high speed train ride takes under five hours to get to Marseille or three hours and 45 minutes to reach Avignon. It is also easy to travel by bus between the villages and towns.

Located at the borders of Spain, Italy and France, the influence of all three national cultures can be seen in this border region. St. Tropez, Monte Carlo, Arles, St. Remy, the Papal city of Avignon and provincial capital city Aix en Provence are all situated here. Glitz and a laid back atmosphere are contrasting temperaments that appeal to different kinds of travelers. Some prefer the high life, others prefer the natural beauty and special ambiance of its beautiful landscape and urban areas rich in history.

During the tourist season sightseers clog even the small picturesque towns. It is wiser to go there in the less visited spring or autumn periods. If you would enjoy a scenic journey viewing Alpine scenery, the Train des Pignes between Digne les Bains and Nice should be on the itinerary. A serene way to enjoy the scenic countryside is to go on a river cruise on the Rhone. River cruises will take travelers along the western border down the Rhone River and continue along the Saone River, a tributary of the larger river.

For outdoor enthusiasts there are plenty of activities. Kayaking, canoeing, white water rafting, boating and biking are popular. Such activities are particularly enjoyed in the splendorous Gorges du Verdon and the Camargue. In Camargue you can ride the indigenous small white horses known to be one of the oldest breeds in the world. For stimulating walks, the GR9 trail spans the vertical ranges, including Mont Ventoux, Monts du Vaucluse and the Luberon Range. The northeast ski resort of Pra Loup provides downhills for those who prefer to ski down mountains rather than climb them.

The sunflower fields and vines lie south, the lavender Luberon hills lie west and the Southern Alps lie northeast. To many the lavender fields are the essence of this area. Lavender flowers bloom from the fourth week of June to early August. The sunflowers bloom from July to August.

Of course, tasting Provencal specialties will be a part of the experience. This cuisine is renowned for its ingredients which are an intriguing mix of natively grown produce. For the rustic tastes of Cezanne, the simple potatoes in oil dish was the most delicious. Marseille and its bouillabaisse are most known, but most major towns are associated with a particular ingredient or dish. The capital city of Aix en Provence is identified for its petal shaped Calisson sweet consisting of an almond and candied fruit paste topped with icing. Pastis is a refreshing local drink visitors should try with their meals.

As you will discover one visit will not be enough. Provence tours will make each journey a memorable one. Visitors can travel at any time. The optimal time is when there are fewer tourists in the way.




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