Spring Poppy Madness Tour

Pick-up around 10:30 at the Avignon TGV train station (or at your Avignon hotel should you arrive the day before). We kick off the week of slow travel and inspiration with a garden tour at the Abbey Saint André across the Rhone River from Avignon. After our picnic lunch we make our way to the Ventoux region (near the legendary Mont Ventoux mountain) and settle into our charming countryside B&B. Dinner this evening at a favorite restaurant for its Provencal cuisine and ambience.

Picnic Lunch & Dinner included

A beautiful 1-hour drive will take us to Brantes, a small village nestled into the slopes facing the Mont Ventoux. Here, we’ll be guided on a foraging walk to gather our herbs and flowers for our farm-to-table lunch. Odile’s house will welcome us for the cooking adventure and sharing of food in a setting you’ll never forget. Later afternoon we climb to the top of Mont Ventoux (in the van!). En route we stop at the aroma plant distillery to see how the oils are extracted from the plants. A full day of adventure calls for a simple alfresco & local wine dinner at the B&B.

Cooking lesson lunch & Alfresco Dinner included

It’s market day in Vaison-la-Romaine. This market has been rated in France as one of the most authentic markets. You have the morning to browse, shop, and explore the town at your leisure. We’ll meet back up for a bistro tapas lunch in town before going to Nyons. This afternoon we tour a artisan company making Provencal fibre mats with 19th & early 20th century equipment. Back to the B&B for some rest time before our dinner outing at one of Emily’s favorite restaurants in all of Provence.

Lunch & dinner included

We change regions today. Before arriving at our Luberon region B&B, we’ll make a stop in what is sometimes known as the Provencal Venice due to the water canals meandering their way through the town (Isle sur la Sorgue is also known for its antique shops). Emily will take you on a historical and gourmet tour of this charming town. Should the weather be pleasant, picnic lunch next to the Sorgue River. Time to settle into our B&B near Gordes before our stroll through the village. A special dinner catered to us at the B&B.

Lunch & Dinner included

Before spending time in one of the world’s best rose gardens, we’ll explore one of the world’s best medieval villages. Simiane-la-Rotonde sits up high overlooking the woods and lavender fields. You won’t see lavender in bloom but you will be marveling over the flowers and roses laying a colorful backdrop to the18th century doors and cobblestone lanes. The garden visit is on a site considered sacred since prehistoric times. Our guide will reveal its mysteries and the 500 varieties of roses. Lunch will be enjoyed on their terraced restaurant, but not before an acoustic surprise for you in the 17th abbey church. Last visit is at Provence’s ochre village, Roussillon… historically rich and a gem to photograph. Dinner at another one of Emily’s favorite restaurants.

Lunch & Dinner included

This morning you have free time in the charming village Lourmarin to pick up those Provencal treasures you might not have found at Tuesday’s market. Emily will also guide you on a historical tour of the village. With the food we pick up at the market, we’ll make our way to a secret picnic spot next to a Romanesque chapel. This south side of the Luberon is also a place where poppy madness photography will take place. Relaxing time back at the B&B before going to a local chef’s house for dinner.

Lunch & Dinner included

After yesterday’s poppy madness inspiration, today we take our artistic eye to to paper with a painting workshop. We’ll tour the area near Saint Remy where Van Gogh stayed for one year and then be guided by a local artist to paint what we see (no painting experience necessary). Catered picnic nearby before going to Les Baux de Provence for a multi-media show known as Carrières de Lumière in a former rock quarry. Dinner at your leisure at one of the restaurants in Gordes.

Lunch included

A little adventure today while continuing our poppy madness hunt. More Luberon hilltop villages but this time with a new sensation. Either by classic 2CV car ride or by electric bike (to be determined based on overall physical level of the group…accommodations can always be made to fit your style of touring). Time to soak up the dreamy atmosphere at our B&B before our sommelier comes to lead us in an olive oil workshop. Dinner to follow catered at the B&B.

Lunch & dinner included

Last but not least…a special day in the Cotes-du-Rhone vineyards. Two private tastings in two very special venues. Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Gigondas & Vacqueyras will be revealing their aromas and the artisan wine makers behind these cru wines will share their expertise. We will have had a vineyard feast for lunch…and so for dinner…a casual alfresco dinner poolside at the B&B with leftover wines from the Cotes-du-Rhone day tour.

Lunch & dinner included