Explore Mediterranean Life With Provence Tours

By Maryanne Goff


The south of France has long been a favorite among the jet set. It's not without reason that the world's premier film festival is held in Cannes on the French Riviera. The Mediterranean climate makes this part of the world the perfect destination for a summer break. If you need some time away from the gorgeous beaches and want to see more of the region, it's a good idea to book one of the Provence tours offered by travel companies.

The Provence region is located in the south-eastern corner of France. It stretches from the Rhone River in the west to the Italian border in the east. Its southern border is made up of the Mediterranean Sea and includes the famous Cote D'Azur.

Many tours of the region start in the historical port city of Marseilles. Other cities often included in the itinerary are Avignon, Nice, Arles and Aix-en-Provence. There are packages that will let you see the area in a day but to really appreciate the beautiful landscape and the little medieval villages, it's best to spend at least three days here.

While general tours are a great way to get to know the region, you may also want to consider a tour with a specific theme. For example, Provence is renowned for its wines, particularly rose and red wines. A tour of the vineyards and wine cellars here is a must for oenophiles. Be sure to try and include a visit to a pastis distillery too to sample the area's traditional liqueur.

Food lovers have long known that the region is culinary heaven and that people here take their food seriously. After all, a Provencal tradition at Christmas is to serve a whopping thirteen desserts after the main meal. The variety of fresh produce has given rise to dishes like bouillabaisse from Marseilles and ratatouille from Nice. On a food tour, you can try the many regional specialties and may even visit a local market, where a great gift to buy for loved ones back home is Provencal herbs.

For an olfactory sensation, try a perfume tour. The little medieval town of Grasse is the heartbeat of the perfume industry and the surrounding area is fragrant with the smell of roses, jasmine, lavender and other flowers. You may visit some of the traditional perfumeries here and learn how fragrances are made.

The area is steeped in history and if culture or art is your passion, you may want to go on a cultural tour. For example, a tour of ancient Roman sites can be fascinating. You can also follow in the footsteps of artists or writers who spent time here, from Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cezanne, Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse to F Scott Fitzgerald, Edith Wharton and Robert Louis Stevenson.

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.




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