Lavender Fields and Ancient Villages: 12 Days in Provence

About the destination: Marseille is the second largest city in France, the biggest Mediterranean port and the economic hub of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Marseille is set in a beautiful location, snuggled between craggy limestone hills and a sweeping bay, and is rich with history, which wasn’t always pleasant. Marseille is a popular holiday destination, as it has 300 days of sunshine a year. Today Marseilles still keeps traces of its tumultuous past, this ancient city is today very active and attractive. It has powerful charm which encourages visitors, to stroll through its old districts around le Vieux Port, in the gardens with the ancient ruins or the gardens of Longchamp Palace and, of course, on the esplanade of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Cathedral, which overlooks the entire city Marseille is atmospheric and charming and a real must.

About the destination: Aix-en-Provence is a city in Provence, a region in the south of France. Aix-en-Provence is a small, classically Provençal town, famous for being home to Cézanne. Three universities and several French-language schools for international students produce a very strong student presence.Aix is famous for its fountains. The largest and most famous is on the Cours Mirabeau, the main avenue through town, as well as a moss-covered fountain which draws its water from a hot spring. Aix is also known for its architecture. The varied and often intricate doors are a key feature, as well as the bell towers. The city market runs multiple days a week, but the largest and most colorful is the Saturday market which includes a flower market at the Place de l'Hotel de Ville and the main food market is at Place Richelme. It has also become known as the home of Cézanne's later works. You can see his atelier with some of the original objects he painted into his still lives. The Bibémus Quarries allow you to see Mt. St. Victoire, the mountains he captured in many of his paintings. You can also visit the Manor of Jas de Bouffan, which houses many of his masterpieces.The city center is mostly pedestrian and, though it is quite small, offers long hours of nice walks. As in all Provençal towns, the city centre consists of narrow streets, lined with interesting buildings from 17th century hotels to paved plazas.

About the destination: Arles is a city and commune in the south of France, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, of which it is a subprefecture, in the former province of Provence. A large part of the Camargue is located on the territory of the commune, making it the largest commune in Metropolitan France in terms of territory . The city has a long history, and was of considerable importance in the Roman province of Gallia Narbonensis. The Roman and Romanesque Monuments of Arles were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1981. The Roman amphitheatre (les Arènes d'Arles) was built in the first or second century B.C. houses Corridas at Easter and the Rice Festa in September. Among other Roman attractions are the Classical theater, the Cryptoporticos and a few building that incorporate gallo-roman columns, etc. and the Pont Van Gogh is a bit removed from town.

About the destination: Avignon is one of the major cities of Provence, in Southern France. It is the main city of the département of Vaucluse, and is on the banks of the Rhône river. Avignon was one of the European Cities of Culture in 2000. Avignon is home to the world’s largest Gothic edifice, Le Palais des Papes, a UNESCO world heritage site since 1995. The city is sprinkled with buildings and monuments ranging from the new to the old, the very old, and the ageless. Another world heritage site is Pont Saint-Bénezet, better known as le Pont d'Avignon, a famous half destroyed bridge. Avignon's charm, though, lies in the narrow streets of its medieval walled city which contain numerous Gothic and Baroque churches, as well as stunning maisons.Avignon is a vibrant and lively place that captures an ancient ambience that one can feel even around the crowds. Charming Avignon is truly a Medieval Jewel.

About the destination: Nice weathers its storms of tourisms each summer with all the usual accoutrements of a Riviera town: Casual affluence, an ample beach, museums, flowery avenues but lack the affected aloofness of its neighbours. Furthermore, Nice is blessed with good public transport within the city and to all points on the Côte d’Azur, and makes it a good base for Riviera exploring. Nice’s long thin beach and bronzing guests are the city’s principal attractions for most visitors. Nonetheless, Nice’s vieille ville, the old town, is worth a visit. The old quarter is an unusual blend of glitter and a Mediterranean medieval quarter of tiny streets and outdoors markets. For a spectacular Riviera panorama, climb up to the top of the chateau. The city has several outstanding museums, such as the Musée Matisse, devoted to the work of French painter Henri Matisse, or the Musée National Marc Chagall, dedicated to the work of painter Marc Chagall. The majestic promenade des Anglais sweeps along the coast. This pedestrian zone swarms with boutiques, busy restaurants and all variety of tourists. The nightlife in Nice is effervescent, the labyrinth of tiny streets in the vieille ville hides restaurants and bars, and accounts for the city’s Mediterranean flair.