Are you looking for the Lure of Provence trip? Click here.

Provence: Terre des 5 sens
Le Bien-Être Provencal

TRIP CONDUCTED IN FRENCH
16-23 OCTOBER 2010 AND
JUNE 19-26 2011

 

DOWNLOAD THE REGISTRATION FORM - CLICK HERE

 

 

Saturday, October 16
Welcome to Provence!
Arrive at your leisure and take a few moments to catch your breath in your new surroundings that will be your weeklong home away from home.  A mid-afternoon stroll down the Cours Mirabeau is in store for those who have caught a second wind, before we kick off our activities officially in the early evening with cocktails and dinner at one of the town’s best loved restaurants.                  

DINNER

 

Sunday,  October 17
Catch up on some extra sleep before we introduce you to the joys of this lovely town and the journey that awaits you.  We’ll take time this morning to cover some of the concepts that will be introduced to you throughout the week.  After lunch, our private guide will share with you the beautiful architecture, classic neighborhoods, and charming ruelles of this town.  You’ll discover why Aix is known as Ville d’Eau, Ville d’Art.  Home to artist Paul Cézanne and writer Emile Zola, Aix is proud of its artistic flair and historic past.  An evening session in relaxation techniques will prepare you for your wonderful journey au centre de l’être.

LUNCH

 

Monday, October 18
Starting off our week of heightening our five senses, a marvelous experience in painting in a charming artist’s atelier awaits you.  Whether a novice or experienced, a painter by trade or creative by nature, thrilled with the idea of a palette or terrified at the thought of oils, your guide will find the inner artist in you and bring it to your canvas.  You’ll be surprised and delighted at this delicate and sensual experience with an experienced and loving Provençal artist. We’ve scheduled this activity early in the week so that your masterpiece will be dry by the time you leave and ready to be packed into your suitcase.

LUNCH

 

Tuesday, October 19
The history of bees and honey is both fascinating and mysterious….and experiencing different types of honey made from the pollen of different plants will be our aim this morning.  A short film on the dance of bees will astonish and awaken you to the terrible fate which threatens our bee population, and a brief conference on the relationship of food to health will reinforce the principles we are stressing this week.  This afternoon, we’ll discover the joys of parfumerie in a charming aromatherapy atelier in the center of Aix.  You’ll leave with your very own flacon of perfume, made by your own hand and ready to be packed next to your masterpiece.  You’ll experience dîner en famille tonight, as you will be received by a French family à la maison, a special occasion that most tourists never have the opportunity to experience.

DINNER

 

Wednesday, October 20
You will love learning the secrets of la cuisine française today, as we turn you over to a most capable and acclaimed Provençal chef who gives cooking classes in his private chateau in the Aixois countryside. The morning consists of a stroll around the grounds of this beautiful XVIIth century chateau, followed by a professional cooking demonstration.  A sumptuous lunch, prepared with century-old secrets of Provençal cuisine handed down through the family and closely guarded, is the result.  You’ll leave enlightened and delighted by your meal under the shade of the linden tree in the garden.  A long, full day with optional evening events planned.

LUNCH

 

Thursday, October 21
Thursday is market day in Aix and no proper Aixois citizen goes a week without doing the marché.   The town comes alive with hawkers, criers, colors, food, tapestries, clothing, shoes, spices, fruits, vegetables, flowers…which spill out into the back streets of Aix.  You’ll be free this morning to fully experience this must-see institution before we pick you up at noon in our private coach to bring you to one of the most treasured and sacred of Aix’s countryside, the Montagne  St. Victoire.  Painted over and over by Paul Cézanne, who was fascinated by its ever-changing light, the mountain projects majesty and commands respect.  A specially ordered picnic by a local traiteur will be enjoyed at the foot of this monument of Nature before we start a leisurely hike through its woods.   As if that were not enough, we’ll treat you to theatrical readings in these hallowed surroundings.

LUNCH

 

Friday, October 22
This is your day of personal indulgence….a morning visit to the Roman spa awaits you with the soins you’ve chosen ahead of time: massage, mud bath, aquatherapy, Berthollaix massage to get rid of those back knots…whatever your pleasure, as the choices are many.  Your own special terrycloth robe and spa sandals will be your gift when you leave, and, as your afternoon is free, you can choose to stay there for more soins, learn personal massage techniques with our professional intervenant, or spend time at your leisure in town.   At our gala dinner tonight, we’ll share our best moments during this incredible week of our voyage au centre de soi-même.                                                    

DINNER


 Saturday, October 23
It’s always hard to say goodbye to Provence…but we’ll help you ease the pain by arranging your airport taxi if you must go or your TGV back to Paris…but if you can stay, join us for a marvelous 3-day jaunt to discover the Provençal countryside….a sensual experience!

 

**********


3-day Extension : paysage provençal

Saturday, October 23
Our private coach will whisk us today to nearby St. Rémy de Provence, where we’ll spend a leisurely morning in this mecca for art collectors, chocolate lovers, and boutique shoppers.  Wonderful photo opportunities abound.  We’ll have lunch in a typical restaurant full of charm and good will before embarking, for those who wish, on a 3-mile hike down to Les Baux de Provence.  [You can of course opt for the coach ride instead.]  The craggy knoll which hosts this incredible village has provided its occupants throughout the centuries both safety from enemies and unbroken observation of the surroundings.  You’ll love the amazing 10th century castle ruins and the breathtaking “Cathedrale des Images” at the base of the town.  We’ll top off this day with a private wine tasting in a nearby vineyard.

LUNCH

 

Sunday, October 24
Le Lubéron!  We’ll head off this morning for that vast and marvelous countryside just outside Aix which boasts not only brilliant colors but charming villages.  We’ll visit Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, which hosts an antiques market on Sunday, where you can wander at your leisure.   [Many of the merchants offer to ship the items you just couldn’t resist back to the US.] After lunch, we press on to other breath-taking villages and a working monastery renowned for its gorgeous lavender fields.

DINNER

 


Monday, October 25              
It’s been short but sweet…we’ll organize your ride to the airport or the train station this morning in time for you to make your plane home, or, if you’re able, to spend more time in this wonderful part of France.                                                                                                                 

                                                                                               
DETAILS & COST of BIEN-ETRE PROVENÇAL
OCTOBER 16-24, 2010     
8 DAYS, 7 NIGHTS
$3250   
Based on 6 participants minimum

 

This trip is conceived for francophones as an introduction to Provence in general and le bien-être personnel  in particular.  With care and simplicity, using the fresh foods and natural plants which abound in Provence, we seek to deepen your knowledge of French language and culture with activities which heighten your five senses, un voyage au centre de l’être.

 

INCLUDED IN PROVENCE TRIP

 

NOT INCLUDED IN BIEN-ETRE SOJOURN:

 

 

OPTIONAL 3-DAY EXTENSION TO PROVENÇAL COUNTRYSIDE $1150
Based on 4 participants minimum
To ensure more personalized service, this option is not available separately from the Bien-Etre trip.

 

INCLUDED IN PROVENÇAL EXTENSION

 

NOT INCLUDED IN PROVENÇAL EXTENSION

 

REGISTRATION DEADLINES & CONDITIONS FOR
PROVENÇAL BIEN-ETRE TRIP & PROVENÇAL EXTENSION

Please fill out and mail in our registration form from the website,
along with your deposit

 

 

PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY
If you are undecided about whether to join us on this trip of a lifetime, we will gladly discuss details with you. We expect that you read the pre-departure information and be in sufficient good health to undertake the trip.  Because this trip is dedicated to francophones, we feel an intermediate level of French or better is necessary to feel comfortable and fully enjoy the activities, which will all be presented in French with no English translations. Much of our exciting discovery of the town of Aix-en-Provence is done on foot; we expect that you can walk with ease around town, wander around the neighborhoods and feel comfortable hearing and speaking French.  If you have certain dietary or other restrictions, please ascertain beforehand that we are able to accommodate you. Vegetarian diets can usually be adapted, but we regret that our chefs cannot accommodate a vegan diet.  Please let us know of any life-threatening allergies you might have.

 

RESPONSIBILITY OF ORGANIZER
The French Traveler has exercised careful consideration with regard to the safety and well- being of participants. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity in connection with the service of any airplane, automobile, train, cable car, motor coach, metro or other conveyance, or for the acts or defaults of any company or person engaged in conveying passengers in carrying out the arrangements of these programs. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, force majeure, or other causes beyond our control. All such losses or expenses will be borne by the passenger, as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated. We reserve the right to make such alterations to this published itinerary as deemed necessary. The French Traveler reserves the right to cancel this program prior to departure, in which case the entire payment will be refunded without further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline any person deemed inappropriate for the program. The French Traveler reserves the right to change or substitute any activities described above for reasons of inclement weather, unforeseen circumstances, natural acts or inconveniences or reasons beyond our control. No refund will be made for any unused portion of this program. Baggage is entirely the owner’s risk. It is understood that any airfare, rail, or automobile arrangements made by the participant is solely a matter between those companies and the individual. The French Traveler accepts no liability for any carrier’s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a non-refundable ticket connected with the program. Program price is based on exchange rate in March 2010; if the euro/dollar rate reaches or exceeds 1 E = $1.50 by August 1, 2010, a $385 surcharge for the main tour will be required of all participants, regardless of registration date, and $100 for the extension tour.

 

The French Traveler, Inc. has been offering small group tours to FRANCE for discerning travelers seeking unique experiences for the past thirteen years. Our mission is to turn every trip you take with us into a journey of excitement, learning, joy and passion. We are honored to design itineraries in a country full of wonder and history, and feel privileged to bring inquisitive travelers of all ages who share a love for cross-cultural learning to our favorite destination. Our guests' curiosity, spirit, and passion continually inspire us to reach for the highest standards possible. And since it takes only about 10 minutes to fall in love with France—the incredible history,  the plethora of magnificent cathedrals/monuments/museums, the bounty of wonderful food so elegantly served, the hospitality of the people….we are sure you will come home invigorated and satisfied, ready to plan your next trip to la belle France.

We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service, our dedication to each traveler’s needs, our attention to detail and our ability to help you get the most from this cross-cultural experience. We speak fluent French, and know the intimately.   We arrange meals with the local hosts and introduce you to people whom you would never be able to meet on your own. We don’t race through the European countryside to see several cities in as many days; rather, we spend our time only in France, savoring one city at a time and fan out from there. You’ll unpack only once. We take pains to discover the local fauna and flora, seeking opportunities to converse and interact with the locals, experiencing what the region has to offer in the way of culture, cuisine, and sights. We extend our network of personal friends to include you and make the trip a highly personal one; in fact, many of our travelers form friendships during the trip which continue long afterwards and often involve future travel together.   We love France and you will too!