A Walking Tour in Provence and the Mediterranean, France
April 15 - 25, 2023
Group size 12 participants
Welcome to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the heart of the Alpilles Regional Park. Experience the hospitality of this charming little town, birthplace of Nostradamus, with its many café terraces and restaurants and enjoy the authentic French Provençal way of life. Our walking tour with spectacular scenery every day provides an exceptional blend of discovery and experiences. It will lead us from the exquisite hills of the Alpilles with the best Artisan & Crafts market in Provence, to the rugged beauty of the Luberon’s hilltop villages and the papal city of Avignon. We will also visit the UNESCO World Heritage Roman city of Arles, the wetlands of the Camargue with their unique wildlife and the medieval village of Les Baux-de-Provence.
”Provence…with a sun that floods everything with a light of fine gold” Vincent Van Gogh ( in a letter to his brother Theo - Sept 5, 1889)
For our exploration of Provence, we base ourselves in a boutique hotel in the charming town of Saint-Rémy-de-Provence before relocating for the last 3 nights to the coastal town of La Ciotat, the proud birthplace of cinema and pétanque. From the vibrant port of La Ciotat, we explore the coastal paths next to the Mediterranean.
This trip is designed for the moderately active hiker, with walking distances between 5 – 8 miles and elevation gains up to 1700 feet. Some sections will be steep and exposed, especially near the cliffs on the coastal path. The trails are very well trodden, wide and secured when necessary, but along the coast, it might not be suitable for people suffering from vertigo as the drops are rather impressive. This trip can also accommodate non-walkers able to explore on their own.
The trip starts and ends in different locations. Getting to our starting point of Saint-Rémy-de Provence is each participant’s responsibility.
What’s Included:
All lodging double-occupancy with en suite bath (single supplements available)
On trip transportation
All continental breakfasts
All dinners (vegetarian and gluten-free diets can be accommodated though the choices will be limited. French cuisine includes meat, fish, eggs and dairy and thus is unsuitable for vegan diets.)
Gratuities for local service providers
Entrance fees in Avignon (Palace and Bridge), St Paul de Mausole, local vineyard visit and award winning wine tasting, Arles (Pass Liberté), Camargue nature reserve, Archeological site of Glanum and Les Baux-de-Provence (Light Quarry and Castle); Calanques boat tour; Museum in La Ciotat
All hikes.
What’s Not Included:
International airfare and in-country travel, pre- and post- trip
Lunches and beverages with meals
Travel insurance
Tips for trip leader are at your discretion
Other expenses including Covid-19 tests, quarantine and medical evacuations
We recommend purchasing travel insurance.
Trip Date April 15 - 25, 2023 | 11 day trip
Group size 12 participants
Price is based on double occupancy of rooms. Same gender roommate will be assigned to participants traveling solo. Single supplements are available. Your non-refundable deposit will hold your reservation. Either pay on line (credit/ debit cards accepted) using our secure PayPal payment system or write a check, payable to “Big Round World”, and mail it to: PO Box 1337, Lyons, CO 80540.