We meet in Nîmes, one the best preserved Roman cities in Provence. Our hotel is a 5 minute walk from the train station in the center of old Nîmes and just around the corner from the Amphitheatre. Our hotel rooms are available from 3pm. At 6pm we gather at our hotel for a welcome drink and nibbles to review our trip itinerary and answer last minute questions. Afterwards we walk to a nearby restaurant located near the UNESCO site Maison Carrée and specializing in authentic, seasonal produce for our first meal on the trip, a 3 course “menu du terroir” paired with a glass of regional wine. D.

Nîmes is considered “the most Roman city outside of Italy”. By the 1st century BCE, the Romans made it the capital of Provence and substantially invested in its infrastructure and architecture. We will start the day with a visit to UNESCO World Heritage site, the Amphitheater, one of the most complete arenas remaining from the Roman era. We will stroll through the streets to get a feel for this ancient city, passing by another UNESCO World Heritage site, the Maison Carrée (Square House), an early and one of the best-preserved examples of a Roman temple dedicated to Emperor Augustus' sons. The Halles, where we will start exploring the culinary specialties of Nimes, is a quintessential farmers’ market in the life of the Nimois (People of Nîmes) comprising a covered market with displays of local delicacies and fresh produce. This is also a great place for buying produce for a sack lunch. We will enjoy our lunch in a quiet secluded courtyard before we visit the Musée du Vieux Nîmes where a room is dedicated to the fabrication of denim (de Nîmes). Who would believe jeans were invented in Provence? The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure. This evening we dine at a neighboring restaurant to taste local cuisine with a 3 course meal paired with a glass of wine.  B, D

We travel to Uzès (originally Ucetia in Roman times) by local bus. Uzès is a gem of a bastide, or fortified town, established in Gallo-Roman times as an oppidum or administrative center. We start at the biweekly farmers’ market held in the Place aux Herbes, an elegant square sheltered by magnificent sycamore trees. Narrow cobbled streets encompassed by gently worn stone shuttered buildings invite us to investigate the old medieval town. The stunning Pont du Gard, UNESCO World Heritage site, built in the 1st century CE as part of the Roman aqueduct of Nîmes, was used until the 6th century. Just 6 miles from Uzès, for 2000 years the Pont du Gard has spanned the River Gardon. A breathtaking marvel. Prepare for an adventure - we visit this site atop e-bikes.  Afterwards, we bike a further 3 miles to the small town of Remoulin where we take the bus back home. Tonight we enjoy a four course gourmet vegetarian dinner paired with a glass of wine in a small friendly restaurant. B, D

We start our day with a visit to the Musée de la Romanité, an interactive Gallo-Roman museum, to help us understand the impact of romanization over the centuries that makes Nîmes today. The modern building also offers a panoramic view of the city from the rooftop and access to a typical Mediterranean garden. After a quick stop at The Halles to grab your new favorite fare, we head to the Jardin de la Fontaine for a picnic. Be ready for an enchanted moment. This 18th century botanical garden is one of the first public gardens of France. Encompassing an ancient spring, the garden is adorned with statues, canals, fountains and ancient monuments including the Temple of Diana and the Magne Tower, the last remaining vestige of the ancient fortifications of Nîmes built by Emperor Augustus. A 15 hectares garden (roughly the size of 37 football fields) of perfect scenery to wander. After lunch we set off on a treasure hunt, a Street Art Tour of over 180 frescos, a creation of enthusiasts who wanted to bring color to their city and neighborhood, while highlighting artistic emergence and the different graphic universes possible in public spaces. We end our tour at the local renowned watering hole, The Spot.  We complete our day enlightening our palates and our knowledge with an oenology class , complete with nibbles and guided by a sommelier. B.

Today we pack up our belongings and set off for Arles by train, a 30 minute ride. After dropping our bags at our hotel, we begin our exploration of Arles. The city center of Arles is home to a collection of Roman and Romanesque Monuments listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981. These include the Amphitheatre, the Roman Theater built in the reign of Caesar Augustus with an original capacity for 8,000 people; the Cryptoportico, subterranean galleries likely built by the Greeks in the 1st century BCE and may have been used as slave barracks; St Trophime’s Cloister and Church dating from the 11th - 12th centuries CE and used to keep safe relics from other churches during the French Revolution. In the following few days, through Van Gogh’s eyes, we will also discover the Arles that inspired a number of his famous paintings. Before dinner we visit an award-winning eclectic artisanal gin distillery specializing in gin flavored with fruits and spices.  We dine in a quaint little bistro located in a house dating to 1780 for a traditional dinner made with amazing fresh local produce. B, D   

An early breakfast allows us to meet with our local host and renowned Chef Erick at the farmers’ market where we will observe him select fresh ingredients needed to prepare our meal. Chef Erick will instruct us on how to prepare a selection of  traditional French Provençal culinary courses. Once the knives are put away, we start with an “apéro” (finger food and drink) and then enjoy the meal we prepared together. At the end of our class, to counter our lunchtime feast, we will stroll the arts and crafts streets of Arles where small boutiques of artisans open their doors. After our early start and efforts to understand the finer elements of French cuisine, the remainder of the afternoon and evening are free for you to relax. We can perhaps meet again early evening for a craft beer at a nearby bookstore specializing in antiquity books and craft beers, wines and spirits. B, L .    

We start our day with a tour of the Musee Arlaten, a museum dedicated to the ethnography of Provence and housed in a 15th century grand urban mansion. Our next visit is L'espace Van Gogh, the 16th century hospital where the artist was admitted.  A visit to France would not be complete without  a cheese tasting. This will augment or perhaps replace our lunch. We will follow the Roman rampart and Tower des Morgues to La Tour Luma and its beautiful garden. The tower, designed by Frank Gehry and commissioned by Maja Hoffmann, is a bespoken example of modern architecture and offers panoramic views of the city from the top. From the modern to the ancient, we will wander through the UNESCO World Heritages site of Les Alyscamps, a large Roman necropolis. We dine in a  family restaurant managed by a mother and daughter offering regional Provençal specialties, 2 course meal paired with a glass of wine. B,D

The Alpilles, “the little Alps”, is a must to see. It embodies the sublime landscape, untamed natural environment and proudly preserved traditions. Les Baux is classified as one of the most beautiful villages of France. Perched on top of a rocky plateau, its historical heritage is pristine with over 22 historic monuments beautifully restored. Evidence of human habitation here dates back to 6000 BCE (Neolithic Age). By the 4th century, the people from Les Baux were known for their mining and quarrying, providing limestone to some of the monuments in Provence. We start with a visit to an established olive grove where we will visit their mill and enjoy an olive oil tasting - a surprising variety of flavors and aromas recognized by being award winners. Afterwards, we wander the winding cobbled streets of Les Baux, accessible only by foot, up to the ruins of the 10th century castle, where we picnic with the most breathtaking view of the whole valley. A short downhill walk brings us to Les Carrières des Lumières, one of those quarries transformed into a virtual art show, for a completely unique immersive experience. A new show is created every year.  Back in Arles we will enjoy a Moroccan dinner with a wine or beer. B,D      

Via our private transportation, we head south towards the Regional Park of the Camargue. The Rhone River delta and the sea form a vast marshland, a hidden natural gem famous for its white horses, black bulls, pink flamingos and over 400 different species of birds. Look out for the pink flamingos! We head for the 13th century fortified city of Aigues Mortes  ("Eaux Mortes" - Dead Waters) constructed according to the plans of Louis IX who wanted to establish on the Méditerranean, a passage to the Middle East for his crusades. We will walk the wall (~1 mile) surrounding the city included the notorious Tower of Constance. On our return to Arles, we take a tour of a vineyard, farmed in a chemical-free manner, where we will enjoy a tasting of a selection of their wines. We have a Vietnamese dinner tonight, 2 courses with a wine or beer. B, D

Pending fine weather, we will stroll along the bank of the impressive Rhone River to the Musée Departemental de l'Antiquité, where a “must see” restored 100 foot Roman barge and one of the three known busts of Julius Caesar sculpted while alive, are housed - both found nearby in the Rhone River. From here we will walk to the Musée Reattu and pass by the Thermes de Constantin, preserved Roman baths. Lunch and the afternoon are free to relax, perhaps shop for gifts and prepare for our departure tomorrow. For our farewell dinner we will enjoy a five course gastronomic tasting menu with regional wine-pairing in a small Provençal bistro nestling in the old town.  A fitting finale for our culinary and cultural journey in Provence. B,D     

Our fabulous culinary and cultural journey in Provence has come to an end. We bid you adieu. Breakfast is our last meal on the trip. Check out by 11am. B