Provence is beautiful. You'll feel it. Cézanne and van Gogh felt it. To think they could have been anywhere and they were here. Among the burnt oranges of Roussillon. The rugged cliffs of Gordes. They could have taken your same path through the gardens of St-Rémy and through the olive groves van Gogh painted. Cézanne gazed up at the same Alpilles mountains you will. It won't surprise you they were inspired to express the beauty of Provence. But you won't need us to tell you that.
Day 1 Savor Michelin-starred cuisine and regional wines
A world of windswept crags dotted with oak, pine and cypress trees - the Alpilles is an unforgettable place to walk Behold medieval Les Baux, perched on a rocky plateau above an eerie landscape pockmarked with caves and wildly eroded limestone.
Day 2 Private cooking class with a Provençal chef
who reveals the secrets of classic Provençal dishes, such as gigot d'agneau (roasted lamb) and papeton d'aubergines (eggplant mousse) Ramble through piney woods and along limestone hills where goats happily graze on wild herbes de Provence.
Day 3 Local van Gogh expert and art historian
Marie-Charlotte Bouton leads our visit to St-Paul-de-Mausole, where Vincent van Gogh secluded himself and painted some of his most significant works, including Starry Night Footpaths lead through a beautiful weathered landscape to Château Romanin, a family-run organic winery where we stop for a private tour and tasting.
Days 4-6 Sunny walks through limestone hills,
olive orchards, vineyards and perched villages Discover vibrant St-Rémy, filled with fountains, cheery cafés, tree-lined boulevards and a lively outdoor market, where you'll rub elbows with locals How many shades of ochre grace radiant Roussillon? Try 16 - no wonder artists are drawn here! The Lubéron's fragrant foothills and the cliffs beyond Buoux set the scene for lovely rambles Dive into the history and hidden corners of picture-perfect Gordes with a local guide.
Trip Highlights
- Sunny walks through limestone hills, olive orchards, vineyards and perched villages
- Exclusive tours and tastings at an organic winery and a family-run olive oil mill
- Private cooking class with a Provençal chef
- Savor Michelin-starred cuisine and regional wines
- Marie-Charlotte Bouton, local art historian and van Gogh expert
Premiere Inns
La Cabro d'Or (1 night): An enchanting hideaway in the heart of the Alpilles mountains with a Michelin-starred restaurant and magnificent gardens. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa, tennis)
Le Château des Alpilles (2 nights): An elegant 19th-century manor house owned by a mother-daughter pair who have lovingly renovated and decorated this peaceful property. (pool)
La Bastide de Gordes & Spa (2 nights): Within the ancient city walls of Gordes, a 16th-century mansion with splendid hilltop views of the Lubéron Valley. (pool, spa)
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 2.8 | 200 | 4.9 | 200 | ||||||
| 2 | 6.0* | 400 | 7.8 | 400 | 9.5 | 500 | ||||
| 3 | 4.5 | 0 | 5.6 | 1000 | 10.9 | 1000 | ||||
| 4.5* | 200 | |||||||||
| 4 | 3.7* | 500 | 6.5 | 1000 | ||||||
| 5 | 4.8 | 400 | 7.6* | 700 | ||||||
| 6 | Gordes guided walk (1 hour) | |||||||||
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 5/26-31 Price: $4798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/9-14 Price: $4898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/23-28 Price: $4898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/1-6 Price: $4798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/8-13 Price: $4798 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/15-20 Price: $4898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/22-27 Price: $4898 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/24-29 Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/29-10/4 Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/13-18 Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $990 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
This trip exceeded all expectations! I never felt rushed, yet never was at loose ends. The pace and variety was somehow perfect everyday. The ability to walk ahead or behind, choose longer or shorter hikes, or even skip a segment, made the trip perfect for everyone. The guides were helpful, gracious and loads of fun! Our group bonded instantly and I know some lifetime friendships were formed. I was at ease walking or eating with anyone. The special presentations by local guides in Gordes and St. Remy (on Van Gogh) were indeed special - it's clear these ladies loved their subjects. A surprise evening option of a vespers service in an ancient abbey was a definite treat.- Redwood City, CA
We have taken 9 trips with another company in the last 6-7 years. They were all an enjoyable. But, we found our Backroads trip to be far, far superior.- Fox Point, WI
What an unbelievable trip! I couldn't think of a better way to experience Provence. The accommodations were so authentic to the area and the meals did more than just satisfy hunger - they allowed us to totally immerse ourselves in the aura of the region. Backroads somehow must have chosen THE best hotels and restaurants available! Nothing was overlooked.- Stillwater, MN
This was a superb trip-wonderfully planned and executed, with just the right mix of activity and interesting experiences. My husband came along as a skeptic, thinking he would find a golf course and let me and our daughter do the hiking. But after Day 1 it was clear that he wasn't going to do that-he hiked every day and loved the experience. We can't wait for our next Backroads experience!!- Chicago, IL
Best trip of my life.Thank you soooooooooooo much! We also lucked out with great weather and the accommodations were outstanding. We felt like every day was the best and then the next day was even better!- Charlotte, NC
What a wonderful way to travel! Seeing the world on two feet (or two wheels) allows you to explore cultures in an entirely different way than you can in a car. I can't say enough about how much I've enjoyed these trips!- New York, NY
I had a wonderful time in Provence! All the hikes were beautiful, meals were delicious and I learned a lot in the companty of interesting people.- Washington, DC