Hi we are exploring Provence by car for 7 days, using Isle sur la Sorgue as our base, itinerary as follows: arriving Saturday evening, spending Sunday in Isle sur la Sorgue, Monday going to the Camargue, Sts Maries de la Mer, Tuesday to Gordes & Roussillon, Wednesday to St Remy, les Baux de Provence, les Alpilles & finishing off the afternoon/evening in Arles, Thursday in Avignon, Friday Cassis & we leave Saturday. Does anyone know if this itinerary sounds ok? Are we really missing anything out? We really do want to spend a couple of days by the sea hence the reason for going to the Camargue & Cassis. My concern is the Wednesday really, is one day enough for seeing St Remy, les Baux, les Alipilles & Arles all in one day & if suggested we leave one out, any advice which one to save for another trip?
Thanks

see my trp log Ah Provence

I think your Wednesday is too full - perhaps skip Arles if you get a little worn out or run out of time when you finish the drive through the Alpillies. Also, I would strongly suggest that you don't visit St Remy on market day (Wed). I've had several friends and people on Fodors tell me that the market really detracts from their enjoyment of the village. Perhaps visit St Remy Wed afternoon, or on another day.

Unless you are serious antique hounds, Sunday is a little light. The main market is only open in the morning, but the permanent antique shops stay open all day. Perhaps visit Gordes, Roussillon, or both on Sunday afternoon, and visit the remainder of the Luberon on Tues (that's Gordes's market day - but the market does not really detract from the village - except for parking).

Personally, I would visit the scenic Dentelles region (Vaison, Seguret, Gigondas, Cote du Rhone), or the Pont du Gard & Uzes instead of two trips to the sea. Perhaps visit Cassis earlier in the week and see what you feel like doing (and how far you feel like driving) on Friday. I always like to leave the last day open so I can visit places I've missed on earlier days because of time or inclination - or just use the day to relax & "hang out".

I like scenic drives, and the Alpillies seem to be the only scenic drive you have scheduled. The to/from the destinations on your other days are not in scenic areas (IMO) except for the Gordes & Roussillon day. I assume that you have my 27 page Provence itinerary - take the Luberon drive or the Lavender route if you want to see some beautiful territory.

Stu Dudley

thanks frenchwow & stududley but where can I find these trip log's itineraries you mentioned?

at top where it has a block for TRAVEL NRES type in AH Provence and click it will come up if yiu scroll don and click on it

E-mail me at [email protected] & I'll attach my itinerary to the reply e-mail.

Stu Dudley