StuDudley

>>If we go to Pont Du Gard first, then by the time we get to Uzes, the market will be over and hopefully the town will not be so crowded. And, hopefully everything will not be closed.<<

When the market closes around 1pm & the vendors have all packed up & left, the "city" hoses down everything in the Place aux Herbs area. Then they put the tables back for the outdoor cafes around the Place. Then most of the shops will re-opened (after closing for lunch) around 2:30 to 3:00. We watched this entire "event" for their Wednesday market - which is smaller than the Saturday market. It was quite interesting.

Stu Dudley

kakiebell

Now, this is what I am talking about. This is the kind of information that you cannot get in travel books or online travel information.
Dugi_otok, I like your suggestion of flip flopping Friday and Saturday.
StuDudley and Dugi_otok, thank you for telling me that one market is enough.
If we go to Pont Du Gard first, then by the time we get to Uzes, the market will be over and hopefully the town will not be so crowded. And, hopefully everything will not be closed.
Stu, we are more of the "outside" persuasion to see ampitheatres rather than museums. We will have just spent a week in Barcelona visiting Gaudi, Picasso, Historical Museums, etc. so I think we are looking forward to being outside more than in more museums. And, in Paris, if it is raining, there are endless museums to view there.
With all your suggestions and guidance, here is my new itinerary:

May 1-Thursday
ST REMY

May 2 -Friday
ARLES
AIGUES MORTES

May 3- Saturday
PONT DU GARD
UZES
LES BAUX

May 4- Sunday
ISLE-SUR-LA-SORGUE (MARKET DAY)
GORDES
ROUSSILLON

May 5- Monday
CASSIS
ANTIBES
check into hotel in Eze, 6-8 pm

May 6- Tuesday
VILLEFRANCH-SUR-MER
BEAULIEU
ST-JEAN-CAP FERRAT

May 7- Wednesday
VENCE
TOURETTES SUR LOOP (if we have time before 1 p.m. lunch in St. Paul-de-Vence)
ST-PAUL-DE-VENCE (lunch at 1 pm)

these are optional: Valbonne, Mougins, Vallauris

May 8 - Thursday
drive to Aix to take train to Paris

That about does it. I will have to do some more research on the smaller towns you suggested Stu in lieu of Aigues Mortes. I will have to get a book just on Provence to get more information on some of the smaller towns.

Thank you, I really appreciate your time and valuable information.

kakiebell

Do not know why my reply got posted twice. Blame it on my new Apple Mac---I am in training, lol. Sorry.
Stu, we will just take our time Saturday morning at the Pont so we can get to Uzes around 2-3 p.m. If time allows, maybe have lunch in Uzes.

albatrost

Carmargue is not far from Arles and Aigues-Mortes, and is well worth a visit. This is something quite diferent from what you have on your agenda today. The nature and scenery is amazing, and you can see wild horses, bulls, rice paddies and salt pans.

Driving to or from Cassis you could go for the Route des Crêtes. This is very scenic drive along the dramtic coastline, and you get to see some of the famous calanques.

Close to Cassis you'll get to one of the best (maybe the very best) wine areas in Provence - Bandol. The wineries are located in the area around the city of Bandol. A visit to a winery is a great experience, if you book ahead they can probably give you a guided tour. I was a little difficult finding good info about visits to Bandol wineries in English, but there are some info here: http://theprovenceguide.com/food-and...s/bandol-wine/

If you are staying the night in Arles, you could do some research to see if there is any concerts of shows in the antique theatre.

Albatrost

StuDudley

If you visit Bandol (not one of my favorite cities), a winery there (fantastic wines & some very nice wineries), Cassis, Route des Cretes (beautiful) - you'll have to eliminate Antibes, considering there is also around 3 hrs of driving in the car on that day.

Remember the "bit slower" objective.

Stu Dudley

kakiebell

The pictures of the Route des Cretes looks very interesting. I will have to make a decision whether we do this or go straight to Cassis. Like I said, we cannot check into our B&B until 6 p.m. so we do have a lot of time to explore on Monday. Thank you Albatrost for bringing this to my attention and Stu, your continual wealth of information. My trip is starting to look so much better than trying to see too much with all the help of all the Fodorites.
I think we will have to see how much time we have the day we go to Aigues Mortes and if we can go to Carmague. It does sound very interesting. It would be a departure from the other places I will be on the rest of our vacation.
Thanks again for all your great suggestions.

StuDudley

The Route des Cretes isn't that much out of the way if you plan on visiting Cassis. However, the start of the route is a little difficult to find - so get a good map & research a lot before you head for it.

Do you have my 27 page Itinerary for Provence & Cote d'Azur???

Stu Dudley

kakiebell

Stu, yes I got your itinerary and it was very detailed but wonderful information. I wish I had two weeks or a month to explore Provence but after we do go, it might inspire me to go back again. I love Tuscany and I keep going back there but it is fun to explore a new region.
Stu, is there information in your itinerary regarding the Route des Cretes?

StuDudley

>>Stu, is there information in your itinerary regarding the Route des Cretes?<<

Yep

Stu Dudley

kakiebell

Would you mind sending me your itinerary again? I thought I saved it on my computer but like I said before, a new computer and I am in training!!
Many thanks.

StuDudley

I don't save anyone's e-mails. Request it again and make sure you identify yourself or request the Provence one. I get 3-8 requests for itineraries every day.

[email protected]

kakiebell

Stu, I forgot to give you my email address:
[email protected]
Thanks!