My daughter & I are planning a 2 week getaway to the lavender fields of France. We realize that September will be the harvest (hopefully) - and are wondering if anyone can recommend a great B & B in the Forcalquier area. Also, my daughter seems to think we can make a day trip from there into Italy and also a day trip into the tip of Spain - is this feasable? Any other helpful info you can pass along would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Kathy

Alas, the harvest is in August.

...and those day trips are unrealistic, alas.

If you like to drive and don't mind a bit of time (depending on where you end up) in the car - you could do a day trip to either on of those places. I probably wouldn't do both countries, but might pick one of the countries and spend time getting there and stay one night. In reverse, I would use the driving time to drive along the coast and enjoy your time together on the road.

A day trip into Spain or Italy really isn't a good idea unless you plan to visit Provence for 2-3 weeks or more, IMO.

It's about a 5 hr very boring drive to Girona/Costa Brava in Spain - the first place in Spain that might be as interesting as places you might leavd behind in Provence if you'll only be there 1 week or less. So if you leave at 8am, you'll get to Girona at 1 - when everything is closed for lunch. Shops open again around 3. If you visit Girona for 3 hrs, that means you'll leave at 6 and get back to Provence at 11PM.

Same for Italy - a trip to San Remo is 3 1/2 hrs, and believe me - you'll be passing by lots of more intersting places than San Remo getting there - the Riveria in France.

Don't do it.

Stu Dudley

There is far too much to do in Provence in two weeks. The other destinations are no where near as charming as Provence and the French Riveria . You may want to think of staying in two different gites--one near Avingnon, Uzes, Pont du Gard etc, and one week in the Luberon area. Gites are the way to travel. Self catering is the way to go-cook if you want, sleep in, make lunches and relax. Have a good trip, but do explore renting an apartment, house or whatever is appealing. Do the other places as another vacation.

Do you have a suggestion on good websites to look for Gites in the areas you recommended?

There are many rental agencies in the Provence area. Two that I like are VRBO Provence and www.gite.com. You can also google and find scads of site.

Thanks for all of your help!