Provence - needs travel tips
 

My parents are going to Provence in a few days time. My father is a photographer who travels all over the world. Normally they go with a group but this time only him and my mom. They are in their mid-sixties and live in Hong Kong. I am trying to get them to see the best area in Provence and enjoy the scenery and food. If there are any special places they should see pls let me know. someone recommend Gordes . They can stay at B&B or Relais and Chateuax castles.(No budget)It is difficult to get information here so I appreciate for any information.They are planning to stay 1 week in Provence area. <BR>

Hi Lee, <BR> <BR>I'm not an expert on Provence, however I was planning to go to that area this past May. My plans changed, so I missed seeing Provence. <BR> <BR>My plans for that area was to take the train from Paris and stay in Avignon. It's a centrally located town with good transportation. My plans included renting a car to enjoy the country side and towns such as Arles, Orange, Nimes, Aix, Gordes, and places in-between. And I planned to visit some vinyards. This part of France should been seen by car. If you email me directly, I can at least get you the hotel name and address in Avignon where I was going to stay. <BR> <BR>

The French Government Tourist Offices has a great web site: www.francetourism.com. This should give you lots of info. <BR> <BR>Hope your folks have a great time.

Spent two weeks in Provence last month. Highlights were stays in Bonnieux at the Bastide de Capelongue (just this year became a member of Relais & Chateaux) which is a great location for seeing the Luberon region of Provence. Close to such great sights as Rousillon, Gordes, Lourmarin, the Fontaine de Vaucluse and LOTS more things. Beautiful views down to Bonnieux and its old church, excellent food and a friendly staff. We also spent two days in Aix, but actually prefer the countryside to cities. Our other favorite was the Bastide de Moustiers in Moustiers Ste. Marie--the scenery there is incredible. We especially enjoyed the picnic they packed for us to take to the Gorge du Verdon. From there it would also be an easy drive down to the Mediterranean if they wanted to see that part of Provence as well.

As a photographer, your father will probably love Roussillon - worth a whole roll of film! The colors are spectacular!

I rented a house in Provance 2 summers ago and totally fell in love with the area round Aix. The house was in a tiny village half an hour´s drive off Aix . The must thing to do i s go and see a local bull fight, where the bull is not slaughtered but the men try to rip off bows tied at its horns at the risk of their own lives. <BR>

Distances are not bad at all in the Provence region. Whether one stays in Arles, Nimes, Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, or several other places, the entire region is easily accessible with a car. <BR>Les Baux is fascinating, the Camargue is worth a visit, and the Gorges du Verdon can eat up some film too. The number of other places to visit is endless - to fill up one week is not a problem in Provence!

My husband and I just returned from a week in Provence on Monday. Villages that we particularly enjoyed were Venasque, Bonnieux, Oppede le Vieux, and Lourmarin. None are too tourisy, which we found to be a large drawback at Gordes. Roussillon is indeed worth a stop, particularly to hike the Ochre Trail, with its amazing colors ranging from gold to rust. A very special tip for your father, the photographer: our favorite hotel by far was the Hotel Les Ateliers de L'Image (I'll check on the name, but they have a Web site at www.hotelphoto.com) in St. Remy. It's just been open a year and is in the town's former movie house/music conservatory. In addition to being an exquisite hotel with 20 or so rooms (yet very reasonable--600 FF a night), there are photo exhibits in the huge, sweeping lobby, mini-eXhibitions in the rooms, and a black and white darkroom and other facilities. The staff was extremely friendly and speak excellent English. It's right downtown, yet very quiet, and some rooms have views of the Alpilles. There is a beautiful heated pool and sun lounge. I can't recommend this highly enough--found it through a small blurb in Travel and Leisure earlier this year. Let me know if you have any additional questions!

I cannot thank you all enough for the advise. I'll keep reading this column in case more inputs. Thanks, <BR> <BR>Lee