Insider Trips
AMY KRIESCHER AMBASSADOR TO PROVENCE
RH
PROVENCE Classic
ON
fragrances, delicious flavors and living history. Bright red poppies, purple grapes and limestone cliffs catch your eye. Full-bodied wines and rich olive oils tantalize your taste buds. And the scent of lavender soothes your soul. Among ancient stone walls, you can feel the past come to life as local experts share fascinating insights into traditions past and present. Your joie de vivre continues into night as you relax in luxurious Backroads retreats and experience haute cuisine in true French style – seated outside on terraces or in lavish dining rooms, and savoring every bite. Fall under the spell of Provence and learn to perfect l’art de vivre.
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Open 7 days a week, 7–5 PT
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COTES DU RHONE WINES
>
VAN GOGH’S ASYLUM
>
PETER MAYLE HAUNTS
>
LES ALPILLES
BagnolsSur-Ceze
Port du Gard
R E RIVE
Slow your pace and enliven your senses on this Insider journey through Provence’s landscape of vibrant colors, intoxicating
Gordes Avignon Roussillon LU B E R O N M OU N
DURANCE
St-Remy-de-Provence
SAVOIR VIVRE Embrace the calming tempo of Provence, where neighbors catch up while buying bread at the boulangerie or during a leisurely round of pétanque. Enjoy seasonal produce grown right at your doorstep, and use the phrases your Trip Leader taught you to connect with locals – though no words are needed to feel part of the Provençal life. GIFTS FROM THE EARTH Uncover the secrets of Provençal cuisine in private visits to mills and wineries. Sample sultry Côtes du Rhônes while Rodolphe de Pins shares winemaking anecdotes at his 11th-century château. Delight in fresh olive oils as Moulin du Calanquet’s charming Anne Brun explains olive cultivation (a 2,500-year-old tradition) and oil production. PORTAL TO THE PAST Step back in time as you stand on the Pont du Gard, built by the Romans 2,000 years ago – without mortar! Discover what lies behind the walls of Avignon as Francesca Anzilotto describes its intriguing papal history. Explore the medieval synagogue at Carpentras. And learn how the history of Roussillon has been shaped by its stunning ocher deposits. Our expert guides skillfully tie tales of the past to the Provence of today.
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ROMAN RUINS
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AN ARTIST’S MUSE Provence has drawn painters and writers for centuries. Witness the magical light that inspired Cézanne, Picasso and Gauguin. Stroll the same streets as Chagall. Visit the Saint-Rémy asylum where van Gogh stayed after the ear incident – then walk with local expert Marie-Charlotte Bouton to see the views that inspired Irises and Starry Night. And everywhere, watch the pages of Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence come to life. STRIKING SCENERY Rhône Valley vineyards
and Roman ruins around historic Avignon. The limestone ridges of the Alpilles, dotted with pear, apple and cherry trees, along with olive groves and fields of tomatoes and eggplants. The quiet, green hills of the Gard. And the Lubéron’s medieval villages on rocky outcrops. A FEAST FOR THE SENSES Revel in the sun’s warmth and the wine cellar’s cool earth. Lose yourself in lively open-air marchés, creating picnics of juicy tomatoes, saucisson sec and freshly baked baguette with tapenade and goat cheese. Shop for colorful pottery and fabrics while breathing in aromas of chocolate and honey. And as you sip wine on a château patio, feel very glad that life has brought you here.
SUN-BAKED OLIVE GROVES
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PREMIERE INNS LES ATELIERS DE L’IMAGE St-Rémy-de-Provence (2 nights): Located in the center of St-Rémy, this sophisticated four-star hotel is a showcase of streamlined postmodern décor. The property, once a photography studio, has a gallery and private collection, and offers photo workshops. Also worth a visit are its expansive garden and gorgeous pool. CHATEAU DE MONTCAUD Bagnols-sur-Cèze (1 night): This Relais & Châteaux country retreat, set on 11 acres of peaceful exclusive parkland, is a beautifully restored Second Empire estate. In addition to well-appointed rooms and excellent service, this hotel features tennis courts, a sauna, outdoor swimming pool and excellent regional cuisine served in the warm months on an inviting patio. LA BASTIDE DE GORDES Gordes (2 nights): Sitting within an incredible 12th-century fortress, this luxurious hotel offers spacious rooms, a full-service Daniel Jouvance spa and spectacular views of the Lubéron Valley. Take a dip in the dramatic outdoor pool that overlooks the ramparts, sip a glass of rosé on the cozy terrace or visit the hotel’s private wine cellar.
A FRIENDLY GAME OF PÉTANQUE
Amy, a veteran Backroads Trip Leader and our Provence Regional Expert, makes her home in Pernes-les-Fontaines. But if you spotted her en route to the local Saturday market, you’d never guess that she’s an American who grew up in a renovated oneroom schoolhouse (complete with a hand water pump) in Potsdam, New York. To say that Amy has adopted a Provençal lifestyle would be an understatement. Through her years in Provence, she’s tracked down the region’s most knowledgeable residents to build her expertise and used her studies in language and history to bridge the cultural divide. Amy’s Insider trips reflect a key lesson she’s learned firsthand: “There’s no better way to get to know Provence than slowly, using all of your senses.”
DETAILS PREMIERE INNS Length: 6 days, 5 nights Meet/Depart: Avignon, France Price: $4,298 to $4,698 pp dbl. occ. 2008 Departure Dates Classic Trips: May 12, 26, June 9, September 15, 22, 29
Call or see the Web for a detailed itinerary.
800-462-2848 • www.backroads.com
19
RH
PROVENCE Classic
ON
fragrances, delicious flavors and living history. Bright red poppies, purple grapes and limestone cliffs catch your eye. Full-bodied wines and rich olive oils tantalize your taste buds. And the scent of lavender soothes your soul. Among ancient stone walls, you can feel the past come to life as local experts share fascinating insights into traditions past and present. Your joie de vivre continues into night as you relax in luxurious Backroads retreats and experience haute cuisine in true French style – seated outside on terraces or in lavish dining rooms, and savoring every bite. Fall under the spell of Provence and learn to perfect l’art de vivre.
18
Open 7 days a week, 7–5 PT
>
COTES DU RHONE WINES
>
VAN GOGH’S ASYLUM
>
PETER MAYLE HAUNTS
>
LES ALPILLES
BagnolsSur-Ceze
Port du Gard
R E RIVE
Slow your pace and enliven your senses on this Insider journey through Provence’s landscape of vibrant colors, intoxicating
Gordes Avignon Roussillon LU B E R O N M OU N
DURANCE
St-Remy-de-Provence
SAVOIR VIVRE Embrace the calming tempo of Provence, where neighbors catch up while buying bread at the boulangerie or during a leisurely round of pétanque. Enjoy seasonal produce grown right at your doorstep, and use the phrases your Trip Leader taught you to connect with locals – though no words are needed to feel part of the Provençal life. GIFTS FROM THE EARTH Uncover the secrets of Provençal cuisine in private visits to mills and wineries. Sample sultry Côtes du Rhônes while Rodolphe de Pins shares winemaking anecdotes at his 11th-century château. Delight in fresh olive oils as Moulin du Calanquet’s charming Anne Brun explains olive cultivation (a 2,500-year-old tradition) and oil production. PORTAL TO THE PAST Step back in time as you stand on the Pont du Gard, built by the Romans 2,000 years ago – without mortar! Discover what lies behind the walls of Avignon as Francesca Anzilotto describes its intriguing papal history. Explore the medieval synagogue at Carpentras. And learn how the history of Roussillon has been shaped by its stunning ocher deposits. Our expert guides skillfully tie tales of the past to the Provence of today.
>
ROMAN RUINS
>
AN ARTIST’S MUSE Provence has drawn painters and writers for centuries. Witness the magical light that inspired Cézanne, Picasso and Gauguin. Stroll the same streets as Chagall. Visit the Saint-Rémy asylum where van Gogh stayed after the ear incident – then walk with local expert Marie-Charlotte Bouton to see the views that inspired Irises and Starry Night. And everywhere, watch the pages of Peter Mayle’s A Year in Provence come to life. STRIKING SCENERY Rhône Valley vineyards
and Roman ruins around historic Avignon. The limestone ridges of the Alpilles, dotted with pear, apple and cherry trees, along with olive groves and fields of tomatoes and eggplants. The quiet, green hills of the Gard. And the Lubéron’s medieval villages on rocky outcrops. A FEAST FOR THE SENSES Revel in the sun’s warmth and the wine cellar’s cool earth. Lose yourself in lively open-air marchés, creating picnics of juicy tomatoes, saucisson sec and freshly baked baguette with tapenade and goat cheese. Shop for colorful pottery and fabrics while breathing in aromas of chocolate and honey. And as you sip wine on a château patio, feel very glad that life has brought you here.
SUN-BAKED OLIVE GROVES
>
RIV
TA I
NS
ER
PREMIERE INNS LES ATELIERS DE L’IMAGE St-Rémy-de-Provence (2 nights): Located in the center of St-Rémy, this sophisticated four-star hotel is a showcase of streamlined postmodern décor. The property, once a photography studio, has a gallery and private collection, and offers photo workshops. Also worth a visit are its expansive garden and gorgeous pool. CHATEAU DE MONTCAUD Bagnols-sur-Cèze (1 night): This Relais & Châteaux country retreat, set on 11 acres of peaceful exclusive parkland, is a beautifully restored Second Empire estate. In addition to well-appointed rooms and excellent service, this hotel features tennis courts, a sauna, outdoor swimming pool and excellent regional cuisine served in the warm months on an inviting patio. LA BASTIDE DE GORDES Gordes (2 nights): Sitting within an incredible 12th-century fortress, this luxurious hotel offers spacious rooms, a full-service Daniel Jouvance spa and spectacular views of the Lubéron Valley. Take a dip in the dramatic outdoor pool that overlooks the ramparts, sip a glass of rosé on the cozy terrace or visit the hotel’s private wine cellar.
A FRIENDLY GAME OF PÉTANQUE
Amy, a veteran Backroads Trip Leader and our Provence Regional Expert, makes her home in Pernes-les-Fontaines. But if you spotted her en route to the local Saturday market, you’d never guess that she’s an American who grew up in a renovated oneroom schoolhouse (complete with a hand water pump) in Potsdam, New York. To say that Amy has adopted a Provençal lifestyle would be an understatement. Through her years in Provence, she’s tracked down the region’s most knowledgeable residents to build her expertise and used her studies in language and history to bridge the cultural divide. Amy’s Insider trips reflect a key lesson she’s learned firsthand: “There’s no better way to get to know Provence than slowly, using all of your senses.”
DETAILS PREMIERE INNS Length: 6 days, 5 nights Meet/Depart: Avignon, France Price: $4,298 to $4,698 pp dbl. occ. 2008 Departure Dates Classic Trips: May 12, 26, June 9, September 15, 22, 29
Call or see the Web for a detailed itinerary.
800-462-2848 • www.backroads.com
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