Small Group Trips and Getaways for 2024
Planning to travel? Sometimes you want to go it alone...other times the fun and ease of a group trip seems like a better choice. I'm often asked if I can recommend any great getaways to Provence and it's a pleasure to suggest the ones below for 2024. I've chosen these in particular because I know the tour operator, host or guides well...or I think the itinerary is superb...or my clients have taken the tour and raved about it! Whether you call them group trips, tours, vacations, escapes, packages or retreats...these tour operators have done all the heavy lifting so all you have to do is show up. If you're interested in any of the following, let's discuss!
--Julie (WhatToDoinProvence@gmail.com)
Making Friends and Memories in Provence
Sept 2 to 14, 2024
For ten years now, this best-selling Canadian author has invited women of all ages to travel with her to her favorite places in the South of France. This 12-day tour (with just one hotel change) combines active and leisure time and loosely follows in the footsteps of the beloved characters in her set-in-Provence books. But even if you’ve never read even one of her books, you’ll have unforgettable experiences and almost certainly forge lasting friendships; your host knows how to create the perfect esprit de corps and many of her guests have returned multiple times. Be surrounded by the beauty of the Côte d’Azur and Provence as you spend six days based in Nice and then move on to Arles, with a stop for lunch and a Cezanne walking tour in Aix. Day trips (drive time less than an hour) will take you to some of the most exquisite villages and towns…with history that comes alive in the enticing cobblestone streets. Explore, shop, walk in the footsteps of Fitzgerald, Van Gogh and other masters. Experience the Camargue (including a vineyard) and enjoy fine dining (all breakfasts and 10 dinners included). And there’s much more so just ask! Group size is 14 max. Pricing: 5675€ single / 5125€ per person twin occupancy.
A Cooking Vacation in Wine Country
May 6 to 11, 2024
May 20 to 25, 2024 (Fully booked, waiting list only)
September 30 to October 5, 2024 (Fully booked, waiting list only)
October 14 to 19, 2024
In the middle of an organic vineyard, in the shadow of the magnificent Mont Ventoux, this five-day cooking vacation will feed you body and soul. Your host is a passionate Canadian-born chef, who gathered culinary knowledge from around the globe before settling down in this storied wine region of Provence, where she has lived and worked since 2013. Her first endeavor, an organic food truck, developed into this popular residential cooking program, where classes focus primarily on ingredients: high quality, local, fresh and organic. From there, you’ll learn how to develop layers of flavor, balancing them to bring out the best in every dish. When you’re not in class, there will be time for swimming (or a poolside glass of rosé), tennis and nature walks…this region is gorgeous! After class, everyone gathers on the bucolic, shaded terrace to savor the creations of the day paired with perfect wines from this very vineyard, nearby famous Southern Rhône wine villages or elsewhere in France. Class size is six people max and companions are welcome. All rooms are en suite. Prices: €4000 per student based on double occupancy; €5500 per student single occupancy; €6400 for one student sharing with non-cooking companion.
Adventures in Provence
Departure Dates from April thru October, 2024
This American-owned company, specializing in active tour travel exclusively in France, offers fully escorted six-day, five-night group tours in Provence created by the owner (a tour operator, travel author and photographer who holds dual French/US nationality and has been living in France for 30 years) and her team of charming local, English-speaking American and French guides. (They won the LUX 2019 Tourism Award for Boutique French Tour Operator of the Year.) The itinerary is designed to cater to both walkers and non-walkers alike by offering guided cultural excursions for guests not participating in scheduled walks. You’ll discover some of France’s most beautiful villages and historical sites, walk Provence country trails, dine at home in a private Provence farmhouse, visit artisan food producers and craftsmen, learn about Van Gogh’s presence in Provence, see gorgeous Cassis and the Calanques, and enjoy a mix of celebrity bistro and Michelin-starred restaurants. You’ll experience three of the most-beautiful areas of Provence — the Alpilles, the Luberon, the Mediterranean Coast — and return each evening to your charming boutique hotel with pool in the heart of the village of St. Remy. For those who wish to arrive early or stay on, we’re happy to help you with planning. Max # of guests per trip is 16. 2024 Prices: $5,298 p/p based on double/twin occupancy; single supplement $740. 2024 Dates: April 30-May 5, May 7-12, May 9-14, May 14-19, May 21-26, May 28-June 2, June 4-9, June 11-16, June 18-23, June 25-30, July 2-7, July 9-14, July 16-21, July 23-28, August 27 – September 1, September 3-8, September 10-15, September 17-22, September 24-29, October 1-6, October 8-13. (Code CD)
Cooking, Antiquing and More
April 20 to 25, 2024 (Ladies tour, two spots left)
November 16 to 21, 2024 (Open to anyone)
A popular Provence cooking school owner has teamed up with a Texas-based designer and broker of French antiques to host two five-night tours of Provence. These are small group tours (eight guests max) and you’ll stay in a boutique hotel in the historic center of St. Remy. The tour includes several cooking classes, antique shopping in beloved brocante shops, wine tastings, quaint village visits and outdoor markets. Also, there’s down time for relaxing on your own; spend it hiking, biking, having a spa treatment or just chilling in a cafe watching the world go by. Your hosts will accompany all daily excursions, sharing their favorite places including restaurants they love. The first tour (ladies only) is April 20 to 25. The second tour (men welcome) is November 16 to 21 and includes special olive-harvest activities such as olive picking and a picnic. Pricing: $5600 USD single occupancy (private room); $5350 double (shared room).
A Magical Week in the Luberon
May 18 – 25, 2024
May 25 – June 1, 2024 (Women’s Week)
September 21 – 28, 2024
September 28 – October 5, 2024 (Women’s Week)
This award-winning small group tour is led by an American woman with a second home in the beautiful Luberon. She has welcomed small groups of 10-14 travelers for more than 18 years, drawing on her extensive knowledge of the area and relationships with locals. The authentic village of Bonnieux is the perfect base to experience the best of Provence, based in a charming small hotel. This seven-night trip includes nearby perched villages, colorful outdoor markets, wineries, countryside walks, and memorable meals in a variety of settings. Much more than a sightseeing trip…it’s designed to be a true experience in the lifestyle of Provence. Ideal for couples, small groups of friends and family, and solo travelers.
Price: $3,700 USD/per person, double occupancy. $4,200 USD single occupancy of a double room.
A Week on the Mediterranean Coast
April 26 – May 3, 2024
June 7 – 14, 2024 (Women’s Week)
September 6 – 13, 2024
Enjoy a week exploring the beautiful Mediterranean coastline of Southern France, between Marseille and Saint Tropez. This seven-night, small-group trip is led by an American woman living in Provence (a food and wine expert) and focuses on the protected, lesser-known western area of the French Riviera, where “la mer” meets “la terre.” The landscape features a mix of natural Provence forests, rocky cliffs, coastal paths, discreet sandy coves, and the azur blue sea. The group bases in the colorful seaside town of Bandol and enjoys a variety of experiences including visits to coastal villages and vineyards, day trips to Marseille and Toulon, boat trips to enjoy the spectacular scenery, and much more. Ideal for couples, small groups of friends and family, and solo travelers. Price: $4,100 USD per person double occupancy; $4,550 USD single occupancy of a double room.
Rambling in the Riviera Hills
May 18 – 25, 2024 (Women’s Week)
May 25 – June 1, 2024 (Women’s Week)
Experience the foothills behind the famous French Riviera, offering a very different ambiance from the glitzy beaches of the Riviera. The backcountry of the Côte d'Azur is bathed in sunshine and carpeted in olive groves. The protected micro-climate favors temperate plant species and flowers of all kinds, important for the perfume industry. Based for the week in a charming hotel in an authentic village near Grasse, this trip includes visits to perched villages and lush gardens, a special day focused on art and artists, an excursion by boat to an offshore island, food-related experiences and much more. This seven-night, small-group trip is hosted by an American woman who lives in Provence and is passionate about this region and its food and wine. Ideal for couples, small groups of friends and family, and solo travelers. Price: $4,100 USD per person double occupancy; $4,550 USD single occupancy of a double room.
Magical Provence
June 15 - 24, 2024
There's something magical about the combination of fields of lavender and sunflowers, a glass of cool rosé on a warm summer evening, markets full of gorgeous produce and local delicacies...and medieval towns with cobblestone streets so perfectly preserved that you expect a knight in shining armor to appear just around the bend. This is the Provence that the owners of this multi-award-winning company fell in love with over a decade ago and are now sharing with small groups of guests. The vision, the owner says, was to curate an itinerary with “everything you dream about when you dream of visiting Provence--the scenery that inspired Cezanne and Van Gogh, VIP tastings in historic wineries, a cooking lesson with a private chef, truffle hunting, chocolate & wine pairing, an immersive art experience in a one-of-a-kind setting or relaxing poolside in the middle of a vineyard, just outside your room at the chateau.” Lodging is seven nights in a privatized winery château near Châteauneuf-du-Pape and two nights in a four-star boutique hotel in Avignon. Great for couples, solos, friends; group size is 14 max. Another tour with the same company (see Sip & Savor Provence just below) is June 6-15; each has a unique itinerary so you can sign on to both, back-to-back! Price:$5570 USD pp, double occupancy. Single supplement for either trip is $1000. (Code RB)
Sip & Savor Provence
June 6 - 15, 2024
Imagine living like royalty in a château, enjoying gourmet meals from your own private chef and blending the perfect wine at a private wine workshop in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Now stop dreaming and start packing because this could be your Provence dreamcation! Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site called Pont Du Gard, an ancient Roman aqueduct bridge from the 1st century, and get private access to the top. Gaze over the stunning pink and purple salt ponds of Le Salins d’Aigues Mortes (The Salt Works) in the Carmargue and learn about the salt production here which dates to antiquity. Take advantage of fabulous photo ops in Provence's famous lavender and sunflower fields and enjoy a travel sketchbook journal workshop led by a local artist. Sip like a sommelier during wine and spirit tastings and workshops...and of course savor the freshest local products during gourmet picnics in the vineyards, multi-course wine-paired meals, a private cooking class and a Michelin-starred pairing dinner. Other activities include biking around the Île de la Barthelasse (you'll see the 14th-c. Palais du Papes across the Rhone River) and meandering through colorful outdoor markets. This 10-day/9-night tour begins with 2 nights in an Avignon boutique hotel followed by 7 nights in a privatized winery château near Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Great for couples, solos, friends; group size is 14 max. Another another tour with the same company (see Magical Provence just above) is June 15-24; each tour has a unique itinerary so you can sign on to both, back-to-back! Price: $5570 USD pp, double occupancy. Single supplement for either trip is $1000. Roommate pairing may be possible. (Code RB)
To Provence With Love
May 5 - 14, 2024
June 2 - 11, 2024
Sept 8 - 17, 2024
Oct 13 - 22, 2024
Special Holiday Journey: Dec 4 - 11, 2024
The owner of this company is a Connecticut-based guide with years of experience hosting small groups (10 guests or less) in Provence. These intimate tours are designed to immerse you in French culture...to whisk you away down back roads to some of the most spectacular cities and villages such as Aix, St. Rémy, Nice, Cassis, Les Baux, Eze, etc. For 10 days and 9 nights, soak up the irresistible beauty and culture of Southern France! After breakfast, you might find yourself cruising on the French Riviera and that same afternoon exploring the small vineyards of inland Provence. You'll experience a French cooking class with an English-speaking chef, explore the streets where Van Gogh, Cézanne and Chagall once walked, wander through an 11th-century fortress in Les Baux and visit the famous Carrieres des Lumieres (a former quarry with an art-based multimedia light show). In Saint-Paul-de-Vence, you'll delight in a private visit with Sonia Godet (4th generation perfume maker) at the Maison Godet Perfumery. If shopping for antiques, French gifts and street food thrills you, you'll be treated to three of southern France’s best outdoor markets...in Aix, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue and Sanary-sur-Mer. And we'll cruise on the Mediterranean to the famous Calanques, one of the most beautiful natural wonders of Provence. Take a break to unwind, refresh and reinvigorate…and nurture your soul in the beauty of Southern France. Price includes: full breakfasts, lodging in 4-star hotels, entry into all advertised activities, transport in private van with English-speaking driver/guide, welcome dinner and logo market bag. Price: $6,999, single occupancy. Double occupancy available upon request. (Code DP)
A Taste of Provence
June 6- June 13, 2024
June 15- June 22, 2024
Hosted by a French-born, US-based tour operator with 25+ years experience escorting groups throughout Europe and Latin America, these luxury 8 day/7night small-group trips (6 guests max) focus on the food, wine and culture of Provence. Cooking classes at the homes of local chefs, shopping at outdoor markets, gourmet walking tours, winery tours and exclusive visits to artisanal purveyors and producers are combined with visits to the charming hill towns of the Luberon and to historic sites in Avignon, Les Baux de Provence and more. Brush up and practice your French at the optional breakfast "table ronde" conversation sessions. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and the perfect balance between planned activities and leisure time. Stay at an elegant boutique hotel and dine from the menu with wine at authentic restaurants inaccessible to larger groups. Leisure time for shopping and experiencing the rhythm of Provençal life. Clients have said "If you've ever considered culinary tourism, this will be the trip of your dreams. Excellence at every turn!" and "There's attention to every single detail. Once you begin your tour, you will not need to be concerned about anything. Yours will be a trip of a lifetime, for sure." These trips are perfect for friends, couples and singles...and fill up quickly. Price (includes everything except travel to the Avignon starting point): $6900pp,(5% discount if booked by 8/31/2023) with no single supplements. (Code MBP)
Everyday Extraordinary Provence
May 11 - 18, 2024 (Waiting list only)
September 7-14, 2024
September 14-21, 2024
Live the French way…everyday! If you're a decor aficionado, creative traveler, or devotee of French style, this tour is for you—a week of design discovery, treasure-hunting, traditional Provençal crafts, history, and of course, exceptional food & wine! Immerse yourself in exclusive excursions, private workshops, and market visits--and then return to a fabulous mas in the heart of Provence at the end of day. Think drinks & nibbles on the terrace, followed by leisurely dinners catered by a private chef, with conversation as inviting and inspiring as the food. Your hosts are American design experts/tour guides with 10+ years of experience leading design-focused tours in Provence. 8 day / 7 night tours are kept deliberately small; capping at 6-7 people. Feed your wanderlust and stretch your creative wings! $5600 single occupancy with ensuite baths. (Code DB)
Fine-Art Photo Portraiture Workshop
Sept 7 to 14, 2024 (three spots left)
Spend a week working with two award-winning fine-art photographers, creating beautiful portraits in majestic locations across Provence. Visit antique sellers and farmer’s markets; taste local cuisine; have private access to some of the region’s hidden treasures; and practice mindfulness/meditation in ways sure to elevate your creativity. With local models, vintage clothing and antiques--using villages, châteaux and fields as your backdrop…you’ll see your portraits soar from good to extraordinary. Learn about lighting (including light modifiers and small, portable flashes), wardrobe, model selection and direction, location selection, post-processing and more…to create deeply moving portraits. Everyone stays in a private home with pool, just north of the antiques village of Isle sur la Sorgue, surrounded by acres of gardens and groves. You’ll be walking distance to Velleron with its famous farm market and have plenty of time to shoot, shop, eat and explore. Create beautiful photos, fine-tune your vision and technique…and return home refreshed and invigorated, with a full heart. Group is 8 people max. Dates: Sept 7 to 14, 2024. Price: Private room with en-suite bathroom 4400€ per person (sold out). Private room with shared bath 4200€ per person.
A Cooks Tour
Available various weekends throughout 2024
This immersive food-and-market experience will give you a taste of real Provence, with two top local chefs (originally from the UK) as your hosts. Nestled amongst the sun-drenched orchards, olive groves and vineyards of St. Remy, their warm and welcoming B&B (in a 19th-century stone farmhouse) sits just over 1 km from the village center. The old mas once produced herbs and flowers for market but now it’s a relaxed and homey table d’hôte, with a large beautiful garden, a gorgeous country kitchen, a big terrace for outdoor dining and two en suite guest rooms: one with a roof terrace and apricot-orchard view; the other opening out on to the terrace and garden. The idea here is that you’ll spend the weekend doing what the hosts themselves do when they’re off work…and what they love to do when friends come to visit: marketing, antiquing, site-seeing, restaurants, cooking, drinking and long dinners under the stars. Included are two informal cooking classes called cooking “experiences” because while there will definitely be instruction, the chefs like the vibe to be more like friends cooking and learning together. All meals are provided including the evening meal at the mas on arrival day, 2 meals as part of your cooking experiences, 2 restaurant meals and 3 breakfasts! Also included are 2 market visits in gorgeous nearby villages with transportation (one food market, one antiques/brocante market)…and 3 nights lodging. You’ll be involved in all menu planning, with the emphasis on locally grown Provençal produce, and get recipes for everything to take home. Come solo, as a couple, with a friend or with another couple; group size is four people max. 2024 Price: €1265 per person (single) or €2100 (total for two sharing a room). Available: Most weekends year round, except in December.
Completely Custom
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Left and right photos courtesy of France off the Beaten Path Tours