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"You will understand that nature in the South cannot be painted with the palette... of the North. But by intensifying all the colours one arrives once again at quietude and harmony. There occurs in nature something similar to what happens in Wagner's music, which, though played by a big orchestra, is nonetheless intimate..." Van Gogh's words seem to define the South. Provence begins somewhere in the Rhône valley, “somewhere between Vienne and Valence,” usually described by the changing vegetation. Indeed if there is one thing that characterizes Provence to the modern traveller it is food, for here northern staples are unknown and peaches and almonds replace hard fruit, olive oil substitutes for butter and cheese is made from the goat’s milk not the cow’s: in Ford Madox Ford’s words here “there is no more any evil, for ... the apple will not flourish and the brussels sprout will not grow at all.” Provence seems cut off from the rest of France. It is France in the Italian or Spanish style. Stendhal thought Avignon Italian and others have compared the region to Greece and even Africa. Yet it is still undeniably French. The love of food and romance, tempered by the exotic influences of the mediterranean cultures, still speak the language of France. These six scenes represent the very finest walking in this extraordinary place. Mountains, ridges, vineyards and garrigue, all set against the backdrop of three of the noblest towns in the region combine to offer an unforgettable week. Itinerary Day 1. Arrive Marseille and transfer to Avignon our base for the next three nights in an excellent centrally located hotel. Day 2. Our first walk takes us north to the magical peaks of the Dentelles du Montmirail. Here we walk through the vineyards of the southern Côtes du Rhône towards Gigondas which we reach after a breathtaking walk along the peaks of the 'lacy' Montmirail limestone ridge. Day 3. This morning we drive west into the hill country near the river Gardon. After walking along the river we come to the magnificent Pont du Gard and we can follow part of the aqueduct into the surrounding hills. Overnight Avignon. Day 4. We drive east to to start our walk up and over the great plateau of the Vaucluse and down to the superb Cistercian monastery of Sénanque. From here we continue to the magnificent perched town of Gordes. Continue by vehicle to St-Rémy-de-Provence where we spend the next two nights. Overnight St-Rémy. Day 5. We set off south onto the fine ridge of the Alpilles, scene of many of Van Gogh's later works, which we follow eastwards in an exhilarating walk. After lunch we continue to the village of Eyguières from where we return to St-Rémy, still a haunt of painters. Overnight St-Rémy. Day 6. We drive to the east to a deserted medieval village from where we climb high over the Lubéron ridge to later descend to the Durance valley, down the dramatic Gorges de Régalon if the weather permits. We drive on to our hotel set in the centre of Aix-en-Provence where we spend the last two nights. Overnight Aix-en-Provence. Day 7. A superb last day's walk leads over the Montagne Sainte Victoire, pausing to take in the scenery so memorable from the works of Cézanne. We later return to Aix-en-Provence by road. Day 8. We return to Marseille airport today. We stay in some of the best hotels in the region. Avignon - 4 star hotel located in a beautiful mansion with a city centre location. St-Rémy-de-Provence - 4 star château hotel outside the village. Aix-en-Provence - 3 star converted monastery. Maximum number of walkers 16.
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