Time to dream of tomorrow
It was a difficult year. We may have booked our vacation and seen our hopes dashed due to border closures and travel restrictions. The recent resurgence of virus outbreaks and the possibility that advice may change in a case has all but destroyed most people's hope of spending time abroad.
Of course, it is difficult. However, what a great opportunity to dream of a better future! While 2020 will always be remembered as the year we stayed home, 2021 could be the time when you discover places of breathtaking beauty, culture and culinary delights. 2021 should be the year you will find your Provence again.
Let's put some flesh on this skeleton of an idea. Our only hope here is to help you imagine your getaway and help you travel in your imagination. Then, when the perfect vacation is designed, you can go book and start anticipating a better future.
Hiking in the CalanquesSit comfortably in your armchair and imagine starting your vacation amidst the narrow coves and towering cliff-side rock formations. The sea is crisp around your toes but as clear as crystal. You will then climb through narrow rocky paths to admire the view of the bays. If a day of hiking is wearing you out, the second day could be a boat trip and the third day a gentle kayak on the coast. You could spend a day at some of the resorts among the other tourists before hiring bikes to get away from the crowds - looking for a private entrance.
This vacation would be a perfect spring trip. If you wait to go in summer, you might be upset with bans due to the risk of fire. It is also too hot in this region of the south of France to properly walk the many trails available to you.
City jumpProvence is full of some of the prettiest cities in the world. There are so many places you could go to stay or visit for a while before moving on. Take the example of Eze, near Nice. This small town is perched on the side of a hill that overlooks the beautiful coastline. The medieval streets are narrow and there are nooks and crannies to explore for several weeks. You can stand still and soak up the slow pace of Provençal life in this beautiful location.
Alternatively, you might want to hop from town to town. Visit the seaside village of Cassis and visit the coves by boat, admire the incredible ancient architecture of Oppède Le Vieux, spend a peaceful day by the fountains of Pernes Les Fountaines or enjoy a glass of wine in Pernes at sunset or strolling around the superb architecture of Avigon.
If you want to discover the lavender fields of Provence then starting with Siamiane-La-Rotonde and moving on to Sault and Aurel, you will enjoy the best of the experiences of the region. Not only can you bask in the beauty of the fields, but also visit wonderful little cafes.
Find your jewelProvence may be one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations, but there are still delights to be had in finding your hidden gem. There are many small villages, towns and nooks and crannies off the well traveled trails to excite the possibility of so many adventures. So, today you could start your dream of finding your own corner in a quiet corner of Provence where other tourists choose never to venture.
We always like to visit Le Panier, near Marseille, for example. This area is a hub for arts and craftspeople, and because people think it's a place overrun with tourists, it's often quiet. This is a place where you can stroll through the many galleries and local designer shops by day and have an intimate candlelight dinner at one of the small local restaurants.
The Camargue is a unique region of Provence, generally visited by boaters who cross it. It is unlike anything you will find elsewhere in the area. You will fall in love with the wildlife, especially the surprisingly beautiful flamingos and white horses. You may also want to be careful to spot black bulls that frequently inhabit local fields.
Otherwise, look for Les Alpilles, which would be one of Van Gogh's favorite places. It is about 15 miles from Avignon, and the mountains and small villages will spoil you. There's a lot to explore, and it's a place you'll feel most comfortable renting a tiny villa and becoming native for a while.
Eat your way in ProvenceYou don't need any help imagining the possibilities of a wine tour in the south of France. We put it here as a souvenir of long evenings in the candlelit courtyards tasting the most delicious wines. Still, you might need more help considering a visit to some of the best food. Provencal cuisine is more than salade niçoise - there is much more to discover than that.
If a grocery store tour sounds like you, then we suggest you head to the Avignon region, where Sisteron's diet of fresh produce, fish and lamb, along with pâtés and pasta and olive oil soak with delight.
Go to Avignon and start your journey, not in the restaurants, but in the covered markets. You might walk into a shed, but inside you'll be overwhelmed by the smells, colors, and textures of foods of all kinds. Everything will be tempting, with the abundance of local specialties - from hanging hams to roast chickens, huge ripe melons with leaves of each herb for seasoning. And don't forget the olives! And goat cheese. And, tapenade or aiolade. Oh dear! Your mouth goes wet, and your belts bulge, but you got lost in paradise!
If you don't want to cook for your dream vacation, go to the restaurant Christian Etienne, L'Agape, La Mirande, Christian Etienne and La Fourchette. A visit to these restaurants will change your outlook on food for the rest of your life.
Travel through your mind2020 doesn't have to be a time of Netflix and gardening. You cannot make the physical trip abroad, but we invite you to dream of your perfect trip. Provence offers a million adventures, and today you can browse them in your mind ready to enjoy them in person whenever you can.
Su Stephens is the owner of Olives & Vines. Olives & Vines is a luxury vacation company based in the South of France offering stays in their beautifully designed vacation home and boutique hotel in Le Castellet. If you are interested in becoming a guest blogger on A Luxury Travel Blog to enhance your profile, please contact us.
