| Here are excerpts from my trip diary from Provence. This is an interesting, laid back, and beautiful area, and the trip really covers alot. We left for France two days after President Bush declared war on Iraq, and although we saw lots of anti-Bush and anti-war graffiti, the local people that we spoke to were not anti-American.
Friday and Saturday - Meg, my traveling friend, and I flew from Philadelphia to Paris, changed planes and flew to Marseilles to meet the group at the hotel. In Marseilles, we successfully navigated a bus to the train station, then the metro to Vieux Port, then walked past the harbor to the hotel. Local people were friendly and helpful, and the fish sellers at the head of the harbor made for great photo opportunities. The group met in a private dining room at the hotel for dinner and to meet Sheila, our guide, and each other.
Sunday- After a good buffet breakfast at the hotel, our bus took us to Isle-sur-Sorgue, our first town market, where we walked around on our own, ate lunch, and started shopping for all the Provence items- beautiful fabrics, soaps, ceramics, lavender, and vegetables. Then to the Luberon area, seeing the Marquis de Sade's castle in the distance, and taking a tour of a chateau with the owner's handsome son as our guide. A very personal glimpse into his life and the history of the town. We arrived in Avignon and our hotel about 6:00 PM, then the group walked to a restaurant for dinner.
Monday- In the morning, our group walked to the Papal Palace and then we had free time for the rest of the day. Meg and I toured the palace, popped into shops, bought paninis for lunch and ate them on our hotel balcony for a relaxing break, and enjoyed the very walkable town. Our group dinner at Hiely-Lucullus was absolutely wonderful.
Tuesday- In a small van this time, to Pont du Gard aquaduct- impressive. Then we went to Uzes for lunch, to Nimes to see the colliseum and have a drink at a nearby bistro, then back to Avignon. Instead of going with Shela and others to a "funky" place, Meg and I had found a great nearby restaurant for a relaxing dinner.
Wednesday- To St Remy today for the market, then to Les Baux where we had lunch on an ancient terrace overlooking the countryside. In the afternoon, we toured the Souleiado Museum. We saw busloads of school children at some sites, but tourists were few, and the weather was cool and sunny.
Thursday- Our van took us to Arles where we walked to several places associated with Van Gogh, then we drove through the Camarque region and saw pink flamingos and small black bulls. Then a visit to Augues-Mortes, a walled city where a French king let troops out for the last Crusades, then back to Avignon. Sheila had arranged for many of us to go to La Mirande Hotel for a dinner that was a highlight. We sat at a large rectangular wooden table in a wonderful basement kitchen while a chef and his American assistant prepared course after course for us. A real experience- don't miss this!
Friday- We visited Cezannes studio in Aix, then took a tour of the town and had time on our own. Meg and I found a place on the main street that served the best hot chocolate I've ever had! You get a pitcher of hot milk and a separate small pitcher of thick hot chocolate sauce, then mix them together in your cup.
Saturday- the group scattered today for flights home, but Meg and I took a taxi to the TGV train station, and had two days in Paris before heading home. A great ending to an enjoyable trip.
JoAnn High
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