Combination Tours> France> Hiking and Feasting in Arles

France: Hiking and Feasting in Arles
Provence, France - 7 nights

This program combines wandering about the glorious and varied countryside of Provence, and cooking together with friends (new and old!). Though what you will learn is  Provençal cuisine, naturally rich in vegetables, olive oil, and with minimal fats, after a week of feasting, some of our clients worry about facing the scales when they get home.... So, if we walk and hike for a couple hours each day, over hills and through valleys, collecting a few herbs, or berries, or mushrooms as we find them, you can indulge with no guilt in the evening's delicacies!

We'll walk through valleys of olive orchards, along paths with spectacular vistas, hike amidst vineyards, visit our cheese makers (and run into their goats grazing) and olive oil mills, include strolls through local markets to gather picnic supplies (as well as ingredients for the evening classes), through landscapes painted by Vincent Van Gogh, Roman ruins, and into the hidden valley of our favorite bee keeper.

The evening of your arrival you will be welcomed with a dinner at 8 pm in your home for the week, a very comfortable bed and breakfast located in the center of Arles.

Day One
We'll leave at 9 for a visually spectacular but physically not too difficult hike from the heights of Les Baux down to the lovely village of St. Remy

Lunch at the Taberna Romana where you will sample Roman delicacies on a bed of fresh greens

Back to Arles to wash and rest before our first cooking class followed by dinner.

Day Two
We'll leave a bit earlier to go further for a hike along the cliffs of the Mediterranean where we can look down into the Sea and off in the distance to the city of Marseille. This hike is relatively strenuous and has parts in full sun shine, so we'll be sure to cover our skin with cream and wear hats!

Lunch will be at a local favorite for fresh grilled fish and a bit of local white wine from Cassis.

Back to Arles for a rest and to wash up. This evening's cooking class will feature a quick and light menu.

Day Three
Just in case there are a few sore muscles, this day's hike is relatively flat and easy. We'll go visit a local olive oil mill from which we'll walk across the valley to the goat cheese-lady where we'll pick up some fresh cheeses for our picnic amidst the olive groves. For those who like to scale some heights, there are a few outcroppings that can be climbed to gain a lovely view of the valley.

We'll get back to Arles earlier today and there will be at least 3 hours of free time to rest, wash, do laundry, shop or sight see before our evening cooking class followed by dinner.

Day Four
Today we'll go to the Dentelles de Montmirail where we will hike amidst the vineyards of the Cote du Rhone Village wines of Seguret and look out over Rasteau, Vacqueyras and more. There is a bit of scrambling, but with very easy handholds. Some of this hike is in the woods where we might spot some wild asparagus. A panoramic camera would catch some glorious views from the top of the hill, so bring it along!

Lunch : a picnic down on the Place des Platanes in the hill-side village of Seguret. Time to visit the potter and santon-maker of Seguret before we drive home to rest.

Break in the afternoon

This evening we will decide together whether to sample the cuisine of a wonderful restaurant in Les Baux, or to have a cooking class.

Day Five
Today is our last hike -- shall we take it easy and visit the Camargue? or shall we push for the heights of the iconic mountain of Provence, the Ste. Victoire painted from every angle by Cezanne. Should we decide on the latter, it is a hike of 2 1/2-3 1/2 hours depending on our speed.

After a leisurely return to Arles, a bit of a rest and perhaps a hot bath, we'll come together to cook up a feast Cezanne might have painted.

Day Six
Today we walk only to our nearby market. All week we've kept your shopping time minimal, but today you can purchase all those presents you must bring home for friends and family. Perhaps an olive wood salad bowl, or a clay tian, or even a bit of pottery. Lovely lavender soaps, honey from the bee-keeper... Meantime Erick will head to the fish stalls and all who choose to accompany him will get a lesson in choosing fish, and in the varieties of fish that we enjoy here in the Mediterranean.

Lunch free

Time for you to roam the city of Arles, explore its world-famous monuments and museums

Your last cooking class: a celebration of the week's accomplishments and a toast to your time in Provence.

Day Seven
Many of you will be on your way this morning after breakfast, but some of you may stay and rent a car from one of the many agents locally to explore more of Provence, taste more of its wines, investigate the Roman ruins...