🇫🇷 Get Ready: Your Provence Expedition Awaits! 🇫🇷

 The countdown is officially on! We are less than 4 months away from June 20th, and we couldn't be more thrilled to welcome you to The South of France. You’ve already made the best decision of your 2026 travel season by signing up, and now it’s time to start dreaming of the lavender-scented air and the golden light that truly makes this region world-famous.

At Adventures To Tuscany, we live by a simple mantra: "What makes us different, makes all the difference in the world."   This isn't just a vacation; it’s a high-octane, elegantly refined trip of a lifetime!  

"At the Villa, we don’t just host a tour; we invite you to master l’art de vivre à la française ~ the art of living the French way. It’s about the clink of crystal, the scent of lavender on the breeze, and the joy & adventure of a week long road rally through the spectacular Vaucluse."

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click this pic to enlarge

Our Private Oasis: Chateâu du Soleil 

Home base for our week is nothing short of legendary. Imagine a 400-year-old estate boasting 20,000 square feet of rustic elegance. This isn't just a place to sleep ~ it’s a destination in itself...

• Modern Comfort: Every bedroom features individual air conditioning and private ensuite bathrooms. The Villa is very spacious, with plenty of room to spread out for a little privacy... 

• The Grounds: Wander through terraced lush gardens adorned with classic statues and the soothing sound of stone water fountains... grab a bottle of wine to enjoy at the Boule court...  or take a hike through the vineyards! 

• The Leisure Hub: A massive heated swimming pool, a summer kitchen & pavilion for poolside beverages & snacking, and a massive  breathtaking Solarium with a two story party terrace designed for late-night frolicking...

Gastronomy & Celebration

Prepare your palate for the incredible flavors of The South of France ~ "Un véritable avant-goût de la France"

• The Open Bar: Enjoy an included, unlimited bar stocked with premium French Wines, Beers, Proseccos, and plenty of real French Champagne to toast our adventures! OO-La-La!

• Chef-Led Dinners: Every night, our wonderful, private French Chefs, Fabien & Coralie, will prepare amazing  alfresco dinner parties under the stars... "L'art de vivre à la française".  There's no worrying about menu or wine list prices ~ it's all included!

• The Soirée Blanc: On Tuesday night, pack your best white attire! We’re hosting an incredible Garden Party BBQ featuring a live band and a handful of local guests. It’s the ultimate celebration of friendship and French culture! 

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we have these large Rally decals for the sides of your car

The "Provençal Classique Road Rally" Experience

Get ready to grab your two-way radios! Our unique "Expedition Style" touring means you’re behind the wheel of your own car, following us "Road Rally" style as we navigate the winding backroads of the Vaucluse. We even have large Road Rally Decals for the sides of your cars!

We’ll use a "hub and spoke" strategy to explore the very best of the region:

• Charming Hill Towns: We'll navigate the ancient pedestrian streets of villages like Arles, Les Baux & Gordes and the ochre-clayed wonders of Roussillon.

• The Big Climb: Gear up for a full-day Road Rally up to The Summit of the legendary Mont Ventoux in The Alps,. Whether you're a Tour de France cycling fan or just a lover of epic views, this Alpine ascent is a true bucket-list moment! We'll take you the whole way to The Summit where we'll have a bit of celebration... and wait till you experience our very special luncheon in the foothills ~ "Une escale gourmande au cœur de la France"!  These will be experiences you'll remember forever!

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Making the Most of The South of France

We know many of you are turning this into an even grander European escape. Whether you are starting your journey with the iconic sights of Paris or winding down after our tour on the glamorous beaches of the Riviera, you are truly doing it right.

Expanding your trip to include the lights of the Eiffel Tower or the azure waters of the Mediterranean only adds to the magic of your time in The South of France. We can’t wait to hear all about your pre-tour croissants or see your post-tour photos from the coast!

This Is It!

The stage is set, the wine is chilling, and the radios are being charged... You are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime, and we are so very honored to be your guides through the heart of Provence...  We're gonna have a blast!

See you in June!

This is a bit long at 6 minutes, but it will give you a feel of what you'll experience on the day of our Provencal Classique Road Rally up Mont Ventoux, of  Tour de France fame! The French call it The Giant of Provence... And some call it Old Baldy

Take the time to smell the Roses... Even if you just met them!

 We've all experienced the feelings of transformation or enlightenment while we've traveled on vacations... We're forced to see far off lands and cultures thru new eyes... We're now just 4 months till we meet up in Provence! We urge you, on this upcoming adventure to France, to get the very most out of it, by deciding before you go to heighten these experiences by being open to everything around you... 

The Roses

In Provence, you will be surrounded by endless possibilities to "fertilize your soul..." While many of these things will be obvious, others are much more subtle, and you actually must seek them out... You will be surrounded by new foods and smells, and we certainly urge you to open your mind to trying them... Maybe it's the Coq au Vin (Rooster with wine), the Confit du Canard (Duck confit), or something as simple as Salade Niçoise or Steak-frites. These are all very popular French dishes...  And I know there's a handful of you that love your Huîtres, (oysters) and France, with its 2000 miles of coastline, is world famous for its Huîtres!  And of course there's so many incredible cheeses to try in France!

But beyond the foods & wines, there's still tons of possibilities to nurture your soul by sincere interaction with the local people... Take the time to realize that even interaction with someone like the Customs officials or the attendant at the rental car facility, offers opportunities to bond as citizens of the world... I'll never forget talking to a man at an outdoor farmers market in Vietnam and asking him "how are you today?"  His reply to me was "I am truly blessed..."  It opened a short, very enjoyable conversation, but more importantly, things he said to me that day were very moving from an international perspective, and he made an indelible mark on my soul, and it helped me to grow spiritually...

Always remember that you truly are an ambassador of your country when you travel... The people that you meet and interact with definitely project their feelings about you onto your country as a whole...  And this, this is where you have a chance to really make a difference in how the world sees your home country... Whether you give a coin to a street musician, or a sincere compliment to a waiter or a chef, you have these few moments to truly nurture your soul... to learn something... to convey something... and perhaps, if you're lucky enough, to create a bond, if only for a few minutes... or if you're assertive enough,  a friendship that will last forever!  We have many guests that have been on our trips that keep in touch regularly with some of our local friends we've introduced them to... With social media these days it's so easy to create these international relationships.

These super special experiential moments come only to those who take the time to look for them...  So by all means, - pause, take a breath, and take the time to look for them!  Our Tours are very different... They're specifically designed to deeply immerse you into the magic of the local culture... And because of our extremely small groups, you'll have lots of these opportunities...  Know that the Provençal people are very, very friendly... Start a conversation... ask polite questions... give compliments... ask for advice... Show them pictures of your children, and ask to see theirs!  Ask a waiter to recommend something new, something unlike what you'd normally try... How's the pigeon today? You'll have the rest of your life to have a Reuben Sandwich... So today, maybe try the rabbit or the snails! Ask for a picture: and when they agree to take your picture, explain that you want a selfie together with them... watch their reaction as they are caught off guard that you want a photo with them!   Smile... look them in the eye and sincerely thank them for their help... And if you can form that magic bond like so many of our guests have done, it will pay dividends for the rest of your life!

Communication only ever truly happens if the person on the receiving end understands exactly what you are trying to convey...  And to this end, we urge you to carry a phrase book, or become proficient with the translator app on your phone... even if it seems awkward... the other person will sincerely appreciate your trying... but more importantly, the act itself conveys amazing compassion and respect...   

In our business, we get to hear people's "bad vacation stories" all the time... And it's so easy for people to be cynical these days...   Commit to making this your best vacation ever!  Recognize that this is a  special time in your life... And that you're on a very special trip, and that you've earned this... Enjoy every minute of it,  embrace the diversity of different cultures...  truly open your heart and watch the magic just happen! We work hard to nurture this in our guests, and so we're the lucky ones, we get to see it happen all the time! It's truly magical... 

La Vie en Rose

La Vie en Rose

“Quand il me prend dans ses bras

Il me parle tout bas

Je vois la vie en rose

Il me dit des mots d'amour

Des mots de tous les jours

Et ça me fait quelque chose

Il est entré dans mon cœur

Une part de bonheur”

Hey, how come there's two toilets in my bathroom? Welcome to The Throne Room!

Navigating a European bathroom for the first time can feel like a cultural scavenger hunt, especially when you encounter the mysterious "second toilet." No, it’s not for washing your socks or as we like to joke, chilling wine ~ it’s the bidet...

In France, the bidet has a bit of a "lost legend" status. While it’s a French invention ~ the name actually comes from the Old French word for "little pony," because you straddle it ~ you won’t find them as universally as you do in Italy.  It’s a bit of a cheeky linguistic history lesson! In the 15th century, a bidet was a small breed of horse or a "strong pony" used by the cavalry and for travel.

The name was eventually applied to the bathroom fixture in the late 17th century because of the physical stance required to use it. Since the original bidets were standalone basins on four legs, you had to "mount" or straddle the basin exactly like you were hopping onto a little pony.

France vs. Italy: The Bidet Battle

• Italy is the undisputed champion: Since 1975, Italian law has actually mandated that every home have a bidet. You will find one in nearly 97% of Italian households and almost every hotel room.

• France is slowly "getting off the horse": Ironically, the country that gave us the bidet has seen a decline in their use. While you’ll still see them in many upscale & classic French homes and grand hotels, many modern French apartments have swapped the expense of a second basin for extra floor space or walk-in showers.

Why the difference?

In Italy, the bidet is considered a non-negotiable daily essential for "top-tier" hygiene. In France, while still respected, many locals have transitioned to using handheld showerheads or modern "Japanese-style" toilet attachments to save space.

While it might look intimidating at first glance, this classic fixture is a cornerstone of European hygiene and sustainability. In this post, we’ll demystify the bidet, explain why locals swear by it, and show you how to use one like a seasoned traveler...

So if this is your first sojourn to Europe, you might be surprised to see a bidet next to the toilet in your bathroom!  Bidets are very common in Europe...  They're not nearly as common in France as they are in Italy, but  you'll definitely run into them, and there are bidets in some of the bathrooms at our Villa, Chateau du Soleil...

Here in the US, many folks have heard of or perhaps have seen bidets on their travels, but think that they are just an Old World tradition and not commonly used any longer...  

Actually nothing could be further from the truth... Europeans use bidets all the time and they love them!  It's not a type of toilet, but think of it as a bathtub for your "private parts".   So a common question is: Don't they use toilet paper?   Yes, they use toilet paper just like we do,  but then afterwards, they just scamper over to the bidet to "clean-up..." (In Europe, they actually think it's odd that we don't use bidets)  

Here in the US, many people have slowly adopted to "wet-wipes" for the same reason, and those in the real estate business will tell you that the bidet is slowly making it's way into the upscale & luxury US housing market...  

All that being said, we told you this would be an "adventure" and we suggest you at least try the bidet if there's one in your room!  You might find that you like it! You basically just squat down and hover over the fixture, turn on the faucet, and splash a little water over the parts you want to clean!  And in the "end" (pun intended) you'll feel much more international & immersed!

(note: while we're on the subject, we always like to remind our guests that sometimes if the bidet has not been used for a while, the water in the p-trap evaporates and septic odors can escape into your room... if you're not using your bidet, and you smell anything odd,  just run the water in the bidet for 10 seconds so that the p-trap fills with water.)

The video below will give you a little more detail on "bidet technique".   Enjoy!  (while this girl talks about being in Italy, know that the info holds true for France as well)

(hover over the video after it starts, and click the little box on the right to go full screen)

Where can we go on The Free Day?

 Hi Guys,  we've had a few guests ask about possible day-trip getaway destinations for Wednesday (the free day) in Provence...  

Over all the years that we've been doing this, we've seen guests choose to travel to all kinds of destinations near & far...  One word of caution from our many years of experience; on international vacations, most people, with good intentions,"over-plan" .  That is, in trying to get the very most from their vacation, they overplan their time... If you're going farther than a 1.5 hour drive, we suggest you get an early start to make the most out of your day...

Our Villa, sets on a hilltop looking out over
the medieval village of Venasque ~
(one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France) 

With that said, there are lots of wonderful destinations you can get to from the Villa for quick easy day trips, and we'll list a handful of them here...  Some of these are quaint & charming small villages, some are small cities & some are large cities! From beautiful little villages like Lourmarin to have a nice lunch, to The Camargue, a vast wild river delta located where the Rhône River meets the Mediterranean Sea. Often described as a "world of its own," it is a mesmerizing landscape of salt marshes, lagoons, and sandy dunes with flamingos, white horses & black bulls! We always suggest you research any of these places personally so you can understand what it's about, as everyone's opinion of course varies... (just google the destination)

• Avignon (Palace of the Popes 45 minutes)
• L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue (30 minutes)
• Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (market day 50 minutes)
• Aix-en-Provence (1 hour 20 min)
• Marseille (1hour 30 min)
• Orange (45 min) -
• Châteauneuf-du-Pape (40 min)
• Lourmarin (60 min)
• The Carmargue (1 hr 30 min) 
• Vaison-la-Romaine & Seguret ( 60 min)

And yes, our Chefs will be preparing Dinner at the Villa Wednesday evening, probably around 7pm-ish! And folks always ask: "Do we have to be back for Dinner?"  Of course not... If you prefer to extend your day and have dinner out on any day, just let us know so we can tell our Chefs...

                  a longtime favorite of ours: Kenny Loggins - Return to Pooh Corner 

A Travel Essential: Your International Driving Permit

As you prepare for your journey through the lavender fields and cobblestone villages of Provence, there is one small but mighty document you'll definitely want to tuck into your travel folder alongside your passport: 

The International Driving Permit (IDP).

There's a lot of people & articles on the internet  that say you don't need it...  So here's the bottom line: while it's never been strictly enforced, French Laws say you have to have it... so now most of the rental car agencies require it... So by law, we as your Tour Operator, have to tell you that you need one to drive. And  their fine for not having one if you get caught is around 200 Euro...  Let it suffice to say we just always get ours...  and we strongly suggest you get yours!  There's no test or anything, it's actually just a translation of your drivers license.  Have one from a recent trip?  They're only valid for a year, so you may need a new one!  Go to your local AAA office, it only takes 5 minutes... they take your picture, put it in this little folder and it's a great souvenir... Costs about 20 bucks...  Again, if you're not driving the car, you don't need one

Much like your passport, the IDP  has now become a standard "must-have" for international travelers who need rental cars in France. While your home driver’s license is perfectly valid for driving, French rental agencies have recently updated their policies to mirror those in Italy. To ensure a smooth hand-off at the rental counter, most all the rental car agencies now strictly require an IDP to release the keys.

We’ve seen firsthand that without this permit, even a confirmed reservation can be turned away, and we want to make sure your arrival is as effortless as a glass of chilled Rosé! (last September, when we were picking up our car in Florence, I couldn't find mine, and they wouldn't give me the car! We had to lay out our suitcases on the floor and dig thru everything to find it... Thank God, I found it, because they were adamant about it!)

The Essentials at a Glance:

• The "Double-Up": Think of the IDP as a companion to your license, not a replacement. You most often need to present both at the rental desk.

• Easy to Get: In the US, a quick visit to a local AAA office  is all it takes. It costs about $20 and is processed quickly.

• Peace of Mind: Beyond the rental counter, having an official French translation of your credentials ensures you are fully compliant with local regulations and insurance requirements while exploring the countryside.

Getting this sorted now means that the only thing you'll need to worry about upon arrival is which scenic route to take to the Villa!

(PS: if they don't ask you for it at the Rental counter, please don't scream at us; we're legally bound  by law to tell you that you need it to rent a car... But if they do ask you for it, and you can't produce it, you might be in a bit of a predicament...)

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What about Luggage...

If you've not traveled with us for a few years, we now have nifty 
new complimentary Adventures to Tuscany luggage tags 
we'll be sending out to you as we get closer to your departure!

 Your upcoming Beautiful Villages of Provence Tour is now just a little over 4  months out, and usually at this point, with the Holidays over, some of our guests are  starting to think about packing... So our guests often ask us:  How many suitcases can I bring? 

 As far as we're concerned, you can bring as many suitcases as you want... (but to be the happiest, our advice is: one medium 26" suitcase & one small daypack) This is what most experienced travelers learn to live with...) 

You do need to be aware of a few things...  Airlines today, in order to make more money, usually strictly limit both your carry on and checked luggage...  Today many airlines have at least four to five levels of tickets: 

• Basic Economy
• Standard Economy
• Premium Economy
• Business
• First Class 

With their very most-basic economy tickets, some airlines now usually only allow one small personal item (9" x 10" x 17") as a carry-on. (not a full size 9" x 14" x 22" carry on).  With these most basic tickets, if you want to check luggage, you sometimes have to purchase that separately...  Usually around $100 per piece of luggage up to 50 lbs.  And if you show up at the gate with a full size carry-on, they likely will make you pay the $100 to check it, and may even charge you a $25 Gate Handling Fee.  We strongly suggest you check your airline's written policies on their website... and if you haven't purchased tix yet, keep the luggage situation in mind when you research flights. If your tix doesn't include checked luggage, consider this scenario: 

• if there's 2 of you
• 2 checked pieces of luggage @ $100 each (the fee is charged each direction)
• total luggage fees = $400 

size matters! the black one is 22" and will actually satisfy full-size
carry-on restrictions, but  be aware now some airlines are also 
putting weight restrictions on the carry-ons... the purple one is a 26" 

With the next level up: Standard Economy ticket, you typically (not always) get one free personal item, and one free full size carry-on that's typically limited to no larger than 9" x 14" x 22" and one free checked bag (usually)with a top limit of 50 lbs... 

 They're pretty stringent on the weight limit...  if your bag goes over, the fee is expensive... (many airlines charge $100 extra if your bag hits 51 lbs - 70lbs and $200 extra if it goes over 71 lbs) All airlines have their own policies and they change often.  (While this post is just an example, it by no means is the exact policy of your airline.) Please keep in mind, this is generalized advice based on lots & lots of experience; but we don't know what airline you're flying, what class of tix you've purchased, or what their luggage restrictions are... We suggest you check with your airline for restrictions based on your class of tix.  (find their written policy on their website) You'll get nowhere telling a gate agent: I called and was told blah, blah, blah...

Biz Class / First Class: If you've shelled out the $4k plus for a biz class tix or the $6K+ for first class tix, you're probably not concerned about luggage restrictions...

As far as size and style goes, usually anything above a 26" case is wasted space as you can easily put 50lbs in a 24" - 26" case...  40 years ago we always traveled Europe with backpacks...We personally like rolling luggage these days, and it certainly makes toting your own a bit easier... And "spinner" luggage is a joy on smooth surfaces...  While a standard 2-wheeler tends to pull easier if you're walking across an Old World city on cobblestone streets...   

Another thing to think about is that in Europe you're typically handling your own luggage. Most of your smaller 3 star hotels will not have porters, bellmen or lifts.  It's just not as common in Europe...  And this will be true at our Villa in Provence as well. The Villa has a couple of floors and there is no lift, so just like most everywhere else in Europe, you'll be handling your own luggage...

the classic zip out tote bag, folds into the little pocket

in the front & available  for around $20. These bags

will typically handle about 40 lbs

Also, another thing to think about; if you're sharing a car with others, you'll likely have limited space...   Cars tend to be smaller in Europe. Note the luggage guide on your car rental company's website for your class of car. If you're trying to put  4 people in a car with 4 large suitcases and 4 daypacks, you'll certainly need a larger car, and if you have 5 or 6 suitcases, you might need a minivan! After observing many of our tour groups with their luggage several times a year for over 25 years, we can tell you that we've always noticed that those with the least luggage seem happiest! 

We also recommend you at least think about packing  a "folding nylon suitcase" for your return flight... (Most of our guests end up buying things that they want to carry home).  They're  commonly available, economical and will last forever.  It folds up tiny into the little pocket in the front, usually weighs less then a pound, and packs into your suitcase till you need it...  So the strategy is this; you pull this out for the trip home, put your carry-on daypack inside of it plus any excess weight to keep your checked bag under the 50 lb limit...  If you decide to get one, make sure it's a size that satisfies the "carry on restrictions" within your ticket (usually  9" x 14" x 22").  This bag or bags like it are usually about $20 and available in less then 30 seconds with one click at Amazon.com.

this is a style of daypack we usually recommend 

for daytime touring... room for a water bottle, camera,

 map, guidebook, lightweight sweater & umbrella

And then a daypack...  The daypack is a small backpack or shoulder bag like kids use as book bags for school... the key word here is small...  This a small pack that you might take with you as your free personal item on the plane and/or out touring everyday to carry your camera, water bottle, sweater, guidebook, umbrella, map, medicines, personal items, etc.. (usually available for as little as $10 - $25 at amazon.com)

Lastly, we'd tell you that from our experience, everyone usually overpacks...  We'll guarantee you this; the less you take with you, the happier you'll be... if you end up needing something, there will be stores everywhere!  Over all the years, and hundreds & hundreds of guests, we've never heard a guest say: "next time I'm going to pack more..."

Keep in mind, you will have access to the wonderful laundry facilities at the Villa... Chateau du Soleil is upscale, and the equipment at the Villa is all very nice!  The laundry room & facilities are very nice, and they are for you to do your own laundry, and we fully stock the laundry room with complimentary laundry soaps, stain removers, etc,  and we encourage you to use them. You'll be at the Villa in the evenings, so it's simple to throw a load in.   So if you're doing a multi-day pre-tour extension, you'll be able to do your laundry as soon as you arrive at the Villa and have all fresh clothes for the week... or if you're doing a post tour extension, you can do your laundry on Friday before you leave! 

Hope you're getting excited about Provence... You're gonna love The Beautiful Villages!  And you're really gonna love Château du Soleil... We're going to have a great time!  If we can help you with anything at all, please reach out to us! 

a little music to brighten your soul