Spend time in the magical place that is the Luberon in the heart of Provence! After an overnight stay in the pretty town of Aix en Provence, make your way to Avignon where you will be met by a local Representative who will go over all of your routes and do an orientation for you for your walking program so you are all prepared. Then spend the next number of days immersing yourself in the culture, landscapes and culinary side of this wonderful region! Enjoy picturesque, well laid out walking routes, complete with detailed route notes and highlighted maps, stay in charming accomodations, liger in quaint Provencal villages, visit ancient abbeys and castles and take things exactly at your own pace. After this leisurely, yet active experience of Provence, you are sure to have not only have great memories of your time here, but also a whole plethora of new smells that you always associate this special place with, for Provence truly is a sensory delight.

Finish off your trip with a quick stay in Lyon before continuing on with your journey.

Aix-en-Provence is a city in southern France, some 30 km north of Marseille, in the region of Provence and is often referred to as the city of a thousand fountains. The old town; contains wide but irregular streets and houses many old mansions dating from the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. It has a vibrant market in the center of the old town, and the surrounding blocks are full of shops, cafes, art galleries and boutiques. Aix-en-Provence invites a full day of strolling and exploring the sights and smells of this famous region.

Avail of a private transfer between Marseille airport to Aix en Provence, taking some time to see some of the sites in Marseille in the comfort of your air conditioned vehicle. The transfer from Marseille to Aix en Provence is typically about a half an hour.

Enjoy time at leisure strolling around Aix. Be sure to wander down the broad Cours Mirabeau. This idyllic shady promenade is planted with old plane trees and in the middle of the roadway stand three beautiful fountains. There are several impressive buildings in the street, among them the Hôtel des Villiers (No. 2; 1710), the Hôtel d'Isouard de Vauvenargues (No. 10; 1710), the Hôtel d'Arbod Jouques (No. 19; early 18th C.), the Hôtel de Forbin (No. 20; 1656) and the Hôtel de Maurel de Pontèves (No. 38; 1647-50; now the offices of the Principal of the University). At the east end of the Cours Mirabeau stands the Fontaine du Roi René, the work of David d'Angers (19th C.) and the Chapelle des Oblats, part of the Carmelite Monastery designed by a pupil of Puget and restored about 1700. The "Deux Garçons" cafe dates from the 18th C. North of the Cours Mirabeau the Old Town extends as far as the Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall) and is largely a pedestrian precinct. Be sure to wander down the Rue Gaston de Saporta - An ancient (pedestrianised) street which houses four superb mansions from the 17th and 18th centuries.- No.23, the Hotel Maynier d'Oppede, and at No.. 21, The Hotel Boyer de Fonscolombe, No. 19, The Hotel de Chateaurenard, No. 17, The Hotel d'Estienne de Saint Jean.

Hotel Le Pigonnet (4*) is an enchanting small luxury hotel just a stone’s throw from the centre of Aix-en-Provence. This elegant stone combines 18th century décor with touches of Provençal chic to provide a serene and luxurious experience. Guests can wander through the hotel’s delightful gardens or gaze at the majestic Mont Sainte Victoire from the terrace.

Overnight at Le Pigonnet (4*).

Avignon city is well known for its Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), where several popes and antipopes lived from the early 14th to early 15th centuries. The palace is an impressive monument and sits within a square of the same name. Nearby, Notre Dame des Doms cathedral is a Romanesque building, mainly built during the 12th century.

Transfer using a local taxi (available and economical).

Enjoy the train ride from en Provence to Avignon. A change in Marseille is required. Train time is approx. 1 hour 30 mins. with typically a 20 minute connection time.

Upon your arrival you will be picked up by our Trip Manager and transferred to your first hotel in the centre of Avignon. After a short briefing with your trip package, you'll have time to relax and explore.

Explore the highlights of Avignon at leisure on an unescorted tour of the UNESCO world heritage sites of the 12th century Pont d'Avignon (with audio guide), and the 14th century Pope's Palace (with audio guide) before an hour long cruise and dinner. The Pont d'Avignon was the first construction over the Rhone river, between Lyon and the Mediterranean Sea in the 12th century. The bridge collapsed in the 17th century and the king never wanted to pay for restoring it. To this day, it stands as an unfinished structure. The Popes' Palace stands as the mighty symbol of the church's influence throughout the western Christian world in the 14th century and is the biggest Gothic palace in all of Europe. Then take a boat trip on the Rhone river, sailing upstream along the Rocher des Doms and the Pont St Benezet and back downstream to Villeneuve. Finally, enjoy a 3 course dinner in a gastronomic restaurant (drinks not included).

Hotel de L'Horloge Hotel (3*) is set in a 19th century building which oozes charm and character and overlooks the picturesque Place de L'Horloge (Horologe square) in the very centre of Avignon. Here, nestled between the Alpilles hills and the Luberon countryside, you will find yourself in the heart of a city which was once the capital of Christianity. All the rooms are typically quite small and are traditionally furnished with a soft colour scheme, many boasting excellent views into the city. Having recently been refurbished, the rooms and bathrooms are in very good condition.

Overnight at Hotel De L`Horloge (3*).

Bonnieux is one of the many historic "hill villages" in the region. Dating back to Roman times, it rests on top of the Luberon hills casting a watchful gaze across the rest of the valley. Next to the village is a Cedar forest that began with trees imported from North Africa during the Napoleonic era. It sits opposite Mont Ventoux, other notable villages in the area include Ménerbes, Lacoste, Roussillon, and Gordes.

After a delicious breakfast you will be transfered into the heart of the Luberon, to a small village called Oppede.

From the village of Oppede, you have a gorgeous walk, skirting along the Luberon hills, with views onto some of the villages made famous by Peter Mayle's book, A Year in Provence, such as Menerbes (with its unusual corkscrew museum!) and Lacoste, and then into Bonnieux itself, where you will be staying the night. The terrain is a mix of forest and field, with beautiful views onto charming villages.

Enjoy dinner this evening in one of the lovely restaurants in Bonnieux.

Located at the entry of the village of Bonnieux, The Clos du Buis(3*), a big detached stone house, entirely renovated, offers a panoramic view over Mount Ventoux, the Luberon Mountains and surrounding villages. Eight air-conditioned, no-smoking and colorful bedrooms are equipped with king-size beds or twin beds on request (180, 160 or 2 beds in 90), en-suite bathroom and separated toilet. Just like a family home, guests are free to wander through the shared rooms such as the dining room, the sitting room with a fireplace and television, the veranda where breakfast is served and to use the phone booth and computer with WIFI ASDL system. After a hectic day, the pool which is set in a large garden and surrounded by comfortable outdoor furniture offers a perfect place to rest, contemplate and read a book, picnic.

Overnight at Hotel Clos du Buis (3*).

Gordes is a very beautiful old village, perched on the southern edge of the high Plateau de Vaucluse. The stone buildings built in tight against the base of the cliffs and those perched on the rocks above, including the 12th-century castle, are made of an beige stone that glows orange in the morning sun. The view from the village is a southern panorama out across fields and forests and small perched villages to the Montagne du Luberon.

You will be transfered this morning from Bonnieux to Gargas where you will start your hike from.

Your walk today starts in the village of Gargas, just outside Apt, and wends its way through the Luberon Geological Reserve towards Roussillon. This Luberon hill village, charming in and of itself with its winding streets and cafes and shops, is more famous for its incredible ochre mines - these red and burnt orange cliffs were mined for ages for the pigments for dyes. From here you have a relatively easy walk on to Gordes - but save some energy for the end, as Gordes is another "hilltop village", and you'll have to climb up to your hotel at the end of the day. We're sure you'll agree the views are worth it!

Across from the idyllic hilltop village of Gordes, the entirely renovated 19th century Mas des Romarins(3*) is full of warmth and character. Located only a few minutes walk from the center of Gordes, one of the most beautiful villages in France, the property has 12 rooms, each of which are furnished in Provencal style, named after villages and sites in the Luberon. Recently renovated, most of the rooms are air-conditioned to provide the utmost in comfort, and all include baths, hair dryers, bathrobes, refined complimentary welcome gifts, mini bar, satellite TV, telephone and Internet points. From the terrace of the Mas, poolside, you can watch the sunrise and set, while having your breakfast or enjoying a refreshing drink : you will be charmed by the magic of this exceptional spot, by its entrancing light, by the ochre tones of the old village houses.

Overnight at Hotel Mas des Romarins (3*).

You will be transfered this morning from Gordes to Fontaine de Vaucluse where you will start your hike from.

Todays walk is your most challenging. It starts in Fontaine de Vaucluse, a tiny village, sitting on a lively spring. The spring is the largest in France and the fifth largest in the world, with an average debit of 22 cubic metres per second. From there you climb along forest paths, that eventually bring you past the Abbey of Senanque, a huge and beautiful 12th century Cistercian abbey, surrounded by lavendar fields.

Enjoy dinner this evening in the tranquil surroundings of the Hotel Mas de Romarin

Overnight at Hotel Mas des Romarins (3*).

Lyon is one of the most beautiful Renaissance towns of Europe, immaculately preserved houses and shops line quaint cobbled streets retaining much of the atmosphere of centuries past. It's here that you can enjoy the city's famous cuisine in the lively bouchons (traditional inns) The city has a myriad of attractions apart from those related to food, not least its fabulous wealth of architecture and historical buildings. There are still Roman ruins from the ancient settlement, including a theatre on Fourvière Hill where performances are still regularly held. Lyon was at the forefront of the silk industry in the early-19th century. The weavers' houses can still be visited in the Croix Rousse district of the city, evoking a still palpable sense of the thriving industry that was once native to this area.

After breakfast, you will be transfered up to Avignon train station.

Take the train to Lyon, direct. Train will take approximately 1 hr 10min.

Train station transfer in Lyon with a private vehicle and English speaking driver.

Consider a private excursion taking in the vineyards of the Beaujolais, lunch in the country, visiting charming villages such as Beaujeu - former capital of the Beaujolais and Perouges – a gem of a medieval town, the golden villages of the Beaujolais – so called because of the golden color that reflects off the stone or explore the southern Rhone valley and the Tain l’Hermitage with a private vehicle, driver and Guide. Alternatively, get in touch with your inner chef and have a fun morning enjoying a private cooking class with a local chef. Please contact your Sales Advisor If any of these suggestions are of interest.

Les Hautes Bruyères is a charming B&B of character located on the heights of Lyon 10 minutes from the city center. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings while being only a stone's throw from the cosmopolitan city. Set in a peaceful park, among hundred-year-old trees with an outdoor swimming pool, the house is decorated in classic French country style. Rooms are spacious, furnished with quality linens, cotta tile flooring and exposed wooden beams. The property has been featured in many prestigious French magazines such as Figaro magazine and a number of Interior design magazines such as Mainsons de Campagne and Art & Decoration. Your host, Karine, will be delighted to welcome you for your stay.

Overnight at Les Hautes Bruyères Countryside Luxury B&B.

Airport transfer with a private vehicle and English speaking driver in Lyon.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard).