From Our Best Adventures in Provence Tour Guests

Southern France Tour Reviews — Provence Tour — At France Off the Beaten Path we continually strive to reach perfection during each of our small group Provence walking and gourmet foodie tours in southern France! We work hard to ensure every guest tour experience is exceptional, memorable, and fun! We task ourselves with the goal of not only excelling at guest tour satisfaction, but also at exceeding guest expectations!

We thank each of our Southern France – Provence Tour guests for their candid tour reviews! Being American owned and operated, and living and working locally in France, specifically in Provence – southern France, for more than two decades, we warmly welcome Provence tour guests, as we would friends and family, to this spectacular southern France tour region. Provence is a magical place, and we are proud to put our “local insider connections” to work for you! We take you beyond the obvious to share the true essence of France, and the very best and most authentic active, cultural experiences only achieved by living and working locally in Provence.

    Yes, I will recommend this Provence trip most highly to both friends and family because every aspect was so thoughtfully planned and executed. As compared to other tour companies we’ve traveled with including Backroads and National Geographic, your meticulous planning of a trip that was a complete success, adventure and delight each day is superior! The expertise demonstrated by our guides was appreciated; they were very helpful in every way, very professional, knowledgeable, and made our trip a joy!  LOVED the balance of walking with gourmet meals and artisan visits. The walks were wonderful, the restaurants were each superb, and the wine tasting with lunch and cooking class dinner were terrific. We loved Hotel Gounod, it was a real treat, and great location. The transportation was great as well. Many thanks also Christy for all of the unexpected extras and gifts!  We also missed our TGV train coming into Avignon and expected to have to take a taxi, but your team was so nice and organized for your driver to return to the station and meet us. This really was going the extra mile to provide thoughtful service. We so appreciated that! With gratitude — Ben & Toni Coplan, Sunol, CA  – Southern France Tour Reviews

    Yes, we would recommend this trip, especially to others that are interested in being part of a small group tour and who enjoy being outside. We particularly enjoyed our guides and those in our group. We loved being in Provence; seeing the charming villages, vineyards, and castles on foot vs. from a bus. Experiencing part of the culture with wine tastings, cooking, casual and elaborate dining made our time more memorable. The personalities of the chefs, the olive tour and wine tasting made those experiences EXCELLENT vs. just informative. This trip is for people who want to really experience and be part of France. — Constance & Sarah Renner, Littleton, Colorado – Southern France Tour Reviews

    We had a wonderful trip! It was well run and well organized and I know it wasn’t good for you, but I enjoyed having a really small group. Everyone was prompt, polite and got along well. The guides were pleasant and knowledgeable and were very accommodating. The hotel was lovely and well run. The restaurants were varied and delicious! I enjoyed all the scheduled meals and the staff at all the restaurants were very nice. The day we had the chocolate tasting (which was delicious) and the lunch out and the olive oil tasting was a lot for one day for me. By the end of lunch I didn’t want to eat another thing! Also, I know the guides are used to it, but some of the roads are very winding and some of us got a little car sick! A heads up from the staff, so anyone who needs to take something for certain roads would be nice. All in all, it was a wonderful trip and I would definitely go on another vacation with your company! Thank you for a lovely adventure!

Wendy Jacobs, Short Hills, NJ

     Absolutely Yes – What a gem of a trip! Hotel location and atmosphere are excellent. I LOVED the variety of activities and the special feel where our guides obviously had very longstanding, personal relationships with the locals. Loved the walks and that the bus met us along the way so I could get a lift when I wanted. I can’t wait to do the Bordeaux Tour in the next few years! THANKS!  — Amanda Croker, Brisbane, Australia — This was Amanda’s 2nd tour with France Off the Beaten Path — Southern France Tour Reviews

     YES, will definitely recommend! Entire Tour TOTALLY exceeded our expectations! We loved the Provence food, wine, lavender! Guides were absolutely great, so enthusiastic and sensitive to details of the tour, exceptional. We felt we were in such good hands all week! — Tom Chan & Deborah Meng, Palos Verdes, CA

     Dear Christy,

I recently returned from the Provence trip July 5-10 led by David and Philippe. We really enjoyed the trip! Even more than I expected to actually. Sarah and Ashley also really liked the trip. I packed my trip survey by accident on the morning of our early departure. I was thinking of mailing it in, but I will answer in this email instead. I thought every item listed on the survey (Hotel Accommodations, Guide Knowledge, etc.) was outstanding (“5”) except the Olive Oil Mill Tour, the Market days, and Walks were a notch lower or “4”. What I liked most:  I really enjoyed Phillipe as a guide and as a person. I thought our tour group was compatible and a lot of fun to travel with. The Luberon picnic lunch was amazingly good. I think Phillipe picked excellent cheeses, tomatoes, fruit and wines for the picnic. I really enjoyed the Cassis Port boat ride to see the Carmargue. It reminded me of the peacefulness of the hot air balloon ride during the Loire Valley trip Sarah and I took a few years ago with you. The lunch in the Cassis Port restaurant was outstanding and served in a beautiful setting. The cooking class and dinner were very educational and enjoyable. Most of all, I felt very fortunate to have my daughters as travelling companions. The Provence tour was a perfect complement to our previous four hectic days in Paris. Would I recommend this trip to a friend or family? Definitely I would recommend this trip with the understanding that he or she appreciate French cuisine and wine and enjoy walking the country-side. Also scheduling a Provence visit during the Lavender and Sun Flower blooming season would probably be ideal.

Best Regards, Glenn Yuki, Los Gatos, CA – This was the Yuki’s 2nd OTBP Tour.

    Yes, we will easily recommend this tour. EXCELLENT choices for BOTH Walkers & NON-Walkers…Hotel is fabulous! Lots of flexibility and options. Thank you! — Dee Ackermann and Di gibbs, Queensland, Australia

     Yes, I would definitely recommend the tour to those who really enjoy walking – the walks are beautiful. Enjoyed ALL wining and dining as this was the main reason we booked the tour. — Robyn Noble and Sandra Hudson, Melbourne, Australia – Southern France Tour Reviews

   YES! This trip was a definite 5 out of 5 on all points! Excellent all around! You might even want to recommend or market that guests stay on in the region for a day or two longer to explore on their own to explore even more. Thank you again for a great trip! — Peter & Miriam Seagle, Bloomfield, MI – Southern France Tour Reviews

   Yes, I would recommend this Provence tour! Our guides were great, we really enjoyed them! We loved the meals and variety of restaurants! And, we especially enjoyed all of the walks. Thank you!! — Michael & Suzanne Pearson, Melbourne, Australia – Southern France Tour Reviews

    Absolutely, and we will return to do one of the other tours! We will recommend this tour whether asked or not, because it was a great experience! We had fantastic guides who were great fun and knowledgeable. St. Remy is a beautiful town and a perfect central location. The itinerary included everything to discover all of Provence. Loved the week, hotel is beautiful also. We could have kept going, we really had a great group!” — Ian and Karen Taylor, Southport, Queensland, Australia – Southern France Tour Reviews

    Yes, will do so for all the reasons listed and more – The trip is well thought out, and nails its promises of great food, wine and sites! Our guides were wonderful companions, and bring the experience to life! They have a wonderful skill for reading the guests and complimenting. Philippe #2 is the perfect driver. For indulgences, the first meal and last two meals are life remembering. Loved the pastis and perfumerie too, and the restaurant at Cassis = YES!  The spirit of the week – Loved Cassis, having time near the water mid-trip, the boat ride and views of the calanques. Was captivated by Roussillon. What a glorious day there with the intense blue sky – Beautiful! Liked the variety of all the different places we visited within the region. It was a perfect snapshot of the life, culture, and history. Loved the wine tasting and lunch at Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and how it followed the walk through the vineyards. We learned facts about the wine that will enhance our enjoyment of it. Having a combination of some dinners, some lunches to break up the delicious indulgences kept each experience feeling new. Enjoyed the hotel accommodations and location – it was very charming and delightful. Will recommend to friends, etc, especially because obvious great thought and care is put into the guest experience, comfort, and enjoyment. Thank you for making all of us feel special! — Bob and Blair Williams, Tulsa, OK – Southern France Tour Reviews

    Yes! Our guides and driver made our trip special! Wine day experience was fun and very informative.Meals were superlative, historical content of tour was very educational, and the walks and scenery were delightful. Thanks for a fun week in Provence! — Conrad and Diane Hamako, Calabasas, CA – Southern France Tour Reviews

    Yes, we will definitely recommend to our friends and family – this trip is perfect for foodies and wine lovers – and for those who just want to enjoy a relaxed vacation without actually planning it themselves! There were many exceptional experiences throughout the tour! Lunch and wine tasting in Chateauneuf-du-Pape was relaxed and a fantastic meal. The chef was delightful and entertaining. Dinner #1 was our favorite meal of the tour! The entire tour was well beyond our expectations! The grilled eggplant and tomato was scrumptious. The picnic was amazing, fun, and relaxed. The scenic hikes really balanced the food and wine. The tour guides were entertaining and knowledgeable. Roussillon was our favorite village, and the walk was fantastic. The picnic was charming and yummy. Loved the wine selections throughout the trip, and boy was the melon something else! Being able to see the water one day was a nice change. Pastis shop was very cool. Wine sommeliers did a great explanation of how to drink wine. We felt like we were at Julia Child’s house for the cooking class — Great way to end the trip! — Duane and Susi Delagnes, Emerald Hills, CA – Southern France Tour Reviews

    Yes! How else do you see and experience so much good stuff!! It was all so great — a wonderful way to see the best parts of “rural” France, walk and eat and drink wonderful food and wine. The guides were very knowledgeable and a pleasure to be around. I will always treasure these memories. This was a dream vacation! We could have never found these people and places on our own. We hope to bring you tons of business with all the stories we tell to family and friends! — Marcus and Kate Montgomery, Tulsa, OK – Southern France Tour Reviews

    Yes, definitely, and would love to come back for another tour! The guides were at all times fantastic, could not have been better! Loved Saint Remy de Provence town. Chateauneuf-du-Pape lunch and walk, and cooking class were spectacular! The experience on the last night was simply wonderful. This was a truly wonderful tour in a wonderful place with wonderful people! Thank you!! — James and Marylin Bennett, Glenbrook, NSW, Australia – Southern France Tour Reviews

    Yes! Chateauneuf-du-Pape experience was fabulous, as was the first night dinner!  Loved the walks. Every walk and activity added real value to the overall experience of the tour! Truly enjoyed the interactions with the guides and other tour guests. Thank you for a fun time!!” — Bob and Marilyn Franck, Viera, Florida – Southern France Tour Reviews

    Yes, Loved our tour guides and their knowledge! Market days offered the sights, sounds, and people watching. Thank you for everything! — Robin and Debbie Martin, Calabasas, CA – Southern France Tour Reviews