A few more tips about travel in France

  As many of you are doing a few days in other destinations before meeting up with us in Provence, we thought we'd pass along this video... It's a pretty good primer for what to expect in Paris as well as most all of France... (one note: when she says there's little to no air conditioning in France, you should know that if your hotel told you they have air conditioning, they'll have it... But know that the concept of air conditioning throughout much of Europe is much different than in the US..  Typically their air conditioning is not to the standard we have come to expect in America... And if you happen to have some really hot days in France, it may not cool you quite as much as you expect here in the States... But to a French person, they're just thrilled to have some cooling...)

Emily in Paris... The Hot Spots!

Hi guys, hope you are all well... Just a heads up; Terese and I left for France this morning, and we're at the airport having a glass of Prosecco waiting to board our plane... 

Regardless of how many times we do this, we're always so excited to head off on another adventure! It never gets old, and we hope with all our hearts and souls that it never does!  They say if you love what you do, you'll never think of it as work! 

This will likely be our last post on here for a while... From here on in, if we need to connect with you, it will likely be through our WhatsApp Group... if you're not sure what that is, just type "WhatsApp" into the search bar here on The Blog to find out how to join!  (if you need to connect with us and you don't want to post to the group, consider sending Terese or I  a private message through WhatsApp OR call us on WhatsApp...) 

So perhaps knowing that you would be spending a few days in Paris, you became a fan of the TV series ‘Emily In Paris’...    Well, look no further;  below you can find all the iconic locations which appear throughout the series – restaurants, cafés, instagram-able areas and more. For a free self guided tour of 23 of Emily's most favorite Paris Hot Spots, Click Here

We're looking forward to seeing you in Provence soon! We hope you're all excited for your upcoming adventure, and we wish you safe travels!  Soon you'll be noshing on Grilled Frog Legs & washing them down with Champagne!  Vive La France! 

Love & Kisses,

T & T

Pack Less ... Enjoy More!

 We all tend to overpack... We worry about having all the right clothes... we of course want to take our favorites... we can get obsessed with travel gadgets... we think we must have our favorite shampoo... all our vitamins... and of course you gotta have a few purses and a bunch of shoes, right?  

We one time had a couple show up with nothing but a small duffel bag between the two them... We thought they left their suitcases in the car and offered to help retrieve them... Turned out that wasn't the case; the one duffel bag was it... Everything for the both of them was in that one small bag!  And we have to tell you, they were the happiest, most carefree couple we ever hosted! We never noticed how often they may have worn the same outfits... Why would we?  And guess what; you could probably wear the same outfit all week and no one would notice... Or if they did, they probably wouldn't care one way or the other!  Now we're not saying that the one small duffel bag concept is right for everyone, but it's certainly worth thinking about whether or not you can live without two massive suitcases  filled to the brim with a whole closet full of clothes!  

If you're interested in the concept of "Packing Less & Enjoying More"  check out this short article on maximizing your travel outfits!    Click Here

How do you say Marseille... (mar-say)

 So as we're pretty sure you already know by now, we have two separate Tour Groups back-to-back this June on our Beautiful Villages of Provence Expeditions... There's 30 of you total! And while some of you are going into Paris beforehand, many of you are flying into Provence by way of Marseille to meet up with us up at our Villa in Venasque...  and we know a few of you plan to spend a few days in Marseille before you come up to us!  We've spent a fair amount of time in Marseille over the years as Terese worked for many years for Ponant, a luxury French Cruise company that is headquartered in Marseille!  Marseille is indeed a big city, the second largest in France behind Paris!  Watch this video  to learn a few of things you may want to do in Marseille whether you're there for just a few hours or a few days!  

A few more tips about travel in France...

 As many of you are doing a few days in other destinations before meeting up with us in Provence, we thought we'd pass along this video... It's a pretty good primer for what to expect in Paris as well as most all of France... (one note: when she says there's little to no air conditioning in France, you should know that if your hotel told you they have air conditioning, they'll have it... But know that the concept of air conditioning throughout much of Europe is much different than in the US..  Typically their air conditioning is not to the standard we have come to expect in America... And if you happen to have some really hot days in France, it may not cool you quite as much as you expect here in the States... But to a French person, they're just thrilled to have some cooling...)

How to start enjoying your vacation from Day One

 Hi guys,  hope you are all well and getting excited for your upcoming French Adventure! Today we wanted to talk with you about:  "Jet Lag".

Jet Lag is a real thing... and it affects everyone a little differently, but we can pretty much guarantee that the 6 hour time change will affect you! (France is 6 hours ahead of us).  So if you're a night owl, and commonly up at midnight, that would be 6am in France!   

The big issue with jet lag is that it can make you feel really tired, and that of course can interfere with your enjoyment of your vacation... There's lots of things you can do to minimize jet lag... First and most obviously, is to be healthy, well hydrated & well rested before you travel... this alone will help you adjust more easily to the time difference.  

start changing your circadian rhythm today so
you can start enjoying your vacation on Day One

Trust us on this; If you do nothing before you leave, you'll likely suffer the effects of jet lag for the first one to three days of your vacation.  And that means you'll have to be really pushing yourself to wake-up, get going, keep up with your better prepared travel-mates and truly enjoy the day. The other thing that fatigue from jet lag can do is to lower your immunity and make you more susceptible to viruses like common colds, flu or even covid...

We're in the business of "showing you a great time" and that can be a little difficult to do if you're jet-lagged 6 hours... What we always suggest to our guests, is that to get the very most value out of your substantial travel investment, start getting a good night's sleep at least a week before you depart.  And since you're traveling East thru six time zones,  you'll want to consider getting used to going to bed a little earlier each night for a week and getting up a little earlier each day and immediately exposing yourself to bright light to slowly adjust your "circadian rhythm".  

If you normally go to bed at 11pm and get up at 6am, consider going to bed 30 minutes earlier each night for 7 days, and getting up 30 minutes earlier each day. This will slowly adjust your circadian rhythm forward by almost 3.5 hours... And that alone will cut the effects of jet lag in half.  Drink 20%  more water than normal to get hydrated, and reduce caffeine after 10am so you can get to sleep earlier at night. (caffeine stays in your system at least 12 - 18 hours).  When you get up in the morning expose yourself to bright light as early as possible, and in the evenings, slowly reduce your exposure to light. (even light from your computer or cellphone).  These ideas aren't just theories, they're structured science that's been well proven for decades. We've learned to do this so we can hit the ground running when we get to France!

If you're into this, we suggest downloading the "Timeshifter" app on your phone. It's by far the #1 Jet Leg app and it's seriously easy to use... It's FREE for your your first roundtrip, so why not try it out... Just go to your App Store, download Timeshifter, and put in your flight info... It sends you automatic notifications (for just 3 days before you departure) about when to go to bed, when to wake up, how much sunlight, and how much caffeine to get to "shift your circadian rhythm" to your new destination.  Here's the best part - It works! Check out this gal's testimonial below... and download it today!  We've been using it for years...  It's easy, it's fun & it's FREE! It definitely works for us!

Rub-a-dub-dub, Three men in a tub

Someone has reached out to ask about hair dryers & bathroom amenities at the Villa, so here you go;

Rubber ducky, you're the one... 
you make bath time so much fun...

So of course, you're welcome to bring your own bath products if you have favorites... but in your bedrooms and your private  bathrooms at the Villa we will have the following amenities in place for you; Shampoos & French Milled  bar soaps,  as well as kleenex, toilet tissue, air freshener, bath towels, hand towels, bidet towels, pool towels,  a bathroom nightlight, and a European voltage hairdryer (note for the ladies: (we don't provide conditioner; so if you need that, you'll want to consider bringing it along). 

While the hairdryer we place in your room is European, if you have other electric devices that you might be bringing with you, remember that you'll likely need at least an adaptor if it's dual voltage...  or a converter if it is not... If you're bringing any heating devices like a curling iron, flat iron or hair curlers, your much better off with an inexpensive dual voltage model, than buying a converter... Converters are heavy & expensive, and don't work very well with high-amperage devices, they often just burn out... (to understand the difference between an adaptor and a converter, click here ).   For an inexpensive dual voltage curling iron delivered to your house in 2 days with free Prime shipping click here

Also someone has asked about bed linens: Do we need to bring bed linens like we have for various vacation house rentals?   And the answer is of course no, there will be very nice fresh linens on your bed when you arrive... But you need to understand: the Villa is not a hotel; the same linens (bed, bath & pool) will be in your room for the full week... We advise to hang them nicely to keep them clean.

if you're looking for a pharmacy in France, look for the 
Green Cross... (ps: someone's always looking for 
distilled water for their CPAP machine; this is 
where you'll find it -  ask for "eau distillee"  

One thing you may notice missing is wash cloths...  Wash cloths are not at all common in Europe, and you probably won't find them in your hotels (unless your hotel caters specifically to Americans), and you likely won't find them at The Villa. It's just a cultural thing...   If a wash cloth is critical to you, we suggest you throw one in your suitcase and bring it with you. 

Another reminder to help lighten your suitcase: The Villa has a wonderful  spacious laundry room and we make it complimentary and available for you to use at your leisure as often as you prefer.   We have two modern European Style Washing machines & a Dryer and we'll have the laundry room fully stocked for you with complimentary laundry soaps, stain removers, fabric softeners, an iron, and ironing board and drying racks.    We will also have a basic first aid kit at the Villa. 

this is what happens when you go to kindergarten at Disneyworld,

 and your teacher is Dolly Parton!

Vive la Différence: Cultural Contrasts Between the US and France

As we all get ready to hope on planes to cross the pond, we always think it's important to touch on some general cultural differences you'll encounter in France... While the United States and Europe share a history rooted in Western ideals, cultural nuances paint distinct portraits on either side of the Atlantic. Individualism reigns supreme in the American psyche, with a strong work ethic and a "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" mentality. Here in the US, the emphasis is on achievement, and informality is often the order of the day.

European cultures, on the other hand, tend to prioritize a slower pace of life and a stronger social safety net. Leisure time and vacations are seen as essential, and there's a greater emphasis on community and collective well-being. Communication styles can also differ, with Europeans sometimes favoring a more indirect and nuanced approach compared to the American preference for directness.

It's important to remember that Europe is a tapestry of cultures, with distinct flavors in every nation. The reserved formality of Germans contrasts with the passionate exuberance of Italians. The laid-back approach to time in Spain might surprise visitors accustomed to American punctuality.

Steeped in history and romance, French culture cherishes art de vivre (the art of living). Parisians linger over coffee and croissants, while evenings hum with lively conversation. Museums brim with masterpieces, and charming villages boast ancient architecture. Food is an art form, with fresh ingredients and leisurely meals. Fashion is a national pastime, with a focus on elegance and effortless chic. French culture prioritizes intellectual discourse, valuing debate and critical thinking.

Understanding these cultural differences is key to navigating social interactions and fostering a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of human experience.  Whether it's clinking glasses during a leisurely European dinner or grabbing a quick bite on the go in the US, both cultures offer unique perspectives on life.

While Provence doesn't have a culture entirely exclusive to itself, it does boast a unique blend of regional traditions and influences. Here's a few things that set it apart:

• Lingering Echoes of Provençal: Though largely replaced by French, the Provençal language (a dialect of Occitan) whispers in the region's soul.
• Fêtes and Festivals: Vibrant celebrations erupt throughout the year, from bullfighting-inspired events in the Camargue to joyous harvest festivals.
• Sun-Kissed Cuisine: Fresh, local ingredients reign supreme. Think olive oil, fragrant herbs, and delicious seafood, all reflecting the region's Mediterranean climate.
• Architectural Tapestry: Roman ruins stand alongside medieval villages and grand Renaissance structures, showcasing a rich architectural history.

Things you may notice about the subtle differences between our US culture and the French culture:

Pace of Life: Americans tend to be fast-paced and career-driven. The French, on the other hand, prioritize leisure time and long lunches. Work-life balance is a bigger concept in France, with shops often closing for extended lunch breaks. (Where you're likely to first notice this is in a restaurant; it may take longer to get seated, and it may be a while before a waiter shows up to take your order..)

Food and Meals: Food is a cornerstone of French culture. Meals are savored, often featuring multiple courses, served over a much longer time,  and of course, an emphasis on local ingredients. Breakfast is light, while lunch is the main event. Dinners are often lighter than lunch. In contrast, Americans prioritize speed and convenience,with meals often eaten on-the-go. (at our Villa, Breakfast is plentiful with both hot & cold offerings, and lots of fresh fruits & melons... But dinner is still the main event)

Directness: Americans tend to be more direct in communication, often valuing positive affirmations. The French may come across as more critical, but this can be a normal part of their intellectual discourse. Understanding these communication styles can prevent misunderstandings. (be careful not to assume, as many American do, that the French are rude ~ their communication style is just inherently different from ours)

Social Hierarchy: Like most European countries, France retains a more formal social structure. Titles, standing and proper greetings are important...  American culture is generally more informal, with a focus on equality.

Vacation Time: French workers are legally entitled to more vacation days than Americans. This reflects the French emphasis on leisure and spending time with family. ( you'll see that our Chefs sometimes bring their children with them, and sometimes they even help serve... and if you've not seen it before, you'll likely see French people bring their dogs into restaurants with them, and the waiter often brings the dog a bowl of food)

Homes, Hotels & Apartments:  Amenities that we take for granted in the US, like air conditioning are much more rare in France... These types of things are considered more of a luxury. Often times you'll find that they'll have air conditioning, but it won't work as effectively as what we think of as an American standard. You'll often also see this with things like plumbing, refrigeration, heating etc... especially anything that uses electricity or any type of fuel. (Electricity and most all fuels like gasoline, natural gas, diesel fuel, fuel oil, etc are 3 to 5 times more expensive in most of Europe)

Public Space: Public spaces in France can be seen as an extension of social life, with people lingering in cafes and parks.Americans often view public spaces more for transactions or quick errands. (you'll sometimes see the French linger at a cafe table for 2 hours over an espresso & a croissant)

Remember, these are generalizations. Both cultures are diverse, and individual experiences may vary. However, being aware of and understanding these differences can help bridge the gap and foster appreciation for the unique aspects of French culture.

You're gonna love The Lavender Route!

 Provence in bloom is a sight that beckons travelers with a sensory symphony. The crown jewel? The lavender fields... transforming the rolling countryside into a vast sea of purple. But what makes these fragrant landscapes so irresistible?

Firstly, it's a feast for the eyes. Imagine vibrant violet stretching endlessly towards the horizon, broken only by a quaint farmhouse or a lone cypress tree. The sheer scale is awe-inspiring, a testament to both nature's bounty and human cultivation. This visual feast is amplified by the gentle sway of the lavender in the summer breeze, creating a mesmerizing wave effect. This is why we take you out on The Lavender Route! We'll start the day with our Provençal Classique Road Rally up the oh so famous Mont Ventoux in The Alps...(of Tour de France Fame).  We'll stop near The Summit at a wonderful Mountain Chalet; Chalet Reynaud for a really fun lunch on their giant patio... and then we'll finish the Road Rally by heading down the other side of this massive mountain and we'll tour The Lavender Route!

This video is from last year's Trip to Provence! Same time of the year! Hopefully Mother Nature is just as kind to us this year! Is that George Clooney in the video... 😂😂😂

Secondly, the aroma is intoxicating. The air itself is infused with the calming fragrance of lavender, a scent synonymous with relaxation and well-being. It's a natural perfume that lingers on clothes and hair long after you leave these incredible purple fields, a fragrant souvenir of your Provençal adventure.

Beyond the visual and olfactory experience, the lavender fields offer a glimpse into Provence's rich agricultural heritage.These fields aren't just beautiful; they're a working landscape, the source of the essential oil used in countless products worldwide.Witnessing the lavender's journey from field to bottle adds another layer of appreciation for this fragrant treasure.

Provence's lavender fields are more than just scenery; they're a chance to connect with nature, immerse yourself in a timeless tradition, and capture memories that will forever be tinged with the unforgettable scent of lavender and your Adventure To Provence!

Actually the fields are purple!

Our gift to you...

 Europe for the past ten years has been strongly discouraging single use plastics, resulting in the all too common convenience store bottle of water becoming less common and way more expensive... Here at Adventures to Tuscany, for both our Provence and Tuscany Tours we typically provisioned 3 bottles a day per guest for the week, so for our typical Provence Tour went through about 48 bottles per day or 336 plastic bottles for just one Tour Group! When we did the math, we realized we were responsible for several thousand plastic bottles and unfortunately, many of these never made it to a recycling plant...  

Just a small token of our appreciation...

So back a few years ago, we decided to get on board and be a little more environmentally conscious! With this in mind, we'll have a little gift for you when you get to The Villa on Saturday...   As a small token of our appreciation, each guest will get one of our official Adventures To Provence thermos bottles! We think you'll love these; they'll hold half a liter (17 ounces) they're super lightweight, double walled, vacuum insulated & powder coated 18/8 stainless steel thermos' bottles... You can fill them with water, coffee or even wine, and they'll keep beverages ice cold or steaming hot for almost 24 hours...  

They'll easily fit in the side pocket of your daypack and they're wonderful to take along for your daytime activities while you're with us in Provence!  We're typically out all day long... It'll be mid June, so it can get pretty warm, and it's nice to have something ice cold to sip on! Terese & I actually fill one of ours with ice water and the other with espresso and share throughout the day!   You'll find they'll also work well to fill with ice water and have at your bedside overnight while you're at The Villa! And don't worry, we think you'll find the water at our Villa, high in the rural Provencal countryside is ultra pure and tastes wonderful!

We first discovered these years ago when we were looking for something functional for ourselves, as it's not always convenient for us to find somewhere to buy water or coffee while we're out leading our Tours... and after a few years, we decided it would be a nice gift for our guests as well...  We think you'll enjoy these for many years!   So many of our guests over the years tell us they use them everyday! Got one of these from a previous trip with us?  Now you've got two!

Thanks again for choosing us for your Adventure To Provence!  We really appreciate it & we're looking forward to spending time with you!

Tommy & Terese

We've seen the rain!  best to bring an umbrella...

You can't there from here...

 So by now you should have received the large envelope we mailed to you with your Tour Voucher, (if you haven't received this yet, you should within the next day or so) which includes turn by turn directions to get you to the Villa from either of two directions: from Avignon for those of you taking the train down from Paris, and alternately, from Marseille for those of you flying into MRS (the Marseille Provence Airport) . We'll also include them at the bottom of this post.

We've attached a video below of the driveway and the approach to the Villa to give you just a bit of an idea as to how large this estate really is...  And lastly, notice that although you're already in the mountains of Provence, you're not just going down a long private road, you're climbing over 1200 feet of vertical ascent!  This hilltop setting gives The Villa just outstanding views out over the Provençal Countryside and of our nearby homebase village of Venasque!  Enjoy!

you'll want to turn your volume on and consider going full screen for this

Just a reminder; we’ll have cleaning staff working to prepare for your arrival, and you won’t be able to access the Estate until 4pm on Saturday arrival day.
Most of you have told us you’re coming from either Marseille Airport, or coming down from Paris on the train into Avignon.   In either case, set your GPS or Google Maps to arrive at : 

Ferme St. Martin

Chemin de Saint-Martin

84210 Venasque, France

Also in Europe, they use what's called Plus Codes; it's the digital version of a street address... so you can just type the plus code into "maps" and it will give you the exact location!  The Plus Code for the Villa is:  246X+CM Venasque, France

From Avignon

• If you’re coming in from Avignon, we suggest D942 to D235, to the D4… the driveway to the Villa is a left turn off of the D4 approx 100 feet south of its intersection with the D77 

From Marseille

• If you’re coming in from Marseille, we suggest you take the A7 north, get off near Cavaillion, take the D938 north, to the D31 north, turn right onto the D28 toward Pernes-les-Fontaines and follow D28 until you get to the D4, turn left onto the D4 and the driveway to the Villa will be approx 1500 feet up on the right.

• If your rental car has GPS, you'll want to make sure the audio is set to "English" before you leave the rental car agency. (if it's not, you may want to ask for assistance before you leave their parking lot ~ it can sometimes be very difficult to figure out how to do this)
• (You’ll see our Adventures To Provence banner at the driveway entrance)
• Also next week, Terese will send you a “pin” of the Villa’s location with the Google Maps driving directions… This pin will come to you on WhatsApp, so if you haven’t downloaded WhatsApp (from The App Store) you should do it now.  All communications from us while we're in France (June 8th on ward) will come via WhatsApp. It’s free!
• Please plan to arrive at The Villa no earlier than 4pm with a full tank of gas! And if you're going to be later than 6pm, please send us a message on WhatsApp with your approx ETA.

if you're not familiar with "pins" check out this shot video

So who are you guys really?

 We know what we do is a little bit different, and when you do what we do, you get a lot of questions...  Here at Adventures To Tuscany, we always tell people: "What makes us different, makes all the difference in the world."  So our guests often ask us: "what makes you so different?"   

Hopefully you’ve already read and know a little bit about us from our website and our introduction of ourselves on this Blog.  So this post focuses on who we are, how we got here, why we do what we do, how we travel, how we choose who to work with, and how we make money…

We thought we’d lay out for you our Code of Ethics that’ll let you see, transparently, what it is that we’re up to, how our company makes money, and what our mission & our goals are for our small boutique expedition company.

First, some basics. We’re full-time Tour Operators, tour guides, travel consultants, travel writers and expedition leaders... This isn't a part-time gig we do on the side a couple times a year;  this is what we do full time, and we work at it 365 days a year!

Goals of Our Travel Blogs & Expedition Operations

What we try to do is:

• Share our travel stories, travel tips, and photos
• Inspire you to travel and visit the places we go
• Provide you with quality resources & information to help you plan your trips
• Give back to the world in at least some small way
• Generate an income that lets us keep doing the above four things
• This last point is the one we’ll focus on in regards to our Code of Ethics.

Our Mission

At Adventures to Tuscany, our goal & mission is to create Expedition-Style International Tours that totally exceed your expectations in every possible way. It starts with our experience... We've personally been touring Europe for over 40 years and we're in our 24th year of organizing our Tour Groups. We're honored & proud that so many of our guests who have traveled with us, choose to do it again, and again... and sometimes again & again!... We know our success depends on providing our guests with the very best value and the most unique travel experience they've ever had. We work hard to do that and we hope you are already recognizing that! Our hope is that are guests are impressed enough to tell their family & friends... and we hope they'll consider traveling with us again... If we can improve your experience in any way, please let us know. 

How We Generate an Income
Like most self-employed people, we make money in several different ways and these can differ a bit each year. But here are the primary ways we earn our incomes and support ourselves.

Our primary source of income is our boutique Expedition Operations. For the last 24 years, we personally research, design, curate and market  Expedition Style Tours to just two destinations; Tuscany, Italy & Provence in The South of France. We strive to market totally unique, authentic & immersive, escorted & guided experiential adventure expeditions

We do not make any commissions from any airlines, hotels, restaurants, attractions, wineries or activities that we recommend, but we do get small referral fees from only two of the vendors we recommend; InsureMyTrip Travel Insurance, and AutoEurope.com Car Rentals. Purchasing travel insurance or renting a car from one of our links may earn us a small referral fee, but it NEVER costs you anything extra. We only recommend vendors and services that we believe are both relevant and good quality. We do not personally recommend any service we have not used ourselves. And when we use these services, we pay for them, just like you do. We again, only work with brands that we are excited about and genuinely believe in.

Our Code of Ethics:

• At the very core of our ethics is integrity; And integrity is the core of trust... and to us this means acting with honesty and fairness. It's doing the right thing even when no one's looking.  We call it "Our Golden Rule Philosophy".  It's our foundation for self-respect and a positive reputation. Our guests rely on us, and we want our word to hold weight.
• We will never recommend a product or service that we don’t believe in ourselves.
• We will only market tours & expeditions, that we genuinely believe are unique, alternative, immersive and of the best possible value.
• We will only work with brands that we believe in and are relevant to you
• We will never work with third party destination management companies that operate mass-market tours. 
• We'll never allow the components & activities of our Tours to be dictated by others – we control all the components of our Tours and our Villa accommodations. Our loyalty lies with you, our guests.
• We limit & always disclose clearly if we receive referral fees from a vendor or service provider that we provide a link or recommendation for.
• We are proud to be a long time member of the NTA (The National Tour Association) and adhere to the NTA's high standards & The NTA's Professional Code of Ethics. 
• We have been running our Expedition Operations for 24 years, and our company is legally incorporated.  
• Like most companies, we hire and pay for services like accounting, website development, advertising, computer maintenance, healthcare insurance,  office equipment, trade association memberships, travel insurances, business consulting and  Professional Tour Operator's Liability Insurance.
• We subscribe to the National Tour Association's Code of Professional Ethics to strive for the honest & truthful marketing of Organized International Group Travel.

What does all this mean 

• Well, it's quite simple actually; we believe in both Karma & The Golden Rule
• And these two concepts intersect in their focus on the impact of our actions
• The Golden Rule focuses on empathy and reciprocity. (ie: treat others how you'd like to be treated, creating a more positive and harmonious world.)
• Karma focuses on cause and effect. (Our actions, good or bad, have consequences for us, encouraging self-reflection and responsible choices.)
• Both principles ultimately nudge us in a similar direction: above all else, act fairly with kindness and consideration for others. 
• For us they provide different angles on the same basic truth: our morals, our ethics & our actions have the power to shape our our experiences... and ultimately our world.   
• That's it....    it's as simple as that..

Privacy Policy
We respect and protect your privacy. We will never share your personal information you provide us unless specifically agreed upon.

Hope you guys are getting excited about France!  We certainly are!  We're so close now, you can almost smell the cheese!   We've already started packing!

while John Mayer has had relationships with dozens of celebrities, (including Taylor Swift, Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Aniston,  Cameron Diaz, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Mandy Moore, and Natalie Morales among many others) and there are  equally as many rumors about who he wrote this song about, he actually has recently admitted he wrote it about his high school sweetheart

Don't Forget to Wear Sunscreen!

 Well it's almost time for us to start winding down The Blog... We've written 96 posts over the last 8 months and posted as many French words, and equally as many French menu items!  You should now, at the very least, and if nothing else, feel confident to do the three most important things a tourist worries about doing in France; understand the menu and order great French Foods,  figure out how much to tip the waiter... and lastly, and most importantly, ask for the location of the bathroom!

Hopefully The Blog has given you hints and helped you with your travel planning, your flights, hotels, currency exchange, Provence, Paris, Avignon, our Villa ~ Château du Soleil, travel tips, using credit cards in France,  international calling plans and smartphone tips, translators, phrasebooks, ATM's,  debit card usage and limits, overcoming language barriers, French Culture and Etiquette, packing tips, restaurant skills, dealing with jet lag, guide books, driving in France, Cafe & Wine Bar culture, pre and post Tour itinerary ideas, flight tips, car rental tips, maps, GPS units, two-way radios, Touring tips, Gordes, The Abbaye of Notre-Dame de Sénanque, Venasque, Mont Ventoux, St. Remy, The Pont du Gard, Roussillon, Le Sentier des Ocres (the red canyons), L'Isle-Sur-la-Sorgue, Le Baux-de-Provence, Les Carrières de Lumières, Sault, Arles, our Le Provençal Classique Road Rally of Mont Ventoux, our Mountain Chalet Luncheon, the Lavender Fields Route and our Wine Estate Tour, French Country Picnic, etc, etc etc....

We'll still keep in touch with you on The Blog over the next couple weeks, but as we get really busy leading up to our departure, there will be fewer posts...  And after we leave for France, we'll still communicate with you but less often on The Blog and more often via the new WhatsApp Groups!

This week, as we're all digging out our suitcases, watch for a large envelope in your mailbox that will have your Tour Vouchers, directions & important info about getting to Chateau du Soleil,  a couple simple maps with the location of The Villa and a suggested route, some luggage tags, and some fun info about Le Fete Blanc!

What else can we tell you... Bring sensible shoes...  Stop worrying about your diet... don't worry about "what to wear"  dress casual... bring  SUNSCREEN...  and an umbrella...   and forget about your budget; you're going to a magnificent Villa in PROVENCE!  BE HAPPY!   Not everyone can afford this opportunity!  (did we mention there's a CHAMPAGNE BAR!). You're gonna have a blast!  Commit now to making this the best vacation ever!

We're sincerely looking forward to making the best memories ever with you guys!  If our experience tells us anything; we'll all become close friends!  And sharing your vacation pictures with your friends is nice... But to actually share your vacation with your friends, creates memories that will truly last forever,,, A virtual bond that survives through time, knowing that the group of you have taken off, traveling around the globe together... experiencing some of the most awesome adventures and beautiful sights the world has to offer...  These magical moments are not necessarily measured by the experience itself, but often by our reaction to them... 

And when, as group, we can share these amazing experiences, and our reactions to them together, the memories increase a hundredfold!  And as we savor these memories and joys, it's important to realize what these experiences actually mean to us, and the real joy and total impact they have on our lives... Whether by tasting a new food, a different wine, a foreign language, a unique culture, or something as visual as an immensely fragrant field of lavender... experiential travel expands our horizons, and expands our lives to truly make us more dynamic individuals!  Get ready guys and Buckle up... We're going to have the most incredible adventure & make some amazing memories!  Don't forget to wear sunscreen...

                                                                    wear sunscreen!

10... 9... 8... 7... 6...

 Hi Guys, hope you are all well, and getting excited about your upcoming adventure to France!  Lots of excitement going on there right now as Taylor Swift just performed in Paris as the first stop on her 50+ shows on the European leg of her Eras Tour, and as she travels around Europe and comes back to Lyon, France in early June!    And of course all of Paris is in a complete frenzy over the upcoming Summer Olympics starting July 26th and running thru August 11th! And those of you heading there over the next few weeks will undoubtedly experience the excitement!

Today we're  less than one month out from the start of our first Beautiful Villages of Provence Expedition!  Terese and I fly out in just 3 weeks to prepare for your arrival!  And we know many of you are going over early as well, to spend a few days in other destinations before coming to meet us at Château du Soleil in Provence!  It's typically at this 2 to 3 week countdown that our guests start to get really excited and have questions... After 24 years of running OIGT (organized international group tours) multiple times a year, we understand this...  and we encourage you to give us a call if we can help you with any of your planning for your trip!

Also we remind you, that there's a good chance that we've previously addressed many questions right here on The Blog!  The simplest way to search The Blog is to use the "Search Box" in the very top left of your screen.  To search for something, just type a keyword into the search box...   So let's say you have a question about "how much to tip in France,"  Just type the keyword "Tipping" in the search box and all posts that address that topic will come up in the results.

Got questions about something The Blog doesn't address?  Shoot us an email to AdventuresToTuscany@gmail.com... We always try to respond to emails within 24 hours... need a quicker answer? give us a all at 610-657-7894

If you haven't seen "A Good Year" with Russell Crowe & Marion Cotillard, we highly recommend it... The movie was filmed very nearby our Villa, and many of the scenes take place in Villages we'll be visiting!

Join our WhatsApp Provence Group for our Group Communications while in France

This is a repost of an article about WhatsApp that we posted a while back.  We will use WhatsApp as our "primary"  group communication tool while we are in France.  By noon today (Thursday) you will receive a text from Theresa, (our VP of La Dolce Vita) with an invitation to join our exclusive Adventures To Provence WhatsApp Group.  (if you've already downloaded WhatsApp, you'll receive the invitation from What'sApp)

WhatsApp ~ it's easy & it's free!

In Europe, everybody uses "WhatsApp"!  It basically gives you free Texting and free Voice calls to anyone else who is on the WhatsApp platform... So while you're traveling with friends, and need to contact them, or you want to call or text from France back to the US, if you're calling someone else on the WhatsApp platform, it's free...  It works great for having a Tour Group Text String while traveling abroad and we'll definitely want to create one for your group so that we can all easily connect with each other!

The important thing to understand about WhatsApp and similar platforms is that you still need an internet connection for it to be totally free... So if you're at The Villa, you'll have free unlimited wifi... But say you're in your car, and you use WhatsApp, you'll connect to the internet thru your cellular data plan...

If ya know, ya know... If you don't, were gonna send you to a site where you can learn all about it in just 3 minutes... Don't worry about all the advanced stuff this site will mention. 

All you need to do is:

1. take a few minutes to watch the video
2. go to the App Store & download the App (it's free)
3. Get your friends & family to download the App

It's free & it takes just 2 minutes to download, and can save you a ton of $$$!

even if you're familiar with WhatsApp, this video 

has lots of great info you may not be aware of

  

As always, we encourage you to be aware & be careful...

 Hi guys,  Hope you're all getting excited about France!  We sure are!  Many of you have told us you're departing in less than 30 days... So the countdown begins!  Terese & I  personally will  be leaving on June 8th to go over, work on the Tour plans and prepare for your arrival at the Villa!

For those of you spending a few days in Paris, and
especially if you're staying at our recommended
hotel, Londres de Eiffel,  be sure to catch the
evening light show in the fields at the The Eiffel Tower...
(consider a blanket, a bottle of wine, a corkscrew
& couple glasses ~ It makes a  great memory! 

We also wanted to again mention that it is an extremely busy tourist season all over Europe... and of course in the larger cities like Paris & Rome, it is indeed crowded... This creates the perfect environment for pickpockets and we are hearing and reading that indeed, they are active in the bigger cities ! 

I've read several first-hand accounts on travel group sites of folks describing having been pick-pocketed recently...   A year or two ago on our flight home after our Tours, we sat next to a family from Colorado who was cutting their Italian vacation short because the husband had been pickpocketed in the Rome rail station. He told us a large man stood at the top of an escalator and created a log jam, and in the commotion of people bumping into each other, they lifted his wallet from his back pocket. He had all their money in the wallet... Very sad indeed... 

So we don't want to scare you... these activities are no different than in major metropolitan hubs here in the US like NY, Chicago, LA, etc... But indeed Americans are often picked on in Europe as they know we as a group, tend to be a little more naive, compassionate and trusting...  It's not just pick-pockets... there's a lot of tourist travel scams out there... be careful.  Just be aware of your surroundings... And be careful with your valuables... Don't wear expensive flashy jewelry or watches... it's like advertising that you're a target... My brother got hit a few years ago in Scotland (likely because they were traveling with expensive designer logo'd luggage...) Even Travel Guru Rick Steves got pick-pocketed on a rail car 3 years ago, and he's spent most of his career warning travelers about pick-pockets....

So what can you do???  To start with, this is a mostly big city issue... The bigger the city, the more tourists sites, the more likely that there's pickpockets around... be especially careful in any crowded area... In Paris, this could be the Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, The Arc de Triumph, Seine River Boat Cruises, The Champs Elysee, Rail Stations, Subways, Airports, etc...

Be very careful not to carry your wallet in your rear pocket... Also be careful with purses and backpacks... A pro can sneak up behind you in a crowd and unzip you back pack / purse and you'll never hear/feel/ or see him...  In big European cities, often children are involved in pickpocketing & travel scams...  Use a money belt or a neck wallet... Today these are available in lightweight silk and fit easily under your clothing.... Don't put all your money in these; you don't want to be pulling it out every time you're buying a gelato... put the walking around money you need for a day in your front pocket, and put the rest in the neck wallet... Consider splitting your money up so not all of it is on one person, or in one place... 

And of course lastly, use credit cards more often instead of carrying a lot of cash... and use your debit card at ATM machines just to get enough cash for a couple days so that your not carrying around too much money...   

Again these issues are mostly a big city problem and are less of an issue in Provence, but of course, these things can happen anywhere... Your best defense is just to always be aware of your surroundings...

This is Taylor Swift from her Eras Tour Concert in Paris this week

Thinking of taking the Train?

 If you're thinking of taking the train in France, we suggest you spend 10 minutes with this Ultimate Guide to Train Travel in France!  Click Here

We're proud to announce we've partnered with AutoEurope!

We assume that most of you have made your rental car arrangements by now... But if you haven't, and are still searching, check out our new Adventures to Tuscany & Provence booking engine at:

Adventures to Tuscany & AutoEurope.  We've expanded our relationship in both Italy & France with AutoEurope and we're proud to announce that they have now supplied us with our own Booking Engine!  (full disclosure: we get a small referral fee from them at no extra cost to you if you book from our new site)

AutoEurope is by far the global leader in international car rental services and have been helping travelers find the perfect rental vehicle for their trips worldwide for over 60 years. They offer the most competitive car rental rates in the industry, guaranteed. With that said, here at Auto Europe, we don't believe customers should expect less because they pay less. Our rates will always be competitive, and we continue to remember this is also a service-based business. Auto Europe also understands that clients appreciate saving money whenever possible, so we not only take pride in guaranteeing the lowest car rental rates, but we also offer great deals on accessories, extensive car rental fleet selection

We've personally been using AutoEurope for all our rental cars for over 40 years! They're the agency for all the major brands ....  They make it super simple to find, compare and reserve cars from all the rental car companies and their prices are usually 20 - 25% cheaper than going direct! 

To check out the new site: click here

Tracy Chapman's recognition for this song was long overdue!

The Art of Savoring Provence: Balancing Leisure and Exploration

The Coliseum in the center of Arles

 Provence, in The South of France...  bathed in sunshine and steeped in history, beckons travelers with its lavender fields, charming villages, and vibrant culture. But crafting the perfect itinerary can be a challenge. Do you cram in every sight, or surrender to the languorous pace of the Provençal life? Our goal is always to design our itineraries to achieve a harmonious balance between active exploration and leisurely downtime during your vacation, focusing on the following destinations, and of course leisurely time at our amazing Villa:

The Touring and Active Exploration

• Gordes: A famous hilltop village known for its quaintness, charm, and honey-colored stone houses sitting atop a majestic rocky hilltop over 2100 feet in elevation, offering a view of the landmarks of its past, a majestic protective castle, a massive church with its defensive appearance, 
• Arles: an ancient city sitting on the majestic Rhone River, dating back to 800 BC, boasting incredible Roman ruins and a  home to Van Gogh. where he painted over 300 of his masterpieces from the surrounding landscapes
• Les Baux-de-Provence: Another truly ancient,  village  perched on a rocky outcrop, dating back to 6000BC offering breathtaking views and a medieval castle.
• Carrières de Lumières: A massive underground marble, granite and limestone quarry transformed into a spectacular 3 dimensional cinematic light show venue. If you're familiar with the Van Gogh exhibits that have captivated audiences across America the last few years, well this where it began, and it's 10 times more amazing than anything you have seen in The US!
• Venasque: what we call our home-base Village... A charming stone-built hilltop village nestled amidst vineyards, Cherry orchards, and olive groves.  
• Mont Ventoux: A challenging mountain in The Alps made famous by the amazing Tour de France Bicycle Race!  This massive mountain is where we'll stage our Le Provencal Classique Road Rally! Ventoux is legendary mountain nicknamed the "Giant of Provence".  We'll take a break at Ventoux's Summit for a wonderful luncheon at a famous Alpine Mountaintop Chalet!
• The Pont du Garde: A majestic 2000 year old Roman aqueduct bridge. If you think the Eiffel Tower is breathtaking, wait till you see & walk across the Pont du Garde!
• Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque: A serene Cistercian abbey renowned for its lavender fields. You've seen pictures of this your whole life!
• Roussillon: Another beautiful Provencal Village known for its ochre colored cliffs and colorful houses made from these colorful pigments
• Château Pesquie: we'll Tour this wonderful Wine Estate, have a Guided Tasting by one of their wine-makers, and we've arranged for an amazing picnic in a grove of 300 year old Plane Trees on the Estate next to The Château.
• The Provence Lavender Fields: no trip to Provence would be complete without a tour of its iconic purple tapestry!  We've timed your Tour to (hopefully) catch the Lavender Fields at the height of their bloom, and of course, before the harvest!  (Mother Nature controls this delicate timing)

And while all of these pursuits are going to be outstanding...  as we mentioned earlier, our goal is to balance these touring activities with leisure time at the Villa! 

The Relaxing Leisure Opportunities

• We think you'll find that Mornings at The Villa are a perfect time for a cup of coffee and some quiet reflection, or a stroll through the terraced gardens surrounding the Villa. The Villa's hilltop setting and gardens filled with statues & water features, provides an incredibly serene backdrop to catch both the sunrises & sunsets!
• Many of our guests like to enjoy a refreshing dip in the heated pool to start their mornings before Breakfast
• You'll find that Breakfasts at the Villa are among the most casual of times... We set up Breakfast as a Buffet in the kitchen... and as you get your coffee, juice and breakfast foods, you'll have your choice of a handful of places to relax and enjoy your first meal of the day; Inside, there's the Dining Room, and the the Solarium... the Dining room is a beautiful, large and little bit more formal setting, where as the Solarium is a massive, casual recreational "Great Room" with Post & Beam construction and walls of retractable glass on three sides... when we open all these glass walls, the Solarium transitions into a large Pavilion...  Outside, you'll have many choices: The table under the vine covered loggia just outside the kitchen doors... The large bank of sofas on The Terrace outside the Solarium... The dining table outside the Summer Kitchen at the Pool Bar... or even the loungers around the pool.
• During the days when we're out Touring, we try to get back to the Villa at a reasonable time in the afternoon so that you can enjoy a couple hours of leisure time around the Villa and at the pool before dinner
• We of course have the Wine, Champagne, Prosecco and Beer Bars set up, as well as Appetizers for our daily Happy Hours Parties... usually we set up Happy Hours either in the Solarium or down at the pool
• We typically, weather permitting, have our Dinners served by the Chefs, on the large Table outside the kitchen doors under the Vine covered loggia alongside the gardens...
• We think you'll find that the festive atmosphere of our evening dinner parties and our traditional after dinner cordials, just naturally transition into casual socializing around the various outdoor leisure areas throughout the evenings
• The Estate and grounds throughout the property are very large and expansive, and we think you'll find there's lots of areas to wander into if you prefer some quiet time away from others
• We're sure you've heard us talk about La Fete Blanc (the white party)... and as many of you probably remember our Festival del Bianco Celebration in Tuscany, this is in a similar vein!
• And lastly, this leads us into Wednesday, (your free day)... So being pretty active throughout the week, we give you Wednesday, as a free day to be totally at your leisure, to do whatever you may feel like doing... If you wants to sleep in and hang out all day the pool... perhaps take a drive over to Avignon for a leisurely lunch, or head down to St Remy for the market and go boutique shopping....

Again, after several decades of planning these group tours, we find this delicate balance of active touring with sufficient leisure & down time lead to the best vacations!  We hope you're getting excited about France!  We are!   We're going to have a great time!  Viva La France! 

this is Loren Allred, and she will blow you away!

Just a polite reminder... we need some info from you

this is what we need from you: an in focus 
picture of the photo page of your passport...

For your safety, as the Tour Operator you've contracted with for OIGT (Organized International Group Travel), the legal and regulatory agencies both here in the USA & France require that we have your passport on file, and that for emergency purposes, we have what they call a summary awareness of your whereabouts while you're traveling outside of the US on this trip...  And the Villa Management & local Police in Provence, require we give them a copy of your Passport. (the same as any tour agency, cruise line or hotel does).

With this in mind, we need you to please email us:

* A copy of your Passport Photo page (an in focus cell phone pic is fine or you can photocopy and mail it to us) 
* The Cell Phone #  you'll be using in France
* OutBound Airline, Flight #  & Date of departure from the US

* Return Flight departure city, date, airline & flight #

* emergency contact & phone# in the U.S.

Please email this info to us @:  AdventuresToTuscany@gmail.com  with the subject line: "last name info". (for example: harpster info).

 If you've already done this, Thank You...  If not, could you please email this info to us at your earliest convenience, but we must have this info no later than April 30th.