“ A Sensory Trip through Provence ”
Wherever you live in this world, it is likely that you occasionally need a vacation for your senses. If we are not given the opportunity to see, smell, taste, touch and hear new things periodically, we risk becoming stunted and will soon lose our sense of purpose on this earth. When this happens to my wife, she sometimes says to me "the flower is starting to wilt," and I know this means that action is required.
The "Gems of Provence" is the trip that provides the perfect treatment. Start off with a nice long walk from Avignon across the river to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, visit the Jardins de l'abbaye Saint-André and experience the botanical trail or "Le sentier botanique." Now, at last, you are in Provence, can you tell?
From Avignon, the trip takes you to wonderful places. While the lavender fields are not blooming in October, other features take center stage as the endless vineyards sport their autumnal colors. Can you find places to stop along the way, eat your lunch and drink wine while sitting in the vineyards? Some may seek out a variety of eating establishments along the way which is fine, but I think we preferred sitting among the vines for our "pique-nique." And, under the watchful eye of Mont Ventoux. (Not cycling to the top, just below it of course)
Are you getting the idea? Palaces and fortifications, public markets, bakeries, baguettes, fields of grapes and lavender, picturesque villages, a bottle of the rosé produced in these vineyards, the rich color and scent of Autumn and the setting sun illuminating the village at Séguret. Are artists inspired to paint here? Of course, what a question! The accommodations were very good, the trip was planned well and everything functioned as it should. Now, what are you going to do the next time your flower starts to wilt?