Back from Provence!
Bonjour!
I have recently returned from Provence…it was so very good to finally be back in France! Most of the lavender fields in the Luberon were in bloom, and I loved every minute of standing before them, breathing in their fragrance and photographing their beauty.
When Steve and I arrived in Provence, some of my favorite little lavender shops were just starting to offer fresh cut bundles of lavender for sale. I couldn’t help but buy a few…well, maybe more than a few :)
With everything everyone has endured due to Covid, over the past year and a half, I felt so blessed to be back in Provence. I was pleased to find life in France mostly the same as I had always experienced {except for the requirement of wearing masks indoors}. People are rightfully more cautious, but it seemed that most people were ready to be out and about again…shopping the flea markets, buying fresh produce at the weekly food markets, sipping rosé and dining outdoors, and just enjoying the beautiful weather that June had to offer. Everyone has to decide when travel is right for them, and I completely understand and respect that. But, for me, I was more than ready to be back in Provence. I continue to pray that things improve globally for everyone.
Most of my tour groups had opted to move from June to the fall this year. However, I did have one group that braved the newness of international travel just opening back up. They came to see the lavender fields of Provence and shop the flea markets with me, and we had a truly amazing time! I have a button on my Instagram profile page, titled “Provence 2021,” where you can see many of the “stories” that I shared on IG, during my time in Provence. Lots of lavender fields!
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I had back up dates reserved for the June tour group, just in case we were unable to make it to France, due to a sudden change in Covid.
Therefore, I now have some tour spots that I can open up for this September. The dates are September 20th - 27th. If you are interested in traveling to Provence with me, please read the full tour description below…
French Larkspur
VINTAGE SHOPPING PLUS A GUIDED TOUR OF SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN THE WORLD
September 20 - September 27, 2021
Join me, Tracey Leber, for a week of exploring some of the most beautiful villages in Provence, France ~ Les Plus Beaux Villages de France! I will take you to all of my favorite villages to enjoy the local French lifestyle and photograph {or just sightsee} in one of the most breathtaking areas of France. Along the way, I will bring you to all of my best-loved flea markets and brocante shops!
Price per person is $3700
THIS INCLUDES:
*Transportation to and from the Marseille airport and to all destinations throughout the week. Pick up at the beginning of the tour, and drop off at the end of the tour, is always at the Marseille airport
*8 days, 7 nights shared accommodation {double occupancy} in a spacious, self-catering apartment situated in a gorgeous 18th century building…furnished with French antiques and lots of charm! Each apartment has its own bathroom, living room and kitchen. You will also have access to a beautiful, private outdoor pool and garden {on site} and will be only steps away from restaurants, shops, cafes and village life. I always stay here!
*A tour of some of the most beautiful villages in Provence…as well as…weekly food and artisan markets, the best flea markets, and brocante shops that I have personally discovered in my travels to Provence
*Bienvenue a Provence ~arrival reception and local French wine tasting
*Arrival gifts
*Fresh croissants delivered to your door every morning. Your apartment will also have my favorite local homemade jam and French yogurt and coffee…to enjoy each morning for breakfast before we head out for the day
*Escorted lunches. I have chosen NOT to include lunch and dinner meals in the price of the tour, so that you are able to budget exactly what you choose for every meal. I will, however, escort you to all restaurants for lunch. If on any night, you would rather stay in your apartment for dinner or dine al fresco, in the garden, I can help you gather what you need at the local markets, for a relaxing but memorable night in. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from for dinner, just a very short walk from where we will be staying
*Assistance, if needed, with shipping items home. My wonderful husband, Steve, can coordinate shipping a few boxes home for you, if you find that you have filled your suitcase {and then some}, with French treasures! However, we can not ship any large items like furniture. Please note that the actual cost of shipping your boxes from France to your home is your responsibility and is not included in the price of the tour
**price does NOT include airfare. I highly recommend that you purchase travel insurance, at your own expense
Payment
Price is $3700 per person, double occupancy. Due to the short timing, payment in full is needed to confirm your spot in the tour. The tour payment is non-refundable. If France has to close again to international travel, due to Covid, the tour will be rescheduled for next spring. For further questions, please don’t hesitate to email me via my CONTACT page.
The area of Provence that we will be staying in and exploring is called the Luberon. Our weekend will be filled with flea marketing and the week days will be our exploring/sightseeing days…with visits to some brocante shops and even a favorite vineyard for a tasting and lunch. Some of the villages that I will take you to are Lourmarin, Lacoste, Gordes, and Ménerbes, to name a few! You will receive a complete list of the villages we will be visiting before the tour begins. All of the villages are personal favorites of mine!
I keep each of my tour groups small…only four people. I feel that this makes for the best possible experience all-around, for everyone.
Please note that we do quite a bit of walking throughout our days in Provence. Some of the places we visit are hilltop towns and the trek through the villages can be rather steep. It’s a good way for us to burn off the extra calories from the croissants and cheese!
Signs of autumn will be subtle in Provence, in late September, but the weather will be glorious! Typically, it is in the mid-70’s, at that time of year.
I would love for you to join me in Provence! For further questions, or to reserve your spot, please email me VIA MY CONTACT PAGE
For more tour details, please see THIS BLOG POST
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I will have all new French vintage items in my shop on August 7th! I can’t wait to share with you all of the treasures that I found at the flea markets around Provence! More on that to come…
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!