Reply Submitted by travelinfo on Tue, 11/20/2012 - 21:00
Sorry I am responding late. I don't go to the message board too often.
In May 2012 we went to the south of France with Intimate France Tours with George Nevin, owner. Actually our guide was his colleague Connie Barney since his tour was filled with another group of 8 persons. We went in an 8 person Renault van with Connie as driver and guide. The trip was 12 days. We stayed 3 days in each city - Rasteau, Apt, Arles, Aix. It was a very relaxing pace and well organized. If you decide to go, go with George as he seemed more knowledgeable about his tours. Calling Connie in was something he did because I really wanted to go on this itinerary. Luckily 5 other people signed up.
On the tour we went to Arles, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence and many places in between both mountains and the coast. In some towns we had a guide or Connie guided us and in some area we were on our own. We had a wonderful time with no worries. In one town, Apt, the hotel we were scheduled to stay in closed. George had to scramble at the last minute to find another hotel for both tours which his did. It was a very nice substitute. Although we were on our own tour and George on his own, both tours did meet up in Aix-en-Provence. The hotels were excellent especially the one in Arles. Right in the heart of the city and ruins. We payed about $3800/PP.
I have heard that his other tours in France are excellent as well. George lives in Oakland, CA and Connie in Santa Cruz CA. Very good for me as we also live in the San Francisco Bay Area.
After the tour we went to the small town of Vias, Languedoc where we rented a house for a week. Another great experience if you are interested.
Reply Submitted by sonia on Sun, 11/25/2012 - 20:15
Thanks for all the information. I would like to know about your time in the Languedoc
and the house rental experience. We are planning a trip to France next spring
and would like to have a guided portion plus time on our own. We love France
but not longer want to drive by ourselves all the time, my husband says that he
misses too much when he drives. Thanks. Sonia
Vias is a very small medieval town about 2 K from the south French coast. The property is right in the middle of town and around the corner from the Wednesday and Saturday markets and near a couple of pastisserie where we went for cappuccino and croisants every morning. They took two houses and combined them with a lovely courtyard. The house accommodates two couples with extra sofa beds for children. The price was right so I rented the whole place for just the two of us. It has a nice size kitchen with a living room/dining room combined. The only set back is the spiral staircase going up to the 2nd and 3rd floors in one of the houses. The other house has a courtyard stairs entry. The kitchen has a dishwasher and there is also a clothes washer and dryer. Also, free internet service. Parking is nearby at a parking lot. I haven't been to the apartment in Aix-en-Provence but it looks quite lovely and also right in the city.
We flew into and out of Marseilles airport. Intimate France picked us up from the Best Western Marseilles Hotel. We arrived a day early and spent the night in this hotel. With Intimate France we traveled around most of Provence. After this tour we picked up a car at the airport and drove to Vias for a week there.
while at Vias, we drove to nearby Carcassonne, to the coast and mostly relaxed in town.
Check out the URL sites above. If you are interested in Intimate France send George an e-mail. He is very responsive. Also the Woodyards are very easy to work with.
Intimate France Tours
Sorry I am responding late. I don't go to the message board too often.
In May 2012 we went to the south of France with Intimate France Tours with George Nevin, owner. Actually our guide was his colleague Connie Barney since his tour was filled with another group of 8 persons. We went in an 8 person Renault van with Connie as driver and guide. The trip was 12 days. We stayed 3 days in each city - Rasteau, Apt, Arles, Aix. It was a very relaxing pace and well organized. If you decide to go, go with George as he seemed more knowledgeable about his tours. Calling Connie in was something he did because I really wanted to go on this itinerary. Luckily 5 other people signed up.
On the tour we went to Arles, Avignon, Aix-en-Provence and many places in between both mountains and the coast. In some towns we had a guide or Connie guided us and in some area we were on our own. We had a wonderful time with no worries. In one town, Apt, the hotel we were scheduled to stay in closed. George had to scramble at the last minute to find another hotel for both tours which his did. It was a very nice substitute. Although we were on our own tour and George on his own, both tours did meet up in Aix-en-Provence. The hotels were excellent especially the one in Arles. Right in the heart of the city and ruins. We payed about $3800/PP.
I have heard that his other tours in France are excellent as well. George lives in Oakland, CA and Connie in Santa Cruz CA. Very good for me as we also live in the San Francisco Bay Area.
After the tour we went to the small town of Vias, Languedoc where we rented a house for a week. Another great experience if you are interested.
If you want more information just ask.
Languedoc
Thanks for all the information. I would like to know about your time in the Languedoc
and the house rental experience. We are planning a trip to France next spring
and would like to have a guided portion plus time on our own. We love France
but not longer want to drive by ourselves all the time, my husband says that he
misses too much when he drives. Thanks. Sonia
Itimate France
Your reasoning about driving is exactly why I looked for a a small group tour. Intimate France was perfect - http://www.intimatefrance.com/
George Nevin owner - gnevin@gmail.com
Re. Languedoc: I rented a house in Vias, Languedoc. It is a property belonging to a couple who live in Virginia - Anne and Kirk Woodyard. They have a touring company highlighting Music and Markets - http://www.musicetc.us/
They write a blog about their adventures - http://musicandmarkets.blogspot.com/
They own two properties. One in Aix-en-Provence, 'Ambiance d"Aix' - http://www.musicetc.us/Aixapartment.html
And the one we rented in Vias, 'La Belle Cour' - http://www.musicetc.us/LaBelleCour.html
Vias is a very small medieval town about 2 K from the south French coast. The property is right in the middle of town and around the corner from the Wednesday and Saturday markets and near a couple of pastisserie where we went for cappuccino and croisants every morning. They took two houses and combined them with a lovely courtyard. The house accommodates two couples with extra sofa beds for children. The price was right so I rented the whole place for just the two of us. It has a nice size kitchen with a living room/dining room combined. The only set back is the spiral staircase going up to the 2nd and 3rd floors in one of the houses. The other house has a courtyard stairs entry. The kitchen has a dishwasher and there is also a clothes washer and dryer. Also, free internet service. Parking is nearby at a parking lot. I haven't been to the apartment in Aix-en-Provence but it looks quite lovely and also right in the city.
We flew into and out of Marseilles airport. Intimate France picked us up from the Best Western Marseilles Hotel. We arrived a day early and spent the night in this hotel. With Intimate France we traveled around most of Provence. After this tour we picked up a car at the airport and drove to Vias for a week there.
while at Vias, we drove to nearby Carcassonne, to the coast and mostly relaxed in town.
Check out the URL sites above. If you are interested in Intimate France send George an e-mail. He is very responsive. Also the Woodyards are very easy to work with.