| Day 1 : Arrival in Provence
You will be picked up upon your arrival in Avignon and transferred by private car to your first chateau hotel, where you can settle in and read through your welcome package. You are in the heart of the southern Cotes de Rhone wine region, one of the oldest in Europe, as wines have been produced here since pre-Roman times. Enjoy a glass of a Gigondas or Beaumes de Venise before your gourmet dinner tonight.
Hotel: Chateau de Mazan www.chateaudemazan.com
Day 2 : Provence Country Club and Chateauneuf du Pape
After breakfast this morning, transfer to just outside Isle-sur-le-Sorgue to play your first round. The course, designed French champion Jean Garaialde in 1989, is surrounded by wooded hills and views onto the Luberon mountains. The 18-hole, par 72 course has a total playing distance of 5653 metres, and is interspersed with lakes, waterfalls, and fountains, as well as the 38 bunkers. Later in the afternoon after your game, your private guide will pick you up to take you for a tour in the Cotes de Rhone vineyards. You'll stop at a reputed winemaker in the great wine village of Chateauneuf du Pape for a taste before being returned to your hotel.
Day 3 : Provence Country Club; Transfer to Les Baux
A second round of golf at the Provence Country Club awaits you, so that you can replay the course, and try and vanquish the more difficult plays! After your day of golf, and time for a drink at the Club House, you will be transferred by private car to Les Baux de Provence, an exceptional Provencal medieval village.
Hotel: Le Hameau des Baux www.hameaudesbaux.com
Day 4 : Les Baux and St Remy de Provence
You will awaken this morning in the heart of the Alpilles Mountain range. A short transfer away is the Gold des Baux, a 9-hole course, but in an exceptional setting. Opened in 1989, the course is set on the sprawling domain of an old Provencal farm estate, and is a 36 par, 3101 yard course. The layout is rather narrow, and is set amongst vines, olive groves and lavendar. After lunch, your private guide will come and collect you. You are headed for a visit of Medieval Les Baux and then St Remy de Provence. St Remy is where Vincent Van Gogh was incarcerated in the Saint Paul de Mausole hospital for a year (and where he completed an astounding 150 paintings!), but it is also worthwhile visiting the archaeological site of Roman Glanum. Your guide will return you to your hotel at the end of the afternoon.
Day 5 : Free Time and Arles
This fifth morning we leave you to choose: another round of golf at the Les Baux Golf Course, some shopping in nearby St. Remy, or simply a long sleep in and lazy breakfast in your hotel... In the afternoon, we take charge again, as your private guide takes you into the Roman town of Arles. You will tour the must sees: the Roman theatre and Arena, but will also be shown many of the sites painted by Van Gogh during the time that he lived here. At the end of the afternoon, you will be transferred to your final hotel near Pont Royal.
Hotel: Le Moulin de Vernegues
www.aix-en-provence.com/moulinvernegues
Day 6 : Pont Royal Golf Course
A full day of golf awaits you this morning. The course is the only course in France designed by Severiano Ballesteros, the great Spanish champion. the setting is beautiful, marked by the trademark large bunkers that Ballesteros favours, and the variety of departures for the different holes will keep you on your toes. The course is beautifully maintained, and is rated as a 16 by the illustrious Peugeot Golf Guide, which rates the best golf course in Europe.
Day 7 : Pont Royal golf and the Luberon
Your final day of golf offers you the chance to replay the 18 holes you were introduced to the day before, and have a final view of the tranquil scenery around the course. After your game, your guide meets you once more for a driving tour of the famous "hilltop villages" of the Luberon, written about so vividly in Peter Mayle's book, A Year in Provence. You'll visit Roussillon, with its beautiful ochre cliffs, Gordes, a cliffside town built entirely out of local stones, and Menerbes - be sure to bring your camera! You'll be returned to your hotel in time for your final gala dinner.
Day 8 : Departure - Bon Voyage!
After breakfast, transfer to your hotel in Aix en Provence |
