PROVENCE! Adventures
Picture yourself in this lush lavender field… At Sunshine Lavender Farm, we believe in working hard. Playing hard is a priority too. Once the lavender is cut, bundled and tucked in the barn to preserve its color and sweetness, it’s Bon Voyage! Let’s take a lavender adventure!!
The Farm to France trip is back! July 2023 is currently SOLD OUT. Stay tuned for more opportunities to travel with the farm. Click here to get on the waiting list.
Watch the video from the farm’s most recent adventure to the most amazing lavender growing region in the world.
Is visiting the South of France on your bucket list? If so, and you wish to join a 2023 Lavender Adventure to Provence, please email your interest to sunshinelavenderfarm@gmail.com. View more photos of Provence and follow the farm on Facebook and Pinterest. Watch the videos from the Farm to France 2018 trip and 2019 adventure.
What are PROVENCE! Adventures like?
Every year is different. Some travelers have enjoyed these trips year after year! Exploring the lavender in Provence began in 2011 when Annie and her youngest daughter, Sylvie, were joined by friends of the farm on the inaugural trip to one of the most amazing lavender growing regions in the world. Having returned to France many times since that first amazing trip, groups have visited farmers markets, vineyards, olive cooperatives, teamed with local nonprofit organizations, toured lovely villages with talented locals, and of course, viewed (beaucoup) lavender fields and farms. We’re getting excited about traveling again during bloom season in Provence in 2023. If you were hoping to join the trip and missed out on the opportunity, please try not to be disappointed. Ideas are swirling to offer other travel opportunities to Provence next year. Stay tuned.
Wanderlust in your soul? Provence on your bucket list? Prefer to travel in the comfort of a group? Perhaps joining the next off-the-beaten path trip from Sunshine Lavender Farm is perfect for you.
This is a unique, behind-the-scenes adventure to the South of France, unlike any other. Just for a small group of travelers, previous trips have resulted in lasting friendships, with kinships only possible when experiencing interesting people and places together. There is already a list of travelers ready to make some amazing memories in Provence, so reserve your spot now if you wish to travel with the group.
“I enjoyed the France trip so much! Thanks for making it a very memorable experience. The countryside and villages were beautiful. In awe of being in the presence of 16th century walls and buildings. … the time together was so special.”
Let's go to PROVENCE!
DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN PROVENCE? Send an email to sunshinelavenderfarm@gmail.com today to add your name to the growing list of folks interested in traveling to Provence in the future.
Sample July Itinerary with Sunshine Lavender Farm
FRIDAY
- Group arrives
- Get acquainted dinner at the hotel
SATURDAY
- A day in the South Luberon
- In the morning a guided visit of the Jardin Tinctoriales at Lauris
- Lunch Lauris or Lourmarin village
- In the afternoon a guided visit (in French) of the Chateau at Ansouis
- Dinner at own choice of restaurant
SUNDAY
- Visit Fete de Lavande
- Travel to Isle sur la Sorgue to take in the uniquely French antique and farmers market and enjoy the tastes of the region while shopping about, or stop for lunch at a nearby cafe or restaurant
- Dinner at own choice of restaurant
MONDAY
- In the morning drive to the Alpilles area for a visit to a beautiful private garden
- Lunch at the garden
- In the afternoon visit the Carrieres de Lumiere near Les Baux for a stunning sound and light show on an artistic theme in the stone quarries
- Dinner at own choice of restaurant
TUESDAY
- A day in Avignon
In the morning a guided walking tour visiting different artisans with tastings of their produce - Visit to the large market Les Halles and ending with a glass of wine
- Free adventuring in the afternoon with time to visit the Papal Palace or other museums for those who wish
- Dinner at own choice of restaurant
WEDNESDAY
- Visit Riez, one of the oldest towns in Provence
- Explore the old town and the market this morning
Lunch in Riez - Tour the lavender fields of the Plateau de Valensole
Possibly include a visit to a honey producer - Visit Occitane en route on return if desired
- Dinner at own choice of restaurant
THURSDAY
- A wine tasting all day excursion in the French countryside with wine guide
- Visit two vineyards in the region for tour and tastings
- Lunch with wine tastings
- Dinner at own choice of restaurant
FRIDAY
- A local day in a quaint Village Farmers market in the morning to gather items for the cooking class
- Cooking class in the afternoon
- Free time during the day – Country walk or possible private garden visit
- Dinner at the hotel to enjoy culinary delights created in the cooking class
SATURDAY
- A guided visit of the Jardin des Plantes Tinctoriales at Lauris (a garden dedicated to growing plants for their use in dyeing and in food)
- In the afternoon a guided visit of the Chateau at Ansouis – a beautifully preserved chateau now in private hands (guided visit in French)
- Au revoir dinner at the hotel
SUNDAY
- Depart after breakfast
TOUR INFO
If you’ve had your heart set on this trip with the farm, let us know your interest based on this sample information and add your name to the potential traveler list with a quick email to sunshinelavenderfarm@gmail.com.
Dreaming of future travel, the next trip itinerary is in process now. Stay tuned for more information by signing up for the Lavender Letters from the farm. Review the sample itinerary to get a feel for these off-the-beaten path and unique experiences to the world’s most spectacular lavender growing region in the world.
BOOKING DETAILS for the sample itinerary:
Included in the tour price:
- Accommodation for 9 nights
- Dinner in the hotel for 4 nights as shown in the itinerary
- Cooking class
- Visit to honey producer
- Visit to a distillery or lavender farm on the Plateau de Sault
- Guided walking tour of Avignon
- Guided tour of Jardin Tinctoriales at Lauris
- Guided tour of Ansouis Chateau
- Whole day guided wine tasting excursion including lunch
- Visit to an olive oil mill
- Visit to private garden in the Alpilles including lunch at the garden or a nearby location and visit to the Carrieres de Lumiere near Les Baux
- Guided tour of Oppede le Vieux
- Transport throughout by minibus with English speaking driver or by local taxis
Not included in the tour price and payable direct:
- Lunch at nearby during Plateau de Sault lavender excursion day (restaurant will be pre-booked with lunch cost according to own choice of lunch menu)
- Lunch during Valensole lavender day (restaurant will be pre-booked with lunch cost according to own choice of lunch menu)
- Visit to Jardin de la Louve during free afternoon on cooking class day if desired
- Taxi transfers to and from the hotel if required and for any additional local excursions
- Airfare and ground transportation to and from the host hotel
Ground Transportation Option: Travelers that used the same destination airport excursioned together in a rental van for an additional fee, with convenient pick-up at hotels/apartment and lunch along the way.
Guests may fly into major cities in Europe and travel via train to Avignon, France. Taxi transfer can be arranged for guests to and from the hotel.
There is a good choice of cafes and restaurants in the village for other evenings/lunches. Also, a good bread shop and small supermarket if you wish to purchase your own lunch snacks and wine. At the hotel, there is a summer kitchen for clients to use where you can prepare your own light meals and eat either inside or outside in the garden or on the terrace, poolside.
- Participate in a gathering over a delicious meal to meet fellow travelers.
- Final trip package rate will be discussed and determined based on rate exchange and the number of confirmed travelers closer to departure.