Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tours of Provence
Wine Safari
DutchmanMikeRijkenrunsaone-manshow,takingtravelersthroughtheregionheadopted
morethan20yearsago.MikecametoFrancetotrainasachef,laterbecameawinesteward,
and has now found his calling as a driver/guide. His English is fluent, and though his focus
is on wine and wine villages, Mike knows the region thoroughly and is a good teacher of
its history (€60/half-day, €110/day, priced per person, group size varies from 2 to 6; pickups
possibleinArles,Avignon,Lyon,Marseille,orAix-en-Provence;tel.0490355921,mobile
06 19 29 50 81,
www.winesafari.net
,
mikeswinesafari@orange.fr
).
Local Guides
Celine Viany is a retired wine sommelier turned charming tour guide. She's an easy-to-be-
with expert on her region and its chief product (tel. 04 90 46 90 80, mobile 06 76 59 56 30,
Avignon Wine Tour
For a playful and distinctly French perspective on wines of the Côtes du Rhône region,
contact François Marcou, who runs his tours with passion and energy, offering different
itineraries every day (€80/person for all-day wine tours that include 4-5 tastings, €350
for private groups, mobile 06 28 05 33 84,
www.avignon-wine-tour.com
,
avign-
Imagine Tours
Unlike most tour operators, this nonprofit organization focuses on cultural excursions, of-
fering low-key, personalized tours that allow visitors to discover the “true heart of Provence
and Occitania.” The itineraries are adapted to your interests, and the guides will meet you at
your hotel or the departure point of your choice (€170/half-day, €295/day, prices are for up
to 4 people starting from the region around Avignon or Arles, mobile 06 89 22 19 87, fax
0490248426,
www.imagine-tours.net
,
imagine.tours@gmail.com
)
.Theyarealsohappyto
help you plan your itinerary, book hotel rooms, or address other travel issues.
Wine Uncovered
Passionate and engaging Englishman Olivier Hickman takes small groups on focused tours
of selected wineries in Châteauneuf-du-Pape and in the villages near Vaison la Romaine.
Olivier is serious about French wine and knows his subject matter inside and out. His in-
depth tastings include a half-day tour of two or three wineries; the Châteauneuf-du-Pape
tour is especially popular. He also offers multiday tours with food and wine tastings, and
