Make Plans Now!  Vintage French Shopping Trip!

Tour dates: April 25-May 1, 2018 – Aix en Provence

Hello again!

Are you ready to do some exploring?  Our  wonderful guide, Jill Mitchell, of LeTrip.org, has scheduled another vintage shopping trip, to Provence…and we’re joining her!Care to join us?

Close to many sites, Aix en Provence (pronounced “ex”) will be our home base, for 7 days.  It’s a charming city that dates back to 123 BC.  Founded by the Roman’s, it was the first province discovered abroad, hence the name.  It’s very walkable, (if you can manage cobbled streets) filled with kind people, beautiful architecture and good food!

I think you’ll love our hotel, just a couple of blocks from a tree-lined boulevard, where you’ll find people at outdoor cafes, parks and markets.

Of course Jill got a straw hat and looked quite French..don’t you think?

Since we can’t start our day without nourishment, a light continental breakfast and coffee will be provided daily, as well as a special garden brunch, at the private home of Colette and her husband.  A collector, who sells at markets in the region, Colette will have many of her pieces on display and for sale at good prices, in her charming home.

Seeing the beautiful blue waters of the Mediterranean by boat, followed by lunch at a cafe, along the marina, is also included.

While the tour’s focus will be visiting the markets in the region, Jill, our guide, wants you to get a taste of what small towns and villages in southern France are like.

Here’s Jill, the shop’s manager, at Hubert’s horse farm.  Hubert is also an estate liquidator and his place is like going on a treasure hunt!  After scouting about, we’ll have a casual lunch, that’s included in the tour.

We’ll visit small village markets, which are probably my favorite.  The people selling their wares appear to do it as a hobby and enjoy selling, as much as I enjoy buying! The prices are very good, too. You’ll find all sorts of things, whether you’re looking for something specific, or just along for the ride.

Traveling several years ago, I visited a great market outside of Avignon, where we enjoyed wine and my very first (and last) fresh oyster, after shopping!  We’ll return to Avignon next spring!

We’ll enjoy some pretty gorgeous scenery and stop along the way.  I promise, you will never see a Burger King or strip mall in Provence! The French are very protective of the countryside and heritage.

While traveling through a village we stopped at this private garden, for a tour and champagne toast. Vive la France!

A light dinner on our first night together and another special dinner, as the trip comes to a close, along with the lunch on the Mediterranean and brunch at Colette’s, I mentioned, will also be included. Even when meals weren’t hosted, I found that we often ended up eating in larger groups, at casual cafes, on our tour, last May.  A great group of women!

I love our guide and think you will too.  Her name is Jill, not to be confused with our Jill at the shop and she has been leading tours in France and Italy, for over 20 years.  She’s from Northern California, but speaks fluent French…which is a real bonus!

Is this tour right for you?

This tour is for women looking to see authentic Provence, rather than a tourist experience.  The tone is down-to-earth, warm and friendly, like the people of Provence. We’ll go off the beaten path and as much as possible, experience France, the way the French do!

There will be plenty of walking, so mobility is a must.  Weather should be in the 60’s-70’s this time of year.  A rain shower is always a possibility.  We won’t melt!

There are only 12 spots for the trip and I hope you scoop them up early, so you can take advantage of some great airfare ticket prices I’ve seen.

The tour includes:

•  7 days/6 nights accomodation
•  All ground transportation, from the hoteL
• 5 Meals, plus daily continental breakfast & coffee
• Private garden visit and champagne toast
• All excursion & entry fees
• Guide & Interpreter Services
• Drop off at Marseille airport or Aix en Provence TGV train station (Taxi service when arriving, is not included)

Cost:$2560

(Paid in installments, between now and January, 2018)

Does this sound good to you?  Would you like to meet Jill, our guide and learn more?  We’ll be hosting an informal Meet & Greet, Q & A, at the shop, 

 Tuesday, September 12th at 6:00 p.m.

RSVP : 916/514-5272

Isn’t it time?