France — Hoseasons Villas with Pools 2008 (page 161) online holiday brochure

Provence Timeless tranquillity, and quintessentially French atmosphere This is a sensuous land of bright colours and strong tastes, where sophistication and simplicity go hand-in-hand. Breathe in the scent of mimosa, lavender and aromatic pine. Experience the contrasting glamour of the coastal resorts and the unspoilt hilltop villages. fabulous views across the surrounding hills to the sea and the elegant coastal resorts. Worldfamous St Tropez with its yacht-filled harbour and long list of celebrity visitors has eternal appeal, as does the glamorous principality of Monaco. Aix-en-Provence remains a major centre of learning and the arts. Nîmes and Arles have a range of Roman and early Christian glories, including magnificent amphitheatres and temples. Avignon boasts a fabulous walled city, Papal palace and renowned bridge. Landscape Pastel-coloured villas nestle among orange, lemon and olive groves. Spectacular gorges, rivers and lakes with water sports provide a great alternative to the fashionable beaches with their crystal blue waters and white sand. An abundance of Roman remains, medieval castles, prehistoric sites and picturesque villages with shady squares. This area is fantastic for both the leisurely and the active holiday. renowned, with names such as Chateauneuf-duPape, Beaumes de Venise and Gigondas to name but a few. How to get there Driving takes around 10 16 hours from ports such as Calais or Dieppe an overnight stop is recommended to break the journey. There are now plenty of flights into Nice, Marseille, Nîmes, Montpellier, by both schedule and lowcost carriers from most main UK airports. Motorail allows you to put the car on the train in Calais and wake up in Nice, alternatively catch the Eurostar to Paris and pick up a TGV to the south. Food and Wine Local foods are rich with the flavours of local herbs thyme, basil, fennel and rosemary. Fresh meats, spicy vegetables, rich fish casseroles, all reflect the warm vibrancy of this beautiful area of France, along with an abundance of tomatoes and garlic. Fresh lemons, oranges, figs and grapes abound. The regions wines are world- Towns and resorts Villages cling to the hillside, with crooked church towers. Bargemon, Callian, and Fayence offer sleepy streets unchanged for years, and Average temperatures Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 12 13 14 18 20 26 28 28 25 22 16 14 Provence Average days of sunshine Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 16 15 20 23 23 25 26 23 22 19 15 14 159