Provence

Provence represents the charming little villages and lavender fiels. Think about the unmissable Villages of the Luberon, such as Gordes and Roussillon, with medieval alleys embedded in the mountains; Aix-en-Provence and its vivid street markets, charming cafes and must-see museums; the Roman ruins of Arles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site so depicted by Van Gogh; the Palace of the Popes of Avignon, located in the largest medieval square in the world (starting point to discover one of the most famous French wines, the Châteauneuf-du-Pape); and the Carrière des Lumières in the medieval Baux de Provence, where old limestone mine walls are transformed into huge screens for animations from French painters' masterpieces. Be sure to take extra time to explore the gorgeous Provence coast and its "calanques" from Marseille and Cassis. And maybe kayaking in the Gorges du Verdon, the largest canyon in Europe: astonishing cliffs up to 700 meters high bathed by turquoise waters.