Vintage Travel’s portfolio of holiday villas in Provence and the Cote d’Azur is intensifying in quantity, quality and grandeur, with the arrival of yet two more stunning villas.

The latest of our holiday villas in Provence is the villa Mas des Oliviers nestled within the pastel hillside village of Speracedes, 7 km from Grasse and 25 km from Cannes, blossoms under a superb Mediterranean environment, surrounded by cypresses and olive trees, hence the property’s well-chosen name ‘Mas des Oliviers’.

This stunning villa has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and can sleep up to six people. Its isolated spot equidistant between the ocean and the mountains means Mas des Oliviers sports to-die-for panoramic views.

Beautifully restored to maintain an exterior typical of the Provencal style, this breath-taking house combines traditional décor with a contemporary, bright and airy style, and the results are simply divine. This eclectic mix of the modern and traditional means that there is cosiness and warmth attached to Mas des Oliviers that is not present in many modern villas.

Outside the villa is equally as absorbing, with a spacious terrace that extends the whole length of the house and a tiered garden providing guests with an outdoor rapture of magnificent views, a dip in the beautiful private pool, taking a walk through the cascading gardens, amidst a Mediterranean landscape at its most privileged.

For prices, availability and photographs of Mas des Oliviers, our newest addition to our holiday villas in Provence, click on the link.

Equally as extraordinary is Passiflore, situated close to the medieval fortified village of St. Cezaire, which sits proudly on a mountain ledge, overlooking the Siagne River and a densely forested valley.

This magnificent villa has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and can accommodate up to six guests. Possessing a subtle Oriental theme, Passiflore oozes exoticness, spaciousness and style. Its blend of pastel shades and natural tones creates a sense of friendliness, an affability that continues into the property’s extensive exterior.

Children and adults alike just love to explore these extensive grounds, which comprise of an inviting pool infringed with indigenous palm trees and exotic shrubs. Whilst a nearby summer kitchen means that guests never have to travel far for an ice-cold drink to refresh themselves!

This fun, family-orientated event is free for all and includes many colourful and exciting children’s activities, delicious local cuisine being served in abundance, beautiful handicrafts meticulously crafted by the locals being sold, alongside music, dancing and merriment well into the early hours, making the Medieval Days of Castro Marim an event not to be missed.

The earliest remains of this fascinating town date back as early as 5000BC and for thousands of years Castro Marim was an important town strategically position next to the mighty Guadiana River close to the Spanish border acting in defence of the Algarve.

The Castro Miram Castle stands on the hill overlooking the town and the fort of Sao Sebastiao. The castle dates back to the 10^th century and was built by the Moors to protect the Algarve coast.

The castle remains the focal point for the medieval festival with many of the locals re-enacting the medieval era by dressing as queens, kings, knights, noblemen and minstrels and wandering around the castle and the streets of the town on horseback and on foot in authentic medieval clothing.

The food, drinks and music is presented at the castle, as well as many exciting activities including a jousting competition, an exhibition of the torture instruments used in the Middle Ages and many story telling sessions for the children.

The Medieval Days of Castro Marim festival is now in its eleventh year and was started as an initiative by the Castro Marim town hall to promote the history of the town as well as the local produce.

The festival seems to grow in popularity with each passing year, and if you are heading to the Algarve this August, be sure to follow the magnificent Guadiana River until you arrive at this remarkable ancient town and witness it at its most spectacular.

But is there much to do in Provence other than gaze at the scenes of immense beauty and divulge yourself on the delicious cuisine made from local produce?

The answer is simply yes, and despite its rural tranquillity there is plenty of things to do in this beautiful French region that is steeped in history and architecture and dates back to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Here are three great places to visit in Provence;

The Garden of the “Abbaye de Valsaintes”

Nestled on a hillside at an altitude of 600 metres between the counties of Forcalquier and Luberon, the “Abbaye de Valsaintes” is an extraordinary garden that is known throughout France, Europe and beyond. Amongst the maze of dry-stone terraces surrounding magnificent flowerbeds boasting more than 350 varieties of flowers, an abbey can be found which has been sacred since Prehistoric times.

Both free and guided tours of the garden and abbey are available from April 1 until November 1 2011.

For more information on the Abbaye de Valsaintes visit the website at: valsaintes.org.

Gorges du Blavet

Provence is littered with gorges of breath-taking beauty. One of the most spectacular gorges in Provence is the Gorges du Blavet, situated approximately five kilometres to the southwest of Bagnols-en-Foret. Lined with oak trees, strawberry trees, maritime pines and juniper and oleander bushes, the trails of the Gorges du Blavet ascend and wind through the bois de Malvoisin and Bois du Defens until you finally reach the gorge, where the tall trees and high cliffs provide welcoming shade during the summer.

The Gorges du Blavet is just crying out to be visited and explored, just remember to take your camera with you.

Alp Azur Chocolaterie

If you are a lover a chocolate, and let’s be honest but most of us are, then a visit to the Alp Azur Chocolaterie in the village of Villars-sur-Var in the Alps-Maritimes of Provence is a must.

Housed in the old railway station of the Train des Pignes  this great restaurant provides outstanding views in a fantastic atmosphere and surroundings, with the homemade chocolate made by Maurice, the restaurant’s ‘master’ chocolatier owner, being described as “outstanding”.

Another great place to visit in Provence would be Vintage Travel’s 3 bedroom villa in Provence, Mas St Siffrein (pictured above), complete with pool and fabulous views.

If you are thinking about lacing up the hiking boots and heading to Provence this year we’ve tracked down the top three walks in Provence, this simply stunning region of France.

Walking in the Park Natural de Luberon

Walking on foot through this area of outstanding natural beauty is without doubt the best way to explore and appreciate how immensely pretty and diverse Provence really is. The Parc Natural du Luberon is one of the best conserved parks in the whole of France. Walkers who want to explore ‘real’ French culture and traditions are advised to embark on their adventure in the Parc Natural du Luberon, as the walks in this area takes you through many rustic villages, enchanting vineyards, in-numerous rows of lavender and fragrant fields dotted with ‘bories’, beehive-shaped huts that were built in the Bronze Age. It is safe to say walks in this region of Provence are ‘exceptional’.

Three-day walks from Cannes to Bagnols en Foret

This three-day hike takes you from the glamorous city of Cannes down the DR51, through the spectacular scenery of Esterel, through the peaceful atmosphere of Agay and past its many breath-taking beaches, to the hillside town Bagnols en Foret, nestled on the bank of the Ceze River and dotted with historical remains.

As this walk takes hikers over many steep gradients and rocky terrain, it is meant for the more serious and experienced of hikers. Despite being gruelling at times, the rewards of following the GR51 from Cannes to Bagnols en Foret are unmatchable.

A walk in the Dentelles de Montmirail

Taking its name from the French word ‘lacy’, a walk in Dentelles de Montmirail remains a particularly popular walking route in Provence due to its sheer beauty. The Col de Canyon outside the town of Gigondas is the starting point for many different walks in the area, ranging from smooth and easy to rugged and difficult, emphasising the diversity of the landscapes in this invigorating region of Provence.

If you are heading to Dentelles de Montmirail with your hiking boots, it is recommended that your walk includes climbing to the top of the Dentelles, if nothing more than just to take in the magnificent views.

After a that walking, you should consider Vintage Travel’s luxury 3 bedroom villa in Provence, Mas Des Issarts (pictured), complete with heated infinity pool!

With narrow streets, stone arches, vaulted passages, ancient houses, old olive oil mills, colourful wall murals and medieval portals, the village of Carces is a place not to be missed if you are staying in Provence.

With a thriving market selling everything from the local delicious delicacies to unique and quirky items crafted out of olive wood, Saturday morning is a particularly vibrant time to visit Carces.

Although if walking in tranquil and beautiful settings and swimming in crystal clear water sounds more up your street, then travel approximately 4 kilometres to the south of Carces until you arrive at Lac de Carces, which offers the ideal setting for a peaceful walk and some ‘soothing’ swimming.

This idyllic scene is yours for the taking if you stay at Chateau des Vignes (pictured), a five bedroom villa in Provence, situated a ‘stone’s throw’ from this inspirational French village of Carces.

Nestled cosily amongst a maze of woodlands, vines and olive groves, Chateau des Vignes will no doubt enhance your holiday in this quintessential area of Provence.

Internally, Chateau des Vignes exudes style and opulence, whilst retaining many traditional features, including original tiled floors, tall windows that not only bring light and a feeling of airiness into the property, but overlook the stunning gardens below.

These immaculately maintained gardens include their own private pool with a shallow ‘plage’ area for young children, as well as a wooded area, a large dining terrace to enjoy sipping a glass of exquisite Provence wine in the warm evening air, and, for the sportier types, there is badminton, pentanque and a children’s swing.

If you are a French wine enthusiast, your involvement in the pleasure should extend further than simply sipping it in the grounds of Chateau des Vignes. Being located in close proximity to many vineyards, a visit to where the local wine is produced is a must.

Likewise so is spending an afternoon at the Abbaye du Thoronet, a sensational 12^th century Cistercian abbey, as well as the Gorges du Verdon, where the scenery is dynamic and the sporting opportunities are prevalent.

A week’s rental of Chateau des Vignes costs £2595 at the beginning of July rising to £2895 in August.

Wandering around the many quaint and charming chapel-strewn villages and exploring which of the intimate and characterful restaurants serves the best wine and cuisine in the lush and roaming hillsides.

The romance that inspired the likes of Paul Cezanne and Vincent Van Gough, in the region of Provence, also takes some beating.

Watching the sun slowly set on the horizon of the Mediterranean, casting a pink hue that makes the luxury yachts moored in some of Europe’s finest harbours look even more magnificent, whilst sipping some of the finest champagne the region produces, is an equally idyllic setting for your honeymoon.

Either way, to get the best out of this area of beauty, you need some honeymoon in the south of France tips.

Hire a car

Although France has one of the best rail services in the world, exploring the vast verdurous countryside, laced with stunning vineyards and the many pretty inland villages, steeped in history and splendour, cannot always be achieved without a car, as France’s railways tend to ‘miss out’ many of the most secluded and beautiful sites. After all that is why they remain untouched and stunningly tranquil. Hiring a car is therefore advisable.

Take your honeymoon between May and October

With the sunflowers coating the landscape in a duvet of gold, and the fully-bloomed lavender fields casting a fragrant aroma to fill the air, the months from May until October is perhaps the best time to make your honeymoon in the south of France as memorable as possible.

Do not dismiss the quirkier independent hotels

Whilst there are literally hundreds of large-chain hotels in the south of France, all offering fantastic honeymoon packages to cater for your every whim, try not to opt for the ‘easier’ option by booking to stay in these large and popular hotel chains. The south of France is brimming with quaint, cosy and romantic individual hotels, guest houses and inns, just crying out to be explored.

Learn some French

Whilst on the larger resorts, geared up for tourism, many of the locals can speak some English, many of the ‘off the beaten track’ and romantic hideaways do not have the same English-orientated vibe. If you are planning on exploring these romantic hideaways, it is advisable to learn some French before you embark on your honeymoon – or at least take a dictionary!

Make use of the tourist boards

Nearly all of the larger towns have a tourist information centre, which provide leaflets and brochures about the area, which can be a great place to start planning what promises to be, a truly unique and unforgettable honeymoon.

Visiting one of the many prestigious and trendy spas the beautiful French region of Provence has to offer is a wise choice of location if being pampered in the most sublime of surroundings appeals to you.

But with such a huge variety of different spas available in Provence, choosing which one to feel your anxieties slip away can be difficult. Luckily help is at hand, with Vintage Travel’s guide to four of the best luxury spa breaks in Provence.

The Four Seasons, Provence

Described as being a “jaw-droppingly grand spa in the heart of the lavender-scented Provencal countryside”, the Four Seasons Provence, is one of the best places in the whole of France to experience modern wellbeing luxuries. With its 14 treatment rooms, black granite pool, outdoor hydrotherapy pool, manicure and pedicure studio and endless steam rooms, laconiums, saunas and ‘experience’ showers with tropical rain and arctic mist, this 3000 square meter spa is a truly sensational place to experience the ultimate fitness and wellbeing experience.

Les Bories & Spa

Set in 20 acres surrounded by aromatic gardens, olive trees and lavender fields, Les Bories & Spa is a quintessential setting to indulge and pamper is some traditional and contemporary treatments. When you feel satisfied you’ve finished with the Turkish bath, the various spas and saunas and indoor and outdoor pools, guests can enjoy cocktails by the fountain in the summer or log fire in the winter, or enjoy some of the finest French cuisine in the Michelin-starred restaurant.

La Bastide de Gordes & Spa

This magnificent 5-star hotel boasts one of the best spas in the Provence region. Comprising of a chromatic bath with water jet massages, a hydro-massage table, colours and music, a steam room, herbal tea rooms, meditation room, face and body care booths and a solarium, the Spa de la Bastide provides a truly exceptional setting to indulge you body and provide it with the well-being it deserves.

Thermes Sextius, Aix en Provence

Located in the city of Aix en Provence, 25 kilometres from Marseille, Thermes Sextius is a truly divine place to experience the magical world and healing powers of the spa baths sextius. The spa caters for everything, including the Thermes Sextius gym, cardio training, whirlpool bathed in natural light, heated pool and sauna and steam room.

To compliment all this pampering, Vintage Travel has the best luxury Provence villas available.

Understanding a local menu can prove fairly difficult, even if you consider yourself ‘competent’ in the language.

Words describing dishes and food have a tendency to not have been entered into the dictionary, making a puzzled tourist’s task of translating a menu, pretty nigh impossible.

In the towns and villages of Provence, tourists are faced with two dilemmas – trying to dissect and understand a menu before they give their order to the waiter, but first choosing which, of the many delightfully quirky yet wonderful ‘off the beaten track’ restaurants, to eat in.

Maussane-les-Alpilles in the Valley of Baux

Serving traditional Provencal cuisine at Maussane-les-Alpilles in the Valley of Baux, the restaurant Avi Prouvencau, with its rustic charm and rustic dishes, is a wise dining choice if you are in the area. Its ‘Pieds et Paquets – lambs feet and tripe packages – is a particularly delicious dish, if you are not squeamish about eating such components of an animal.

Chez Freddy Plage de l’Estaque

‘Panisses’ are literally chick-pea flour fries and are a regular feature of dishes in Provence. Chez Freddy Plage de l’Estaque is a small but delightful kiosk on the beach promenade in Estaque and has a reputation of serving the best panisses in the whole of Provence.

Lou Fassum in Grasse

‘Fassum’ is stuffed cabbage, is truly French and truly tasty. As its name suggests ‘Lou Fassum’ in Grasse, is a fantastic restaurant to sample this delicious local dish. Described as being “absolutely divine” and “typically Grassiose”, with its views stretching over to the Esterel and the ocean, Lou Fassum’s position and ambience is as inspiring as its food.

Foougassettes Venturini in Grasse

If your taste buds crave ‘sweeter’ tastes, then sampling the fougassettes and Echaudes – dessert breads – at Foougassettes Venturini in Grasse, has to be high on your priorities during your holiday in the south of France.

Authentic French delicacies and a devotion to customer care are at the heart of Fougassettes Venturini, and with their products being described as the “purest spirit of tradition”, a visit is imperative.

Christmas in Provence and the Toulon Christmas Fair

Also unlike Britain where the decorations are hastily taken down and Christmas is a vague memory by January 3, in Provence the start of the Christmas period, known in French as the “calendale” is on December 4, and it continues right through December and January until ‘Candlemas Day’ on February 2. Throughout these two months, various rituals, festivities and traditions are upheld and celebrated with a fervour and passion that has remained unaltered for literally centuries.

During the month of December a Christmas fair or markets is put on in every town in Provence. These markets provide a particularly warm, friendly and festive atmosphere, allowing visitors to do their Christmas shopping in the most pleasurable and merry of ambiences. Unique local art and crafts, delicious French gastronomy and some interesting and quirky gifts can be picked up at these wondrous Christmas fair, which typify Provencal customs, cuisine and culture.

The town of Toulon, a picturesque city of ancient fountains, situated to the south of Provence on the Mediterranean coast, is home to a particularly quaint and interesting annual Christmas fair. Each Christmas the Ambassade de Provence organizes Toulon’s town centre Christmas Fair. The market, like Toulon itself and Provence in general, promotes local traditions, with clay figurines from a French nativity play and local gourmet produce such as Provencal Santons, being sold in abundance.

Like most Christmas Fairs in Provence, the Toulon Christmas Fair is free for all the family. For more details about this particularly festive French event visit the Ambassade de Provence official website: http://www.ambassade-de-provence.fr

Grape picking on the French Riviera

The wine harvest in the south of France usually starts in mid-September and lasts until mid-October, although this year due to high amounts of rain and frost during the spring, the flowering of the vines were delayed, thus delaying the whole process. Although its good news, as because the wine harvest season here is starting slightly later this year, you are not too late if you want to join the flock of wine enthusiasts and mix backache, sweat and fatigue with camaraderie, festivities and of course some serious wine tasting.

Deciding which vineyard to mix business with pleasure and help harvest is difficult, as every winery in this exclusive and extremely picturesque region of France has its unique specificities and charm. History and tradition influences how the harvest in performed on each vineyard. On the isle of Saint-Honorat, for example, amongst the monks of the Abbey of Lerins, the whir of machines is never present as the monks pick their grapes by hand in silence. The grapes here are mollycoddled and treated with a similar pampering as a new born baby to ensure they will thrive on their route to producing only the most heavenly of wine.

Whilst in the vineyards of Saint-Paul and Bellet, a similar cosseted devotion to wine harvesting is executed by all harvesters. This almost spiritual loyalty in the picking of the grapes together with the exceptionally high quality soil found in these regions, allows for some of the finest stocks of chardonnay, pinot noir, braquet and clairette de Vence.

If you fancy yourself picking the grapes soaked by the last of the summer’s rays on the French Riviera, or anywhere else in France visit: www.kwintessential.co.uk