Highlights of Provence

Most Inspirational Moment

The Verdon gorge walk was beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Isabelle was an exceptional leader and able to improvise when a few things went wrong. She was extremely knowledgeable and kind.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking along the Verdon Gorge--high cliffs with amazing blue-green water below.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Isabelle was amazing. She brought the personal knowledge and insight that only someone who lives in this department (Alpes de Haute Provence) could provide. She knows about nature and geology and art and history and food and contemporary issues. We ran into people she knows. Because of her we were invited into the 16th century home of a Frenchman who provides studio space to artists in residence. She shared figs plucked that morning from her own fig tree and offered us local pastries. She is warm and friendly and able to easily connect with everyone in the group. So many Exodus group leaders are impressive. Isabelle ranks among the top.

Advice for Potential Travellers

While most of the walking is indeed a Level 2, there are a few steep ascents/descents, so poles can be helpful for some.

Most Inspirational Moment

The Thursday walk from Moustiers-Ste-Marie. The first 4 km of the walk is a steep uphill climb but the views at the top are worth the climb. The walk back down the old Roman Road is very rocky and quite a challenge but I felt so proud of myself for completing it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Isabelle is absolutely amazing. She looks after each and every member of the group and ensures everyone is happy, well and enjoying themselves. She has a wonderful knowledge of the local area, from flora and fauna, food, history and all aspects of the Provencal culture. Her passion for Provence helped us all fall in love with the area. She provides dried fruits and nuts to keep up your energy on the walks, paces the group well and even brings treats to share (local sweets, biscuits and cakes).

Advice for Potential Travellers

Some of the hikes can be quite challenging at times, quite steep in parts and often rocky. This means you have to concentrate on your footing and take your time. I wouldn't say trekking poles are essential, but they certainly help and make it easier. Good hiking boots / shoes are a must. Be prepared with snacks to keep up your energy and plenty of water (at least 1.5 litres for each walk).

Suggestions

An amazing trip which gets you out into the real countryside of Southern France, away from touristy areas.

Most Inspirational Moment

The walk through the Verdon Gorge was scenery unparalleled.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Isabelle was a true gift to us, in our experience of Provence. She had a passion for and great knowledge of the culture ,history, flora and fauna of Provence. She was kind and considerate to each individual,enabling the group to work as one.She provided assistance and guidance as required,both on the walks and afterwards. Additionally she had a great sense of fun and provided welcomed treats along our fabulous journeys.Our Provence dream was realised with Isabelle's guidance,even a swim in the Verdon ! Thank you so very much.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to enjoy ! Some of the rocky/ pebbly terrain may be be a new experience for some but very manageable with trecking poles,good hiking bootsand taking time.The leader will guide you.

Most Inspirational Moment

When Isabelle pulled a home baked cake from her nap sac for our anniversary

Thoughts on Group Leader

Isabelle was outstanding. She was very kind and patient and knowledgable about the area.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Follow the trip notes and bring everything it recommends. Don’t leave anything out. They are all listed for a reason and we needed it all

Most Inspirational Moment

We loved the all the walks, but our favourites were the Verdon Gorges and the hike from the village of Moustiers Ste Marie. Scenery was breathtaking!

Thoughts on Group Leader

As alluded to above, our guide Isabelle was first class. She was super knowledgeable, passionate about the local culture and the environment, friendly with a great sense of humour. She was also very patient and nothing was ever too much trouble. Our picnics under her guidance were always a highlight.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are considering doing this trip make sure you pack your bathers as the swim in the pool each afternoon was a great way to finish the day, before dinner.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were many !! the day trip to the Verdon Gorges will certainly remain as a highlight ! Picnic at the chapel of Sainte Maxine de Callian high on the mountain.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I cannot say just how lucky ( Exodus too) to have Isabelle as our guide. Friendly, considerate of everyone's needs and her lively stories gave us a wonderful insight into the history of France and her people. Her passion and love of Provence was infectious!!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I thouroghly recommend adding plenty of steps into your daily routine before the tour, of course good walking shoes well worn in ! Take a travel journal and maybe pencils or painting kit ( small travel watercolor) to record your memories!

Most Inspirational Moment

Most inspirational to me was our day in Moustier- Ste.- Marie, where we hiked into the edge of the Alpes and had lunch behind the mountain in a lovely meadow. We then descended down an old Roman road to the town.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide Isabelle was not a very good leader.........she was terrific! A lovely person, thoughtful, kind, joyful, very competent and a great story teller with lots of topical stories.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the heat. We took a spray bottle of water to mist ourselves and cool things down in 30+ degree hiking weather.

Suggestions

Our second Exodus tour and we're 2 for 2! Two great hikes with great leaders.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved hiking around the Verdon Gorge and visiting Forcalguier and Moustiers Ste Marie.I enjoyed eating out at different restaurants but with a large group trying to get separate bills was always a problem.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Isabelle is an excellent group leader.she gave each of us a detailed and photographic account of what was in store for us for the week.All the walks and terrain the surrounding areas etc.she had put in booklet form in a folder for us.She had a box of dried fruit and nuts and seemed to know when to distribute them when are blood sugar was low due to the hiking in the heat.She is kind and had other treats for us native to the area.I personally think Isabelle makes this trip by her knowledge of the trees and plants her enthusiasm and knowledge.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I would tell potential travellers that the hikes are challenging especially when it’s 30degrees and above.Thursdays hike the steepest is a real killer not for the faint hearted.

Suggestions

There is one thing that spoilt my trip and it’s when someone who was willing to share and no one wants to share with him and he ends up with his own room and didn’t pay the single supplement.This guy has done other trips with exodus and knows the score a total chancer he was grinning ear to ear.The single supplement for France was 350pounds which I found hard to raise so feel this is very unfair and has put me off doing more trips with exodus.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip to Quinson and the Verdon lower gorges

Thoughts on Group Leader

Isabelle was delightful, friendly, knowledgeable and looked after us so well

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for some very steep ascents and descents over very rough terrain

Suggestions

Lovely and comfortable hotel in a delightful, castle topped small hillside town with a choice of good local restaurants. Restaurants were not cheap, but excellent food. The swimming pool was such a treat on hot days