South France - Provence

 

Where to begin in Provence?  Everywhere you turn is a photo opp, a sensory overload, a whisper to the artist in everyone!  Arles, Van Gogh's adopted home for a time distills much that is Provence, from Roman ruins to daily markets of fresh food and artisinal products, from tucked away restaurants to wine tastings on the fly.  This town of 55,000 simmers in year-round sunshine and delights the tourist with hospitality and myriad distractions.  We stayed at the centrally located Hotel Calendal where Dutch owners accomodated our every need, and we slept undisturbed silence at night (not often true in busy tourist towns).  The Arles Thursday market is worth the trip, for everything from local garlic, spices, and prepared meals to low-cost shoes, tops, and underwear.  Use Arles as a base for nearby les Baux and St. Remy, and you'll find that, although the sampling was short and sweet, you can return home comfortable in knowing you've garnered the essentials of Provence!