We chose Venelles as our base because of its peaceful atmosphere and its proximity to all the places we wanted to visit.

We stayed at the European B&B hotel chain, a comfortable hotel with a very good rate and very friendly service.

The town is ideal for walking. It is not really a tourist destination in itself, but it has an excellent range of shops and services, beyond its gastronomic offering. We visited a plant nursery, and there are supermarkets, shops, petrol stations and everything you need for a stay. It also has excellent access to the main roads.

Travelling from one place to another in this region means taking quiet local roads, with beautiful landscapes that constantly change, and numerous villages appearing along the way.

We planned the trip to keep costs under control, but if you want to treat yourself, the area also has several Relais & Châteaux properties offering excellent cuisine, with prices to match the services they provide.

What we want to show is that you can take trips like this, which break a little with the routine of the places you usually visit by car. It is a four- or five-day trip that you can take at almost any time of the year. Ideally, go from Wednesday or Thursday through Sunday, so you don't miss the Lourmarin market on Fridays, while keeping your budget well balanced.

Market products allow you to prepare meals inexpensively, and the same goes for bakeries, where you can buy ready-to-eat food.

In several places around Venelles, you can find pizza trucks on the streets, which is a real pleasure: you can buy a pizza and eat it right there or take it back to your accommodation, spending very little.

Bazaars and markets allow you to buy ingredients and cooking products to take back to your kitchen and enjoy throughout the year, as well as finding great gifts for your gourmet friends.

The variety of wines is extensive, and there are many wineries in the area where you can taste and buy local products.

Language

Always be friendly and greet people in French when you arrive at each place. Learn a few basic terms. Many employees understand Spanish and English, and with a little practice, you can get by quite well.