Try bouillabaisse, a wonderful seafood stew made with fish, shellfish, vegetables and herbs. Ratatouille, the best-known local favourite, is a stew served in restaurants all over the region. No meal would be complete without a glass of Provençal wine – produced from the famous vineyards of Côtes du Rhône, Côtes de Provence and Bandol.

The historic towns of Aix en Provence, Uzes and Bagnols sur Ceze not only offer history, but great shopping as well. The local bargains in these towns to be snapped up are perfumes, soaps and eaux de toilettes all crafted in part from the local lavender, famous in the region, and of course the local wine, plentiful and good value. The local markets, especially in these towns, offer a rich variety of local produce, from fresh garlic, peppers and courgettes, to flowers, nougat (remember that Montelimar is not far away) and freshly pressed olive oil of all colours, hues and varieties.

Spend a day driving the rural lanes, stopping to picnic beside one of the beautiful hillside vineyards. If you enjoy walking, the many scenic footpaths are great for exploring the area on foot, whilst the twisting roads leading up to the barren, moonscape summit of Mont Ventoux attract many keen cyclists each year.

No trip to Provence would be complete without enjoying some of the wonderful wines that are to be found in this region. Our villas are within easy reach of some of the most famous vineyards in the world, so as a must do visit Chateauneuf de Pape, now world famous. Also try the Cotes du Rhone, offering great value and quality at a reasonable price. Stop off at any of the vineyards on your journey through Provence and take a wine tour, and be surprised at the history of wine and the region that you weren’t aware of.

• Spend a morning in the beautiful town of Aix with its fountains, restaurants, and wonderful artistic heritage as the birthplace of Paul Cézanne.

• Sample the world-famous wine of Châteauneuf du Pape, a medieval village overlooked by the ruins of an ancient chateau.

• Drive through the imposing gorges and quaint traditional villages of the Canyon du Verdon – a dramatic ravine carved by the aquamarine waters of the Verdon river.

• Visit the Gorges De L’Ardeche for an adventure day out, where you can cycle, walk, sail, sunbathe on beaches, go canyoning and many other exciting outdoor activities.

• Spend a day on the vast plains of the stunning Camargue national park to catch a glimpse of the beautiful Camargue white horses that roam the area freely.