
Provence, as you’ve never seen it
Experience the wines and wineries of the Provence and the Southern Rhone, France.
Along with food, culture, and history.
An unforgettable weeklong trip led by Tyler Colman, Ph.D., organized exclusively for members of CWC and friends.
7 days/6 nights
Limited to 12-14 guests.
September 14-20, 2025
$5,350 per traveler
$900 single supplement
$500 reserves your spot
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Meet winemakers
Talk with some of the leaders in the industry
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Explore Roman architecture
Romans built stuff to last
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Dive into cellars
See how top wines are made
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Explore local foods
Fine dining as well as bistros and markets
Provence needs no introduction…
If you haven’t been there, this land of lavender and olives is undoubtedly on your bucket list. But if you have, this will be a side of Provence that you haven’t seen.
Picturesque hillside villages. Well-preserved Roman sites. Food, excellent food. And, of course, world-class wine. We will also spend an amazing two nights in a town on the Mediterranean. And all of this in September, while the water is still warm.
Where will we stay?
4 nights in St. Rémy de Provence
In a stylish boutique hotel in this picture-perfect village. This hotel has a small pool and garden
2 nights in Cassis
This charming village on the Mediterranean will be our base for two incredible nights.
3 reasons to travel with Tyler
Tyler got into wine writing the way so many people do: by writing his Ph.D. dissertation on the political economy of wine in France and the US.
He knows wine
Tyler has written two wine books, contributed numerous articles to places like Food & Wine and the New York Times, and his writing has been nominated for a James Beard award. Tyler taught wine classes at NYU for ten years and at the University of Chicago for five. He has led numerous corporate and private events and organized over 200 wine tastings on Zoom, many with winemakers.
He knows wine people
His deep knowledge of the wine industry means this tour will go to significant wineries and meet the people who are telling the important stories of Provence and the southern Rhone wine today. Some of these do not usually receive visitors. He lived in France for two years and speaks fluent French.
It’s a snob-free zone
Two words that go together frequently are “wine” and “snob.” Fortunately, the tone of this trip is fun and informative. It will be an amazing, immersive opportunity to expand your wine knowledge no matter what level you bring to the start.
Our itinerary
This tour begins in St. Rémy de Provence. It ends in Cassis (transportation options discussed below).
Sunday September 14: Welcome drink at the Petit Hotel in St Rémy followed by group dinner
Monday September 15: Wineries! We will get right into it with a morning visit to Gigondas, an area that may be under the radar. After a tasting at a family-owned winery, we will have lunch at a bistro owned by a leading wine family. We will resume vinous explorations in the afternoon before returning to St. Rémy. Free for dinner.
Tuesday September 16. Chateauneuf du Pape! We will visit a leading producer in Chateauneuf du Pape, free for lunch in town then a visit to the spectacular Roman amphitheater in Orange. Back to St Rémy for a group dinner.
Wednesday September 17: Culture! We take in the local market in St. Rémy, then head to Les Baux de Provence, a spectacular hilltop village. After a lunch, we will head to Arles with its Roman arena. We will visit then have guided visit of the Pont du Gard, a magnificent Roman aqueduct. Free for dinner.
Thursday September 18: We check out of St Rémy and head to the exceptional market at L’Isle sur la Sorgue. We will visit another village in the Lubéron Valley for a group lunch, then head south the storied seaside wine area of Bandol. After a stop at a top producer, we will head to Cassis.
Friday September 19: Our full day in Cassis starts with a visit to a leading winery in town. Then we will join a boat tour of the “calanques” or secluded coves. We will have free time in the afternoon: optional activities include hiking in the national park or shopping in town. Group final dinner.
Saturday September 20: trip ends after breakfast. Transfers to Marseille, Aix-en-Provence TGV station or even Nice are available via train or car service.
***These are placeholders; exact details to follow.
The 2,000 year-old amphitheater in Orange
Your new lock screen image: a scene from out boat ride

“Tyler set an outstanding tone for the group - knowledgeable, relaxed, humorous and engaging. The group dynamic made every activity superb.”
-Gale
“I would give it 10 stars if I could!”
-Tracy
“It was truly a fantastic two weeks. The accommodations were A+. The size of the group was ideal.”
-Norma
“Thank you for a wonderful experience. Looking forward to the next tour!”
- Frank
Book the Provence wine tour today!
Reserve your spot now for $500 per traveler, fully refundable for 30 days.
Half the remaining balance is due January 30, 2025. The balance is due May 30, 2025.
The CWC requests a separate $250 donation per traveler.
Got a question? Don’t hesitate to ask.
Terms & Conditions are here.
Questions. And answers.
What’s included?
This tour includes six nights at hotels, breakfast at the hotel each morning, one group meal a day (three lunches and three dinners), transportation to events on the itinerary, and all winery and cultural visits. A reasonable amount of wine with group meals is included. There is also no need to tip anyone on this tour.
What’s not included?
Not included: airfare, airport transfers, travel insurance, meals not on the itinerary, wine beyond the set wines with dinner, and personal incidentals such as room service, other hotel charges or laundry.
Should I get travel insurance?
We recommend travel insurance. Some credit cards offer insurance included or for purchase. Please note that some “cancel for any reason” policies must be purchased within two weeks of the initial deposit.
Who’s going?
This trip is offered exclusively to Chautauqua Women’s Club members and guests.
Can solo travelers go?
Absolutely! It is a great way to meet people. There is a supplement for single occupancy.
What documents are needed?
Just a valid US passport.
What’s the cancelation policy?
Your initial deposit is fully refundable for 30 days. After that, it is non-refundable. A second payment is due on October 30. That is also refundable for 30 days. The final payment is due January 30 and the trip will be non-refundable after that.
What’s the closest airport?
Paris CDG airport is about 3 hours on the high-speed train to Avignon TGV station. From there, it is a 20-minute (pre-arranged) taxi ride to St. Rémy. Nice, which also has direct flights from JFK, is also about 3 hours train ride though it is on a regional train, not the TGV.
How do we get there?
The tour starts in St. Rémy de Provence. The easiest way to get there is to the Avignon TGV station, about 20 minutes drive. Avignon TGV has several trains a day from Paris (about 2.5 hours). The tour ends in Cassis, about 40 minutes drive from Marseilles airport and Aix-En-Provence TGV station (with service to Paris) There is also a local train to Nice right from Cassis.
How much walking is there?
Travelers should be able to walk two miles a day (5,000 steps), some of it on paths, cobbled streets or in vineyards. Travelers should be comfortable with a few flights of stairs.
I don’t know that much about wine. Should I go?
Yes! If you want to learn more about wine, this is an unparalleled way to do it. No advance knowledge is required. Also, there cultural stops and excellent meals.
