My wife Shelley and I were looking for a memorable way to celebrate our 30th anniversary, and Kaydie’s Tours of Provence completely fulfilled our expectations.
Her pre-trip preparation was superb. We knew what to bring and what to expect every step of the way, which was important, as this was our first European vacation. The accommodations were far superior to what we imagined. The villa was the perfect “home base” for our exploration of Provence. In fact, it was wonderful to come back every evening to share the stories (and drink the wine…).
The meals were beyond our expectation as well. There is something about the food of Provence which makes it incredibly appealing. It has inspired us to eat more “Provençal” meals back here at home. And did we mention the wine?
We looked forward to each day’s tour, and we loved the choice of destinations – especially Kaydie’s flexibility in planning them. When the group had urges to “explore” some off-the-beaten-path places, Kaydie was as eager as we were. This was so much better than being locked into a rigid itinerary.
Kaydie’s Tour of Provence far exceeded my expectations. As a busy professional and mother of teenagers, I was more than willing to relinquish all the planning of an overseas trip to Kaydie. With the contacts she has developed in Provence over the years and her firsthand knowledge of the French culture, Kaydie had the details of our visits organized. All we had to do was decide which one of several itineraries we would like to follow on any given day.
We awoke each day to a lovely French breakfast, set off on our sightseeing excursions to nearby villages or open-air markets, enjoyed a wonderful lunch (at restaurants for which Kaydie had made the necessary reservations), continued with more visits to quaint villages or towns in the afternoon, then returned to the lovely house in the vineyard that served as our home base. In the evening, we gathered on the patio to enjoy a dip in the refreshing swimming pool, followed by hors d’ouevres, refreshments, and a beautiful dinner.
Kaydie navigated the roadways and nuances of our tour like a native. She is delightful and easygoing, and her knowledge of where and when the markets took place was wonderful. All we had to do was wake up each morning and be ready for another amazing day.
I wish Kaydie ran more tours in other cities and countries, as I would follow her to each. I am so glad we had the opportunity to experience this tour, and am ready to go back next year!
At breakfast this morning I spread fresh goat cheese and lavender jelly over my local French bakery bread. These tastes transported me back to the poolside patio at the “Gite,” where I enjoyed the fresh breads and pastries of Provence each morning with Kaydie’s Tour of Provence. Our warm and engaging host always had fresh coffee brewing each morning when we awoke. Her casual, friendly style and in-depth knowledge of French culture make you feel a part her extended family.
For a working mother and spouse who is used to doing all the planning, purchasing and packing for family trips, Kaydie’s Tours of Provence was a welcome release from those responsibilities. Each morning, Kaydie reviewed the day’s plan and then transported us to wonderful villages with bountiful markets and famed ancient sites. We managed to visit a few wineries and co-ops, as well, to sample and purchase the excellent local wines. Daily lunches were in chic local restaurants, where a three-course gourmet meal using fresh, local ingredients could be purchased for less than 20 Euros. Evening dinners full of fresh local fare were served poolside at the house.
We stayed in a picturesque, refurbished 200-year-old country home, perfumed by lavender at every turn. Vineyards surround the home, with turtledoves cooing on one end of the property and two playful goats on the other end. Ensconced by mountains to the west and vineyards in every direction, we experienced authentic French country living. We walked the vineyards in the evenings and small local roads in the mornings, where structures from the 17th century still stand.
The combination of the fantastic food, impressive scenery and Kaydie’s presence makes for a wonderful tour for anyone.
Imagine waking up to the sounds of birds chirping in the fresh clean air, the smell of coffee wafting through the kitchen, knowing that you are getting ready to have another wonderful day in the Provence region of France, with every wish taken care of by Kaydie. This trip exceeded our expectations: fresh croissant s for breakfast, wonderful walled cities to visit, wine tastings that sometimes were available only to our group, beautiful lunches at family-owned restaurants, markets brimming with fresh produce, olives, cheeses and interesting goods to purchase, visits to art galleries. After a busy day of sightseeing, we return home to our Villa, surrounded by vineyards, to relax around the pool. Soon, a wonderful dinner appears on the veranda that is as visually appealing as it is delicious. Later, when the sun sets and the stars come out, we take a peaceful walk to wind up the evening. We headed off to bed each night thinking tomorrow cannot possibly be better, but it always was. With Kaydie’s knowledge of the area, her fluent French, her attention to detail, and the relationships she has cultivated over the years, our week was truly a dream come true!
A most memorable trip. Kaydie’s energy, sense of humor and resourcefulness allow you to pack in a full week of sightseeing without worrying about logistics. Being able to come home to a comfortable, relaxing setting, along with a dip in the pool and a walk around the vineyard after dinner, restored our energies each day. Kaydie’s Tours of Provence is a great experience for anyone traveling alone or with a few other friends.
A trip of a lifetime ….a beautiful, private residence in the heart of Provence, breathtaking vistas and opportunities for adventure not available to other “tourists” due to Kaydie’s warmth, charm, and complete fluency of the language. I will go again!
A private villa surrounded by a vineyard, a chauffer, chef-prepared dinners, Provence at your disposal, and so much more! Sounds like a lovely dream, doesn’t it? But it is a reality with Kaydie’s Tours of Provence. How do I know? I just completed my third expertly planned trip and am looking forward to another. Formidable!
Dreams do come true! After 20-plus years of fantasizing about traveling to France, my wishes were fulfilled on this wonderful excursion. Our delightful hostess, Kaydie, is not only welcoming, accommodating and helpful; she becomes your friend. My travel companions were fabulous; I am fortunate to call them friends, as well. We all shared in exploring beautiful local towns, viewing ancient ruins and lovely vistas while walking along the village streets, and stopping in at various shops and galleries. I loved the open-air markets, with everything from fresh olives, Provençal fabrics, soaps, cheeses, wines, fresh fruits and vegetables, and, of course, lavender. While we enjoyed yummy, artfully arranged lunches at some carefully selected bistros, my most memorable times were in the evenings as we congregated about the kitchen and patio, preparing aperitifs, opening wine and enjoying dinner with good conversation. Our accommodations were pristine and the epitome of Provence. This is one dream I will not forget. I plan to return next year.
There is no way that our group of family and friends could possibly have seen, done, eaten, drunk and enjoyed half as much in twice the time as we did in our week with Kaydie. Our time in Provence was perfect, from the charming vineyard gite, the daily chauffeured tours to beautiful villages and historical sites, the wonderful food and wine, to the unexpected pleasures of stumbling across a lovely field of lavender or an unlisted but perfect old chateau. Kaydie’s boundless energy, ability to make everyone comfortable, and her skills as both a tour guide and translator made everything so easy and such a pleasure. So, if you’re thinking of Kaydie’s Tour of Provence, stop thinking and just do it!
Our week in Provence was one of the most relaxing vacations I have experienced in a long time….free from the hassles of cell phones, email, and disheartening television news! Just gazing at the vineyards and gentle mountainside from my upstairs bedroom window each morning was enough to reinvigorate me. We were free to roam at our leisure the beautiful markets, the villages and countryside, and to meet and interact with locals who were very friendly. A wonderful time!
If you want to have wonderful fun and joyous tranquility all at the same time, go with Kaydie Vistelle to Provence, France. We were delighted by our week there. Kaydie was a gentle, knowledgeable, humorous host. Six of us stayed with Kaydie at a comfortable home with pool in the middle of a gorgeous, peaceful vineyard. Daily, Kaydie loaded us in a seven-person van and took us to the notable sights of Provence. The pace was perfect. We were stunned at the beauty of the villages and vistas. We tasted the many matchless wines of Provence, ate freshly harvested local foods, and participated in town markets and festivals. We walked to hilltop fortresses, into palaces, and through cathedrals. We were never at a loss for words, as Kaydie was always willing to speak for us in the native language. At night, we returned to our vineyard home to sit by the pool and discuss our day together over a delectable meal. It doesn’t get any better than this.
For many years, my sister Barbara and I had dreamed of visiting Provence and just living there as the locals do. We could not have asked for a better Provençal experience than our week with Kaydie. From our big old farmhouse in the vineyard to the chic cafés we visited for lunch, everything was perfect. The experience was truly from the pages of a Peter Mayle novel. Each day brought a new adventure as Kaydie chauffeured us to ancient hill towns, local markets, Roman ruins, lavender fields, wineries and much more. Each evening we relaxed with a glass of wine around our pool or strolled through the vineyard for our after-dinner walk. The best part was that Kaydie led us through Provence in a way that we could never have done on our own or with a large group. We truly had the local experience. Kaydie was an excellent leader and guide. She was cheerful, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, energetic and organized. Sharing a farmhouse with fellow adventurers was a different way to travel but only added to the ambiance and enjoyment. For those who want to enjoy everyday life in Provence and have a “hands-on” adventure, this tour is great. For us it was perfect.
Formidable! … the perfect French word to describe a week in Provence with Kaydie Vistelle. She was more than just a guide; she was our hostess, eager to share her love of this land and culture with us. This was a truly remarkable experience.
From the moment the high-speed train from Paris reached Avignon in Provence and we were greeted by Kaydie, our trip was a delight. This southern part of France is breathtakingly beautiful and in no time we were stopping to photograph gorgeous lavender fields often located near striking sunflower fields and olive trees. Our accommodations at the gite (bed and breakfast) couldn’t have been nicer or more comfortable. After Kaydie prepared us each morning for our day’s activities, we set off with our traveling friends to one enchanting Provençal village after another. The open-air markets in many of the wonderfully preserved towns were a real highlight. Artfully arranged booths filled with fresh fruits and vegetables from the region as well as delightful arrays of olives, breads, spices, cheeses and handcrafted items such as colorful linens lined the streets. We were struck by how old the towns are and how happy the absence of neon signs, franchises, and fast-food restaurants made us feel. We were truly able to experience the life of the villages the way residents have for hundreds of years. This is a remarkable trip and Kaydie is so knowledgeable about the area, the language and customs, that we felt very comfortable throughout our stay. We also appreciated her flexibility in changing a day’s agenda to suit a special request or two! It was with sadness we left Provence and with hope that one day we will return.
Thank you for what we both have declared to be the absolutely bestvacation we’ve ever had. You worked so hard and went above and beyond to make it a wonderful experience for us, and we sure appreciate it. Attached is a picture of us toasting you for being a 5-star trip leader (and friend). I’ve told a number of people about the trip and think you’ll see a lot of interest when you’re back at the Haile Market in September.
I’ve spent a lot of time editing our pictures…Ray took 1700 and I took nearly 1000!!! It’s hard to take a bad picture in such a beautiful place, but I’m trying to put only the best on a CD for sharing.