We have always wanted to go to Provence, and in late March, we signed up for a Country Walkers self-guided trip, giving us the freedom to be on our own, but with a planned itinerary and transfers. The itinerary included two nights each in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the hilltop town of Gordes, and the hilltop town of Bonnieux; five step-by-step hikes ranging from 3 to 7.5 miles; transfers (including our first/last from/to Avignon); and 3 dinners. Although Country Walkers could arrange our flights and train to Avignon, we did this on our own. Here is a map of the towns and some of the hike destinations.

We left from Logan Terminal E on Delta. We boarded the plane for our overnight flight on time, but we sat on the ground for an hour waiting for bag transfer from Terminal A. Upon landing at Charles de Gaulle airport (CDG) and a long walk, we went through Immigration and then picked up our luggage. We had about a 3 hour wait for our OUIGO TGV (high speed train). The OUIGO is their low-priced train (all same class, no dining car, etc., but just fine). We left about 2 pm and arrived at the Avignon TGV station about 5 pm, and then took the 5-minute local train to Avignon Centre, at which point we walked about 5 minutes to our hotel, Hôtel de Cambis. The hotel is right on the main Jean Jaurès/Rue de la République. We opted for a light dinner right outside our door at The Pipeline (Salad Provençal with tuna, Fish and chips).

Enjoying a glass of rosé.

Our hotel in Avignon: Hôtel de Cambis