Rambling in the Luberon

Arrive in the town of Isle sur la Sorgue which is surrounded by the crystal clear waters of the Sorgue River. The town's Sunday market is among the most colourful in Provence with a mixture of antiques, crafts, ceramics and food. Stroll the canals which are boarded by quaint cafes, restaurants and antique shops. Lose yourself among a labyrinth of narrow streets and in the town's warm, Provencal charm. Accommodation: charming B&B in a 18th century house located in the center of the town. The property has a swimming pool and a garden. Upgrade to 4* hotel available.

A short transfer by taxi will take you to Fontaine de Vaucluse, the mysterious spring that heads the Sorgue River. Through cedar forests you follow a 300 year old mur de la peste: a stone wall built to protect Provence from the 1720 plague. After walking through Cabrieres and its castle, the path leads to Gordes, a town built of majestic grey limestone, rising dramatically out of the valley and crowned by its Renaissance castle. Accommodation: 3* 19th century charming hotel with heated swimming pool, garden and restaurant.

Small market on Tuesday June - September | Today's circular walk takes you through thyme-laden fields dotted with old stone huts and down into the Senancole valley. Soon Senanque Abbey will appear: built in 1148, and still in use, the abbey is one of the best conserved Romanesque buildings in France and certainly one of its most magnificent. You will have time to explore the abbey before returning to Gordes via a cobbled path.

Market on Thursday morning June to September | Short morning transfer to the village of Goult. Crossing the Calavon Valley you pass the ruins of ancient stone farmhouses before reaching the town of Lacoste. Crowned by the ruins of the castle of the Marquis de Sade, Lacoste offers a stunning ensemble of old village gates and cobbled streets, not to mention the haunting allure of the castle. A great place to have a picnic or lunch in one of the restaurants. You continue to Bonnieux which is another gem of the Luberon, immortalised in Peter Mayle's "A Year in Provence". Visit its beautiful town square and the old cobbled steps leading to its 12th century church. Accommodation: Two nights in a 3* family run hotel located in the centre with swimming pool.

Market on Friday mornings | Climbing to the highest reaches of the Luberon Mountains you reach its cedar forests. Its dark, green canopy providing the perfect shade and shelter for a picnic lunch, and awe-inspiring views extending from the Alps all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. Approximately half of the day's walking is up and the other half is down. Return to Bonnieux.

The first half of the walk is leisurely along back country roads. Be sure to look back to admire Bonnieux as you leave. On the plateaus you walk through truffle oak plantations and by exquisite stone villas. After the Col du Pointu Pass, you have reached the Grand Luberon. A quaint path through the oak forests leads to the Chateau de Buoux then up to the 12th century Chapelle de Ste. Marie. You walk alongside imposing cliffs before taking a cobbled mule track descending in hairpin turns to the base of the Aiguebrun Valley where you will find your overnight accommodation. Accommodation: The 2* Auberge des Seguins at the base of the Aiguebrun Gorge is a breathtaking 17th century goat farm restored and converted into a hotel in harmony with the original buildings. Rooms are basic while the location is stunning. The property boasts no television, wifi or cell phone reception - a lovely escape from modern life where you can enjoy your surroundings. >> Add an extra night in Buoux for the 12km/7 miles circular hike across the Luberon Ridge, making this a 9-day hiking holiday. Follow the Aiguebrun valley as it winds beneath towering limestone cliffs and into shaded, green pockets of Mediterranean vegetation. As the trail climbs, fields give way to dry stone terraces and the tucked-away hamlet of Sivergues; a quiet cluster of homes set along a cobbled lane. Fill your bottle from the village spring (often shared with a local dog), then continue through thyme-covered hills. The final push brings you to the Luberon crest where, on a clear day, views stretch from the Alps to the Mediterranean. On your return, an optional detour leads to the 3,000-year-old Buoux Fort, a dramatic cliff-top ruin rich in Celtic, Roman and Medieval history. Meals included: B & D.

Walk at the base of the Aiguebrun Gorge, the only permanent river of the Luberon mountains, its massive limestone walls and luxuriant vegetation. You climb out of the canyon to reach the lost hamlet of Sivergues before crossing the Aiguebrun and climbing up to the Claparèdes plateau, with its lavender fields and truffle oak plantations. Soon after you reach the medieval village of Saignon, a truly hidden gem of the Luberon and the ruins of its three castles. Stop off at one of the shady cafe terraces to enjoy a refreshing drink before continuing onwards down to Apt. Accommodation: elegant 3* hotel in a 19th century house in the old town of Apt.