You can't get around it--walking is the best way to see almost any place on earth. It's a matter of degree, of course, whether you spend the entire day on your feet, or just part of it. For those healthy people who regard walking as a the best way to get around, I suggest the France Getaways Paris & Provence "Easy Walking Discover Tour," priced at just $915 (land only).
For this money, you get seven nights' lodging in 3- and 4-star hotels, three in Paris, the balance in Provence. You'll spend the first three days in Paris, with the free time to visit anywhere you please, with optional supplemental charges for day tours, airport transfers, museum and/or metro passes, and shows. You spend the night at either the Washington Opera Hotel or the Victoires Opera hotel, both four-star properties in the 1st and 2nd arrondissements
On the fourth day, you travel to Avignon, where you stay at another four-star hotel within the walls of the city and have a welcome orientation meeting. You'll have plenty of free time and an optional 5-km. walking tour. On day 5, you transfer to St. Remy de Provence. You have a choice here of two walking tours, one of 15 to 18 km., the other only 6 km. Alternatively, you can follow the "Path of Van Gogh" measuring in at 7 km. A Provencal dinner and lodging in a three-star hotel end your day here.
On Day 6, you transfer to Arles, where you walk around the city. Choose between 15km walks to see the Arena and much more. Dinner at a restaurant included along with lodging in a three-star hotel in the town center. On the 7th day, you transfer to Aix-en-Provence, where you can take a leisurely art walk of Aix (6 km), with time to explore the Atelier Paul Cezanne, among other places. You can also choose a nature walk on Mount St. Victoire. Stay at a three-star hotel in the center of town. On Day 8, you depart for home after breakfast.
The price of $915 is per person, double occupancy. Valid through April 15, 2003. For the period March 1 to April 15, however, add $40 per person. Included are hotel taxes, breakfast daily except on Day 1, two dinners, all transfers during walking tour portion, orientation/welcome meeting in Avignon. Most of the walking is on flat terrain on paved surfaces, easy to moderate depending on option chosen. In winter, the temperature is about 6 to 14 Celsius (43 to 57 Fahrenheit) degrees and in March and April, from 12 to 20 degrees Celsius (54 to 68 Fahrenheit).
For bookings and more information, contact France Getaways at 800/960-2221 or 480/905-1235, e-mail info@discoverfrance.com, Web site www.discoverfrance.com.