Eurozine: Those dollars might go further than you think

In June of 2007, I took my first work trip with Untours to explore the regions of which I am a specialist, France and Spain. As part of my assignment, I spent one week in Provence exploring our Provence program, getting to know our on-site staff person, Max, and the accommodations we offer there. Though I have lived in France (in Paris and Montpellier) this was my first time really getting to know the Vaucluse region.

John opens up our cloth bag to get the silverware as I gaze up at the sky, lying back. It's sunny and clear. We are right outside of Sault. The fields below us are tinged in purple. The lavender. Not quite in full bloom but almost. I'm on a work trip. John is along doing most of the driving so that I can take notes and pictures. My notes so far have centered strongly on the food. With the dollar so weak, this is a good lesson in simple pleasures. Provence Market Olives 1

Yesterday, we visited the Velleron market. It was just the locals, the fresh produce and us. The abundance here is breathtaking. The views, the sunflowers. Is there anything in moderation? And yet it's understated. Elegant. Here at the market, John and I are quieted. Silent before the red peppers (why has no one named a lipstick after the pepper?), the tomatoes, the olives, the garlic, the fruit. We don't hesitate before buying some local olive oil, honey, a basket of vegetables for a ratatouille, fruit. Our meal for tomorrow's picnic will have cost us a total of 4 euros, and it will be abundant.

So here I am in the now. Eating my ratatouille, using a baguette piece to soak up the roasted vegetable juices and already anticipating the taste of that perfect peach lying sculpturally by John's right hand.

I realize that we rarely ever picnic. In our day to day life, if we don't eat a meal at home, we inevitably go to a restaurant. The picnic took a bit more planning, but here we are in the open air. There is something to be said for how different a meal tastes when all of your senses are engaged. I'm content. And, oddly happy, that being more conscientious about my spending brought me here...up on a hill overlooking Sault and eating the best ratatouille I have ever eaten.

Picnic in Provence this year! Click on the pictures below to learn more about our properties in Provence.

One Untourist called this, "the nicest Untours accomodation I have ever stayed in." The Pascal house is located on a fruit farm with splendid views over the Mt. Ventoux valley.

Built specifically with Untourists in mind, the new Margaillan accomodations are ideally located outside of our home base of Isle-sur-Sorgue.

If in a university town, seek out the university cafeteria as a place to eat cheaply.
Look for vocational cooking schools-they often offer low cost, scrumptious meals at their restaurants.
Visit the museums in the evening at a discounted price (or free! It might be included in your Untour). Nearly every famous museum has late night hours at least once a week.
Buy postcards at government run tourist offices. They are often less expensive. Also, consider sending your postcards when you get back. It's cheaper and usually faster.
Skip coffee and dessert in a restaurant and have a fresh pastry from a bakery with self-brewed coffee in apartment.
Stand at the bar with the locals to drink your coffee, and pay at the lower rate (no table fee).
Order tap water not bottled water (the environment will thank you too!). Eau du robinet in French, acqua di rubinetto in Italian, and agua del grifo in Spanish.
Picnic
Visit wine fill-up shops in Italy; get table wine from the cask for 2-3 euros a liter.
For Swiss Untourists: walk rather than take the lifts.
Shop at local markets. Not only will you save money but you'll rub elbows with the locals.
If you're traveling in Switzerland, don't forget that you get free admission for over 400 museums with the Swiss train pass (it's great when your looking for a clean bathroom too!).
In Paris, skip the line at the Eiffel Tower and take in the free, equally stunning view from the La Samaritaine department store or the Jean Nouvel designed Institut du Monde Arabe.

Markets of Provence: A Culinary Tour of Southern France
(Pssst! Don't miss the newly published sale on the Paris/Provence Sampler. Visit our deals page for more information.)