PROVENCE, FRANCE

THINGS TO KNOW CLIMATE Each season brings its own charm, making Provence a popular year-round destination. Situated near the Mediterranean coast, the area has a dry Mediterranean climate and although some parts are alpine, the Luberon valley has relatively mild weather no matter the season. Around mid-March, spring brings sunshine and warmth (highs start to reach the 60s), and summertime heats up further (peaking in the mid-80s), making Provence perfect for swimming and spending time outside. WATER Tap water is fine to drink, though you may prefer bottled or filtered water. GETTING THERE Your airport is Marseille Provence Airport (MRS), which is about a 50-minute drive to the Luberon Valley. There are daily flights from Paris and London. In the summer, Delta Airlines flies direct from New York to Nice. Please note, however, that Nice is about a 2.5-hour drive. You can also take a train from Paris to Avignon, then drive about 45 minutes to your residence (you can get a rental car at the train station). Ask your Personal Vacation Advisor or Destination Concierge for detailed instructions. GETTING AROUND Your Destination Concierge can help arrange a rental car in advance. You'll want to drive through the countryside, to discover the hill towns and to explore local markets. If you want a car service for a winery tour, your concierge can make arrangements. SPECIAL NOTE: Rental cars cannot be delivered to your residence, as all drivers must be present at the rental point to sign and show ID.

QUICK FACTS LOCATION Your residence is located in the Luberon Valley of Provence, near the villages of Bonnieux and Lacoste. CHECK IN 5 p.m. CHECK OUT 10 a.m. SPECIAL NOTE: These check-in and checkout times differ from most Inspirato Signature Residences. CURRENCY Euro (EUR) LANGUAGE French PASSPORT Yes CONVERTER You may want to bring an adaptor, as outlets are 220V, with standard European round-prong plugs. AIRPORT MRS

THINGS TO KNOW PARKING Complimentary parking is available at your chateau. CHECK IN/ARRIVAL PROCESS Your Destination Concierge will meet you at your residence for check-in and a tour. GROCERIES For just the cost of groceries, your Destination Concierge will be happy to fulfill your grocery order. Simply complete the order form on your Inspirato.com account at least 72 hours prior to your arrival. Additional shopping trips are $25 plus the cost of groceries. IN-RESIDENCE DINING OPTIONS Provence and the Luberon boast some of the finest private chefs in the world. Acquiring these professionals requires a bit of pre-planning; count on your Destination Concierge to look after the logistics. You can work on custom menus and options during the planning process. STAY FIT Though there are no fitness centers in the area, the beautiful hills and trails that wind throughout Provence are ideal for running, hiking and other active pursuits. HOUSEKEEPING Daily. TIPPING GUIDELINES While our Destination Concierge teams and housekeeping staff welcome and appreciate recognition for exceptional service, tipping is entirely up to you based on your level of satisfaction. If you would like to leave a gratuity, we suggest the following general guidelines: + Destination Concierge: $20-$50 per day depending on the level of service you experienced. + Housekeeping: $5-$7 per occupied room per evening is typical for luxury hospitality. + Restaurants: Tipping in Europe isn’t as abundant as it is in the U.S. and 5-10% of your total bill is considered appropriate, with 5% being more the norm. As with any destination, always check your bill to see if a service charge is included. + Vendors: Gratuity is dependent on the complexity of the experience or service, so we suggest using your discretion.

TRAVEL TIPS + Other than in main commercial centers, stores normally close between noon and 2 p.m., when they reopen and close again at 7 p.m. Some stores may stay closed as late as 3:30 p.m. + Restaurants serve lunch from noon to 1:30 or 2 p.m. only and dinner is rarely served before 7:30 p.m. Keep this in mind when planning activities and excursions. + Many stores and businesses do not accept credit cards, and when they do, they might not accept some major brands. It’s best to carry cash at all times. + Self-serve gas stations require a credit card with an embedded chip. + Weekly markets are one of the best attractions in Provence, but note that they generally run from 7 a.m. to noon. + It’s perfectly acceptable (and legal) to drink wine or beer openly in a park when you’re having a picnic, eating out for lunch or when you’re just plain thirsty. Just be sure to enjoy in moderation. + Provence is very dry and all visitors should be extremely cautious with fires.

THINGS TO DO SPA Sisley Spa at La Bastide de Gordes, one of the area’s most renowned and well-known hotels (about 30 minutes away), is a serene haven tucked into Provence’s rolling hills. Expert therapists can devise custom treatments to help diminish stress, worry and aches. Arched windows unveil sweeping views of the countryside, bolstering the interior’s charming natural décor. GOLF + Golf Provence Country Club (located 30 minutes away) – beautiful greens flanked by native Provencal trees, lavender and rosemary bushes with natural rock and water features and mountains in the distance BEACHES While there are no beaches in landlocked Provence, a 90-minute drive to the coast unveils some spectacular swaths of sand. Below are some of our favorites: + Saintes Maries de la Mer – pleasant beach that’s great for sailing, windsurfing, lounging, horseback riding and, during the summer, swimming + Cassis – charming village that boasts a small rocky beach, incredible views and outcroppings for hikes to the sea + Calanques National Park – stunning park on the sea, surrounded by mountains and cliffs with several villages and cities nearby WINERIES There are a number of convenient wineries, both large and intimate, and your Destination Concierge is happy to give you an overview. Some of our favorites include the world-renowned wines from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, where the idea of "Appelation d'Origine Contrôlée" was born. We also love the more sophisticated but "big" wines from the Luberon Valley, which are all just a short drive away. And we recommend a visit to Chateau Val Joanis in Pertuis, where you can combine a winery tour and tasting with a visit to a nationally classed Flower Garden on the property that once, reputedly, belonged to Julius Caesar. DESTINATION HIGHLIGHT Travel back in time – about 2,000 years back, to be precise – by visiting the iconic Pont du Gard. The ancient Roman aqueduct bridge, believed to have been constructed sometime in the first century (with earlier civilizations claiming the area as home long before that), still stands today as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The landmark is about an hour away from your chateau, however it’s well worth the drive for its immense historical significance, as well as the spectacular natural scenery that surrounds it. FAMILY Get the kids up into the trees at Passerelles des Cimes, a treetop ropes course located in Lagnes (about 25 minutes away). The walkways – many of which are wooden bridges with handholds — are easy to traverse and provide fantastic panoramas of the forest. The facility boasts three courses at varying heights, allowing children as young as 3 to participate. MUST-DO Les Carrières de Lumières (in Les Baux de Provence, about one hour away) is a unique art institution unlike any other. Tucked away in an ancient quarry, the facility hosts eclectic multimedia shows that are projected onto the natural rock walls, as well as smoother carved surfaces and the floor. The immersive experience extends across multiple rooms, surrounding visitors in two of the area’s greatest resources: history and art.

THINGS TO DO ROMANTIC In the sunrise hours of the Provence countryside, we recommend floating to a premier vantage in a hot air balloon, where you'll enjoy breathtaking views of idyllic hill towns below. When you’re high above such a postcard-worthy landscape, you’ll be hard-pressed to think about anything other than your company and enjoying the moment. Afterward, a sampling of local cuisine and champagne is a perfect end to a perfect day. ADVENTURE Under a roof of leafy tree branches, a canoe ride down the Sorgue River is a thrilling way to see some of the area’s most beautiful attractions. A guide will carefully show you the river’s secluded nooks and crannies as you paddle your vessel down the gentle river. NATURE Your residence is located amid quintessential Provençal countryside, meaning you have endless options for exploring. Hike through the hills and valleys near your chateau to discover Provençal flora, like iconic lavender, and take in some beautiful views. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, venture to the small open-air markets in each nearby village. The region is market heaven and venturing out to the villages allows you to experience the real Provence. LOCAL Join the hunt for one of Provence’s most elusive — and famous — commodities: truffles. The prized mushrooms are considered a delicacy and searching for them is as exciting as eating them. Local truffle experts will detail the history of the rare morsels while showing you their secret hunting grounds in the woods. If you’re lucky, you’ll stumble upon a stash and be able to enjoy your bounty after the hunt.

OTHER THINGS TO DO + Bicycling + Archery + Cooking lessons

+ Village market tours + Rock climbing + Picnics

+ Medieval towns + Wildlife viewing + Shopping

+ Scenic drives to nearby towns + Shopping

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS FAMILY Brasserie Les Terrasses (located five minutes away) – At this traditional brasserie, French cuisine abounds, but so do kid-friendly wood-fired pizzas. As everyone dines on something they’ll enjoy, you can gaze into the countryside and rustic village scenery from the restaurant’s open-air terraces. ROMANTIC Restaurant Le Vivier (located 30 minutes away) – All of the elements of a romantic dinner — an extensive wine list, classic French cuisine and an impeccable location right on the Sorgue River — will be found at this eatery that earned praise from the Michelin Guide. Snag a seat on the sunny patio, which juts out over the water, for an alfresco dinner you won’t soon forget.

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS FINE DINING Restaurant Edouard Loubet at La Bastide de Capelongue (located 10 minutes away) – Picture a charming, rustic French restaurant and this elegant eatery is probably what you’re imagining. Large arched windows reveal sweeping vistas of rolling hills that loom just beyond the patio. The dining room’s vaulted ceilings and antique furniture evoke a farmhouse atmosphere. That doesn’t even take into account the acclaimed French cuisine, which was dreamed up by the restaurant’s namesake chef, a two-Michelin-starred culinary master. LOCAL L’Arôme Restaurant (located five minutes away) – Specializing in regional cuisine, this charming eatery takes local dining to new heights with menus that change seasonally based on what area farmers have harvested. The location — right in the heart of Bonnieux — and the dining room’s stone walls lend a distinctively French atmosphere, as well. SPECIAL NOTE: Restaurant reservations during summer high season (June through August) should be made as early as possible.

FESTIVALS AND ACTIVITIES + Lavender Season – Provence is known for its heavily fragrant blossoms of lavender in early July to early August. Tour the beautiful lavender route from the Abbaye de Sénanque (near Gordes) to the wide, purple swatch that spreads across the Drôme and the Vaucluse. + Grape Harvesting and Wine Making – Fall in the Cotes du Rhone wine region of Provence means grape harvest. Trucks filled with grapes wind through the countryside and in Avignon, which hosts an annual wine festival, you can stroll narrow cobblestone streets tasting wine and enjoying local cuisine. + Olive Oil Harvest – Provence is known to produce some of the best olive oil in the world. Harvest time November and December, and many orchards welcome help during this time. You can go into some vineyards with an open bottle to fill with olive oil. + + + + + + + + + +

Fête du Citron in Menton (lemon festival with parade and activities) – February to March Carnaval de Nice – February to March Fête de la Tarasque in Tarascon (cultural festival and parade) – June Bastille Day – July 14th Marché Flottant in L’isle-sur-la Sorgue (market on the water) – August Fête Médiévale in Sisteron (medieval festival) – August Festival des Musiques d’Eté in Lourmarin (summer music festival) – July to September Les Luminessences d’Avignon (Lights of Avignon) – August to October Wine Harvest Season – Fall Truffle Markets – November to early March

Information presented in this Inspirato destination guide is current as of February 13, 2015. While it is believed to be accurate, Inspirato LLC (and its officers, employees and affiliated entities, collectively “Inspirato”) makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or completeness of the content presented herein. The contents of this destination guide may change at any time and without notice. This destination guide is presented for informational purposes only for Inspirato members and guests. Inclusion in this destination guide is not to be considered an endorsement or recommendation by Inspirato for any of the mentioned third-party products, services, activities or vendors. Participation in any of the mentioned third-party products, services or activities may require a separate agreement with a third party and members and guests are encouraged to review any such agreements carefully. Inspirato assumes no liability or responsibility for any injury, damage or loss that members and guests may incur with any third parties, and members and guests utilizing any information in this destination guide waive any claims against Inspirato. Inspirato is a registered trademark of Inspirato LLC.