about the pilgrimage
There’s something deeply grounding about setting out for a journey on foot. When we slow down and give ourselves the time to move more slowly through the world, the simple act of walking becomes a way of returning to ourselves, to one another, and to the ground beneath our feet.
Autumn in Provence is an ideal place to enter into this rhythm. Ancient abbeys, forest paths, vineyard vistas, and hilltop villages offer the perfect backdrop for long reflective walks.
Our invitation is to join us on a different kind of pilgrimage—a gentle one that invites you to slow down, to see, to sense, and to feel all that surrounds you.
“The seemingly mundane details of daily life in Provence hold a kind of magic that cannot be found anywhere else.”
ENCORE PROVENCE
Inspired by the Camino de Santiago
Our Pilgrimage in Provence is inspired by the Camino de Santiago, a path walked for centuries in search of meaning and renewal. The Luberon, in the heart of Provence, holds its own version of this timeless invitation.
In the cool October air, we’ll wander selected portions of the Luberon Loop, a scenic trail linking 27 hilltop villages across 140 miles. We’re choosing a few of the most beautiful stretches, creating a village-to-village journey through lavender fields, vineyards, oak forests, ochre cliffs, and ancient stone hamlets.
The Ingredients Are Simple
Walk, breathe, connect.
With ourselves, with each other, with Provence.
Laugh, converse, sip, eat, sleep.
Repeat.
The Spirit of the Journey
Like the Camino, but unlike traditional group tours, this retreat balances freedom with companionship. There’s no rigid “must-do” itinerary—we’ll lay the groundwork and guide the way, but much will be left to unfold naturally.
Charming upscale boutique accommodations will be arranged in villages along the way (Gordes, Bonnieux, & Lourmarin), chosen for their comfort and authenticity. Each day will entail a few hours of steady walking (10–15 km)—enough to feel challenged, yet not so much as to leave you too tired for the rest of the day. You should be in relatively fit condition. We will offer ample free time to explore villages, linger in a café, or rest under a tree.
Optional activities will be available—wine tastings, wellness (yoga, sound bath sessions), historical visits, and, of course, local markets for shopping! Evenings can be spent dining in company or enjoying your own quiet space. Two shared dinners are included, one of them a farewell gathering at Lydia and John’s home at Les Agnels.
Meet Your Guides
Lydia Dean
My husband John and I made Provence our home 25 years ago—it has been a love affair ever since. Over the years, Provence’s earthy fields have given us the fertile ground to plant the seeds of our life dreams. We raised our family here and began restoring old homes, living closer to the earth. The people of Provence, along with her stone, light, and mistral winds, have taught us much about a culture rooted in the rhythms of the land and seasons, as well as a slower, more respectful notion of time. Wanting to share this special region with others, we established Only Provence in 2007, a villa rental company that invites others to have their own beautiful experiences in Provence.
As our family and business grew, we were inspired to focus on restoration in broader ways— where access to basic needs and rights is so unfairly limited. We helped build both a foundation and a humanitarian travel company. For more than 10 years, I devoted myself to guiding philanthropic journeys, connecting globally minded people with courageous, lesser-known change-makers around the world. Travis joined in guiding these life-changing journeys, and together, we share a very special friendship and a profound sense of responsibility for guiding meaningful journeys.
Along the way, I wrote two books: Jumping the Picket Fence and Light Through the Cracks, which capture both the outer and inner transformations born from these rich life experiences. Through it all, Provence has woven her way into my life like a constant, steady thread.
In May of 2025, I completed the Camino de Santiago—an ancient 860 km pilgrimage across Spain. The five-week walk was a deeply personal journey, and I returned home inspired to discover and share the trails of Provence that I have come to know as sacred.


Travis Day
My life path has been shaped by a devotion to meaningful connection—with people, with place, and with purpose. Through extensive personal travel and my work designing and leading philanthropic journeys with Lydia, I’ve witnessed the profound exchange that happens when travel becomes service, and presence becomes prayer. From the indigenous villages of Guatemala to the highlands of Vietnam, each experience has deepened my belief that the most transformative journeys are those that bring us closer to the earth.
Travel has been both my teacher and mirror, revealing where I resist, where I expand, and how I belong. My commitment to soul work and the natural world is not something I step into for a retreat—it’s the rhythm that guides my days. The smell of wet soil after rain, the honest conversations shared between strangers, the quiet courage of those who are forced to rebuild—these are the moments that shape the journeys we now guide.
Through this Pilgrimage in Provence, we invite fellow travelers to explore not only the magical landscapes of southern France but also the sacred terrain within ourselves.
Your Daily Itinerary
terms & conditions
pilgrimage pricing
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY ROOM • 3,195 EURO per person
SINGLE OCCUPANCY ROOM • 3,695 EURO PER PERSON

INCLUDES
- 6 Nights Boutique Hotels
- Daily Breakfasts
- 1 Picnic Lunch & 2 Dinners
- Luggage Transport Between Hotels
- Wine Tasting
- Entrance Fees for Sites in Itinerary
- Daily Walking & Experiences
- All Taxes & Gratuities
DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Round-Trip Flight or Train
- Transport to Gordes on arrival/Transport from Lourmarin on departure
- Lunches and Dinners Except Where Indicated
- Alcoholic Beverages
- Personal Expenses
- Travel Insurance (Required)
- Other Services Not Mentioned
NEED ADDITIONAL NIGHTS?
We will be happy to quote and arrange additional hotel nights if you wish to arrive a day early or depart after the close of our journey.
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