I first visited France in 2013, and it was also my first time traveling to Europe.

Back then, I went with a friend and we booked a 7-day group tour that covered Paris and Zurich. But seven days in Europe felt far too short, especially for a first trip, so we decided to extend our holiday and add another seven days on our own for Barcelona and Madrid. We wanted to make the most of the journey and stretch every moment of that trip as much as we could.

At the time, I was very much into city travel. I loved exploring famous landmarks, walking through busy streets, and experiencing the buzz of a new place. Over the years, though, my travel style has changed. While I still enjoy city breaks, I have come to love road trips and countryside escapes even more — the kind of trips that take you beyond the tourist centers and into villages, mountains, lakes, and wide open landscapes.

For me, that is where a place reveals its real charm. The countryside feels calmer, less crowded, and far more connected to a country’s local culture and traditions. It is also where I feel most relaxed. There is something about being surrounded by mountains, natural parks, plains, and quiet roads that makes a trip feel more memorable. That is where the adventure really begins.

Then in 2019, I finally made it to Provence.

I spent three days there with one main goal in mind: to see the lavender fields in bloom. Provence had been on my bucket list for years. Like many people, I had seen countless beautiful photos online — endless purple fields, golden summer light, and charming country roads — and I had imagined what it would be like to experience it for myself. Social media definitely played a role in that dream, turning Provence into one of those places I knew I had to visit at least once.

So why only three days? Mostly because we had to plan our itinerary carefully and make the most of a relatively short Europe trip. We did not want to rush from one destination to the next just to tick places off a list. Instead, we wanted enough time to truly enjoy each stop and get the experience we came for.

And Provence did not disappoint.

It was June, right in the middle of lavender season — and sunflower season too. Everywhere we looked, the landscape was alive with color. Endless lavender fields stretched into the distance, sunflowers bloomed under the summer sun, and the scent of lavender seemed to linger everywhere we went. It was one of those rare moments when a place looks exactly as beautiful as you imagined it would.

We stayed in an Airbnb about 15 minutes from the photo spots we wanted to visit, which made it easy to explore the area at a relaxed pace. And beyond the lavender fields, we also discovered another highlight nearby: Gorges du Verdon. With its striking blue water and dramatic scenery, it was the perfect contrast to the soft, dreamy landscapes of Provence. We rented a boat, went for a swim, and spent the entire afternoon enjoying the water — a spontaneous addition that became one of the most memorable parts of the trip.

Gorges du Verdon

Gorges du Verdon

Provence gave me the lavender fields I had always dreamed of seeing, but it also offered so much more: quiet roads, beautiful views, summer colors, and the kind of slow travel moments that stay with you long after the trip is over.