A decadently decorated Francophile’s dream travel tips and stories. Vacations ideas, cruises, spa and resorts

Perched in a private park on a hillside above Aix-en-Provence, France, the Villa Gallici Residence is 18th century Provencal house member of Relais et Chateaux. It provides luxury accommodation, a gastronomical restaurant registered in the main guides, a shady seven acre garden with a swimming-pool. This is a place to discover the beauty of Aix en Provence in the extremely comfort and where the most sophisticated services are tailor made to ensure a relaxing stay.

The residence is set in a beautiful countryside whilst the hotel itself is decorated in a Provencal style and furnished with carefully chosen period pieces, creating a unique intimate atmosphere. The Villa Gallici is richly furnished with French and sumptuous fabrics. Lavish interiors, sumptuous fabrics and a poolside Cézanne would have been proud to paint Villa Gallici is a Provencal masterpiece. The suites are pricey but reward guests with peerless views of the city below, as well as baronial bathrooms with double sinks, claw-foot bathtubs, and separate showers.

A hideaway spot that features high service and discreet luxury amid rose gardens and cypress trees, this old Provencal villa flanked by rows of apartments, a terraced restaurant, and a decadent swimming pool surrounded by bougainvillea. Service is flawless, instant, and without a trace of condescension or stiffness. Traditional Provencal cuisine is accompanied by the finest wines in the restaurant.