Day 3: Time stands still

Some call the hilltop villages of Luberon the “sentinels of time.” No wonder. Looking out over wild stretches of cedar and oak, they seem to have been here forever. Gordes, with its arcaded medieval lanes twisting, invites you to sample its cheeses, olive oils and breads on market day. Take a few hours’ walk (or a shorter walk, if you prefer) to Roussillon, where the deep ochre used in the town's architecture harmoniously blends into the warmth of the natural surroundings. Spend some time in a little café, perhaps over lunch – gossip, daydream, while away some time... Stroll among Bonnieux’s narrow streets and 13th-century walls; perhaps you'll unwind over a pastis at a café. Arriving in Joucas, you'll receive a warm welcome at your gem of a hotel, Hostellerie Le Phebus. Dine tonight at the hotel, where the chef / owner was recently awarded the "Rising Chef" award by Relais & Chateaux.