Wine tasting in Provence but children along

If you mean are the children allowed in the winery, the answer is of course. If the question is whether the kids will be bored to death, perhaps.

Would a 1/2 day tour allow children (17, 15, 11 yr) as well - same rate or reduced? Has anyone explored Provence with children with any success?

Ann - we haven't been to Provence with our kids but we were in the Dordogne for a week when they were 15 & 12. One thing my husband and I wanted to do was the morning market in a nearby town. We were staying at a 1 week self catering and we just left the kids at home for the morning. They were able to sleep in, read, etc. Your kids are also old enough to just be left for a half day and would probably appreciate the break from all the family togetherness. In general - a successful trip with kids means planning for times when you are NOT all together all the time. For us this also meant that we would break up so that my son and I would explore the castle (or whatever) together while my husband and daughter did the same thing. We even left my son home alone one night when he didn't feel well after a day spent out in the hot sun - so the 3 of us went to dinner close by. Again - on our 3 week trip it was nice to have different groupings. We also had our kids explore together - whether it was going up to the bakery to get breakfast, going to souvenier shops on their own while we sat at a cafe, etc.

Thank you. We have three mellow boys that would certainly stay in a room for hours sleeping/playing and not getting in trouble. But, is it safe? Probably, I just recall the kidnapping in Italy.

It's as safe as the United States.

Ann - My short reply is - by all means do it! In 2004 we took our 13 year old daughter and 8 year old son on a month long trip to Italy and France. We built many things in the trips just for them - quiet days by the pool, EuroDisney, etc. But we also included some cathedrals, museums and wine tastings. In the south of France we toured some vineyards in and aroung Gigondas. With the children along we found small family run places. It seems every one of these places had a welcoming dog for the kids to play with. The children were fascinated by some of the machinery, the barrels and the ancient caves. Frequently the owners would have a soft drink and a treat for the kids. In the Champagne region we toured the Moet-Chandon caves with the kids - that was wonderful. By the end even the kids were asking our guide questions. Taking the kids on our wine adventures was certainly worthwhile. The trick was not to do it too often - keep it short - mix it in with something kid oriented. Have fun.

Thank you all! I'll be including Provence into our journey. Ann

I agree Dina. My responsibility for my childrens' safety is more important than anything else. I will not worry them but I am naturally hyper-aware at all times. It is the mom/parent in us all!

At 17, 15 and 11 I hope you will let them go out and explore a little on their own and not lock them in the room when you go out!

Bronwen, You are right! That probably would have dawned on me after I got a sense of the city. Thanks for your feedback! Ann

Ann - you will have to contact the tour companies you are looking in to to see if they will allow children and/or what the charge will be. I would not be surprised if children are not a reduced rate, as they would be taking up the space in a van/bus that a full paying adult would be. We've taken our children to many wine tastings in France. Most have been enjoyable. In our experience, the large group tours are the worst for kids. Only one place (a small champagne house in Epernay) made me feel like my kids weren't welcome. We've purchased many over-priced bottles of artisinal grape juice or non-alcoholic sparkling peach drink because our children have been along (much to our children's delight). I always make sure to have snacks on hand, and try to break up tastings/tours to limit them to no more than two in one day. As for safety of leaving your children alone: On a stricly crime standpoint, I agree with Bets in that it's about as safe as in the US. Except that if they have a problem, they can't just call 911 and tell an operator what the problem is. They will be in an unfamiliar country where (most likely) an unfamiliar language is spoken. They may not be able to dial your cell phone number from the hotel. And if they wander off, they may not be able to communicate with those on the street what assistance they need. Make sure your children are well versed in what to do in the event of an emergency, or getting lost, etc. I tend to give my children much more freedom at home than on vacation, but that's just me.

Lets get realistic here,, at 17 your son is one year away from being an adult,, and at that age many young people travel alone,, so I do think you are being a bit over protective. As for kidnapping, who is going to break into a room with basically two adult size males in there to kidnap one of them? Leave the kids alone in the room to sleep in and veg one day,, they will be fine,, and as for safety,, I consider Provence SAFER then Seattle. And yes, I have three kids, and all have been to Europe, and,, when I was ill one day I had to send my 11 yr old daughter down the street from our hotel in Paris to get some food( I couldn't leave room , there was no room service, and it was already 1 in the afternoon and she had no breakfast or lunch yet) ,, I also regularily let my 14 yr old son run down the street to get McDonalds in the early evening for his snack( you know how boys eat).
Btw, at a wine tasting in France a 17 old will likely be offered a taste,, I know that freaks most Americans out, but there the drinking age with parents is 16,, and most places think nothing of serving younger kids when with adults.. just a thought, might be easier to leave them out.