Portugal, Provence and the French Riviera: The Trip Where We Got Engaged

This trip will always be the one where it all started. We spent twelve days going from Lisbon to Monaco, and somewhere in the middle of it, in Provence, Colin asked me to marry him. That same afternoon we drove down to the sea in Cassis, and I couldn’t stop looking at my hand.

Route: Lisbon and Sintra → the Algarve and Lagos → fly to Nice → the Luberon → Aix → Cassis → Saint-Tropez → Monaco
How long: 12 days
Who came: Just Colin and me
The big moment: Engaged in Provence on September 1, 2022

Lisbon and Sintra

We started in Lisbon: the Santa Justa Lift, nights on busy streets full of people, and a sunset on the waterfront with the 25 de Abril bridge glowing. We took a day trip out to Sintra to see Pena Palace, the yellow-and-red castle on the hill that looks like a storybook, and its ponds and gardens.

A couple on the terrace of Pena Palace with its yellow tower behind — Pena Palace, Sintra

Red and yellow towers of Pena Palace against a blue sky

A couple at the waterfront at sunset with a suspension bridge in the distance

A city street lined with buildings leading to the iron Santa Justa Lift

The Algarve and Lagos

Then we went south to the Algarve’s golden cliffs, sea stacks and coves. We took a boat into the sea caves, including the famous one at Benagil with a hole in its roof, and wandered the cobblestone streets of Lagos.

A sea cave with a round opening in the roof above a small beach — Inside the sea cave

A couple on a clifftop above turquoise water and rock formations

Looking out of a dark sea cave through an arch to the sea

A couple walking down a cobblestone street lined with shops

Provence and the Luberon

We flew to Nice and drove into Provence, through the hilltop villages of the Luberon around Apt. There were stone alleys and staircases, an old stone windmill, and huge views across the valley.

A couple on rocks overlooking a wide valley — Over the Luberon

A woman standing in front of a stone windmill

A narrow stepped lane between pastel houses

Stone rooftops and green hills seen from a hilltop village

The day we got engaged

On September 1, 2022, in Provence, Colin proposed. I said yes, obviously. Then we got in the car and drove down to Cassis to celebrate by the sea.

Angela's hand with her new engagement ring, with the sea and cliffs of Cassis behind — She said yes.

A couple standing on rocky cliffs above turquoise water — On the coast

Cassis and the calanques

The next day we explored the calanques by boat, the dramatic white limestone inlets with turquoise water between Cassis and Marseille. We wandered Cassis harbor, with its colorful houses and boats, and spent time on the beach, newly engaged and very happy.

Cassis harbor with boats and colorful buildings beside flowers — Cassis harbor

A couple taking a selfie with coffee and the sea behind

A couple taking a selfie on a beach with the sea behind

Saint-Tropez and Monaco

We finished on the Riviera with yachts in the bay at Saint-Tropez, the Monte Carlo casino, a perfect clear cove at Cap-d’Ail, mojitos by the sea and a walk along the promenade.

Clear turquoise water in a cove below limestone cliffs — Cap-d'Ail

A couple taking a selfie in front of the Monte Carlo casino

Boats anchored in a blue bay below cliffs and green hills

A mojito with mint and lime on a table with the sea behind

We came back to the Riviera with friends four years later. Read the French Riviera in 5 days.

Tips for this route

Fly between Portugal and the Riviera. It’s a short flight and saves a very long drive.
Rent a car for Provence. The Luberon villages are spread out and the drives are half the fun.
Book a boat for the calanques and the Algarve caves. It’s the best way to see both.
Late August is busy but beautiful. Book stays early.

What came next

Less than two years later, we got married in Tuscany. Read our Tuscany wedding and buddymoon.