'I travelled Europe for 5 months. This is the one location I keep getting asked about.'

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Since June, I've travelled to eight countries and 14 cities around Europe, and while each destination has had its own unique charm, there is one spot that consistently comes up in conversation.

I'm talking about the South of France's best-kept secret, Aix-en-Provence.

It's slow-paced, effortlessly chic and in the peak of summer, there are fewer crowds.

Watch: That trip you did with 40 other people on a massive tour bus where everyone drank too much is very much out. A new type of travel is in. Post continues after video.

Not to mention, you're completely spoiled for choice when it comes to choosing what to see and do.

Not sold yet?

Here's everything I experienced on my trip to Aix-en-Provence that made it one of the highlights of my Euro summer.

What to do in Aix-en-Provence, South of France.

Lavender fields.

My first tip for getting the most out of your trip to Aix-en-Provence is to book during mid-June to mid-July and, most importantly, hire a car.

This is non-negotiable.

At this time of year, about an hour's drive from the Aix-en-Provence city centre, you'll get the chance to venture through the dreamy countryside and visit France's most famous lavender fields in full bloom.

Expect fields that are vibrant, fragrant and humming with the bees.

Anisha at the Lavender Fields in Aix-en-Provence, South of France. Image: Supplied.

You can stop at well-known spots in Luberon, Sault or the Valensole Plateau or you can honestly pull over anywhere on the side of the road and whip out your camera, making sure to be respectful of the fields when walking through to take your pics.

Lavender Fields in Aix-en-Provence, South of France. Image: Supplied.

Temperatures can get quite high during this time of the year, so to avoid feeling sweaty and second-guessing your outfit choice that day, I would recommend visiting at sunrise or sunset when it's a bit cooler and the lighting is hitting just right. 

Since the sun goes down around 8pm during the summer, my boyfriend and I decided to take photos of the lavender fields at golden hour after our dinner reservation at a charming lavender-themed restaurant called Le Jardin de Celina.

Anisha with her boyfriend at the Lavender Fields in Aix-en-Provence, South of France. Image: Supplied.

We ordered escargot, pasta and finished off with their famous lavender-flavoured ice cream that we are still thinking about.

Europe's largest canyon.

For a tourist spot that actually lives up to the hype, you have to drive to Europe's largest canyon, Gorges du Verdon.

The Gorges du Verdon, Europe's largest canyon. Image: Supplied.

Not to be dramatic, but it is definitely one of, if not the, most breathtaking views I've ever seen.

The Gorges du Verdon is simply one of those landscapes where no photograph is comparable to seeing it with your own eyes.

About an hour and a half drive out of the city centre, you'll first approach the canyon from the bridge, where you can pull over to walk across and view it from above. 

The Gorges du Verdon, Europe's largest canyon. Image: Supplied.

There are giant limestone cliffs that border the turquoise blue water, and depending on what time you go, you'll also see coloured paddle boats dotted through the canyon, making it feel impossible not to capture the moment with a photo.

We then drove and parked down at the riverbank where people were having picnics, sunbathing, and enjoying the water.

My biggest recommendation when coming to this spot is to hire a paddle boat so you can ride right through the canyon.

The views were unforgettable.

Storybook villages.

One of my favourite experiences from the trip was taking half a day to drive and stop through all the charming French villages.

Each village has a distinct look and feel, with architecture and views unique to its history.

We mapped out a route that took us in a loop so that we weren't driving for longer than 30 minutes at a time.

In Roussillon, every building is drenched and dusted in shades of red, orange and yellow.

The actual village is built on red-rock ochre, and even has an ochre trail you can hike if you're more adventurous.

The Roussillon. Image: Supplied.

Or if you're more like me, you'll be just as satisfied perusing through quaint little shops, cafés, and restaurants that line the Roussillon's narrow streets.

The next stop we made was to a fairytale-like village perched on the Provençal hilltops called Gordes.

This village had its own charm in the shape of giant cat murals, honey-coloured stone buildings and picturesque views of the land.

The giant cat murals at Gordes. Image: Supplied.

We stopped here for a much-needed coffee and cake at their Laudurée café, then walked through some local markets that served as the perfect spot to grab some handmade souvenirs to remember the trip.

Local markets around the area. Image: Supplied.

Next up was Ménerbes, which had the least crowds and boasted idyllic 360 views of French vineyards, olive groves and rolling hills.

This village in particular felt the most lived-in, and getting to walk the practically empty, cobblestone streets was surreal.

Lastly, we stopped at Lourmarin, another storybook village, for a long lunch and a couple of spritzes.

A long lunch in Lourmarin. Image: Supplied.

This town completely embodied the slow-paced French way of life, where you're encouraged to stay at your table and people-watch for as long as you like.

The French lifestyle.

What I loved most about this trip was how un-touristy it felt. 

I'm the South of France's biggest fan, but knowing that Aix-en-Provence is no one's first thought when they think of visiting makes me feel that I have a case to plead with.

For me, unlike the other major cities, Aix-en-Provence strikes a glorious balance of experiencing the south as a tourist and living it as a local.

It's less crowded and gives a real sense of everyday life.  

Cafe-culture doesn't feel performative, so you can people-watch, sip your drink, and slow down in a way that feels inherently French.

During our trip, some of the best moments were unplanned.

Stumbling across a live orchestra in the town square on the way to dinner, popping into hidden vintage clothing stores to find uniquely French pieces, picnicking at the locals' favourite hidden beach in Cassis, wandering through local markets and walking into whichever bistro was open and proceeding to eat the most delectable French food.

Calanques, Cassis. Image: Supplied.

Of course, the most ideal part about staying in Aix-en-Provence as your base is that you double your experiences by getting to explore the best the wider Provençal region has to offer.

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Feature image: Supplied.