We've seen the rise of "voluntourism" and eco-tourism of the luxe variety (think private bugalow in Figi, not hippie yurt). But giving back and luxury travel have rarely been an oft-cited pair. Until, that is, CharityFolks.com came on the scene, crafting unique travel plans including exclusive meet-and-greets like an evening with the cast of The Sopranos, then sending along the proceeds to charity. Each trip functions as an auction, so you'll need to get your virtual paddle up if you want to claim jaunts like a weekend at the Newport Jazz Festival, or luxe accommodations at Vail. The site hosts more traditional charity auctions as well, which have been written about here in the past, but if you planned to stay at the Four Seasons whilst touring Provence anyway, why not do it through an organization that will then donate on your behalf to UCLA's Jonsson Cancer Center?

I've been hearing rumors about Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie looking at property in the South of France for at least a year now but this week the gossip seems to have hit critical mass and it looks like this globe-trotting family may really be picking up a French chateau. The property in question ins located in the village of Eygalieres in Provence, France and has the romantic name of Mas de la Chapelle St. Sixte. US Weekly has reported that the Jolie-Pitts had been looking at the property last year but then decided not to purchase because the locals wouldn't let Brad Pitt but in a motorbike track on the over six-acre property. Now that the couple has gotten approval for the track it looks like the deal is back on.

The Telegraph had a great piece in January that covered the story of Mas de la Chapelle St Sixte and provides a sharp little photo gallery of the home in question. The main stone house was built in 1150 by monks and it was where was where Pope Clement VI stayed during the wine harvest in the 14th century. More recently it played host to Vanity Fair editor in chief, Graydon Carter at the high price of £1000 per day. The current owners are Jennifer and James Butler, a writer and a retired TV producer and art collector who fell in love with the historic ruin in 1990. The house had been empty since 1954 and the couple spent six years and a lot of money restoring it in keeping with local traditions. The couple has listed the home for 14 million euros ($22.089 million) partially because the couple were not sure how to divide the home among their nine children. The home has seven bedrooms and five bathrooms which frankly seems a bit tiny for the Jolie-Pitts, their children and their entourage of assistants but what a lovely place to be a bit cramped in.

[via Bikes in the Fast Lane]

The Times Travel section has a beguiling article on the new Four Seasons Spa in Provence, France. The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Provence at Terre Blanche may be one of the most gorgeous spas in Europe. The spa is in a two-story villa with a huge black granite pool surrounded by columns. The spa has 14 treatment rooms, a manicure and pedicure studio, gym, hair salon and studio for yoga and pilates classes, as well as saunas, steam rooms, laconiums and showers with tropical rain and arctic mist. Travel writer Julia Brookes opted for the Espa Provencal Escape that included a salt, olive oil and lavender body scrub, a body mask of honey and red clay and a massage with olive oil infused with lavender and rosemary.

The spa also includes Infusions, the spa café which features local produce. The Spa Discovery Package starts at 695 euros per night and includes bed and breakfast in a suite and a 55 minute treatment per day.