Les Baux-de-Provence
Pont du Gard
Camargue
Arles
Avignon
Carmargue
Arles
Arles
Chateauneuf du Pape
Provence
Gordes
Uzès Castle
ORANGE
Uzes Tower
Beautiful countryside – rolling vineyards and sumptuous orchards
Elegant cities – Avignon and Aix are full of lovely architecture
Roman remains – Provence has some of the world’s best
Sleepy villages – glimpse authentic rural life
Distinctive and delicious regional cuisine
Quintessentially French, Provence is one of the most alluring regions of France, immortalised in countless films and books, and full of sleepy villages, scenic beauty and captivating vistas. The region is a delightful mix of the ancient, the traditional and the modern. You’ll find beautifully preserved Roman sites, fragrant vineyards and orchards, and elegant, historic cities packed with world-class museums and galleries. Based in the heart of Avignon at the four-star Avignon Grand Hotel located just outside the city walls.
Available Departures |
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| 04 - October - 2024 | £ 1349.00 | Travel Info Book Now |
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Provisional Timings St Pancras Departing: 04th October 2024 at 09:01 Returning: 10th October 2024 at 18:36 |
Day 1: Travel by Eurostar from St Pancras to Avignon via Lille.
On arrival, transfer by coach to the Avignon Grand Hotel. This evening there will be a welcome drink at the hotel.
Day 2: Morning visits to Uzès and the Pont du Gard with the afternoon free.
The delightful hilltop town of Uzès sits on the source of the Eure, the river that supplied the Roman town of Nimes via the Pont du Gard aqueduct in the 1st century BC. Its narrow streets are wonderfully atmospheric and perfect for strolling. The Pont du Gard is a remarkable symbol of the engineering capabilities of the Romans. Built over the Gardon River in 19BC and remarkably preserved, at 48 metres, it is the highest bridge the Romans ever constructed. The afternoon will be at leisure back in Avignon for you to explore at independently.
Day 3: Full day tour to Orange and Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
From the lovely town of L’Isle sur la Sorgue, known for its excellent antiques market, we approach Orange through the countryside. Home to two of the finest Roman monuments in Europe; the Theatre Antique d’Orange and the Arc de Triomphe, Orange’s old town is also worth exploring with its Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame Cathedral and peaceful shady squares. The Popes of Avignon built Chateauneuf (new castle) and the surrounding vineyards which now produce one of the finest Côtes du Rhône red wines in the world. There is plenty of opportunity for tastings in the attractive village for you to try at leisure.
Day 4: Full day tour to Arles, Les Baux de Provence and the Camargue.
Arles is best known for its fine Roman arena, baths and theatre – there are lovely views over the town from the arena’s top tier. It was also the sometime home of artists Van Gogh and Gauguin. The ancient, ruined citadel of Les Baux clings to a high ridge of the Alpilles range, a stark contrast to its bustling, Renaissance other half situated just below. An area of outstanding natural beauty, the Camargue is a nature-lover’s paradise, famed for its flamingos and white horses.
Day 5: Full day to relax and explore Avignon at your leisure.
Avignon is perhaps the most rewarding city in Provence. Home to Popes in the early part of the Middle Ages and a centre of art for centuries, the old is separated from the modern by the restored medieval ramparts. Within you’ll find the impressive Palais des Papes, excellent museums and lovely old churches.
Day 6: Full day tour to Aix-en-Provence and the Luberon.
The elegant city of Aix-en-Provence is immediately attractive with its medieval centre a knot of grand architecture and atmospheric lanes, peppered with fountained squares. Home to artist Paul Cézanne, you will find his studio preserved exactly as he left it on his death in 1906. There are many lovely cafes to sit in and watch the world go by along the Cours Mirabeau. A spectacular area, the Luberon starts out as lush foothills covered with vineyards and farmland before peaking in an area of rugged cliffs, rough-hewn gorges and rustic villages. Like many of the region’s villages, picturesque Gordes tumbles down the Luberon foothills and makes a wonderful place to wander.
Day 7: Transfer by coach back to Avignon station to catch the return TGV to Lille. At Lille, board the return Eurostar service to St Pancras.
NB: Exact order of itinerary of Provence by rail may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.
Please note the maximum group size is 35 passengers.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
PLEASE NOTE: As with most trains, passengers are responsible for carrying baggage onto and off the train. Baggage can be stored on overhead shelves or at the entrance to the carriages.Trollies are available at St Pancras and Lille, but bags do need to be carried on to the platform.
Travel Editions recommends a luggage delivery service called thebaggageman, where your suitcase can be picked up from your home before departure and delivered straight to your hotel; therefore removing the worry about carrying your cases onto and off the trains. Please click here for more information and we have arranged a 10% discount exclusive to Travel Editions clients off the thebaggageman service. Tel: 01844 264890
Avignon Grand
The superior four-star Avignon Grand Hotel, is located directly opposite the old city walls and a 10 minute walk to the main square. The hotel provides spacious and friendly common areas with seating, a bar area which also opens onto a lovely garden and a rooftop outdoor pool and terrace. All rooms are spacious with modern facilities including en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, wifi, safe tea/coffee making facilities and hairdryer.
Avignon Grand Website
OUR VIEW ON THE HOTELS
The four-star Avignon Grand Hotel has a superb central location, perfect for exploring the city and for our daily visits. The hotel offers a stylish and sophisticated accommodation. Although the hotel does not have a restaurant, Avignon's myriad of excellent restaurants are within an easy stroll.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 06-October-2023
Too many stops on the full day excursions meant that we did not have enough time in Orange, Arles or Aix. Having been to Uzes on market day we did not need another market the next day at L'Isle sur la Sorgue. Also I would have omitted the Camargue, we actually drove through Arles to get there. Our hotel room was dreadfully hot and we had a lot of problems with the safe. All the museums were shut on our free day in Avignon. The driver's son playing his flute on our visit to Orange was a nice touch.
Review by Wills who travelled 06-October-2023
We were initially very disappointed that this tour was changed from train to plane - particularly as the hotel turned out to be a stone's throw from Avignon station. However, once we'd got over that disappointment, we both thoroughly enjoyed our week. Alex, our tour manager was excellent - so enthusiastic and knowledgeable; the hotel was first class; Avignon was a beautiful and vibrant base and, to top it all, the weather was perfect. Thank you, Travel Editions, for another memorable holiday.
Review by Wittering who travelled 06-October-2023
This was our fourth Travel Editions holiday, and I hope not our last. However, BA made it clear that passengers are a nuisance by overbooking the outward flight, so that two members of our tour were late arrivals, then departing an hour late from Marseilles with no explanation. Avoid BA. Originally we chose this tour because of the rail travel and guessed, as our numbers were so low, that other customers had cancelled because of the changed arrangements. On tours it’s useful to have an outline of the day’s program in advance - to know when or where there will be time for coffee, biological breaks, and lunch, also roughly the time of return to the hotel. We found we were constantly rushing to find our meals, especially dinner in Avignon, as many places were full by the time we reached them. The first day’s visit to Pont du Gard and Uzes was perfect as there was an early return to the hotel. Perhaps the rest of the programme was a little ambitious- there wasn’t much time to look around anywhere let alone relax!
Review by O'Callaghan who travelled 06-October-2023
