Avignon, Carcassonne & Picturebook Provence (By Air)

Itinerary

Description

The enchanting region of Provence in the south of France has it all; a scenic landscape with hillsides of olive groves, vineyards and orchards, picturesque villages and ancient market towns, all rounded off by a beautifully warm Mediterranean climate. It also boasts an abundance of historic cities full of fascinating and wonderfully-preserved Roman remains plus medieval treasures.

Air Itinerary

Day 1

We fly to Toulouse and transfer to our airport hotel where we stay overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.

Day 2 – Nîmes

After breakfast, we start our journey eastwards, stopping en-route in Nîmes. The city has the finest collection of Roman remains in France including the best preserved Roman temple, and the mighty Arena, one of three large Roman arenas in the south of France. Nîmes also boasts an attractive and well-preserved Old Town with narrow streets and tree-lined boulevards as well as delightful gardens including the Jardins de la Fontaine, one of the oldest city parks in France.

We travel on to Orange where we check in to our hotel on the outskirts of the city, our base for the next five nights. Tonight, we enjoy dinner together at the hotel.

Day 3 – Orange

We head into Orange where we discover its many treasures on a guided walking tour. This compact city is rich in history, from its Celtic fortifications to its Roman monuments, two of the most remarkable being the Roman amphitheatre and the Triumphal Arch, both listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. 

After our tour, the rest of the day is free to explore at leisure. Orange is known for its wines, the Côtes-du-Rhône, and there are plenty of shops and restaurants to choose from.

Day 4 – Avignon

Our destination today is Avignon where we start with a guided tour by petit train. This beautiful historical city is dominated by its impressive Papal Palace, once the seat of the Catholic Popes in the Middle Ages and one of the largest medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. This, along with its cathedral and famous bridge, has made the city a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are also beautifully-preserved ramparts, old alleyways, mansion-lined streets and lively squares to discover.
After our tour, the rest of the day is spent at leisure to explore the city at our own pace. Back at the hotel this evening, we enjoy dinner together.

Day 5 – The Camargue & Arles

This morning we enjoy a scenic drive through the Camargue, Europe’s largest river delta, a hauntingly-beautiful and unique landscape of salt lagoons, reedy marshes and rice paddies. The area is also home to more than 400 species of birds including pink flamingos, and herds of wild, white Camargue horses.

Next stop is Arles, lying on the banks of the River Rhône, full of shady squares, narrow golden-hued streets and sun-drenched terracotta-tiled rooftops. Known as the city of art and history, Arles was the inspiration for many of Van Gogh’s paintings and is famous for its ancient and Romanesque remains, including the exceptional Roman amphitheatre.

Day 6 – Aix-en-Provence & Lourmarin

Often referred to as the city of a thousand fountains, Aix-en-Provence also offers elegant boulevards lined with beautiful buildings and a pedestrianised Old Town with winding streets, bustling squares, craft shops and boutiques. There are also numerous colourful daily markets dotted around the town.

We continue to Lourmarinwith its narrow cobbled streets and buildings of golden stone. Listed as one of “The Most Beautiful Villages in France”, the village nestles amongst vineyards, olive groves and almond trees.

This evening, we dine together at the hotel.

Day 7 – Carcassonne

Leaving Orange, we make our way back to Toulouse, stopping en-route in the beautiful walled city of Carcassonne. Set high on a hill, this medieval citadel has a fairytale collection of drawbridges, towers and atmospheric cobbled streets. There’s also time to find a restaurant of our choice for dinner.

Later, we check back in to our hotel at Toulouse airport where we stay overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.

Day 8

We check out of our hotel and transfer to the airport for our flight home.

Air Bullets

• Return flights to Toulouse
• Airport taxes and luggage allowance (one piece of checked-in hold luggage per person)
• Airport shuttle transfers in France
• 2 nights at the 4-star Holiday Inn Toulouse Airport with breakfast
• 5 nights at the 4-star Mercure Orange Centre Hotel with breakfast plus 3 dinners
• Excursions to Avignon, Arles, Aix-en-Provence & Lourmarin
• Guided walking tour of Orange
• Guided tour of Avignon by petit train
• Scenic drive through the Camargue
• En-route visits to Nîmes & Carcassonne
• Escorted by a tour manager in France

Search Bullets

• Airport taxes and luggage allowance (one piece of checked-in hold luggage per person)
• Airport shuttle transfers in France
• 2 nights at the 4-star Holiday Inn Toulouse Airport with breakfast
• 5 nights at the 4-star Mercure Orange Centre Hotel with breakfast plus 3 dinners
• Excursions to Avignon, Arles, Aix-en-Provence & Lourmarin
• Escorted by a tour manager in France

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Accommodation

Holiday Inn

The 4-star Holiday Inn Toulouse Airport is located adjacent to the airport. This modern hotel features a bar and restaurant, a fitness centre, outdoor swimming pool (seasonal) and free Wi-Fi. The en-suite rooms offer satellite TV and air-conditioning.

Located approximately five minutes’ drive from the centre of Orange, the 4-star Mercure Orange Centre Hotel offers modern rooms with TV, air-conditioning and minibar as well as a bar, restaurant, fitness room, outdoor pool (seasonal), garden and terrace.