Avignon, Provence & The Camargue

Itinerary

Day One

Fly to your selected airport and make the scenic transfer to Avignon and your holiday base.

Day Two

Our half-day guided introduction to historic Avignon will bring to life the fabled 'City of the Popes', dominated by the monumental 'Palais', with its battlements and crenellations. Avignon is an engaging, bustling city, centred on the place d'Horloge, with its market stalls and cafes - the perfect spot from which to watch the world go by. The tour, which will also include the celebrated Pont'd'Avignon, celebrated in the French folk song known to children everywhere, is followed by the chance to soak up the atmosphere of the historic city.

Day Three

Today's included excursion travels first to Aix-en-Provence, one of the great jewels of Southern France, with one of Europe's most stunningly beautiful town centres crowned by the famous cours Mirabeau, the city's 'grand boulevard', shaded by plane trees, and with its Old Town of narrow lanes. After the chance to explore, this afternoon is spent in idyllic seaside resort Cassis, on the shores of the blue Mediterranean, before you return to Avignon for the evening.

Day Four

Rest and relax in the hotel and its surroundings, or join today's wonderful optional excursion to two of the great cities of southwest France, Roman Nimes and stylish university seat Montpellier, the former famed for its two-tiered Roman amphitheatre, its preserved temples and elegant old town of tree-lined boulevards, and the latter boasting a wonderful pedestrianised heart, centred on a vast open space known as 'l'Oeuf'. On today's excursion there'll also be a stop en route for views of the magnificent aqueduct, 'Pont du Gard'.

Day Five

The final included excursion is to Arles, one-time capital of Roman Gaul, whose superbly preserved remains - baths, a chariot racetrack and the famed Les Arenes arena - bear witness to its former importance. The afternoon is spent discovering the untamed landscape of the fabled Camargue, the marshland of lagoons and tiny islands where wild, white horses, black bulls and flocks of flamingos are watched over by traditional herdsmen or gardiens.

Day Six

A last day is free to make the most of Avignon, or join the final optional excursion to the Luberon, a region described in the best-selling 'Year in Provence' book by author Peter Mayle. A relaxed day will introduce the area, with the opportunity to sample local produce along the way, before you return to Avignon for a last evening.

Day Seven

Bid "Au revoir" to your hosts, and transfer to the airport for the return flight to the UK, after a wonderful Provencal holiday.

Accommodation

The Ibis Hotel is located opposite the city ramparts and within easy reach of the Pont d'Avignon and Palais des Papes.

The hotel has a modern bar and an inviting breakfast terrace.

The guest rooms are air-conditioned, and each has Wi-Fi, a telephone and TV. There is a safety deposit box at reception, and hairdryers are available to borrow.

This well-located hotel is situated in the heart of Avignon, close to the Popes Palace and Pont d'Avignon, making it ideal for exploring the city.

The restaurant, La Boucherie, is open for lunch and dinner. The hotel also houses a bar and offers continental buffet breakfasts and room service.

Rooms are comfortable and offer air-conditioning, TV, hairdryers, safes, tea- and coffee-making facilities and Wi-Fi.

Located between the Pont d'Avignon and Popes Palace, this hotel benefits from an excellent location right in the city centre.

After a day of sightseeing, relax in the hotel's small garden or enjoy a drink in the lounge bar.

Rooms are comfortable and all have air-conditioning, TV, hairdryers, safes, tea- and coffee-making facilities, fridges and Wi-Fi.

This well-located hotel is situated in the heart of Avignon, close to the Popes Palace and Pont d'Avignon, making it ideal for exploring the city.

The restaurant, La Boucherie, is open for lunch and dinner. The hotel also houses a bar and offers continental buffet breakfasts and room service.

Rooms are comfortable and offer air-conditioning, TV, hairdryers, safes, tea- and coffee-making facilities and Wi-Fi.

Located between the Pont d'Avignon and Popes Palace, this hotel benefits from an excellent location right in the city centre.

After a day of sightseeing, relax in the hotel's small garden or enjoy a drink in the lounge bar.

Rooms are comfortable and all have air-conditioning, TV, hairdryers, safes, tea- and coffee-making facilities, fridges and Wi-Fi.

Further Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour and 30 minutes from Marseille Airport and two hours and 45 minutes from Nice Airport.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Changes to your hotels

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Rail travel packages

This holiday is also available by rail, travelling directly from London to Avignon by Eurostar. The transfer time from Avignon train station to the hotel is approximately 15 minutes.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

**The World Cup Offer discount applies to new bookings only made between 14th June and 16th July 2018. This offer applies to selected flight-inclusive holidays only and exclusions include fly-cruises on board Magellan and Columbus and River Cruising by air. Prices shown when booking do not include the discount. The discount will be applied to your booking once the promo code has been entered and will be confirmed before purchase. This offer can not be used in conjunction with any other offer, is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time.