Timeless Provence

Provence is a feast for the senses with a striking natural beauty, historic Aix and Avignon, plus the unique Camargue wetlands, stunning Luberon Mountains and rugged coastline. Deep valleys are carpeted with forests, garrigue-covered hillsides are punctuated by cypresses, filling the air with a distinctive Provençal aroma.

Avignon

Your itinerary

DAY 1 – Arrival in Aix-En-Provence

Arrive at Nice, Marseille or Montpellier airports, or journey by Eurostar and high-speed TGV to Aix-en-Provence. This evening we enjoy an informal drinks reception followed by dinner for a chance to get to know your travel companions better. (D)

DAY 2 – Tour of Aix-En-Provence

Aix-en-Provence was founded as a spa town by the Romans and is known as the ‘City of a Thousand Fountains’. The tranquil sound of running water accompanies you down colourful boulevards, through fine squares and labyrinthine alleyways. During a morning guided walking tour you’ll see what inspired Paul Cézanne to produce numerous paintings here. The afternoon is free so perhaps visit Cézanne’s perfectly preserved workshop. Tonight we dine in a local restaurant. (B,D) + Included Experience – Guided walking tour of Aix-en-Provence

DAY 3 – The Camargue

We head to the Camargue, the delta of the great Rhône River and a saltwater marshland teeming with around 400 species of birds, including pink flamingos. This designated national park is also home to the iconic black bulls and an ancient breed of white horse. We take a boat trip with commentary to explore this wetland

As this is a single-centre tour, we stay at the same hand-picked hotel in Aix-en-Provence for seven nights, with breakfast and four dinners.

Novotel Aix Beaumanoir HHHH Situated on the outskirts of the city, this welcoming hotel is a purposebuilt property with comfortable airconditioned rooms.

environment – bring your binoculars! We then visit Arles, a prosperous Roman regional capital from the 1st century AD. Marvel at the impressive UNESCOlisted monuments on a walking tour, including the Roman amphitheatre and the Place du Forum, now a square with vibrant cafés and restaurants. There’s free time, perhaps to seek out locations associated with Vincent Van Gogh, who spent 14 fruitful months here. (B) + Included Experiences – Boat trip with commentary through the Camargue and guided walking tour of Arles

DAY 4 – Luberon Mountains

We travel to the stunning Luberon Mountains. The hilltops are crowned by enchanting villages alive with bistros, rustic restaurants and markets selling fabulous local produce. The landscape in this designated Regional Nature Park changes from flat plains dotted with olive and peach groves to sloping vineyards and then, higher up, rows of lavender whose fragrance mingles with pine and wild herbs to give the unmistakable aroma of rural Provence. (B,D) + Included Experience – Experience the Luberon Mountains

DAY 5 – Avignon

We visit historic Avignon and the incredible Palais des Papes, one of Europe’s largest Gothic buildings. Or you could choose the Petit Palais Museum, which houses an excellent collection of more than 300 paintings from the Middle Ages and Renaissance. And a walk on the city’s celebrated 12thcentury bridge will have you singing a certain French song. We return to Aix via the Pont du Gard, an aqueduct Novotel Aix Beaumanoir

constructed in the 1st century AD, considered a wonder of the ancient world. (B,D) + Included Experiences – Visit to Avignon and the Pont du Gard

DAY 6 – Free day

Wander along Cours Mirabeau, Aix’s elegant main street, and perhaps peel off into the maze of lanes discovering tiny squares and myriad fountains. Alternatively visit the superb Musée Granet which houses works by famous artists such as Cezanne, Degas, Picasso and Monet to name a few. (B)

DAY 7 – Cassis

The lovely fishing port of Cassis boasts painted cottages, a charming little harbour and sandy beach, overlooked by a mighty medieval fortress. Choose a waterside restaurant for a lunch of freshly caught fish before taking an afternoon boat trip to the Massif des Calanques, a rugged coastline of dazzling white cliffs, rock pinnacles and rare seabirds. (B,D) + Included Experience – Boat trip in Cassis

DAY 8 – Return home

Transfer to the airport or station for your flight or train home. (B)

Please note: Lavender season varies according to weather & climate conditions, but is usually late June to August.

Luberon Mountains

Avignon

FRANCE

Montpellier

Saintes Maries de la Mar Aix-en-Provence

Marseille Cassis Nice

KEY

Arrive Depart Aix-En-Provence

2022

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

2023

Your tour includes

• Return flights from a selection of regional airports or train travel by

Eurostar and high-speed TGV, plus all hotel transfers • Seven nights in four- to four-star superior accommodation inclusive of all local taxes • A welcome drinks reception to meet your fellow travellers • The services of our experienced and insightful tour manager throughout

(B) Daily Breakfast, (D) 4 Dinners (2 at local restaurants) For departure dates, prices and flights, please call or visit our website.

YOUR EXPERIENCES • 2 guided tours including Aix-en-

Provence and Arles • 7 visits including boat trip in Cassis,

Avignon, the Luberon Mountains, the Pont du Gard and the Camargue by boat

Luberon Mountains