"CHARM OF PROVENCE"

AN EXAMPLE OF A GUIDED TOUR TO PROVENCE (7 DAYS / 6 NIGHTS)
Accommodation in Avignon.

THE 1ST DAY

In the morning:

WALKING TOUR OF AVIGNON "Incredible story of the Pope’s city", 3-4 hours

During the walking tour through the old town you will see:

• Place de l'Horloge
• The oldest house in Avignon (XIV cent.)
• Basilique Saint-Pierre d'Avignon (built in XIV cent.)
• The square of Palais des Papes
• The Papal Mint (the beginning of XVII cent.)
• Petit Palais, Palais des Papes (XIV cent.)
• Avignon Cathedral (XII cent.)
• Rocher des Doms Park with a picturesque view over the famous bridge of Saint-Benezet (XII cent.)
• 2 branches of the river Rhone, Barthelasse island
• Mont Ventoux mountain – the highest point of the Southern Alps.

Avignon is the centre of Christianity during 70 years of the XIV cent., 9 papas of Avignon.

MOVING TO CHÂTEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE (12 km, 15 min)

Lunch: at Châteauneuf-du-Pape gastronomic restaurant “Fines Roches” with incredible view over the vineyards.
Châteauneuf-du-Pape – the largest and most important appellation in the southern Rhône, with more than 3,200 hectares of vineyards and over 80 growers, Châteauneuf-du-Pape produces more wine than the whole of the northern Rhône combined. The gloriously rich red wines, redolent of the heat and herbs of the south, are enhanced by the complexity which comes from blending several of the 14 permitted grape varieties including Grenache, Mourveèdre and Syrah.

After the lunch:

• Degustation of different wines of Cotes du Rhone
• Visit of Castelain chocolate factory - the history of chocolate, tasting lesson "Wine and Chocolate" degustation of local liqueurs and brandy.

During each degustation 3-5 different wines are offered.

Night in Avignon.

THE 2ND DAY

In the morning:

MOVING TO THE PONT DU GARD (35 min)

Pont du Gard aqueduct – a true masterpiece of ancient architecture, one of the most beautiful Roman constructions in the region. It was built halfway through the 1st century AD. It is the principal construction in a 50 km long aqueduct that supplied the city of Nîmes, formerly known as Nemausus, with water. Built as a three-level aqueduct standing 50 m high, it allowed water to flow across the Gardon river.

MOVING TO NÎMES (30 min)

Lunch: at Nîmes gastronomic restaurant “Imperator”.
Nîmes is one of the most attractive towns in Mediterranean France. The city was established by the Romans, on the edge of the Mediterranean plain, some twenty-five miles inland from the sea; and to this day, Nîmes has the finest collection of Roman remains in France.
Apart from its Roman remains, Nîmes is worth visiting for its attractive old town and its gardens, as well as its ideal location for discovering the Cevennes national park to the north or the renowned wetlands of the Camargue to the south – not to mention the large number of historic sites and other sights to be discovered in this part of Mediterranean France.

During the excursion you will see :

• Crocodiles "rolled up" into the pavement
• Arena of Nîmes, built in the I century BC, one of the largest on the territory of the Roman Gaul
• Maison Carre – square building of the I century BC, the only ancient temple to be completely preserved
• Jardins de la Fontaine – one of the oldest city parks in France, and a delightful area of greenery, fountains and shade on the edge of the old town
• Castellum – its function was to divert the aqueduct water to the main consumers: the local bath houses, the public fountains and some privileged individuals with running water at home
• Temple of Diana – a Roman site whose ultimate purpose remains a mystery, as does the origin of its name
• Tour Magne – a Roman tower that was once a part of the city's outer fortifications, and now stands at the top of the Jardins de la Fontaine, overlooking the town.

Night in Avignon.

THE 3RD DAY

In the morning:

MOVING TO LES BAUX-DE-PROVENCE (35 km)

During the guided-tour of Les Baux-de-Provence you will discover:

• The history of Les Baux-de-Provence inhabitants
• The Museum of Santons
• Saint Vincent's Church – the patron of winemakers

You will have a chance:

• To taste the tapenades, olive oil, and Provence traditional sweets
• To visit the olive oil mill followed by degustation.

Optional: the performance in the former quarries – the grates lightshow of paintings accompanied by classical music.

Ticket price: EUR 11.00, paid on the spot.

Lunch: at Les Baux-de-Provence gastronomic restaurant "Cabro D'Or", 1 * Michelin

After the lunch:

MOVING TO SAINT REMY DE PROVENCE (10 min)

Excursion to Saint-Remy-de-Provence will include the following places of interest:

• Saint-Remy – the native land of Nostradamus, the house where Nostradamus was born.
• Van Gogh Creativity: the Saint Paul monastery - a psychiatric health institution, where Vincent Van Gogh spent 8 months and where he wrote his best paintings ("Iris", "Vase with 12 Sunflowers", "Starry Night", etc. )
• The ancient city of Glanum founded in the VI century BC with the most ancient monuments, the Triumphal Arch and Mausoleum
• A pleasant walk down the streets of Saint-Remy and a visit of one of the best pastry in the region

Night in Avignon.

THE 4TH DAY

In the morning:

EXCURSION TO L'ISLE-SUR-LA-SORGUE (30 km)

L'Isle sur la Sorgue is one of those places in Provence that one has to see. The river Sorgue surrounds the city as if to hug it. Walking along the canals you will notice how they run between the narrow ancient streets. L'Isle sur la Sorgue hosts antiques' fairs at Easter and over the August 15th holiday that have given a worldwide reputation to this small city. More than 500 antique dealers and second hand dealers gather here to show their treasures to customers from all over the world. The L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue Sunday market is the largest outdoor market in the idyllic Luberon area within the Provence region of France.

The market is only on Sundays.

Lunch: at the restaurant “Pescador” on the bank of the river Sorgue, on the menu - trout with almonds.

After the lunch:

MOVING TO FONTAINE DE VAUCLUSE (15 min)

Fontaine-de-Vaucluse is a small town in a picturesque setting east of Gordes in the Vaucluse department of Provence, best known for being at the source of the river Sorgue. A key feature of Fontaine-de- Vaucluse is the truly amazing and unique sight of a river gushing up out of the ground. Fontaine-de- Vaucluse is an attractive medieval village surrounded by the dramatic high cliffs of the Vaucluse - this setting plus the emerald green river help to explain why this is one of the most visited villages in Provence. Historic monuments in the village include the remains of a medieval castle and an 11th century church.

Night in Avignon.

THE 5TH DAY

LUBERON: "IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF PETER MAYLE" (68 km)

The Luberon region of Provence is famous the world over, for its outstanding natural beauty, with craggy limestone hills, olive groves and forested valleys but above all for the numerous beautiful medieval hilltop villages. The Luberon region is named after the range of mountains in the Vaucluse department between Manosque and Cavaillon.

You are invited to:

• The Truffle Hunting at a gorgeous truffle plantation with hunt dogs
  or
• The Lavender Museum in Coustellet.

Walking tour of Menerbes – superb little village in the Luberon, considered one of the finest in France. Built on a hill, it is surrounded by magnificent countryside.
Degustation of Luberon wines.

Lunch at "La Maison de la Truffe et du Vin du Luberon" in Menerbes

Price for Truffle hunting and lunch – EUR 150.00 per pers.
Seasons of truffles.
Winter: November – April.
Summer: May-October.

After the lunch:

• Lacoste with the Castle of Marquis de Sade (French: Château de Lacoste)
• Roussillon – the ocre-red village
• Gordes – considered as one of the most beautiful cities of France
• Lavender fields (Lavender season: the end of May - June).

Night in Avignon.

THE 6TH DAY

In the morning:

EXCURSION TO CAMARGUE (71 km)

Marshy fields of black bulls, white horses, Provencal cowboys, pink flamingos and migratory birds, the Camargue is like its own little country. Once you're a few minutes south of Arles, you enter the atmosphere of the area, with its series of long, level roads criss-crossing the marshes and farmlands.

During the excursion you will see:

• Sainte Marie de la Mer – little town right on the sea. The Church in the centre of Les Saintes, contains the statue of "Black Sarah", venerated by Romany Gypsies, who gather here every year (May 24-25) for a religious festival
• The Camargue Natural Park area, which includes a large UNESCO designated biosphere reserve. Visitors come to the area throughout the year to admire its wildlife, and in particular the thousands of pink flamingos.

Optional: 1 hour horse ride walk.

Lunch: in Sainte Marie de la Mer. On the Menu – seafood & local traditional dishes.

After the lunch:

Ales

In the heart of Provence, Arles offers the distinctive character of this proud region along with a wealth of cultural attractions. This picturesque city is steeped in history dating back to its origins as a Greek settlement. Arles then became one of the most important cities of the Roman colony called "Gaul" founded by Julius Caesar in 46 BC. Arles was described by Suetonius as the "little Rome of Gaul". This classical city displays wonderfully preserved ruins, including the ancient Arena, Roman Theatre, the Forum, and the Baths of Constantine. Art lovers will want to follow the Van Gogh Trail to see the scenes of the artist's famous paintings and then visit the Foundation Vincent van Gogh to admire the actual masterpieces.

Night in Avignon.

THE 7TH DAY

• Transfer to Marseille Provence Airport

• All lunches are offered at well-tried restaurants with fast service. The average price for the lunch EUR 35.00 - EUR 45.00 per pers.
• All entrance tickets are at extra charge, paid on the spot

GUIDE SERVICES

Duration: 4 hours. Price EUR 200.00
Duration: 8 hours. Price EUR 375.00

GUIDE-DRIVER SERVICES

Duration: 8 hours, (1-4PAX). Price EUR 690.00
Duration: 8 hours, (5-8PAX). Price EUR 1,000.00
(Transport cost included. Category standard)

Maximum commission to agencies 15%

For more details about transfers from Avignon - please read here.