Five nights from only £589 per person
Selected departures June to October 2013
Of all the regions of France, Provence is the most irresistible. It is a land of striking natural beauty and great diversity - from sun baked plains with fields of lavender, interspaced with vineyards and olive groves crowned by the hills of the Luberon and the azure blue sky. The desolate wilderness of the Camargue is fascinating, with its white horses galloping across flat wetlands, herds of black bulls and striking flocks of pink flamingos, which appear to fly and land in perfect formation!
The towns are so distinctive with perhaps the most famous being Aix-en-Provence: its old quarter is street upon colourful street of traditional shops with quiet and hidden squares, complete with the soft murmur of ancient fountains giving an atmosphere of cool tranquillity. It has vibrant, colourful markets and crowded café terraces nestling under the shade of countless plane trees. The majestic Mont St. Victoire, so immortalised by Cézanne, towers over all. Paris-like in stature and style yet village-like in gentility, pace and ambience, this is the real France so beloved by Van Gogh, Renoir and countless other artists who worked here, finding inspiration in the fullness of colour and luminosity of light. All the fragrances and colours of this sunburnt land are concentrated in its cuisine. Succulent lamb is a speciality, simply roasted over grape vines or a hint of garlic and olive oil combined with seafood and fresh Mediterranean vegetables blended with fragrant herbs, all washed down with a glass of the local Châteauneuf-du-Pape - some of the finest wine in the world. So, for a unique blend of superb monuments, fine food, culture and most of all some outstanding scenery, come with us and see.
Fully escorted price includes:
- Return flights to Nice or Marseille, or return standard class on Eurostar and TGV
- Five nights bed and breakfast at excellent quality three-star superior hotels
- Guided walking tour of Aix-en-Provence
- Tour of Camargue, one of France’s finest nature reserves
- Walking tour of Arles, capital of Roman Gaul and immortalised by Van Gogh
- Tour of the Luberon hills and timeless Provençal villages
- Visit to Avignon - home of the Pope's Palace
- Visit to the Pont du Gard, one of the ancient Romans’ largest aqueducts
- Escorted by our experienced tour manager
The price of this holiday is per person based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at a supplement of £165 per person. The price includes: flights to Nice or Marseille, or return standard class rail travel on Eurostar and TGV to Aix-en-Provence, coach transfers to the hotel, all tours as mentioned, five nights bed and buffet breakfast and the services of a Riviera tour manager.
Please note: Twin rooms at the Novotel have one king sized bed and one single bed
Not included: Entrance to Papal Palace and Bridge in Avignon €13, Petit Palais museum €6, approximate costs, payable locally.
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