FRANCE
Avignon
The Heart of Provence Provence is famous for its iconic landscapes of rolling fields of aromatic lavender surrounded by medieval villages, ancient Roman remains, the majestic city of Avignon, wonderful local markets and fantastic food and drink – a true feast for all the senses. SUGGESTED ITINERARY Day 1 Arrival We make our way to our hotel in the beautiful medieval market town of Uzès. Day 2 Avignon & Les Baux-de-Provence This morning we head to the city of Avignon, set on the banks of the Rhône with dramatic views of its 800 year old medieval ramparts surrounding the magnificent Palais des Papes. The famous Pont d’Avignon, of nursery rhyme fame, sits majestically halfway across the Rhône, and the city teems with cobbled streets, quaint boutiques and leafy squares. We could take a self-guided tour of the Palais des Papes, or take things at a slower pace with a cruise on the Rhône, admiring the majestic city as we sail. In the afternoon we travel to the medieval village of Les Baux-de-Provence. Perched on top of a fortified rocky site, we can visit the unique Carrières de Lumières, an amazing multimedia show inside a huge manmade rock cavern, which immerses us in a sound and light show from floor to ceiling. Day 3 Uzès Driver’s Day Off Today we can relax by the hotel swimming pool or take a stroll into the medieval town of Uzès, where the market traditionally takes place on Wednesday and Saturday mornings, on the picturesque Place aux Herbes. Day 4 Cévennes Steam Train Today we make the short journey to Anduze (Thursday is market day) to board the Cévennes Steam Train for a wonderful journey to Saint-Jean-du-Gard. The train journey takes about 40 minutes, but there is plenty to do and see en-route. We may wish to get off along the way to admire the ‘Bambouseraie’, a woodland renowned for its rare exotic trees and notable for its 100 different species of bamboo, some of which grow to 60 feet tall. We can then board the next train and set off for Saint-Jean-du-Gard, enjoying impressive views from the railway viaducts along the way. Our coach will meet us in Saint-Jean to take us back to our hotel. Day 5 Pont du Gard & Nîmes Today we visit the ancient Roman aqueduct of Pont du Gard, an amazing feat of engineering built more than 2,000 years ago to take water to the city of Nîmes. We might choose to visit the museum and visitor centre, which provides an interactive insight into how the aqueduct was made, before continuing to the city of Nîmes. Founded around a spring fed by the Pont du Gard, here we can visit the beautiful Jardins de la Fontaine, the Roman amphitheatre (the best preserved arena in France) and the Maison Carrée – a Roman temple built around 19BC and still standing today, where we can enjoy a film on the history of the city. We can also browse the many shops, cafés and boutiques that line the ancient streets. Day 6 Departure After breakfast, we begin our journey home.
Cévennes Steam Train
Nîmes
Pont du Gard
Hotel Uzès Pont du Gard Uzès, Provence Plus
This traditional, family-run hotel sits in a tranquil position at the foot of the beautiful town of Uzès. Each of the 65 comfortable bedrooms feature a TV, hairdryer and air conditioning. The bedrooms are reached from the main building by an undercover walkway that runs alongside the pleasant outdoor swimming pool and garden. The hotel is decorated in the rich, bold colours of Provence, while the welcoming bar, restaurant and terrace also lead to the outdoor pool. • Ground floor rooms • Lift • Bar • Restaurant • Leisure facilities • Coach parking is on-site & free of charge
Inclusions • Return short sea crossing • Welcome glass of wine with dinner on first night • Set menu on arrival • Choice of menu on 4 nights • Tea/coffee after dinner
Mark says… “There’s something for everyone in Provence,
from amazingly intact Roman remains to the beauty of medieval cities and the romance of Van Gogh, who painted The Starry Night here. The fabulous Carrières de Lumières light and sound spectacular is a real highlight, while the sweet-toothed will enjoy a visit to the Haribo factory and shop, just a short drive from our hotel.”
5 Nights Half Board Based on Monday arrivals
52
Albatross Approved Rating: ✓ Visited ✓ Inspected ✓ Graded
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