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A real 'taster' of Provence - the beautiful old city of Avignon combined with escorted excursions to some of the most interesting sights and beautiful countryside just a short drive away.
This short break is the ideal combination if you have time for only a short visit to Provence. Staying in a comfortable centrally located hotel in the old city of Avignon allows you to explore this beautiful old city with its world renowned sites including the Papal Palace and the famous bridge across the Rhone and also include half day or day excursions a little further afield.
Bordered to the north and west by the river Rhone, the medieval city of Avignon is the chief city of the Vaucluse and gateway to Provence. Massive ramparts punctuated by seven gates surround the immaculately preserved medieval centre with the magnificent buildings of the Papal Palace at its heart.
The busy Place de L'Horloge with its many cafes is the site of the Hotel de Ville and famous clock tower. To the west of the Place de L'Horloge are Avignon's most
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desirable residences with expensive shops, restaurants and art galleries. However, one of the pleasures of Avignon is simply wandering the atmospheric medieval streets within the massive ramparts.
For your visits further afield, you could maybe tour the lavender fields in June, July or August. Or visit the picturesque perched villages of the Luberon. The Roman sites of Arles and the world heritage site of the Pont du Gard are also just a short drive away. Or a day tasting the famous wines of the area in Chateauneuf du Pape and the Cotes du Rhone villages. The choice is wide and varied and makes for a perfect 'taster' of this beautiful region.
Holiday Price 2008
£765 ~ US $1500
per person
(US $ guide price)
To book this holiday click>>How to Book |
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• 5 nights accommodation in a 4* hotel right in the centre of Avignon. Double or twin room with shower or bath and WC and including breakfast each day.
• 3 half day excursions including guided visits where applicable - Luberon Villages, Orange and Chateauneuf including wine tasting, St Rémy and Les Baux |
• Visit to the Sunday provencal and antiques market in Isle sur la Sorgue by private taxi.
• Route Book containing your day by day itinerary complete with maps and directions and recommended restaurants |
The price is per person based on two people sharing a twin or double room .
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Single room supplements are applicable and subject to availability. During the period of the Avignon Festival in July a supplement is applicable. |
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Our 5 night stay includes three recommended half day excursions as described on the itinerary.
Click here for the full day by day >>Itinerary.
The included excursions are by comfortable mini bus for 8 people, some are by larger coach. All are escorted by an English speaking driver/guide who collects you from and returns you to your hotel.
However there is a wide choice of excursion options to choose from which vary according to the time of year. Details of the most popular are listed below. |
You may choose to substitute our 3 recommended excursions for others or indeed include additional excursions. Please note, some excursions may incur a supplement to the holiday price. If we cannot offer your chosen excursions we will suggest alternatives and advise of any supplement which may be required.
We can also arrange private excursions by taxi if you have a particular place you wish to visit which is not included in the excursion options below. Just ask us for details. |
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| The beautiful perched village of Gordes and the Abbaye de Senanque, Roussillon with its red ochre cliffs and the Lavender Museum. Half day tour |
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| The stunning Roman theatre in Orange followed by a wine tour through the vineyards and a tasting in Chateauneuf du Pape. Half day tour |
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The charming market town of St. Rémy and the medieval fortress village of Les Baux perched high in the Alpilles mountains. Two options of this tour are available including a visit either to the fascinating town of Arles or the UNESCO world heritage sight of the Pont du Gard. Half day tour
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| A tour of the lavender fields in the Vaucluse hills including a visit to Gordes and the Lavender Museum. Whole day tour available mid July to mid August only |
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| A whole day tour visiting the most beautiful monuments and famous sites in Provence. The day includes Avignon, the Pont du Gard, Les Baux and St. Remy plus Gordes and Rousillon, two of the beautiful perched villages of the Luberon. |
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| The famous Roman theatre in Orange then the fascinating Roman excavations and medieval Haute Ville of Vaison la Romaine and a drive back through the Cotes du Rhone vineyards. Half day tour |
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| Nimes with its beautiful Roman monuments, the charming town of Uzes and the magnificent UNESCO world heritage site of the Pont du Gard |
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| Visit the lively university town of Aix en Provence including a visit to Cézanne's workshop and a guided tour of the old town centre with free time to explore on your own. Whole day visit. |
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| The famous vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape including visits to two different domaines producing red and white wines. An explanation of the concept of 'terroir' and tastings. |
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| The UNESCO world heritage site of the Pont du Gard, the medieval fortress village of Les Baux and Gordes, the most beautiful of the Luberon perched villages.Half day tour
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| Your Route Book will be at your hotel for your arrival. It includes all the detail you need for your holiday - your hotel and meal arrangements, tickets for your excursions, a street map of Avignon & suggestions for your free time in the city. And, should you have any need of additional assistance during your stay, our local office is just a phone call away. |
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The holiday described has been planned with hotel accommodation in the Hotel Cloitre St. Louis, a comfortable 4* hotel right in the heart of Avignon and ideally placed to explore the city with all the major sights just a short walk away. The comfortable rooms are charmingly decorated and the hotel has an excellent restaurant and a outdoor roof top swimming pool for the warmer months. Accommodation is in a twin or double room with private facilities.
The final choice of hotel for your holiday is determined by availability according to your holiday dates. If we cannot secure accommodation in the Hotel Cloitre St. Louis, we will advise you immediately and suggest an alternative, and advise any supplement which may be required. There are several good hotels in Avignon all of which we have personally selected.
To book this holiday click>>How to Book |
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| The itinerary has been planned as a first day of Tuesday and final night of Monday in order to ensure you can visit the best of the markets and local events which are held on specific days of the week. |
We can arrange an alternative day of week to start your holiday but in this case the day by day itinerary may change slightly according to your choice of holiday dates. Click here for the full day by day
>>Itinerary. |
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| With the wide choice of options for travelling to France both from the UK and Ireland and from outside Europe , we have found that our clients prefer to make their own arrangements for travel to Provence. So to enable you to take advantage of the best value and most convenient travel options from your area, we have not included travel to Provence in the cost of your holiday. |
We will of course be delighted to give you all the advice you need in helping you with your travel arrangements. For details on the wide choice of options for travel to Provence click >>Travel from the UK or >>Travel from Overseas.
To book this holiday click>>How to Book |
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| If this short break as planned does not exactly fit your requirements or if you would like to combine a stay in Avignon with another Provencal city or some time in the countryside, we will be delighted to plan a tailor made holiday exactly to your holiday duration and interests. A stay in Avignon combines particularly well with a stay in Aix en Provence allowing you to discover two completely contrasting Provencal cities. |
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A stay in Avignon is also easily combined with a few days in either of our three specialist areas for a complete contrast to city life. Alternatively Aix en Provence, Arles and Vaison la Romaine are all fascinating places to explore and also excellent bases from which to discover the surrounding countryside.
Click on >>Tailor Made for more details about our à la carte holidays. |
