Arrive in Avignon for your 3 nights stay in this beautiful old town. This historic city on the banks of the river Rhone just demands exploration.
This afternoon start your exploration of this fascinating old city. Wander the medieval streets and take time to stroll the colourful Place de L'Horloge, the old city walls and the hillside gardens of the Rocher des Doms with panoramic views of the surrounding area, the town and the river. In the wine cellar (Bouteillerie) of the Papal Palace enjoy a self guided tasting of a selection of the best wines of the area.
Avignon has a wide choice of good restaurants for dinner and our recommendations will be included in your Route book. |
This morning time enjoy a self guided tour of stunning medieval building complex of the Papal Palace and also the famous ‘Pont d’Avignon’ bridge, the Pont St. Benezet. Then this afternoon, a short drive by taxi to a wine village in the southern Cotes du Rhone. Here you will be met by your wine guide, Olivier Hickman who will accompany you on guided visits to the vineyards and cellars of two leading private wine domaines in one of the Cotes du Rhone cru villages.
Olivier will help you appreciate the local winemaking culture which is based on the notion that quality wine “is made in the vineyard, not in the cellar” – a combination of the unique vineyard terroir and the passion and hard-work of the wine-grower (“vigneron”). As you visit stunning hill-side vineyards, Olivier (who cultivates and makes wine from his own vineyard) will explain how the vignerons works their vineyard to ensure only the best possible quality of grapes are grown and harvested.
As you visit the cellars, Olivier will delight in showing you the fantastic quality and value of wines from some of the other lesser known Rhône villages such as Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Rasteau.
At the end of your wine tour, you will return to your hotel in Avignon. |
This morning a taxi ride to nearby Orange for your visit to the impressive Roman theatre. The visit is self guided with an audio guide which will lead you around the theatre to explain the history of this fascinating building. Then visit also the interesting museum in Orange before lunch. We will recommend a good restaurant for lunch which you can enjoy at leisure before meeting your wine guide for the afternoon wine tour.
Your wine guide, Olivier Hickman will accompany you on guided visits to the vineyards and cellars of two top private wine domaines in Chateauneuf du Pape. As you visit different remote vineyards belonging to the two domaines, Olivier will demonstrate how the unique characteristics of Châteauneuf “terroir” explain the fantastic the quality and reputation of its wines. Olivier will also explain how different winemaking methods can also influence the characteristics of the wines that you will taste as you visit the cellars.
After your wine tour, you will return to your hotel in Avignon for an evening at leisure. |
Depart Avignon this morning after breakfast. |
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 an 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. |
