PROVENCE AND THE CAMARGUE
Avignon - Aigues-Mortes
Day 1
Afternoon arrival at Le Phenicien which is moored
close to the Avignon ramparts. Time for a siesta
or feel free to visit the town. The first dinner
on board gives an indication of the high standard
of cuisine that will be served during the cruise
and the accompanying wines which have been specially
chosen from top-notch local vineyards.
Day 2
The day starts with a visit to one of the best
vineyards of Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the visit includes
a tour of the cellars and a wine tasting. This
is followed by a guided tour of Avignon which
takes in the religious and artistic importance
of the city's prestigious past, the highlight
being a tour of the Palais des Papes. Back on
board and a cruise down to Vallabregues, a quiet
and charming little port, ideal for some relaxation
and maybe even a game of petanque. The wines tasted
in the morning are back on the table at dinner.
Day 3
After breakfast a choice of excursions, either
to the amazing Pont du Gard or to the charming
medieval village of Les Baux de Provence. After
lunch the cruise continues down to Arles, a veritable
open air museum of Roman and medieval monuments,
many of which are classified world heritage sites
by UNESCO.
Day 4
A guided visit of Arles to discover this historic
town and to unravel some of the joys and despair
suffered by Van Gogh when resident in 1888, during
which time he painted some 300 canvasses. On to
the Camargue heading west on the Canal du Rhone
a Sete that links the Petit Rhone with the etangs,
those inland seas that nudge the Med to the south
of Montpellier. Overnight at Bellegarde, a typical
village proud of its bull fighting tradition.
Day 5
After a guided tour of Beaucaire or Tarascon,
the twin towns separated by the Rhone and famous
for their medieval chateau, there is a visit of
the Costieres de Nimes cellars for a tasting and
to learn how the Romans made wine some 2000 years
ago. Back on board to continue the cruise down
the canal to Saint Gilles, famous in the middle
ages as a prominent halt on pilgrim's route to
Saint-Jacques de Compostelle.
Day 6
Into the wild Camargue by caleche to visit a typical
ranch and for lunch with the gardians a cheval,
before having a demonstration on how they tend
their herds of bulls from superb white horses.
Finally on to Aigues-Mortes, a 14th century walled
town standing out starkly from the flat landscape.
A perfectly preserved medieval fortress where
the streets are laid out in a grid structure more
associated with new towns. The Camargue never
fails to surprise.
Day 7
After breakfast, transfer to Nimes TGV station.
Departures every Sunday from 11 May to 23 November
inclusive:
From Avignon:
11 & 25 May, 8 & 22 June, 6 & 20 July,
3, 17 & 31 August, 14 & 28 September,
12 & 26 October, 9 & 23, 9 & 23 November.
From Aigues-Mortes:
18 May, 1,15 & 29 June, 13 & 27 July,
10 & 24 August, 7 & 21 September, 5 &
19 October, 2 & 16 November.
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| Price |
£1799
per person when sharing a double cabin.
Single occupancy supplement: £469.
Special Offer: ****15% off 8th June
departure from Avignon**** |
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To book please call French
Travel Service on 08702 41 42 43
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