Provence, Avignon & Van Gogh
7 Days
from
$1,015
to
$1,771
per person*
Highlights:
Provence
(Avignon)
Trip Start/End:
Avignon
/
Avignon
Experience the best that Provence has to offer. Soak in the history of the fortified city of Avignon with its impressive Pope's palace and Pont d'Avignon - both UNESCO world heritage sights, and linger over coffee on one of the many squares. Stand amongst Van Gogh's Olive Trees and Sunflowers as you explore this area with local expert guides. Complete with private airport transfer at both ends of your trip and this is a premium-style trip of France that you will certainly remember.
Overview
| Day | Activities | Hotel |
- Day 1
- Avignon
| - Transfer - Private - Train Station (TGV) - Vehicle/Driver
- France - Welcome Package South
- Lunch (not included)
- Self-Guided - Pont d'Avignon, Pope's Palace, 1hr Cruise & Dinner - Dinner/Cruise
- Dinner (not included)
| Hotel De L`Horloge (4*)
Tradition (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: Cloitre St. Louis (4*) (Exclusive)
|
- Day 2
- Avignon
| - Private - 1/2 Day Van Gogh in Provence - Vehicle/Guide
- Lunch (not included)
- At Leisure
- Dinner (not included)
| Hotel De L`Horloge (4*)
Tradition (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: Cloitre St. Louis (4*) (Exclusive)
|
- Day 3
- Avignon
| - Private - Pont du Gard & Villages of Provence Tour (10 hrs) - Vehicle/Driver-Guide
- Lunch (not included)
- Continuation of day tour
- Dinner (not included)
| Hotel De L`Horloge (4*)
Tradition (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
Alt: Cloitre St. Louis (4*) (Exclusive)
|
- Day 4
- Avignon
| - Optional Activities
- Lunch (not included)
- At Leisure
- Dinner (not included)
| Hotel De L`Horloge (4*)
Tradition (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 5
- Avignon
| - Shared - 1/2 Day Orange & Wine Tour of the Rhone Valley (5 hrs) - Vehicle/Guide
- Lunch (not included)
- At Leisure
- Dinner (not included)
| Hotel De L`Horloge (4*)
Tradition (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 6
- Avignon
| - At Leisure
- Lunch (not included)
- At Leisure
- Dinner (not included)
| Hotel De L`Horloge (4*)
Tradition (B)1 DBL (2 Adults)
|
- Day 7
- Avignon
| - Transfer - Private - Train Station (TGV) - Vehicle/Driver
| Depart (Int`l Airport)
Alt: (None)
|
| B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive |
Trip Itinerary
Avignon
Pope's Palace
Hotel De L'Horloge - exterior
Day 1: Avignon
Enjoy a train station transfer in Avignon with a private vehicle and driver.
A welcome package with your vouchers, and itinerary, city map(s) and train tickets (where relevant) and any other touristic information that we deem you may find useful will be waiting for you upon your arrival at your first hotel on your trip.
Explore the highlights of Avignon at leisure on an unescorted tour of the UNESCO world heritage sites of the 12th century Pont d'Avignon, and the 14th century Pope's Palace before an hour long cruise and dinner. The Pont d'Avignon was the first construction over the Rhone River, between Lyon and the Mediterranean Sea in the 12th century. The bridge collapsed in the 17th century and the king never wanted to pay for restoring it. To this day, it stands as an unfinished structure. The Popes' Palace stands as the mighty symbol of the church's influence throughout the western Christian world in the 14th century and is the biggest Gothic palace in all of Europe. Then take a boat trip on the Rhone River, sailing upstream along the Rocher des Doms and the Pont St Benezet and back downstream to Villeneuve. Finally, enjoy a 3 course dinner in a gastronomic restaurant (drinks not included) located in Avignon. (Please note: from October to March, this tour will include a wine tasting in one wine shop in the city instead of the 1hr cruise).
Accommodation: Hotel De L`Horloge (4*) Hotel de L'Horloge Hotel (4*) is set in a 19th century building which oozes charm and character and overlooks the picturesque Place de L'Horloge (Horologe square) in the very centre of Avignon. Here, nestled between the Alpilles hills and the Luberon countryside, you will find yourself in the heart of a city which was once the capital of Christianity. All the rooms are typically quite small and are traditionally furnished with a soft colour scheme, many boasting excellent views into the city. Having recently been refurbished, the rooms and bathrooms are in very good condition.
Arles
Day 2: Avignon
Enjoy a half day (4hrs 45min) private excursion following in the footsteps of Van Gogh. In the company of an English speaking Driver/Guide and on board a comfortable minibus, your will first stop at the Antiques in Saint Remy de Provence - the site of a triumphal arch and funeral monument located in a field of olive groves - the landscape painted several times by Van Gogh who lived here for a number of years. Then continue on to the historical village of Les Baux de Provence, a majestic site at 245 meters of altitude and carved out of local stone. Finally, enjoy a walking tour of Arles - famous for its Roman heritage and amphitheatre which is located in the centre of the old town centre as well as a number of buildings which have been forever recorded in some of Van Gogh’s works such as La Maison Jaune, Le Cafe, and Le Jardin de l'Hotel Dieu. At the end of the tour you will be transferred back to Avignon.
Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel De L`Horloge (4*) 
Roman Aqueduct - Pont du Gard
Day 3: Avignon
Enjoy a private full day (10hrs) excursion visiting all of the top sites in the region - Pont du Gard, Les Baux de Provence, Antiques of Saint Remy de Provence, Oppede le Vieux, Roussillon and Gordes. On this 10 hour private tour, your English speaking Driver/Guide will escort you to all of the aforementioned sites. Visit the Pont du Gard - the most preserved aqueduct of the Roman period of the 1st century before stopping off at the picturesque medieval hilltop village of Les Baux de Provence. After having had some free time for lunch (not included), the tour continues to the site of the Antiques of Saint Remy de Provence which is an impressive triumphal arch and funeral monument. From here, enjoy the pretty countryside of the Luberon as you pass by olive groves, vineyards and fields to see three of the most beautiful villages in the area - Oppede le Vieux - a hilltop town with ramparts and castle dating back to the middle ages, Roussillon, a village built on ochre, and Gordes, another hilltop town which affords stunning views to the expansive valley on all sides. This private day tour to the highlights of Provence will familiarize you with the region. (Entrances are not included)
Accommodation: Hotel De L`Horloge (4*) 
Roman arena - Arles
Day 4: Avignon
Consider the following excursions; a visit of Orange where you can discover the Roman arch of triumph and the amphitheatre – the most well preserved of its kind– symbols of Roman imperialism glory of bygone days. Alternatively, enjoy a wine tour and tasting through the vineyards between Orange and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Arles, scenes of which Van Gogh often painted, is another town nearby that is worth visiting as it has a Roman arena and a pretty old part of town that is interesting to explore. If learning the techniques in Provencal cooking is something that you would be interested in, a cooking class may be just the thing for you. Please ask your Kensington Sales Advisor for more information on any of these options if you are interested.
Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel De L`Horloge (4*) 
Castle ruin in Châteauneuf-du-Pape
Day 5: Avignon
Enjoy a half day (4hrs 45min) shared tour which takes in the roman sites of Orange, a wine tour through the vineyards and a wine tasting in Chateauneuf du Pape. In the company of an English speaking driver-licensed guide and onboard a comfortable minibus, you will first be brought on a panoramic tour of Orange where you will be shown the Roman Arch of Triumph - the symbol of the Roman imperialism glory, before enjoying a visit to the Antic theatre (entrance included) which is the most well-conserved theatre in the Roman empire. From here, enjoy a wine tour through the vineyards between Orange and Chateauneuf-du-Pape and stop for a panoramic view of the Rhone valley from the castle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Finally, enjoy a wine tasting in a cellar in Chateauneuf du Pape before returning to Avignon. (Includes transportation in minibus, with English speaking driver-licensed guide, entrance to Antic Theatre in Orange and a wine tasting).
Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel De L`Horloge (4*) Day 6: Avignon
Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.
Enjoy time at leisure to explore at your own pace, or relax at your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel De L`Horloge (4*) Day 7: Avignon
Enjoy a train station transfer in Avignon with a private vehicle and driver.
Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport)
Accommodations
- Hotel De L'Horloge - exterior
Hotel De L'Horloge (4*) - Avignon
Hotel de L'Horloge Hotel (4*) is set in a 19th century building which oozes charm and character and overlooks the picturesque Place de L'Horloge (Horologe square) in the very centre of Avignon. Here, nestled between the Alpilles hills and the Luberon countryside, you will find yourself in the heart of a city which was once the capital of Christianity. All the rooms are typically quite small and are traditionally furnished with a soft colour scheme, many boasting excellent views into the city. Having recently been refurbished, the rooms and bathrooms are in very good condition.
Travel Info
Travel tips of France
VISA/PASSPORT
France is a party to the Schengen Agreement. As such, U.S. and Canadian citizens may enter for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. The passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the period of stay.
Citizens of other countries may require a visa. Please ask your Sales Advisor. These requirements change often and therefore it is best that you check with the Embassy of France for the most up to date visa information.
HEALTH
Health insurance is recommended. Medical facilities are good quality. We recommend that you see a health-care provider who specializes in Travel Medicine. The doctor or health-care provider will determine what vaccinations and medication you will need, depending on factors such as your health and immunization history, areas of the country you will be visiting, and planned activities. For more information on travel requirements, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website: http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/france.aspx
COUNTRY INFO
Capital: Paris.
Government: Republic since 1792.
Language: French is the official language. Many people speak at least some English.
Religion: Approximately 83% Roman Catholic; Protestant 2%; Muslim 5%
Time: GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are widely used.
Telephone: Country code +33.
Mobile Telephone: Roaming agreements exist with most international mobile phone companies. Coverage is excellent.
Internet: Public access is available at Internet cafes in most cities.
What's Included:
- Guaranteed departure - Accommodation, Activities, Transfers, Meals, Fees where indicated as per the itinerary - Local and international traveler assistance during your tour - Specialised and personalised services
What's not Included:
- Tips - Laundry - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages unless explicitly noted - Optional activities/extras – Visas (unless noted) - Vacation insurance
Trip Terms & Conditions
- Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price, minimum $350). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations of confirmed bookings 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund minus a $350 (per person) administrative fee and any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable airfare, cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of 30% of program price. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to loss of 100% of program price.
- Tour quotes do not include airfare to/from the trip start point unless noted on the itinerary
- Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
- Availability cannot be guaranteed until booked. We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes.
- Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms-and-conditions
- Living Standards and practices at destination may differ from those in North America with respect to provisions of utilities, services and accommodation.
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