Carcassonne, Avignon & Beautiful Provence

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To book or for more information please call: 0330 341 1117 and quote RTA

Carcassonne, Avignon & Beautiful Provence

THE ENDLESS HORIZONS OF LANGUEDOC

The rolling countryside of Languedoc and Provence, with their historic, UNESCO-listed crowning glories, all thrillingly brought to life. Including a guided tour of walled fortress-citadel Carcassonne – one of France’s greatest medieval glories – as well as visits to the stunning papal city of Avignon, with its monumental Palais and fabled bridge, the spectacular Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard and a cruise on the tree-lined Canal du Midi, this is a hugely popular escorted tour to one of France’s most scenic corners. An optional tour takes in beautiful coastal Collioure and former Roman capital Narbonne.

Holiday Highlights

Set off on a guided walking tour of historic, walled Carcassonne, including the inner Chateau and the beautiful church of St Nazaire
Experience a full day visit to majestic Avignon and the stunning Roman aqueduct, the Pont du Gard
Board a delightful cruise on the tree-lined Canal du Midi
Join an optional tour of Collioure and Narbonne and enjoy wine tasting

What's Included

Five nights’ carefully chosen bed and continental breakfast accommodation at the Ibis Carcassonne Est Hotel, Carcassonne (upgrade hotels available for a supplement)
Return flights to France
Walking tour of Carcassone
Pont du Gard tour
Included Avignon tour
Canal du Midi cruise
Coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

Itinerary

Day 1

Upon arrival meet your friendly tour manager and make the scenic transfer to Carcassonne and your hotel. Accommodation is reserved on a bed and breakfast basis, giving you the opportunity to dine out and discover some exceptional local cuisine during your stay.

Day 2

Join your guide for a fascinating included walking tour of the mesmerising city of Carcassonne, one of the most striking walled settlements in the whole of Europe, with its remarkably preserved, double-walled Cité the jewel in a sparkling crown. Restored in the mid-19th-century, the fairy-tale bastion includes the inner Château Comtal and the beautiful church of St-Nazaire, from the tower of which the views over the fortress are spectacular. Wander the narrow, sometimes steep, streets of this medieval enclave, with its colourful cafés, restaurants and craft shops squeezed into its tiny buildings, or perhaps take in the views from the city walls. After the tour, the rest of the day is free for you to explore at your leisure. Beneath the turrets of the Cité and across the languid River Aude, the equally charming Ville Basse, the second of Carcassonne’s two ‘towns’, offers a wider variety of places in which to enjoy lunch or dinner in charming surroundings.

Day 3

Continue your exploration of historic Carcassonne under your own steam or join today’s optional full-day escorted excursion to France’s south-west corner, beginning with a visit to the exquisite port-town of Collioure. Once the home of Henri Matisse, and with its palm-fringed promenade curving around the bay, this is an especially attractive coastal settlement, overlooked by the monumental Château-Royal. Continue to Narbonne – once the Roman capital of all of southern Gaul - with its imposing 13th-century cathedral, its central canal and its section of the famed Roman road, the Via Domitia beneath the main square. After free time in Narbonne, continue to historic Domaine de l'Hospitalet, high up on the protected limestone massif of La Clape, overlooking the Mediterranean, for a tasting of various regional wines, before returning to Carcassonne for the evening.

Day 4

Another unforgettable, full day awaits you, as you board the coach to journey to two of southern France’s most sparkling jewels. Take in first the breath-taking, three-tiered Roman aqueduct, the stunning Pont du Gard, the towering stone watercourse straddling the River Gard granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1985 and regarded as a masterpiece of Roman engineering. Continue to historic Avignon, encircled by its ancient low walls, and dominated by its monumental centrepiece, the fortified Palais des Papes, 14th-century home to popes, cardinals and a court of assorted princes, barons and other nobility who helped the city build a dubious reputation as one of medieval Europe’s most decadent and ‘colourful’ enclaves. Don’t miss the curious half-bridge of St-Bénézet – the ‘Pont d’Avignon’ of the famous French folk song – that juts out into the fast-flowing waters of the River Rhône, as it winds its way towards the Mediterranean. Avignon’s bustling main square, the place de l’Horloge, is lined with cafés and restaurants, perfect places in which to rest and relax awhile.

Day 5

Today brings the delight of an included cruise on the tree-lined Canal du Midi, part of the 150-mile-long waterway constructed in the 17th-century to connect the Atlantic with the Mediterranean, and now a hugely popular choice for boating holidays. The cruise may take place in the morning, or afternoon, or in some cases earlier during your holiday, depending on local conditions.

Day 6

Bid au revoir to Carcassonne, transferring to the airport for the return flight to the UK, at the end of a wonderful holiday in a truly beautiful corner of the world.

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Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from Toulouse Airport to your hotel is approximately 90 minutes. From Carcassonne Airport, it is approximately 15 minutes.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Canal du Midi cruise

Your cruise may take place in the morning or afternoon of Day Six (or occasionally earlier during your holiday) depending on local conditions.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Airport development fees

An Airport Development Fee has been introduced at a few UK Airports. You will be required to pay this charge at the following airports prior to checking in for your flight: Blackpool, Newquay and Norwich. The amount varies from airport to airport, but it is generally between £5 and £10 per person. Please visit the airport's website for further information.

Travelling to Europe

Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. You do require government issued passport to travel.

Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names.

Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you return home (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date").

Visa - You do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period.

European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Due to commence in 2025, all citizens of the United Kingdom will require a ETIAS electronic form completed prior to their arrival into the EU and Schengen member countries. The cost for this travel authorisation will be €7.00 per person with exceptions for under 18’s and over 70’s. The latest information and further details can be found at www.etias.com.

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