Discover rural France on this wonderful six-day escorted tour of Carcassonne, Avignon, and Provence, where you'll discover the region's medieval citadels, vineyards, and chateaux.
Your base for five nights is Carcassonne, where an expert guide will show you the walled Cité, Château Comtal, and St-Nazaire church with its stunning views.
The tour also includes a visit to Pont du Gard, a three-tiered aqueduct that's considered a Roman engineering marvel, and historic Avignon, home to the fortified Palais des Papes.
Enjoy a scenic cruise along the Canal du Midi on your final day, with optional trips to Collioure, the former home of Henri Matisse, and Narbonne with a wine tasting at Domaine de l'Hospitalet. Alternatively, you might choose to spend more time exploring Carcassonne at your own pace.
You'll stay at a stylish Carcassonne hotel, starting each day with a delicious continental breakfast, giving you plenty of energy for exploring this delightful part of France.
* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room, subject to availability and based on 1 October 2024 departure date, from LGW, staying in Ibis Carcassonne Est La Cite, Carcassonne. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement applies. Deposit £500pp. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd and Newmarket Holidays ABTA V7812. ATOL protected 2325. ABTOT 5509.
Today you'll arrive in France and meet your friendly tour manager before making the scenic transfer to Carcassonne.
In Carcassonne, you'll check into your hotel and have some time to settle in before heading out to find dinner independently.
Today your guide will join you for an insightful walking tour of the 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 where views over the fortress are spectacular.
Wander the narrow, sometimes steep, streets of this medieval city, 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 offers a wider variety of places in which to enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner.
Continue your exploration of historic Carcassonne at your own pace, or join today's optional full-day excursion to France's south-west corner, beginning with a visit to the exquisite port town of Collioure.
Once the home of Henri Matisse, this is an especially attractive coastal settlement, overlooked by the monumental Château-Royal and with a palm-fringed promenade curving around the bay.
Next stop is Narbonne, which was once the Roman capital of all of southern Gaul. You'll see its imposing 13th-century cathedral, its central canal and its section of the famed Roman road, the Via Domitia beneath the main square.
After some free time in Narbonne, continue to historic Domaine de l'Hospitalet, high up on the protected limestone massif of La Clape, overlooking the Mediterranean. Here, you'll enjoy a tasting of various regional wines before returning to Carcassonne for the evening.
This morning you'll travel by coach to two of southern France's most fascinating locations.
First up is the breathtaking, three-tiered Roman aqueduct, the stunning Pont du Gard. This towering stone watercourse straddles the River Gard and was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1985. It is regarded as a masterpiece of Roman engineering.
You'll then continue to historic Avignon, encircled by its ancient low walls, and dominated by its monumental centrepiece, the fortified Palais des Papes.
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 and enjoy a bite to eat.
Today you'll enjoy an included cruise along 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, depending on local weather conditions.
After a final breakfast at the hotel, it's time to 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 part of France.
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