Discover the heart of rural France on this escorted tour of Carcassonne, Avignon and Provence, where medieval citadels, rolling vineyards, and fairytale chateaux await.
This six-day tour will begin with a tour of Carcassonne, the mesmerising city which is your base for the next five nights. With an expert guide, you'll explore the city's remarkably preserved,walled Cité. You'll see Château Comtal and the beautiful church of St-Nazaire, where you can enjoy spectacular views over the fortress from the church towers.
Also included is a trip to Pont du Gard, the incredible three-tiered aqueduct that's considered a masterpiece of Roman engineering. Historic Avignon is also on the itinerary, where you'll see the fortified Palais des Papes, 14th-century home to popes, cardinals and a court of assorted princes, barons and other nobility.
On your final full day, look forward to a scenic cruise along part of the tree-lined Canal du Midi, the impressive 17th-century waterway which connects the Atlantic with the Mediterranean.
You may also choose to join an optional trip to pretty Collioure, the former home of Henri Matisse, where an elegant palm-fringed promenade curves around the bay.
The optional excursion will then take you to Narbonne, once the Roman capital of all of southern Gaul, with its impressive 13th-century cathedral, before a tasting of local wines at Domaine de l'Hospitalet.
Alternatively, you might choose to spend more time exploring Carcassonne independently.
Throughout your holiday you'll be based at a stylish hotel in Carcassonne, where you'll begin each day with a delicious continental breakfast.
* 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.
For general information, click here.
* 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.