Christmas in Provence Escorted Tour by Rail
Christmas in Provence Escorted Tour by Rail
8 Days Starting and ending in London, United Kingdom
Visiting: Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, Orange, Arles
Tour operator:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 35
Special diets catered:
Meat
Tour operated in:
EnglishTour Overview
Experience the magic of Christmas in Provence with our escorted tour by rail. Journey from St Pancras to Avignon, where you'll stay at the elegant four-star Avignon Grand Hotel, perfectly located for exploring the city's historic charm. Delight in guided tours of Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, and the picturesque Luberon, and marvel at the Roman history in Orange and the Pont du Gard. Enjoy festive traditions with a Christmas Eve dinner and a special Christmas Day lunch with wine. Discover the beauty of Arles, Les Baux-de-Provence, and the Camargue, all while soaking in the Mediterranean atmosphere and stunning countryside scenery.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1:
Location: Avignon
Accommodation Name: Avignon Grand Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Travel by Eurostar from St Pancras to Lille and onwards to Avignon by TGV. On arrival transfer by coach to the hotel. Welcome drink and dinner at hotel.
Day 2: Morning Guided Walking Tour Of Avignon With The Afternoon Free For Personal Exploration.
Location: Avignon
Accommodation Name: Avignon Grand Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Avignon is perhaps the most rewarding city in Provence. Home to Popes in the early part of the Middle Ages and a centre of art for centuries, the old is separated from the modern by the restored medieval ramparts. Within you'll find the impressive Palais des Papes, excellent museums and lovely old churches. The winter also brings a wonderful covered market packed with seasonal produce, and there is also a traditional Christmas market.
Day 3: Full Day Tour To Aix-En-Provence And The Luberon.
Location: Aix-en-Provence
Accommodation Name: Avignon Grand Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
The elegant city of Aix-en-Provence is immediately attractive with its medieval centre a knot of grand architecture and atmospheric lanes, peppered with fountained squares. Home to artist Paul Cézanne, you will find his studio preserved exactly as he left it on his death in 1906. There are many lovely cafes to sit in and watch the world go by along the Cours Mirabeau. A spectacular area, the Luberon starts out as lush foothills covered with vineyards and farmland before peaking in an area of rugged cliffs, rough-hewn gorges and rustic villages. Like many of the region's villages, picturesque Gordes tumbles down the Luberon foothills and makes a wonderful place to wander.
Day 4: Morning Visits To Uzès And The Pont Du Gard With Afternoon Free In Avignon. Morning Visits To Uzès And The Pont Du Gard With Afternoon Free In Avignon.
Location: Avignon
Accommodation Name: Avignon Grand Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
The delightful hilltop town of Uzès sits on the source of the Eure, the river that supplied the Roman town of Nimes via the Pont du Gard aqueduct in the 1st century BC. Its narrow streets are wonderfully atmospheric and perfect for strolling. The Pont du Gard is a remarkable symbol of the engineering capabilities of the Romans. Built over the Gardon River in 19BC and remarkably preserved, at 48 metres, it is the highest bridge the Romans even constructed.
Day 5: Full Day Tour To Orange And Chateauneuf-Du-Pape With Christmas Eve Dinnerfull Day Tour To Orange And Chateauneuf-Du-Pape With Christmas Eve Dinner
Location: Orange
Accommodation Name: Avignon Grand Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Home to two of the finest Roman monuments in Europe; the Theatre Antique d'Orange and the Arc de Triomphe, Orange's old town is also worth exploring with its Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame Cathedral and peaceful squares. The Popes of Avignon built Chateauneuf (new castle) and the surrounding vineyards which now produce one of the finest Côtes du Rhône red wines in the world. There is plenty of opportunity for tastings in the attractive village. This evening there will be a Christmas Eve dinner at the hotel.
Day 6:Full Day At Leisure In Avignon With Christmas Day Lunch
Location: Avignon
Accommodation Name: Avignon Grand Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today is at leisure with a speicial Christmas Day lunch with wine included at a local restaurant in Avignon within walking distance from the hotel.
Day 7: Full Day Tour To Arles, Les Baux-De-Provence And The Camargue.
Location: Arles
Accommodation Name: Avignon Grand Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Arles is best known for its fine Roman arena, baths and theatre - there are lovely views over the town from the arena's top tier. It was also the sometime home of artists Van Gogh and Gauguin. The ancient, ruined citadel of Les Baux clings to a high ridge of the Alpilles range, a stark contrast to its bustling, Renaissance other half situated just below. An area of outstanding natural beauty, the Camargue is a nature-lover's paradise, famed for its flamingos and white horses.
Day 8:
Location: Avignon
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer to station for return travel by TGV from Avignon to Lille and onwards by Eurostar to St Pancras.
What's Included
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Return Eurostar and TGV trains from St Pancras to Avignon via Lille
Return travel by Eurostar and TGV trains from St Pancras to Avignon via Lille is included.
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Seven nights' accommodation on bed and breakfast basis at four-star Avignon Grand Hotel, based on shared occupancy of a twin room
Seven nights' accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis at the four-star Avignon Grand Hotel, based on shared occupancy of a twin room, is included.
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Christmas Eve Dinner at the hotel and dinner on arrival day 1.
Christmas Eve Dinner at the hotel and dinner on arrival day 1 are included.
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Christmas Day lunch with wine at a local restaurant
Christmas Day lunch with wine at a local restaurant is included.
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Transfers and full coach touring itinerary conducted by tour manager
Transfers and a full coach touring itinerary conducted by a tour manager are included.
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Tour manager throughout
A tour manager will be present throughout the tour.
What's Not Included
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Double for sole use supplement
A supplement for double rooms used for sole occupancy is not included.
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Holiday insurance
Holiday insurance is not included.
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Standard Premier/1st class upgrade on Eurostar/TGV
Upgrades to Standard Premier or 1st class on Eurostar/TGV, which include upgraded seating and a light meal with a complimentary drink on the Eurostar and upgraded seating only on the French railway leg, are not included.
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Meals other than those stated
Meals other than those specifically stated in the itinerary are not included.
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Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, and telephone calls are not included.
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Porterage and gratuities
Porterage and gratuities are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel by Eurostar from St Pancras to Lille and onwards to Avignon by TGV. On arrival transfer by coach to the hotel. Return travel by TGV from Avignon to Lille and onwards by Eurostar to St Pancras.
Accommodation
The superior four-star Avignon Grand Hotel, is located directly opposite the old city walls and a 10 minute walk to the main square. The hotel provides spacious and friendly common areas with seating, a bar area which also opens onto a lovely garden and a rooftop outdoor pool and terrace. All rooms are spacious with modern facilities including en-suite bathroom, TV, telephone, wifi, safe tea/coffee making facilities and hairdryer.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes seven nights' accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis at the four-star Avignon Grand Hotel. The hotel is centrally located, offering spacious rooms with modern facilities, a bar area, a lovely garden, and a rooftop outdoor pool and terrace.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the tour package includes breakfast daily, a welcome drink and dinner on arrival day, a Christmas Eve dinner at the hotel, and a Christmas Day lunch with wine at a local restaurant.
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What transportation is included in the tour?
The tour includes return Eurostar and TGV trains from St Pancras to Avignon via Lille, as well as transfers and a full coach touring itinerary conducted by a tour manager.
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Is there a tour manager present throughout the trip?
Yes, a tour manager will be present throughout the trip to assist and guide the group.
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What activities are planned for Christmas Day?
Christmas Day is at leisure, but it includes a special Christmas Day lunch with wine at a local restaurant in Avignon within walking distance from the hotel.
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What are some of the key sites visited during the tour?
The tour includes visits to Avignon, Aix-en-Provence, the Luberon, Uzès, the Pont du Gard, Orange, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Arles, Les Baux-de-Provence, and the Camargue.
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Are there any additional costs not included in the tour price?
Yes, additional costs not included in the tour price are the double for sole use supplement, holiday insurance, Standard Premier/1st class upgrade on Eurostar/TGV, meals other than those stated, items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, etc., and porterage and gratuities.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final joining instructions and documentation will be despatched approximately 10 days before travel.
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Do I need any Visas or Vaccinations for my holidays?
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change. Please check with your local doctor/GP about the current Vaccination requirements of the country you are visiting. For Visa enquiries, please contact the Embassy of the country you are visiting.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Generally, single and double rooms carry the same price, which means that single supplements for certain itineraries can seem high. We would be pleased to arrange for clients travelling alone to share with another client, however this is subject to somebody in the same situation booking on the tour. If you would be interested in this option, please let us know at the time of enquiry/booking.
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Where does the tour manager meet us?
In most cases the tour manager will travel out with the tour group from the UK. However, this is not always the case and the tour manager may meet you at the destination station / airport. The exact details specific to your tour will be given to you in your final documentation, 10 days prior to departure.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Friday - Friday
Dec 20, 2024 - Dec 27, 2024Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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