All tours on this holiday have now departed. Future departure dates will be confirmed in due course.
AIX
Avignon
Arles
Pont du Gard
Arles
Avignon
Chateauneuf du Pape
Avignon
AIX
Uzes Cathedral
Luberon
Avignon
Orange
Lacoste Provence
Pont du Gard
Roman history
Elegant, historic cities
Mediterranean atmosphere
Different festive traditions
As spectacular in the winter as in the summer months, visiting Provence at Christmas gives you all of the scenic beauty, ancient history, exquisite colours and Mediterranean fragrance with none of the holidaying crowds. Explore elegant cities full of festive cheer, relics of bygone empires and dramatic landscapes from your base in delightful Avignon, with visits to the Pont du Gard, Aix-en-Provence, the Luberon, Arles and Les-Baux-de-Provence.
Day 1: 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.
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.
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.
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 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
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.
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: Transfer to station for return travel by TGV from Avignon to Lille and onwards by Eurostar to St Pancras.
NB: Exact order of excusions may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 35 passengers.
INCLUDED
NOT INCLUDED
PLEASE NOTE: As with most trains, passengers are responsible for carrying luggage onto and off the train. Luggage can be stored on overhead shelves or at the entrance to the carriages. Trollies are available at St Pancras, but bags do need to be carried onto the platform.
Travel Editions recommends a luggage delivery service called thebaggageman, where your suitcase can be picked up from your home before departure and delivered straight to your hotel; therefore removing the worry about carrying your cases onto and off the trains. Please click here for more information and we have arranged a 10% discount exclusive to Travel Editions clients off the thebaggageman service. Tel: 01844 264890.
Avignon Grand
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.
Avignon Grand Website
OUR VIEW ON THE HOTELS
The four-star Avignon Grand Hotel has a superb central location, perfect for exploring the city and for our daily visits. The hotel offers a stylish and sophisticated accommodation.
We love to receive feedback from our customers. Their views help us to keep improving the ours we offer. If you have been on this tour and would like to submit a review, please log in to our client area here and fill in the short form.
Angela was a brilliant guide. Endlessly patient and informative, taking us to extra villages and never talking too much, nor too little. She even managed to get a lift opened up for us a Lille Station when the escalators were out of action. It was the best of all Christmas breaks.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 22-December-2023
The hotel accommodation was excellent The Christmas day lunch at a restaurant was very good
Review by Thompson who travelled 22-December-2023
All excellent, except the return Eurostar journey. We got delayed by the 'Great Tunnel Flood of 2923'.. I expect that Travel Editions will apply for a partial refund on our tickets. (I was unable to do so myself, presumably because Travel Editions bought the tickets.) Thank you for your help.
Review by Pritchard who travelled 22-December-2023
An excellent trip. The tours each day were very interesting.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 22-December-2023
Review by Humphries who travelled 22-December-2023
Very enjoyable holiday. My only complaint was after booking it I was bombarded with junk emails from Travel editions multiple times per week advertising other holidays, which left me with a poor opinion of the company. However, these emails were stopped after I telephoned the office to complain and the holiday experience itself has restored my faith in Travel Editions.
Review by Anonymous who travelled 22-December-2023
An excellent tour, the only reservation is that we would have appreciated a little more detail about timings and places beforehand. One issue needs to be addressed and Angela dealt with it as sensitively as possible. One man in the group was incontinent and the smell on a number of journeys was beyond unpleasant. The coach driver will have had to deep clean the seats at the end of the week. We appreciate this could not have been foreseen but this man really shouldn’t be joining any more group tours.
Review by Slack who travelled 22-December-2023
We had a good time in Provence - Angela is an exceptional guide. The Christmas Day meal at the restaurant was excellent! We were so lucky to have good weather. The visits out were interesting and our bus driver was really good. The rail travel was fine, we were very lucky to manage to get to London and then not to have Eurostar cancelled - both out and back we escaped by a mere day!
Review by Dorling who travelled 22-December-2023
Just to say that our guide's work performance was of the highest quality. Gerard was extremely helpful and knowledgable. His scope and range of all relevant info was excellent. He was also friendly and very professional.
Review by Mr Thomas Shanagher who travelled 21-December-2015
Well organised and successful holiday. The tour manager was well informed and helpful at all times. We would certainly consider another holiday with Travel Editions.
Review by Mrs Caroline Wood who travelled 21-December-2015
Design fault in modern bedrooms of Cloitre St Louis created problems with sleeping. Full explanation sent to hotel Manager and copy of that letter given to our very good guide, Gerard
Review by Mrs Nan Kay-Walton who travelled 21-December-2015
would have preferred a shorter visit on the Sunday.
Review by Ms G Neal who travelled 21-December-2015
Not only was it our first holiday at Christmas it was our first time travelling with Travel Editions. Everything went very smoothly and the excursions were really interesting. The staff at the Hotel Bristol in Avignon were very friendly and made us welcome. Look forward to another trip in the future, maybe at Christmas again if not before.
Review by Mr Gregory Blunt who travelled 21-December-2015
We thoroughly enjoyed this trip with Travel Editions. The Bristol Hotel was good a nice room that was clean comfortable and welcoming, My only tiny little niggle was that there was no drawer space for bits and pieces and clutter like chargers, medications etc. The bathroom shower was excellent The trips were very interesting and Gerard was a fantastic guide.
Review by Mrs Lyn Porter who travelled 21-December-2015
Review by Mrs L Armytage who travelled 21-December-2015
Not very impressed with restaurant Christmas night. Asked for forward facing seat on train but always backwards. However did appreciate window. Tours were strenuous but enjoyable..hotel service excellent and tour leader most attentive.and well informed.
Review by Mrs Mary Harris who travelled 21-December-2015
Review by who travelled 21-December-2015
There is a letter in the post.The "poor" rating for travel of course refers to matters outside your control.
Review by Mr David Todd who travelled 21-December-2015
Our tour manager and guide, Gerard Vernet, was excellent: very knowledgeable about the sites visited, the history of the region and French and British culture. Also extremely helpful with a delightful sense of humour.
Review by Dr Hugh Seeley who travelled 21-December-2015
Excellent holiday. All the stress of travelling taken by someone else! What a professional and helpful tour guide.
Review by Ms C Sullivan who travelled 21-December-2014
This was our first time on an organised tour and travelling by train. We chose Travel Editions as the information/itinerary was very clear, the price was good and no programs at night except for dinners on Christmas eve and day, which were very enjoyable and in good restaurants. We have very much enjoyed this trip and it is a very good way of exploring the area around Avignon. During the excursions we were dropped off in the centre of the towns and then we had a few hours to explore the towns by ourselves, which suited us well. Les Baux de Provence is the only place in the itinerary that was disappointing as it far too touristy and perhaps too hilly for some of our travel companions. We would have been interested to visit St Remy de Provence instead. Gerard, our guide, was very knowledgeable. Hotel Bristol is very well located for exploring Avignon; it has recently been renovated and of very good standard.
Review by Mrs Laetitia McCart who travelled 21-December-2014
Gerard Venet, tour manager was knowledgeable, professional, friendly and very helpful, a real pleasure to have him! Philippe the driver was also an asset. How wonderful to see all the sights and museums with few tourists around! Just us saw the pink flamingos in the Camargue! Hotel good and friendly staff and owner, only slight critique is how dark and poorly lit were the rooms. Breakfast more than adequate. I enjoyed the free time. Congenial group. Now have to go back to Amsterdam to view more Van Gogh paintings! I was fortunate to have a friend living near Avignon who took me on Xmas day to see the wonderful and imaginative Klimt exhibition in Baux at the Carrieres Lumieres.( ends 7/1/15, I think). ?an idea to include similar exhibition by another artiste at Baux in future tour. All in all this trip was a great success. The first time I have been on such a trip on my own...to be repeated!
Review by Mrs Natalie Kolychkine who travelled 21-December-2014
Out ward journey was fine but return had problems as there were huge queues at Gare du Nord and we had to stand in a freezing wind. Any reason why we couldn't have returned via Lille? I did NOT like Christmas Day dinner; meat was gristly & dessert was weird concoction of ice cream and candy floss. Christmas Eve was very good. Hotel needed better lighting in the rooms, a grab rail on wall of shower to help people in & out safely and needs redecorating to make it less "brown". I have no idea how wheelchair users would have access to the hotel - steps everywhere. Also air conditioning vent needs cleaning.Staff very helpful. Good fish restaurant alongside hotel and easy access to center of Avignon.
Review by Mrs Isobell Hutton who travelled 21-December-2014
This is my third tour with you to Provence so must like it. Gerard Vernet is a very conscientious and helpful tour manager. Enjoyable excursions. Great having such a centrally situated hotel. Rather an extended transfer gap in Paris on the return, altho I know any eventualities have to be catered for.
Review by Mrs Christine Thompson who travelled 21-December-2014
What a wonderfully enlightening. informative and helpful guide Gerard was. I almost feel that I will book the next trip based on whether he is leading it or not. Whilst the hotel is very efficient and friendly and the breakfast and public areas are very good, the rooms are poorly lit, brown and a bit dated. This makes any time spent awake in them a bit depressing. It is a pity that the bar closes at 9pm as returning from a night out guests have no reason to stay downstairs and chat.
Review by Mrs Penelope Weaire who travelled 21-December-2014
The Hotel Cloitre St Louis is very good, but the public rooms were cold. It clearly is OK in summer, but this was the end of December. As always Gerard was an excellent Guide.
Review by Mr John Herrington who travelled 21-December-2014
