Provence sunflower fields
Arles
the Alpilles, a chain on limestone mountains, full of lots of natural scenery and displaying an authentic Provence. This is the land of the authors Alphonse Daudet( you can see his mill at Fontvieille) and Frederic Mistral and of Van Gogh who lived in St Remy de Provence. The landscape has the limestone peaks, but pine and oak forests, fields of olive trees and avenues of cypress. St Remy de Provence is the place to head for first, where three civilisations are represented in a single site at Glanum, then to Les Baux de Provence, a mountain-top village with 22 historic monuments. From Les Baux you are just 8 km from Fontvielle, a pretty village with ancient houses and where Alphonse Daudet wrote his famous‘ Lettres de Mon Moulin’. Arles, your destination for today, is just 7km from here. You stay at Arles for two nights.
DAY EIGHT In Arles Arles is an ancient city on the river Rhone and gateway to the Camargue. Important in Roman times, the amphitheatre is a major landmark of the city today where plays, concerts and bull fights are held. There is also a Gallo-Roman theatre, an aqueduct and Roman baths. From Arles explore the nearby marshlands of the Camargue, at the delta of the river Rhone. The Camargue is approximately a third lakes or marshland and home to more than 400 species of birds. Horses and cattle roam the area. It is worth heading for the fortified, walled town of Aigues-Mortes which seemingly rises from the marshes and saltpans of the Camargue, although not officially in Provence as it is in the department of the Gard in Languedoc.
DAY NINE Avignon to London The direct Eurostar to London from Avignon leaves at 16.00 hrs so you have most of the day to either relax in Arles, or to stop off somewhere on the route back to Avignon. You return your hire-car, and then take the Eurostar, arriving in London just after 22.00 hrs.
Cloitre St Louis
Crillon le Brave
What’ s included
• Standard class Eurostar and second-class TGV from London to Nice return
• Hire of a Group B car for 7 days
• 2 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Standard room at the Cloitre St Louis, Avignon
• 2 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Standard room at Hostellerie de Crillon le Brave in Crillonle-Brave
• 2 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Standard room at Le Domaine de Capelongue, Bonnieux
• 2 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Classic room at Hotel Jules Cesar in Arles
• Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints
What’ s not included
• Personal holiday insurance. This is essential and cover should be in place from when you book your holiday.
• Local tourist tax, usually between Euros 1 and 3 per person per night, and payable locally to the hotel
• Transfers in Paris
PRICES
Prices are per person based on two people sharing a double or twin room From £ 2,550
Supplements
• Standard premier on Eurostar and first class on the TGV £ 490 per person
Holiday code FRBR01
Domaine de Capelongue
To speak to our specialist rail holidays team telephone 01392 441250 or see www. expressionsholidays. co. uk 33