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Europe I France
30
Walking in Provence
France 8 days
Luberon village of Gordes
Chateaux & Wines of the Loire
France 8 days
Chateau de Chenonceaux
Explore on foot the villages and landscapes of the Luberon and the Vaucluse To the east of Avignon, limestone hills scented with rosemary and thyme descend to slopes cultivated with lavender, olives and vines. The villages in these hills are a delight with famous names including Gordes, Roussillon and Fontaine de Vaucluse. Our centre is the pretty town of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, 23km east of Avignon. Here the river Sorgue divides briefly around the island on which this charming town stands, making it the Venice of Provence. The town orginally made its fortune from a medieval cloth industry but is today best known for its numerous antique shops and market. During our week here we walk between the pretty villages of Provence admiring their pastel shaded houses, red-tiled roofs, warm stone walls and now and then stopping at a café for a drink. We combine well known highlights with less known villages such as Saumane de Vaucluse, La Roque sur Pernes and Le Beaucef. Profile: 5 days centre-based walking with vehicle support, 1 free day. Grade: moderate. Group: min 6, max 15, plus leader. Min. age 16. Accommodation: 7 nights 2-star hotel. Food: all breakfasts and 7 dinners included.
Discovering the chateaux, towns countryside and wines of the Loire Valley The Loire chateaux provide one of the classic images of France. Created for the French kings and aristocracy by Flemish and Italian craftsmen during the Renaissance, they and their intricate gardens help to make the Loire one of the most beautiful regions of France. The charming landscape is made up of vineyards, orchards, pastures and remnants of royal hunting forests, which we explore on foot with four optional half-day walks. Our relaxed itinerary covers the most famous chateaux of the valley. From Bracieux we visit Chambord, Cheverny and Chenonceaux. For the second half of the week we are based in the larger Chinon, a lovely mediaeval town spanning the Vienne river. Away from the walking and sightseeing there is plenty of time to enjoy the gastronomic delights of France, and sample a glass or two from the multitude of vineyards. Afternoon visits to feudal chateau and troglodyte houses. Optional side trip to moated chateau at Azay-le-Rideau. 7 Travel to Fontevraud Abbey and the burial place of Richard the Lionheart and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Afternoon walk to confluence of Vienne and Loire rivers, and stone villages of Cande Saint Martin and Montsoreau. 8 End Chinon. Profile: a relaxed itinerary with travel by minibus; four easy optional half-day walks. Grade: leisurely. Group: min. 4, max. 20, plus leader. Min. age 16. Accommodation: 3 nights 2-star hotel in Bracieux, 4 nights 2-star hotel in Chinon. Food: all breakfasts, 4 picnic lunches and 5 dinners included.
Trip Code TDP · 8 days Sun to Sun
Start End Flight Land Flight Land inc. only Start End inc. only 2008 25 May 01 Jun 875 795 14 Sep 21 Sep 875 795 01 Jun 08 Jun 875 795 21 Sep 28 Sep 875 795 08 Jun 15 Jun 875 795 28 Sep 05 Oct 875 795 No Local Payment Prices are £ sterling per person Recommended carbon offset £4 Optional single supplement £100 Land only start L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue day 1, end L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue day 8 Insurance £26
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Trip Code ADL · 8 days Sun to Sun
Start End 10 May 17 May 14 Jun 21 Jun 19 Jul 26 Jul Land only Start End 2008 749 16 Aug 23 Aug 749 06 Sep 13 Sep 749 27 Sep 04 Oct Land only 749 749 749
TRIP DETAILS
Itinerary: Day 1 Start Blois (1 hour by fast train from Paris); transfer to Bracieux, for 3 nights. 2 Gentle walk through forest to fairytale Chateau de Chambord. 3 Discover pretty village of Cour-Cheverny, and chateau. We approach on foot, walking through vineyards, and the afternoon includes wine-tasting at a small local producer. 4 Travel west to the chateau of Chenonceaux, and visit city of Tours for lunch and exploration. 5 Walk through some of the best vineyards of the Loire and the forest of Chinon. 6 Free morning to discover weekly market at Chinon.
TRIP DETAILS
Itinerary: Day 1 Fly London to Marseille, transfer to L'Isle-sur-laSorgue. 2/7 Five day walks, with one free day. Much of the walking takes place to the east of L'Isle-surla-Sorgue in the hills surrounding the charming villages of Fontaine de Vaucluse, Gordes and Rousillon. 8 Transfer to Marseille; fly to London.
No Local Payment Prices are £ sterling per person Optional single supplement £90 Prices are `Land Only' and do not include travel from London Return rail from London to Blois/Chinon prices from £100 per person Insurance £26
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FOR TRIP NOTES AND AVAILABILITY ENTER THE TRIP CODE IN THE SEARCH BOX ON THE EXODUS HOME PAGE
Local payments now included in the price
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