Tour idyllic Provençal villages, view Roman influences by the Rhône and experience local gastronomy while staying in the charming city of Avignon

Your holiday begins at London St Pancras this morning as you meet the Tour Manager and rest of the group. Boarding the Eurostar service to Paris, we start our journey to the French capital. Here, we change trains and continue to the historic Provençal city of Avignon, arriving in the early evening, having weaved through the verdant fields and hills alongside the expansive Rhône from Lyon.

Lying just outside the city walls, near the station, our hotel has wonderful facilities to aid relaxation after an enjoyable day of exploration. This evening, we enjoy our first dinner together in the hotel restaurant.

Please Note - For departure 17th June, we will stay at the Cloitre St Louis hotel in Avignon

In late morning after a leisurely breakfast, we board a boat for a relaxing cruise down the Rhône. Enjoying lunch on board, we sail through picturesque landscapes and past the impressive château at Tarascon that stands squarely on the riverbank.

Arriving in Arles, there's free time to explore this historic town at leisure. Blending Roman and medieval architecture, the narrow lanes of Arles are bursting with history, from the UNESCO-listed Roman arena that would have seated 20,000 people to its evocative Place de la République with its obelisk and Romanesque cathedral. The legacy of one of Arles' most famous residents, artist Vincent van Gogh, is visible in many parts of the old town. The post-impressionist lived in and painted many parts of Arles, and his work is celebrated at the Van Gogh Foundation.

Alternatively, visit the Place du Forum and bask in the scene which inspired van Gogh's renowned piece 'Café Terrace at Night'. This quaint tree-covered square has many places in which to eat or savour a drink before catching the train back to Avignon for a free evening.

A walking tour of the sights of Avignon awaits after breakfast, accompanied by an expert guide. Along the way, we take in landmarks such as the 12th-century Pont St Bénezet, the bridge that featured in the popular children's song Sur le Pont d'Avignon. All but four of its arches were washed away by a devastating flood in 1668, and the surviving arches are an iconic symbol of the city.

After the tour, you have the rest of the day at leisure to explore at your own pace. You may choose to visit the Palais des Papes (the Papal Palace), one of the largest Gothic buildings in Europe and once the seat of the papacy during the 14th century. Here you can wander the peaceful pontifical gardens, a retreat offering wonderful views over the city's rooftops.

This evening, discover an abundance of restaurants and bars around the Place de l'Horloge, Place des Corps Saints and Place Pie, all perfect spots to enjoy your evening meal.

After breakfast, we visit a nougaterie. Breathe in the scent of honey and toasted almonds on a tour of the workshop, learning about the history of nougat before sampling some ourselves.

Arriving in the beautiful Provençal village of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue at lunchtime, we have time at leisure to explore the 'Venice of Provence' and its tightly knit cluster of pastel-coloured buildings. Surrounded by the gently flowing Sorgue river, this island village is also known as the 'antiques capital of Provence'. Our next stop is Gordes. Built on the foothills of the Vaucluse mountains, this is one of the most well-known hilltop villages in the region. Gordes is a labyrinth of beautiful cobblestone alleys, or 'calades', flanked by rustic buildings that evoke a bygone time. At the heart of the village is its 10th-century château that was renovated during the Renaissance. We have free time in Gordes to wander through its delightful streets and bask in its remarkable views.

We return to Avignon in the early evening where you have time to relax before heading out to dine independently.

Today after breakfast, you have a free day to soak up the beauty of Avignon at your own pace. Lose yourself in the timeless charm of the city, where Provençal sunlight bounces off buttery limestone walls and olive-hued shutters, while lively squares brim with cafés and restaurants.

You might choose to explore the shaded squares and hidden courtyards of the Old Town, browsing the independent boutiques, art galleries and antique shops. Or simply follow your senses through Avignon's cobbled streets, discovering tucked-away bistros and brasseries, where you might pause for a glass of wine or afternoon pâtisserie.

For wonderful views over the Rhône, wander up to Jardin des Doms, a leafy park perched on a hill above the city. With its sculptures, fountains and shaded pathways, it's a tranquil place to relax and take in the scenery. Or, for a gentle stroll, walk down the pretty Rue des Teinturiers, where old waterwheels turn slowly in the canal that runs alongside.

We join a knowledgeable guide after breakfast this morning to explore Avignon through its vibrant culinary scene. We are introduced to artisan producers and local specialities, before visiting many of the different stalls at the city's renowned food market, Las Halles. On this tasty tour, we sample local olives and delicacies such as sacristain (an almond pastry), Camargue salt toffee, and callison (candied fruit with ground almonds).

Later, we enjoy an excursion to a remarkable piece of Roman engineering as we visit the iconic Pont du Gard. Built in the first century AD, this three-tiered bridge was part of the aqueduct used to transport water to the Roman city of Nîmes. Today it stands 160 feet above the Gardon River and is UNESCO-listed due to its remarkable state of preservation.

Next, we enjoy a tasting of Roman-style wines at Les Terrasses, a restaurant overlooking the magnificent monument. These unique wines are unlike any other traditional French wines and pair beautifully with the historic backdrop. Afterwards, we return to Avignon in time for our final dinner together at our hotel.

Avignon, with its sun-baked architecture and fantastic history, was the ideal base from which to experience the delights of Provence and the Rhône on this beautiful holiday. The Roman influences and artistic culture of Arles were explored after a serene cruise along one of France's most scenic rivers, while the ancient Port du Gard and idyllic Provençal villages were also uncovered. The region's famed gastronomy was experienced during a walking tour of Avignon, a visit to a nougaterie and a tasting of Roman wines at Les Terrasses.

Leaving Avignon after breakfast, we board the direct train to Paris. In the French capital, we switch to the Eurostar for the last leg of the journey. Arriving back at London St Pancras this evening, we say farewell to the Tour Manager and our discovery of Avignon and the Rhône.

Our Discoveries range offers everything you need at a great price so you can travel with confidence. It provides comfortable, locally run accommodation*, standard rail or economy flights and expert-led group tours. You'll be in groups with an average of 30-35 travellers and a maximum of 40. *where available

Step aboard the high-speed international rail service, linking London St Pancras to Paris and Lille in France, Brussels in Belgium and Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

Eurostar's Standard Class coaches feature two seats on either side of the central aisle, most of which are arranged in an 'airline' seating configuration with drop-down tray tables. There are two tables for four per carriage. Passengers travelling in Eurostar Standard Class coaches can take advantage of the Bar-Buffet which sells a range of snacks, meals, and hot and cold drinks - including Champagne!

The highest class of Eurostar travel available for leisure customers is Plus class. In your dedicated Plus carriage you'll find a less dense seat configuration, meaning the seats are larger and you have ample space to relax and stretch out. As part of the service, you'll enjoy complimentary drinks and refreshments, served at your seat by friendly, helpful waiting staff.

For the class of travel used on your chosen tour, please refer to the 'What's Included' section of the tour page.

Located in a 16th-century former cloister, this 4-Star hotel in the centre of Avignon is steeped in history and quintessential French charm. Blending the appeal of tradition with modern comforts, guests can unwind in the outdoor rooftop pool or by the large sun terrace. The Restaurant Saint Louis serves traditional French cuisine, while drinks can be enjoyed in the lounge bar. Air-conditioned guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, safe, tea & coffee-making facilities and complimentary toiletries.

A 4-Star hotel near the train station with views of the city walls, the Novotel Avignon Centre has a wonderful array of relaxing facilities. Guests have use of a seasonal outdoor pool (open May to mid October), large patio, spa and hammam (payable locally), while there is also a fitness centre and a beauty salon. Drinks from the bar can be enjoyed on the terrace. Air-conditioned guest rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, flatscreen TV, minibar, tea & coffee-making facilities and hairdryer.

Spending a night in London before your tour can make such a difference to the first day of your holiday - you can arrive in the capital in good time, relaxed and ready to join your Tour Manager the next morning. You may even want to take in a show on the West End or dine in one of London's famous restaurants. Perhaps on your return to London, you would like to break your journey with an overnight stay before continuing home.

We can book a wide range of hotels in central London or, for our holidays beginning with a flight, at Heathrow, Gatwick, or Manchester Airport for the night before or after your holiday. If you require a quote for single occupancy at any of the hotels, please contact us on 01904 734 805.

Buying tickets for UK train services can be a tricky business - there are so many fares to choose from, each with different rules and restrictions. As you are connecting with an international departure, we strongly recommend that you book a fully flexible ticket to ensure that should the departure times for your holiday change, your rail ticket can allow for these changes.

We can book fully-flexible UK rail tickets from your local station to join your holiday whether this be a European holiday from St Pancras or a UK holiday. The prices are competitive and tickets are not restricted to a particular train or time of day, and in most cases offer you a free choice of routes.

For an up to date quote from your local station, please ask one of our Tour Advisors.

Enjoy hassle-free travel with our return door-to-door luggage transfer service from only £199 per bag.

The service includes one 20kg bag per person which will be collected from your home before you depart and will be ready and waiting for you at your first destination hotel. Your bag will also be delivered back to your home address on your return.

If your tour involves an overnight stay enroute, you'll need to travel with an overnight bag as your luggage will be delivered direct to your first destination hotel. The luggage service is not available where you are flying to or from your destination and you will need to take your own luggage with you on the flight.