Discover the beauty of Provence! Spend some time in the pretty city of Avignon with its UNESCO sites including the Pont d'Avignon and the Popes Palace before making your way into the heart of the countryside where, surrounded by olive groves, vineyards, sweeping landscapes and picture-perfect Provencal villages, you can follow designated walking routes each day and experience what this land is all about. Take things at your own pace, stopping off to wander through quaint villages, linger over your lunch of regional dishes, visit museums, castles and country markets - whatever takes your fancy... You will be well equipped with route notes, detailed highled maps and restaurant recommendations so that you can make the most out of your self-guided hiking adventure!

Finish off your trip with a quick stay in Paris before continuing on with your journey.

Avignon city is well known for its Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), where several popes and antipopes lived from the early 14th to early 15th centuries. The palace is an impressive monument and sits within a square of the same name. Nearby, Notre Dame des Doms cathedral is a Romanesque building, mainly built during the 12th century.

Enjoy the train ride from Paris to Avignon on a TGV (high speed train). Train time is approx. 3 hours.

Upon your arrival you will be picked up and transferred to your first hotel in the centre of Avignon where you'll have time to relax and explore. Avignon was already important by the 12th century, but with the arrival of the Popes in the 14th century, the city became a second Rome. Going through any of the seven doors of the superbly preserved ramparts, you will discover the city of the Popes. The Palace of the Popes (a UNESCO Heritage site, as is the Avignon bridge), is the largest Gothic palace in Europe. Nearby is the Petit Palais Museum which houses an outstanding collection of Italian and Provencal paintings from the late 13th to the early 16th centuries.

Avignon Grand Hôtel (4*), with 122 rooms, is ideally located at the foot of the city’s ramparts, which date to the Middle Ages, and just a stone’s throw from the Palais des Papes [Popes’ Palace]. It is also nearby other points of interest such as the lively Place de l'Horloge, the train station and most of the city's many museums. Perfect for relaxing, its style combines modernity and Provençal tradition. Amenities include an outdoor pool and solarium.

Overnight at Hotel Avignon Grand (4*).

Enjoy a pleasant self guided 2 hour Kayak from Collias to Pont du Gard (8km). This service includes transfer to and from your hotel in Avignon, and kayak rental. The route is an easy paddle. If you require a guide for this, please let us know and we can add this to your trip.

Explore the highlights of Avignon at leisure on an unescorted tour of the UNESCO world heritage sites of the 12th century Pont d'Avignon (with audio guide), and the 14th century Pope's Palace (with audio guide) before an hour long cruise and dinner. The Pont d'Avignon was the first construction over the Rhone river, between Lyon and the Mediterranean Sea in the 12th century. The bridge collapsed in the 17th century and the king never wanted to pay for restoring it. To this day, it stands as an unfinished structure. The Popes' Palace stands as the mighty symbol of the church's influence throughout the western Christian world in the 14th century and is the biggest Gothic palace in all of Europe. Then take a boat trip on the Rhone river, sailing upstream along the Rocher des Doms and the Pont St Benezet and back downstream to Villeneuve. Finally, enjoy a 3 course dinner in a gastronomic restaurant (drinks not included).

Avignon Grand Hôtel (4*), with 122 rooms, is ideally located at the foot of the city’s ramparts, which date to the Middle Ages, and just a stone’s throw from the Palais des Papes [Popes’ Palace]. It is also nearby other points of interest such as the lively Place de l'Horloge, the train station and most of the city's many museums. Perfect for relaxing, its style combines modernity and Provençal tradition. Amenities include an outdoor pool and solarium.

Overnight at Hotel Avignon Grand (4*).

The pretty town of Saint Remy in the heart of the western part of Provence is a typical Provencal market town.  With many restaurants with terraces, art galleries galore and plenty of food specialty shops to boot, it is a great place to wander around for a few hours.  On the outskirts of town, the ruins of the Roman city of Glanum can still be seen, including a "Triumphal Arch".

After a delicious breakfast and a meeting with our Trip Manager, a very short transfer takes you to the town of Barbentane, with its beautiful Renaissance-style chateau.

From barbentane, you have a pretty hike into the rolling hills of the "Montagnette", literally, "mini-mountain". You pass by the Abbey of St. Michel de Frigolet, and then descend towards the plains and flatter walking through pretty Provencal villages and then into St. Remy itself.

Enjoy dinner this evening either on the outdoor terrace overlooking the tranquil gardens of the propery and the Alpilles mountain range, or in the restaurant. The cuisine is contemporary and the chef tends to use local, seasonal produce.

Located in the heart of St Remy de Provence, the Les Ateliers de l'Image (4*) hotel opened its doors in 1998. The theme of the hotel is photography which is in evidence throughout the property. Consiting of 32 rooms (of which 2 are suites and one a treehouse suite), the rooms give on to the pristine gardens of the hotel which boasts a large outdoor pool as well as a photo gallery. There is also an on-site restaurant complete with an agreeable terrace. A massage service is available to guests upon advance booking, and the many restaurants in the town are no more than a five minute walk from the property.

Overnight at Les Ateliers de l`Image (4*).

Your walk today starts by a 12th century chapel just outside of Eygalieres, a charming little town on the plains by the Alpilles mountains. Your walk will take you on relaxed terrain through olive groves and wonderful vineyards (of course there are opportunities to stop for a tasting!) before arriving in St. Remy at the end of the day. It is in St Remy that Vincent Van Gogh was incarcerated in the Saint Paul hospital for a year (and where he completed an astounding 150 paintings!). There are Roman archeological sites that are worth seeing on the site of Glanum; but you may just decide to enjoy St. Remy as the locals do: sitting in one of the many cafes under the shade of a plane tree, and watching life go by...

Overnight at Les Ateliers de l`Image (4*).

Today is your shortest day, to allow you time both to explore Les Baux and St Remy itself. You have a short transfer after breakfast to Les Baux. Your walk is spectacular, with the impressive rock formations of these mini-mountains as your backdrop, and starting in the Medieval village of Les Baux de Provence. This fortified village, with its spectacular panorama, is worth some time: visit the chateau, and the many winding streets and shops, and don't miss the nearby sound and light show presented in one of the old (and massive) bauxite mines of the area, before heading downhill back into St. Remy itself.

Enjoy dinner this evening in one of the many restaurants in St Remy.

Overnight at Les Ateliers de l`Image (4*).

Paris is confident that it's the world's most beautiful, fashionable and artistic capital. After visiting the city you will no doubt find it hard to disagree. Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with over 30 million foreign visitors per year. Three of the most famous Parisian landmarks are the twelfth century cathedral Notre Dame de Paris on the Île de la Cité, the nineteenth century Eiffel Tower, and the Napoleonic Arc de Triomphe. The city's most prized museum is the Louvre, though there are dozens of other important ones.

After breakfast, you will be transferred from your hotel to Avignon where you can continue on your travels.

Enjoy the train ride from Avignon to Paris on a TGV (high speed train). Train time is approx. 3 hours.

Take a private train station transfer with a private vehicle and English speaking driver.

The Bel-Ami Hotel (4*) is found in the heart of Paris, on the left bank and in the Saint-Germain-des-Pres district, and is a stylish, contemporary design hotel which uses simple lines and bright, open spaces to maximum effect. Flattering lighting, natural materials and warm colours are added to provide an atmosphere of relaxed modern luxury. The hotel is within walking distance of the Seine, Latin Quarter, fashionable boutiques and piano and jazz bars. There is good public transport nearby.

Overnight at Bel-Ami (4*).

Enjoy a private airport transfer in Paris in a private vehicle with a professional driver.

Kensington Tours donates a portion of proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities.

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.

Overnight at Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard).