Współpracujemy z ponad 250 zaufanymi dostawcami usług turystycznych, oferując szeroki wybór podróży dostosowanych do potrzeb każdego turysty. Porozmawiaj już dziś z jednym z naszych ekspertów i zarezerwuj swoją wymarzoną podróż z Inspire.
LOW DEPOSITS UNTIL 29th MARCH - JUST GBP49** PER PERSON
Including a guided tour of walled fortress-citadel Carcassonne - one of France's greatest medieval glories - as well as visits to the stunning papal city of Avignon, with its monumental Palais and fabled bridge, the spectacular Roman aqueduct Pont du Gard, historic Albi and Castres, and a cruise on the tree-lined Canal du Midi this is a hugely popular escorted tour to one of France's most scenic corners. An optional tour takes in beautiful coastal Collioure and former Roman capital Narbonne.
Inclusions
A guided walking tour of historic, walled Carcassonne
A full day visit to majestic Avignon and the stunning Roman Pont du Gard
Canal du Midi cruise
Included tour of Albi, birthplace of Toulouse-Lautrec
Visit to charming, riverside Castres
Seven nights' bed and continental breakfast accommodation at your chosen hotel in Carcassonne
Coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced Tour Manager
Single rooms are available for a supplement
1
Make your own way to Carcassonne to meet your Tour Manager, either at the airport or at your hotel.
2
Join our guide for a fascinating included walking tour of the mesmerising city of Carcassonne, one of the most striking walled settlements in the whole of Europe, with its remarkably preserved, double-walled Cite the jewel in a sparkling crown.
Restored in the mid-19th-century, the fairy-tale bastion includes the inner Chateau Comtal and a beautiful church of St-Nazaire, from the tower of which the views over the fortress are spectacular. Wander the narrow, sometimes steep, streets of this medieval enclave, with its colourful cafes, restaurants and craft shops squeezed into its tiny buildings, or take in the views from the city walls.
After the tour, the rest of the day is free for you to explore at your leisure. Beneath the turrets of the Cite and across the languid River Aude, the equally charming Ville Basse, the second of Carcassonne's two 'towns', offers a wider variety of places in which to enjoy lunch or dinner.
3
Continue your exploration of historic Carcassonne, or join today's full-day optional excursion to France's south-west corner, beginning with a visit to the exquisite port-town of Collioure. One-time home to the artist Matisse, and with its palm-fringed promenade curving around the bay, this is an especially attractive coastal settlement, overlooked by the monumental Chateau-Royal. Continue to Narbonne - once the Roman capital of all of southern Gaul - with its imposing 13th-century cathedral, its central canal and its section of the famed Roman road, the Via Domitia beneath the main square. After free time in Narbonne, continue to historic Domaine de l'Hospitalet, high up on the protected limestone massif of La Clape, overlooking the Mediterranean, for a tasting of various regional wines.
4
An unforgettable day awaits you, as you journey to two of southern France's most sparkling jewels. Take in first the breathtaking, three-tiered Roman aqueduct, the stunning Pont du Gard, the towering stone watercourse straddling the River Gard granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1985, and regarded as a masterpiece of Roman engineering.
Continue to historic Avignon, encircled by its ancient low walls, and dominated by its monumental centrepiece, the fortified Palais des Papes, 14th-century home to popes, cardinals and a court of assorted princes, barons and other nobility who helped the city build a dubious reputation as one of medieval Europe's most decadent and 'colourful' enclaves. Don't miss the curious half-bridge of St-Benezet - the 'Pont d'Avignon' of the famous French folk song - that juts out into the fast-flowing waters of the River Rhone, as it winds its way towards the Mediterranean. Avignon's bustling main square, the place de l'Horloge, is lined with cafes and restaurants, perfect places in which to rest and relax awhile.
4
Today you're free to rest, relax and explore at your leisure, perhaps returning to Carcassonne's beguiling Cite for further exploration or a long lunch - one of the great pleasures of a holiday in this corner of the world.
5
Today brings the delight of an included cruise on the tree-lined Canal du Midi, part of the 240 kilometre-long waterway constructed in the 17th Century to connect the Atlantic with the Mediterranean. The cruise may take place in the morning, or afternoon, or in some cases earlier during your holiday, depending on local conditions.
6
A last day's included excursion journeys first to the Haut Languedoc region and the historic Cathar city of Albi, nestled alongside the River Tarn beneath the vast, red-brick cathedral, and birthplace of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Spend some time discovering the city, perhaps visiting the great Gothic church and the adjacent Palais de la Berbie castle, which houses over 1000 of the painter's works, or wandering the atmospheric old town, before returning to Carcassonne via Castres and its ancient riverside quarter on the bank of the Agout - the final highlight of a wonderful holiday.
7
Bid "Au revoir" to Carcassonne, and begin your journey back to the UK.
Further Information
Hotel transfer times
The transfer time from Toulouse Airport to your hotel is approximately 90 minutes. From Carcassonne Airport, it is approximately 15 minutes.
Combining hotel transfers
We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.
Special requirements
If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.
Disabled access
The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Itinerary changes
Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.
Canal du Midi cruise
Your cruise may take place in the morning or afternoon of Day Six (or occasionally earlier during your holiday) depending on local conditions.
Foreign Office Travel Advice
Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.
**Low deposit of GBP49pp applies to new bookings made between 6th March and 29th March 2018 (inclusive) only. This offer applies to flight-inclusive holidays only and excludes Lapland, Andre Rieu in Maastricht, Andre Rieu in Vienna, Deep South Rhythms, New Orleans & Caribbean Cruise, Five-Star Alaska Cruise & the Canadian Rockies, Canada's Rocky Mountaineer(TM), the Seychelles Island Cruise, Darjeeling & Bhutan - The Last Himalayan Kingdom, Classic South Africa, Under African Skies, Cape Town, the Garden Route & Big Five Safaris, Peru - Lake Titicaca to Machu Picchu, and fly-cruises on board Magellan and Columbus. This offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time.
