Wine tour of Provence in the lavender season

Departure from Sofia to Nice on a WIZZ Air flight. Landing in Nice and departure to Avignon.
Walking tour in the City of the Popes: the main street „rue de la Republique“; the square „Saint Didier“; the square with the Clock and the Cathedral „Notre Dame des Doms“. Lunch included at a local restaurant. Next, visit the Papal Palace of Avignon, which is the largest Gothic palace in Europe. It was built in the 14th century to house the popes during the Avignon Papacy. This imposing monument, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a fortress on the outside and has huge rooms inside such as the Grand Tunnel and the Hall of the Great Audience. It bears witness to the power of the Church in the Middle Ages and today is a must-visit place to learn about the history of that period.
Hotel accommodation Novotel Avignon Centre 4*. Overnight.

Full-day excursion with photo-stop and walk along the famous Avignon Bridge (UNESCO) and departure to Château des Fines Roches Hostellerie.
This 19th-century castle is a blend of medieval fantasy and Provençal-style decoration with impressive panoramic views of the vineyards.
This château can be described in one sentence: „Elegance in the heart of Provence“ !
Included lunch with a glass of wine - a real feast for the senses !!
The tour continues with a photo break at the ruins of the medieval castle Châteauneuf-du-Pape, which was built in the 14th century for Pope John XXII, the second of the popes who resided in Avignon. Under his reign, the wines of this region became known as „Vin du Pape“, a term which later became „Châteauneuf-du-Pape“.
Continuation for the wine estate Allain Jaume where family tradition has perpetuated the profession of viticulturist since 1826 ! Generation after generation, the family winery has preserved the experience of creating wines that embody the authenticity and diversity of the Côtes du Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellations.
Visit the vineyards and the winery. Tasting of wines from the collection of the wine estate.
Return to Avignon in the late afternoon. Free time and overnight.

The full-day excursion starts from the town of Saint-Rémy de Provence - the birthplace of Nostradamus - a 16th century French astrologer, apothecary and physician, famous for his book „Prophecies“. His work, a collection of rhymed quatrains, led to his worldwide fame as a genius prophet.
„I only used the word Prophet and would not ascribe to myself a title of such lofty greatness“ !!!
                                                                                                                                                         Nostradamus
Saint-Rémy is also closely associated with the great painter Van Gogh. Here he painted 150 of his paintings in just 1 year, from May 1889 to May 1890. Like Arles, the other city where Van Gogh worked, Saint-Rémy also did not purchase any of his paintings during his lifetime and to „make amends“, both cities offer what are known as „Van Gogh Trails“ and by following them, visitors can discover the locations of many of his paintings marked with a reproduction of the original painting.
Departure for the fortress village Beau de Provence, ranked among the „most beautiful villages in France“. The village is perched on a plateau that rises 200 metres above the surrounding countryside, opening up a wide view of the southern plains, and this naturally fortified site makes it one of the most impregnable fortresses in the Middle Ages. Walking tour in the most romantic village of Provence and explore one of the best preserved medieval citadels. Lunch included at a local restaurant.
Depart for the city of Arles, famous for its rich history as an important Roman and later medieval centre, its well-preserved Roman monuments (including an amphitheatre and theatre) and its association with the artist Vincent van Gogh. A walking tour of the historic city centre follows, with its many UNESCO-protected sites: the Amphitheatre of Arles (the Arena), probably the city's most famous tourist attraction, flourished in ancient Rome; the 1st century Roman Theatre, built during the reign of Caesar Augustus; the Church of St Trophimus (the first Archbishop of Arles) was built between the 12th and 15th centuries and is considered one of the finest examples of Romanesque sculpture.
The tour ends at „The Espace Van Gogh“ in the heart of Arles, an iconic place that commemorates the history and legacy of the artist Vincent van Gogh. This cultural space occupies the buildings and gardens of the former „Hôtel-Dieu“, a hospital where the artist was treated after injuring his ear in December 1888. Free time and optional visit to „The Espace Van Gogh“.
Return to Avignon in the late afternoon. Free time and overnight.

Full day excursion with starting stop Notre Dame de Sennac Abbey (Abbey Notre Dame de Senanque) located deep in the heart of Provence. The abbey is an active Cistercian (Catholic religious order) monastery founded in 1148 in Provence. It is an emblematic monument of early Cistercian Romanesque art for its austere and harmonious architecture and is famous for its surrounding lavender fields. Today, it is home to a community of Cistercian monks who live by the rule of „Ora et Labora“ (Pray and Work) and, just as in the 12th century, strictly follow the rules of St Benedict.
Depart for the village of Gordes, also part of the prestigious national ranking of „the most beautiful villages in France“. The hamlet is perched on a steep hill, from where superb panoramic views can be seen. It is extremely popular for its preserved medieval atmosphere and varied cultural poster with exhibitions, fairs and concerts.
Gordes is a living testament to the timeless appeal of Provence,
which embodies a life in harmony with nature, tradition and the simple pleasures of life.
Free time for lunch and a self-guided tour.
The final stop on the full-day excursion is the Lavender Museum in the nearby village of Cabrière d'Avignon to visit, where premium lavender beauty products can be purchased.

Depart for Antibes, one of the most famous towns on the French Riviera. The city is also known as an ancient trading centre, founded by the Greeks under the name of "Antipolis". Today, Antibes is a yachting, cultural and tourist destination located midway between Cannes and Nice.
Short walking tour and free time for lunch in the charming town on the French Riviera.
Departure to Nice and accommodation in Holiday Inn Express Nice Grand Arenas 4*. Accommodation and free time.

Transfer to the airport for your WIZZ Air flight to Sofia. Landing in Sofia.
End of program.