Travel: A stroll through Provence

The French medieval city of Avignon is located in the south-eastern region of Provence on the banks of the River Rhone and is surrounded by 800-year-old ramparts that once protected it.
The River Rhone at Avignon from Barthelasse IslandThe River Rhone at Avignon from Barthelasse Island
The River Rhone at Avignon from Barthelasse Island

There is no escaping the mystery of its historic centre and with Ramblers Worldwide Holidays have just launched their new brochure, jam-packed with new holiday ideas for late 2016 and 2017, they have included a new French holiday to the city of Avignon.

With its ancient narrow cobbled streets and pedestrianised centre, Avignon is also the perfect place from which to explore the surrounding area.

Avignon has been regarded as one of France’s major artistic centres since the 14th Century when the Pope’s court arrived there to escape political turmoil in Rome while the Gothic Pope’s Palace still remains.

The Pope's Palace in Avignon.The Pope's Palace in Avignon.
The Pope's Palace in Avignon.

Elsewhere the city’s ramparts, towers and decorated churches are evidence of its prosperity during this time. And to the south you will visit Arles – the region’s key Roman city with a well preserved amphitheatre – as well as exploring the city of Nimes with its glorious public gardens which were supposedly the first in France.

Then it’s on to Mont Ventoux, Provence’s highest peak with sightseeing around St Remy de Provence and the Pont du Gard, the spectacular stone aqueduct built 160ft above the River Gard.

Avignon Revisited is a one week holiday savouring the highlights of fascinating area Provence with price from £899 per person including return rail travel, transfers, half board accommodation plus the services of a dedicated tour leader. It departures on 8 October.

For the more adventurous among you, Ramblers Worldwide Holidays has just announced an 18-day journey through one of Africa’s most beautiful, unspoilt countries which is making a comeback as a major tourism destination, Zimbabwe.

Gorillas in RwandaGorillas in Rwanda
Gorillas in Rwanda

The Highlights of Zimbabwe trip includes the Eastern Highlands which is a walkers’ paradise in the Nyanga National park in the Honde Valley’s Bvumba Mountains.

Then there’s Great Zimbabwe and the Matobo Hills, a stunning landscape of granite kopjes, spires and giant balancing rocks where Cecil John Rhodes is buried at ‘View of the World’.

Added to that is a game drive through the National Park (home to black and white rhinos), the Hwange National Park with one of the largest elephant populations in the world and to cap it all, the magnificent Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world!

Price are from £4,299 per person includes return flights, transfers, half board accommodation, local guides, all excursions, game drives and activities and the services of a dedicated tour leader with departures from 17 September 2016.

The Pope's Palace in Avignon.The Pope's Palace in Avignon.
The Pope's Palace in Avignon.

Ramblers’ new 17-day Uganda and Rwanda adventure in the heart of East Africa will see you visit rainforests, rolling green hills, tea plantations and a chance to see magnificent mountain gorillas.

You also get the chance to see the moving genocide museum together a walk in the Bwindi National Park where you see and enjoy families of gorillas at rest and play.

Price are from £4,299 per person with departures from 8 September 2016.

And if that were not enough, how about holidaying in the French Caribbean Islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe from Departures from 21 November 2016 with prices for ‘Caribe Francais’ from £3,199 per person.

More information on all the walking holidays, log onto www.ramblersholidays.co.uk.

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