PROVINCE

Πρόγραμμα

DAY 1 ATHENS – MARSEILLE – ARLES – NIME
Meeting at the airport and flight to Marseille. Arrival and departure for the historic city of Arles, known as ancient Roman Arelat, the city with the most Roman monuments in France. We will see the Roman Theater and Amphitheatre, the well-preserved Arena, the Roman Necropolis, the Place Du Forum with Van Gogh’s famous oil painting “Exterior Cafe at Night” and the Holy Temple of the Holy Food. Our next stop is Nîmes, a city with an important history and many Roman monuments, very well preserved. Among others we will see the model building Maison Carrée, the Arena, the Court House, the interesting Museum of Romanesque Art, the Church of Saint Paul, the Cathedral Saint Castor, the Clock Tower and the public park with the fountains. Check in at our hotel in Nîmes. Free time and overnight stay.

DAY 2 Carcassonne – Montpellier
Today we will depart for one of the most beautiful cities in France, the stunning Carcassonne, which is built on a hill in the south-west of France, close to the Spanish border. Carcassonne is today one of the few fortified medieval cities whose fortifications and old medieval center have been preserved. The river Oude divides the city into two parts, the fortified “state of Carcassonne” (Cité de Carcassonne) and the unfortified “Lower town” (Ville Basse). The Pont Vieux bridge leads to the medieval part of the city. Arrival and walking tour of the castle town. Free time and we depart for the beautiful Montpellier, one of the most beautiful, modern cities in France, built at a distance of only 10 km. from the Mediterranean Sea. Major campus, with the oldest medical school in Europe – of which Adamantios Korais was also a student – perfectly combines vibrancy, nightlife and culture. The city is famous for its “green-ecological” design, extensive pedestrianized center, lush vegetation and cyclists. This is followed by a panoramic tour of the city (where the coach can enter) and then free time to wander the pedestrianized historic center with its winding medieval alleys, galleries and tasteful shops. Enjoy the street musicians in the cafes of Komedi square overlooking the opera house. Visit the imposing St. Peter’s Cathedral and the romantic St. Anne’s. Admire the view of the city from Peyrou Park and the Arc de Triomphe. Late afternoon return to our hotel in Nîmes.

DAY 3 Nîmes – Avignon – Marseilles
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Avignon, capital of the Vaucluse department, built on the banks of the Rhone river, known as the seat of the 7 popes of French origin in the period 1309-1377. On our tour of the historic center we will see the Papal Palace and the Episcopal Complex which is the largest Gothic building in Europe, the Town Hall square and the famous Avignon Bridge. It is possible to visit the inside of the Papal Palace. We continue to Marseille. Arrival at our hotel and check-in. First acquaintance with the city. Overnight.

DAY 4 MARSEILLE – EX AN PROVENCE – MARSEILLE
Breakfast and we depart for the beautiful city of Provence, Aix en Provence, the city of water, which owes its name to the numerous springs, birthplace of the great writer Emile Zola and the painter Paul Cézanne. On our tour we will have the opportunity to walk the famous street Mirabeau, with its groves of plane trees, decorated with fountains, ornate buildings and mansions dating from the 16th to the 18th century . Finally we will visit the Cathedral of Sotiros, built on the ruins of the ancient Roman market. Return in the afternoon to our hotel in Marseille. Overnight.

DAY 5 MASSELIA – ATHENS
Breakfast and we start our tour of Marseille, capital of Provence, built on the Gulf of Lyon. Crossing large avenues with imposing buildings, we will end up at the old port and see the twin castles – watchtowers of Agios Ioannis and Agios Nikolaos. Then we will visit the Basilica of Notre Dame de la Garde located on the hill of the same name. We will enjoy the wonderful panoramic view of the Mediterranean metropolis and the islet of If with the fortress built by Francis I in 1516 to protect the port. Free time for a last walk in the old port, until our transfer to the airport for our return flight to Athens.