Golf
and Barge Cruise in Provence
* Day 1 :
Arrival - Welcome by
our representative - Transfer from a defined picking point to Le Phénicien which
is moored close to the Avignon ramparts. Time for a little nap or a free visit
of the town. Our first dinner on board will be served with wines specially
selected from top-notch local vineyards
Avignon,
worldwide renowned for its Summer Arts Festival. Owing its origins to the
Doms rock, the city became a second Rome with the arrival of the popes in the
14th Century. It was enriched by art in the 17th and 18th Centuries, and it
remained papal property up to the French revolution. The Palace of the Popes,
residence of the Sovereign Pontiffs during the 14th century, is the biggest
Gothic palace in the world, ranked by UNESCO as Heritage for
Humanity
* Day 2
History
and wines are our centers of interest today. We start with a visit of one of the
best cellars of Châteauneuf-du-Pape . After the cellar
visit, a wine tasting is organized. Then we take a guided tour to learn about
the religious and artistic importance of the city’s prestigious past with the
palace of the Popes visit. This afternoon, we sail to Villeneuve lès Avignon.
The wines tasted in the morning are back on the table at
dinner
Golf :Grand Avignon golf course ,
. a charming and quiet golf course located at 10 minutes from the “Cite des
Papes” Avignon and at the foot of the famous Mont Ventoux mountain. Grand
Avignon is a very nice golf course with several lakes in a Provencal landscape
made of pine trees, cypress, olive trees and lavender scents
* Day 3
This morning the gigantic Roman aqueduct “Le Pont du
Gard” is waiting for you. After this intriguing guided visit we
will get back to the barge and sail down to Vallabrègues a quiet and charming
little port where it is good to rest and play the pétanque
Golf : Pont Royal golf
course
Pont Royal is a real championship course designed by Seve
Ballesteros, which features large bunkers (ideal for long sand escape shots, one
of the Spanish champion’s specialties), various water hazards, few ravines and a
hilly landscape. Pont Royal requires more strategy and accuracy than only
strength, even though long-hitters have real opportunities to take risks on
several holes. When the Mistral is blowing, Pont Royal becomes one of the most
difficult course of continental Europe. The excellent maintenance makes Pont
Royal a real gem
* Day 4
Les
Baux de Provence,
a magnificent and historical village, featuring an incredibly rich
architectural heritage. Perched on a rocky spur, the citadel overlooks the
Provencal landscape. Classified within “site remarquable du goût” and “Plus
Beaux Villages de France”, Les Baux de Provence is also the site of an old
castle with Sarrasine and Paravelle towers. Not to be missed is the exhibition
of siege equipments (giant catapult, ballista, battering ram, etc) dating back
from far
centuries
The Alpilles, dominated by
the town of Les Baux-de-Provence, stretch 25 kilometers to the Northeast. These
limestone hills are surrounded by sunny pleasant Provençal villages spread out
among vineyards and olive orchards : Fontvieille, Paradou, Maussane, Saint-Rémy
.
Golf :Servanes golf
course
Set at the foot of the famous Alpilles rocky chain,
Cezanne’s favorite landscapes, Servanes is an enchanting golf course amid
cypress and plane trees. This nicely landscaped course is technically fair and
will be appreciated by golfers of all levels. The problem may come with the
Mistral, a terrific wind that comes from the Northern valley and whose violent
gusts can give serious troubles to golfers
Back to the barge we will sail down to Arles, the open Air
Museum of Provence, passing through the larger lock of this cruise, 15 meters
(45 feet) height difference
* Day 5
Arles
Arles known as "Little Rome in Gaul", is often appreciated
for the splendour of its Roman and Romanesque monuments, (the "Arena", the Roman
Theater, etc) its splendid Medieval monuments bear witness to the wealth and
dynamism of the early Middle Ages.
Arles has preserved many lovely buildings from the 16th,
17th and 18th centuries, essential element of the charm of this old city. In
1986, the city which inspired and attracted Van Gogh by its the Provençal light,
received the official French title of "City of Art and
History
The horizon around Arles is made up of differents landscapes
surrounding the city which continues to fascinate visitors from all over the
world : the Alpilles hills which inspired Frédéric Mistral, the arid Crau of the
shepherds, and the Camargue, situated between the two branches of the lower
Rhone.
Golf :Nimes-Campagne golf course
, a great classic golf course respecting a well established
sporting tradition. This true championship course designed by Harradine &
Morandi becomes an authentic challenge when comes the wind even though water
hazards have been placed at fair places. From the back tees, Nimes Campagne
requires both power and precision to reach safely the fast and well shaped
greens
The most impressive navigation is for today heading for
the Camargue ! We cruise Le Rhône river, Le petit Rhône and the canal to reach
the quiet and typical village of Gallician
* Day
6
Our last day of excursion will lead us in the deep heart of the
wild Camargue
There, we reach one of the most prestigious Manade, a
typical ranch, where the horse guardians, authentic local cow-boys, show how
they tend the herds of bulls on their superb white horses
Golf
:La Grande Motte golf course . Designed
by Robert Trent Jones Senior, this famous golf course meanders through the
Camargue landscapes, flat layout made of many ponds, home of pink flamingos,
ducks and black bulls. Trent Jones has cleverly shaped a high class course on
this magnificent land, excellent for long-hitters but where short game will also
play a key role
Our final destination is Aigues-Mortes ,
a 14th century walled city rising from a flat landscape. This was the port from
which St Louis set sail on his Crusades and it now provides us with a paradox - a perfectly
preserved mediaeval fortress yet with a rectangular grid structure reminiscent
of a new world town - the Camargue never fails to
surprise.
* Day 7
After breakfast, morning departure to the defined transfer
point.
Prices indicated are in euros, per person, based on double
occupancy for a group of 9 persons minimum. Barge will be chartered for
the group.
|
Period |
High season |
Low season |
|
Price per golfer |
3170€ |
2640€ |
|
Price per non golfer |
2930€ |
2400€ |
High season : April 30 to July 15, September 3 to October
14
Low season : April, July 16 to September 2, from October 15 to
November 30
Including :
* Lodging in a twin bedded or double room
* Daily buffet breakfast
* 5 rounds of golf with pre-booking of tee
times
* Chauffeur driven service for all ground
transportation
* All meals including
drinks
* wine tasting visit
* Availability of a professional guide for guided
visits
* Meet and greet service
* France Golf Tours assistance and
services
* All local taxes
Not included :
* Drinks (other of meals), tips and other personal
expenses
* Electric golf carts rental or
caddies
Attention : the hotels, golf courses, and visits indicated in
the program are subject to availability according to the clients’ travelling
time.
