Tourists who visit Paris can book a one day tour of Provence that departs from Paris. The trip is 14 hours long (almost six hours of that time is spent on the train round-tripping it from Paris. The Provence part of the tour includes a visit to the Avignon Bridge and the Popes’ palace in Avignon followed by a visit to the Aix en Provence area. The cost of the tour is $397 per person. In addition to the price of the tour, you still have to continue to pay the big bucks for your Paris hotel.
Or…
A smart tourist can rent a hotel room in Avignon for $90 (less than half the price of a cheap Paris hotel), take the train to Avignon at $182 round trip fare, and book a much more in-depth 10 hour Provence tour in Avignon for $159. This tour will include the Triumphal Arch and the Roman Amphitheatre in Orange, the legendary vineyards of Chateauneuf du Pape, including a wine tasting. This Grand Tour continues to the Pont du Gard, the best-preserved Roman aqueduct. It includes a visit to Les Baux de Provence, a medieval village in the Alpilles mountains, and the Luberon region to see the famous villages of Gordes and Roussillon, which rank among the most beautiful villages in France. As part of h/er personal tour the smart tourist will have time to enjoy other attractions in Avignon including great food and wines.
Do the Math:
Paris Provence Tour: Hotel: $400 for two nights, Tour Price: $397 Total: $797
Avignon Provence Tour: Hotel: $180 for two nights, Tour Price: $159, Train Fare: $182 Total: $521
Consider planning your own itinerary and save a bundle of cash.
Photo: ceran
Thank you for sharing awesome trip tips! 😉
LikeLike
By: Shannon Sullivan on August 4, 2010
at 2:53 pm
I need a how to travel free column. :-]
LikeLike
By: deepercolors on August 4, 2010
at 3:16 pm
Great post!
You had me at “wine tasting.” : )
When I visited Paris, we did the castles of the Loire Valley. Such an awesome country.
I’m loving these travelogues.
LikeLike
By: nrhatch on August 4, 2010
at 3:17 pm
I’m going to Google/Google maps it!!!! It should be a pleasant holiday for me….grin grin.
LikeLike
By: Loreen Lee on August 4, 2010
at 4:50 pm
I would love to return to Paris, I was too young to truly appreciate it when I when before. With all your advice it would be a fabulous trip!
LikeLike
By: tsuchigari on August 5, 2010
at 12:43 pm
There are so many interesting places to see in the world. Travel is wonderful.
LikeLike
By: nancycurteman on August 5, 2010
at 9:25 pm
Enjoyed this, I always prefer to try to travel like a local and avoid hotels and tours.
LikeLike
By: theonlycin on August 5, 2010
at 9:26 pm