Journey Through the Pyrenees

Stunning Pyrenees plus a little of Southern France and northern Spain

22 nights travelling from East to West we cover the Pyrenees Mountain range, which separates France and Spain, along with time in Andora, a small independent country in the middle.

We start in the south of France in Avignon where we visit the Palace of Popes. It’s then along the French south coast to the wonderful natural area of the Camargue. Here expect to see pink flamingos, white horses and possibly the black bulls.

At the foot of the eastern Pyrenees we stay on the beach, from where we take the ‘Yellow Train’ up for our first trip in to the mountains.

Our next stop takes not only ourselves but also our motorhomes into the mountains, as we travel up to Andorra. Being a duty-free country look out for some good prices.

A further 2 campsite stops within the mountains, combined with short driving distances allows for plenty of relaxed driving on some of the very scenic routes. There are also a number of excursions included within the mountains to enjoy the sights. Within the Pyrenees are good cycling opportunities, with dedicated cycle routes located close to some of the campsites.

Descending the mountains on the southern side we enter Spain and the city of Pamplona, where our tour ends but not before learning about the famous Pamplona Street bull run.

From the end of the tour, it is possible to return home using the northern Spain to UK overnight ferry, cutting out the drive through France. When taking this route, particularly when including the optional package for travel out from the UK, the driving milage for this tour is low.

Day One – Saturday 5^th September
Meet in the charming south of France at Avignon. This evening the Tour Directors will host a Welcome Reception at their pitch.

Day Two – Sunday 6^th September
Today we visit Avignon centre where we have a guided city tour and later, visit the ‘Palais des Papes’ (Palace of Popes), one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. Lunch included in town.

Day Three – Monday 7^th September
Free day to relax, or to independently return to Avignon.

Day Four – Tuesday 8^th September
Coach excursion of the Provence Villages with lunch included.

Day Five – Wednesday 9^th September
Move on to our next stop, a well-appointed campsite within the naturally beautiful area of the Camargue. 50 miles

Day Six – Thursday 10^th September
Excursion today of the Camargue area. This stunningly beautiful part of Southern France is the largest river delta in Europe. The salt marshes and wetlands are home to the famous pink flamingos, the white horses and the black bulls of the Camargue. Lunch included.

Day Seven – Friday 11^th September
Free day. Enjoy the good facilities of the campsite; including large swimming pool, restaurant and shop.

Day Eight – Saturday 12^th September
Travel today to the eastern edge of the Pyrenees. Before going up into the mountains we have a stay on the coast at Canet En Rousillion, our campsite is located directly next to the beach. 130 miles

Day Nine – Sunday 13^th September
Excursion on the Pyrenees Yellow Train, the highest metre gauge railway in Europe. Lunch included.

Day Ten – Monday 14^th September
A free day to spend on the beach or maybe go into Canet town.

Day Eleven – Tuesday 15^th September
Drive up into the Pyrenees today to arrive in Andorra, an independent country located in the centre of the mountain range sitting between France and Spain. 110 miles

Day Twelve – Wednesday 16^th September
A free day to visit Andorra La Vella, the main town of this small country. Our campsite is conveniently located around 20 minutes walk from the centre. Being a ‘duty free’ country some good prices can be found.

Day Thirteen – Thursday 17^th September
Excursion to Vail de Nuria, a picturesque valley area of the Pyrenees. Lunch included.

Day Fourteen – Friday 28^th September
Continue our journey through the Pyrenees. Being a short drive take time to enjoy the views along the way. 60 miles

Day Fifteen – Saturday 19^th September
Making use of the local bus take the opportunity to visit Foix, a typical Pyrenees town.

Day Sixteen – Sunday 20^th September
Remaining in the mountains continue the journey to Argles-Gazost. 110 miles

Day Seventeen – Monday 21^st September
Excursion including the Artouste train today. Enjoy time and the ride in the beautiful Pyrenees aboard the ‘Le Petit train d’Artouste’, Europe’s highest train.

Day Eighteen – Tuesday 22^nd September
A free day. From the campsite it’s an easy walk into town where today is local market day. This evening we have a group dinner in a local restaurant.

Day Nineteen – Wednesday 23^rd September
A further free day. There are good thermal baths available in town and adjacent to the campsite runs the cycle track, with the towns of Pierrefitte and Lourdes being 6km and 10km.

Day Twenty – Thursday 24^th September
As we drop from the mountains on the southern side, we enter Spain and the city of Pamplona. 150 miles

Day Twenty-One – Friday 25^th September
Pamplona is famous for the annual street bull run that takes place each July. Whilst the event will not be on during our visit, we will learn about it throughout our guided city tour today. Lunch in city restaurant included.

Day Twenty-Two – Saturday 26^th September
Free time until our Farewell Dinner this evening.

Day Twenty-Three – Sunday 27^th September
Our tour comes to an end. You may decide to travel back to the UK using the northern Spain to Portsmouth ferry, with Bilbao and Santander ports being 100 and 150 miles away.

PRICE

Motorhome with 2 people = £2149 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £2999

TOUR DEPOSIT £500

INCLUDED IN PRICE

• 22 Campsite nights with hook-up
• Transport for Excursions/Events as detailed
• Entrance fees on Excursions/Events as per the itinerary
• Train tickets for journeys detailed in the itinerary
• Tour Information Pack with suggested routes & GPS co-ordinates
• Services of Tour Directors throughout the tour travelling in their own motorhome

Excursions, Events & Meals

• Welcome drinks Reception with Tour Directors
• Walking tour of Avignon
• Entrance to Palace of Popes
• Lunch in Avignon with wine
• Excursion of the Provence Villages with lunch
• Excursion in the Camargue with lunch
• Journey on the ‘Pyrenees Yellow Train’ with lunch
• Excursion in the Pyrenees to Vail de Nuria
• Lunch on Vail de Nuria excursion
• Journey on the ‘Le Petit train d’Artouste’
• Dinner with wine in Argles-Gazost
• Walking city tour of Pamplona
• Lunch in Pamplona city restaurant with wine
• Farewell dinner with wine

This tour starts in Avignon, south of France, but if you would like to travel on the outward journey with the Tour Directors, please book the optional tour package so that everything can be arranged on your behalf. This includes the evening overnight crossing Portsmouth to Caen, reducing the driving to the start of the tour

OPTIONAL EXTRA PACKAGE

• Outward Portsmouth to Caen overnight ferry with internal cabin on Tuesday 1^st September (Option to upgrade to external cabin at time of booking @ £25)
• 3 x additional Campsite Nights in France with hook-up
• Tour information pack with suggested routes & GPS co-ordinates
• Services of Tour Directors travelling in their own motorhome

OPTIONAL PACKAGE PRICE

Motorhome with 2 people = £349 per person
Motorhome with 1 person = £685

OPTIONAL PACKAGE DEPOSIT £400