United Church of God

Excursions

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A United Church of God Feast of Tabernacles site

Excursions

Public

Group bus excursions will be offered on three afternoons during the Feast. We have not planned an excursion on Sunday, Oct. 1 to allow for everyone to join the indoor welcome and beach day activities that are being organized. Further details will be shared as the Feast approaches. We have left Wednesday, Oct. 4 and Friday, Oct. 6 open as well, so you may feel free to take advantage of the onsite facilities or activities in the region.

Payment for excursions must be made online via Shopify by Monday, July 3. Excursion buses must be reserved ahead of time, so unfortunately, your reservation is not refundable in case of cancellation. However, once at the Feast, you may be able to find someone willing to exchange or purchase your excursion tickets.

Please note:
  • Costs listed are per person and cover the cost of the tour buses, as well as guides and admission to local sites where specified/applicable.
  • Payment deadline: Monday, July 3

1. Local Winery and Village Visit

This excursion will be on a first come, first served basis as it is limited to 100 people due to a capacity limit at the winery.

This tour is close to the feast site, and will not have a guide on the bus, or in the village.

Children under 18 will be served a non-alcoholic beverage instead of wine.  

Children under two are free.

Date: Monday, Oct. 2

Departure time: buses will depart at 1:15 p.m.

Cost: depends on the wine tasting option of your choice:

Visit and wine tasting:
  • Adults (18+): 33€
  • Children (7-17 years old): 30€
  • Children (3-6 years old): 22€
Visit and wine and cheese tasting:
  • Adults (18+): 46€
  • Children (7-17 years old): 38€
  • Children (3-6 years old): 22€
Visit and wine and chocolate tasting:
  • Adults (18+): 44€
  • Children (7-17 years old): 35€
  • Children (3-6 years old): 22€

Visit the Château de Saint-Martin winery (“château” can mean castle in French, or simply estate) in the Côtes de Provence winemaking region in which the Feast site is located, and experience an important part of French and Provençal culture!  Although Côtes de Provence is most famous for its rosé wines, many wineries also produce red and/or white wines.

Taste a selection of six local wines (optional pairing for an extra charge with either chocolate or cheese), and learn more about how the wines are made.

Included in this excursion will be a visit to Les Arcs sur Argens, a medieval village local to numerous wineries.  During your visit, you can explore cobblestoned streets and stop for a cup of coffee or a pastry.  If you feel more adventurous, climb to the top of the village to visit the medieval quarter called “Les Parages” where there are ruins of an ancient castle, and enjoy a panoramic view.

2. Island of Sainte Marguerite and Cannes

Date: Tuesday, Oct. 3

Departure time: buses will depart at 12:30 p.m.

Cost:
  • Adults (11 years old and above): 44€
  • Children (5-10 years old): 40€
  • Children (3-4 years old): 29€
  • Children under two are free.

Although famous for the international film festival held there annually, there is more to Cannes than the glitz of the silver screen, casinos, and beautiful beaches (ranked among the 5 best beaches in France by US News and World Report). Just a 15-minute ferry ride from Cannes, Sainte-Marguerite Island is a haven of calm and natural beauty.

After enjoying the boat ride over (included in the cost of the excursion), a long sandy beach, rocky coves, old-growth eucalyptus, azure waters, ocean views and beautiful pines envelop and invite you in as you enjoy the walking paths on this island without traffic. Stop and enjoy many picturesque spots to picnic or just enjoy good conversation. If the weather is good, you can bring your bathing suits and enjoy the water!  Steeped in history, the island was first inhabited by the Romans, but later became famous for its prison, Fort Royal, which operated for more than 300 years, and held the “Man in the Iron Mask.”

For an additional cost (not included in this excursion price), you can visit the restored prison cell of this mysterious figure who was held here for 11 years from 1687 before being transferred to the Bastille where he died five years later. The Fort Royal has now been renamed the Museum of the Sea and features archeological finds recovered from ancient Roman and Saracen shipwrecks as well as restored prison cells and Roman artifacts. Close to Fort Royal is a small cemetery for French and North African soldiers who fought alongside allied forces during World War II.

Everyone will take the ferry over together at 2 p.m., and there is a ferry every hour returning to Cannes. Depending on how long you spend on the island and/or in the museum, you can catch the 3:15 p.m. or the 4:15 p.m. ferry back to have enough free time to explore Cannes afterward. The last ferry leaving the island to go back to Cannes leaves at 5 p.m.

3. Antibes

Date: Thursday, Oct. 5

Departure time: buses will depart at 1:15 p.m.

Cost per person: 35€ (children under two are free)

Located on the Mediterranean Sea, Antibes sits about halfway between Nice and Cannes. This resort town is home to flashy yachts, art galleries and boutiques as well as great sandy beaches. U.S. News ranks Antibes among the top 10 best places to visit in France and number 3 for its beaches. Visit the Old Town and do some shopping, or check out the Picasso Museum. Take a beautiful walk (about 90 minutes) through “Le Sentier du Littoral” at the “Cap d’Antibes”—an easy level trail that gives you views of the “Bay of Billionaires”. Or visit the Garoupe Lighthouse and Notre Dame des Amoureux. Or, if you prefer, you can choose to just relax on the beach (or near the beach) at Port Vauban and enjoy watching the yachts come and go.

We will provide an English language guide for the bus ride to Antibes and the guide will be available during the visit for questions.

For more information on Antibes, you can visit the following website: https://www.avignon-et-provence.com/en/tourism-provence/antibes.