tour operator arles

THE 10 BEST Arles Tours & Excursions

Tours in arles.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Literary, Art & Music Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Walking Tours
• Private Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Archaeology Tours
• Scenic Railroads
• Multi-day Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Half-Day Van Gogh Tour of Provence from Avignon

2. Private Guided Tour of Arles

3. 4x4 Camargue Safari 4h - Departure from Arles

4. Van Gogh & Carrières de Lumières Half-Day Tour from Avignon

5. A day in Arles, Les Baux and Saint-Rémy

6. In the footsteps of Van Gogh in Provence from Avignon

7. Arles and Camargue Small-Group Half-Day Tour from Avignon

8. 4x4 Camargue Safari 4h - Private Tour - Departure from Arles

9. Van Gogh's Provence & Roman Sites - Small-Group Day Trip

10. Arles, Les Baux and Saint Remy de Provence from Marseille

11. Private Day Trip to Arles Les Baux de Provence and Saint Remy de Provence

12. Arles, Les Baux & Saint-Remy de Provence from Aix

13. History and Van Gogh in Provence from AIX-EN-PROVENCE

14. Provence Region Roman Abbey of Montmajour Entrance Ticket

15. Arles Small groupe tour : Private Day Trip to Luberon Villages

16. Arles: 2-Hour Private Walking Tour

17. Avignon, Les Baux, St Remy and Arles from MARSEILLE

18. Arles - St Remy - Les Baux de Provence - 8h

19. Marseille Shore Excursion: Private Day Trip to Arles, Les Baux de Provence and Saint Remy de Provence

20. Full day tour Roman Arles & Abbaye de Montmajor shore excursion

21. 4x4 safari - 4h Alpilles Provence - Departure from Arles

22. Arles and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Private Tour

23. Provence Tour

24. Private Tour From Marseille to Arles Saint Remy & Les Baux

25. Private fullday Provence Lavender Fields

26. Arles Private Guided Walking Tour From Marseille

27. 5-day Private Nice, Provence, Burgundy, Paris Live Guided Tour

28. Arles to Marseille Airport (MRS) - Departure Private Transfer

29. Full Day Private Van Gogh Tour

30. provence day trips Arles,Les Baux and Saint Rémy

What travellers are saying.

• Half-Day Van Gogh Tour of Provence from Avignon
• 4x4 Camargue Safari 4h - Departure from Arles
• Arles and Camargue Small-Group Half-Day Tour from Avignon
• Van Gogh & Carrières de Lumières Half-Day Tour from Avignon
• In the footsteps of Van Gogh in Provence from Avignon
• Camargue Alpilles Safaris
• Haras des Bruns
• France Transfers - Vince Group
• Les Marais du Vigueirat
• Manade La Grand Ponche
• Moulin de Bédarrides
• Taco and Co

Arles Tours & Travel Packages 2024/2025

Our 95 most popular arles trips. compare tour itineraries from 26 tour companies. 18 reviews. 5/5 avg rating., popular arles tours.

Provence Van Gogh cycling: an Impressionist's dream

• Easy cycling in the heart of the Van Gogh countryside and landscapes
• The vast olive groves at the foot of the perched medieval village of Les Baux
• The charming small villages of Maillane, Maussane and Graveson
• The Roman city of Arles
• The cafés and restaurants of Saint Remy de Provence

France Bike & River Cruise: Lyon to Nice

• Admire the magnificent vistas of France’s most renowned wine regions by river and by bicycle.
• Enjoy the best of both worlds: an all-inclusive river ship cruise and VBT Bicycling Vacation.
• Ride among the lush, fertile vineyards of Burgundy and Provence, pausing at your leisure for wine tastings and tours.
• Learn the history of the magnificent Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct and UNESCO World Heritage site’s museum, and savor a delicious picnic lunch.
• Walk the cobbled and historic streets of Lyon and Avignon as a local guide brings them alive with history and lore.

Barcelona to Rome

• Spend your free time in Barcelona visiting Gaudi's modern basilica, La Sagrada Familia – a Gothic masterpiece that embodies the city’s artistic and progressive heart.
• Hike in the majestic Spanish Pyrenees mountains, revelling in the fresh air, panoramic views and an exhilarating sense of freedom.
• Explore the idyllic Provencal landscapes of southern France and gain an understanding as to why this part of the world is so adored by artists.
• The Leaning Tower may be Pisa’s most iconic image, but there’s so much more to discover – The Piazza dei Miracoli and Pisa Baptistry are masterpieces in Medieval-Italian architecture.
• Enjoy plenty of free time in Rome to discover the ancient Colosseum, stroll through Vatican City and gaze up towards the gods inside St Peter's Basilica.

A trip to admire the beautiful scenery of the Rhône valley

• CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS A cruise to admire the Provence and the beautiful scenery of the Rhône valley
• EXCURSIONS INCLUDED: Les Baux-de-Provence: jewel of the Alpilles and one of the "most beautiful villages in France"
• Arles and its vestiges of the Roman Empire
• The Camargue: wild and unique
• The Pont du Gard, architectural masterpiece

Cycle Provence

• Cycle through the same landscapes that inspired some of Vincent van Gogh's greatest masterpieces, like ‘Irises’ and the iconic ‘Starry Night’.
• Pass by fragrant fields on the way to the spectacular three-tiered city of Pont du Gard – this Roman aqueduct is a UNESCO World Heritage site and if it’s quiet, you’ll even get to ride the bridge!
• Search for wild white horses outside Camargue as you cycle to the Mediterranean Sea. The lakes of Camargue are also a bird spotters paradise, home to more than 400 species of birds.
• Encounter rich Roman history and architecture in the historic towns of Arles and Orange. You’ll see Van Gogh’s Cafe Terrace, the UNESCO World Heritage listed Roman Amphitheatre and one of the best-preserved Roman theatres in Europe.
• Stop in at famous vineyards outside Avignon and savour the delicious, regional French wines of the area. You deserve a reward after days of riding, don’t you?

The Magic of the Provençal Rhône and the Camargue

• CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS 5 days to discover the magic of the Provence and the Camargue
• EXCURSIONSINCLUDED: Discovery in jeeps through the wild Camargue
• Avignon and the Papal Palace with its private apartments
• The Ardèche Gorges, the most beautiful canyon in Europe

French Art and History Along the Rhône River

• CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS All excursions included: Mâcon, birthplace of Alphonse de Lamartine
• Medieval Pérouges
• Lyon and Les Halles de Lyon-Paul Bocuse
• The Palais Idéal du Facteur Cheval in Hauterives
• Multimedia experience at the Quarry of Lights in Les Baux-de-Provence

Lyon to the Tip of Provence on the Rhône and Saône Rivers

• CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS An exceptional cruise on the Saône to the mouth of the Rhône River. EXCURSIONS INCLUDED: Mâcon and its historic downtown
• The Beaujolais vineyards
• Lyon and its strategic street doorways
• The hanging houses in the Vercors Massif

All Arles , expedition cruises, self guided adventures and vacation packages. Find the best guided and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Read more about Arles

Small Group Arles Tours

The Best of Southern France: Provence and the Cote d'Azur

• Explore Provence’s lively open-air markets, medieval villages and natural environments
• Discover the famed medieval city of Avignon and the historic city of Nice on expert-led excursions
• Enjoy independent time to experience this beautiful and unique region on your own

French Art Voyage: Paris, the Rhône and the French Riviera

• I like to spend much of the day exploring
• Whether walking through historic neighborhoods at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I prefer to keep my days full
• Stairs don’t bother me, and I love to keep up with the group

Provence: The Art of Living

• Walking is the best way to get to know a new place
• I’m energetic and enjoy a good physical challenge, so I’m always ready to spend the day on the move
• Whether it’s public transit, city streets or village cobblestones, I’m game

C'est Magnifique: Exploring the Cities and Countryside of France

• Learn the story of the Allied Invasion of Normandy as you explore the D-Day landing beaches
• Taste the terroir, or “sense of place,” in foods like cheese from Normandy and wines from Bordeaux
• Discover two of the Loire Valley’s most stunning châteaux and stand in awe of the island fortress Mont Saint-Michel

Bon Voyage! France Family River Cruise 2023

• Feel inspired... as you and your family stand on the top deck of ms Emerald with Provençal landscapes before you… in Paris
• where the streets are paved in history… on bicycle sightseeing… along the cobblestone streets of medieval Viviers… together.The best way to experience French joie de vivre is to do what the locals do... pedal past landmark Parisian sites on a bicycle ride... take a fast train to Lyon... board a boat for a River Rhône cruise... learn to cook like a gourmet chef at a culinary school... discover the art of making chocolat... have lunch at a private ranch in Provence with French cowboys... paint like van Gogh in Arles (using chocolate instead of oils!)... walk on a triple-decker Roman bridge in Avignon... play pétanque in Viviers...

Bon Voyage! France Family River Cruise 2024

Best Arles Tours by Duration

Tours, Cruises & Private Trips

Best Arles Tours by Price

Top Arles Attractions & Experiences

Arles Tours & Travel Guide

Arles Attractions & Landmarks Guide

Arles reviews & ratings.

Sue & Dave & friends

Fantastic trip thank you. Martha awesome to deal with.

"Fantastic trip thank you. Martha awesome to deal with. The highlights for us were long lunches, history tour, fantastic towns and villages. We will be back in 3 yea...

Margaret, Maria & Paula

We had a fantastic trip, the ladies who organised it were extremely helpful (thank you) and I have already recommended them to several other people who are interested in this type of holiday.

"We had a fantastic trip, the ladies who organised it were extremely helpful (thank you) and I have already recommended them to several other people who are interest...

Fergal and Robert

Everything was very well organised including information, bikes, hotels, restaurants and luggage transfers.

Everything was very well organised including information, bikes, hotels, restaurants and luggage transfers. I will use you again!! Thank you. I have already recommen...

Pauline & Rex

Excellent bikes and the route was well planned and easy to follow.

Excellent bikes and the route was well planned and easy to follow. All the accommodation was excellent. The hosts at all destinations were helpful. A special thank y...

Jo, Michael & friends

Wow! We have just completed our cycling trip and we absolutely loved every second.

Wow! We have just completed our cycling trip and we absolutely loved every second. Thank you for your outstanding organisation: everything worked according to plan f...

See all Arles reviews

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Explore the list of top ranked local tour guides in Arles. Get tour activities offered by tour companies and independent travel guides in Arles.

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Arles Tour Operators

Suzart Tour

Suzart Tour, we are an agency that offers the best experiences in Nuremberg and Germany. We have ...

French Tour Oparator

Global Guide Services GmbH

GLOBAL GUIDE SERVICES offer local guided tours, as one company, in more than 2000 cities, for both ...

Bonjour Provence

Bonjour Provence. We are a small tour company with around 15 years experience in Provence. Our ...

Azurom Travel

Azurom is Boutique Travel ConceptWe are specialized into France explorations and Official ...

EXTRAVANGARDE UNIQUE AMSTERDAM | PARIS |

We are offering a unique oportunity to get know Paris  well by our local tour planner and ...

Prestige Services

WELCOME to all visitors,Our objective is to provide some of our best experiences in sightseeing ...

JEAN ALEXANDRE BENGUIGUI

Hello! My name is Alex,I am a full-time guide, and like professional guides in France, I am ...

GuideSud is a guide agency specialized in the southern France. We offer guide services in different ...

Experience San Sebastian

At Experience San Sebastian we provide incredible outdoor experiences, sightseeing and explore ...

Since 2019 Planetazur have been offering a variety of cultural and sporting activities from hiking ...

Century Incoming

Century Incoming, one of the leading travel companies in the leisure market, has been in business ...

Paris in person

Paris in person is a company started by a group of PhDs and PhD candidates from the different ...

Young tour agency with wow activities for you in Israel. Best price, attracting place, passionated ...

AS DSBW Travel

AS DSBW Travel is an Incoming company in Latvia & France with offices in Riga & Paris. - ...

Our company offers shared tours and transfers for groups and individuals across French ...

At the gateway to the Camargue stands the grand city of Arles. It still bears the fantastical monuments of its Roman heritage. There's a colossal amphitheater, the Les Arènes d'Arles, stained by age but formidable even after 2,000 years. There's the half-crumbled Thermes de Constantin, bathhouses where Roman nobles would once have shared secrets and stories. There’s the stately Place de la République, housing prominent churches, the Town Hall and an Obelisk that is said to date back to ancient Troy.

But that swirl of ancient porticoes and colonnades and arches is just the beginning of things. Arles tour guides are often quick to quip that this is the city of Van Gogh. The Dutch master painted many of his greatest works in the town – here a fiery nocturnal vision of the Café La Nuit, there a hazy glimpse of the dancing flowerbeds in the Old Arles hospital, now the Espace Van Gogh Art institution.

Life in Arles is a charm on its own, though. Even if you don't seek art spots or colossal Roman monuments, you can munch on croissants in sidewalk cafes and taste the tuna-rice of the Camargue in al fresco bistros under the stars. And talking of the Camargue, there are Arles tour guides at hand to help you explore the surrounding region. It's a beautiful patchwork of shingle beaches, wetlands, and grassy meadows that spreads out to the south.

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Top Tours in Arles, France

Arles tours.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Literary, Art & Music Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Walking Tours
• Private Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Archaeology Tours
• Scenic Railroads
• Multi-day Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Half-Day Van Gogh Tour of Provence from Avignon

2. Private Guided Tour of Arles

3. 4x4 Camargue Safari 4h - Departure from Arles

4. Van Gogh & Carrières de Lumières Half-Day Tour from Avignon

5. A day in Arles, Les Baux and Saint-Rémy

6. In the footsteps of Van Gogh in Provence from Avignon

7. Arles and Camargue Small-Group Half-Day Tour from Avignon

8. 4x4 Camargue Safari 4h - Private Tour - Departure from Arles

9. Van Gogh's Provence & Roman Sites - Small-Group Day Trip

10. Arles, Les Baux and Saint Remy de Provence from Marseille

11. Private Day Trip to Arles Les Baux de Provence and Saint Remy de Provence

12. Arles, Les Baux & Saint-Remy de Provence from Aix

13. History and Van Gogh in Provence from AIX-EN-PROVENCE

14. Provence Region Roman Abbey of Montmajour Entrance Ticket

15. Arles Small groupe tour : Private Day Trip to Luberon Villages

16. Arles: 2-Hour Private Walking Tour

17. Avignon, Les Baux, St Remy and Arles from MARSEILLE

18. Arles - St Remy - Les Baux de Provence - 8h

19. Marseille Shore Excursion: Private Day Trip to Arles, Les Baux de Provence and Saint Remy de Provence

20. Full day tour Roman Arles & Abbaye de Montmajor shore excursion

21. 4x4 safari - 4h Alpilles Provence - Departure from Arles

22. Arles and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence Private Tour

23. Provence Tour

24. Private Tour From Marseille to Arles Saint Remy & Les Baux

25. Private fullday Provence Lavender Fields

26. Arles Private Guided Walking Tour From Marseille

27. 5-day Private Nice, Provence, Burgundy, Paris Live Guided Tour

28. Arles to Marseille Airport (MRS) - Departure Private Transfer

29. Full Day Private Van Gogh Tour

30. provence day trips Arles,Les Baux and Saint Rémy

What travellers are saying.

• Half-Day Van Gogh Tour of Provence from Avignon
• 4x4 Camargue Safari 4h - Departure from Arles
• Arles and Camargue Small-Group Half-Day Tour from Avignon
• Van Gogh & Carrières de Lumières Half-Day Tour from Avignon
• In the footsteps of Van Gogh in Provence from Avignon
• Camargue Alpilles Safaris
• Haras des Bruns
• France Transfers - Vince Group
• Les Marais du Vigueirat
• Manade La Grand Ponche
• Moulin de Bédarrides
• Taco and Co

or with email

• Provence - Alpes - Cote d'Azur >

Private Day Trip To Luberon Villages from Arles

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Shore Excursion Benefits

This tour offers the following benefits to cruise passengers: Cruise Friendly Refund Policy Shore Excursions with this benefit will offer a full refund if any of the following occur: - Your cruise ship arrives late, and you miss your Shore Excursion as a result. - Your cruise ship changes its date of arrival and it is not possible to reschedule. - Your cruise ship skips port. - Your cruise is canceled by the cruise line. - You cancel prior to the Cancellation Deadline on your confirmation voucher. In the event of a refund claim for one of these reasons, Project Expedition will verify the cruise ship’s actual itinerary before processing a refund. To be eligible for a refund, you must submit your claim in writing no later than 14 days after the scheduled date of the Shore Excursion. Back to Ship Guarantee Project Expedition guarantees that you will get back to your ship on time, provided that all of the following requirements apply: - The Shore Excursion you booked offers the Back to Ship Guarantee. - Your Shore Excursion is scheduled to end no less than 2 hours prior to the scheduled departure time of your cruise ship. It is your responsibility to confirm your ship’s departure time prior to booking, in addition to re-confirming the ship’s itinerary on the day of the Shore Excursion. - You have not changed or deviated from the original itinerary of the Shore Excursion that you booked on Project Expedition. - The delay in returning to the ship was due to no fault or action of your own. In the event that you are not returned back to your cruise ship before it departs, Project Expedition will cover up to USD $500 per person towards transportation and/or accommodation necessary to travel to the next port of call. Receipts are required for reimbursement.

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Guided tours

Want to discover LUMA in the best conditions? Follow the guide!

Interested in a group tour?

To find all the information about it, go to our page dedicated to group visits .

Whether you want to learn more about the exhibitions, the landscaped park, the architecture of The Tower or explore it with your family through games... There are guided tours for all tastes and interests!

Family visit

Visite ludique : Les petits explorateurs de La Tour (in French only)

The Tower  becomes, for the duration of a visit, a territory of adventure to be explored with the family. Children and adults are invited, through a playful itinerary and a series of activities, to meet the architect, the designer and the artist, and thus discover an original architecture inspired by the landscapes of Arles and surprising works of art.

Visit offered in French (including timed ticket to enter The Tower).

Language: French Recommended age:  6 - 12 years Duration:  1h30 Prices:  €10 full price / €5 per additional child or adult

Atelier gourmand: Monstermosa (in French only)

Dates: Saturday April 20, Wednesday April 24, Saturday April 27, Wednesday May 1st, Sunday May 5, Thursday May 8, Saturday May 11, Monday May 20

Early spring is an opportunity to invite children and adults to discover a work full of colors and materials: MEMORY by Kerstin Brätsch. The Café du Parc becomes a place to explore, where funny little monsters adorn the walls. Then, a creative workshop will allow everyone to learn about mosaic and stucco marmo. Finally, a gourmet snack composed of local products will be shared.

Suitable for children from 6 to 12 years old

Language of the guided tour:  French Duration:  2h Time: from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Meeting point:  Entrance of The Tower, 35 avenue Victor Hugo, 13200 Arles Prices:  19€ valid for the first adult and the first child, 9€ per additional adult or child

Architectural tours

The Tower: an artistic and architectural journey 

On Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m. On Saturdays at 02:30 p.m.

During this guided tour you will be introduced to the LUMA Arles project, and the architecture of  The Tower  imagined by Frank Gehry. Throughout your journey through The Tower, you will discover the original artistic projects and design research works presented in this extraordinary building. Visit available in French and in English (including timed ticket to enter The Tower) Duration:  1h30 Prices:  €12 full price / €8 reduced price 

Parcours-découverte (in French only) Design et innovation dans la biorégion d'Arles - Camargue

This visit presents the research and applications of Atelier LUMA, a biodesign laboratory located in Le Magasin Electrique at the Parc des Ateliers. The teams have developed, prototyped and produced a complete range of equipment and materials that implement the research conducted for several years to create sustainable and local solutions. Exploring different spaces, this route allows you to discover several implementations distributed throughout the Parc des Ateliers. Visit available in French (including timed ticket to enter The Tower) Duration:  1h30 Prices:  €12 full price / €8 reduced price 

Exhibitions tour

Une heure, une expo (in French only)

For an hour, the mediators of LUMA Arles invite you to (re)discover an exhibition from the program. The exchange then continues over a drink in one of the  Parc des Ateliers establishments . Program of guided tours:   Hans-Ulrich Obrist Archive- Chapter 3 : Agnès Varda May 3 May 10 May 17 May 24 Constellation - Diane Arbus April 5  April 12 April 19 April 26

Visit offered in French (including timed ticket to enter The Tower). Duration:  1h30 Prices:  €12 full price / €8 reduced price

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Charging elephant kills an American woman on 'bucket list trip' in Zambia

An American woman who was on what she had called her "last big trip" was killed when a charging elephant flipped over the car she was traveling in at a national park in Zambia .

The “aggressive” creature buffeted the vehicle carrying six tourists and a guide, tour operator Wilderness said in a statement Tuesday. It said the 79-year-old victim died after Saturday's incident on a game drive at the Kafue National Park in western Zambia.

The company did not name the victim but Rona Wells, her daughter, identified her as Gail Mattson in a post on Facebook. She said her mother died in a “tragic accident while on her dream adventure.”

A video circulating on social media apparently showing the incident shows a large elephant running toward a car, which slows down as the animal approaches its left side. The elephant then flips the vehicle over and the passengers can be heard gasping as the car rolls over.

NBC News does not know the condition or identity of the person who filmed the video.

Photos shared online of the car, which is emblazoned with the logo of the tour operator, show it tipped onto its side after the incident, with a deep dent in two of its side doors.

Wilderness, which describes itself as a “leading conservation and hospitality company” operating in eight African countries, including Zambia, did not respond to NBC News when asked to confirm the authenticity of the video and the photos.

But the tour operator’s CEO, Keith Vincent, said in the statement that the company’s “guides are all extremely well trained and experienced.”

"Sadly in this instance the terrain and vegetation was such that the guide’s route became blocked and he could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough,” he added.

Another woman was also injured in the incident and taken to a medical facility in South Africa, the Wilderness statement said, adding that four others were treated for minor injuries.

“It’s extremely rare to see an elephant that irate,” Marlon du Toit, a wildlife photographer and safari guide, told the “TODAY” show Thursday. “Across Africa, there are thousands and thousands of guests on safari on a daily basis with no negative consequences.”

The exact cause of Mattson’s death was unclear, but the company said her body would be repatriated to her family in the United States with the support of local Zambian authorities and the U.S. Embassy in the capital, Lusaka.

“This is a tragic event and we extend our deepest condolences to the family of the guest who died,” the statement added.

NBC News has reached out to Mattson's family for further comment.

Kafue National Park is Zambia’s largest and oldest national park, according to its website, and spans an area of more than 8,000 square miles. Vast regions of the park remain unexplored and the website says it is home to a variety of untamed wildlife.

A 'bucket list trip'

Mattson spent her winters in Sun City West, Arizona, playing bridge and cards, but during the rest of the year, she "travels all over the world," her friend Brenda Biggs told NBC News. Biggs and her husband, John Longabauth, became friends with Mattson when they moved to the area 6 ½ years ago.

Longabauth said Mattson spoke to the couple about her upcoming safari trip about two weeks ago, and called it "one of her bucket list trips." He said she was very excited for the adventure.

Before she left, she gave the couple concert tickets for a show that would happen while she was traveling, telling them to enjoy the concert and "I'll see you when I get back," Longabauth recalled of the conversation.

Biggs said Mattson, who was almost 80 years old, told her that the African safari was her "my last big trip." She said Mattson was "super excited because it was like the culmination of all the trips that she had gone on."

An avid traveler, Mattson took to trips to Europe and Asia, Longabauth recalled, noting that she might have been to South America, too.

Biggs called her friend "flamboyant," "friendly" and "fabulous" and said she loved bright colors. Mattson had taken over Biggs’ job as the event planner for their 200-member bridge club, she said.

"Gail was one of the more up people you'd ever want to meet," Longabauth said. "She was always up. She was always optimistic. She was always seeing the good side of everybody."

Yuliya Talmazan is a reporter for NBC News Digital, based in London.

Rebecca Cohen is a breaking news reporter for NBC News.

Far North Queensland tour operators wait to reopen after ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper flooded Barron River

Warren Clinton stands on a muddy riverbank where his jetty and pontoon once stood.

He recounts his recent tribulations while they are still fresh in his mind but is frequently interrupted by the sound of his mobile phone ringing.

Each caller wants to take the riverboat tour of the mighty Barron River in Far North Queensland's rainforest mountain village of Kuranda.

Each time, Mr Clinton disappoints his caller — he does not know when he will be able to get back on the water.

"It's been very mentally draining, that's the most difficult part of it," he said.

Operators still waiting

More than three months have passed since the ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper caused Barron's largest flood in more than a century.

Far North Queensland is heavily reliant on the tourist dollar, with one in five people employed in the industry, according to Tourism Tropical North Queensland.

But some tourism operators, including Warren and Melissa Clinton, are still not back on their feet.

The business owners managed to save their boat from destruction in the flood, but the sheer deluge of water washed away their pontoon and a nearby weir.

"I've blocked out [tours] on our online booking system into May," Ms Clinton said.

"Because it's just taking so long and the weather is against you, getting the riverbank fixed and the weir fixed."

Peak season approaching

Governments have been encouraging tourists to go to far north Queensland ever since tropical cyclone Jasper struck in December, with discounted flights and accommodation packages .

Almost a three-hour drive north of Cairns is Cape Tribulation, a spot world famous for being the juncture of the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest.

Businesses there only opened to visitors in March for the first time since December, in time for the Easter weekend.

Café owner Lawrence Mason could not hide his relief at being able to work again.

But he is realistic about the "massive amount of repair work" still to be done on the road into his northern community.

A $10 million grant program to rebuild infrastructure will close mid-April.

Applicants are also waiting to find out whether they will receive a share of money set aside to support those who've lost income.

Tourism Minister Michael Healy said he hoped to advise all 119 applications of the outcome "in coming days".

Wildlife recovering

Tourism Tropical North Queensland chief executive Mark Olsen said it had been a "very stressful time".

"This is typically the launch pad for our main season but many of these businesses are coming in with very little cash flow," he said.

"So, we're hoping that in the next couple of days, we start to see those grant announcements coming through."

The Clintons expect it wil be at least five or six weeks before they can show people the wonders of the Barron again.

The visitors who make it there will see a very different landscape but the wildlife has shown signs of recovery.

"It's sort of helped clean the river, bring it back to its original wild state, I think," Mr Clinton said.

"The wildlife has been here longer than us, so they're used to this river flooding.

"It's amazing every year we go back after a flood, and the same fish are still there and the same crocodiles are still there."

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