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Bike Tours |
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Cycle Touring |
Road Riding |
Mountain Bike |
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Cycling
through the
Vineyards and Lavender of Provence
Approx. 210 km - 250 km
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Tour type |
- cycle touring |
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Tour level |
-
easy |
Prices for this tour*:
7
day / 6 night tour
Self-guided
from 880 Euros per person
Guided from
1215 Euros per person
*based on 2
people sharing a twin room
make an enquiry
"When God created the sun, the earth, the mountains and seas, and put
them in place, he realised that a little of each remained. So he
gathered the bits together to make a paradise and the Provence was
born." A nice and nearly true story, isn't it? Provence and the Camargue.
The land of light, colours and scents. For these reasons, many well
known painters have lived in the Provence: Picasso, Van Gogh, Gauguin,
Matisse, Cézanne, Chagall ... The Mediterranean climate is pleasant, the
sun shines more than 3000 hours a year. The people live outside,
even during the winter, and play "Pétanque" and drink their "Pastis".
Provence not only has a relaxed way of life, but it is also one of the
richest cultural regions of Europe. Numerous monuments testify a long
and great past since the Greek and Roman periods going to the Middle Ages
and, at least, to the last centuries.
Avignon: the famous Pope Palace (world patrimony), the medieval town and
its imposing wall; Orange: possesses the best conserved Roman monuments
as the Theater and the triumph arch; Vaison la Romaine: is divided in an
Roman city and in medieval town on the hill. You'll cross the famous
vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône, the lavender fields when you approach
the Lubéron - well known by Peter Mayle - staying in the lovely town
of Isle sur la Sorgue.
Beautiful landscapes await you such as Fontaine de Vaucluse with its deepest spring
in the world. Gordes is a typical
village of the Provence. Sénanque is, with Fontenay in Burgundy,
the best conserved Cistercian abbey of Europe surrounded by lavender
fields. Roussillon: this village is known for its splendid ochre rocks.
And, finally, we have yet to mention the quality of the wine and food. During the
cycle tour you will discover the great meals of Provence and their
Mediterranean flavour.
The lavender fields generally bloom from the beginning of June to the
middle of July.
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Itinerary
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Day |
Activity |
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1 |
Arrival to Avignon |
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2 |
Avignon - Orange
Approx 40 km |
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3 |
Orange - Vaison-la-Romaine
Approx. 45 km |
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4 |
Vaison la Romaine - Isle-sur-Sorgue
Approx 55 km |
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5 |
Isle-sur-Sorgue - Lubéron
Approx. 40-60 km |
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6 |
Isle-sur-Sorgue - Avignon
Approx. 35 km |
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7 |
Departure from Avignon |
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Description of itinerary
(subject to alterations):
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Day |
Destination |
Ride Description |
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1 |
Avignon |
Arrival at Avignon. Dine and stay at Hotel
with swimming-pool and with a very good restaurant |
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2 |
Avignon - Orange
Approx 40 km
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Meeting at the hotel reception around 09.30
a.m. for more explanations on the tour and distribution of bikes -
if rented.
From Avignon to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and
then along the Rhône river to Roquemaure. You cross the Rhône and
arrive at Orange. Hotel ** and very good restaurant. |
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3 |
Orange - Vaison-la-Romaine
Approx. 45 km |
Today you ride in the vineyards of the Côtes
du Rhône and cross typical villages like
Sérignan, Ste Cécile
les Vignes, St. Roman
de Malegarde and Villedieu before you arrive at
Vaison la Romaine, lovely roman and medieval town. Hotel ** in the
centre and beautiful sight and very good restaurant.
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4 |
Vaison la Romaine - Isle-sur-Sorgue
Approx 55 km |
You continue to ride in the vineyards of the
Côtes du Rhône and cross the wine villages like
Rasteau, Gigondas,
Vacqueyras and Sarrans on quiet country roads and paths.
Very spectacular: (only possible from 15 May
to 15 September) transfer with a van to the top of the famous mountain
Mont Ventoux (1909 m) and then with the bike
more than 50 km down to the
lavender fields around Sault and further down to the
Lubéron-Valley (€ 30 surcharge per person). An unforgettable highlight!
Arrival at Isle sur
Sorgues, the 'Venice of the
Provence', because of the many little rivers with clean water. Hotel
*** with beautiful park with swimming-pools and naturally with a good
restaurant.
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5 |
Isle-sur-Sorgue - Lubéron,
Approx. 40-60 km |
This region is too beautiful to leave so
soon. So you stay at Isle sur Sorgue and explore the very lovely
valley of the Lubéron described by Peter Mayle. Some
more highlights
still await you. The village of Gordes and its famous
Vasarély Museum. Or,
not far from it the Cistercian abbey of Sénanque surrounded by
Lavender fields. And the Ocre rocks near the lovely village of
Roussillon which have given the typical colours to Provence.
Back to the hotel *** in Isle sur Sorgue.
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6 |
Isle-sur-Sorgue - Avignon,
Approx. 35 km |
Cycling along quiet country roads and along the
Durance river
back to Avignon where you can visit the historical centre and the
Pope Palace (World Patrimony). Dine and stay at Hotel with
swimming-pool and with very good restaurant.
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7 |
Avignon |
Departure |
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Route:
Flat, sometimes slightly undulating, usually not difficult, suitable for
everyone.
Bikes:
Our new country bikes have comfortable saddles, special
wheels, 18 gears or 7 gears with pedal breaks, lights, mudguard, anti-theft
device, luggage rack, 2 saddle-bags, bike stand and puncture repair kit.
What's included - Self Guided option:
Self-Guided:
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6
x nights Bed & Breakfast in carefully chosen 2 or 3 star hotels
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Secure bike storage
in Avignon |
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Luggage transport between the hotels
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limited to one piece per person |
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Detailed route guidance |
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Detailed travel material (route maps, route description, places of
interest, etc.) |
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Service hotline |
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Not
included in the price:
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Your journey to and from Avignon |
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The transfer to Mont Ventoux, € 30,00 per person,
(only possible from 15 May to 15 September) |
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Entrance fees to monuments |
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Drinks |
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Lunches |
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Insurance |
What's included - Guided option:
Guided, min. 6 persons:
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6
x nights half-board in carefully chosen 2 or 3 star hotels
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6
x 3-course evening meal |
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Luggage transport from hotel to hotel - limited to one piece per person |
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Admissions and tours according to the program |
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English speaking guide |
Not
included in the price:
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Your journey to and from Avignon |
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The transfer to Mont Ventoux, € 30,00 per person (only possible from
15 May to 15 September) |
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Entrance fees to monuments |
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Drinks |
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Lunches |
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Insurance |
Every Saturday between 21/3 and 24/10/2010.
Arrival on another day, for groups of 4 or more people, is possible.
Guided
min. 6 persons:
Saturday, 27/03,10/04, 24/04, 08/05, 05/06, 19/06,
03/07, 14/08, 28/08, 11/09, 25/09, 09/10, 16/10.
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make an enquiry
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Bike Tours |
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Cycle Touring |
Road Riding |
Mountain Bike |
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Adventure Travel Trade Association Member |
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Mountain Bike Instructor Award Scheme Accredited |
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