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Explore Provence with its colourful medieval villages, eclectic markets and good local wines
Arrive at your 3-star hotel in time to relax before dinner. *(Staying at Hotel l'Hermitage)*
Setting out from Pernes-les-Fontaines you immediately find yourself surrounded by a sea of swaying vines and spectacular views of the 'Giant of Provence', Mt Ventoux, and the Dentelles de Montmirail. Heading towards the mountains takes you around Carpentras into the sleepy village of Loriol-du-Comtat. It's then on to Aubignan, a small market town with ramparts dating back to the C14 and a pretty old quarter to explore - it's a perfect lunch spot. In the afternoon you'll come to the wine village of Vacqueyras, home to one of the Southern Rhone's bigger names, and from here make the short climb up to your beautiful hotel in Les Dentelles. *(Staying at Hotel Montmirail)*
Distance in Km: 31
Distance in Miles: 20
Today you are spoiled for choice. You can cycle through the Vacqueyras vineyards to the village of Gigondas, famous for its ruby-red wine, where you'll find masses of tasting opportunities (you can also visit Gigondas on foot by taking a leisurely stroll through the stunning Dentelles de Montmirail). Alternatively you could take a taxi to explore Orange with its famous UNESCO Roman amphitheatre and cathedral or to Chateauneuf du Pape for the world-famous vineyards there. However, if that all sounds too much you can simply relax by the pool and take in the wonderful Provencal ambiance.*(Staying at Hotel Montmirail)* * *
Distance in Km: 16
Distance in Miles: 10
Today you leave Les Dentelles behind as you head for the village of Beaumes-de-Venise with its muscat wines and olive oil museum. Then it's a gentle ride along quiet lanes, past olive groves at the foot of Mt Ventoux, to the ancient, fortified village of Caromb. Home to an impressive church, a 16th century watchtower and 14 fountains, it makes a nice option for lunch. With Mt Ventoux at your back now, head south through the vineyards to the mediaeval village of Mazan with its church wall made up of more than 60 Roman sarcophagi. Your home for the next two nights is the country chic Jardin de Mazan. *(Staying at Jardin de Mazan)*
Distance in Km: 25
Distance in Miles: 16
After breakfast take a ride to the lively village of Bedoin, named for the C8 Bedouins who settled there and home to the imposing church of Saint-Antonin, with its unique Spanish style - so different from any other in Provence. Bedoin is also the gateway to Mt Ventoux for more hardy cyclists seeking a challenge! From there follow established cycle routes to the Chateau Pesquie, which offers everything from a stroll in the vines, to a guided cellar tour, to a tasting, to a full picnic lunch in the gardens. Then it's back to Mazan, either to explore the village or relax by the pool before dinner.* You stay at the Jardin de Mazan (breakfast included)*
Distance in Km: 27
Distance in Miles: 17
This morning follow empty lanes and vineyard tracks to Malemort-du-Comtat before coming to the foot of the hill on which the wonderful mediaeval village of Venasque sits perched, still surrounded by the remains of its ramparts and three Saracen towers. Listed as one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages of France', there is also a lovely C11 baptistery right in the heart of the village. Heading back down leads you to the popular village of St-Didier with its great variety of lunch options. It's then a fairly short distance to the old town of Pernes-les- Fontaines where you should have time to explore before heading back to your hotel for a swim in the pool before dinner. *(Staying at Hotel l'Hermitage)*
Distance in Km: 26
Distance in Miles: 17
* 6 Nights, hotel-to-hotel
* 5 Days cycling
* GPS Navigation for routes
* High quality bikes provided
* Optional electric bikes
* Luggage transfers between hotels
All continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals included.
Whilst not the most sophisticated of the French cuisines, most dishes
use the excellent tasting local fresh produce. Cooking à la Provençale
uses local olive oil, garlic, peppers, tomatoes, courgettes, aubergines and
wild herbs, all ripened by the sun to give an intensity of flavour. You
can browse among the colours and smells, and make picnic purchases at the
lively local markets. The proximity of the sea makes fish and seafood an
important element of the local cuisine. Regional dishes include the famous
bouillabaisse, a rich fish stew served with aioli and rouille; the bourride
– a lighter version of the bouillabaisse; pistou soupe (summer vegetable
soup with a blend of garlic, basil and olive oil); authentic ratatouille,
large colourful salads an delicious courgette flower fritters. Tapenade and
anchoïade are savoury dips made with local olives and anchovies;
pissaladière is an onion tart with olives and anchovies and is very likely
to have come from the Romans.
Making wine, particularly rosé, has been Provence’s specialty for a
long time. The grapes and soil throughout the region vary a lot, but the
hot, sunny and dry climate is ideal for the local wines. The local red
grape varieties are used because they cope well with strong sun exposure
and poor soils: Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Tibouren
and Calitor. The rosés are made out of the same varieties but the musts
only macerate for a few hours so the fruits’ skin don’t darken the juice
or release too many tannins.
* 6 Nights, hotel-to-hotel
* 5 Days cycling
* GPS Navigation for routes
* High quality bikes provided
* Optional electric bikes
* Luggage transfers between hotels
Your route takes you along quiet country lanes across plains and gentle
foothills, with breath-taking views of Mt Ventoux acting as your backdrop for
the week. Highlights include 12th century Vacqueyras, which lies in close
proximity to the major names of the Southern Rhone as well as Orange and
Vaison-la-Romaine with their UNESCO listed Roman World Heritage sites, and
Beaumes-de-Venise, famous for its Muscat wine! From Mazan, birthplace of the
Festival de Provence, you can head off to the lively village of Bedoin at the
foot of 'The Giant of Provence', then on to sample a bespoke picnic and wine
pairing in the grounds of Chateau Pesquie. On your way back you have the
option to visit the perched village of Venasque before coming to
Pernes-les-Fontaines with its delightful old town and over 40 ancient stone
fountains.
Activity Level: 2 (Leisurely/Moderate)
Average daily distance: 25km (15.8 miles).
No. of days cycling: 5 (including 1 optional ride)
Vehicle Support: This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to cycle
independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the
logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a
map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags
are transported from one hotel to the next.
It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we
make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. Where
possible we stick to cycle tracks and quiet roads to make the journeys as
pleasant as possible, however, on occasion we have to use busier routes.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may
be others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised
together. The route notes contain an emergency assistance telephone number
should you need it and in emergencies.
*Please note that cycling helmets are compulsory in France for children under
12. As we are unable to provide these, we strongly recommend that you bring
your own.*
Hotels
We've hand-picked a great mix of hotels for you, each with a swimming pool
and each offering fine Provencal cuisine and cellars full of local wine. In
Pernes-les-Fontaines you stay in a 19th century stately manor house
surrounded by landscaped gardens; in Montmirail your hotel is a 17th century
villa tucked between vineyards and olive groves; then in Mazan you stay in a
18th century chateau, the former home of the Marquis de Sade.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. Your
luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided. Please note:
the walking and luggage transfers included in this tour are subject to a
minimum of 2 people (in total) booked on the departure. A supplement (payable
in advance) to cover these transfers and sole occupancy of a room will apply
if only 1 person travelling on a departure date.
All continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals included.
Whilst not the most sophisticated of the French cuisines, most dishes
use the excellent tasting local fresh produce. Cooking à la Provençale
uses local olive oil, garlic, peppers, tomatoes, courgettes, aubergines and
wild herbs, all ripened by the sun to give an intensity of flavour. You
can browse among the colours and smells, and make picnic purchases at the
lively local markets. The proximity of the sea makes fish and seafood an
important element of the local cuisine. Regional dishes include the famous
bouillabaisse, a rich fish stew served with aioli and rouille; the bourride
– a lighter version of the bouillabaisse; pistou soupe (summer vegetable
soup with a blend of garlic, basil and olive oil); authentic ratatouille,
large colourful salads an delicious courgette flower fritters. Tapenade and
anchoïade are savoury dips made with local olives and anchovies;
pissaladière is an onion tart with olives and anchovies and is very likely
to have come from the Romans.
Making wine, particularly rosé, has been Provence’s specialty for a
long time. The grapes and soil throughout the region vary a lot, but the
hot, sunny and dry climate is ideal for the local wines. The local red
grape varieties are used because they cope well with strong sun exposure
and poor soils: Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Tibouren
and Calitor. The rosés are made out of the same varieties but the musts
only macerate for a few hours so the fruits’ skin don’t darken the juice
or release too many tannins.
The tour itself normally begins at the start hotel in Pernes-Les-Fontaines on
the afternoon of day 1 of the itinerary.Arrival and departure transfers from
Marseille airport are included.
Flights:
We can also book flights for you. British Airways Heathrow to Marseille
07:20/10:15 then rail Marseille to Avignon TGV 12:39/13:19 and transfer to
hotel 40 minutes. Return: Transfer to station 40 minutes then rail Avignon
TGV to Marseille 12:43/13:25 then British Airways Marseille to Heathrow
16:50/17:50. Business/club/first class seats are available on request.
Standard transfers
Transfers included from Avignon TGV train station at 13:19, and back to
Avignon TGV train station at 11:50.
Alternative transfers
If you require alternative transfers (because you will be arriving at a
different time to our standard flights), then we can usually arrange these
for you (there may be an additional charge).
Temperatures tend to average around 30°C during the summer months and fall
to an average of 15°C during winter. The infamous Mistral wind can have a
great effect on the temperatures, particularly in the western part of
Provence.
July and August are very warm with little to no rainfall. Temperatures
tend to climb up to 30°C during the day. At night it cools off considerably,
especially on the coast, near a lake or in the mountains. In general, the
farther away from the coast the more oppressive the heat becomes during the
day.
The months around the high season are the most pleasant (May, June,
September, October) with average temperatures between 22°C and 27°C .
October is the most uncertain month of the four, but of course it can also be
a splendid month with warm, sunny days and practically no rain.
Waterproofs
Warm jumper/fleece
Suncream
Water bottle (1 litre) you will be able to refill each day at the
accommodation.
Swimming Costume
You will need spending money for meals not included in the itinerary and all
drinks. We suggest €25 per day to cover a few drinks if not then €10 per
day. On the days where lunch or dinner is not included expect to spend
€10-€15 for lunch and €15-€35 for dinner.
* Optional electric bikes
* Travel insurance
* Single supplements
* Any Solo traveller supplements (where only one person is travelling on a
departure date)
* Visas and vaccinations
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.
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