Adventourus Active Vacations

7 day Independent tour

THE LOVELIEST HOTELS IN THE HEART OF PROVENCE

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 as the sun shines more than 3000 hours a year. Provence has not only an easy way of life, but is also one of the richest cultural regions of Europe. Numerous monuments testify to a long and great past, from the Greek and Roman period to the Middle Ages, and to modern times.
Avignon: the famous Papal Palace (world heritage), the medieval town and its imposing wall; Orange: possesses the best conserved Roman monuments such as the theater and the triumphal arch; Vaison la Romaine: is divided in a Roman city and a medieval town.

You'll cross the famous wineyards of the Côtes du Rhône, the lavender fields when you approach the Lubéron - with stay's in the lovely town of Isle sur la Sorgue; Fontaine de Vaucluse with its deepest spring of the world; Gordes is a typical little village of the Provence. Sénanque is, with Fontenay in Burgundy, the best preserved cistercian abbey in Europe, surrounded by lavender fields. Roussillon: this village is known for its splendid ochre rocks.

At last, we mention the quality of wine and food. During our cycle tour you'll discover the great foods of Provence and their Mediterranean flavour.

Arrival at Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. Splendid hotel with park, swimming pool and exceptional restaurant.

09:30 a.m. Information about the tour and distribution of the bikes. Visit Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, its historical centre, the great Chartreuse abbey, you cross the fruit plantations along the Rhône River, ride on the greatest Rhone island, Barthelasse, and arrive at Avignon. We recommend a visit to its centre, the Papal Palace (World Heritage), and the medievel bridge. Back to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.

Day 3: St Rémy de Provence (40 km)

You ride through the Little Crau and on small roads to St. Rémy de Provence crossing lovely villages as Barbentane, Graveson and Maillane. 2 nights in an exceptional hotel with a great Mediterranean park, swimming-pool and exceptional restaurant.

You can choose your program for this day. We recommend you go to the Greek and Roman monuments Glanum and Les Antiques, and then on small roads to Tarascon with one of the best conserved medieval centres and the greatest castle on the Rhone river. You can visit the manufacturer of the famous Provence Soleiado. Back to St. Rémy.

There are 2 ways to ride to Arles. The more sportslike leads you across the Alpilles mountains and to the village of Les Baux (but with one hill of about 5 km). On the top, you’ll have a very beautiful sight on this village and the whole Rhône delta and the Camargue. The other way has no slope and leads you along the Alpilles on small roads and across the great fruit plantations and rice fields to Arles where the painter Vincent van Gogh lived for nearly one year. The whole town is classified as World Heritage. Two night stay in a beautiful hotel in the centre of town.

You have enough time to visit this exceptional town and its Roman and medieval monuments. You can also ride to the nature reserve of Mas du Viguerat. Back to Arles by the famous bridge that Vincent van Gogh had painted in many versions.

Return to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon with our transfer bus. End of the tour or extend your holidays.

PRICE & DETAILS

DEPARTURE DATES:

This independent tour departs every Saturday from March 24 to October 27.

Choose your own departure date if you have 4 or more in your party.

- 6 nights accommodation in a double room with private facilities. The hotels we use on this tour are superior 3+ and 4 star hotels, chosen for their uniqueness and quality.

- full buffet breakfast daily

- transfer Arles - Villeneuve-lès-Avignon

- luggage transport from hotel to hotel.

- modern hybrid bicycle with 21 gears & pannier

- Detailed travel material, guides and route descriptions of places of interest

EASY: Paved cycle paths and quiet backstreets; very few hills, suitable for experienced and novice cyclists, as well as families.

The nearest airport is Avignon however it is very small. There are no public buses, train or shuttles serving Avignon  Airport.

Marseilles Airport is approx. 100km distant. Combined bus/rail transfers from Marseilles to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon will cost approx. $45.00

You may also take the TGV express train from Paris (3 hours), at a cost of $140, plus the local bus or taxi.