Provenza: Parc du Luberon From Avignon to Senanque abbey through the orange hues of the ochres and the blooming lavender France: Haute . Our cycling route follows the entire ring of the Luberon natural park, pedal-ling through relaxing conifer woods and huge farms during the magic season when the lavender is in full bloom. From 23 to 30 June 2018

France: Haute Provence. Our cycling route follows the entire ring of the Luberon natural park, pedal- ling through relaxing conifer woods and huge farms during the magic season when the lavender is in full bloom. The starting point of our tour is Avignon, a spectacular town in where the precious papal palace stands out. Its imposing gothic structure of white stones overlooks the old town and the legendary bridge of Saint-Bénezet, the other symbol of the city.

Along the way we will find charming stone-made villages such as Lurmarin, Lacoste and Gordes, just to name but a few. The route take us to lands characterized by the warm colours of the ochres: we will first walk the “Ochres Path” in Roussillon, where we will be amazed by vivid and varied hues, and then we will visit the astonishing Provence’s Colorado, a natural park where the earth pyramids have stun- ning colours. The region is crossed by large and important rivers, we will enjoy the view over the Rhone, which flows through Avignon, the and the Sorgue, whose source is from a mysterious gorge in Fontaine-de-. We will cycle to the well-known Cistercian Abbey in Sénanque, situated in a wonderful, deep valley. The vast fields of blooming lavender with the abbey on the background is the classical picture in any kind of advertising material regarding Provence: hopefully we will be able to enjoy this stunning scenery.

Once back in Avignon, on the very last day, we will cycle southwest for an outing to Pont du Gard, a majestic Roman bridge and aqueduct over the river Gardon, surrounded by a wonderful natural envi- ronment. We will be bring back home the memories of artistic wonders painted with the colours of Provence, from the purple of the lavender to the deep green of the woods, the blue skies and the wide range of warm colours of the ochres.

PROGRAM DAY 1 / Individual transfer to Avignon. Meeting with the agency and bike delivery. AVIGNON – Hotel Au St. Roche **

DAY 2 / Avignon > Approximately 80 km – some small climbs – altitude approximately 550 m We leave Avignon following the river Durance, then we cycle in the countryside, we cross small rivers until we get to , a beautiful town at the gates of “Luberon Natural Park”. Here we cross conif- erous and holm forest and large vineyards of small vines. Before getting to Vaugines, we visit the charming little village of . VAUGINES – Hostellerie du Luberon ***

DAY 3 / Vaugines > Saint-Michel l’Observatoire Approximately 75 km – some climbs – altitude approximately 900 m We first cross the beautiful village of , featuring a large pool surrounded by hundred-year-old plane trees, then we cycle deep into the Park on wavy roads with some harder climbs. After the lunch- break in , we follow the south side of the Massif du Luberon. Before getting to the tiny village of Saint-Michel l’Observatoire, we are expected to climb a big hill along a beautiful and panoramic road. SAINT-MICHEL L’OBSERVATOIRE – Hotel Galilee ***

2018-Tour Luberon_EN pag 1 di 3 Overnight in DAY 4 / Saint-Michel l’Observatoire > Lumières Approximately 80 km – some climbs – altitude approximately 750 m We cycle in the heart of “Luberon Natural Park”, among forests, great landscapes and stone-made vil- lages. We visit the ancient villages of and Lacoste and finally we get to Lumières, where we overnight for 2 nights in the ancient convent of Notre-Dame, now converted into a wonderful hotel. LUMIÈRES – Hotellerie Notre Dame de Lumières ***

DAY 5 / Lumières > The Ochres Park > Lumières Approximately 65 km – some climbs – altitude approximately 600 m From the warm colours of the ochres to the vivid purple of the lavender. In this round itinerary we first cycle to Roussillon, famous for the ochres, and we walk along the Ochres Path, where we can en- joy the beautiful and vivid colours of the ground. We get to Provence’s Colorado in around lunch-time, a stunning natural park where the earth pyramids features orange, red and burgundy col- ours. Getting back to Lumières is easy, prevalently down-hill. LUMIÈRES – Hotellerie Notre Dame de Lumières ***

DAY 6 / Lumières > Avignon Approximately 75 km – some climbs – altitude approximately 450 m Last day in Luberon Natural Park. We visit one of the classic icons of Provence, the Cistercian Abbey in Sénanque: it’s situated in a stunning valley and getting there by bike is exciting. We pass through the beautiful stone-made village of Gordes and then we stop for lunch in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, where we visit the well-know source of La Sorgue river: the river comes from a mysterious gorge at the steps of a high cliff and it flows roaring towards the valley. AVIGNON – Hotel Au St. Roche **

DAY 7 / Avignon > Pont du Gard > Avignon Approximately 72 km – some climbs – altitude approximately 550 m Back in Avignon, in our last day we head south-west for a round trip that leads us to Pont du Gard, a majestic Roman bridge built with huge limestone blocks, featuring three sets of vast and breathtaking arches with the aqueduct flowing at the top. The bridge crosses the river Gordon and it strikes you for its imposing and daring architectural structure, still very well preserved.

DAY 8 / Departure Avignon. Breakfast in the hotel, free day and individual trip back.

Duration: 8 days, 7 nights, 6 days by bike. When: From 23 to 30 June 2018 Difficulty: advanced Place: France > Provence Tour description: The itinerary is as follows: a cycling tour starting and finishing in Avignon, and two circular routes, one from Avignon, the other one from Lumières. The tour takes place mainly on quiet roads, cycling paths and some short stretches with average traffic roads. Most roads are tarmacked, few are unsurfaced or dirt roads. The tour is both uphill and downhill with some challenging climbs.

PRICES AND CONDITIONS Number of participants Minimum 12 participants, maximum 24 participants

FEE PER PERSON € 1.170 in double room € 1.450 in single room € 1.170 in triple room

2018-Tour Luberon_EN pag 2 di 3 INCLUDED • 7 overnights with breakfast, in 3 stars hotels and one 2 stars hotel in Avignon. • 7 city taxes. • 5 dinners (3 courses) with typical dishes, drinks included (one glass of wine and water). • 5 picnics with bread, cold cuts, cheese, fruit, dessert, ½ l. water. • 3 tour leaders: 2 by bike, 1 on the support van (2 tour leaders for groups from 12 to 17). • Entrance ticket to the “Ochres Park” in Roussillon. • Support vehicle during the whole tour, with luggage transportation, picnic service and assistance. • Medical and baggage insurance. Details about the hotels are written on the program; due to reason of force majeure, hotels may be substitute with others of the same (or higher) category. NOT INCLUDED • Transfer from private accommodation to Avignon, bike rental, 2 dinners, 1 lunch, entrance tickets to museums and monuments, tips and everything not mentioned in the section “included”. Information about the fee 3 tour leaders are provided with groups of minimum 18 participants, 2 with less people. The tour starts with minimum 12 participants. If minimum number is not reached, the tour doesn’t start and the downpayment is refunded via bank transfer. Registration costs 35 €, already included in the individual fee, and includes insurance and secretarial allowances; once the tour is confirmed, this price can not be refunded if the customer withdraws. EXTRA, UPON REQUEST Bike rental. € 100 for high-quality bike rental. € 200 for high-quality E-Bike rental. € 5 for helmet rental. Padlock and one waterproof side bike pannier “Ortleb”. Bike delivery and retired on the spot. Verona > Avignone Transfer. € 170 per person for transfer from Verona to Avignon and back, on the agency’s van. € 80 for bike transport on the same route. This offer is subject to availability, with mini- mum 8 requests. Extra overnightsb B&B treatment and city tax. Hotel Au St. Roche ** in Avignone, 46 € per person in double room, 83 € in single room. OTHER INFORMATION Registration, substitution, penalties. 250 € needs to be deposited as downpayment at the moment of the enrolment. Once the tour is con- firmed, balance needs to be deposited not later then 60 days before departure. Customer renouncing may be substitute by another person if the organizer receives written notice. The substitute must sat- isfy all the conditions necessary to the service fruition. The substitute must reimburse the organizer for all the secretarial allowances, 20 € are to be deposited plus any extra costs related with the substi- tution. If the customer withdraws rom the contract, penalties are applied. Penalties are: • from the moment of the enrolment to 46 days before departure, 20 % of the cost of the tour; • 45 days before departure, 50 % of the cost of the tour; • 30 days before departure, full cost of the tour. Information and program changes Full information will be sent via email before the departure, with tour leaders’ name and contacts. Due to logistic or weather reasons, there might be some program changes. How to get to Avignon With own vehicle. It is possible to park in a garage in Avignon: cost approximately 10 € per day. By train. From Milano by TGV of French Railway SNCF. Approximately 8 hours with one train change. From Milano with Thello, approximately 8 hours to Marseille, then 1 hours and half to Avignon. By airplane. Airports of Avignon Caumont, Marseille-Provence, Nîmes-Arles-Camargue.

Technical organization: Simonetta Bike Tours | www.simonettabiketours.it Vicoletto Cieco San Carlo, 2 – 37129 Verona – Province of Verona authorization n. 6382/2010 Insurance ERV n. 62370160 - RC16 – Insurance AMITRAVEL 365 n. 6002002517/R Project sent to the province of Verona. The project complies with all the regulations of the International Agree- ment as for law n. 1084/77 and regulation n. 79/2011. Mandatory notice: the Italian law punishes prostitution and child pornography with imprisonment, even when committed abroad. Law 38/2006, art. 17.

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