zephyradventures DETAILED TRIP DESCRIPTION

PROVENCE BIKE, FOOD & WINE ADVENTURE

Provence, in the southwest of , is a land of rugged landscapes, sun-drenched fields, and charming hilltop towns. The intense colors and pleasant climate at one time drew the best painters in the world, including van Gogh, Renoir, Matisse, Cézanne, and Picasso. The cuisine is fresh and seasonal: seafood and lamb; fruits and vegetables such as melons, apricots, and asparagus; and olive oil and tomato-based sauces that supplant the traditional rich French cooking. We spend hands-on time with the local foods, visiting craft cheesemakers, an olive oil mill, a honey farm, and a fig plantation. We also sample a host of wonderful wines of the Côtes de Provence: we start in the Luberon area with whites and lighter reds, move into and with their deeper, flavorful varieties, ride through renowned Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and finish with the most famous rosé wines in France, near Tavel. Provence is also a renowned bicycling area. The many small side roads allow us to bicycle side by side, taking in views of lavender fields and passing through small farming villages. We cycle across flat valleys with occasional climbs to hilltop towns. France is probably the premier bicycling country in the world, thanks to the scenery, the hospitality, and the policy of paving even the smallest country road. Our six-day trip is centered on the town of , located on the banks of the Rhône River and during the 14th century the actual seat of the Pope and Catholic Church. We visit nearby towns including Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Gordes, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. As always, we have two or three biking routes each day (short, medium, and long) and a support van that is always there if you need it.

DAILY ITINERARY

DAY 1: We meet you at noon in Avignon, in the heart of Provence. You can choose to arrive the night before and stay in our preferred Avignon hotel or take the TGV high-speed train down from Paris or Geneva that morning. After introductions and a quick explanation of the tour, we are off on our bikes! We'll ride on a flat road along the Rhône River and then through quaint villages to St. Rémy-de-Provence, home of Nostradamus and the site where Van Gogh painted Starry Night, where we settle into our hotel and then take a short walk to dinner. Activity: Biking 19 or 39 kilometers Accommodation: Hotel Le Castelet des Alpilles, St. Remy-de-Provence

DAY 2: Today we start by visiting the incredible Wednesday morning market in St. Rémy-de-Provence, where we suggest you buy lunch for a picnic later. We then do a loop right into the countryside, visiting a fig farm and a goat cheese farm. The medium route will head to the majestic Château de Barbentane while the long route will head south through thickly forested lands up into the Alpilles Mountains, reaching the medeival, cobblestoned village of Les Baux-de-Provence, built right into the mountainside. If you have extra time in St. Rémy, you can visit the Saint Paul de Mausole psychiatric institution where Van Gogh was voluntarily held and the ancient Celtic (and then Roman) city of Glanum. Activity: Biking 18, 35 or 49 kilometers Accommodation: Hotel Le Castelet des Alpilles, St. Remy-de-Provence

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PROVENCE BIKE, FOOD & WINE ADVENTURE

DAY 3: We head northeast through the town of Noves and cross over the river into Caumont sur Durance. Here you can park your bike and explore the winding streets of the old town on foot, choosing one of the many small cafes for lunch. In the afternoon, we ride on rural roads through agricultural lands and a forest of cedar trees to the town of Cabrières d'Avignon, another picturesque village. On the way we stop at a rural cheese shop with over 100 varieties of cheese for sale. Optionally, you can detour to ancient Fontaine de , a small village known for an amazing river that shoots out of the ground nearby. It is then on to our hotel in les Imberts for a relaxing shower, a glass of wine, and dinner. Activity: Biking 37, 48 or 57 kilometers Accommodation: Le Mas de la Senancole, Les Imberts

DAY 4: Our first stop in the morning is the fantastic town of Gordes, noted as “one of the most beautiful villages of France,” which is saying a lot. Park your bike and walk through the old streets, up to the castle and the Abbey of Senanque. We then ride through the Domaniale de forest, rising on what is one of our hillier roads. But the effort is worth it, as we exit the forest into the town of Venasque, our second “most beautiful villages of France” town of the day. Perched on a hilltop with magnificent views of the plains below, Venasque is a great lunch stop. In the afternoon, we cycle through the towns of Saint- Didier, , and on our way to our next hotel in Vacqueyras. We are now in the heart of wine country and will have a pre-dinner wine tasting to sample the local grape varieties. For the long route today, you will add an extra morning loop taking you to Pont Julien (a Roman bridge dating to 3 BC and named for Julius Cesar) and lovely Roussillon. Activity: Biking 37, 55 or 79 kilometers Accommodation: Hotel Montmirail, Gigondas

DAY 5: Today we cycle through the vineyards, first crossing the Ouvèze River as we head into the wine town of Violès and continue across the flat plain to Jonquières and Courthézon, with its 12th century city ramparts and 12 fountains. It’s a beautiful morning ride through the heart of wine country. We stop along the way for a tour of a pastis factory (the typical Provencal workman's drink) and then reach the famous village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape for lunch on your own and perhaps a walk up to the fortress relic or a sip of wine in one of the many wine shops. The short route will end with a van pickup here while the medium route continues on into Avignon and our final tour night. A long route is also available through Tavel, birthplace of rosé wine in France. Activity: Biking 17, 47 or 73 kilometers Accommodation: Hotel du Palais de Papes, Avignon

DAY 6: You have several options on this, our final morning. You can choose a 15 kilometer bike ride on a flat island in the middle of the Rhone River near Avignon. Alternatively, you can put your bike aside and explore the town of Avignon on your own. Plus, you always have the option to sleep in late! Our tour ends at noon and you can choose to stay another night in the city, rent a car to explore other nearby areas, or jump on the train back to your departure city. Activity: Biking 15 kilometers

www.zephyradventures.com : : 888-758-8687 : : [email protected] zephyradventures DETAILED TRIP DESCRIPTION

PROVENCE BIKE, FOOD & WINE ADVENTURE

TRIP DETAILS

DATE April 22-April 27, 2014 COST $2,500 USD per person

OPTIONAL COSTS • Single supplement of $750 (single supplement is always optional; otherwise we will find you a roommate of the same gender)

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE We meet you in Avignon at noon the first day of the trip. You can arrive the night before and stay in our Avignon hotel or take the TGV high-speed train from Paris or Geneva that morning. On the last day, we will end in Avignon at noon, and you can choose to stay another night in the city, rent a car to explore other nearby areas, or jump on the train back to your departure city to head home.

WHAT’S INCLUDED • Our local guide joins at least one other Zephyr guide, with a third guide added if necessary. • Double occupancy lodging is included. If you are traveling solo, we will match you with another traveler of the same gender. However, you may pay a single supplement to have your own room. • All of your dinners and breakfasts are included. Gratuity for these meals is also included. We leave lunches open so that you have time to explore and enjoy the local flavors en route. • Some wine and food tastings are included and some are optional and “on your own.” We will specify this for you each day. • All your transportation is included once you meet your guides on the first day.

NOT INCLUDED Beverages, desserts, lunches, gratuities to your guides, personal expenses and travel to and from the destination. If you will be renting a bicycle there is a rental fee of 25 Euros per day.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Nights 1 & 2: Hotel Le Castelet des Alpilles Located in the town of St. Remy-de-Provence a wonderful walled town of 10,000 people; big enough to offer excellent sights and shopping, but small enough to explore on foot. The hotel is located in the center of town in an historic building.

Night 3: Le Mas de la Senancole Located in Les Imberts, this chateau-style hotel is centered around a beautiful swimming pool and gardens. Les Imberts is near the wonderful town of Gordes, which is positioned on the edge of the Plateau de Vaucluse. The highlights of our stay here are the pre-dinner challenge of boules (also known as petanc or bocci), a swim in the pool, and the delicious fine-dining meal at the hotel restaurant. www.zephyradventures.com : : 888-758-8687 : : [email protected] zephyradventures DETAILED TRIP DESCRIPTION

PROVENCE BIKE, FOOD & WINE ADVENTURE

Night 4: Hotel Montmirail The Hotel Montmirail is situated in an idyllically tranquil spot at the foot of the rocky Dentelles de Montmirail near the town of Vacqueyras, one of the premier wine towns in the region. The hotel is part of an operating chateau, complete with a winery on the property

Night 5: Hotel du Palais de Papes Our final hotel is back in Avignon, located in the heart of the city opposite the Palais de Papes. This is a perfect location to explore what is one of the nicest small cities in all of France.

BOOKING DETAILS

INTERESTED IN JOINING US? Call us at 888.758.8687 or email us to check availability, or to ask any questions you may have regarding this trip or any other travel ideas you may be considering.

TO BOOK YOUR ADVENTURE You can book online or by calling us at 888.758.8687. Zephyr Adventures requires a $500 deposit (payable by check or credit card) at the time of booking. The remaining balance is payable by check or credit card no later than 60 days prior to the start of the trip.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? We will send you a confirmation email after we receive your booking, as well as a link to detailed printer-friendly pre-departure documents: arrival and departure information, suggestions for making travel arrangements, a packing list, an invoice, information about your trip location and guides. It will also include a link to an information form and liability waiver. We will also provide you with a link to information about travel insurance. We highly recommend you purchase travel insurance because it protects you if you have an unexpected change in travel plans.

www.zephyradventures.com : : 888-758-8687 : : [email protected]