Monuments and Vineyards
Moderate ride.
Overview:
Riding along the serene roads through the picturesque villages, a lifetime of wonderful memories will be permanently etched in your mind as you take in the breathtaking scenery. Various wineries, complete with tours and tastings, and monuments dot this 20-40 mile daily ride thru the Provence area. Choose the amount you would like to ride each day, as your bike can be put on the car at anytime. For those needing to be more challenged, additional loops are also available.
Itinerary:
DAY 1: Saturday July 7, 2012
Pick up of riders at AVIGNON TGV train station.
Transfer to your bed and breakfast, relax at the pool, and hydrate for the upcoming rides. Late afternoon brings bike fittings and warm-up rides/ equipment checks through the vineyards. Upon return, you will be able to enjoy social hour and dinner to follow.
Sleep at Mas de la croumiere.DAY 2: Sunday July 8, 2012.
Our first ride will be a refreshing morning ride thru local vineyards and canopied roads towards an underground spring, Fontaine de Vaucluse. We will also stop at a local winery for your first tasting.
In the afternoon, we will head by car to Avignon. Some highlights of your stroll thru town include the Pont St. Benezet and the Palace of the Popes.
Tonight following dinner, our host Patrick will give some wine tasting pointers to prepare you for tomorrow’s ride through Chateauneuf-du-pape.
Sleep at Masde la croumiere.DAY 3:Monday July 9, 2012
This morning we will ride to Orange and it's famous Arc de Triomphe. While in Orange, we will also take a tour of the best preserved Roman amphitheater in Europe, the Theatre Antique.
Our afternoon will include a picnic lunch on our way to Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Multiple wineries to taste the great wines of this region await us. We will finish the day here visiting the nicest Hotel de Ville, city hall, in France, the Chateau de Val Seille.
Sleep at Mas de la croumiere.DAY 4: Tuesday July 10, 2012
Today we will ride to Vaison la Romaine. On this day, market day, the streets of Vaison will be filled with local vendors. You will be able to have lunch at the café terrasses of your choice. Don’t forget to try the lavender ice cream! Another amphitheater and roman ruins are open to the public, as well as the “little train” to visit the old town.
The ride back takes us thru the perched village of Seguret, Sablet, and Gigondas. While in Gigondas , we will stop at one of the best wineries, Pierre Amadieu.
Sleep at Mas de la croumiere.DAY 5: Wednesday July 11, 2012
We are bidding farewell to the Roman Provence and heading toward the Provence of the popes and templars.
We will stop on our way to visit the castle of Suze-la-rousse and then have a picnic under the pine trees. It’s back on the saddle to finish in Valreas, which is our stop for 2 nights.
We will taste wine at a private cellar tonight.
Sleep at le Grand Hotel in Valreas.
DAY 6: Thursday July 12, 2012
Today we are riding a loop around Valreas. It will take us through the towns of Visan, Richerenche and Grillon.We will ride on low frequentation roads winding through vineyards, truffle oaks, fruit orchard and lavenders fields.
We will finish the day with a winery visit in Valreas.
Sleep at le Grand Hotel in Valreas.
DAY 7: Friday July 13, 2012
Ride to Grignan,where we will visit the castle , a medieval fortress altered during the Renaissance into a prestigious residence and then again in the 17th century.
We will then ride the abbey of Aiguebelle, where we will stop for a picnic.
After this break we will ride through a beautiful forest to our rest stop for the night.
Sleep at “Domaine le Colombier”
DAY 8: Saturday July 14, 2012 ( Bastille day)
After one last wonderful breakfast, you will have the opportunity to do one last short loop around the hotel.
Transfer to the train station in AVIGNON TGV or depart from Montelimar, your choice. Check with us to see what departure city would best suit your needs..
Price and dates:
8 days / 7 nights: $ 2275 in double occupancy.
Starts Saturday July 7, 2012.
$500 supplement for single occupancy.
Hotel option for first 4 nights: $60/night.
5% off for groups of 6 or more
What is included:
Transport from AVIGNON TGV to the Bed and Breakfast.
Road bike with a triple ring. Limited optional high end road bike available.
Detailed maps and cue sheets.
Commemorative T-shirt, water bottle, and gear bag.
7 nights.
7 breakfasts.
7 dinners with wine included most of the time.
Snacks on the bike.
Transport of your luggage to the next overnight .
Broom car sweeping the road to pick you up or offer assistance (limited spare parts and tools available in car).
Electronic copy of all pictures we take of you.
All museums entrance fees.
All winery visits.
All gratuities.
Transport to AVIGNON TGV or Montelimar train station on last day.
Memories for a lifetime.
Available for a supplement:
Electric bikes.
Upgrade to hotel stays for the first 4 nights.
Extend you stay at beginning or end of the tour.
Please note: Final itinerary and accommodations are subject to revision;any changes made are done in an attempt to provide the best possible trip given the route conditions and available services.