Cycling holidays in Provence
| country: | France |
| location: | Provence |
| departures: | 2008: 21 Sep 2009: 26 Apr, 17 May, 7 Jun |
| price: | From £990 (8 days) per person, twin share, land only from Avignon, excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK. Max group size on this trip is 15. |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Loved for its natural beauty, towns filled with history, art, gastronomy, wine and traditions – Provence! Leave the main roads behind and discover olive groves, vineyards and awe-inspiring landscapes on this cycling adventure.We peddle our way through Uzès, a town of lofty towers and narrow streets, and picnic at the base of the first-century Roman Pont du Gard. In the Alpilles we explore Saint-Remy and Les Baux de Provence, spectacularly set atop a rocky outcrop and crowned with a ruined castle.
Along the banks of the Rhône River, we sample some of the region’s famous wine and then head all the way to Saintes Maries de la Mer on the Mediterranean coast, for its feast of folklore and its relaxing seaside ambiance. Includes: tour leader, transport, bicycles, repair kit, support vehicle, bike helmet, accomodation (7 nights comfortable hotel), some meals (7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners) and sightseeing.
For nearly 30 years, we have lead the field in small group adventure travel. See the iconic sights as well as get off the beaten track to discover the 'real' country, and come away understanding something more of the world. Our innovative and interactive itineraries include as much as possible to ensure that you get the most out of your valuable time away, but also contain plenty of time to relax and explore by yourself. Traveling in small group, and by private transport, means that you will have the company of other like-minded travelers, your holiday will be safe and stress-free and that the impact on environment and community is kept to a minimum.
As part of our responsible travel policy we also employ local leaders and actively avoid international hotel chains, preferring to give our patronage to authentic, centrally-located and owner-managed establishments whenever possible. Our locally born and raised leaders are great fun and will be a great part of your holiday because of their intimate knowledge of the sights, culture and customs, history and language of their homeland. Once you have traveled with a local leader you will understand that there is no better way!
Along the banks of the Rhône River, we sample some of the region’s famous wine and then head all the way to Saintes Maries de la Mer on the Mediterranean coast, for its feast of folklore and its relaxing seaside ambiance. Includes: tour leader, transport, bicycles, repair kit, support vehicle, bike helmet, accomodation (7 nights comfortable hotel), some meals (7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners) and sightseeing.
For nearly 30 years, we have lead the field in small group adventure travel. See the iconic sights as well as get off the beaten track to discover the 'real' country, and come away understanding something more of the world. Our innovative and interactive itineraries include as much as possible to ensure that you get the most out of your valuable time away, but also contain plenty of time to relax and explore by yourself. Traveling in small group, and by private transport, means that you will have the company of other like-minded travelers, your holiday will be safe and stress-free and that the impact on environment and community is kept to a minimum.
As part of our responsible travel policy we also employ local leaders and actively avoid international hotel chains, preferring to give our patronage to authentic, centrally-located and owner-managed establishments whenever possible. Our locally born and raised leaders are great fun and will be a great part of your holiday because of their intimate knowledge of the sights, culture and customs, history and language of their homeland. Once you have traveled with a local leader you will understand that there is no better way!
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | (Sun) Arrive in Avignon, the seat of the Papacy for almost 70 years in the 14th century. A place of history and theatre, this fortified city will not leave you unmoved. |
| Day 2: | Ride to Tavel, overlooking the mighty Rhone. As a wine producing 'appellation', Tavel is the only region in France that exclusively produces rose wine. Tavel is also renowned for its Stone of Tavel, a cold limestone so hard that it can only be worked with a chisel or grindstone.We then ride to Uzés, a town with welcoming cafes and picturesque architecture (50km). |
| Day 3: | Ride to Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie, known for its centuries old pottery tradition, the kilns have been working in the outskirts of the village since the 13th century (35km). |
| Day 4: | Ride to the Pont du Gard, a 2000 year old aqueduct that spans the Gard River. A marvel of ancient engineering, this three-tiered pont (bridge) is the highest aqueduct ever built by the Romans. We stop here for a picnic and a swim. Visit the 15th Century medieval castle of Tarascon or Souleïado Museum, home to Provence's great colourful fabrics. We then ride to our base, Arles, a town made famous in the painting's of Vincent Van Gogh (55km). |
| Day 5: | A day in the Alpilles, a chain of limestone peaks lying in the heart of Provence between Avignon and Arles - stop to enjoy the villages of Maussane, Les Baux de Provence and Van Gogh's Saint Remy de Provence (55km). |
| Day 6: | Ride to the ocean - stop in Arles before heading to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, a town rich in folklore, tradition and architectural diversity and inhabited over time by a succession of cultures including the Celts, Romans, Christians and most recently Romania Gypsies (55km). |
| Day 7: | Free day at beach, with a picnic on the beach prepared by your guide - optional ride along the ocean (25km). |
| Day 8: | Transfer to Avignon where trip ends upon arrival (Sun). |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places.highly commended
This tourism business was Highly Commended in our 2007 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards - the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine, of the Royal Geographical Society.Since 2004, the Awards has recognised individuals, companies and organisations in travel making a big commitment to the culture and economies of local communities and helping to conserve biodiversity.
how this holiday makes a difference
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Experience Provence through the eyes of a local, as your French tour leader gives you a first-hand insight into the exotic and colourful tapestry that makes up this vibrant area. Wandering around historic towns, walking on an ancient Roman aqueduct, exploring a medieval castle and visiting secluded villages imparts to travellers an awareness of these valuable historical gems and the importance of them being preserved and protected, so that they can be enjoyed and appreciated by future generations. The people living in the region also have a rich and enduring culture, which is unveiled on this trip. Equally important, your local tour leader helps you to understand the traditions of these proud people, ensuring you don’t commit any cultural ‘faux pas’.
To support tour programs in France this operator is training their tour leaders on a variety of issues, from environmental awareness to First Aid. This not only assists in the conduct of a tour but also provides leaders with important life skills. By only employing tour leaders born and bred in the regions they visit, they are supporting local economies. This operator prefers to give their patronage to small owner-managed hotels rather than those from international chains, as they feel these places offer quality and character and also directly benefit local people. Through offering employment and steady revenue, tourism can ultimately make a real positive difference to local communities. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |