| country: | France |
| location: | Provence |
| departures: | 2010: 25 Apr, 30 May, 27 Jun, 29 Aug, 19 Sep, 3 Oct 2011: 24 Apr, 29 May, 26 Jun, 28 Aug |
| price: | From £1375 (7 days) excluding flights. We can arrange flights from the UK |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Loved for its natural beauty, towns filled with history, art, gastronomy, wine and traditions - Bienvenue en Provence! We leave the main roads behind and discover olive groves, vineyards and awe-inspiring landscapes on this scenic cycling adventure. In the Alpilles we explore Van Gogh's Saint Remy and Les Baux de Provence, spectacularly set atop a rocky outcrop and crowned with a ruined castle. From our base in Arles we explore the town's Gallo-Roman treasures and sample the ambiance that attracted Van Gogh and Gauguin to its cobblestones and cafes. 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.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | (Sun) Arrive in Avignon. |
| Day 2: | Ride to Saint Remy de Provence via the 12th-century Saint Frigolet Monastery (40km). |
| Day 3: | A day in the Alpilles - enjoy the villages of Maussane-les-Alpilles and Les Baux de Provence (45km). |
| Day 4: | Short morning ride on Van Gogh trails to wonderful Arles and its treasure trove of Gallo-Roman relics (25km). |
| Day 5: | Free day in Arles to relax or discover the old centre at your own pace. Optional ride to Saint Gilles and the Espeyran Chateau (50km). |
| Day 6: | Ride through the Camargue from Arles along the Mediterranean Sea to Sainte-Maries-de-la-Mer (50km). |
| Day 7: | Transfer to Arles where trip ends upon arrival (Sat). |
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. |











