Post-Easter Provence Cycling Tour
Guided tour - 17th April - 20th April, 2009
Feel like taking off this Easter, but want to save a little money? Try taking your Easter trip a week later!
Our Post-Easter Provence tour will allow you to do get away and save at the same time. By booking our exclusive post-Easter trip now, not only will you dramatically save on airfare, but you’ll save 50 euros off our package shelf price.
This offer is valid until February 20th.
395 Euros per person based on double occupancy - IF BOOKED BEFORE 20TH FEBRUARY
Friday, 17th April 2009Arrive in Avignon at the time of your choice. Note that you may travel seamlessly from a variety a gateways to Lyon Airport (LYS) and Paris’s Charles de Gaulle (CDG); both airports have train stations linked to Avignon TGV, so no change of station is required! We’ll pick you up from the Avignon TGV station and transfer you to the lovely village of Graveson.
Your hotel will be Le Mas des Amandiers (www.hotel-des-amandiers.com/), a 2-star property at the foothills of the Alpilles mountain range.
Enjoy a delicious meal of traditional Provencal dishes at the restaurant’s hotel, and afterwards relax in the peaceful surroundings of almond groves or the heated swimming pool.
Saturday, 18th April 2009
GRAVESON TO ARLES
45 km or 31 miles on easy terrain
Travel to Arles via the town of Tarascon, where one can admire and visit one of France's best-kept medieval fortresses, the Chateau of King Rene. Explore the castle or perhaps visit the Souleiado Museum, where you can find rare textiles and Provencal costumes. Once you reach Arles, you’ll have the opportunity to visit an awesome Roman arena (designated a UNESCO World Heritage site) and the lively streets. Look for the Café Van Gogh, which you make recognize as the café from his famous painting. You may want to grab a drink there as the evening falls, and imagine you’re in a piece of art! Tonight you’ll stay at the brightly decorated (in true Provencal fashion) Hotel des Acacias (www.hotel-acacias.com), a 2-star property.
Sunday, 19th April 2009
ARLES TO SAINT-REMY
56 km or 35 miles on easy terrain
On easy trails or quiet minor roads, you'll be biking at the foot of the mountain range, through fields of olive trees and vineyards. Since you’re nearby, you may stop for a true French wine tasting. On the ride to St. Remy, the scenery is breathtaking; your itinerary will take you through one of Provence’s most beautiful towns, Les Baux de Provence. This picturesque village is home to a chateau-fortress with unmatched views--on clear days--of Aix, Mont Sainte Victoire, Marseille, Arles, and Camargue. Natural rock formations and cliffs are sure to stun, while man-made cathedrals and chapels are known for their beauty, too. If you’re looking for souvenirs, J. Peyron makes saint figurines, known as “santons”, on the spot (or you can visit the museum). Finally, you’ll end up in another van Gogh painting… meaning the scene of “Starry Night”, St. Remy de Provence. Here you’ll spend the night at Canto Cigalo (www.cantocigalo.com/), a 2-star property
surrounded by mulberry trees.
Monday, 20th April 2009
SAINT-REMY TO AVIGNON
25 km or 15 miles on easy terrain
Today’s the last stretch! Your luggage will be delivered to a location next to the downtown train station allowing you to depart from Avignon at the time of your choice. We hope you’ll explore the city of Avignon, which is home to the grand Papal palace as well as the St. Benezet bridge made famous in the song “Sur le Pont d’Avignon”. If you’re tired of “old” things, there’s a fantastic modern art museum as well.