Cotes Du Ventoux Cycling
Cotes Du Ventoux Cycling
Cotes Du Ventoux Cycling
7 Days Starting and ending in Pernes-Les-Fontaines
Visiting: Pernes-les-Fontaines, Vacqueyras, Mazan
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C06PV
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Activities:
Tour Overview
With a history dating back to Roman times, today the Vaucluse is a patchwork of vineyards punctuated by olive groves and watched over by the silent majesty of Mt Ventoux - a Mecca for cyclists who come to challenge themselves in emulation of their Tour de France heroes. Our gentle 6 night cycling holiday, however, offers you a much more relaxed way to take in this fabulous region, one of the most fertile plains in southern France and home to such wine appellations as Gigondas, Vacqueyras and, further afield, Chateauneuf-du-Pape. It's also home to the Ventoux appellation which, although not as well-known as its cousins from the Rhone Valley, offers some fantastic wines at equally impressive prices.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Pernes-Les-Fontaines
Location: Pernes-les-Fontaines
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive at your 3-star hotel in time to relax before dinner. (Staying at Hotel l'Hermitage)
Day 2 : Pernes-Les-Fontaines To Vacqueyras
Location: Vacqueyras
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Setting out from Pernes-les-Fontaines you immediately find yourself surrounded by a sea of swaying vines and spectacular views of the 'Giant of Provence', Mt Ventoux, and the Dentelles de Montmirail. Heading towards the mountains takes you around Carpentras into the sleepy village of Loriol-du-Comtat. It's then on to Aubignan, a small market town with ramparts dating back to the C14 and a pretty old quarter to explore - it's a perfect lunch spot. In the afternoon you'll come to the wine village of Vacqueyras, home to one of the Southern Rhone's bigger names, and from here make the short climb up to your beautiful hotel in Les Dentelles. (Staying at Hotel Montmirail)
Day 3 : At Vacqueyras
Location: Vacqueyras
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you are spoiled for choice. You can cycle through the Vacqueyras vineyards to the village of Gigondas, famous for its ruby-red wine, where you'll find masses of tasting opportunities (you can also visit Gigondas on foot by taking a leisurely stroll through the stunning Dentelles de Montmirail). Alternatively you could take a taxi to explore Orange with its famous UNESCO Roman amphitheatre and cathedral or to Chateauneuf du Pape for the world-famous vineyards there. However, if that all sounds too much you can simply relax by the pool and take in the wonderful Provencal ambiance.(Staying at Hotel Montmirail)
Day 4 : Vacqueyras To Mazan
Location: Mazan
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you leave Les Dentelles behind as you head for the village of Beaumes-de-Venise with its muscat wines and olive oil museum. Then it's a gentle ride along quiet lanes, past olive groves at the foot of Mt Ventoux, to the ancient, fortified village of Caromb. Home to an impressive church, a 16th century watchtower and 14 fountains, it makes a nice option for lunch. With Mt Ventoux at your back now, head south through the vineyards to the mediaeval village of Mazan with its church wall made up of more than 60 Roman sarcophagi. Your home for the next two nights is the country chic Jardin de Mazan. (Staying at Jardin de Mazan)
Day 5 : At Mazan
Location: Mazan
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast take a ride to the lively village of Bedoin, named for the C8 Bedouins who settled there and home to the imposing church of Saint-Antonin, with its unique Spanish style - so different from any other in Provence. Bedoin is also the gateway to Mt Ventoux for more hardy cyclists seeking a challenge! From there follow established cycle routes to the Chateau Pesquie, which offers everything from a stroll in the vines, to a guided cellar tour, to a tasting, to a full picnic lunch in the gardens. Then it's back to Mazan, either to explore the village or relax by the pool before dinner. You stay at the Jardin de Mazan (breakfast included)
Day 6 : Mazan To Pernes-Les-Fontaines
Location: Pernes-les-Fontaines
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning follow empty lanes and vineyard tracks to Malemort-du-Comtat before coming to the foot of the hill on which the wonderful mediaeval village of Venasque sits perched, still surrounded by the remains of its ramparts and three Saracen towers. Listed as one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages of France', there is also a lovely C11 baptistery right in the heart of the village. Heading back down leads you to the popular village of St-Didier with its great variety of lunch options. It's then a fairly short distance to the old town of Pernes-les- Fontaines where you should have time to explore before heading back to your hotel for a swim in the pool before dinner. (Staying at Hotel l'Hermitage)
Day 7 : Leave Pernes-Les-Fontaines
Location: Pernes-les-Fontaines
Meals Included: Breakfast
What's Included
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All continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals
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GPS Navigation for routes
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High Quality Bikes
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Luggage transfers between hotels
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single supplements (available on request - compulsory supplement)
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Solo traveller supplements (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
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Visas and vaccinations
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Arrival & departure transfers (if booking a land only package)
Food
All continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals included. Whilst not the most sophisticated of the French cuisines, most dishes use the excellent tasting local fresh produce. Cooking à la Provencale uses local olive oil, garlic, peppers, tomatoes, courgettes, aubergines and wild herbs, all ripened by the sun to give an intensity of flavour. You can browse among the colours and smells, and make picnic purchases at the lively local markets. The proximity of the sea makes fish and seafood an important element of the local cuisine. Regional dishes include the famous bouillabaisse, a rich fish stew served with aioli and rouille; the bourride – a lighter version of the bouillabaisse; pistou soupe (summer vegetable soup with a blend of garlic, basil and olive oil); authentic ratatouille, large colourful salads an delicious courgette flower fritters. Tapenade and anchoïade are savoury dips made with local olives and anchovies; pissaladière is an onion tart with olives and anchovies and is very likely to have come from the Romans. Making wine, particularly rosé, has been Provence’s specialty for a long time. The grapes and soil throughout the region vary a lot, but the hot, sunny and dry climate is ideal for the local wines. The local red grape varieties are used because they cope well with strong sun exposure and poor soils: Carignan, Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, Tibouren and Calitor. The rosés are made out of the same varieties but the musts only macerate for a few hours so the fruits’ skin don’t darken the juice or release too many tannins.
Accommodation
We've hand-picked a great mix of hotels for you, each with a swimming pool and each offering fine Provencal cuisine and cellars full of local wine. In Pernes-les-Fontaines you stay in a 19th century stately manor house surrounded by landscaped gardens; in Montmirail your hotel is a 17th century villa tucked between vineyards and olive groves; then in Mazan you stay in a 18th century chateau, the former home of the Marquis de Sade.
Mode of Transport
This self-guided cycling tour provides high-quality bikes and GPS navigation for routes, ensuring a seamless journey through the picturesque landscapes of Provence. Luggage transfers between hotels are included, allowing you to enjoy the ride without any hassle.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation can I expect during the Cotes Du Ventoux Cycling tour?
You will stay in a mix of family-run hotels, each with a swimming pool. In Pernes-les-Fontaines, you'll stay in a 19th-century stately manor house surrounded by landscaped gardens. In Montmirail, your accommodation is a 17th-century villa tucked between vineyards and olive groves. In Mazan, you'll stay in an 18th-century chateau, the former home of the Marquis de Sade.
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Are meals included in the Cotes Du Ventoux Cycling tour?
Yes, all continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals are included in the tour.
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What kind of cycling experience can I expect on this tour?
The tour offers gentle cycling between vineyards, quiet lanes, and tranquil countryside at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail. You will have opportunities to explore colorful medieval towns and villages, and there are plenty of wine tasting opportunities along the way.
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Is there any support provided for navigation during the cycling tour?
Yes, GPS navigation for routes is provided to assist you during the cycling tour.
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What happens if I have luggage during the cycling tour?
Luggage transfers between hotels are included, so you don't have to worry about carrying your luggage while cycling.
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What are some of the highlights of the Cotes Du Ventoux Cycling tour?
Highlights include cycling between the vineyards of the Cotes-du-Rhone and Ventoux appellations, exploring colorful medieval towns and villages, enjoying good local wines with tasting opportunities, and experiencing the lively Bedoin, gateway to the incredible Mt Ventoux.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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