Hilltop Villages of Provence Cycling - Short Break
Hilltop Villages of Provence Cycling - Short Break
$2090
Hilltop Villages of Provence Cycling - Short Break
5 Days Starting and ending in Pernes-Les-Fontaines
Visiting: France
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C04PL
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
On this four night holiday you'll discover the beauty of Provence - a region where refinement and tradition blend beautifully, and whose natural light and landscapes have served as inspiration to the likes of Van Gogh, Cezanne, Picasso and Dumas, not to mention Peter Mayle! You'll look out over a patchwork blanket of fields, olive groves, vineyards and, in the south east, apple orchards which cover the floor between the mountains on either side. While the vineyards here may not be as well-known as those of the Rhone, Burgundy and Bordeaux, some superb wines are produced here - so be sure to stop off for a tasting or two.
Highlights
Itinerary
Arrive at your 3 star hotel, just north of the town of Pernes-les-Fontaines.
There's plenty of time to relax and explore the hotel grounds before
dinner. *(Staying at Hotel l'Hermitage, Breakfast with dinner in local
restaurant)*
Day 2
Pass by Pernes-les-Fontaines before setting off alongside the Canal de
Carpentras and on through the beautiful scenery of the Vaucluse down to the
popular town of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. The old town here is entirely
surrounded by the clear waters of the River Sorgue. There are lots of lunch
options in the town, or you could stop a little further on in the pretty
village of Fontaine-de- Vaucluse. In the afternoon you climb to enjoy your
first spectacular views of the Luberon before descending past vineyards,
olive groves and windmills, and on to the ochre-painted village of
Roussillon, the starting point of the Ochre Trail. *(Staying at Hotel Les
Sables D'Ocre, Breakfast only)*
Day 3
After breakfast, set out along the Ochre Trail to the village of Gargas where
you have the opportunity to visit the Ochre Mines of Bruoux. A greenway cycle
path takes you on to the medieval town of Apt to explore the old town, or
simply enjoy a coffee, before heading south along country lanes where a
mixture of climbs and freewheeling takes you through some of the most
beautiful villages in Provence. First there's Bonnieux, from where nearby
Chateau la Connorgue (made famous by Ridley Scott's A Good Year) can be
visited for tastings - if you choose to climb higher up, simply incredible
views unfold. Then it's on to Lacoste to explore the ruined castle, once a
mighty fortification and now a spectacular viewpoint. From here you'll
freewheel down before another short climb to Menerbes, made famous by the
books of Peter Mayle, and a great place to stop for lunch. The last leg takes
you to Maubec where your hotel awaits - a 18th century farmhouse, restored in
the Provencal style, set amongst its own woodland with a lovely swimming pool
to relax beside before dinner. *(Staying in La Bastide du Bois Breant, Half
Board)*
Day 4
This morning you ride through apple country where you'll see orchards
aplenty. Following the lanes brings you to the medieval town of Le Thor,
after which you pass the ruins of the fortified monastery at Thouzon, along
with the Grotte de Thouzon; a network of caves carved out by an underground
river. Then it's back to Pernes-les-Fontaines where you have time to explore
the mediaeval old town and the numerous ancient stone fountains and
lavoirs. *(Staying at Hotel l'Hermitage, Breakfast with dinner in local
restaurant)*
Day 5
LEAVE PERNES-LES-FONTAINES
What's Included
-
Meals
4 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 2 dinners.
* All accommodation
* All continental breakfasts and 2 evening meals
* Services of your local Headwater Representative
* GPS route directions and maps
* /RideWithGPS/ navigation app
* High quality hybrid bikes
* Luggage transfers between ho
What's Not Included
-
OPTIONAL UPGRADES
-
Other flights, including regional departures
-
Room upgrades and extra nights at selected hotels
-
Business/club/first class fares on request
-
Flights from Heathrow to Marseille with British Airways, including onward rail and station transfers
-
First class rail
-
City break add-ons in Marseille and Nic
Food
All continental breakfasts and 2 evening meals included.
Provencale cuisine is a blend of many influences from the plentiful sea, to
neighbour Italy and the early Roman occupation. The soil is rich and the
climate is conducive to producing a wide variety of fruit and vegetables.
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 and
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.
Accommodation
We've hand-picked a lovely selection of hotels for your holiday. The Hotel l'Hermitage in Pernes-les-Fontaines is set in 2 hectares of grounds with a swimming pool and its own orangery; the Hotel les Sables d'Ocre in Roussillon sits amidst landscaped lawns with a relaxing pool area; while La Bastide du Bois Breant in Maubec provides a typically Provencal feel, sitting in its own woodland and boasting a lovely pool.
Check out our Q&As
-
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Luggage transfers between hotels
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
-
Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no specific health risks.
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Age 8+ can go on this tour.
-
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.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Wednesday - Sunday
Jul 10, 2024 - Jul 14, 2024Saturday - Wednesday
Jul 13, 2024 - Jul 17, 2024Wednesday - Sunday
Jul 17, 2024 - Jul 21, 2024Saturday - Wednesday
Jul 20, 2024 - Jul 24, 2024Wednesday - Sunday
Jul 24, 2024 - Jul 28, 2024Saturday - Wednesday
Jul 27, 2024 - Jul 31, 2024Wednesday - Sunday
Jul 31, 2024 - Aug 04, 2024Wednesday - Sunday
Aug 07, 2024 - Aug 11, 2024Saturday - Wednesday
Aug 10, 2024 - Aug 14, 2024Wednesday - Sunday
Aug 14, 2024 - Aug 18, 2024Saturday - Wednesday
Aug 17, 2024 - Aug 21, 2024Wednesday - Sunday
Aug 21, 2024 - Aug 25, 2024Saturday - Wednesday
Aug 24, 2024 - Aug 28, 2024Wednesday - Sunday
Aug 28, 2024 - Sep 01, 2024Saturday - Wednesday
Aug 31, 2024 - Sep 04, 2024Wednesday - Sunday
Sep 04, 2024 - Sep 08, 2024Saturday - Wednesday
Sep 07, 2024 - Sep 11, 2024Wednesday - Sunday
Sep 11, 2024 - Sep 15, 2024Saturday - Wednesday
Sep 14, 2024 - Sep 18, 2024Wednesday - Sunday
Sep 18, 2024 - Sep 22, 2024Saturday - Wednesday
Sep 21, 2024 - Sep 25, 2024Wednesday - Sunday
Sep 25, 2024 - Sep 29, 2024Saturday - Wednesday
Sep 28, 2024 - Oct 02, 2024Wednesday - Sunday
Oct 02, 2024 - Oct 06, 2024Saturday - Wednesday
Oct 05, 2024 - Oct 09, 2024Wednesday - Sunday
Oct 09, 2024 - Oct 13, 2024Saturday - Wednesday
Oct 12, 2024 - Oct 16, 2024Wednesday - Sunday
Oct 16, 2024 - Oct 20, 2024Saturday - Wednesday
Oct 19, 2024 - Oct 23, 2024Wednesday - Sunday
Apr 02, 2025 - Apr 06, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Apr 05, 2025 - Apr 09, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Apr 09, 2025 - Apr 13, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Apr 12, 2025 - Apr 16, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Apr 16, 2025 - Apr 20, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Apr 19, 2025 - Apr 23, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Apr 23, 2025 - Apr 27, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Apr 26, 2025 - Apr 30, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Apr 30, 2025 - May 04, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
May 03, 2025 - May 07, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
May 07, 2025 - May 11, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
May 10, 2025 - May 14, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
May 14, 2025 - May 18, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
May 17, 2025 - May 21, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
May 21, 2025 - May 25, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
May 24, 2025 - May 28, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
May 28, 2025 - Jun 01, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
May 31, 2025 - Jun 04, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Jun 04, 2025 - Jun 08, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Jun 07, 2025 - Jun 11, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Jun 11, 2025 - Jun 15, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Jun 14, 2025 - Jun 18, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Jun 18, 2025 - Jun 22, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Jun 21, 2025 - Jun 25, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Jun 25, 2025 - Jun 29, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Jun 28, 2025 - Jul 02, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Jul 02, 2025 - Jul 06, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Jul 05, 2025 - Jul 09, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Jul 09, 2025 - Jul 13, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Jul 12, 2025 - Jul 16, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Jul 16, 2025 - Jul 20, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Jul 19, 2025 - Jul 23, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Jul 23, 2025 - Jul 27, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Jul 26, 2025 - Jul 30, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Jul 30, 2025 - Aug 03, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Aug 02, 2025 - Aug 06, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Aug 06, 2025 - Aug 10, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Aug 09, 2025 - Aug 13, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Aug 13, 2025 - Aug 17, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Aug 16, 2025 - Aug 20, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Aug 20, 2025 - Aug 24, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Aug 23, 2025 - Aug 27, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Aug 27, 2025 - Aug 31, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Aug 30, 2025 - Sep 03, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Sep 03, 2025 - Sep 07, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Sep 06, 2025 - Sep 10, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Sep 10, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Sep 13, 2025 - Sep 17, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Sep 17, 2025 - Sep 21, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Sep 20, 2025 - Sep 24, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Sep 24, 2025 - Sep 28, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Sep 27, 2025 - Oct 01, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Oct 01, 2025 - Oct 05, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Oct 04, 2025 - Oct 08, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Oct 08, 2025 - Oct 12, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Oct 11, 2025 - Oct 15, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Oct 15, 2025 - Oct 19, 2025Saturday - Wednesday
Oct 18, 2025 - Oct 22, 2025Wednesday - Sunday
Oct 22, 2025 - Oct 26, 2025Book with Confidence
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Enquire for huge savings
Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.