Hilltop Villages of Provence Cycling
Hilltop Villages of Provence Cycling
Hilltop Villages of Provence Cycling
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
Activities:
Tour Overview
This 4 night short break holiday has been designed to give you a taste of the famous hilltop villages which dot its breath-taking, lavender-scented Luberon region.
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
Day 1 : Arrive In Pernes-Les-Fontaines
Meals Included: Dinner
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 : Pernes-Les-Fontaines To Roussillon
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 included)
Day 3 : Roussillon To Fontaine De Vaucluse
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, Then head 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. 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. Then continue to Oppede le Vieux, another perched village before to reach Fontaine de Vaucluse. You stay at Hotel du Poete (breakfast included)
Day 4 : Fontaine De Vaucluse To Pernes-Les-Fontaines
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning you ride to L'Isle sur la Sorgue, then through apple country where you'll see orchards aplenty. Following the lanes brings you to the mediaeval town of Le Thor. 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. You stay at the Hotel l'Hermitage (breakfast at the hotel, evening meal at a local restaurant)
Day 5 : Leave Pernes-Les-Fontaines
Meals Included: Breakfast
What's Included
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All continental breakfasts and 2 evening meals
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GPS route directions and maps
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RideWithGPS navigation app
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High Quality Bikes
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Luggage transfers between hotels
What's Not Included
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Travel insuranceSingle supplement (available on request - compulsory supplement)Solo traveller supplements (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
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Flights from Heathrow to Marseille with British Airways, including onward rail and station transfers
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Other flights, including regional departures, Business/club/first class fares on request and First class rail
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Room upgrades and extra nights at selected hotels
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City break add-ons in Marseille and Nice
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.
Mode of Transport
This cycling tour offers high-quality bikes for your journey through the beautiful Provencal countryside. Luggage transfers between hotels are included, ensuring a hassle-free experience as you explore the quiet country lanes and cycle paths of the region.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of bicycles are provided for the tour?
High quality hybrid bikes are provided for the tour.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, all continental breakfasts and 2 evening meals are included in the tour package.
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Is there any assistance provided for navigation during the cycling tour?
Yes, GPS route directions and maps are provided, along with the RideWithGPS navigation app.
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Will my luggage be transferred between hotels during the tour?
Yes, luggage transfers between hotels are included in the tour.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
The tour includes a selection of hand-picked hotels, each with a swimming pool, such as Hotel l'Hermitage in Pernes-les-Fontaines, Hotel les Sables d'Ocre in Roussillon, and La Bastide du Bois Breant in Maubec.
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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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