Hilltop Villages of Provence Cycling
Hilltop Villages of Provence Cycling
Hilltop Villages of Provence Cycling
5 Days Starting and ending in Pernes-Les-Fontaines, France
Visiting: Pernes-les-Fontaines, Roussillon, Provence
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
Trip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a captivating cycling adventure through the enchanting Hilltop Villages of Provence. This tour invites you to explore the lavender-scented landscapes of sun-drenched vineyards, olive groves, and apple orchards. Pedal along quiet country lanes and cycle paths, discovering medieval perched villages like Gordes and Bonnieux, each offering breathtaking views across the Luberon. Enjoy delightful lunch options and indulge in wine tastings at welcoming chateaux and estates. Stay in a selection of charming hotels, each featuring a swimming pool for relaxation after a day of cycling. With high-quality bikes and convenient luggage transfers, this tour ensures a seamless journey through the picturesque Provencal countryside, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the region's beauty and tranquility.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Pernes-Les-Fontaines
Location: Pernes-les-Fontaines
Accommodation Name: Hotel l'Hermitage
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
Location: Roussillon
Accommodation Name: Hotel Les Sables D'Ocre
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 only)
Day 3 : Roussillon To Fontaine De Vaucluse
Location: Provence
Accommodation Name: La Bastide du Bois Breant
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 : Fontaine De Vaucluse To Pernes-Les-Fontaines
Location: Pernes-les-Fontaines
Accommodation Name: Hotel l'Hermitage
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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
Location: Pernes-les-Fontaines
Meals Included: Breakfast
LEAVE PERNES-LES-FONTAINES
What's Included
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All continental breakfasts and 2 evening meals
All continental breakfasts and 2 evening meals are included in the tour package.
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GPS route directions and maps
GPS route directions and maps are provided for your convenience during the tour.
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RideWithGPS navigation app
The RideWithGPS navigation app is included to assist you on your cycling journey.
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High Quality Bikes
High quality bikes are provided for your cycling tour.
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Luggage transfers between hotels
Luggage transfers between hotels are included to ensure a hassle-free experience.
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All accommodation
All accommodation during the tour is included.
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Services of your local Headwater Representative
The services of a local Headwater Representative are included to assist you during your tour.
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance and supplements
Travel insurance, single supplement, and solo traveller supplements are not included and are available on request.
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Flights and transfers
Flights from Heathrow to Marseille, including onward rail and station transfers, are not included.
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Other flights and class upgrades
Other flights, including regional departures and Business/club/first class fares, are not included and are available on request.
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Room upgrades and extra nights
Room upgrades and extra nights at selected hotels are not included.
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City break add-ons
City break add-ons in Marseille and Nice are not included.
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?
The tour provides high-quality hybrid bikes for your journey through the Provencal countryside.
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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 luggage transfer provided during the tour?
Yes, luggage transfers between hotels are included to ensure a hassle-free experience.
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What kind of navigation support is available during the cycling tour?
The tour includes GPS route directions, maps, and the RideWithGPS navigation app for navigation support.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
The tour features 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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