Provence - Harvest Time
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Dates: late September 2010 Gateway Airport: Cote d’Azur Nice, France
Rating: Moderate (ideal for couples)
Price: 2900 Euro(double occupancy per person)
Single supplement 500 Euro (limited) |
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Itinerary Summary Day 1 – Arrival
Nice, France Day 2 – Seillans
65-95km
60-1300m Day 3 – Moissac-Bellevue
73-87km
700-950m Day 4 – Moissac-Bellevue
Loop rides or ???
Day 5 – Aix-en-Provence
90km, 500m
Day 6 – Gordes
68-82km
700-1000m Day 7 – Gordes
Loop rides
Day 8 – Vaison-la-Romaine
56-86km
700-2300m Day 9 – Vaison-la-Romaine
Route du Vin Loop
57km, 500m
Day 10 – Sault
51-92km
500-1700m Day 11 – Manosque
68-83km
600-1200m Day 12 – Manosque
Loop rides
Day 13 – Moustiers-St Marie
59-74km
500-800m Day 14 – Castellane
45-96km
500-1400m Day 15 – Vence
73-113km
600-1500m Nice, France |
Early fall in Provence is almost magical; the grape harvest filling the air with sweet fragrances and cool evenings to enjoy. The hordes of American tourists are mostly back home, so the locals can return to their more relaxed lifestyles. It is the time of year when cyclists seek to extend their summer riding for a few more weeks before the leaves fall marking the beginning of wet weather. The chanterelle mushrooms are plentifully served with meals at this time.
We designed this tour for couples to enjoy shared cycling pleasure with vast varieties of distance, elevation and endurance options. Whether you are seeking a leisurely 60km roll thru the countryside or a strenuous 90km loop over the Giant of Provence (Mt Ventoux), you get to choose your tempo and distance with our expert guidance each day.
Provence, the South of France and leisurely meals are almost synonymous terms for describing a way of life that is far from the hustle-bustle of big cities and the stresses of life. In keeping with a more leisurely approach to life, our cycle-tour of Provence incorporates a few of the many wonderful villages for our nightly rest and repas. Fall fragrances of ripe grapes in carts going from vineyard to winery will intoxicate our senses as we enjoy Provencal feasts prepared by masterful chefs using only the freshest of ingredients.
Provence, perhaps more than any other region, stimulates all of the senses with fragrances, flavors, friends and foto-opportunities beyond words. The colors of Provence are rich and vibrant, dominated by yellow, red, lavender, blue and olive. The leaves on shrubs and trees of the Haute-Provence (upper Provence) will blend into our consciousness to create a visual tapestry of color and texture that one must experience slowly.
The produce and products displayed at the weekly markets are changing from summer wear, herbs and fruit to heavier textiles and squashes as the local people of Provence prepare for winter winds that await. The days will be sunny and the evenings cool; ideal riding weather for cyclists looking for a few more great weeks of riding, before the rains and snows blow out of the north.
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Provencal colors and fragrances Wine Route Rides Harvest Time Mt Ventoux Quiet roads Quaint villages Delicious meals Gorges du Verdon Route du Vin |
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| Accommodations: 3 or 4 Star French Inns, B&Bs and family operated hotels; always clean, always well situated for post-ride relaxation |
Included:
15 nights, 15 breakfasts, 13 dinners, 2 grand picnics, ride snacks and drinks, maps and daily route descriptions, on the bike ride guides, van support, luggage transfers |
Excluded: 2 dinners, lunches, airfare, insurances, tips & gratuities |