Provence Biking Duration: 5 nights / 6 days Start: Avignon Finish: Avignon Price From: $6,495 pp (based on 4 people, double occupancy) Request your date for exact pricing. Designed by Dana Quinn Now living in the Cote D azur after many years in Italy, Dana has transitioned perfectly from one of our most veteran guides to one of our expert trip designers. A guiding and researching career that s spanned nearly two decades has left few stones unturned in Italy, France, Greece, Croatia and beyond. Having sailed through many islands, her latest favourite is Corsica for its wild and mysterious beauty. This is one of our Private Ready-to-Book trips. Think of B&R s Ready-to-Book collection of carefully crafted itineraries as prêt-à-porter from your favourite designer. These trips showcase the essential highlights of each destination, and because they are set to go, booking your private trip couldn t be easier. Please note that your final itinerary may vary slightly from this one as we continuously research and develop each trip. Inclement weather though we d like to think there won t be any may also necessitate minor alterations. All pricing in U.S. dollars. 2016 Butterfield & Robinson Inc. 1-800-387-1147 www.butterfield.com
Your Journey In some ways, Provence requires no introduction. We all have ready images of its bucolic landscapes, painted purple with lavender and of gnarled olive trees, majestic cypresses, plus all that magical light made famous by Van Gogh. Author Peter Mayle introduced us to the enduring charm of the locals, while the Tour de France has etched Mont Ventoux in our brains. Still, such images only scratch the surface in terms of the region s beauty, history, culture and cuisine, with some picturesque pedaling along the way. Day 1 The Côte de Rhone Your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Avignon, where you ll have a short drive to the village of Tavel, one of the Côte de Rhone villages that has a well deserved reputation for its rosé wine. The ride will start off on flat terrain and then continue over some rolling hills as you leave Saint-Victor-La- Coste and enter a quiet forested area. You ll stop on route for a local Provençal lunch (and of course a glass of rosé) before cycling to the artisan village of St-Quentin-la-Poterie, home of fine ceramics production since the 14th century. Here you ll have a free flow visit of the small museum dedicated to the history of pottery around the Mediterranean as well as a visit to the local artisans ateliers. From St-Quentin, it is a short cycle on the path to Uzès, once used by the locals for walking or riding (on horseback) to and from the local market. Back at the hotel you can choose between visiting the hotel spa or joining our local guide in the Place aux Herbes, Uzès central market square tucked amid Renaissance mansions and medieval stairways. You ll follow your guide through the stone sculpted passageways deep into the town s medieval past. After a welcome aperitif, you can enjoy dinner in the hotel s dining room to sample the Michelin starred chef s Provençal gastronomic creations. Activity: a 50 km (36 mi.) ride with some climbing HOTEL La Maison d Uzes, Uzes This three hundred-year-old house and historic monument, tucked away down an alley in the majestic city of Uzès, has recovered all its former glory. Behind its imposing façade, a monumental 17th-century staircase and a back stair lead to guest rooms replete with contemporary decor. The hotel s chef was the youngest Michelin starred chef in 2014 at the age of 25!
Pont de Gard & St Remy Day 2 A great day of riding lies ahead with the countryside changing dramatically as you move south into the heart of Provence. You start the next day with a 20 minute drive to the Pont du Gard (although an optional door to door ride is possible for the keen cyclists). This majestic aqueduct is part of a system that was built in the 4th century to carry water from a spring near Uzés to the new Roman town of Nimes. When the Roman Empire fell at the end of the 5th century, the aqueduct fell into disuse. Recently, a large museum complex has been built to showcase this aqueduct s historical importance. After cycling across the part of the bridge that was reconstructed in 1747, you ll explore the left bank of the Rhône River and its fruit-filled valleys that are infused with the smell of Provençal herbs in the summer. You ll pass by seemingly sleepy towns such as Boulbon, however if you look up high, you will see the fragile 10thC walls encircling a crumbling château, a symbol of the town s bloody medieval history. You ll stop for lunch in Vallabrègues, historically known for is basket making industry. Lunch is set in a typical Provençal mas (farmhouse), run by the Marin family, who have been cultivating this land for six generations. After your superb feast of fresh ingredients, you ll pedal over a small plateau and through orchards as you enter the countryside around St-Rémy, then into the heart of the old town to our home for the next two nights, Hotel Tourrel. For those interested, you can learn how to play a game of boules with the locals. Tonight you ll explore the town of St-Rémy on your own, with the guide s recommendations of course. Activity: a 55 km (34 mi.) very diverse and rolling ride. An optional extra 15 km (9 mi.) is available Day 3 Les Alpilles Today you ll cycle around Les Alpilles, the small range of mountains protected as a National Park. Here, you ll ride through olive groves and lush orchards on your way to the mountain-top village of Les Baux, a gothic fairytale hidden amongst dramatic limestone cliffs and abandoned bauxite quarries (from which the town is named). After lunch in the charming village of Maussane, the ride heads back to St-Rémy through fruit orchards and, before you know it, you are back at your hotel. Your stay in this part of Provence wouldn t be complete without some Van Gogh time. In the late afternoon you ll meet our local guide Mathilde, who sheds Provençal light on the life and work of Vincent van Gogh. You visit the famous hospital where he resided during his stay here, as well as see first-hand the landscapes that he brought to life on canvas. With an acclaimed restaurant on site, we
would suggest dining at the hotel tonight. Activity: a 55 km (35 mi.) loop ride passing through St-Rémy, returning via the almost lunar landscape of Les Baux HOTEL Hotel De Tourrel, St-Rémy -de-provence This gorgeous new design hotel is in the heart of the picturesque winding streets of St-Rémy. With a chic modern restaurant and a roof top pool, this gem of a hotel is a perfect base for exploration. Day 4 L Isle sur La Sorgue & Fontaine de Vaucluse Start the day by cycling past small canals and fruit orchards before passing through the towns of Eyragues and Noves, where you ll cross the Durance River and head toward the Chartreuse de Bonpas, a 12th century convent. Note that your crossing has some inevitable traffic, so feel free to jump ahead to get through the busiest part in order to maximize your time at the market town of Isle sur la Sorgue. Once an important centre for the milling industry, you will be able to admire the water wheels, of which 14 of the original 70 remain and function. Next stop is Fontaine de Vaucluse; dominated by the imposing ruins of the castle of the Bishop of Cavaillon, the main point of interest here is the source of the Sorgue River. At over 300 metres deep, and the only exit point for a 1,200- metre underground basin, the flow of water can sometimes reach 100 metres per second! After lunch in this village, it is onwards towards the outskirts of Ménerbes, passing cherry orchards and country mansions, both synonymous with Provence. Tonight there are several options in nearby Ménerbes and Bonnieux for dinner. Your guide will be happy to make arrangements for you. Activity: a 55 km (35 mi.) ride that crosses the Durance river with hills when nearing the Luberon
Le Luberon Day 5 For your last day, you ll have a rewarding and, at times, hilly ride (with our support van always nearby). You ll ride up to Gordes and enjoy one of the official Plus Beaux Villages de France (most beautiful villages of France). You ll swing downhill before riding back up to the legendary village of Roussillon, with its red houses forming a striking contrast with the lush green pine trees. Here, your B&R guides will be sure to pinpoint their favourite places for you to enjoy on your own. In the afternoon you will enjoy some of the most gorgeous views of the Lubéron along the way, biking up to the village of Lacoste. There will also be some time to relax at the property and have a last sip of the estate s rosé before enjoying a gourmet dinner by Chef Laurent Houdart, who will amaze you with his creativity. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner Activity: A 47 km (29 mi.) rolling hill ride that passes Gordes and heads up to Roussillon. The ride is challenging in the morning, but rewarded by a stunning downhill in the afternoon. An extra option up to the village of Murs is available in the morning and adds up 10 km (6 mi.) uphill HOTEL La Bastide de Marie, Ménerbes This beautifully restored, centuries-old farmhouse is set among 37 acres of the inn s own vineyards in the heart of the Lubéron Valley. With two pools and terraces that run the length of the house, you will be hard pressed to get up from your lounge chair. Fortunately, the chef, Laurent Houdart, is on hand to lure you to dinner with his acclaimed Provençal cooking. Day 6 Au revoir As all good journeys must come to an end, we will organize transportation for your onward journey plans. Au revoir!
The Details Pricing From: 2 travellers - US$7,995 per person 4 travellers - US$6,495 per person 6 travellers - US$5,695 per person Start: Avignon Finish: Avignon Best time to visit: May to September LEVEL OF ACTIVITY Enthusiast You ll ride mostly on rolling hills, with two days on the plains. The daily distances are relatively short, and there are many options for climbs and extra kilometres. The trip is perfect for a range of riding abilities including more serious riders who want to take advantage of the more challenging options offered almost every day. WHAT S INCLUDED Five nights hotel accommodation Five days of biking Meals as indicated with wine Services of a B&R-trained local guides One B&R support vehicle during bike rides Use of a customized bicycle and helmet Detailed maps and water bottle All special events and private tours All transportation from pick up to drop off in Avignon WHAT S NOT INCLUDED International and internal flights Cancellation insurance Items of a personal nature Gratuity for B&R guides
About our Private Trip Collection The ready-to-book trips in our Private Trip Collection offer all the hallmarks B&R s known for great hotels, unparalleled immersion and unforgettable experiences with the flexibility of going on your own schedule and with your own travel companions. Think of these trips as prêt-à-porter from your favourite designer: simply pick your dates, pack your bags, and go. How it Works 1. Get Inspired. Go to www.butterfield.com/tripfinder/?ftt=private to browse our Private Trip Collection and find a flavour of adventure that suits your palate. 2. Get in Touch. Found a trip that s caught your eye? Call our Private Travel Advisors at 1-800- 387-1147. Just give them a few details about your group and your preferred dates, and they ll spring into action. 3. Have it Tailored. Our ready-to-book Private Trips are designed to be enjoyed off-the-rack, but there is room for minor adjustments to fit the trip to your needs. Looking for something totally customized? One of our expert Private Trip Designers will take on your request and tailormake a Bespoke trip for you from scratch. 4. Pack your Prada. Once the date and the price is finalized, we ll take care of the rest, confirming hotels, finalizing events and mobilizing our expertly trained local partners. All you have to do is prepare to be transported 5. Bon Voyage! Next Steps READY TO BOOK? Contact us at 1-800-387-1147 or bespoke@butterfield.com with any remaining questions, or consult your travel professional. Note that a $500 deposit is required in order to reserve dates. After you ve booked, you will receive a confirmation package containing detailed information to help you prepare for your trip.