Trip Summary The magnificent region of offers an ideal mix of dry climate, picturesque hill towns, Roman ruins, and landscapes blanketed in lavender, sunflowers, vineyards, and olive groves. Itinerary Day 1: Avignon / Uzès We meet in Avignon in the morning Short transfer to nearby Aramon, where you mount up for your first ride Pedal to the 2,000-year-old Pont du Gard aqueduct in Remoulins, an engineering marvel constructed in places of six-ton stone blocks Stop & shop at the Musée du Bonbon candy factory and museum Continue on to Uzès, where countless towers offer postcard-perfect views of the city and surrounding countryside Visit the Duke s castle before retiring to the magnificent Hotel Château d Arpaillargues with time to relax before enjoying dinner in the shady courtyard of the hotel s Italian garden (D) Overnight at the Hotel Chateau d Arpaillargues Day 2: Uzès Today, cycle the peaceful countryside west of Uzés, an area well off the tourist track Explore delightful villages, where farmers harvest small-crop grapes and produce simple yet tasty red table wines In Vézénobre, a forgotten medieval town, marvel at the ancient Romanesque church, take in the vista over the surrounding hills and stroll streets lined with Romanesque houses dating back to the 12 th and 13 th centuries Enjoy a refreshing group lunch here before cycling back to Uzés Once back in Uzés, an evening on your own will give you the chance to explore new places and dine at any spot that catches your eye (B, L, D) Overnight at Chateau d Arpaillargues Day 3: St-Rémy-de- This morning, pedal from Uzès to Tarascon, a one-time trading post perched on the banks of the Rhône Enjoy views of Tarascon town and Beaucaire (across the Rhône) from the terrace of a medieval castle This afternoon, make your way to St-Rémy, the birthplace of astrologer Nostradamus (1503) Stand beneath a commemorative arch constructed in the 1 st century AD and retrace the steps of Van Gogh at the St-Paul-de-Mausole Monastery, where he spent the last year of his artistic life Your home for the next three nights is the state-of-the-art Hotel de l Image Rest and freshen up in your room before joining the group for a delectable supper (B, D) Overnight at the Hotel de l Image Day 4: St-Rémy-de- Take a morning stroll through the vibrant market in St.-Rémy, where a tantalizing array of stalls offers everything from local wines, olive oils, chocolates, and cheeses to fabrics, shawls, and tablecloths Spend the afternoon pedaling the base of the spectacular Alpilles hills, where you ll have the option to cross the Durance River for a visit to the bustling town of Cavaillon, famous for its sweet, fragrant Cavaillon melons Later this afternoon, stop at the asylum where Van Gogh was admitted in 1889 after cutting off his ear lobe and attacking a fellow artist Return to St-Rémy via meadows of sweet-smelling vegetables and fruits Whether you would like to relax in your room or take a stroll around town, the night is yours to spend however you would like (B, L) Overnight at the Hotel de l Image 1
Day 5: St-Rémy-de- Today you will cross the chalky limestone hills of the Alpilles en route to Les-Baux-de-, a deserted village perched on a rocky promontory, boasting one of the grandest views in all of Continue on through flat marshland to Arles, where you ll step into a canvas of cornfields, sunflowers and drawbridges as you explore the city where Van Gogh spent 13 months, painting nearly a canvas a day Don t miss a visit to the well-preserved Roman amphitheater in the center of town, once used as a stadium for wild animal and gladiator fights, and after that as a fortress, protecting over 200 houses and a church Hop in the van for a quick return trip to St-Rémy, or if you re feeling energetic make your way back via Fontvieille by bike, working up an appetite for a final farewell dinner (B, D) Overnight at the Hotel de l Image Day 6: Avignon Depending on your departure times for your trip home, your guide will transfer you back to Avignon at the proper time (B) *Trip itineraries are subject to change without notice due to road, weather and other factors outside of our control, for the safety and enjoyment of our guests, as deemed necessary and appropriate by Austin Adventures. 2
Activities Biking: Day 1 mileage options: 23 / 26 Day 2 mileage options: 32 / 42 Day 3 mileage options: 30 / 43 Day 4 mileage options: 23 / 30 / 34 Day 5 mileage options: 19 / 25 / 38 Discovery Escape the real world and nourish your soul with a taste of. Warm and welcoming, opens its arms with rugged natural beauty, bountiful farms, bustling market towns, and larger than life treasures from its Roman past. Exceptional cuisine, fine lodgings, and marvelous shopping possibilities highlight this trip. Lose yourself cycling in the fertile valleys where cool leafy villages invite closer inspection, or amid arid plateaus with their dusty high-perched hamlets. Chocolate lover or not, make time to taste a bit of heaven in St-Rémy, at the exclusive Joël Durand chocolatier. Spend time walking in the footsteps of Vincent van Gogh at the asylum as well as in Arles. Savor the subtle lavender landscape, stop in for a wine tasting or try some farm-pressed olive oil as we gently cycle quiet roads in the very heart of sun-drenched. Austin Adventures guides are experienced facilitators and regional experts. They will take the time to fit you to your bikes, explain the details of each ride, and answer any questions. Each day your guides will help you choose the distance and route that is right for you. Distinctive Accommodations Nights 1 & 2: Château d Arpaillargues Set in the heart of the Uzès countryside, the elegant Château d Arpaillargues (once the home of Marie de Flavigny, Countess of Agoult) has the ambiance of a stately Provencal home. Amenities include a delightful garden and a pleasant outdoor pool. Nights 3 5: Hotel les Ateliers de l Image A contemporary, refined hotel in the center of St. Rémy, famous for its private collection of photographs, dedicated gallery, projection hall and fully equipped photo lab. The outdoor pool is surrounded by a spacious private park. Meals The hallmark of an Austin Adventures vacation is our exceptional dining. All meals: breakfasts, lunches, snacks, dinners, refreshments and receptions are included as indicated by itinerary. (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner). Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities are not included in the trip price. 3
Arrival and Departures Prior to the trip, arrive at your own convenience in Avignon. On Day 1, we will meet you in the lobby of Hotel Mercure Pont d Avignon at 8:30 a.m. After a briefing and a short transfer to Aramon, the cycling begins. After breakfast on Day 6, we take you to the train station, airport, or the hotel of your choice in Avignon (45-minute transfer). Trip Price $3,298 ($580 single supplement) Trip Length 6 days/5 nights 2014 Dates April 20 25 June 8 13 September 7 12 October 12 17 Host City Avignon, France (AVN) Reservations & Availability 800.575.1540 Rambling vineyards, rich history, and worldrenowned cuisine 4
Trip Reservations Reservations, Deposits and Balances Due To make a reservation, contact Austin Adventures with your choice of trip and dates. A $500 per person deposit is required to confirm your reservation. Some Custom and International programs may require additional deposits. Full payment is required at the time of booking if your trip departs within 90 days. Choose one of the following contact methods: Toll free: 800.575.1540 Phone: 406.655.4591 Online: austinadventures.com Email: reservations@austinadventures.com Mail: Austin Adventures, P.O. Box 81025, Billings, MT 59108 * You may also book your Austin Adventure with your preferred travel professional. ** We accept most major credit cards and personal checks (U.S. funds made payable to Austin Adventures). Please do not send cash. Included in the Trip Price Double occupancy rooms with private baths. Fully trained, first-aid certified professional guides and knowledgeable local partners. All activities, ferry crossings, etc. All breakfasts. Lunches and dinners as listed by day. Snacks along the route. Bikes, helmets and other necessary equipment all safe and well maintained. Vehicle support and land transportation during the trip. Austin Adventures T-shirt, water bottle, luggage tags and luggage service. Pre-departure and packing information. Incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, local guide and expert gratuities. Not Included in the Trip Price Gratuities to Austin Adventures guides. Meals not designated. Alcoholic beverages and related gratuities. Pre-and post-trip accommodations and associated expenses. Air and land transportation to/from host cities. All types of personal insurance. Personal expenses. Pre-departure Information After receiving your reservation and deposit, we ll send you a pre-trip planner with general information about the area you ll be visiting, a packing list, exercise guidelines, a guest information questionnaire and a liability release agreement for you to sign and return within 10 days. 5
Private Custom Trips Maybe your vacation schedule doesn t fit our list of trips and dates. Or perhaps you d prefer a slightly different itinerary or level of luxury and activity. A Custom Adventure is the perfect answer. You pick the date and destination and brief us on the size of your group, what activities you want, your must haves and just how you like to relax and unwind. No detail is too small, no idea too outrageous. Our staff of experts will help create a tailor-made vacation that s just right for you and your group. In short, if you can dream it, we can make it happen. Room Occupancy, Single Supplements, and Shared Room Assignments All trip prices are based on double adult room occupancy. Each additional person in a room receives a 10% discount (not combinable with other discounts). Single rooms are available for an additional charge. If you are traveling alone and wish to share a room and you inform us of this at the time of booking (a minimum of 90 days prior to departure) we will attempt to find a suitable roommate for you. On most trips, if we are unable to accommodate your request, you will receive a private room and be assessed 50% of the customary single supplement. Minimum Age The minimum age on our non-family designated adult and teen adventures is sixteen years old. Cancellations and Refunds The following cancellation policies and cancellation fees are in effect: ***As with deposits on some international and custom programs, refund schedule may vary, speak with your Adventure Consultant for details. Cancellation 91 days or more before trip departure Full trip payment refunded less a $300 per person administration fee Cancellation 61-90 days before trip departure Full trip payment less 25% per person is refunded Cancellation 31-60 days before trip departure 50% of the trip payment is refunded Cancellation 0-30 days before trip departure No refund is given Our Guarantee Exceeding your expectations is our number one priority. In the unlikely event that you are dissatisfied with something during your trip, immediately notify your guide(s). If he or she is unable to resolve the issue, call our main office and give us the details of the problem, and a chance to correct it. We will do our best to find a resolution. If we are unable to do so during your trip, we will work with you upon your return home to arrive at a fair and equitable solution, including up to a full refund. 6