PROVENCE LUXURY BIKE TOUR - Trek Travel
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Provence Luxury Bike Tour
LUXURY | 6 DAYS, 5 NIGHTS
TREKTRAVEL.COM | 866-464-8735
PROVENCE LUXURY BIKE
TOUR
MAGICAL LUBERON & MONT VENTOUX
From
There is a richness and warmth to Provence, with its fragrant, blossoming $5099
countryside that is dappled with vineyards, picturesque villages, and
Rider Type
traditional markets. On our luxury Provence tour, Trek Travel invites you to Active / Recreational
indulge in the best of the region’s famed cuisine, with an afternoon learning
Hotel Style
the secrets of French cooking from an expert Provencal chef, a farm to
Luxury
table lunch in the heart of a truffle field, and an exclusive wine tasting with
a seasoned sommelier. And in between rides through the lavender fields Duration
6 days | 5 nights
and up the towering Mont Ventoux, we’ll rest our heads at a luxurious
Relais & Chateaux property perfectly located to enjoy the food, wine, and Start | End
cycling that makes this region an international gem. It’s our one home for Avignon, France
the whole week, which means you have time to truly relax and unwind as Dates
you enjoy its spa to the fullest after exciting days in the saddle. Are you 2021/Aug/Sep/Oct
ready to be simultaneously treated, challenged, and magically
transported? That’s a Trek Travel luxury tour in Provence. Book your trip
with confidence »See our Provence Luxury 4-Day trip »
One world-class hotel your entire stay.See more One
Collection trips
TRIP WOWS
Enjoy a true farm-to-table lunch on a family truffle farm, prepared by Frank and Alex, expert truffle hunters and
gourmandises cuisiniers
Taste some of the region's iconic wines at a private wine and cheese tasting with an expert sommelier
Learn the secrets of the Provençal kitchen from a local expert chef in a private cooking lesson
Stay in one 5-star historical Relais & Chateaux property, as you explore the iconic French villages of Gordes,
Menerbes, Roussillon, Bonnieux, and Lacoste
DAILY ITINERARY
2021
TODAY'S RIDE:
Day Menerbes to Joucas
Approximately 12 miles with 1,300
TODAY'S ACTIVITY:
Visit a wine cellar and taste
feet of climbing some local wines
1
DESCRIPTION:
You have finally arrived in sultry and seductive Provence to begin your luxury tour! Matisse described this place as “soft
and tender, despite its brilliance,” and every moment here is like a living work of impressionistic masterwork. Your Trek
Travel guides will meet you at Hôtel d’Europe in Avignon at 11:30 AM on the first day of the trip. After a 50-minute private
shuttle, you’ll arrive in a winery just outside of Ménerbes, a stone-built village, rich in history and bedazzled with cherry
orchards, and made famous by Peter Mayle's book "A Year in Provence." A picnic lunch prepared by your Trek Travel guides
awaits you along with a chance to taste some quintessential Lubéron wines. After a short round of introductions, your
guides will discuss the rules of bike safety and specific cycling tips for riding in Provence before familiarizing you with your
Trek bicycle and ensuring a comfortable fit. Then we’ll set off for our first introductory ride. Afterward, you’ll arrive back at
your luxury hotel in time to freshen up, stroll the grounds, and meet the group for social hour and dinner at the hotel bistro
restaurant. The cuisine here is fresh and contemporary and features the region's best flavors.
HOTEL:
Mas des Herbes Blanches INCLUDED MEALS:
VISIT WEBSITE Lunch | Social Hour | Dinner
V I E W M E E T I N G A N D D E PA R T I N G I N F O R M AT I O N »AVID OPTION:
Day TODAY'S RIDE:
Joucas to B onnieux Loop
Joucas to B onnieux to Saig non
Loop TODAY'S ACTIVITY:
Approximately 35 miles with 2,800 Approximately 45 miles with 4,000 Private cooking school with
feet of climbing feet of climbing traditional Provençal flavors
2 DESCRIPTION:
We’ll get to know the curves and nuances of Provence today, as we head to the towns of Bonnieux, Lacoste and Apt.
Bonnieux, built on a hillside, welcomes you with an imposing church tower. This small village is an altar to food,
architecture and panoramic views, a true jewel of the Luberon. You'll have a chance to explore and have lunch at your
leisure, and then you can elect to ride or shuttle back to the hotel. This afternoon, enjoy a rare opportunity: a cooking class
with a local Provençal chef, who will share with you the most important secrets of the authentic Provençal cuisine. After
the cooking class, we'll have the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of our labor over a special dinner.
HOTEL:
Mas des Herbes Blanches INCLUDED MEALS:
VISIT WEBSITE Breakfast | Dinner
TODAY'S RIDE & ACTIVITY:
Day Joucas to Gordes to R oussillon
Loop
AVID OPTION:
B edoin to Ventoux to Joucas
TODAY'S ACTIVITY:
Approximately 33 miles with 2,500 Approximately 49 miles with 6,200
feet of climbing feet of climbing Visit the Gordes market
3 DESCRIPTION:
Today if you choose to do so, discover the crown jewel of cycling and the hulking massif of Provence – Mont Ventoux.
This is one of France’s most unique climbs, with shady, forested switchbacks giving way to a long ascent across a
moonscape to cycling’s famous landmark – the distinctive tower on top of Ventoux. This mountain has both crowned
champions like Chris Froome and Alberto Contador, and witnessed tragedy, like the stories of Tom Simpson. Each is a
heralded chapter in the pageantry of our sport, and if you choose to ride the classic ascent from Bedoin and descend to
Sault for lunch, you’ll inscribe your own name in its history. Or choose another option: a beautiful relaxed loop through the
Luberon countryside. Our first stop this morning is the Gordes weekly market. Pick up a snack of local fruit, bread, or olive
oil if you'd like, and explore the tiny alleys of this beautiful village before continuing your ride to Roussillon, a famously
ancient, medieval village and archeological reserve, replete with ochre-painted buildings and red brick roofs. Stroll the
timeworn streets and enjoy a leisurely lunch of your choice before riding or shuttling back to the hotel. Tonight, head out
for a dinner of your choice and whatever delights catch your eye.
Please Note: Mt. Ventoux is only rideable in favorable weather and based on the judgment of the guides.
HOTEL:
Mas des Herbes Blanches INCLUDED MEALS:
VISIT WEBSITE Breakfast
TODAY'S RIDE:
Day Joucas to Monteux with Shuttle
R eturn
AVID OPTION:
Joucas to Monteux Loop TODAY'S ACTIVITIES:
Approximately 27 miles with 2,100 Approximately 54 miles with 4,300 Farm-to-table meal at a truffle
feet of climbing feet of climbing farm
4 DESCRIPTION:
It’s a full taste of luxurious Provençal life today with a ride to a family truffle farm complete with a truffle-themed lunch
provided by the family themselves. Indulge in these coveted and often decadent ingredients as they were meant to be:
close to the source and harvested with care and love. Then, mount your bike to continue riding or choose to shuttle and
head back to the hotel for some afternoon free time at the spa, on the hotel grounds or wherever you like to relax. This
afternoon, enjoy an aperitif with the group as an introduction to the week's most anticipated meal. Dinner this evening will
be an experience to remember at the refined gastronomic table of our Mas, where the fare is inspired by the seasons and
flavors of southern France.
HOTEL: INCLUDED MEALS:
Mas des Herbes Blanches Breakfast | Lunch | Social Hour |
VISIT WEBSITE DinnerTODAY'S RIDE: AVID OPTION:
Day Joucas to Gorg es de la Nesque
to Farm
Joucas to Gorg es de la Nesque
to Farm to Joucas
TODAY'S ACTIVITY
Lunch at a family farm, wine
Approximately 44 miles with 3,100 Approximately 51 miles with 4,900 tasting by Laëtitia Delporte our
feet of climbing feet of climbing private sommelier
5 DESCRIPTION:
After a delicious breakfast, prepare for one of the most iconic rides in the region through the Gorges de la Nesque. This
popular route with cyclists takes us into a wild canyon with panoramic views up, down and across. This is known as one of
the most picturesque routes in all of Provence, so savor the moment. Lunch today is a special stop at a family farm. Share
a true farm to table meal while enjoying the family's produce and home-cooked dishes. Choose either to remount your bike
for the ride back, or shuttle back for a quick escape. Tonight, enjoy a special treat: an exclusive wine tasting with local
expert sommelier and dear friend of Trek Travel, Laëtitia. Then, we gather for one last dinner of Provençal specialties at
Gordes' most celebrated gastronomic restaurant. Raise a glass to an incredible luxury tour of Provence.
HOTEL: INCLUDED MEALS:
Mas des Herbes Blanches Breakfast | Lunch | Social Hour |
VISIT WEBSITE Dinner
TODAY'S RIDE:
Day Joucas to Lioux R eturn
Approximately 17 miles with 1,500
feet of climbing
6
DESCRIPTION:
All good things must come to an end, and so it’s true for our cycling adventure in Provence. This morning you'll have the
chance for one last loop in the Lubéron. Or if you’d rather skip the ride, you are welcome to sleep in and enjoy a leisurely
breakfast at the hotel. A private Trek Travel shuttle will depart from the hotel at 11:00 AM. You’ll say farewell to your
guides before the 50-minute shuttle to the Avignon Central Train Station or the TGV station. Please do not schedule a train
out of Avignon before 12:30 PM on the last day of the trip to allow plenty of time for any unforeseen delays.
INCLUDED MEALS:
Breakfast
WHAT'S INCLUDED
For us, the details matter most
Every moment of a Trek Travel luxury bike trip has more than you could have ever dreamed. More romance. More scenery. More
choice. It's the little additions to every Trek Travel luxury tour that make it truly special. And that's how we help you create more
memories.
What's Included
• Five nights of luxury accommodation at handpicked hotels
• Two experienced guides to provide local knowledge, support, and camaraderie
• Daily route support with both guides and our support van
• Daily breakfast, three lunches and four dinners
• Three social hours of drinks and hors d'oeuvres
• Ride a Trek Domane SL 7 disc or Trek Electric-Assist Verve+
• Up to three daily route options on riding days
• Snacks and drinks for each day's ride
• Trek Travel Bontrager cycling jersey and socks to keep
• Trek Travel water bottles to keep
• Cinch sack day bag to keep
• Each bike is equipped with a Garmin Edge 1030 GPS computer, flat pack, front and rear Bontrager Flare R lights, a Bontrager
saddle and pedals (Shimano clipless road pedals, Shimano clipless mountain pedals, caged, or flat pedals)
• Bontrager WaveCel helmets
• All gratuities for drivers, local experts, and hospitality staff
• All luggage transfers and transportation during your trip
• A personalized digital photobook of your trip
• Entrance fees for all activities, private tours, and events
Gear• Trek Domane SL 7 disc carbon road bike with Shimano Di2 electronic shifting or Trek Electric-Assist Verve+, available in a limited
quantity
• Upgrade your bike to a Trek Electric-Assist Domane+ LT carbon road bike with Shimano Di2 electronic shifting
• Trek Travel Bontrager cycling jersey to keep
• Trek Travel water bottles to keep
• Shimano clipless road pedals, Shimano clipless mountain pedals, caged, or flat pedals
• Bontrager WaveCel helmet
• Bontrager men's and women's specific saddles
• Bontrager front and rear Flare R lights and a flat pack
• Garmin Edge 1030 GPS computer
• Cinch sack day bag to keep
• Upgrade your bike to include carbon wheels (+$200)
• Coupon valued up to $500 off a new Trek Bicycle. Your coupon will be delivered via email prior to your trip.
• For the most comfortable ride, you may choose to bring your own pedals, saddle, and helmet on the trip. Your guides will install
your gear on the first day during your bike fit.
THANK YOUR GUIDES, BY TIPPING
Gratuities for your Trek Travel guides are not included in your trip price. We recommend tipping 7.5-10% of your trip price for the
guide team. Local currency is preferred and unless you want to tip separately, guides will divide tips amongst themselves. Please
tip your guides at your discretion, based on their level of professionalism, guest care, and service.
What’s Not Included
• Airfare and transportation to and from the trip pick-up/drop-off locations
• Lodging before and after the trip
• Personal items purchased during the trip
• Optional activities not scheduled by Trek Travel
• On select trips some meals are not included. On these trips, Trek Travel invites you to explore the local cuisine at your leisure.
HOTELS
LE MAS DES HERBES BLANCHES
JOUCAS, FRANCE
New hotel for 2021! To be a
member of the
Relais & Châteaux
fellowship is no
small feat – it
means that Le Mas
des Herbes Blanches
has elevated the
acts of dining and relaxing to rare arts.
Here, luxury abounds in every corner,
from the new flavors at the gourmet
restaurant, to its decadent Sothy’s spa.
This perfectly situated gem is perfectly
magical.
MEETING &
DEPARTINGHow To Get There Meeting Time And Location
We suggest that you arrive at least Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at the Hôtel d’Europe, 12 Place Crillon,
one day prior to the start of your Avignon, at 11:30 AM on the first day of the trip. After a one hour shuttle by
Provence bike tour, which will enable private coach, your luxury Provençal vacation begins! Enjoy a picnic lunch and
you to adjust to the time zone and taste some wines as your guides explain how the trip will unfold, and fit you to
minimize the risk of missing the trip your Trek bike. Once everyone’s bike is ready you’ll be off to explore the quiet
start due to flight-related delays. We roads of Provence.
recommend that you fly into Paris
(CDG). From Paris, take a TGV train If you will be late for the pick-up or are going to miss it altogether, please inform
to Avignon, either from the TGV your guides. You will receive an email a week before the trip starts with their
station at Charles de Gaulle Airport or names and contact details. If you cannot reach them, please call our first hotel,
from the Gare de Lyon in Paris. Mas des Herbes Blanches (+33 6 03 38 18 86), and leave a message with your
Please consult www.voyages- expected arrival time and contact details. You may take a taxi to the first night’s
sncf.com to book your tickets. hotel for approximately 100 euros.
Alternatively, you may fly into
Marseilles (MRS) or Nice (NCE) and
take a train to Avignon. Avignon Departing Time And Location
(AVN) also has a small airport with
local flights. Please note that there You will say farewell to your guides at 11:00 AM at Le Mas des Herbes Blanches.
are two train stations in Avignon: the After saying goodbye to your guides, you will take a private coach from the trip
TGV and the central station (Gare end to the Avignon TGV and/or Central Stations (approximately 60-minute
d'Avignon-Centre). Between the two, shuttle). Here you can take a train to Paris or any other destination of your choice.
we recommend using the center Please do not book any train before 12:30 PM.
station due to its proximity to the
meeting location, Hôtel d’Europe.
However, the TGV station is
approximately five miles from the
center station downtown. If you
happen to arrive at the TGV train
station, there is a frequent shuttle
bus that runs between the two
stations that costs a few euros per
person, which usually takes 10
minutes, and runs approximately
every 20 minutes. Taxis are also
available at the TGV station for the
10-minute ride for approximately 20
euros. Train schedules are available
and tickets can be booked directly
online at www.SNCF.com or by using
our recommended travel agent
services. (Please note the train
schedule changes frequently; consult
the SNCF site for the most up-to-date
schedule.)
HOTEL LA DEMEURE
Before: Paris, France An oasis in the middle of the vibrant Latin Quarter on the left bank, this family-run
hotel will make you feel comfortable and at home. 43 rooms.
Paris is home to many of the world’s www.Hotel-Paris-Lademeure.com
best-known monuments and
museums. A backdrop of many
famous photos, the Arc de Triomphe HOTEL LOUVRE MARSOLLIER
sits majestically at the top end of the
Champs-Elysées. You can go to the In the heart of historic Paris, located on a quiet street in the center of a prestigious
observation deck for an expansive neighborhood, this is a stylish hotel where Oscar Wilde lived in 1899. The hotel’s
view down the world-famous website has some useful information and links to activities.
boulevard from Napoléon’s huge
triumphal arch—the largest in the www.Louvre-Paris-Hotel.com
world.The Arc isn’t the only site that
offers a great view of the city, HOTEL ROYAL SAINT HONORÉ
however. Other monuments with
impressive vistas include the view Located right on the main luxury shopping street and within walking distance to
from the white dome of the Basilique the Louvre, Opera, and the Tuileries, this 4-star hotel is a perfect spot to see the
du Sacré-Coeur de Montmartre, or City of Lights. You can also enjoy a lunch or coffee at elegant on-site Café 221.
from atop the 56 floors of the Tour
Montparnasse, and of course at the www.royal-st-honore.com/en/
summit of the most famous
monument in Paris—la Tour Eiffel.
We recommend the following
accommodations for your pre-trip
hotel:After: Avignon, France CLOÎTRE ST. LOUIS
If you are planning on extending your A Jesuit monastery built in 1611, this building was converted to a hotel in the
luxury travel in Provence and early 1900s. A walled courtyard, lined with old plane trees, makes for a relaxing
exploring the walled city of Avignon, setting. It has a small rooftop pool and is one block from the central train station.
there are a number of must sees. 80 rooms.
Palais des Papes stands as the
largest Gothic palace in Europe. With www.Cloitre-Saint-Louis.com
the arrival of the popes in the 14th
century, for a period known as the HOTEL LA MIRANDE
Avignon Papacy, the Palais des
Papes was home to the Sovereign A former private mansion restored to its original 19th century character, this
Pontiffs. One must also visit the boutique hotel is ideally located by the Palais des Papes. The hotel boasts one of
nearby Pont du Gard, an ancient the finest gastronomic restaurants in Avignon. 27 rooms.
Roman aqueduct that was used to
bring Uzès spring water to Nîmes. We www.la-mirande.fr/en
recommend the following
accommodations for your post-trip HÔTEL DE GARLANDE
hotel:
L'Hotel de Garlande is a boutique hotel nestled in the heart of Avignon. Walking
distance from the Palais des Papes and the Pont d'Avignon, this hotel is ideally
located to explore the town.
en.hoteldegarlande.com
* Hotels listed above are local properties we love. We do not have special rates available.
FAQS
What Are The Daily Rides What are the options for a non-rider travel companion?
Like?
On most Trek Travel trips, we offer non-riding options for riders who want to take
• Rider Type | 2/3 -
the afternoon off, or travel companions who want to spend little or no time in the
saddle. Some of these options may need to be scheduled before your trip–please
Recreational/Active
contact one of our Trip Consultants for more information. Expenses and/or
• Average Daily Mileage | 30
related transportation to these activities may not be included in the trip price.
• Terrain | Hilly
Some non-riding options on our luxury tour in Provence are:
• Average Daily Elevation | 2,100 feet
• Total Miles | 154
• Truffle farm visit and picnic
• Total Elevation | 11,500 feet
• Private cooking school
• Wine and cheese tasting
Averages and totals are calculated • Market visit with a local
from our "Today’s Ride" options.
The terrain is highlighted by stunning
views, quiet roads & hilly terrain. We Trip Changes
will climb an average of two to three
major climbs per day that combine See itinerary for specific daily ride distances and elevation options. On all of our
sustained climbing with several vacations, Trek Travel seeks to find quiet, paved secondary roads or bike paths to
steep sections. Our luxury Provence experience a region; busy roads are avoided as much as possible. Our itineraries
bike tour is best suited for our Type are an approximation of our trips. Trek Travel strives to offer every guest a
2/3 Riders. Our Trek Travel guides vacation of a lifetime on every trip. At times routes, hotels, activities, etc. listed
can also easily accommodate Type 1 here may change at the discretion of the trip designer or guides to improve the trip
Riders, who seek less mileage or experience.
fewer uphills, with a boost in the van.
Those who wish to ride every mile
but are concerned about their
physical ability may want to try our
electric bike option–you still get a
workout but can climb alongsideeven the strongest rider. Type 4 Riders will enjoy the extra mileage the avid route options offer.
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