New for 2008, Getaway by bike is pleased to offer you a romantic luxury getaway escape in the heart of the stunning Luberon region of Provence. Combine leisurely cycling with expert-led wine tours, gastronomic experiences, local Provencal markets, and guided sightseeing excursions… or just simply relax and soak in the beauty, history and romance that is Provence. Our riding routes vary from 30km to 80km per day and we have a special package of sightseeing excursions for your non-riding partner. Please see the details below.

Trip dates:

Due to the exclusivity of the accommodation and restaurants chosen for this trip, dates are limited. If you would like other dates please contact us.

TRIP DETAILS:
Trip Duration: 8 days, 7 nights
Average Daily Distance: 30km (19 miles) to 80km (50 miles) per day
2008 Dates: See below - May, June or September 2008
Start: Fontaine-de-Vaucluse (transfer from Avignon TGV Station)
Finish: Gordes (transfer to Avignon TGV Station)
Accommodation: Luxury Boutique Hotels
Group Size: Minimum 2 people
Cost: $3970 AUD/person (rider), $3480 AUD/person (non-rider) - double or twin accommodation.
Deposit: USD* $892/person - Reserve now
Single supplementary fee: AUD $950

Inclusions:

• Two Gourmet dinners (Evenings 1 and 5)
• Two Gourmet lunches (Days 4 and 7) including one at a Michelin-starred restaurant
• A welcome aperitif
• Seven days bicycle hire with technical support and assistance including accessories such as helmets, computers, repair kits, water bottles, pumps and locks
• Full day’s guided bicycle ride around the Luberon with a local, experienced English-speaking guide
• Full day’s guided sightseeing tour with a local, experienced English-speaking guide, through the Vaucluse wine belt including a morning’s wine tour (visiting the vineyards and cellars of two top domaines)
• An information pack containing a guide book to the region, a day by day itinerary, and riding maps and route directions
• Transfers to and from the TGV station at Avignon
• 24-hour telephone back-up support

Luberon Luxury Itinerary

Monday Day 1 - Arrival

Arrive into Avignon by TGV. Staff from Getawaybybike will collect you from the station and transfer you to your hotel at Fontaine de Vaucluse. Your hire bikes will be delivered on arrival as well as your cycling itinerary and information pack. If you arrive early in the afternoon and feel like shaking the cobwebs out, why not take a gentle ride around the pretty countryside of Fontaine de Vaucluse and its environs. There will be a welcome aperitif with your tour organisers at the hotel tonight, followed by a traditional Provencal dinner at a local restaurant. Stay overnight at Hotel du Poete, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse.

Tuesday Day 2 - Gordes and the Abbaye De Senanque

Today you set out from Fontaine-de-Vaucluse for a delightful circuit ride around Gordes and the famous 11th century Abbaye de Senanque (30km/19 miles). This is not a long ride but the terrain is undulating and there are some steep climbs up into Venasque and on the ride from the Abbaye-de-Senanque up the hill and into Gordes. However, the views are spectacular and the villages are gorgeous. This pretty circuit requires a good level of fitness and some climbing experience. Return to Hotel du Poete, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. Free evening.

Wednesday Day 3 - Venasque Hills Circuit

Leaving your hotel in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse in the morning, this beautiful 49km (31miles)circuit takes you along some scenic, hidden trails, past the charming Provencal villages of Saumane-de-Vaucluse, La Roque-sur-Pernes, Le Beaucet and St Didier. Stop in at the classified village of Venasque for lunch or the Nougaterie at St Didier for a chocolate fix! This circuit requires a good level of fitness and some climbing experience. Return to Hotel du Poete, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. Free evening.

Thursday Day 4 -Wine Tour (Cote Du Rhone)

Excursion included in your Tour. This morning your tour organiser will collect you from Hotel du Poete in Fontaine-de-Vaucluse and accompany you on a full-day’s excursion to the vineyard and cellars of two top domaines in the prestigious Cote du Rhone area – Vacqueyras and Gigondas. Your guide will explain how “terroir”, grape varieties, vine growing and winemaking methods influence the wines that you taste (Wine Uncovered tour) followed by a delectable gourmet lunch. Your tour organiser will return you to Hotel du Poete, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse at the end of the day’s outing. Free evening.

Friday Day 5 - Ochre Trail Circuits

Ochre Trail Mini-Circuit (55km/34miles) or
Ochre Trail Classic Circuit (83km/52miles)
Today you transfer from Hotel du Poete, Fontaine-de-Vaucluse to La Bastide de Gordes in Gordes. Your luggage will also be transferred today to your hotel in Gordes. It is expected that riders will join up with their non-riding partners at La Bastide de Gordes at the end of the day’s ride. Non-riders will be transferred by car to their hotel in Gordes and will have time to relax at the hotel before indulging (with their riding partners of course!) in a gourmet dinner at the hotel tonight. Today’s circuit, which takes you along the pretty ochre trails around Roussillon, Gargas and the Colorado Provencal Rustrel, is mainly flat and will suit riders with a moderate to good level of fitness. Your luggage will be transferred today to your hotel in Gordes. Stay overnight at La Bastide de Gordes.

Saturday Day 6 - Petit Luberon Full-Day Circuit

Guided ride includes Standard Petit Luberon Circuit (43km/27miles) or
Classic Petit Luberon Circuit (83.5km/52miles)
This morning your cycling tour guide will collect you from your hotel La Bastide de Gordes and accompany you on a guided ride through the beautiful Luberon region. This delightful circuit consists of rolling countryside with significant climbing up into the Luberon villages (Menerbes, Bonnieux, Lacoste, Lourmarin and Oppede le Vieux). Riders will meet up with non-riders for lunch in Bonnieux. Your guide will return you to your hotel in Gordes at the end of the day’s excursion. Free evening.

Sunday Day 7 - L’isle-Sur-La-Sorgue Circuit

Setting out from your hotel in Gordes this morning, the ride from Gordes over to L’Isle-Sur-la-Sorgue is a delightful circuit of around 32km (20 miles), and includes a visit to the famous Sunday morning market in the village.

It’s a downhill ride out of Gordes towards L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue with a few undulations along the way. This route will suit most riders with a moderate to good level of fitness. Ride in the morning or sightsee at the famous L’Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue market, then enjoy a gourmet lunch in a Michelin-starred restaurant. Your tour organiser will transfer you back to your hotel in Gordes after lunch. Free evening.

Monday Day 8 - Day Of Departure

You will be collected by Getawaybybike staff from your hotel in Gordes and transferred to the TGV station in Avignon where staff will assist with your departure. The hire bikes and bike accessories will be collected today.
Au Revoir!

Sightseeing package for non-riders (Extra)

For your non-cycling companion we are pleased to offer a delightful selection of half-day and full-day guided excursions travelling in air-conditioned comfort and style and accompanied by our friendly, local, English-speaking tour organiser. This package includes visits to the markets in Gordes and L’Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue, shopping in the quaint streets of the Luberon villages, visits to the 11th century Abbaye de Senanque, the ancient Bories Village, the Lavender Museum at Coustellet, the ochre village at Roussillon, the classified village of Venasque, and the mysterious springs at Fontaine de Vaucluse. Parking and entrance fees for the visits and excursions detailed on the tour itinerary are included.

Sightseeing package prices:
Excursion 1: Gordes, Abbaye De Senanque, Bories Village - Half-day (4hrs)
Excursion 2: Gorges De La Nesque and Sault – Half-day (4hrs)
Excursion 3: Lavender Museum and Ochre Trail – Half-day (4hrs)
Excursion 4: Petit Luberon – Full-day (8hrs)
(lunch not included in the price)

$150 AUD for 1 half-day guided excursion (1-2 persons)
$375 AUD for 3 half-day guided excursions (1-2 persons)
$250 AUD for 1 full-day guided excursion (1-2 persons)
$500 AUD for package of 4 excursions (1-2 persons)
$25 AUD/extra person/excursion

Tuesday Gordes, Abbaye De Senanque, Bories Village
Excursion 1: Half-day morning sightseeing trip:
Visit the morning market in Gordes followed by the Abbaye de Senanque and the Bories village. Free afternoon and evening.

Wednesday Gorges De La Nesque and Sault
Excursion 2: Half-day afternoon sightseeing trip:
Visit the stunning Gorges de la Nesque, tour through picturesque lavender country around the pretty mountain village of Sault. Free morning and evening.

Thursday Wine Tour (Cote Du Rhone) included in Tour
Excursion Inc .Full day excursion for riders and non-riders to the vineyard and cellars of two top domaines in the prestigious Cote du Rhone area where the guide will explain how “terroir”, grape varieties, vine growing and winemaking methods influence the wines that you taste (Wine Uncovered tour) followed by a delectable gourmet lunch. Free evening.

Friday Lavender Museum and Ochre Trail
Excursion 3: Half-day sightseeing trip:
Transfer to your hotel in Gordes this morning. In the afternoon visit the Lavender Distillery and Museum at Coustellet followed by a sightseeing excursion to the famed ochre village of Roussillon. Gourmet dinner tonight at the hotel.

Saturday Petit Luberon
Excursion 4: Full-day sightseeing excursion. Tour around the perched villages of the Luberon region, taking in Oppede le Vieux, Menerbes, Lacoste and the Chateau at Lourmarin. Meet up with the riders in Bonnieux for lunch. Free evening.

Sunday L’isle-Sur-La-Sorgue
Excursion Inc. Half-day morning sightseeing excursion
Visit the market and antique/brocante shops at L’Isle-Sur-La-Sorgue. After the morning market meet up with the riders and enjoy a gourmet lunch at a Michelin starred restaurant. Transfer back to the hotel. Free Evening.

If you would like to reserve this trip go to our Reserve a Trip page.Or if you would like to be kept up to date with details of our trips please go to our Enquire About a Trip Page.