New for 2008, Getaway by bike is pleased to offer you a week-long wine lovers and gourmands holiday in the heart of beautiful Provence. Indulge your love of cycling and gastronomy - wine, dine and cycle your way around the beautiful Provencal countryside, sampling the best of everything this delightful region has to offer. Vineyard and wine cellar visits are guided by our local wine expert, Olivier Hickman. Our riding routes vary from 30km to 80km per day, allowing you ample opportunities to sightsee and indulge your tastebuds at the same time! Please see the details below.
| May 2008 | June 2008 | September 2008 | October 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 – 20 May | 3 – 10 June | 9 – 16 September | 30 Sep - 7 October |
| 20 – 27 May | 10 – 17 June | 16 – 23 September | |
| 17 – 24 June | 22 – 29 September | ||
| 24 June – 1 July | 23 – 30 Sept |
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 above - May, June, September or October 2008
Start: Mazan (transfer from Avignon TGV Station)
Finish: Chateauneuf-du-Pape (transfer to Avignon TGV Station)
Accommodation: Luxury Boutique Hotels
Group Size: Minimum 2 people
Cost: $4490 AUD/person (rider), $3990 AUD/person (non-rider) - double or twin accommodation.
Deposit: USD* $892/person - Reserve now
Single supplementary fee: AUD $990/person
Inclusions:
- Seven nights accommodation in two luxury boutique hotels
- Seven breakfasts
- A welcome aperitif and traditional Provencal dinner (Evening 1)
- Two Gourmet dinners (Evenings 3 and 5)
- Three wine tours (including visits to the vineyards and cellars of five different domaines, transfers by car) (Day 2, 4 and 7). Day 2 includes a cheese & wine tasting
- Two gourmet lunches (Days 2 and 4)
- Bottle of wine from one of the domaines on the wine tour
- 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 with a local, experienced English-speaking guide (Day 6)
- 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
Our Wine Tour Partner
Olivier Hickman is a bi-lingual wine professional based in Sablet, Provence. Olivier obtained his final wine qualifications from the Wine & Spirits Education Trust in 1998 and set up a UK wine importing business, specialising in wines from the Southern Rhône. Olivier has coordinated winemaking projects in Provence and the Languedoc and in 1999 he commenced a viticultural project in Valrèas, Provence. Olivier continues to cultivate and make wines from those vineyards today. Having gained a significant and wide experience of the wine business, Olivier set up a wine education and wine tour business in 2005 based around the premium wine villages of the Southern Rhône.
Tuesday - Arrival and Bienvenue!
Arrival into Avignon for the start of the Wine Lovers Tour. Arrive into Avignon by TGV. Staff from Getaway by Bike will collect you from the station and transfer you to Chateau du Mazan, in the heart of rural Provence. 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 Mazan and its environs. There will be a welcome aperitif with your tour organisers at the Chateau tonight, followed by a traditional Provencal dinner at a local restaurant.
Wednesday Morning Wine Tour
Wine Tour and Cheese Tasting (Mormoiron Vineyards and Domaines)
You will be transferred by car from your hotel in Mazan to Château Pesquié in nearby Mormoiron. All the wines will be tasted with a selection of different cheeses supplied by the famous Lou Casteneou cheese shop. The end of the wine tour will conclude with a gourmet lunch at a nearby restaurant. After lunch you will be transferred back to the hotel. During the afternoon you have the choice of riding or simply relaxing by the pool at the hotel.
Wednesday Afternoon Cycling Circuits
Gordes and the Luberon
For those who are keen to burn off some energy following the morning’s wine tour and gourmet lunch, we offer you a choice of riding circuits this afternoon around the picturesque Venasque hills, Gordes and the pretty Luberon region. Free evening. Our suggested routes:
- St Didier/Venasque Cycling Circuit (22km/14miles)
- Fontaine de Vaucluse Cycling Circuit (42km/26miles)
- Gordes/Abbaye de Senanque Cycling Circuit (50km/31miles)
Thursday - Cycling Circuits
Romans and vineyards
Today we offer you a choice of riding circuits through the glorious wine belt region of the Vaucluse. There will be a Gourmet dinner at Chateau du Mazan tonight. Our suggested routes include:
- Wine Route Circuit (52km/32miles)
- Vaison-la-Romaine Circuit (64km/40miles)
- Vallee de Tourlerenc Circuit (70km/44miles)
- Mont Ventoux Circuit (74km/46miles)
Friday Morning - Wine Tour
Wine Tour (Cote du Rhone Vineyards and Domaines)
You will be transferred by car to meet the wine guide in Vacqueyras for the start of the morning’s tour. This tour takes you to the vineyards and cellars of two of the top domaines in the prestigious cru wine villages of Vacqueyras and Gigondas. The wine tour will be followed by a delectable gourmet lunch in a nearby restaurant. You will then be transferred back to your hotel after lunch.
Friday Afternoon - Cycling Circuits
Vineyards and mountains
This afternoon we offer you a choice of riding circuits through the glorious wine belt region of the Vaucluse and around the picturesque Dentelles de Montmirail mountain chain, taking in the classified village of Seguret. Free evening. Our suggested routes are:
- Vacqueyras to the classified village of Seguret Cycling Circuit (19km/12miles)
- Dentelles de Montmirail Cycling Circuit (45km/28miles)
- Wine Belt Cycling Circuit (52km/32miles)
Saturday Cycling - Mazan to Chateauneuf-Du-Pape
Distance: 31km (19miles)
Today your luggage will be transferred to the Hotel du Chateau des Fines Roches in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Riders will cycle over to Chateauneuf-du-Pape and non-riders will be escorted by car. There will be a gourmet dinner at your hotel tonight and if you arrive early enough a chance to wander around the charming village that once was the summer residence of the Avignon popes.
Sunday - Cycling Circuits
Guided ride – Roman Provence
We offer you a guided ride today with a local, experienced English-speaking guide – a wonderful opportunity to explore and marvel at some of the ancient Roman ruins in the region: Our guide can offer you a choice of riding routes depending on your interests and riding capabilities: Ride to the beautiful former Roman town of Orange and tour the 2000-year-old Roman Theatre and the surrounding vineyards in the famed Enclave des Papes; or, if you are feeling more energetic, ride over to the magnificent 2000-year-old Roman Pont-du-Gard Aqueduct. Free evening.
Monday Morning Wine Tour
Wine tour and Cheese Tasting (Chateauneuf-du-Pape)
You will meet your wine tour guide this morning for a guided visit to the vineyards and cellars of two of the top domaines in Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Our suggestions for lunch include: Dining at the locally renowned La Mere Germaine restaurant in the village or, weather permitting, taking a picnic by the banks of the Rhone River.
Monday Afternoon Degustation Cycling Circuits
Cycling through the vineyards
If you are still keen to sample some more great wines from this renowned area, follow our “Degustation” cycling trails this afternoon around the nearby vineyards of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Alternatively you might like to explore the delights of this medieval village, including the ruins of the Pope’s Chateau and the 2000-year-old Roman wine cellar. For the chocolate lovers you can’t go past the delicacies on offer at Bernard Castelain’s Chocolaterie in the village. Free evening. Our suggested routes are Degustation circuits of between 15km (9 miles) and 20km (12.5miles).
Tuesday - Au Revoir and Departure
Departure from Avignon. Getawaybybike staff will collect you from your hotel in Chateauneuf-du-Pape and transfer you to the TGV station in Avignon and assist with your departure. Your hire bikes will also be collected today.
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.
