St-Rémy-de-Provence – cycle, walk, drive
Daily Schedule
Tour dates & costs
St-Rémy-de-Provence is the quintessential Provençal town. Striped
awnings, well-stocked shops, cafés full of people enjoying refreshing
drinks and watching the passing parade. Both the Romans and the
Greeks spent many years in this area and many of their buildings are
still standing today.
Your journey will give you the chance to explore a wide variety of
landscapes, vineyards and olive groves, markets and galleries.
There will be many opportunities to purchase and savour the famed
'cuisine of the sun'.
Our pique-niques are legendary, and we delight in encouraging people to enjoy new food experiences.
We will be visiting several renowned restaurants during the tour.
You won’t have the usual holiday hassle of packing and moving because we will be based in the same place for your six nights, allowing you plenty of time to relax by the pool after your day’s exploring.
Interested in this tour? Contact Gail for more information!
St-Rémy-de-Provence – Daily Schedule
Dates on application
NZ$4500 pp twin share or double basis
A single supplement applies (if you prefer an individual room)
Day 1
Meal/s included: LUNCH / DINNER
Meet in Avignon at 1pm and journey to your accommodation for the week at a Mas (farm house), on the outskirts of St-Remy-de-Provence, surrounded by lush orchards and market gardens. After settling in, explore the artists’ town of St-Remy, visit an olive oil mill, run by a family with oil in their veins and taste wines from a local cave (cellar). Tonight, take time to enjoy a typical Provençal meal listening to the cicadas performing their melody of summer songs.
Day 2
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast, then off to explore the neighbouring area known as the Gard. Hire a kayak and float (with a little bit of paddling), down the Gard river and under the immense 4th century aqueduct – Pont du Gard stopping for a feast on the riverbank. Cycle back via typical small villages, perhaps taking the chance to sample some more Côtes du Rhône wines.
Tonight’s dinner is at a local restaurant.
Day 3
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST
A big day out biking or walking in the Alpilles. (Support vehicle
ferrying available!) Experience the Carrieres de Lumiere, a world-
renowned son et lumiere experience in a disused bauxite quarry.
Wander the cobbled streets of Les Baux, and climb up to the
ruined citadel, once the feudal home of the Grimaldi family,
where the expansive landscape will take your breath away!
Visit Le Destet the first all biodynamic wine appellation in
the world. Home via the villages of Mouriès, surrounded by hills,
crests and olive trees and Eygalières with its glorious Chapel St-Sixte.
Tonight at your leisure either relaxing by the pool or sampling
any one of many great local restaurants.
Day 4
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / LUNCH / DINNER
After home-baked croissants, cycle through a sea of vines, olive
trees and orchards to neighbouring charming villages – Graveson
and Maillane. Immerse yourself in the aromas of the perfume
museum, paintings by fauvist artist Auguste-Chabaud or the
homestead of Nobel Prize winner, Frédéric Mistral, the man noted for
reviving the Provençal language.
Admire the Abbaye de St-Michel-de-Frigolet, hidden high in hills of
La Montagnette, then travel to Barbentane, for a typical Sunday
lunch. Finally, to the twin towns of Tarascon and Beaucaire. A chance to explore feudal castles and wander around 17th and 18th century houses or, visit Souleiado – a fascinating fabric museum that traces the history of traditional Provençal fabrics.
Day 5
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST / DINNER
Stroll through the great Provençal market in St-Remy-de-Provence – plenty of tasty lunch treats to be found here. In the afternoon pedal to the ruins of ancient Glanum and the monastery that inspired Van Gogh to create some of his most notable works. Continue on to the plateau of La Caume admiring the sweeping views to the Luberon, Mont Ventoux and beyond.
Or...
Cycle to Fontvieille with a magnificent windmill that inspired Daudet’s letters – tired of city life, he dreamed of buying a mill.
Or…
Explore Avignon at your leisure. Visit the Palais des Papes and imagine the
conversations of yesteryear. Use this great shopping opportunity to gather
up some last mementos.
Tonight enjoy one of the active gourmet’s famed au revoir feasts.
Day 6
Meal/s included: BREAKFAST
A farewell breakfast, and filled with joie de vivre (and not a kilo heavier??) we
go our separate ways, having savoured a wealth of new experiences, wonderful
food, great wine and having made many new friends.​
A break to take in the views
Dinner in St Remy
Looking over Vaucluse
St Remy's amazing market
Tour Dates & Cost
Dates on application
NZ$5250 pp twin share or double basis
A single supplement applies (if you prefer an individual room)
Included in each 10-day tour:
Transportation
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Daily support vehicle (no panniers or backpacks needed).
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Luggage transfer between localities.
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Any purchases you make in the markets and antique shops can easily be transferred.
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Hire of quality mountain bikes.
Accommodation
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Quality accommodation in properties of character, for the most part with private facilities. We stay two to three nights on average in each place, using the base to explore the environs.
Cycling in Provence
Food and wine
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Four gourmet dinners featuring the best of regional specialties – including the special au revoir feast on our final night
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Three lunches including spectacular picnics. Several times you’ll get the chance to ‘follow-your-own-nose’ for midday and evening meals.
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All breakfasts, including exquisite homemade preserves.
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Tutored wine tasting and special events.
Guidance
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An experienced facilitator with knowledge of the attractions, the people, and the history of the area.
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Our active gourmet tours offer a range of routes from undemanding to taxing, through the very heart of stunning countryside. High fitness levels aren’t essential though reasonable fitness is preferable.
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Pre-trip guidance (and cycle instruction is available if required).
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Daily briefing and guidance.
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Rest days and independent exploration possible (we supply very detailed maps which allow a choice of routes).
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Literature, including a detailed itinerary, clothing guide, use of large-scale maps of the area, and general advice on travelling in Europe.
​​
A sense of adventure is compulsory!
Exclusions
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Travel insurance (mandatory)
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Transfers
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Chateau and museum entry fees (you choose!)
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Gratuities and drinks
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Golf club hire and green fees, kayak hire where applicable
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Fishing tackle hire and lessons where applicable
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Visas and passports (as necessary)
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Personal items, eg, laundry, telephone etc.
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Optional extras
A limited number of days available?
You can join in for a shorter time. We also offer associated walking or car itineraries for non-cycling partners.
Footnote: Please note that there may possibly be changes outside the organiser's control, such as fluctuations between the NZ dollar and the overseas supplier's currency, or changes in prices or services. Prices shown are correct as at July 2019. The organiser reserves the right to change any details in this outline, should this prove necessary, at any time until full payment is received.
See our FAQ page for more information or email Gail to book.
Provencal Strawberries
Keen on a personalised tour?
We will design an itinerary for you, tailormade to suit your needs, interests and time frame. You decide when and how long you wish to tour for, who with and on what mode of transport.
Or we can help you select the most suitable tour from our extensive portfolio of the very best of worldwide activity holidays.
