Page 33 - World Expeditions: Active Europe - Sherpa Expeditions

HOTEL TOUR CODE: PBR
Explore enchanting Provence villages at handlebar level
The sublime landscapes and pretty villages of Provence have been an
inspiration for artists for centuries. To really appreciate the countryside
the ideal means of travel through the region is by bike. Fields of lavender
and poppies, old olive groves and vine covered hills, orchards brimming with
fruit and crumbling farmhouses are characteristic of the landscape. Explore
historic relics from prehistoric to Roman times, and take your time to soak
up the sights and sample the wine and produce of the Cotes du Rhone and
greater Provence. Splendid churches, medieval castles and picture‑book
Montagnette villages along the way provide an excuse for frequent stops.
The two nights in St Remy de Provence, the birthplace of Nostradamus and
the town where Van Gogh spent his last years painting some of his best
works, are one of the many highlights of this inspiring cycling adventure.
ITINERARY: DAY 1 | Arrive Graveson/Barbentane 2 | Cycle through
typical Montagnette villages to King René's town, Tarascon (25 or 27.5km)
3 | Cycle to Arles (41km) 4 | To Les Baux-de-Provence via Barbegal Castle
(21km) 5 | Cycle to Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (28km) 6 | Explore St-Rémy
7 | Return to Graveson / Barbentane (16 or 21km) 8 | Trip concludes
INCLUSIONS: Ξ 7 breakfasts, 6 dinners Ξ 7 nights in 2 star hotels on a twin
share basis with ensuite facilities Ξ luggage transfer (10kg limit per person)
Ξ information pack including route notes & maps Ξ rental bike ‑ 21 or 24 speed
bike with pump, repair kit, lock, helmet and panniers (electric bike available
on request ‑ supplement applies. Child bikes are also available on request)
Ξ emergency hotline
NOTES: The first Saturday of each month is our group self guided departure.
Where possible we will match same gender singles on these departures.
Provence Backroads
8 DAY SELF GUIDED CYCLE GRADE 1
Cycling near Les Beaux, Provence | Ewen Bell
Adria
N o r t h
S e a
English Channel
St Remy Tarascon
Graveson Avignon
Marseille
Arles Les Baux
France
HOTEL / GUESTHOUSE / B&B TOUR CODE: JPR
Walk from the Southern Alps to classic Provence towns,
for a contrasting week in Haute Provence
Much of this excellent route follows fairly closely the GR4, a long distance
trail which crosses France from the Cote d'Azur to the Atlantic. As you walk
from the rugged Alpine terrain around the Gorges du Verdon to the more
open cultivated landscape of the Plateau de Valensole, you follow the steps
of the ancient Roman legionaries. They marched this way between the
Alpine passes on the frontier with Italy and the opulent centres of Lower
Provence. A full day is spent traversing the best section of the Gorges du
Verdon ‑ France's most spectacular gorge, with 1500 feet cliffs towering
above the river. Beyond Moustiers, where the whole town is built on the
edge of a ravine, the scenery abruptly changes. Across the Plateau de
Valensole, you walk through fields of lavender and truffle oak plantations.
Visit the beautiful old market town of Aix en Provence, famous for its flower
market, its fountains and The Cezanne Museum. Throughout the tour you
will be amazed at the contrast between the narrow streets and tall densely
clustered houses of the Provencal villages and the virtually uninhabited
landscape.
ITINERARY: DAY 1 | Arrive St. Andre-Les-Alpes 2 | Walk to Castellane
(6hrs) 3 | Walk along the waymarked GR4 trail to Point Sublime in Rougon
(6hrs) 4 | Walk along the Verdon Gorge then up to La Maline, continue to La
Palud (6-8hrs) 5 | Follow a high forested ridge overlooking the turquoise-
blue Lac de Ste. Croix to Moustiers Ste. Marie (6.5hrs) 6 | Walk to Riez (6hrs)
7 | Transfer to Manosque, by train to Aix en Provence, free time to explore
the town 8 | Trip concludes
INCLUSIONS: Ξ 7 breakfasts, 4 dinners Ξ 7 nights accommodation on
a twin share basis with ensuite facilities where available Ξ luggage transfer
except between Riez and Aix en Provence Ξ information pack including route
notes & maps Ξ emergency hotline
Walking in Haute Provence
4 8 DAY SELF GUIDED WALK GRADE
Walking the Verdon Gorge | John Millen
St. Andre-Les-Alpes
La-Palud
Riez
Aix-en-Provence
Italy France
| 33 >> for detailed trip notes visit >> utracks.com
DATES 2015
Daily from 15 Mar to 31 Oct
Joining Graveson/
Barbentane
DATES 2015
Daily from 01 May to 30 Sep
Joining St Andre‑Les‑Alpes