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The Olive Grove Road
June 18-26, 2010
8 days / 7 nights
Call For Pricing

Optional excursion to Paris for 2 nights: Call For Pricing
Includes transfers, 2 nights lodging, and daily breakfasts

"…the murmur of a grove of olive trees is so secret […] it is too beautiful for me to dare paint it … ", Vincent Van Gogh.

Discover the beautiful landscapes in the footsteps of author Daudet and painters Van Gogh or Cézanne, along paths lined with olive trees, almond trees, cypress and vineyards and take your time on the little roads of the Camargue, the beautiful nature reserve of Provence.

Revel in the easygoing lifestyle as you browse in the Provençal markets in Saint-Rémy, Maussane, Eygalières or Fontvieille. Meet the artisans who will delight you with the local flavors: olive oil, wines from the Coteaux-des-Baux, honey from Provence…

Then travel along roads brimming with history, on the Pont du Gard, in the Roman amphitheaters or in the Cloister of the Saint-Trophime Cathedral in Arles, before letting yourself drift to Avignon, the "City of the Popes".

3 nights in a 2 star hotel in Avignon
2 nights in a 2 star hotel in Saint Rémy de Provence
2 nights in a 2 star hotel in Arles
Lodging taxes and fees
All breakfasts, and 7 dinners
Guided biking excursions
Transfers of luggage from one hotel to another
Round-trip transfers airport to the hotel or train station
Transfers by boat from Arles to Avignon
Bike rental

ITINERARY

Day 1 - Friday - U.S.A. to Provence

Day 2– Settle in your hotel after arriving in Avignon
-Enjoy taking your time, wander the small winding streets in the old city.
-Welcome aperitif with your guide who will be with you throughout your bike trip
-Dinner and overnight at your hotel in Avignon

Day 3 - Todays cycling excursion : loop ride to Châteauneuf-du-Pape
About 45 kms – level 1
- After breakfast, cycle to Chateauneuf du Pape, the famous vineyard, and appreciate a wine-tasting
- Visit the chocolate factory, for a gourmet break, prior to choosing a restaurant in the village for lunch on your own
- Cycle back to Avignon, along the Rhone river side.
- Dinner and hotel in Avignon

Day 4 - Todays cycling excursion : From Avignon to Saint Rémy de Provence
About 25 kms – level 1
More strenuous option : Cycle from Avignon to Saint Rémy via pont du Gard
About 65 kms – level 3
-Cycle through the cherry and peach tree orchards to Saint Rémy de Provence
- Settle in to your hotel in Saint Rémy de Provence
- Dinner at hotel

Day 5 - Todays cycling excursion : Loop ride in the "Montagnette"
About 50 km – level : 2 / 3
-After breakfast, cycle to the Montagnette where you will discover the village of Barbentane and its XVIIè century castle
- Stop in Saint Michel de Frigolet Abbey to choose among various sites to visit
- Lunch or picnic at your leisure
- Cycle to Saint Rémy de Provence where you could visit the village taking your time or going back to the hotel for a swim
- Dinner and over night at the hotel in Saint Rémy de Provence

Day 6 - Todays cycling excursion : From Saint Rémy to Arles
About 50 km – level : 2 / 3
- Today you will cycle through the Alpilles, one of the most charming Provençal landscapes -- through pine forests, vineyards, olive groves
- Discover the typical village of Maussane before cycling up to Les Baux de Provence ranked among the most beautiful villages in France. You will enjoy its castles and the fantastic views.
- After lunch on your own, you will visit Fontvieille, where you will see the famous mill of author Alphonse Daudet before cycling to Arles
- Dinner and over night in a very nice hotel in the center of the historic City

Day 7 - Todays cycling excursion : From Arles to Les Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer
about 45 km – level : 1
- Cycle around the ponds between the Camargue area and the Mediterranean sea to les saintes Maries de la Mer
- Take your time and appreciate this beautiful nature reserve full of pink flamingos, wild bulls and horses
- Lunch on your own and free afternoon at the seaside
- Transfer back to your hotel in Arles, by coach
- Dinner and hotel in Arles

Day 8 - After breakfast you will travel along roads brimming with history, in the cloister of Saint Trophime Cathedral or in the Roman Amphitheaters of the ancient city of Arles.
- A pleasure boat excursion on the Rhône River will bring you back to Avignon
- During this little cruise you could admire The castle of Tarascon : Château du Roy René, one of most beautiful medieval castles in France
- Dinner and over night at the hotel in Avignon

Day 9 - Breakfast and transfer to the train station for departure

Optional excursion to Paris
--High-speed TGV Avignon to Paris
--2 nights lodging in a 3 star hotel
--Transfers hotel to airport for return flight home
--Breakfast daily
--Discover Paris and its many wonders, by foot or by barge
--Free time to discover Paris at your leisure, shopping, museums, parks, and gardens. Itineraries provided.

Walking Tour in Provence and Paris

June 18-26, 2010
8 days / 7 nights
Call For Pricing

Discover three beautiful areas in Provence : Aix-en-Provence, The Luberon ranges and the famous little seaport Cassis. During your walk you will discover the rich architecture of the city of Aix-en-Provence, and its beautiful countryside that inspired the famous painter Paul Cézanne. During your walking excursions in the country-side, you will appreciate the varied landscapes of pine forest, vineyards, mountain paths and the mediterranean coast from unforgettable vistas. You will stay in a hotel “de charme” in the town center where you will appreciate the provençal lifestyle including the gastronomy and wine. During your two days in Paris your walks will take you to all the special places of Paris, and you will be given plenty of time to shop at your leisure.

5 nights in 2 star hotels in Aix-en-Provence
2 nights in 3 star hotel in Paris
All breakfasts, 5 dinners in Aix-en-Provence
Lodging taxes
4 walking excursions with a certified guide for each walk
Guided visit of Aix-en-Provence
Transfers
High speed train Aix-en-Provence to Pairs
Round trip air from Washington DC to Marseille and return from Paris
All airline taxes and fees
Visit the world-renown open air markets in Aix-en-Provence
(food, flower, and antigues)
Price based on 15 people

ITINERARY

Day 1 -- Friday - U.S.A. to Provence

Day 2 -- Arrival in Aix en Provence
-Settle in your hotel in the center of town
-Free time before dinner
-Welcome aperitif with your walking guide who will explain your guided walking tours
-Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in hotel located in village center

Day 3 -- Today you will visit Aix en Provence with a local guide who will escort you in the footsteps of Paul Cézanne and Emile Zola, unquestionnably the most well-known "Aixois". You will appreciate the colors and scents of the many open air markets which take place throughout the village, the beauty of the architectural heritage, fountains and old mansions
-Free time in the afternoon to discover at your leisure the beautiful shops along the winding streets
-Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in the same hotel

Day 4 -- Walking excursion: The Sainte-Victoire Mountain
-Duration : about 4h30 (up and down)
-Elevation : 650 m
-After breakfast you will be transferred to the departure point of a beautiful walking excursion which will take you to the summit of the Sainte-Victoire mountain
-You will admire a fantastic panorama of southern Provence to the Mediterranean sea
-You will have time to picnic before walking back to the valley, where a taxi will take you back to the village
-Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the same hotel

Day 5 -- Walking excursion: The Luberon ranges
-Duration : about 5h
-Elevation : 750 m
-After breakfast you will visit the Luberon Regional Park where you will appreciate a walking excursion between pine forests and some of the many well-known vineyards in the region.
-From the "Mourre Negre" (1 125m) you will discover an unforgettable panorama of the Sainte-Victoire, "Lure" mountain and the southern Alpes
-You will have time to picnic before returning to Aix en Provence
-Dinner at a local restaurant and overnight in the same hotel

Day 6 -- Walking excursion: The calanques de Cassis
Duration : about 4h
Elevation : 250 m
-After breakfast, you will visit Cassis, the famous little seaport
You will hike between the pine forest and the coast and discover three beautiful ports: Port-Miou, Port-Pin and En-Vau from where you can appreciate a beautiful panorama, 150 m above the blue turquoise water
-Free time to picnic while enjoying the beautiful vistas
-Last night farewell dinner at local restaurant and overnight in Aix en Provence

Day 7 - Breakfast and departure from the train station of Aix-en-Provence
-Morning transfer via high-speed TGV to Paris
-In the afternoon you will discover Paris with a local walking guide
-Settle in your hotel situated in the heart of the city
-Dinner on your own

Day 8 - Free day to discover Paris at your leisure: shopping, museums, parks and gardens...so many choices!
-Lunch and dinner on your own. Itineraries provided.
-Overnight in the same hotel

Day 9 - Breakfast and departure for the CDG airport
-Return flight back to USA