In the heart of Provence, through the Luberon natural regional park to the Rhone valley, at the foot of the “Mont Ventoux” (The Ventoux mount). This is a country basked in sunshine; wine country. You can discover the “Cotes du Luberon”, the “Cotes du Ventoux, as well as the famous “Cotes du Rhone” such as the Beaumes de Venise, where the trail ends.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: Meeting at the “Mas de Recaute” between 6:00 and 8:00pm.
Day 2: Lauris – Mérindol. You will follow the hills, to the vineyards sheltered by the southern side of the Luberon. On the way, a wine tasting visit in a “Domaine vinicole” (a wine producer). Picnic in a pine grove: a copious buffet prepared by our assistant. The afternoon ride will take us through the hills, to the historical village of Mérindol: inhabited by the Vaudois community, which was considered as heretic, the village was burnt in 1545, and the population killed. You will arrive at the guest house, at Mireille and Jean Pierre’s house, later in the afternoon. Enjoy the swimming pool and home made aperitif, before setting for a nice provincial dinner (on some dates, accommodation might be back at the Mas de Recaute in Lauris).
Day 3: Mérindol – Maubec. Ride through pine forests with wonderful views of the Durance valley with orchards, whose fruit you will taste at the picnic. Ride along the Carpentras channel, before getting to lunch nearby the village of Robion. In the afternoon, landscapes of cliffs where eagles and other birds of prey nest. Arrive at Maubec at Collette’s place. After the ride, the choice is yours: a dip in the swimming pool, or a visit to Gordes and the Sénanque Abbey. Dinner, prepared by Colette, will be a real culinary experience, accompanied by a selection of North Luberon wines.
Day 4: Maubec – Vénasque. Today, you enter the “Côtes du Ventoux” producing area, via the Vaucluse mounts. You will cross Cabrières d’Avignon, before reaching the “mur de la peste” a wall constructed in 1720 to protect the populations from the great epidemic that spread from Marseille up to the north. Night in a B&B near the historical village of Vénasque. Dinner in the village.
Day 5: Vénasque – Bédoin. Countryside of rolling hills, facing the “Mont Ventoux”. A long ride that will take us through hills, forest and cherry orchards to the village of Blauvac. Wine tasting at “Domaine des Anges”, and short ride to lunch, by the lake of Mormoiron. A flat ride in the afternoon, with nice possibilities of canters. You will arrive late afternoon to an equestrian center near Bedoin, home for the horses. You will be driven to a typical French Auberge for the night in the tiny village of Sainte Colombe.
Day 6: Bedoin – Beaumes de Venise. You will ride on the foothill of Mont Ventoux. A hilly ride offering beautiful views, to the “Chapelle du Paty”. Lunch by the lake of the same name. In the afternoon, you will cross the village of “Le Barroux”, dominated by its beautiful castle. You will then slowly make your way to Beaumes de Venise, final destination of the ride. Admire the “Dentelles de Montmirail” on the way, before one last tasting of the famous “Beaumes de Venise” muscat and red wines. Minibus transfer to Mas de Recaute, in Lauris.
Day 7: End of the trail after breakfast.
2008 Dates: March 29-April 4, April 12-18, April 26-May 2, May 10-16, May 24-30, June 7-13, June 21-27, September 6-12, September 20-26, October 4-10, October 18-24, November 1-7.
Meeting Point: Marseille Airport, Aix-en-Provence TGV Station or Centre Station.
Saddles: English.
Other Activities: Hiking and sight-seeing.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
$2,325 per person, shared.
$460 single supplement.
Price Includes:
- 6 nights accommodations
- 5 days guided trail riding
- All meals
- Horse
- Tack
- Guide
- Luggage transfer
- Transfers to/from airport/train station at pre-set time
- Tax.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
France
Horse Riding
Food & Wine
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