The Mediterranean climate is pleasant, the sun shines more than 3000 hours a year. The people are living outside, even during the winter, and play "pétanque" and drink their "pastis". Provence has not only an easy way of live, but is also one of the richest cultural regions of Europe. Numerous monuments testify a long and great past since the Greek and Roman period going to the Middle Ages and, at least, to the last centuries. Avignon: the famous Papal Palace (world patrimony), the medieval town and its imposing wall; Orange: possesses the best conserved Roman monuments as the theater and the triumph arch; Vaison la Romaine: is divided in a Roman city and a medieval town on the hill. You'll cross the famous vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône, the lavender fields when you approach the Lubéron - well known by Peter Mayle - with stay in the lovely town of Isle sur la Sorgue. Beautiful landscapes await you as Fontaine de Vaucluse with its deepest spring of the world. Gordes is a typical little village of the Provence. Sénanque is, with Fontenay in Burgundy, the best conserved cistercian abbaye of Europe surrounded by lavender fields. Roussillon: this village is known for its splendid ochre rocks. At least, we have to mention the quality of wine and food. During the cycle tour you will discover the good meals of the Provence and their Mediterranean flavor. Tour Itinerary: Day 1: Avignon. Arrival at Avignon. Dine and stay at excellent Hotel with swimming-pool and with very good restaurant. Day 2: Avignon - Orange (approximately 40 km/24 miles). 09:30 a.m. Information about the tour and distribution of the bikes if you have rented them. From Avignon to Villeneuve-lès-Avignon and then along the Rhône river to Roquemaure. You cross the Rhône and arrive at Orange. Category A: Hotel and very good restaurant, Category B: Hotel and good restaurant. Day 3: Orange - Vaison-la-Romaine (approximately 45 km/27 miles). Today you ride in the vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône and cross typical villages like Sérignan, Ste Cécile les Vignes, St. Roman de Malegarde and Villedieu before you arrive at Vaison la Romaine, lovely roman and medieval town. Categories A and B: Hotel in a historic house with swimming-pool and beautiful sight and very good restaurant. Day 4: Vaison la Romaine - Isle-sur-Sorgue (approximately 55 km/33 miles). You continue to ride in the wineyards of the Côtes du Rhône and cross the wine villages like Rasteau, Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Sarrans on little roads and paths. New and spectacular (only possible between May 15 and September 15): with van to the top of the famous mountain Mont Ventoux (1909 m) and then with the bike more than 75 km down to the lavender fields around Sault and further down to the Lubéron-Valley (EUR 30 surcharge per person). An unforgettable highlight! Arrival at Isle sur Sorgues, the Venice of the Provence, because of the many little rivers with clean water. Category A: Hotel with beautiful park and swimming-pool and naturally with very good restaurant, Category B: Hotel with swimming pool, dinner at restaurant in the town. Day 5: Isle-sur-Sorgue - Lubéron (approximately 40-60 km/24-36 miles). This region is too beautiful to leave it so quickly. So you stay at Isle sur Sorgue and explore the very lovely valley of the Lubéron described by Peter Mayle. Some highlights await you. The village of Gordes and its famous Vasarély Museum. Or not far from it the Cistercian abbey of Sénanque surrounded by Lanvender fields. And the Ochre rocks near the lovely village of Roussillon which have given the so typical colors to the Provence. Back to the hotel in Isle sur Sorgue. Day 6: Isle-sur-Sorgue - Avignon (approximately 35 km/21 miles). On little roads and along the Rhône river back to Avignon where you can visit the historical centre and the Pope palace (World Patrimony). Dine and stay at excellent Hotel with swimming-pool and with very good restaurant. Day 7: Departure. End of the Tour or you lengthen your holidays. Price Includes: - Self-guided: * 6 nights in carefully chosen 2 or 3 star hotels * 6 breakfasts * Guarded parking in Avignon (Category A) * Luggage transport between the hotels (1 piece per person) * Detailed documentation, brochures and maps * Marked route with France Bike signs * Technical assistance - Guided: * 6 nights half-board in carefully chosen hotels (Category A only) * 6 dinners * Guarded parking in Avignon * Luggage transport between the hotels * Detailed documentation, brochures and maps * Marked route with France Bike signs * Technical assistance * Guide. Price Excludes: - Your journey to and from Avignon - Rental bike - Entrance fees to monuments - Drinks - Lunches - Insurance. Dates: - Self-Guided: * Each Saturday from March 19 till October 22 (Special departures available for groups of 4 or more) - Guided: * March 26 * April 9, 23 * May 7, 21 * June 4, 18 * September 3, 17 * October 1, 15. Notes: Prices for self-guided tour: 
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