Day 1 : Arrival
A taxi will meet you in Avignon today (either at your hotel or at the train station) and transfer you to the first hotel in Mazan. This typical small Provencal town will enchant you, with its rich 2000 year old history. There is also an option of a short ride to limber up your legs if you feel like it. Before dinner, our representative will meet up with you to go over your trip package and make sure your bikes are fitted properly. Dinner is included tonight.

Day 2 : Loop around Mazan
Your ride today is beautiful, taking you northwards into the Cotes de Rhone vineyards. You'll ride through some of the "cru" villages, like Vaqueyras and Gigondas, with their full-bodied red wines - from the oldest vines in France - as well as the village of Beaumes de Venise, with its wonderful sweet white wines. Of course you'll have opportunities for tastings! The ride loops back on the flats to return you to Mazan.

Day 3 : Mazan to Gordes
After a leisurely breakfast, you ride out towards the Rhone plains. You'll ride through the small village of Venasque (considered by many as the most authentic village of the Venaissain region, and on towards Isle Sur la Sorgue. This compact town, built on the islands of five branches of the Sorgue River, is most well-known today for its huge weekend antique markets. During the week as well, it is worth taking the time to visit the many antique shops and boutiques. From there it is not far to your destination; save some energy for the very end, as Gordes is perched, spectacularly, on the top of a hill.

Day 4 : Luberon loop ride
Your final ride is quite beautiful, a loop ride including many of the classic Luberon villages (originally made famous in Peter Mayle’s book, A Year in Provence). You’ll ride through Roussillon, with its ochre cliffs, Menerbes, with its odd corkscrew Museum, and Lacoste, with the ruins of the castle of the Marquis de Sade. If you have the energy at the end of your ride, there is an option to pedal down (but don’t forget you have to come back up!) into the valley to visit the Cistercian Abbey of Senanque, perhaps in time to see the monks during vespers. Your final evening's dinner is included.

Day 5 : Departure - Bon Voyage
Transfer from your hotel to Avignon after breakfast