Provence Biking Adventure
AWBS & AWS
April 27 - May 1, 2010

Price	2,150 USD (1,935 after discount)
Single Supplement	800 USD (always optional)
Length	Five Days & Four Nights
Activities	Biking
Registration	Book This Tour
Guides	Allan, Giovanni, and one other guide depending on group size
Bike Rental	25 Euros per day

Provence is a land of rugged landscapes, sun-drenched fields, and charming hilltop towns. The intense colors and pleasant climate at one time drew the best painters in the world, including van Gogh, Renoir, Matisse, Cézanne , and Picasso. The cuisine is local: seafood and lamb; fresh fruits and vegetables such as melons, apricots, and olives; and the wonderful wines of the Côtes de Provence.

Provence, in the southwest of France, is also a renowned bicycling area. The many small side roads allow us to bicycle side by side, taking in views of Lavender fields and passing through small farming villages. We cycle across flat valleys with occasional climbs to hilltop towns. France is probably the premier bicycling country in the world, thanks to the scenery, the hospitality, and the policy of paving even the smallest country road. And because we have a support van and three route distances each day, this tour is designed to accommodate all cyclists - from advanced riders to those who haven't been biking for years!

Our five-day trip is centered on the town of Avignon, located on the banks of the Rhône River and during the 14th century the actual seat of the Pope and Catholic Church. We visit nearby towns including Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Gordes, Venasque, and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. As always, we have three biking routes each day (short, medium, and long) and a support van that is always there if you need it.

Arrival and Departure
The tour date is coincides with flights on flybe airways (previously BA Connect), which flies directly from Southampton in the UK to Avignon Airport. Avignon Airport is located on the outskirts of the city and we will start biking immediately from the airport itself. Once we have confirmed your tour reservation, please book the following flight:

Southampton - Avignon: Tuesday, April 27, 10:20 - 13:20
Avignon - Southampton: Saturday, May 1, 13:55 - 15:00
Current total price: GBP 141.35

Bicycles
Back by popular demand, we have agreed to bring our Italian guide Giovanni Ramaccioni and his fleet of bicycles up from Umbria for this tour! Giovanni is a wonderful guide who has led trips in Provence and his fleet of 21-speed bikes got rave reviews from our group in 2008 and will be perfect on the roads of Provence. You can bring your own seats and pedals if you are an experienced cyclist. Total Rental Cost for the tour: Euro 125 (translated into dollars at current exchange rate).

AWBS and AWS Private Adventure
This is a Private Adventure being organized by Zephyr Adventures for the American Women of Berkshire and Surrey, the American Women of Surrey, and their friends.  Note all participants will receive a 10% discount when the group size reaches 14 participants. Book online now by paying your $500 deposit, payable by credit card. Final payment is due by check 60 days prior to departure.

Accommodations
We stay four nights in four different towns, allowing us to cover more ground in a 3/4 loop around our base town of Avignon. The hotels are excellent and it is really worth clicking on each website to see a few photos. On our first night we stay at the Hotel Le Castelet des Alpilles in the town of St. Remy-de-Provence. St. Remy is a wonderful walled town of 10,000 people, big enough to offer excellent sights and shopping but small enough to explore on foot. We then cycle to Les Imberts and our hotel Le Mas de la Senancole. Our chateau-style hotel centered around a beautiful swimming pool might entice you to stay put for the afternoon except that you are only five kilometers from the famous Provencal town of Gordes. You can always visit the next morning! We are then on to the Hotel Montmirail in the town of Gigondas, one of the premier wine towns in the region. Finally, it is back to Avignon and a stay in the center of the city at the Hotel du Palais de Papes. (Please note these hotels are subject to change.)

For More Information
Please see our Provence Frequently Asked Questions or Itinerary pages or contact us for more information.