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Cascade-Affiliated International Tours
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Provence - Harvest Time Tour
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| Dates: |
Sept. 19 - Oct. 4, 2009
8/25/09: 7 spaces available.
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| Pace & Distance: |
Total Distance: 705-1172km (437-721miles)
Daily Distance: 56-113km (35-70 miles); longest single day riding transfer 90km (56mi)
What to expect: Varied terrain with some climbs of 10-12km (6-7miles) at 5-9% (except Mt Ventoux option!). A very tandem-friendly route and a great trip for any moderate-level club rider.
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| Group size: |
10 minimum, 12 maximum |
| Cost: |
€2,750 (double-occupancy, per person)
€500 (single suppliment, limited space)
Note: Special prices good for CBC members only until Feb. 15, 2009. After Feb. 15, 2009 prices will be at prevailing retail rate, currently 2900 Euro (double occupancy per person).
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| Itinerary: |
Highlights: Provencal colors and fragrances, Wine Route Rides, Harvest Time, Mt Ventoux, Quiet roads, Quaint villages, Delicious meals, Gorges du Verdon
Gateway Airport: Nice, France
Begin/End Hotel: Vence, France
15 nights, 15 days
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| Tour company:
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Reservations: tours@veloski.com or call (877) 835-6754
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Early fall in Provence is magical: the grape harvest fills the air with sweet fragrance, the crisp, cool evenings punctuate still-warm days, and the hordes of American tourists are mostly back home. The locals return to more relaxed lifestyles and the roads are better than ever. It's the perfect time and place for North American cyclists who want to extend their summer of riding for a few more weeks before winter rolls in. And have an unbeatable adventure of a lifetime while doing it!
This is VeloSki’s signature tour, refined over more than a decade of intimate experience. This bike tour is designed especially for couples to enjoy shared cycling pleasure. It's great for any fit cyclist, and loved by tandem teams, too. Each day offers many options, with a variety of distance, elevation and endurance choices. Whether you are seeking a leisurely 60km roll thru the countryside or a strenuous 90km loop over the Giant of Provence (Mt Ventoux), you get to choose your tempo and distance with our expert guidance each day.
Provence and the South of France and leisurely, luxurious meals are nearly synonymous. Once you've left the coastline, you enter a world with a way of life far from any of the hurried rush of cities and stresses of modern technological society. Forget email, and ditch the cell phone. It's time to soak in the experience of Provence. In keeping with this leisurely lifestyle, our cycle-tour of Provence features a few of the many wonderful, small, villages for our nightly rest and repas. You will relax after a rewarding day of riding amid the fall fragrance of ripe grapes enroute from vineyard to winery. And linger over Provencal feasts prepared by masterful chefs using only the freshest of ingredients. It's almost overwhelming, yet invigorating. And it must be experienced to be understood.
Provence, more than any other region, stimulates all of the senses with fragrances, flavors, sights and sounds. And it's only accentuated as you travel with friends and family to experience times of lasting memories and daily don't-miss photo-opportunities. It goes beyond words. The rich and vibrant colors of Provence are dominated by yellows, reds, lavender, blues and olive. The flavors, the relaxation, the exertion, the visual tapestry of color and texture will surround you. It’s a sensory overload. Yet it's not necessarily any one thing you can put your finger to, but a harmonious whole of which the sum of the parts is greater.
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Provence - Harvest Time Tour
Detailed Itinerary
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MEETING DAY / DAY ONE
Vence arrival
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Riding: Optional
Meals: D
Accommodations: 3-star hotel with pool
Attractions: Historical Vence and St Paul-de-Vence - art, architecture, shopping
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| The roads to Seillans are many and all choices lead to a wonderful introduction to the varied colors, flavors and fragrances that will be our backdrop for the coming days. We leave the harried pace of the Cote d'Azur behind as we follow winding roads deeper into the rock and oak covered hills and gorges of the Loup and Ceylon river drainages. Leaving Gourdon we continue our pleasant ascent into the pine forests of Andon. From Andon we glide down, down to Mons before our final secluded roadway into Seillans. |
Riding: 69-91km/42-55miles, 800-1300m/2700-4100ft climbing; mostly 5-7% climbs, occasional 7-9%
Meals: B, D
Accommodations: 3-star historic family operator inn
Attractions: Gourdon, quaint villages, Grasse perfumes
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DAY THREE
Moissac-Bellevue
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The roads are highlighted with stops in the hilltop villages of Bargemon and Tourtour. Along the way we descend the Gorges du Chateaudouble and climb thru a forest of scrub oaks, before pedaling amid vineyards on the way to our secluded hotel. The first fragrances of the harvest will stimulate our senses as we lounge poolside in the afternoon sunlight.
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Riding: 73km/44miles, 800m/2600fett climbing; mostly 5-7%
Meals: B, D
Accommodations: 3+star family operator villa, pool, wifi
Attractions: great countryside riding, Gorges du Chateau-Double
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DAY FOUR
Mossaic-Bellevue loop rides
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The vineyards of the area beckon exploration, so we have short loop rides planned to the village of Cotignac where you can enjoy a typical mid-day meal at one of the numerous cafes.
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Riding: 66km/40miles, 700m/2300feet climbing; mostly 2-4%, occasional 6-8%
Meals: B, D
Accommodations: Same as Day 3
Attractions: Cotignac Market Day, vineyard-lined roads
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Today’s ride is a superb ridge-surf all the way to our picnic lunch. The roads are smooth and the hills are small as we quickly ride to Varages, where well stop in a pottery/ceramics shop famous throughout the world as Faience style. A grand picnic is planned today. The final kilometers into Aix-en-Provence are dominated by the ever-changing views of Mont Victoire; immortalized in the paintings of Cezanne and others. Here is where the Provencal style sprouted and still flourishes today. Bon Appétit!
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Riding: 90km/55miles, 500m/1600feet climbing; mostly 2-4%, occasional 7-9%
Meals: B, P - Grand Picnic en route after Rians. Note: Dinner on your own.
Accommodations: converted old church in the middle of Aix-en-Provence, very nicely located
Attractions: Faiance pottery shop, Mt Victoire views, vineyard lined roads, Aix-en-Provence shopping
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| Aix-en-Provence is an ideal town for exploring and shopping, so we have a late departure (after lunch) arranged today. After lunch we will ride together out of town to the smaller quiet roads that we enjoy as we leave Mont Victoire behind and climb over a ridge into the Luberon to the ever-so-photogenic Gordes.
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Riding: 68km/42miles, 700m/2300feet of climbing; mostly 4-6%, occasional 7-9%
Meals: B, D
Accommodations: 3-star country inn, pool, wifi
Attractions: Aix-en-Provence art, history, shopping, Chateau of Lourmarin, Bonniex, Luberon views
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DAY SEVEN
Gordes Loop Rides
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Today we explore the many hilltop villages of the Vaucluse; an area known for rich textures, brightly colored shutters and fascinating history. The longer route circumnavigates the entire Vaucluse region, while the shorter route takes us to the source of the Sorgue River. And of course there are myriad options to explore. Enjoy!!
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Riding: Rest day or a variety of options
Meals: B, D
Accommodations: Same as Day 6
Attractions: Gordes, Borries Village, wine tasting, Fontaine-en-Vaucluse, Rousillon
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DAY EIGHT
Vaison-la-Romaine
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Today we leave the Luberon and Vaucluse regions as we ride along the slopes of the imposing Mt Ventoux. Bedoin will be our lunch with great views of Mt Ventoux, before continuing on to Vaison-la-Romaine.Vaison-la-Romaine is filled with artists and artisans, historical amphitheatres, centuries-old chapels, buildings and Roman bridge.
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Riding: 56km/35miles, 700m/2200feet climbing; 5-8% Optional Mt Ventoux add-on: 35km/22miles, 1600m/5200feet climbing; mostly 7-9%, some 10-11%
Meals: B, D
Accommodations: 3-star chateau in the center of the old city, pool, wifi
Attractions: vineyard-lined roads, Mt. Ventoux vistas
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DAY NINE
Vaison-la-Romaine; Wine Loop Ride
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| Today is perfect for sampling wines, selecting your favorite Provencal fabrics, and purchasing herbs or other gifts for friends and family. Walking thru Vaison or riding the wine route either way you are guaranteed an enjoyable day.
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Riding: 57km/36miles, 500m/1600feet climbing; mostly 4-7%, occasional 7-9%
Meals: B, D
Accommodations: Same as Day 8
Attractions: Roman ruins, wine tasting, vineyard lined roads, Mt Ventoux option
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DAY TEN
Sault
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| Today we ride around the north side of the mountain on quiet roads with splendid views of Mt Ventoux. Along the way well take a little deviation from the valley road up and over the Col des Aires. An early lunch or late morning café is appropriate here for enjoying the dramatic views of Mt Ventoux from a different perspective.
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Riding: 51-69km/30-42miles, 500-800m/1500-2600feet climbing; most 5-7%, occasional 7-9%
Meals: B, D
Accommodations: 4 star country inn, pool, wifi
Attractions: quiet roads, Mt Ventoux views
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DAY ELEVEN
Manosque
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There are many roads to choose from today; we offer one of our favorites. Gently rolling terrain with good pavement and ever-changing views are in store for you, as we leave Mt Ventoux behind and ride toward the Haute-Provence region.
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Riding: 68km/42miles, 600m/1900feet climbing; mostly 3-4%, occasional 7-9%
Meals: B, D
Accommodations: 3 star newer French hotel, pool, wifi
Attractions: Market day in Banon
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DAY TWELVE
Manosque loop
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| The ride today is on tiny roads leading to small villages overlooking gorges with chateaus perched on the edge. This is a ride far from tourists, a ride that takes us back to the roots of Provencal life where farmers meet in town to sell their produce and boulangeries supply the lifeblood of Francethe baguette. Or indulge yourself relaxing poolside. |
Riding: Rest day with optional loop ride 75km/45miles, 1000m/3300feet climbing
Meals: B, D
Attractions: Same as Day 11
Accommodations: Shopping in Manosque, poolside relaxing
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DAY THIRTEEN
Moustiers-St Marie
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| Today we continue our travels east and higher into the Haute-Provence region across the Valensole plateau to the charming village of Moustiers; famous for fine porcelain.
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Riding: 73km/43miles, 1200m/4000feet climbing; mostly 5-7%, occasional 7-9%
Meals: B, Dinner on your own.
Attractions: 3-star countryside hotel, 600meters to town, pool, wifi
Accommodations: Fine porcelain pottery, beautiful cliff-side village, cold fresh water from the rocks
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DAY FOURTEEN
Castellane
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| Moustiers-St-Marie to Castellane is truly an amazing ride as we traverse the north edge of the Grand Canyon du Verdon. |
Riding: 65-85km/41-53miles, 1100-1500m/3900-5000feet climbing; mostly 5-7%, some 8-10%
Meals: B, P, D Note: We host a grand picnic overlooking the Grand Canyon
Attractions: 3-star French family operated hotel, recently upgraded, wifi
Accommodations: Grand Canyon du Verdon
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DAY FIFTEEN
Vence
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| This is our final day of riding, as we return to our starting hotel in Vence. What a great day it will be as we climb an almost forgotten mountain road, view a stunning gorge, travel where sheep and goats are beginning to move from the high country to the lower valley meadow, and have lunch on the Mediterranean side of the rocky mountains known as the Alpes-Maritime. Of course, there are always additional options for those desiring a little more riding or more shopping for a special souvenir. Finally, we view the Cote d’Azur from the top of the Col du Vence, before the final exhilarating descent of the trip, ending poolside at our hotel. |
Riding: 74-83km/43-52miles, 800-1200m/2600-4000feet climbing; mostly 5-8%
Meals: B, D
Attractions: Same as Day 1
Accommodations: Greolieres, Col du Vence final descent
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DAY SIXTEEN
Departure
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Riding: Van shuttle to the airport
Meals: B
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THE FINE PRINT
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Pricing
- €2,750 double occupancy
- €500 single occupancy supplement (limited space).
These prices are good for CBC Members only until Jan. 15, 2009. Unsold spaces become available to general public and CBC members after Jan. 15, 2009 at non-discounted rate, currently €2,900 (double occupancy).
Note: When trips do not fill to the required level, a price adjustment may become necessary to avoid trip cancellation.
Hotel accommodations are based on double occupancy. If you are traveling alone, you may choose to be matched with an available roommate. If you prefer single accommodations, a single supplement fee will be charged (see specific trip information).
Sign up
Registration & Payment Schedule
- Deposit: 20% of the trip fee (payable on sign up)
- 2nd Installment: 40% of trip fee (120 days prior to departure)
- Final Payment: 40% of trip fee (60 days prior to departure)
If the trip departure is less than four months away, a 60% deposit is due at time of sign up. If the trip is less than two months away, payment in full is due.
Payments may be made by VISA/MC or personal check made out to Veloski Sports. Late payment may result in a cancellation of your reservation.
Download PDF Registration Form.
Cancellations
Written notice is required to cancel a trip. The following cancellation fees apply: (time calculated from receipt of written notification).
- 90 or more days prior to departure: €100
- 60-89 days prior to departure: 25% of tour costs
- 31-59 days prior to departure: 50% of tour costs
- 30 days or less prior to departure: 100% of tour costs
You may opt to transfer to another Veloski Sports trip, without penalty, 90 or more days prior to your original departure date. Cancellation fees will apply to all other transfers. Veloski Cycle Tours reserves the right to cancel any trip for any reason. In this event, Veloski Sports will refund the land costs in full. Please allow 60 days to process refunds. Veloski Sports is not responsible for any other expenses incurred in preparation for the trip such as, but not limited to, non-refundable airline tickets, medical expenses, equipment purchase/rental or visas. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
Trip Inclusions
- 15 nights accommodation
- 15 breakfasts,
- 13 dinners with table wine
- 2 grand picnic
- ride snacks and drinks
- maps and daily route descriptions
- on-the-road ride guides
- van support
- daily luggage transfers
- airport transfers on designated arrival/departure days (other days by prior arrangement only)
Trip Exclusions
- bicycle (riders must bring their own bicycles; no rentals will be available)
- 2 dinners
- lunches
- non-mealtime alcoholic beverages
- airfare
- insurances
- tips & gratuities
Weather notes
Please check Weather Underground or other weather sites to view seasonal weather patterns in Europe. In general we have an excellent chance of ideal riding weather on all 2009 European tours.
Rider Testimonials
Please visit Veloski Tours for rider testimonials.
Important Information
We here at Veloski Sports believe that successful tours require a partnership between guide, guide service and participant. We do our best to provide a safe, enjoyable and rewarding experience. Our goal is to help you choose, plan for and participate on a trip that is best suited to you. Your responsibility is to select a trip that best matches your interests, skill level, physical abilities and timeline.
Flight Plan
Cascade Bicycle Club recommends Elizabeth Holmes Travel for booking airfare. Contact Sarah at 206-647-8361 or visit www.elizabthholmes.com. Please send your itinerary to Veloski Sports no later than 45 days prior to departure. For certain trips, we need this information so that arrangements can be made to meet you at the airport. If you plan to redeem frequent flier mileage make sure to book your flight early, as seats are limited. It is also a good idea to try and arrive one day early, in case of missed flights and to help to any Jet Lag.
Travel Insurance
Any policy you purchase should, at the very least, cover trip cancellation, loss of baggage, accident/life coverage, travel delays, and non-refundable airline tickets. Carriers for travel insurance include Travel Guard and Travelex. You may also consider insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation. Travel insurance information will be contained in the trip confirmation packet.
Veloski Sports Expenses
Veloski Sports covers all land costs as part of the overall trip fee. Land costs include hotel rooms, meals as indicated, ground transportation unless otherwise noted, guide services (both Veloski Sports and local guides) and sightseeing (only activities explicitly described in the trip packet). The cost of alternate ground transportation is not included. If a trip is rerouted due to weather and/or road conditions, government intervention, acts of war or terrorism, illness or any other contingency that we or our agents cannot control, Veloski Sports reserves the right to modify the trip fee.
Participant Expenses
The participant is responsible for airfare, personal/travel/medical insurance, passport and visa fees, excess baggage fees, airport taxes and tourist entrance fees. Riders are also responsible for meals prior to or after the actual scheduled trip or meals that he/she chooses as alternatives to the ones offered by Veloski Sports, additional room charges (room service and the like), laundry services, alcoholic beverages (other than wine provided with meals), tips for guides and support staff, medical costs and cost of any hospitalization and/or evacuation required for him/her. There are no bicycle rentals available; riders bring their own bikes.
Veloski Sports Responsibilities
Veloski Sports is responsible for running logistically sound and enjoyable cycling tours. If a trip is rerouted due to weather, road conditions, or any other contingency that we or our agents cannot control, we reserve the right to alter hotel and route itineraries as necessary to ensure the safety of the group. There will be no refunds under these conditions.
Participant Responsibilities
Participants have responsibilities to themselves, Veloski Sports and to each other. They must choose the trip that is appropriate for their interests and skill level. Good physical condition is important on all Veloski Sports trips and is a prerequisite for participation. Proper trip preparation includes but is not limited to, understanding the trip's itinerary, acquisition of the proper equipment and clothing and understanding proper riding safety. Once on the tour, Veloski Sports reserves the right to disqualify a participant from any trip for any reason as deemed necessary by the guide. Safety is paramount to a successful adventure.
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Worried you might not be in good enough shape to tackle the hills? Join Cascade Ride Leaders this spring in the Cascade Training series. We'll be leading rides every weekend geared to getting YOU ready for this summer's big CBC rides. Visit the Activities Calendar for more information and ride listings.
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