Itinerary Include flights Expand all Avignon to Pernes-Les-Fontaines Day 1 Arrive in Avignon After checking into the Hotel Bristol, you have free time to discover all that Avignon has to offer and choose a restaurant for dinner (pay locally). Staying at Hotel Bristol. Meals included: Breakfast Day 2 Avignon to Pernes-Les-Fontaines Option: 1 Visit the famous Palais des Papes and admire the view from the Pont d'Avignon. In the afternoon, we take you to Pernes-les-Fontaines Staying at Hotel l'Hermitage, Breakfast at hotel, evening meal at a local restaurant Option: 2 Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 3 Pernes-Les-Fontaines to Vacqueyras Setting out from Pernes-les-Fontaines you immediately find yourself surrounded by a sea of swaying vines and spectacular views of the 'Giant of Provence', Mt Ventoux, and the Dentelles de Montmirail. Heading towards the mountains takes you around Carpentras into the sleepy village of Loriol-du-Comtat. It's then on to Aubignan, a small market town with ramparts dating back to the C14 and a pretty old quarter to explore - it's a perfect lunch spot. In the afternoon you'll come to the wine village of Vacqueyras, home to one of the Southern Rhone's bigger names, and from here make the short climb up to your beautiful hotel in Les Dentelles. Staying at Hotel Montmirail Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 4 At Vacqueyras (free day or optional ride) Today you are spoiled for choice. You can cycle through the Vacqueyras vineyards to the village of Gigondas, famous for its ruby-red wine, where you'll find masses of tasting opportunities (you can also visit Gigondas on foot by taking a leisurely stroll through the stunning Dentelles de Montmirail). Alternatively you could take a taxi to explore Orange with its famous UNESCO Roman amphitheatre and cathedral or to Chateauneuf du Pape for the world-famous vineyards there. However, if that all sounds too much you can simply relax by the pool and take in the wonderful Provencal ambiance.Staying at Hotel Montmirail. Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 5 Vacqueyras to Mazan Today you leave Les Dentelles behind as you head for the village of Beaumes-de-Venise with its muscat wines and olive oil museum. Then it's a gentle ride along quiet lanes, past olive groves at the foot of Mt Ventoux, to the ancient, fortified village of Caromb. Home to an impressive church, a C16 watchtower and 14 fountains, it makes a nice option for lunch. With Mt Ventoux at your back now, head south through the vineyards to the mediaeval village of Mazan with its church wall made up of more than 60 Roman sarcophagi. Your home for the next two nights is the country chic C18 Chateau de Mazan. Staying at Chateau de Mazan Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 6 At Mazan (free day or optional ride) After breakfast take a ride to the lively village of Bedoin, named for the C8 Bedouins who settled there and home to the imposing church of Saint-Antonin, with its unique Spanish style - so different from any other in Provence. Bedoin is also the gateway to Mt Ventoux for more hardy cyclists seeking a challenge! From there follow established cycle routes to the Chateau Pesquie, which offers everything from a stroll in the vines, to a guided cellar tour, to a tasting, to a full picnic lunch in the gardens. Then it's back to Mazan, either to explore the village or relax by the pool before dinner. Staying at Chateau de Mazan Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 7 Mazan to Pernes-Les-Fontaines This morning follow empty lanes and vineyard tracks to Malemort-du-Comtat before coming to the foot of the hill on which the wonderful mediaeval village of Venasque sits perched, still surrounded by the remains of its ramparts and three Saracen towers. Listed as one of the 'Most Beautiful Villages of France', there is also a lovely C11 baptistery right in the heart of the village. Heading back down leads you to the popular village of St-Didier with its great variety of lunch options. It's then a fairly short distance to the old town of Pernes-les- Fontaines where you should have time to explore before heading back to your hotel for a swim in the pool before dinner. Staying at Hotel l'Hermitage. Breakfast at hotel, evening meal at a local restaurant. Meals included: Breakfast Dinner Day 8 Leave Pernes-Les-Fontaines Meals included: Breakfast
France No visa required for British passport holders. For further Brexit travel advice please visit https://www.abta.com/tips-and-advice/brexit-advice-for-travellers Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required.
Hotels We've hand-picked a great mix of hotels for you, each with a swimming pool and each offering fine Provencal cuisine and cellars full of local wine. In Pernes-les-Fontaines you stay in a 19th century stately manor house surrounded by landscaped gardens; in Montmirail your hotel is a 17th century villa tucked between vineyards and olive groves; then in Mazan you stay in a 18th century chateau, the former home of the Marquis de Sade.
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