Luxury Provence France Bike 6D5N (The Luberon & Renowned Wine Villages), Fully Guided

Level 2, Approx. 34 km (21 miles), Elevation gain: 305 m (1000 ft)

Today, you meet with your tour leaders at 10.30 a.m at the Avignon TGV train station. Please arrive dressed in your biking clothes. Bring your luggage and a daypack with your rain gear, and anything else you may want for today's hike (your luggage will be transported to our first night's accommodations).

Following our meeting, we travel to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a historic town that got its name (meaning the new castle of the Pope) when the papacy was relocated to the area by Pope Clement Vin in the early 14th century. Pope Clement V was said to be a great lover of wine, and the town is famous for its spicy, full-bodied reds. Later on, we will have the opportunity to partake in some wine tasting of these renowned vintages.

After the tour guides fit your bike and give a brief lecture on the various biking techniques and safety measures, set out on today's route, a great introduction to the allure of biking in Provence as we head through agricultural fields and into vineyards and forests.

Bike along the small back roads of the Drôme to Château de Massillan, our home for the night. Located in the heart of Provence on 24 acres of vigorous vineyard in Côtes du Rhône's small village of Uchaux, between Avignon and Montelimar, the Château de Massillan is set inside the former estate and hunting grounds of King Henry II and Diane de Poitiers and offers a taste of 16th-century France while immersing you in modern-day luxury and innovations with everything from organic food and linens to solar-powered energy and hemp-based insulation.

Settle into your room, take a stroll through the peaceful gardens or cool off with a swim before we gather for a welcome reception and gourmet dinner at our château. The selection of all certified organic French and international dishes is complemented by an extensive wine list featuring local domaines.

FOUR BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 39 km (24 miles), Elevation gain: 518 m (1700 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 56 km (35 miles), Elevation gain: 671 m (2200 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 72 km (45 miles), Elevation gain: 945 m (3100 ft)
Level 5, Approx. 101 km (63 miles), Elevation gain: 1524 m (5000 ft)

This morning we pedal to the venerable Côtes du Rhône, biking through Cairanne and continuing through Rasteau and Roaix. All three of these villages have been awarded Côtes du Rhône Village AOC status for producing a superior-quality wine under strict criteria.

Go on to the town of Vaison-la-Romaine, hidden along the banks of the Ouvèze River and the perfect spot for a coffee break. Learn about Vaison-la-Romaine, famous for its elaborate 2nd-century ruins, and now on the former site of the ancient Roman city of Vasio Vocontiorum. Explore the Haute-Ville section of the city, a steep rocky spur in the town's centre crowned by the remains of a mediaeval castle and lined with old stone houses and artists' studios. From here we ride to our lunch spot in the beautiful village of Séguret.

Done with lunch, ride up a wooded road into the Dentelles de Montmirail, limestone mountains with dramatic serrated ridges. Getting to the village of Gigondas whose name comes from jocunditas, the Latin word for joy, which you will feel after your first taste of the superb Gigondas wine! After, cycle past magnificent vineyards, promenades of cypress trees, and through Vacqueyras en route to Beaumes-de-Venise, a beautiful market town known for its sweet white muscat.

Continue to Hôtel Crillon le Brave, our home for the next two nights. A 5-star resort located in the heart of Vaucluse, Hôtel Crillon le Brave is an elegantly converted hamlet of village houses perched on a hill surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.

Tonight, join your leaders for a friendly game of pétanque before we gather for a casual family-style dinner at our hotel.

FOUR BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 27 km (17 miles), Elevation gain: 610 m (2000 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 45 km (28 miles), Elevation gain: 884 m (2900 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 93 km (58 miles), Elevation gain: 1341 m (4400 ft)
Level 5, Approx. 97 km (60 miles), Elevation gain: 2286 m (7500 ft)

Heading out this morning, you come face to face with incredible views of Mont Ventoux, the Giant of Provence. This mountain is perhaps best known for its occasional appearance in the Tour de France, and with its 20 km (13 miles), 1645 m (5400 ft), average 7.5-percent-average gradient climb, it strikes fear in the hearts of even the most seasoned cyclists. You can choose not to tackle this intimidating challenge.

Better still, go on a gorgeous 18 km climb (11 mile climb) that will take you through the Gorges de la Nesque, a deep canyon separating Ventoux and the Vaucluse Plateau. Relish the incredible views from the impressive winding road, as well as the shade provided by several unique tunnels through the mountainside as you go at your own pace, and make sure to drink plenty of water. We would be stopping next at Sault, a place with spacious squares and friendly cafés making it an ideal place for lunch by yourself.

If you wish to tackle the daunting climb up Mont Ventoux, let your leaders know and they will set you up with directions and extra snacks to take on this challenge.

Head back to the hotel for some R&R this afternoon. Pampering your cycling muscles at the spa might do the trick. But if you want more exploration, continue biking a few more kilometres to return to the hotel on your own bike.

Tonight, we will be having an elegant dinner in the hotel’s dining room, where we will delight in exquisite Provençal cuisine.

FOUR BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 34 km (21 miles), Elevation gain: 396 m (1300 ft)
Level 3, Approx. 51 km (32 miles), Elevation gain: 823 m (2700 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 64 km (40 miles), Elevation gain: 1097 m (3600 ft)
Level 5, Approx. 80 km (50 miles), Elevation gain: 1341 m (4400 ft)

Start the day cycling to the charming village of Venasque while taking in alluring views of vineyards along the way. For some extra distance this morning, tack on an additional loop and get in a hefty climb through limestone geography en route to Le Beaucet before joining back up with the group in Venasque. Thanks to its quaint serpentine streets and tidy homes embellished with flower-filled window boxes, Venasque is listed among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France “The Most Beautiful Villages of France”.

Ride on your bike to a short but steep detour to remote 12th-century Abbaye de Sénanque, set amid oak groves and a fragrant sea of lavender. If not, there is more gradual climbing for you as you cycle through a gorgeous limestone canyon to the Vaucluse plateau.

After a sumptuous lunch, you can decide to ride more by way of the stunning Lioux Cliffs or pedal directly down and across the Luberon Valley toward our home for the next two nights, La Coquillade. Situated in Gargas in the Vaucluse, near Roussillon, atop a hill with splendid views over the Luberon, Mont-Ventoux, and its wine estate, La Coquillade is a 5-star gem and the perfect place for you. If you're in the mood for some extra TLC, saunter downstairs and select from a decadent menu of services. Alternatively unwind in its picturesque poo, the sauna or bask in the serenity from its garden terrace.

You will head to the nearby village perché (perched village) of Roussillon for a tour. Make your own adventure this evening as you amuse your taste buds with traditional Languedoc-Roussillon cuisine for dinner (at own expense).

THREE BIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx. 34 km (21 miles), Elevation gain: 427 m (1400 ft)
Level 4, Approx. 64 km (40 miles), Elevation gain: 945 m (3100 ft)
Level 5, Approx. 79 km (49 miles), Elevation gain: 1341 m (4400 ft)

Set out this morning to return to the town of Roussillon. Resting on one of the world's biggest ocher deposits and adored by artists for centuries, this village is renowned for its striking natural surroundings, especially the Chaussée des Géants, a canyon radiant with 16 shades of ocher.

From here, head to Gordes, a flawless village perché, where old stone buildings cling to the craggy southern face of the high Vaucluse Plateau, and a massive mediaeval castle watches over fields, forests, and neighbouring hilltop towns. Stroll along cobblestone lanes leading to shady squares, historic monuments, chic boutiques, and cafés. Leaving Gordes, we move to Ménerbes, the village immortalised by Peter Mayle's best-selling A Year in Provence. We will be meeting for a picnic at Domaine de la Citadelle Winery, home to the well-known Musée du Tire-Bouchon (Corkscrew Museum), which has more than 1,200 corkscrews on display, some dating from the 17th century.

Attempt the ride north to Lacoste, a former residence of the controversial 18th-century author, Marquis de Sade. Climb up the ruins of the Marquis’ former castle. Wrap up today's adventure with a ride across the historic Pont Julien.

This evening we adjourn to the hotel's elegant restaurant for a farewell dinner overlooking the Luberon Valley. Savour either gourmet modern or traditional cuisine, and delight your palates with vintages from the Aureto vineyard.

Level 1, Approx. 21 km (13 miles), Elevation gain: 213 m (700 ft)

Today being the last day of our trip, you can go for one last spin in this cyclist’s paradise or you can choose to spend your day leisurely by the pool, followed by a hearty breakfast.

We gather later to say our fond goodbyes and grab a quick packed lunch for your travel day before departing for Avignon.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.