Provence by Scooter |
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Come play in Van Gogh's sunflowers
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See how cool you look in a helmet
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Scoot beneath Mont Ventoux
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Ooh la la! Leave room for dessert!
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Romanesque chapel amidst the cypress
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The beautiful ochre of Roussillon
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Ride down quiet country roads
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Colorful local markets
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Wake up to this view!
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Provence by Scooter Itinerary
TOUR AT A GLANCE -
Departures: Private departures only, please contact us for details.
Duration: 6 Days/5 Nights
Departing from: Avignon at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, Day 2
Tour finishes: Avignon train station on Day 6
Special offer! Save €150 per person. Trip price is now:
€1,800 per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement: €200.
(Regular price is €1,950). *Special offer applies to trips with at
least 4 people. We will run the trip for two people, but then we will
request the full trip price. Notice will be given 30 days before
departure.
[Couples can save €100 for one person if they request one scooter for two. Depending on availability, a couple might be obliged to take one scooter and thus receive the discount.]
Click on the Currency Converter to see the price in your local currency.
Hit the open road on your own scooter on this guided tour of Provence's Vaucluse region. We spend one night in Avignon and then four and a half days of touring on a 125cc scooter. Traveling by scooter is fun and easy, they have an electric start and automatic transmission. Your local guide will lead you along quiet back roads amongst olive groves and vineyards to story-book castles and hilltop villages. This is a great holiday which combines the freedom and exhilaration of touring by scooter with the fabulous food, wine, and landscapes of Provence. Scooterbella in the news: our tours have been featured in the travel section of The Guardian (UK), Jan 20th, 2007. Another article was published by The Observer on April 23rd, 2006. Our Tuscany trip was also featured in a 3-page full-color article in the London Telegraph, and in London's The Times.
Note: Everyone who drives one of our scooters needs to have an international drivers license. This is very easy to get! Please click here for more information.
The Hotels - In Avignon we stay at the Hotel La Ferme, a charming, family-run superior three-star hotel just a five-minute walk from Avignon's medieval walls. We then move to the countryside for four nights at Le Couvent. Located in the in the middle of Apt's lively medieval quarter, Le Couvent is a beautiful and welcoming boutique hotel. It was formerly a convent which was then lovingly restored and transformed by the owners Marie and Laurent Pierrepont, who are gracious hosts. The hotel has a lovely terrace, garden and swimming pool and its small size makes it almost more like a home than a hotel. Apt and the Hotel Le Couvent make a perfect base for our travels.
The Scooters - We provide 125cc scooters. Please note that unlike our scooter trips in Italy, these scooters are not Vespa™ scooters. They are similar, however, and are lightweight, comfortable, and easy to ride. They have an electric start and automatic transmission, and the brakes are on the handle bars, like on a bicycle. We provide you with helmets. The 125 cc Scooter is powerful enough for two people to happily cruise through the Provençal countryside. Top speed is 80 kph but we will be touring at a slower, more comfortable and safe speed.
Day 1 - Sunday: Independent arrival in Avignon, any time today. There are regular and frequent rail connections between Avignon and other major French cities. Depending on when you get in, you may have time to explore this beautiful and historic Provençal town which has been deemed a World Historical Site by UNESCO. Sights include the magnificent Papal Palace (Palais des Papes), home to the Popes during the 14th century, the famous medieval Avignon bridge, and Les Halles, Avignon's covered market square open every morning. Our hotel “La Ferme” is located on “Ile de la Barthelasse”, a peaceful island on the Rhône river. Formerly a farm, the hotel is a lovely verdant oasis with an inviting pool and gardens.Your guide will meet you there this evening for dinner. Hotel and dinner included.
Day 2 - Monday: After breakfast your guide will give a safety talk and demonstration, then hand you the keys to your scooter. The first half-hour of riding is on flat, straight, minor roads along the Rhône river on the Island of la Barthelasse so you can get a feel for the scooter. When you are used to driving the scooter we swing around and head into the hills of the Chateauneuf du Pape. We will stop to visit Domaine de Nalys which has been producing fabulous wines since the 17th Century.
Lunch at one of our favourite bistros in the village of Chateauneuf du Pape. Our afternoon ride meanders through a landscape of vineyards and olive groves to Orange, famous for its impressive Roman theatre. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it was built during the reign of Emperor Augustus in the 1st century A.D and is considered the best preserved Roman Theatre in the world.
We leave Orange to ride through the Cotes du Rhone wine villages to Vaison la Romaine where we are greeted at “les Tilleuls D’Elisée” by Anne, the owner of the guest house. This lovely lady is happy to chat with you about the history of her 200 year old house. A welcome apéritif in the garden before walking to dinner at Restaurant l’Alchimiste where chef Alain proposes an updated version of traditional recipes.
Hotel included, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 3 - Tuesday: Today you participate in one of the time honoured rituals of life in Provence. Today is the once weekly open air market in Vaison, an event not to be missed! The towns medieval square is full of stalls selling handcrafts, clothes, linens, ceramics, pottery, herbs, soaps, and of course olives prepared in at least 20 different ways.
Enjoy this quintessential Provençal shopping experience or cross into the old quarter via the 2000 year old Roman bridge and visit the peaceful historic town overlooking the Ouvèze river. Lunch is a wonderful pic-nic of all the delicacies found at the market this morning.
Our afternoon ride explores a remote part of the region that is blissfully un-touristed. We ride through the quaint villages of Villedieu, Vinsobres, and Venterol before heading to Nyons, famous for its olives and lavender. Return to Vaison la Romaine. Free night dinner, you can choose where you wish to dine. Your guide has lots of ideas from local pizzerias to a starred Michelin Restaurant. The choice is yours. Hotel included. Dinner NOT included.
Day 4 - Wednesday: Ride south east into the Luberon region through the picturesque villages of Malaucène and Bédoin where we stop for a mid morning coffee and croissant in the shade of it ‘s leafy square. We carry on to Venasque, considered to be one of the most beautiful villages in France. It sits up high perched on a limestone rock with stunning views of Monte Vetoux and the surrounding villages. Lunch is had here at restaurant “les Remparts”, one of our favourites. After lunch, we pass through more captivating Provencal villages to arrive at Apt. This charming town flourished during the Middle Ages as an important stop along the pilgrimage route between France and Rome.
Relatively isolated, Apt has been left undisturbed for centuries and is the perfect place to enjoy the daily rhythm of Provençal life. Our hotel Lou Couvent is located in the middle of the lively old medieval quarter. Marie and Laurent Pierrepont welcome us to their hotel with an apéritif in the garden before we walk to dinner at the nearby Thym te Voilà. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 5 - Thursday: This morning our ride links together the three jewels of the Luberon: the villages of Bonnieux, Lacoste, and Ménerbes. Of course we stop at Lacoste to walk up its narrow cobbled streets to the Château, once home of the Marquis de Sade. A fantastic bakery and café await us in Ménerbes. After our café au lait, we ride through the spectacular perched village of Gordes to Roussillon whose faded red and pink buildings attest to it’s ochre quarries which were mined for centuries. After lunch we stop at “Domaine de Chateau Blanc”, where Serge Chasson, the owner shares his passion for wine making. He makes a wonderful “Vin Doux” which enjoy back in Apt in the garden of our hotel. A fitting culinary finale awaits us at the “Manade” where the chef finds his inspiration amongst the aromatic plants of Provence and the traditional cooking passed down to him by his grand mother. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 6 - Friday: One last day of scooting! Our ride takes us to Saignon, a peaceful hilltop village of ancient fountains, shady squares and beautiful old houses. One of the 10 oldest villages in France, Saignon has a rich Roman history evident in cobbled streets and old stone portals. Wander through this lovely village and enjoy a last "café au lait" before the 5 km ride to Apt. We arrive in Avignon at noon so you can catch the 2 p.m. train leaving for Paris. Breakfast included.
IMPORTANT!! : QUALIFICATIONS
You must be over 18 years of age, have a valid driver's license
and an INTERNATIONAL driver's license to drive a scooter. Of course
anyone can be a passenger. Previous experience on a
scooter or motorbike is advantageous and highly advised. If you have
not ridden one before then you should do so before
you do this trip. Rent a scooter locally, and learn how to ride it
before coming on the trip. U.K. residents can try Vroom by the Sea, a scooter rental in Brighton
WE ARE NOT HERE TO TEACH YOU HOW TO
DRIVE A SCOOTER. YOU MUST ARRIVE AT THE START OF THE TRIP ALREADY A
COMPETENT
RIDER. In the past we have been amazed by people who arrive to drive a scooter on
public
roads who have never ridden before and who are uncoordinated,
un-athletic, and who will clearly never be able to drive a
scooter
safely. Please do not be one of these people. Our scooters are easy to ride, but a good sense of balance and
coordination is required. The scooters have a 125cc engine and an
all-steel frame. They are lighter and easier to drive than a larger
motorbike but they are also heavier than a moped and other smaller 50cc
scooters (they weigh about 110 kg, or about 235 lbs).
You
will be driving a motor vehicle on public roads. You are responsible
for your safety but also for the safety of other motorists, bikers and
pedestrians. You must be able to control the scooter and drive it
competently. If we feel your driving skills put you and others at risk
we reserve the right to take the scooter away from you.
In the event that you cannot ride as a passenger on the back of someone else,
then we will help to arrange an alternative mode of transport, either
taxi, or rental car, but at your expense.
Finally,
age may be a factor. We have found that most people who are over 50 and
who have never ridden a scooter or motorbike have problems riding a scooter. If you have not used the “motorbike” part of your brain before
the age of 50, then it may be too late to learn. We don't know why this
is, but such are the mysteries of Life, Zen, and the Art of Scooter
maintenance. So if in doubt, please take the time to try a scooter at
home. Find a big vacant parking lot, put on a helmet, read our
accompanying document about motorcycle safety, and give it a whirl. If
you are happy with your abilities and you feel safe, then you are ready
to ride one of our scooters.
The bottom line is that we just want everyone to have a safe and happy holiday!
Useful Links -
Provence info: nice website with good photos
Avignon History: Wikipedia has a good site, with lots of info on the Great Schism
Côtes du Rhône: very informative site on one of France's best wine families
Mont Ventoux: interesting Wikipedia entry, including lots of Tour de France stats
Parc National Régional du Luberon: park website, in English
The Marquis de Sade: read up on Provence's most scandalous son (then see his château in Lacoste)
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: look at all the fabulous things to see in France!
Vroom by the Sea: hone your two-wheeling skills in the U.K. and get yourself some cool new gear at this scooter rental company in Brighton.
General Information
Note on Itinerary: Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, such as the weather
Trip Cost Includes: All accommodations (1 night Avignon at the superior 3-star Villa Colmas, 4 nights at superior 3-star Le Couvent in Apt); 5 breakfasts and 4 dinners; bilingual guide; *one 125cc scooter with rear carrier bin; related third party liability insurance as required by French law (but
not insurance covering theft or damage to the scooter where you are at fault, which is
available for €15 per day); helmet and fuel; van transfer on Day 2 from Avignon and back to Avignon train station at the end of the trip.
Getting there (this will redirect you to our "Getting to the Trip" page)
Booking: e-mail us to receive a booking contract (or use the "Reservation" page).
Insurance: We highly recommend the purchase of Trip
Insurance. We recommend "Travel Guard" to our American clients, just click on the logo below, while Canadian residents can click here. Australian, New Zealander, and British travelers, please consult your insurance brokers.
We
look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! |
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