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Provence: The Alpilles 2008 - Detailed Itinerary

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Day 1 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Depart US/Fly overnight to Paris

Depart from the U.S. for France. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary and airline tickets.

Day 2 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Arrive in Paris/Begin your Pre-Trip Extension

Upon arrival at Paris Charles-de-Gaulle (CDG) Airport, claim your luggage and clear customs. If your luggage is lost, fill in a PIR form before leaving the customs area: VBT representatives are not allowed into the customs area. Make sure that your VBT luggage tags are attached to your bags. This helps the representative identify you. After exiting customs, enter the arrival hall and look for your VBT representative or driver, who will be holding a VBT sign. Your representative will welcome you to France and arrange for your transfer via taxi or van (approximately 45 minutes depending upon traffic) to your Paris hotel. At this time, please verify with your airport representative the time of your transfers at the end of your trip, from from your Aix-en-Provence hotel to the Marseille airport. Important: If you are delayed in meeting your VBT representative at the CDG Airport, please call 01-53-39-18-18 or 06-65-60-53-68 from within France. Outside of France, call 00 33 1-53-39-18-18 or 00 33 6-65-60-53-68. At the hotel, a city information packet containing maps and recommendations on what to see and do in Paris will be waiting for you. Use the rest of the day to relax or to begin exploring the City of Light.

Hotel: Hotel Rochester

Day 3 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Paris

Today, see for yourself why the City of Light has inspired poets, lovers, emperors, and artists for centuries. Visit Montmartre and its charming cafés and artists' colony, along with the Moulin Rouge, made famous by Toulouse-Lautrec in his candid impressions. Or venture to the top of Notre Dame for a gargoyle's view of the city. Make a stop at the Eiffel Tower or one of the magnificent museums, like Musee Picasso or the Musee d'Orsay. Take a stroll through the Tuileries Gardens on your way to the Louvre. You can walk to many of the major sights from your centrally located hotel.

Meals: B  Hotel: Hotel Rochester

Day 4 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Paris/Join VBT Air Package guests

Take another day to discover Paris. VBT Air Package guests arrive throughout the day.

Meals: B  Hotel: Hotel Rochester

Day 1 of AIR PACKAGE Depart US/Fly overnight to Paris

Depart from the U.S. for France. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary and airline tickets.

Day 2 of AIR PACKAGE Arrive in Paris and transfer to your Paris hotel

Upon arrival at Paris Charles-de-Gaulle (CDG) Airport, claim your luggage and clear customs. If your luggage is lost, fill in a PIR form before leaving the customs area: VBT representatives are not allowed into the customs area. Make sure that your VBT luggage tags are attached to your bags. This helps the representative identify you. After exiting customs, enter the arrival hall and look for your VBT representative or driver, who will be holding a VBT sign. Your representative will welcome you to France and arrange for your transfer via taxi or van (approximately 45 minutes depending upon traffic) to your Paris hotel. At this time, please verify with your airport representative the time of your transfers at the end of your trip, from your Aix-en-Provence hotel to the Marseille airport. Important: If you are delayed in meeting your VBT representative at the CDG Airport, please call 01-53-39-18-18 or 06-65-60-53-68 from within France. Outside of France, call 00 33 1-53-39-18-18 or 00 33 6-65-60-53-68. At the hotel, a city information packet containing maps and recommendations on what to see and do in Paris will be waiting for you. Use the rest of the day to relax or to begin exploring the City of Light. Dinner is on your own.

Hotel: Hotel Rochester

Day 1 of BIKE TOUR Transfer to Avignon/Meet Trip Leaders/Transfer to Graveson

VBT No-Air Package guests: Meet at the Avignon “Centre” train station at 2:15 p.m. Important: Please make sure you go to the correct train station. There are two train stations in Avignon, one downtown called Centre Ville — which is the one where you meet your fellow travelers — and another outside of town called Avignon TGV. Both train stations serve the TGV lines. Meet the group near the sliding glass doors of the main exit (“sortie”), located on the ground level. Your VBT Trip Leaders will be wearing VBT staff garments so that they are easy to recognize. If your arrival at Avignon “Centre” train station is scheduled later than 2:15 p.m., or if your arrival is delayed, you must take a taxi (approximately 25 minutes) at your own expense (approximately 30 euros/$40 USD) to the first hotel. Please contact the hotel to advise of any travel delays or changes, and the hotel will pass your message to your VBT Trip Leaders. VBT Air Package and Pre-Trip Extension guests: Meet your VBT representative in the hotel lobby at 9:15 a.m. and receive your TGV (high-speed train) ticket. The representative helps you transfer to the Gare de Lyon train station, where you board a train to the Avignon “Centre” train station (approximately 3½ hours). Plan to have lunch on your own before meeting your VBT Trip Leaders. Once the entire group is assembled, transfer to Graveson en Provence and your first hotel (approximately 25 minutes). This inviting property has beautifully maintained grounds, from the driveway lined with century-old pine trees to the olive groves and arbor. You have free time to relax and stroll the grounds as you settle in. Later, your VBT Trip Leaders offer a safety and bike-fitting session and warm-up ride. Tonight, attend a welcome wine reception and dinner in the hotel's refined and celebrated restaurant.

Meals: B, D  Hotel: Le Moulin D'Aure

Day 2 of BIKE TOUR Discovery Day! Explore Arles/Market Day

After breakfast, cycle through beautiful countryside to Arles, a city with Greek roots dating to the 6th century BC. It was actually the Romans who built the city's most impressive monument: the grand amphitheater. Take time to explore this magnificent site. If it's market day (traditionally Wednesdays and Saturdays), immerse yourself in the wonderful scents, colors and sounds of Provence. Here you find local produce, baked goods, linens, baskets, cheeses, flowers and much more! In the afternoon, return to Graveson for relaxation and swimming. Learn about the favorite Provencal pastime of playing boules and participate in a fun tournament before dinner at the hotel.

Meals: B, D  Hotel: Le Moulin D'Aure

Day 3 of BIKE TOUR Discovery Day! Cycle to St. Remy/Visit Les Baux

Today, cycle into the heart of “Les Alpilles” to Les Baux de Provence, with breathtaking scenery along the way. Stop en route for an unusual sound-and-light show played in a quarry named Cathedral des Images. Afterward, visit the ancient fortress of Les Baux, which is situated on a rocky plateau 245 meters (800 feet) high. Once in Les Baux, you can enjoy many lookout points with stunning views of Arles, the Camargue and the Alpilles. The village is officially labeled as “one of the most beautiful villages in France.” Its cultural heritage is exceptionally rich, with 22 architectural treasures classified as “Historic Monuments.” These include the church, chateau, town hall, hospital, chapels, houses and doorways. Lunch is on your own in Les Baux. Later, cycle toward St. Remy en Provence, where you visit a local historian. With her as our guide, follow the footsteps of Van Gogh, visiting many of the places he painted. The village, which can only be traveled by foot, has many ancient houses that have been carefully restored, beautiful Renaissance facades and several magnificent hotels, which today serve as art galleries or museums. As you stroll the cobblestone streets, browse the many craft shops selling Provencal products and souvenirs. Tonight, dinner is on your own.

Meals: B  Hotel: Hotel Les Ateliers de L’Image Alternate Hotel: Hotel Gounod .   This well-known hotel sits in the heart of Saint Rémy de Provence, facing the Church of Saint Martin. It was in this old post relay that, in 1863, Charles Gounod wrote one of his most famous operas, Mireille.

Day 4 of BIKE TOUR Discover the heart of Les Alpilles

After breakfast, if you haven't yet had the opportunity to stroll through a local market, don't miss the St. Remy weekly market. Later, prepare for what may be the most beautiful cycling of the entire week! Ride through pristine Provencal countryside, passing olive fields and the Alpilles Mountains. A small chain extending from the Luberon, the Alpilles are not very wide, but rise uniquely out of the Rhone Valley. Their foothills are flanked by the Durance and Rhone rivers. Higher parts of the range are home to rare species like the Bonelli's eagle, the Egyptian vulture and eagle owl. The region's most famous inhabitant, Van Gogh, immortalized the landscape during his time in St. Remy. As you cycle, stop and wander through timeless villages and enjoy a picnic in a cool field, shaded by olive or almond trees. If you want more riding, the longer option offers even more gorgeous scenery. Tonight is a free night to have dinner on your own in town.

Meals: B, L  Hotel: Hotel Les Ateliers de L’Image Alternate Hotel: Hotel Gounod .   This well-known hotel sits in the heart of Saint Rémy de Provence, facing the Church of Saint Martin. It was in this old post relay that, in 1863, Charles Gounod wrote one of his most famous operas, Mireille.

Day 5 of BIKE TOUR Explore Pont du Gard

After breakfast, shuttle by private motorcoach to the Pont du Gard, where you walk across this stunning architectural achievement. Built by the Romans in the first century BC and declared a UNSECO World Heritage Site in 1985, the Pont du Gard is just one segment of a 30-mile-long aqueduct created to provide needed water to the city of Nimes. Much of the aqueduct has deteriorated over time, but this most impressive part still stands. Consisting of three levels, this bridge appears surprisingly delicate despite the massive stones used in its construction and credited for its enduring strength. As you cross the lower level, you can see these stones, some of which weigh up to six tons, held by iron clamps: Interestingly, the structure was built entirely without mortar. After exploring the Pont du Gard, spend the afternoon cycling through wine country and a beautiful forested area on the way to your hotel. Once settled in, you have time to relax before gathering with the group for dinner.

Meals: B, D  Hotel: Chateau de Varenne

Day 6 of BIKE TOUR Guided tour of Avignon

Sleep in this morning, then linger over breakfast before cycling southeast toward Avignon. Leave your bike outside the ancient city walls and stroll the timeless cobblestone streets. In Avignon, meet a local guide who conducts a walking tour of this ancient city. Later, you may decide to explore some of the city's highlights, such as the former papal residence, the immense Palais de Papes. Now a museum, this Gothic building has walls 17 to 18 feet thick! Perhaps you may walk the remaining section of the Pont d'Avignon. Built in the 12th century, this bridge originally spanned the Rhone, but has suffered frequent collapses from floods. Only 4 of the original 22 arches remain. During your free time, you may wish to buy some local pottery or a handmade tablecloth. The day is yours to do with as you please! Try lunch at one of the local bistros or enjoy a picnic by the river. In the afternoon, cycle or shuttle back to the hotel. Tonight, celebrate with your fellow travelers during a special farewell dinner.

Meals: B, D  Hotel: Chateau de Varenne

Day 7 of BIKE TOUR Transfer to Aix-en-Provence/ Free Time/VBT No-Air Package ends

VBT No-Air Package guests: After breakfast, transfer to the Avignon “Centre Ville” train station, arriving at approximately 10 a.m. Your tour ends here. Important: Train departures from the Avignon “Centre Ville” train station prior to 10:30 a.m. are not recommended. If you depart earlier, you must make transfer arrangements from the last hotel to the train station at your own expense (approximately 30 euros/$45 USD, travel time 45 minutes). VBT Air Package guests: After breakfast, transfer to the Avignon train station via private motorcoach and continue on by train or bus to Aix-en-Provence. Upon arrival, transfer to your centrally located hotel. Here you receive an information package so that you may spend the rest of the day relaxing and discovering this magical city on your own.

Meals: B  Hotel: Aquabella Hotel

Day 8 of AIR PACKAGE Depart for U.S.

After breakfast*, transfer to the Marseille airport for your return flight. Please ensure you are ready in the hotel reception area at the designated time. Please note: VBT recommends that you check the time of your transfer in your “Transfer Reminder” the night before your flight. VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense. *Please note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the Front Desk to verify the times that breakfast is served.

Meals: B

Day 1 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Begin your optional Aix-en-Provence extension

If you have chosen the optional Post-Trip Extension, remain in Aix-en-Provence for an additional two nights and explore the city today.

Meals: B  Hotel: Hotel Aquabella

Day 2 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Aix-en-Provence

After breakfast, spend the day exploring this intriguing city on your own. As you begin your day, perhaps visit some of the museums such as the Musee Granet or the Musee des Tapisseries. Aix is also called the “City of a Thousand Fountains”; you may wish to stroll along the Cours Mirabeau, where most of them are situated, on your way to the Old Town. Discover the architectural and cultural treasures of Aix-en-Provence simply by walking around this beautiful town: Some of the smallest streets of the ancient Roman town have kept their evocative names, offering an original overview of past times. Dine on typical fare prepared with fragrant herbs from the hillsides, listen to the soft murmur of ancient fountains, gaze at bright colors in the markets, sit on crowded cafe terraces… . Experience the beauty of the Aix countryside immortalized by Cézanne.

Meals: B  Hotel: Hotel Aquabella

Day 3 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Depart for U.S.

After breakfast*, transfer to the Marseille airport for your flight home. Please ensure you are waiting in the hotel reception area at the designated time. Please note: VBT recommends that you check the time of your transfer in your “Transfer Reminder” the night before your flight. VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense. *Please note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the Front Desk to verify the times that breakfast is served.

Meals: B