You will discover Provence by thousand-year-old ways, between the Massif of Alpilles and the Mediterranean coast where the landscapes are of a great diversity ; mountains, forests, scrubland and marsh. With the likings of the wind, you will feel the lavender, thyme or rosemary. You will appreciate the table of Provence with the garlic and the olive oil which characterize it ; the whole sprinkled with Rosy Wine of Provence or Côtes du Rhone. You will start from St Esteve Janson, to the north of Aix to Provence and will pass by Barden, Eygalière, the Baux de Provence, Fontvielle, Arles, Méjanes and them Saintes Maries de la Mer.
Provence - Horse hike
Reception of the riders at the airport or SNCF railway station of Marseille the day before. For the motorized riders, arrival the day before at the end of the afternoon close to St Esteve Janson. Dinner and night in high quality B&B , in a superb villa style " Art Déco " with swimming pool. The owners, antique dealers, chose pieces of furniture and "Thirties" decoration for this single place overhanging the Durance river and offering a splendid sight of Cadenet and mountains of Luberon. Day 1 : Departure through the famous mountain of Sainte Victoire. More than 12 km long, this mountains offers a sensation of " wave of stone " with a bright whiteness as well as beautiful forests of pines, oaks and shrubs typically Mediterranean. Passage by the lake of St Esteve Janson, then course on peaks with splendid scenic views on Luberon. Pastoral lunch at the Chappelle Sainte Anne of Goiran. Visit of the troglodyte site and tombs dugged in the rock. The afternoon, passage to the Romain temple of St Cesaire. Dinner and night in charming countryside hotel***, near Alleins. A 17 hectares property in full nature, with swimming pool, rooms with bays and panoramic view, gastronomical food with regional savours. Day 2 : After the breakfast, departure in direction to Lamanon, pretty village located at the north of Salon de Provence and built up on the old way of the Durance river. Pastoral lunch and visit of the caves of Calès, exceptional troglodyte site with 116 caves inside a natural cirque. You will then pass by the castle of Murol and arrive at Eygalière, small village fixed on the calcareous rock which illustrates perfectly, from its situation, this lodging type. Night in a charming house whose owners are Quatter Horses breeders. Traditional and convivial dinner. Day 3 : Departure in direction of Saint Rémy de Provence, village with a rich past. Passage by Glanum where the ruins of the ancient city are. You there will discover many Roman vestiges and will pass under " the Triumphal arch ", one of the oldest of Narbonnese Gaule. Pastoral lunch with the quarry of Sarragon; wine tasting, scenic wiew on the famous Baux of Provence, a thousand year old village on a rock, with a tumultuous history and a very great archaeological richness. Arrival at the end of the afternoon in Fontvieille, known for the four old windmills told by Alphonse Daudet. Night in B&B in a farm Hotel great comfort. Traditional dinner with products of the farm. Day 4 : Departure for Arles, hearth of the Vincent Van Gogh foundation. End of the mountainous massif of Alpilles; crossing of Arles with horses in the streets while passing by the old city and lunch near the arenas. After the meal, you will ride along the Rhone and will make a halt for the night, in the Camargue. Dinner and night in a hamlet near Arles in a modern hotel** ; modern furniture, comfortable rooms and traditional kitchen. Day 5 : After the breakfast, departure for the Camargue regional park crossing, until Saintes Maries de la Mer, high pilgrimage place for the Gipsies, surrounded of immense plains as well as splendid and wild ponds. Lunch " Seafood plate" at the " Méjanes " property in the Paul Ricard Center, whose reputation is not any more to make ! You will ride along the marshes of the natural reserve of the Camargue and will observe birds, pink Flemings, white horses and black bulls. You will have dinner and spend the night in a superb hotel** with swimming pool, in Saintes Maries de la Mer ; individual terrace giving on a space of greenery in each room. Day 6 : After the mountains of Alpilles, the plain of Arles and the world of the water will be your universe for this last stage. Gallops on the beach and discovery of the Salin de Giraud ; plane and blue vastness of the marshes covered with salt; passage on channels. Lunch at the restaurant in a fishermen hut ; you will taste there Télines, very rare shells especially exported in Italy, before beginning again your trail. Dinner and night in B&B in a Ranch of Camargue, surrounded of an astonishing vegetation; not very ordinary place, out of time for this last night. Day 7 : After the breakfast, transfer of the riders towards Marseilles, or St Esteve Janson for the riders come by cars. Price AUD$2490 per person – 6 day / 7 night Departure dates 2007 22nd of April Including Accommodation, meals, visits, assistance, transfer: -a horse riding guide -7 day breakfast & diner (wine & coffee included in diner) -Pastoral Lunch every day (appetizer and wine included) -Assistance with minibus (luggage…) -Visits and tasting.
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