Provence by Scooter

Scooterbella and "Cottages to Castles" were featured in the travel section of The Guardian (UK), Jan 20th, 2007. Here's a link to the article. Another article was published by The Observer on April 23rd, 2006. See it here!  And just recently, a 3-page full-color article covering our Tuscany by Vespa trip was published in the London Telegraph.  Click here to see the article, half-way down the page ("The Vespa and Italy").

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. (We have highlighted and underlined some useful links for you)


The Hotels - In Avignon we stay at the Hotel Villa Colmas, 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 Vespa trips in Italy, these scooters are not Vespa-brand scooters. They are similar to Vespas, 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 - Saturday: 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 lodging for the night is a lovely family-run hotel, the Villa Colmas, a short distance from the central train station and a ten-minute walk from the medieval town walls. Hotel included. Dinner not included.


Day 2 - Sunday: After breakfast we have a short van transfer out to the countryside to the village of Pernes les Fontaines. 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 so you can get a feel for the scooter. When you are comfortable we swing around and head into the hills of the Monts de Vaucluse. Our route takes us east into the Luberon region, deemed a UNESCO "Biosphere Reserve." Lunch is at the delightful little Bistro de Saint Pantaléon. Take a stroll through the village after lunch before carrying on through Goult to Saignon, a peaceful village filled with ancient fountains, shady squares and beautiful old houses with intricate doorways. One of the 10 oldest villages in France, Saignon has a rich Roman history evident in the cobbled streets and old stone portals. Wander through this lovely village and enjoy a cool drink before the 5 km ride to Apt, our home and base of exploration for the next four days. Apt has a long history dating back to the 1st century BC. It flourished during the Middle Ages when it became an important stop along the main 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, Le Couvent, is located in the middle of the lively medieval quarter. Marie and Laurent Pierrepont will 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 3 - Monday: Today's ride takes us east and then north towards the rugged mountains of the Montagne de Lure, whose 6,000-foot peaks are often snow-capped even in May. Along the way you will notice how the villages change from typically Provençal to a more rustic alpine style as we approach Sainte Etienne les Orgues at the base of the Sommet de Lure. We'll have lunch there and then loop back towards the hills and valleys of the Luberon. As we approach Apt, we wind our way through the orchards and woods that surround the village. Dinner tonight is with Marie and Laurent in the hotel garden. For those of you who are interested you can join Marie in the kitchen for a casual (yes, that means you can attend with a glass of wine in your hand!) cooking demonstration as she prepares the evening meal. Before dinner we will have a wine tasting to introduce you to some of the excellent regional wines of Provence. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.


Day 4 - Tuesday: Today is a big day and the longest ride of the trip, out to and around the celebrated Mont Ventoux. The scenery is absolutely fantastic as you ride to the north side of the mountain and descend beneath its towering form. Lunch is in the hilltop village of Brantes beneath a huge plane tree. We then follow the Ouvèze river as it flows west and then we turn south to loop under the west side of the mountain. We pass through villages whose charm is captivating: Crillon le Brave, Bédoin, Mormoiron, Méthamis, and Murs before returning to Apt. Time for a dip in the pool before dinner in the village at restaurant La Manade. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.


Day 5 - Wednesday: This morning our ride links together the three jewels of the Luberon: the villages of Bonnieux, Lacoste, and Ménerbes. Of course we must stop at Lacoste to walk up through its narrow cobbled streets to the Château Lacoste, once home of the Marquis de Sade. However, we won't linger since a fantastic bakery and café await us in Ménerbes. After our mid-morning café au lait, we continue our ride along a spectacular gorge which leads us to the village of Lourmarin, famed as one of Provence's prettiest villages. Chances are we will have lunch here before following our route along the south side of the Grand Luberon range before looping back to Apt. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.


Day 6 - Thursday: One last morning of scooting! Our ride takes us back towards Avignon to the village of Les Beaumettes, where we will leave the scooters and transfer back to Avignon by van. We will then take you to the appropriate train station (for TGV and regular trains).  Our arrival in Avignon will be around noon to allow you to catch the TGV #6116: departing Avignon TGV station at 13:01, stopping in Lyon at about 14:30 and arriving at 15:41 at Paris Gare de Lyon. 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 Vespa. Of course anyone can be a passenger. To drive a Vespa, previous experience on a scooter or motorbike is advantageous and highly advised. If you have not ridden or scooter or motorbike 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.

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 last three years we have been amazed by people who arrive to drive a scooter on public roads who have never ridden a scooter before and who are clearly uncoordinated, un-athletic, and who will clearly never, ever be able to drive a scooter safely. Please do not be one of these people. It would be funny if they were not endangering themselves and the lives of others. Our Vespas are easy to ride, but a good sense of balance and coordination is required. The Vespas 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 (the Vespa weighs 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 Vespa and drive it competently. If we feel your driving skills put you and others at risk we reserve the right to take the Vespa away from you. In the event that you cannot ride as a passenger on one of the Vespas, 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 the Vespa. 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 Vespa 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 Vespas.

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!

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 insurance, helmet, and fuel; van pick-up on Day 2 from Avignon and van transfer at the end of the trip on Day 6 to Avignon train station (*depending on the availability of scooters at the time of booking, a couple might be obliged to take one scooter and receive the discounted price.) Not Included: Round-trip airfare; airport/hotel transfers; lunches; travel insurance; gratuities; alcoholic beverages and items of a personal nature. Insurance:  Unlike in Tuscany, we are unable to provide our own Vespas for this trip. In effect, you will be renting a scooter from a rental agency. The contract will be made between you and the agency. Scooterbella will pay for all expenses related to the rental, including third party liability and third party property damage insurance as required by law. However, you are liable for any damage that you may do to the scooter while on trip. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us. Reservations and payment:  In order to reserve a space on the trip, a non-refundable deposit of $200 USD or €200 (depending on the trip) is required. Please contact us at info@scooterbella.com or go to the Reservations page on our website for more information. We will send you a trip agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of payment and cancellation. Trip Cancellation Insurance: Should you have to cancel your trip because of illness, injury or death to you or a family member, trip-cancellation insurance protects most of your deposits and payment for both air and land cost. We highly recommend the purchase of Trip-Cancellation Insurance. If you wish, you can purchase this insurance through Scooter Bella when you book your trip. Contact us for more details. Weather: We have scheduled our departures to enjoy good weather. The July departures will be hot, but there is always a breeze while you are on your scooter and you can cool off at the end of the day in the pool at Le Couvent. Rain is possible during any of our departures, so you must bring a waterproof rain jacket. In the event of rain we can adjust the itinerary to avoid excessive exposure to the elements, and can also provide waterproof trousers if necessary. Getting there (this will redirect you to our "Getting to the Trip" page) General Information: This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the CustomWalks Ltd. reservation information and trip agreement. Please read this information carefully and e-mail us (or use the "Contact Us" page) if you have any questions. We highly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance which you can do through CustomWalks Ltd or by clicking on the logo below (another window will open up on your screen). This is a wonderful trip! Why wait? Space is limited. Send us an e-mail or fax to reserve your trip. Full trip details including pre-departure information, train timetables, and a gear list are sent upon receipt of deposit.  Come join us!