Spring Grapes and Olives Tour

May 19 to 24, 2014 –A tour through Les Aspres and Les Alberes mountains to the Mediterranean.

Some say French Catalonia is the last bastion of undiscovered France–the real south of France. It’s the southernmost region that skirts the Mediterranean and takes in high Pyrenean peaks all the way down to the Spanish border. It’s where cultures and history collide, ancient mountains meet the sea, and biblical fruits like grapes and olives thrive. We invite you to relish the richness of this region from the saddle of a bicycle and pedal with us as the vineyards and groves green and bud this spring.

Day 1
We’ll meet you at the train station in Perpignan, the capital city of French Catalonia that Salvador Dali famously dubbed “the center of the world”. From there, we’ll shuttle you to the hilltop village of Camélas in the Aspres mountains where you’ll meet the hosts at our first night’s inn–a retired Parisian chef turned vegetable gardener and a natural hospitality expert. An introduction bike lesson, a light lunch and a pedal down the hill will lead us to our favorite organic baker whose pain au chocolat and natural rise breads will fill our picnic baskets for the week. We may stop in to visit the organic vineyard Domaine Bellavista or opt to see the organic olive oil production at our friend’s Carmen and Didier Lamirand’s place. Then we’ll make the climb back up to Camélas. Though we don’t have an official van sweeper for tired legs (we prefer to help you push your limits and get to the top on your own power), we promise not to leave you stranded on the side of a cliff. Our shuttle can always be called on for extreme cases. Back in Camélas you can take in the views of the Mediterranean far below, take a swim in the pool, or relax in the comfort of your own private cottage. We’ll meet later for aperitifs, dinner and conversation around a quintessential French table where real food and wine reign. Bonne nuit…

HIGHLIGHTS
• Local organic wine
• Local organic olive oil tasting
• Organic artisan country baker
• Light Mediterranean lunch
• Aperitifs and dinner
• Sweet dreams in your private cottage
• 15 miles by bike (and a substantial hill)
• Scenery–Mediterranean garrigue (habitat), snow-covered mount Le Canigou in the distance, Les Aspres mountain range (Pyrenean foothills), peach and plum orchards, vineyards, olive groves, views of the Roussillon Plain and Mediterranean from afar

Day 2
Rise and shine for a poolside breakfast with expansive views of the Roussillon Valley below. We’ll go over the day’s route and help orient you on your map before coasting down from Camélas. Don’t relax just yet, because the climb up to the historic Catalonian village of Castelnou isn’t insubstantial. We’ll break for a café in the village and a stroll through the medieval streets, then pedal back to the Roussillon Plain and over to Domaine les Conques where you’ll meet Francois Douville–the president of the region’s impressive organic initiative, and the maker (in our opinion) of one of the region’s best organic white blends (macabeu and grenache blanc grapes). We’ll also taste Francois’s reds (carignan, grenache and syrah grapes) and learn about the historic vin doux naturels of the region (with surprising aromas and notes not to be missed). We’ll have a picnic lunch in the Monastir del Camp , a priory dating to the 11th and 13th centuries, visit some of Francois’s hillside vineyards, and make our way back to Camélas for a second night in this remote country village. For dinner, we’ll either dine around our inn’s table, or shuttle down to one our favorite local restaurants in the neighboring village. Bon appetit!

HIGHLIGHTS
• Breakfast with a view
• Medieval Catalonian village
• Meet the region’s voice on fine organic wines
• Introduction to regional heirloom grapes and old-school winemaking methods
• Picnic lunch at 11th-13th century priory
• Aperitif, dinner and conversation with new friends
• Second night in your private cottage
• 35 miles by bike (two substantial hills)
• Scenery–hillside medieval village, Mediterranean garrigue (habitat), peach and plum orchards, Le Canigou in the distance, rolling vineyards on the flanks of Les Aspres, olive groves, Mediterranean and Roussillon Plain from afar

Day 3
Rise and shine for croissants and coffee sur la terrace. Take in your last expansive view of the Roussillon Plain from the vantage at Camélas before saying au revoir to our inn keepers. Straddle your two wheels and head down the hill light as a feather. Our shuttle will move your bags to the next night’s inn. We’ll first pedal to the village of Passa where we’ll meet a vrai Catalan (real Catalan) whose family has been working the region’s vines for generations. Pascal and Fabienne Rossignol will recount their family story and introduce us to their organic (and amazingly affordable) bold southern wines. We like their Cote du Roussillon–Bérénice (mourvedre, grenache noir, syrah blend) best, but vote for your favorite and we’ll include it in the day’s picnic basket.

Don’t kick your feet up just yet, because we have the trip’s biggest climb to roll over before picnicking on the other side of Les Aspres mountains. We’ll spread out our picnic blanket at L’Ermitage St. Ferreol with its 13th century chapel and views of the Tech River Valley below, before coasting down to the artistic village of Céret. Known for its early season cherries and as the birthplace of Cubism (Picasso painted here), Céret has an excellent modern art museum and streets punctuated with shops, café’s and galleries. You’re on your own to explore and dine here tonight. Our hotel is ensconced inside the village center, walking distance from everything. It’s not a hotel for luxurious wallowing, rather a real provincial hotel with typically small rooms, firm beds and sincere service. Don’t forget to ask the innkeeper about the superb art hung in the lobby and public areas. And we’re eager to recommend our favorite restaurants, make reservations for you or point you to the best place for tapas–so pick our brains freely!

HIGHLIGHTS
• Breakfast with a view
• Meet real Catalan winemakers of fine, affordable, organic vintages
• Picnic lunch at 13th century chapel perched high above the Tech River Valley
• Roadside stop at organic cherry stand
• Historic Cérét, art center of the valley and birthplace of Cubism
• Free afternoon and evening to shop and dine at your own pace
• Classic provincial village hotel room
• 24 miles by bike (and the biggest hill climb of the tour)
• Scenery–rolling vineyards of Les Aspres, green oak stands, olive groves, cherry orchards, Les Alberes mountain range, Mount Pic Neolus, Le Canigou, the Tech River Valley from high, the Mediterranean (and perhaps bits of Spain) from afar.

Day 4
We’ll meet for breakfast at our hotel, hand your bags off to our shuttle driver, then pedal off to learn about the region’s cork industry and the cork oak tree stands found only in this part of France. Then we’ll skirt the base of Les Alberes mountains as we make our way seaward, stopping to picnic at the Priory Santa Maria del Vilar with its 11th and 12th century Romanesque church. Or we may lunch around a cooking class with Laila who’ll introduce us to all the local, seasonal herbs, vegetables and fruits in her “Cooking Plants with Passion” workshop.

Next, we’ll stop off at an organic almond grove and meet the woman who turns the year’s harvest into fine almond oils, almond nougat, candied almonds, roasted almonds and more. On the way to our inn, we’ll visit an authentic olive oil mill where olive growers from the area bring their fruit to make local fresh pressed oils. Tonight we’ll stay at Le Chai Catalan, a converted winery built on the ramparts of a medieval village castle. Rest assured, there’s nothing medieval about the modern design of the rooms and lounge inside this stately B&B. We’ll shuttle to our favorite restaurant in Les Alberes for dinner. Fait des beaux rêves…

HIGHLIGHTS
• Classic provincial breakfast
• Introduction to the region’s natural cork industry (it grows on trees if you didn’t know)
• Visit an organic almond grove
• Visit working artisanal olive oil mill
• Picnic lunch at a Romanesque chapel or lunch with a cooking class
• Modern comfort and design in your private room in a converted winery
• Dinner together at an intimate village restaurant with fantastic local wines or dinner catered at our inn with a cooking lesson
• 22 miles by bike (one minor hill)
• Scenery–cherry trees, citrus trees, vineyards of Les Alberes, cork oak tree stands, almond groves, Le Canigou, Pic Neolus, glimpses of the Mediterranean

Day 5
We’ll breakfast together in the chai (another word for wine cellar), then hand your bags off to our shuttle and pedal freely to La Valée Heureuse (happy valley). Here you’ll meet an exceptional beekeeper who follows ancestral methods for honey harvesting. The real joy is in the tasting…chestnut flower honey, lavender flower honey, wild thyme honey, almond blossom honey… Next, we’ll head to Les Gorges de Lavall where we’ll picnic next to a rambling river with natural swimming holes (brrrrr in the spring time). If the spring rains have flooded our picnic spot we have an alternative oasis in a majestic cork oak forest. From here we’ll make our way to the coast! After dipping your toes in the Mediterranean you can lounge on the beach, take a seat at a beachside wine bar or go on a hike along the rocky coast. Later we’ll pedal to our last night’s bed, a real Catalan country estate. Aperitifs by the pool and then (weather permitting) we’ll shuttle back to the beach for our final dinner together at an open air restaurant with chic retro vibes (otherwise we’ll cater at our country estate). Bonnes fêtes!

HIGHLIGHTS
• Breakfast in the chai (wine cellar)
• Meet an artisanal beekeeper with a honey tasting
• Picnic lunch on the banks of a river or in a cork oak forest
• Arrive at the Mediterranean!
• Beach lounging or optional hike along the coast
• A private room in a classic Catalan country estate
• Restaurant dinner together at the beach (or catered in)
• 19 miles by bike (NO hills!)
• Scenery–olive groves, vineyards of Les Alberes, Le Canigou, Pic Neolus, cork oak trees, the blue-green Mediterranean at your feet, shoreline cliffs, coastal lavender and seaside vegetation, the tip of Spain

Day 6
Breakfast together in the dining room or by the pool. Pack your bags, exchange addresses and prepare farewells for your new friends. We’ll shuttle you and your luggage to the coastal artistic village of Collioure–made famous by Matisse who fell in love with the light here. Peruse the labyrinthine streets, have a second coffee at a cafe on the beach or follow the artists path that takes in vistas immortalized in the paintings of Matisse and Derain. From here you’ll take the regional train back to Perpignan where you can make the next connection on your personal itinerary. A bientôt!

HIGHLIGHTS
• Breakfast at the inn
• Picturesque Collioure–coastal village made famous by Matisse who painted here
• Regional coastal train to Perpignan
• New friends, powerful memories
• Scenery–rolling vineyards dropping into the sea, medieval signal towers defending the Franco-Spanish frontier, Le Canigou, historic coastal village

NOTE: TOUR DETAILS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE ACCORDING TO WEATHER, AVAILABILITY AND GROUP DYNAMICS. PLEASE KNOW THAT ANY ALTERATIONS WILL BE KEPT TO THE SAME STANDARDS AS OUTLINED IN THIS ITINERARY, WITH THE SAME THEME AND FEEL. WE’RE PASSIONATE ABOUT SHARING THE BEST OF OUR REGION WITH OUR CLIENTS AND WILL MAKE SURE EACH TOUR SHINES.

INCLUDED:

• Two passionate bi-cultural guides
• Giant Escape hybrid bike + helmet
• Detailed maps + itineraries
• Transport to and from Perpignan train station at beginning and end of trip (by shuttle or train)
• Daily luggage transfer and light van support throughout trip
• 5 nights in countryside inns, 4 dinners with local wine (one dinner on your own), 5 organic and locally sourced lunches,  5 French-style breakfasts (think croissants and a latté)
• All tips/gratuities for lodging and meals
• Drinks and snacks for getting up those hills
• Intermittent wine tastings, conversations with beekeepers, almond tree samplings and whatever the season brings
• A group maximum of six people, insuring a small, intimate group setting
• Pre and post-trip planning support–we’ll begin helping you with your travel plans once your account is paid in full and will do everything we can to assist you for a worry-free voyage

NOT INCLUDED:
• Airfare and/or travel expenses to and out of Perpignan at trip beginning and end
• Lodging and dining expenses before and after tour start and end
• Any shopping or extras you spend on tour

DIFFICULTY LEVEL:
Moderate: Need some cycling experience but don’t have to be a pro.

Avery Sumner is an American travel writer and adventurer. A native Floridian, she currently lives in the Pyrénées-Orientales département of France and says she feels most alive in this southernmost region between mountains and sea. André Bizard is a native Frenchman, born in Paris. After 30 years in the south, it’s safe to say he’s now du sud. André is a true gourmet, passionate about food, wine and adventure. Click on the photo for our full profiles. 

Go here to contact Avery and André with questions or to reserve your spot.

• Active Travel France, Biking, Cycling, Food and Wine, France, French Catalonia, Languedoc-Roussillon, Mediterranean, Organic, Organic Bike Trip France, Organic Food and Wine France, Pyrenees, South of France
• September 23, 2013