May 21 – May 28, 2022
SAVE THE DATE! From the Papal Palace in Avignon to the pink flamingos of the Carmargue (and a little Van Gogh in between), this promises to be a spectacular journey. And we’ve timed it to avoid the intense heat and crowds of summer and still enjoy some fine spring weather. Days of scenic cycling will be followed by afternoons and evenings of ukulele instruction and fun. (Don’t let the 15-35 miles per day dissuade you, electric bikes are available for a nominal fee.) And if cycling is not your thing, you can stay on board and simply enjoy the world passing by. Most importantly, if you’re traveling alone, this is a great way to make new friends from around the world. It also makes a great rendezvous for long, lost friends or relatives. (“Sister acts”, in particular, have been a recurring theme on our Uke-Bike-Barge Adventures.)
Most importantly, we will have the entire barge L’Estelle to ourselves, the key to ‘ukulele happiness. So, if you’re looking for an active vacation you can take with your ‘ukulele through an exquisite part of the world, and make some new friends at the same time, this could be the trip for you.
A little something for everyone. . . .
We will begin in the lovely, ancient walled city of Avignon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (For those wanting to explore the area around Avignon, we’ll be offering optional day trips before our uke/bike/barge trip begins. This will give us a chance to visit some note-worthy villages, do a little additional wine-tasting, and perhaps take a cooking lesson or two.
Our journey ends in Aigues Mortes, another walled town that has changed little since its glory during the Middle Ages. Among other things, today it is famous for its Fougasse. (Here’s a recipe, in case you can’t wait!)
In between, our route will take us along quiet, country roads with lush, breath-taking scenery, delightful hilltop villages, medieval fortresses, orchards, endless vineyards, and stunning vistas. Not only is this an ideal adventure for anyone looking to add a little physical activity to their vacation, it offers an opportunity to experience France in ways most visitors never get to enjoy.
History buffs will appreciate the Roman aqueducts and the Papal Palace, where the 14th-century Popes lived in magnificent style. Art aficionados will love seeing the scenes so lovingly depicted by Van Gogh and Cézanne. Food and wine enthusiasts will appreciate Provencal cuisine and the wines of the Rhone River Valley. Budding naturalists will go nuts in the wild Camargue region, the dramatic river delta where our journey ends, that is home to wild horses, flamingos, and an abundance of bird species. And ‘ukulele players will revel in all the ukulele fun and mischief and opportunities to hone their skill.
We would love to have you join us!
This will be our fourth ukulele/bike/barge adventure. And I must say my favorite part of every day is the lovely welcome we get from the crew when we arrive back at the our barge. (The barge, incidentally has miraculously appeared in a new location.) That is followed by the camaraderie enjoyed over a delicious meal before settling in for an evening of ‘ukulele merriment. And then, I get to retire to my own, familiar cabin. . . . .same bed, different part of the country. It’s no wonder we have people coming back for more.
We still have a few details to work out including before we can start finalizing things for our first, scheduled, post-COVID ukulele adventure. Never-the-less I wanted to make sure you got a heads up as these trips tend to fill quickly. So, if you are seriously interested in this, please let me know via the Contact Us page and you will be the first to know as we fill in more of the details. And rest assured, well be answering questions as answers become available.