Sign up now for Uke, Bike, & Barge in Burgundy, August 29, 2023

Sign up now to join us in beautiful Burgundy for our sixth Uke, Bike, and Barge Adventure.

Cycling through Burgundy

This cycle tour through Burgundy is categorized Level 2 (“easy” to moderate) as the countryside we’ll be riding through is slightly hilly, with a daily elevation gain of 250 – 300 meters. But each day offers two rides: an easier one and a longer, slightly more challenging one. This should come as welcome news to those who want to ride each day and spend a relaxing afternoon noodling and jamming, or simply watching the world go by from the comfort of our floating hotel, the Zwaantje.

Feeling a little sluggish? Not to worry, we’ll have two guides along on this trip so you can ride at a pace that’s comfortable for you. And, the Zwaantje has a limited number of e-bikes available for those who want to take it a little easier. (There is a $180 surcharge for the use of an e-bike on this trip.) As e-bikes are becoming increasingly popular, you should sign up now to have a better chance of getting one.

Oh! The Places We’ll go!

Join us with or without your uke.

Though playing the ‘ukulele is not a prerequisite to having a great time on any of our trips, all of our Uke, Bike & Barge Adventures have a professional ‘ukulele facilitator onboard offering personalized instruction and leading our sing-alongs. In the past, we’ve been joined by Phil Doleman, Ralph Shaw, Dave Egan, and Gary Peare.

Phil Doleman
Ralph Shaw
Dave Egan
Gary Peare

But the best part is, the entire barge is ours. . . . .all ours!

Costs

The total cost of Uke, Bike & Barge – Burgundy is $2,490 (USD) per person, to be paid in two installments. There is one single cabin available for an additional $940. But you’ll need to sign up now if you want to secure it! Half the total amount is due when you register and the balance is due June 1, 2023.

If you’re joining us from the UK or European Union, we can also accept payment in GBP and EUR. Please contact me for more information.

Registration is not yet open, but you can sign up now to secure a spot by sending a $100 deposit to: ‘Ukulele Adventures, 1113 Chiles Avenue, St. Helena, CA 94574. You can also pay me directly using Venmo: elainede@sbcglobal.net. The $100 deposit will be deducted from the initial registration payment due and is NOT refundable unless we cancel the trip before opening registration.

Can’t wait until 2023?

There is nothing quite like the fun and camaraderie that evolves on our Uke, Bike, and Barge Adventures. But if you can’t make it to one of them, or would prefer to see Europe by bike and barge on your own (or even just by bike) please let us know. We have partnership agreements with all of our suppliers and can help you book the trip you want.

We can also offer the inside scoop on trips and vessels we’ve actually experienced:

Hope you can join us! It’s the most fun you can have with your ‘ukulele on!

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Provence Scrap Book #1

Avignon to Aigues Mortes May 21 – 28, 2022

Have Uke , Will Travel

The first of two, back-to-back Uke, Bike, & Barge Adventures in Provence did not disappoint. And while Dave Egan was our official ‘ukulele facilitator on Trip 1, passenger Gerald Ross was more than willing to share his expertise and talent with everyone on board, even after a hard day cycling.

Each day we rode our bikes through the incredible countryside of Provence, passing beautiful fields of bright red poppies, fields of golden grain, orchards full of fruit, tidy vineyards, and pastures that were home to the famed white horses and black bulls of the Camargue. Not to mention ancient Roman ruins and visits to some of the scenes painted by Van Gogh.

Of course, ‘ukuleles and music managed to work their way into almost every scenario: from Gerald and Dave jamming along with whoever was interested and spontaneous outbursts of “Sur la Pointe Avignon” to a well–rehearsed (!) rendition of “Aqua Ducty” at the magnificent Roman Aqueduct.

We also rode beside limestone cliffs and olive trees to the ancient hilltop village of Les Baux, then on to the Mediterranean at Aigues Mortes alongside marshes and waterways dotted with pink flamingos and other beautiful birds. We rested where ever we could. The E-bikes made the riding easier for most of us, but the three “power women of the orange bikes” persevered under their own power. And at the end of each day we found our way back to L’Estelle, our home away from home, where where a hot shower, refreshing beverages, and a welcome snack were waiting.

But most of all, we had boatloads of fun in some very special places with some very special people.

Nothing can beat a bunch of ‘ukulele enthusiasts taking over an entire ship for a week, which is what our Uke, Bike, & Barge Adventures are all about. And while it may be a while before we visit Provence, again, that doesn’t mean YOU can’t. We are booking trips for individuals interested in boat-bike trips in Provence and Italy in 2022 (only a few spaces left) and 2023, now. Please contact us for more information and be sure to let us know when you want to go and how many are in your party.

Register Now and Save!

Imagine you (and your ‘ukulele) enjoying starry, starry nights in Provence.

For a very limited time we are offering a $100/person discount for folks who register by April 4 for our  ‘Uke, Bike, & Barge Adventure in Provence, May 28 – June 4.

This trip starts in Aigues-Mortes on the southern coast of France and journeys back upriver to Avignon. (If you are at all confused about how you might get to and from either place, please visit  Rome2Rio, an indispensable app for figuring out your options for getting between any two places in the world!)

  • Don’t like to ride a bike? Don’t worry, you can stay on board whenever you want and move up the delightful rivers and waterways with the barge. (The crew has been known to take very good care of the folks who stay onboard!)
  • Worried about some of the hills or distances? E-bikes are available for an extra fee to help move you along and up! (Plus, I’ve heard rumors of a shuttle van.)
  • Travelling solo? If you’re looking for a roommate, we can help arrange that for you.
  • Don’t play the ‘ukulele? Not to worry! Not everyone who joins us does.

Spend a Few Extra Days in Avignon!

There are also a few rooms left at the lovely Hotel le Magnan, May 25 – May 28, for those who want to join a few of the other passengers in the delightful city of Avignon for a few days before heading for the barge. This is a great way to get your feet on the ground before we all depart for our river journey and possibly get in a little pre-trip ‘ukulele jam. Plus you’ll be able to coordinate with the other passengers to get from Avignon to Aigues-Mortes to meet the barge on May 28.

Add a Ramble in the Luberon

How does a 7-day self-guided walking tour from village-to-village in the Luberon sound? Rambling in the Luberon, is a great way to wander through some of the spectacular landscapes of Provence that we will only see from a distance on our barge and cycling tour.

You can take this journey on your own at any time or in conjunction with the Uke, Bike, & Barge Provence adventure, either before or afterward.

What I love most about these self-guided walking adventures is the opportunity to ramble at one’s own pace along vineyards and fields of lavender, through fascinating villages perched on seemingly impossible hillsides, and to stop at local markets with natural produce . . . . .all while “bathed in the pure light of van Gogh and Cezanne” with nothing to carry but a day pack. And it’s amazing how many friends you might make along the way.

Check out the itinerary to see another way you can experience southern France, with or without the Uke, Bike, & Barge Adventure. (We can book this trip for you anytime.)

Want to learn more?

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Don’t forget! You must register by April 4 to take advantage of the $100/person discount.