OPEN ROADS OPEN MINDS, LLC Outdoor Adventure, Creativity, and Friendship    TEN DAYS IN PROVENCE DATES OPEN SMALL GROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE SUNFLOWERS GREET THE DAY HIKING WITH A DONKEY IN THE CEVENNES Trip Summary: This ten-day adventure trip will sample a rich variety of Provencal landscape, history and culture. The trip is designed for a small group of active and reflective travelers. . There will be opportunities for hiking, canoeing, bicycling and horseback riding; optional writing workshops will be offered several evenings during the trip. Photography will be encouraged, as well as the sharing of other artistic, creative interests. Ken and Janet Fries will lead the group and handle all logistical arrangements. The price includes all lodging, meals and special activities (travelers are responsible for their own air travel arrangements.) A mini-van will be used for transportation around Provence. Lodging will be in comfortable B&Bs in a charming village in the hills of the Vaucluse near Mont Ventoux, to which travelers will return after each day trip. Ken and Janet will meet arriving travelers at the Marseilles airport or the Avignon train station. A brief summary of an illustrative itinerary is set forth below. Ken and Janet will tailor this trip to meet the special interests of groups of travelers (six or more) and may make other adjustments to accommodate weather or unforeseen circumstances. ROUSSILLON A VILLAGE IN THE VAUCLUSE Illustrative Itinerary Day One. Travelers arriving at Marseilles airport or Avignon train station will be met by Ken and Janet. Lunch will be provided in the town of Isle-sur-la-Sorgue; rest before dinner and lodging in the Vaucluse B&B. Day Two. Morning visit 10th century Cistercian Abbaye of Senanque, luncheon visit to hilltop village and ocre cliffs of Roussillon. Brief afternoon stop at Pont Julien (Roman Bridge) and rest before dinner and First Writing Workshop. Day Three. Morning visit to Aix en Provence. Mid-day climb of Mt. Ste. Victoire, Gaugin’s favorite mountain (4 hours, moderate climb), picnic lunch at summit. Less strenuous option: lunch, stroll, and shopping along Cours Mirabeau, Aix en Provence. Dinner stop at Lourmarin (short visit of gravesite of Albert Camus) and crossing of scenic Luberon. Day Four Slow day in the Vaucluse. Leisurely visits of church, baptistery, tapestry/pottery shop, walks from town. Optional visit of nearby market town. Rest before dinner and Second Writing Workshop. Day Five. Early start and visit of La Camargue, unique region in the delta of the Rhone River. Lunch at seaside town of Stes. Marie de la Mer. Optional afternoon rides (Camargue horses, bicycles, boat). Dinner in Arles (Roman town) on return. Day Six. Visit Abbaye of Ste. Margarite in Barroux on the way to Vaison la Romaine (picnic lunch). Afternoon wine-tasting at Gigondas with views of nearby Dentelles de Montmirail. Rest before dinner and Third Writing Workshop. Day Seven. Morning drive west to visit mountain region of Les Cevennes, past the Pont du Gard (Roman Aqueduct) to St. Jean du Gard. Mid-day walk with donkey carrying picnic lunch along the trail of Robert Louis Stevenson. Dinner at Avignon brasserie on return. Day Eight. Morning visit of windmill of Alphonse Daudet on way to Les Baux, unique hilltop town, for lunch and brief tour. Afternoon walk (three hours) along ridge of Alpilles to St. Remy de Provence, past Glanum (Roman ruins). Dinner in St. Remy. Day Nine. Morning canoe trip on the River Sorgue with Kayak Vert, including grilled lunch by the waterside. Afternoon visit and shopping at Fontaine de Vaucluse, the mysterious deep source of the Sorgue. Rest before dinner and Final Writing Workshop. Day Ten. Travelers returned to Marseilles airport or Avignon train station.