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Cycling In Burgandy
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A Self guided cycling: An unhurried circuit of the beautifull Bourgogne countryside, Dijon and Beaune |
Ref: EX-DFQ
8 days
from £685 (minimum 1 passengers)
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Destination:
France
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Self guided cycling: An unhurried circuit of the beautifull Bourgogne countryside, Dijon and Beaune
Burgundy styles itself 'The Land of Great Art and Good Living’. The landscape is an attractive patchwork of lush pastures and broad-leaved woodlands, interspersed – of course – with extensive vineyards, for here we are in one of France’s foremost wine regions, indeed we will be passing some of the most valuable vines in the world. For those who enjoy some classic wines the names of the towns and villages will have a distinct resonance: Chablis, Beaune, Nuits Saint Georges. The architecture, too, is distinctive, with many fine old half-timbered buildings whose steeply pitched roofs are patterned in multi-coloured tiles. This itinerary enables an appreciation of the food, wine and the countryside but also provides some healthy exercise to justify a little indulgence at the end of each day. The lattice of quiet lanes and tracks follows rivers and meandering canals as well as climbing into the hills to explore the enchanting countryside, ancient abbeys, the delights of the historic towns, magnificent chateaux and charming mediaeval villages. Occasionally a busier road is encountered, as is a longer climb, the hardest of which is a 300m ascent from the valley floor to the higher undulating terrain.
Extend your stay: Extra Accommodation: can be booked for you in Dijon at the beginning or end of the trip. Prices are £45 per single room, £55 per twin/double room B&B basis, plus a £5 booking fee.
Further Information
Special equipment required:
Cycling gloves and shorts, small rucksack, waterproofs, shoes suitable for cycling and walking. Helmets are highly recommended.
Extra Expenses:
allow about €75 for your lunches. 4 evening meals are not included, €20 will buy a good 3 course dinner; if you want an extensive gastronomic experience you should expect to pay up to €50. Entrance fees to the various sites we pass/visit are not included - most sites cost approx. €4-8.
Meals Included:
7 breakfasts and 2 dinners.
Transport:
The cost of RER/metro in Paris is not included, allow €2 each way. If you wish to take a taxi between train station and hotel in Dijon allow €10.
Children:
as a guide we suggest this trip is suitable for children aged 12 years and over.
Joining locally:
the land-only joining point is the hotel in Dijon.
Traveling by car/ferry:
if you wish to drive to Burgundy from the UK we can provide ferry crossings or Eurotunnel to cross the English Channel. Please call for details (see below).
Group & Staff:
Min. 1, self guided. Luggage transferred and emergency telephone assistance provided.
Accommodation:
We stay for four nights in comfortable 2-star hotels and three nights in 3-star hotels in single, twin or double rooms all with en suite facilities and conveniently located not far from the town or village centres. The 2-star hotel in Dijon is a 15th century post-house complete with front yard for your horse and carriage. All hotels are selected for their situation, character or hospitality. The Chateau in Sainte Sabine must be mentioned, as staying in a genuine Chateau, complete with swimming pool, just adds that something extra to the holiday experience. Other hotels let you see something of provincial small-town life.
Reduction for third and fourth person sharing a room £42
Food
The food and wine of Burgundy is an obvious attraction and should be a highlight of the trip. Boeuf bourguignon, escargots, mustard and superb cheeses are just a few specialties. Wine is not included, as restricting your choice would be unreasonable! Many good wines are available at a reasonable price but to sample some of the ‘grands crus’ of this region you should expect to pay around €30 for a bottle. All breakfasts are included; they are continental style and taken in the hotel. Lunches are available at cafes and bars along the way or you may like to take a picnic on some days. 2 dinners are included and are taken at the hotels on days 2 and 6 when you will be offered the meal that is included for ‘demi pension’. Obviously you are free to ‘trade up’ and pay a supplement for a more expensive meal. Dijon, Nolay and Beaune have some outstanding restaurants and you are free to wander and make your choice. Please be aware that the cuisine is very much meat-based so vegetarian dishes may be somewhat limited.
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Day 1 | Take a Eurostar train from London to Paris Gare du Nord, travel a short distance on the RER (regional train) to Gare de Lyon and then by train to Dijon where our hotel is about 800m (15 min walk) from the station. If you arrive in time you can collect your bike from the hire shop (5 minute walk). There are plenty of good restaurants near the hotel for your first night’s meal. Those with land-only arrangements join at the hotel in Dijon. | Day 2 | The first of two short days (23 km) to ease us into the cycling and more importantly to allow for some time for sightseeing. Dijon is not just the best place for mustard but a city with fine examples of mediaeval and Renaissance buildings. When at last you set out on your bike you head for Nuits St Georges, the capital of the Cotes de Nuits vineyards. | Day 3 | From Nuits St Georges we ride through the vineyards, (either 25 km or a longer route of 38 km), to reach the old ducal city of Beaune, where we find the imposing mansion of the Dukes of Burgundy, the basilica of Notre Dame and the truly stunning Hotel Dieu, its steeply pitched roofs tiled in an exuberant mosaic of red and gold. | Day 4 | Passing the villages of Pommard and Meursault and the 13th century chateau at La Rochepot we head for the lovely old town of Nolay, with its distinctive 14th century market hall, said to be unique in France. 29km or a longer option of 41km.
| Day 5 | A free day to relax and enjoy Nolay and its environs. Nolay is delightful, off the beaten tourist track. It was an important trading town, where wines of the region were traded for corn, skins etc. There are interesting streets, antique shops to explore and the town has some excellent restaurants and wine cellars. There is a circular ride or some walks to a 13th century chapel with lovely views over the town. | Day 6 | Now we head north, leaving the vineyards and entering the more forested upland area. Our destination is Sainte Sabine where we stay for a night in a 17th century chateau, now converted to a wonderful hotel, with a swimming pool. The standard route is 41km but an alternative route of 67km is available. | Day 7 | We head northeast, following the Burgundy canal mainly on the canalside track past Velars-sur-Ouche and then on to Dijon to complete our circular route. | Day 8 | Return to Paris by train, cross Paris and then take the Eurostar train back to London Waterloo. Those with land-only arrangements end the trip in Dijon. |
Departures Between | Price from | 27 Mar 04 - 31 Oct 04 | *£685 | | *Prices subject to confirmation |
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FLIGHT INCLUSIVE PRICE
Prices are based on two people sharing a twin room.
Bike hire €85 (approx. £60) paid locally.
Compulsory single room supplement £170.
The cost of RER/metro in Paris is not included, allow €2 each way. If you wish to take a taxi between train station and hotel in Dijon allow €10.
Insurance £25
This holiday is operated by Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582.
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Cycling In Burgandy
A Self guided cycling: An unhurried circuit of the beautifull Bourgogne countryside, Dijon and Beaune
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