Adventourus Active Vacations

7 day Independent tour

Burgundy is a beautiful area showing such an interesting heritage, history and gastronomy. A land where life is so nice ... All along your cycling trip you will discover magnificent abbeys, elegant castles, villages from the middle-ages with half-timbered houses, and fortified towns. Riding in the very heart of vineyards of Chablis and Auxerrois, you will appreciate wonderful wine tastings and gastronomic meals.

Arrival by train or by car. Welcome drink at 6.00 pm with your guide and then dinner.

After a nice breakfast, our minibus will transfer you to Pontigny for a visit of the Cistercian Abbey. Then you will cycle in the wine region of Chablis. After a picnic in Chablis, we keep on cycling among the vineyards up to Saint-Bris le Vineux where we stop for a visit at a wine cellar from the XVIIth century and a tasting of red and white wines.

Day 3: Auxerre - Canal du Nivernais (38-47 km)

Guided tour in Auxerre, a beautiful city of Art and History: Cathedral Saint Etienne with its Roman crypt, Abbey Saint Germain with its wall paintings. After lunch, you will cycle along the Canal de Nivernais and Yonne river up to the famous cellars' called Caves de Bailly' for a visit and tasting of Crémant de Bourgogne.

Transfer by minibus to Avallon. Romantic cycling tour in the Vallée du Cousin up to Vézelay and it's Basilica Sainte Madeleine located at the top a hill called Eternal Hill and which has a World Heritage listing by UNESCO.

Transfer in minibus to Semur-en-Auxois, a fortified town overlooking the river Armancon. Visit of the old town with its gothic church Notre-Dame, then cycling along the Canal de Bourgogne passing by Montbard in order to arrive at the famous Abbey of Fontenay. Visit of this masterpiece and then make your way back in the minibus.

For the last day you will cycle along the Canal du Nivernais, from Châtel-Censoir passing near the climbing hills Rochers du Saussois' and Mailly-le-Château.
Your dinner will take place in a typical local restaurant.

After breakfast your cycling tour comes to an end and you may begin your journey home. We would also be more than happy to extend your stay in Europe.

PRICE & DETAILS

DEPARTURE DATES:

TBA

- 7 nights accommodation in a double room with private facilities. The hotels we use on this tour are family run guesthouses and B&B's of 2.5 & 3 star standard.

- Breakfast daily.

- 6 nights accommodation in very good 3 star hotels, all rooms with private facilities. Each hotel has a swimming pool.

- A good cyclists breakfast & 4-course dinner each day

- 4 picnics with regional specialities, drinks included.

- Experienced multi-lingual tour guide

- Transfers in minibus when part of the daily program.

- All visits and entry tickets as per program

- Modern Giant hybrid bicycle with 18 gears, lock, light and pannier.

- 1 tasting of Cremant and guided visit of Caves de Bailly

- 1 tasting in Chablis

- 1 tasting in Saint Bris le Vineux

- tour information booklet

EASY TO MODERATE: Flat contour along the river bank and quiet country trails. A few hills are encountered, particularly in the vineyards. You cycle mostly on dedicated cycle paths and some quiet country roads. Suitable for novices, families and experienced cyclists alike.

The nearest airport is Dijon however it is quite small. You may also take the TGV express train from Paris (2 hours), at a cost of approx. $65 one way. Another good option is Basel/Mulhouse Airport on the Swiss border.