CYCLING BASQUE COUNTRY
EXPLORING ONE OF THE MOST DISTINCTIVE REGIONS OF FRANCE
inclusive from
A coastline of towering cliffs, rugged rocks and sandy bays awaits us in this most southern region of France. We cycle through pastoral green valleys dotted with white-timber villas and climb into the Pyrenees to the Spanish border. In search of some delicious French cuisine we descend to the ham capital Bayonne and the chocolate museum in Biarritz.
ITINERARY
Day 1 Eurostar and local train from London to Bayonne. Drive to St Jean Pied de Port. Day 2 St Jean Pied de Port Cycle through quiet villages, pastoral green valleys and limestone rock hillsides dotted with the traditional half-timbered or sturdy stone “baserri”. Day 3 Cambo Les Bains Follow the river Nive, passing through a vineyard to the Spa town – once home to writer Edmond Rostand. Day 4 Zugarramurdi Optional ride across the Spanish border to discover its witchcraft heritage. Cycle through Sare and Ainhoa. Day 5 St Jean de Luz Pass through Espelette, home of the red chilli pepper, to St Jean de Luz, the town where Louis XIV married the Infanta of Spain in 1660. Day 6 La Rhune Optional cycle to the Col St Ignace. Ride on a rack railway up the mountain to the Spanish border. Day 7 Bayonne Visit the capital of the French Basque country famous for its ham. Return through Biarritz, once the chosen resort of Royalty and home to a chocolate museum. Day 8 Drive to Bayonne. Local train and Eurostar to London.
For detailed information visit
www.explore.co.uk/tours/cbc
Eurostar & TGV from/to London St Pancras
Bay Of Biscay
Biarritz
ST JEAN DE LUZ
Rack railway Hendaye
sur Nivelle Sare
St Pee
La Rhune 905m
Zugarramurdi SPAIN
St Etienne de Baigorry
km 025 DETAILS
Tour type Cycling Comfort Active
Cycle grade moderate
Accommodation and Meals: 7 nights hotels. 6 breakfasts are included.
Transport: ‘Hybrid’ bicycle and support vehicle.
Cycling Details: The cycling element of this holiday covers roughly 110kms over 3 days (an average of 37kms a day). A further 145kms are optional on more strenuous routes. Our route follows quiet undulating roads, mainly on asphalt but with some gravel tracks. We have graded this trip as ‘moderate’.
Group Size: Generally 10 to 16. TOUR DATES
The Cycling Basque Country tour runs in the following months:
Jan
May Sep
Feb
Jun Oct
Mar
Jul Nov
Apr Aug Dec
For full details of the dates and prices visit
explore.co.uk/tours/cbc
St Jean Pied de Port 78
TOUR ONLY – 8 DAYS Tour price without flights from £655
Bay Of Biscay
Seudr e Estuar y
Optional visit Optional visit
G ironde Estuar y
PONS 0 km 20 For more information and to book, go online at
www.explore.co.uk Royan Mornac
Chateau de la Roche-Courbon
Ref: CBC PIED DE PORT
ST JEAN s
0 Espelette ITXASSOU Ainhoa Dantxarinea FRANCE FRANCE o Bayonne d
Bayonne From/To
London 400km
£995 8 DAYS
CYCLING COGNAC CYCLING AMONG THE VINES OF COGNAC
Cycling Basque Country Ref CBC inclusive from
This gently-paced cycling tour follows the meandering Charente River through the ancient provinces of Angoumois and Saintonge in Western France. We ride through rolling countryside to the Abbey of Fontdouce, the chateau of Roche-Courbon and the medieval castle ruins of Pons. A trip would not be complete without a visit to the famous Cognac vineyards.
£956 8 DAYS
ITINERARY
Day 1 Eurostar and local train from London to Saintes. Day 2 Abbey of Fontdouce Cycle to this 12th century abbey to admire its mix of religious and civil architecture. Visit the pre-historic Paleosite Museum at Saint Césaire. Day 3 Chateau Cycle along the Charente River to visit the Chateau of Roche- Courbon. Travel to the thermal spa town of Saujon with its pretty river port on the Seudre. Day 4 Saujon Optional ride to one of France’s ‘plus belles villages’ – the oyster producing Mornac-sur-Seudre. There is also a chance to cycle to the coastal resort of Royan. Day 5 Pons Ride along minor back-roads and through pretty villages to the medieval town of Pons, complete with castle keep and a Pilgrims hospital. Day 6 Cognac Cycle through vineyards to arrive in the hometown of this famous drink. There is the option to visit the chateau. Day 7 Jarnac Optional ride to the market at Jarnac, birthplace of President François Mitterand. Day 8 Local train and Eurostar to London.
For detailed information visit
www.explore.co.uk/tours/ccg
DETAILS
Tour type Cycling Comfort Active
Cycle grade easy
Accommodation and Meals: 7 nights hotels. 7 breakfasts are included.
Bicycle: ‘Hybrid’ bicycle and support vehicle.
Cycling Details: The cycling element of this holiday covers roughly 177kms over 4 days (an average of 45kms a day), with a further 70kms of optional rides. This tour is ideal for beginner cyclists as the terrain is either flat or gently undulating. We have graded this trip as ‘easy’.
Group Size: Generally 10 to 16. TOUR DATES
The Cycling Cognac tour runs in the following months:
Jan
May Sep
Feb
Jun Oct
Mar
Jul Nov
Apr Aug Dec
For full details of the dates and prices visit
explore.co.uk/tours/ccg
TOUR ONLY – 8 DAYS Tour price without flights from £755
Cycling Cognac Ref CCG Port d’Envaux F ontdouce SAINTES SA UJON Sablonceaux FR ANCE Abbey of St Cesaire
From Cognac to London
Abbey of
London to Saintes
From UK
London Eurostar Pa ris TGV
T our Area
FR ANCE
Angouleme 0
Optional visit COGNAC Jarnac 500km Ref: CCG flight
flight
EUROPE
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