Escorted

Gourmet

Bike

Bordeaux

Cycling: 3-5 hours per day 7 nights; maximum number in group: 14 £975 Accommodation: full board 2-3* country hotels

Dates & Prices 2000-2001 Bordeaux: Sat 26 Aug - Sat 2 Sep Loire: Sat 9 Sep - Sat 16 Sep From Bordeaux/Montreuil; £975 Single supplement £245 Flights UK-Bordeaux from £179 Eurostar/TGV UK-Angouleme from £189 Cross channel ferries from £70

The beauty of travelling by bike is the ability to explore further afield. In Bordeaux from the Medoc we cross the Gironde to follow the Dordogne river through St Emilion, Bergerac and Monbazillac right into the heart of the Périgord Noir. The Loire valley boasts some of the grandest buildings in Europe, with fine châteaux at Chenonceau, Azay le Rideau and Chambord, where we can enjoy the spectacular son et lumière. The other thing you'll notice is how the French love cyclists, while another advantage of cycling is that we get to see a great variety of countryside. During each week we take in tastings at Châteaux along the route. We may try better and older vintages as well as the most recent wines - and we may even have the opportunity to taste directly from barrel with the owner. Our comfortable hotel stops allow us the opportunity to sample the finer wines of the region with dinner!