See famous vineyards drenched in sunshine, hospitable people who have perfected all that is best in eating and drinking, old towns and villages, all along the road. Visit the Hotel Dieu and the wine museum in Beaune, the great abbey at Tournus, the thousand-year-old fortified castle at Brancion, and the chateaux of Clos-Vougeot and Cormatin. Climb aboard your Balloon, "Harlequin," and float on the gentle evening breeze, watching world-renowned vineyards unfold below. Spend your days on tiny roads touring the wineries, tasting the wines and wending your way to Beaujolais.
Tour Itinerary: Day 1: We meet in Dijon, transfer to your hotel, set among the finest vineyards in the world, and take a warm-up ride through the vineyards of Fixin, Brochon and Gevrey-Chambertin, This evening we'll enjoy a champagne reception and get-acquainted dinner. Day 2: Cycle through the most famous names in wine making, visiting the wineries and tasting the wines. After touring the 16th Century Chateau Clos-Vougeot, find your way through the maze of tiny wine roads to Nuits-St-George. Visit the wine museum and hospital, "Hotel Dieu", founded in 1433 at Beaune. There is also a wine library where for one fee you can sample all the wines of Burgundy. This evening we'll board "Harlequin," the largest hot air balloon in Europe, and float on the gentle evening breeze over the famous Burgundy vineyards, touching earth with the setting sun. Day 3: Today we'll be cycling through the Cote-De-Beaune countryside, the more delicate and graceful Pommard, Mersault and Montrachet, and then south through the vineyards of Mercury. Just lazing along... enjoying the countryside, visiting with the growers, sampling the wines enjoying the day. Day 4: Pedal west to Givry and the wine-tasting cellars of Buxy. Then pick your way through the vineyards of Maconais to Tournus and its 10th century abbey. You will have the opportunity, on an optional basis, to dine with three of the eight great chefs of Burgundy. Tonight it's Jean Duclaoux. The others are Jacque Lameloise and Jean-Pierre Billoux. Day 5: Ride a scenic route to Brancion, a 10th century fortress with its ramparts and walls still intact. Visit Cormatin, a sumptuously furnished late renaissance chateau. Then follow along the Grosne River to Macon. Day 6: Pass through Pouilly and Fuisse and stop for a sample. Soon Burgundy ends and you enter the land of Beaujolais, cycling through seven of the grand cru villages and stopping for a tasting in each of them. Tonight we'll celebrate our adventure in Pizay, the heart of the Beaujolais wine country, enjoying a hearty farewell dinner with great food, fine wines and an evening of recalling the experiences of an unforgettable six days. Day 7: A leisurely breakfast and fond farewells Lyon and Paris are only a few hours away. Notes: Note: Ballooning is optional at extra charge.
Also see tour packages in: Europe France Outdoor: Land Rambler Bicycle Touring Cultural Journey Email it to a friend: Click here to email this vacation to a friend
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