For those who enjoy some classic wines, the names of the towns and villages will have a distinct resonance: Beaune, Nuits-Saint-George, Vosne-Romanée, Meursault… The architecture is distinctive with many fine old half-timbered buildings whose steeply-pitched roofs are patterned in multi-colored 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 and climbs into the hills to explore the enchanting countryside, ancient abbeys, historic towns, magnificent chateaux and charming mediaeval villages. Itinerary : Day 1: Arrival in Dijon Our tour begins in Dijon, the capital of Burgundy. We can’t recommend enough an early arrival so as to allow for plenty of time to explore Dijon which instead of a city feels more like the world’s largest open-air museum devoted to medieval art and architecture. To exit without touring this magical city would be like opening a 2002 Perrot-Minot Nuit St. Georges and experiencing it only by bouquet, To accommodate exploring, you’ll lodge in the center of town, in a 15th century postal building turned into a charming hotel. Day 2: Dijon – Beaune (approx. 48 km or 30 miles) In the morning you’ll exit the bustle of the city for the hush of the country and immediate find yourself in the midst of wine superstardom—let the clinking begin! Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée, and Nuit-Saint-Georges headline these “Hills of God.” In between toasts, you’ll find many restaurants and open-air cafes chockfull with restaurant specialties. Or if you prefer, you can picnic roadside and acquire a firsthand understanding as to how the French countryside has inspired so many artistic masterpieces. The easy pace of this route will also allow for ample time to visit the many museums and architectural wows that dominate this special region. You’ll lodge in Beaune, the unofficial wine capital of Burgundy. Day 3: Rest day or loops around Beaune Today you may choose to do one of our suggested loops (ranging from 25 km (or 16 miles) to 60 km (or 37 miles)) or take a day off the bike. You may want to plan a lot of time to drink in—figuratively and literally—the magical allure of Burgundy’s wine capital. Its cobblestone streets offer world-class attractions including the 15th century Notre-Dame Basilica, the Hôtel-Dieu, with its famous multi-colored tile roof, and the Wine Museum. There are also numerous wine ‘caves’ (wine cellars), perfect for sharpening your toast-making skills for the days ahead! Day 4: Beaune to Nolay (2 options of approx. 30 km (19 miles) or 40 km (or 25 miles)) You’ll strike south of Beaune for the Cote de Beaune vineyards for another epic day of biking and tasting. The villages of Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet are tiny in size but huge with charm. Both make for good lunch stops before continuing on to Nolay, small village steeped with 15th century architecture. Your hotel is a 2-star property facing the 16th century covered market. Day 5: Nolay to Chateauneuf-en-Auxois (2 options of approx. 36 km (22 miles) or 45 km (or 28 miles)) Leave the vineyards behind and cycle through the forested uplands to the hilltop village of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois, overlooking the surrounding countryside. Today’s scenery changes dramatically as you’ll pedal beyond the vineyards and into the lush forests and rustic farmlands of the Burgundy plateau. This picturesque countryside emits a captivating stillness, as if permanently posing for yet another postcard shoot. For lunch, you’ll stop in Bligny-sur-Ouche, a small farming village laden with Gothic and Roman architecture. From here you’ll cross the Burgundy Canal and arrive in the medieval village of Chateauneuf-en-Auxois. Its storybook-like architecture and hilltop setting makes it easy to understand why it has been deemed one of France’s most beautiful villages. Day 6: Rest day or loop around Chateauneuf (approx. 40 km or 25 miles) You may take a day off unless you decide to choose to ride our optional loop, short in length, but big on sites, highlighted by the Castle of Commarin. Owned by the same family for over 700 years, its rooms are ornamented with antique furniture and tapestries from the 16th century. From here, you’ll pedal back to Chateauneuf-en-Auxois at your own pace while following a picturesque route along the Burgundy Canal. Day 7: Chateauneuf – Dijon (approx. 42 km or 26 miles) Most day’s ride will take place along the Burgundy canal past Velars-sur-Ouche and then on to Dijon to complete the circuit. Day 8: Departure Notes: Pricing: From 750 euros per person sharing a double room. 
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