Your Holiday at a Glance

Holiday	High Beaujolais - Independent mountain biking
Dates for 2008	Starting every Saturday during March, April, May, June, July, September, October and November
Price	Price depends on your choice of accommodation and need for transfers and bike hire. Please phone or e-mail to let us know your requirements and we'll provide a quotation.
Grade	Trails of all grades but with a larger number in the difficult category: 10 easy , 19 moderate, 29 difficult, 20 very difficult
Profile	8 days: 6 days single-centre based, mountain biking
Highlights	Picturesque rolling countryside with summits around 1000m providing exceptional views A variety of great trails offering biking at all levels and distances, which are spread throughout the peaks and valleys of the high Beaujolais, passing through vines, fields and forests Quiet area away from the tourist trails A region known for its fine wine and its gastronomic delights Beautiful villages and plenty of sights when you're not biking
Accommodation and Meals	7 nights' accommodation of your choice: Self-catering gite, B&B (including picnic lunches and evening meals) or hotel
What can be included	Car hire from Lyon airport or railway station 7 nights' accommodation. Full Board. (with the exception of lunches on day of arrival and departure ) Hire of mountain bikes and helmets Guide book, maps and notes
What's normally not included	Travel between the UK and France Lunches on the day of arrival and departure Any excursions or entrance fees

High Beaujolais - independent mountain biking

The Beaujolais region, located to the north and east of Lyon, is a series of rolling hills summiting around 1000m above sea level. Despite the relatively gentle nature of their slopes, the scale of the peaks and the depths of the valleys create a landscape of great panoramas and rich contrasts. The character of the hills changes with altitude as the vines give way to forests and fields on the higher slopes.

Find out more about the Beaujolais region

Trails The trails are devided between two areas (and guide books), north and south of Beaujeu. The trails explore the full diversity of landscapes in both areas. They are easy to follow by the use of the official way-marks of the Federation Française de Cyclisme. South of Beaujeu, you'll find an area consisting of 37 trails with roughly an equal equal split between the grades. The trails pass from the vineyards onto the lofty ridges and peaks, offering great views across a rich landscape. For the more sportive there are several challenging climbs among the higher grades, which will test the fittest. The area north of Beaujeu has a similar number of trails, although on average, they are longer and tougher than further south. Over 1500 Km of circuits await to be discovered in this small upland area alone, not only allowing you to bike on some great trails, but also to discover the varied and picturesque Beaujolais landscape.

Notes:

Accommodation & Meals

You have the choice between 3 types of accommodation: Self-catering rural gite, Chambres d'hôte or B&B (on a full board basis with picnic lunches and evening meals), Hotel (Half or Full Board)

Below is a representative selection of the type of guest houses we use. For a relaxing and authentic stay, a week in a B&B is an ideal option, where you can expect:

A hearty and healthy continental breakfast providing the perfect opportunity to discover the local specialities such as home-made jams and local cheeses. At midday you will eat packed lunches prepared by your hosts, so that you can refuel between trails without having to travel away from the area. Evening meals will be taken at your guest house with your hosts, where you will be treated to local delicacies. You may choose to eat out for some meals in a local restaurant where you will have a choice of menus. Your host will be delighted to recommend a restaurant to suit your tastes.

Name	Type	Details	Rating
La Verriere	B&B (FB)	Large traditional rural house situated in a superb location overlooking the Beajolais hills. Independent access to rooms, large garden for eating outside and swimming pool.	3 Corns
Le Charnay	Rural Gite (SC)	Renovated historic farm building to form self-catering gite with kitchen, lounge and 2 bedrooms. Rural location near Mont Saint Rigaud.	3 Corns
Le Villon	Hotel (HB or FB)	Great location in Villie-Morgan among the vines. Comfortable, bright rooms. Swimming pool	2 stars

Travel Options

Flight Options

Transfers from Lyon airport

Easy jet: London Stanstead – Lyon
Practical Flight
Going - Departure: 13.40 – arrive; 16.25
Return - Departure: 16.50 – arrive; 17.30

Bmi: Manchester – Lyon
Practical Flight
Going - Departure: 10.30 – arrive; 13.15
Return - Departure: 13.50 – arrive; 14.45

British Airways: London Heathrow - Lyon
Practical Flight
Going - Departure: 08.40 – arrive; 11.15
Going - Departure: 16.00 – arrive; 18.35

Return - Departure: 11.55 – arrive; 12.40

Return - Departure: 19.20 – arrive; 19.55

Please note – This information is correct at the time of publication. High Point Holidays cannot be held responsible for any change in schedules made by the above operators. Please check concerning the availability of a holiday before booking any flights. In addition, we can only guarantee transfers from the practical flights listed above. If you need further information or would like to discuss any aspect of your travel arrangements, please contact us, we’re here to help you.

Car Hire

Most car hire companies operate out of Lyon Airport. Here are a few links.
www.holidayautos.co.uk/
www.easycar.com/
www.budget.com/
www.carrentals.co.uk/
www.autoreservation.com/

By Train

Eurostar and the TGV provide a quick and relaxing journey from London to Lyon.
Transfers from Lyon St Exupery and Lyon Part Dieu.
www.raileurope.co.uk
www.eurostar.com

By Car

Once in France, the journey from Calais to the Lyon area takes about 7-8 hours (excluding long breaks). Tolls amount to about 30 euros each way. Controlled parking is available at the airport for 50 euros. Channel crossings are provided by the following companies.

www.speedferries.com

www.poferries.com

www.norfolkline-ferries.co.uk/

www.eurotunnel.com

For general information on routes and bookings see. www.ferrysavers.co.uk/