• Beaujolais - Burgundy - Charolais: the 3 regions tour

• Starts Saturdays and Sundays every weekend during April, May, June, and September and the following dates during July, August and October: 5, 6, 19 & 20 July, 30 & 31 August, 4,5, 11 & 12 October.

• £590

• +

• 8 days: 6 days independent cycling on roads and off-road cycle tracks, moving between 4 different guest houses

• Varied cycling through vines, pastures and forests
• Sweeping views across rolling countryside
• Wine tasting visits possible in a region famous for its gastronomic delights
• Beautiful towns and villages with historic chateaux, abbeys and churches
• A dedicated off-road cycle path for some of the holiday

• 7 nights accommodation in several charming guest houses, double or twin rooms with own bathrooms. All breakfasts included, 5 lunches and 6 evening meals

1. Airport and station transfers from Lyon.
2. 7 nights' accommodation.
3. Full Board. (with the exception of lunches on day of arrival and departure, plus one other lunch, and one evening meal)
4. Hire of bike and helmet
5. Full cycling notes and maps
6. Transport of luggage between guest houses

1. Travel between the UK and Lyon, France
   
2. Lunches on the day of arrival and departure, plus lunch on day two, and one evening meals
   
3. Transfers, other than those from Lyon.
   
4. Any excursions or entrance fees
   
5. Drinks to accompany evening meals in restaurants (A glass of wine is usually included with the meal in most guest houses.)

Cycling

This cycling holiday is classed as Moderate+ as days 4 and 6, involve unavoidable ascents of 300m and follow undulating, hilly terrain. The ascents follow routes that climb gently to the cols with gradients that are generally no more than 5 or 6%. However, most days involve no more than 40 km or 25 miles cycling. In addition there are two days where you may take a rest. For those looking to increase the challenge, a number of extensions or alternatives to the normal routes are possible.

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome, drive to St Amour in the Northern Beaujolais and settle in to your first guest house.

Day 2: St Amour to Mazille

Your route takes you past a number of beautiful chateaux before you join the main cycle way that runs from Macon up through the heart of Burgundy. A fascinating feature of this track as it crosses the Maconais hills is its tunnel. At 1.6km it holds the distinction of being the longest tunnel in Europe to accommodate only green modes of transport. A tour of the Roche de Solutre, a celebrated feature of the Maconnais landscape and home pre-historic human activity, can be added to the day's cycling. 30 - 45 km

Day 3: A Burgundy Cycle path

The small historic town of Cluny, with the remains of its famous Benedictine Abbey, the most important in Europe between 910 and 1340, is the perfect start to a day discovering the rich architectural delights of the Burgundy region. The cycle path which follows the valley floor passes close to the villages of Cluny, Cormatin, St Gengoux-le-National and Buxy. Most of the villages, such as Mazille where you are staying have beautiful roman churches. Just how far you go along the cycle path before turning back is up to you. You can choose to return by the same way or by quiet roads in the neighbouring undulating countryside .

Day 4: Mazille to near La Clayette

The cycling really starts to become more challenging with a steady climb into the high hills separating the Beaujolais from the Burgundy. A mixed landscape of pasture and forest covers an intimate rural network of valleys and hills through which you will take the easiest path. The day finishes by descending into the Charolais region. 40 km

Day 5: A tour of the Charolais

Two circuits have been devised to let you explore this quiet and picturesque region of fields and hedgerows far from the big cities. You will also have the chance to explore a number of interesting villages en route including La Clayette with its beautiful chateau. You can however, choose to relax after your excursions of the previous day. 30 - 40 km

Day 6: La Clayette to Beaujeu

Once you have climbed back out of the Charollais, your route takes you on a high level traverse of the Beaujolais hills. The road winds back and forth between sturdy summits carpeted in thick forest. In warm weather, this upland oasis forms a welcome breath of freshness. As you approach Beaujeu, the ancient capital of the Beaujolais region, so the vines start to reappear and with it a return to a more populated landscape. 40 - 50 km

Day 7: Beaujeu to St Amour

After a relaxing descent out of Beaujeu by another off-road cycle track, you will traverse north across the region of the “Grands Crus”. The route takes you through a number of charming villages such as Regnié Durette, Fleurie and Jullié. By hugging the slopes where vines and forest meet, you will experience some great views across the Saone Valley and Beaujolais hills. There will be plenty of opportunities to stop off in some of the vineyards and sample the local wine. 35 km

Day 8: Departure

Return to Lyon and transfer home