|
|
|
 |
|
Cascade-Affiliated International Tours
|
|
|
Dordogne: Cycling with Charm and Character
|
| Dates: |
Sept. 3 - 10, 2011
5/3/11 update: 10 spaces open. Tour will run!
|
| Pace & Distance: |
Daily Distance: 30-65 km (20-40 miles), depending on interest and fitness level. A great trip for any moderate-level club rider with plenty of great riding in one of the world’s very best touring regions!
|
| Group size: |
6 minimum, 12 maximum |
| Cost: |
€1,620 double occupancy, per person
€595 single suppliment
|
| Itinerary: |
Highlights: For eight-days you’ll pedal through France’s Dordogne region, an area famous for its beauty, history and culture. Each night you’ll lodge in a three-star hotel full of personality and charm.
8 days, 7 nights
|
| Tour company:
|
|
|
|
The popular game show, Jeopardy, could easily make a category out of this tour called, “Things That Make You Say ‘Wow.’” For eight-days you’ll pedal through France’s Dordogne region, an area famous for its beauty, history and culture. While riding in the Vézére Valley, a designated World Heritage Site, you’ll visit Font-de-Gaume, a historically important cave with more than 200 prehistoric paintings, some of which date back 17,000 years. You’ll also spend two nights in Sarlat, one of Europe’s most beautiful Medieval villages, and two nights in Rocamadour, the second most visited location in all of France. Castles are many. And seemingly every village you visit has the rare distinction of being designated as one of France’s “Most Beautiful Villages.” Because this is a guided tour, you’ll always be accompanied by a support vehicle, ready to give you a lift if the legs get tired or the weather turns wild. The support vehicle will also have room to carry anything you may buy along the way, unless, of course, it’s a car or a large household appliance. Each night you’ll lodge in a three-star hotel, chock-full of personality and charm, which, you’ll discover, are the same traits shared by your guide.
|
|
Dordogne: Cycling in France with Charm and Character
Detailed Itinerary
|
|
MEETING DAY / DAY ONE
Arrival in Souillac
|
Upon arriving at the train station you’ll be immediately greeted by one of our representatives and transferred to Le Pavillon Saint-Martin. This three-star hotel, located in the center of Souillac in a 16th century mansion, meshes elegance with Old World charm, much like the Dordorgne region itself. Just a short stroll from the hotel sits Souillac’s old quarter area, a functioning monument to its medieval past, highlighted by a collection of half-timbered houses. In the late afternoon we’ll all gather for an aperitif. This will allow you to meet your fellow riders and to go over the tour ahead. After, we’ll all dine at a nearby restaurant.
Your accommodations: three-star Pavillon Saint-Martin (www.hotel-saint-martin-souillac.com)
|
|
|
DAY TWO
Souillac to Montignac
CYCLING
Option 1: 45 km or 28 miles - Option 2: 65 km or 40 miles
|
Today you’ll experience Perigord at its authentic best. Pedaling west out of Souillac you’ll first visit The Gardens of Eyrignac, one of the world’s greatest displays of horticultural art. Next, you’ll ride into Salignac, a tiny medieval village shadowed by the storybook-like Château de Salignac. Dating back to the 12th century, the chateau has been classified as a “monument historique” by the French Ministry of Culture for its architectural importance. And then its on to St-Amand-de- Coly, one of only 152 towns in France to be designated “Un des Plus Beaux Villages de France” (One of France’s Prettiest Villages). Tucked within the folds of a green valley, St-Amand-de-Coly features a massive Romanesque church built in the 12th century. Only 9 kilometers (5.5 miles) west, perched along the Vézére River, lies Montignac, your home for the night. You’ll lodge in the three-star La Roseraie, a 19th century mansion with modern amenities, including a sparkling courtyard pool.
Your accommodations: three-star Le Soleil d’Or (www.le-soleil-dor.com)
|
|
|
DAY THREE
Montignac to Sarlat
CYCLING
Option 1: 48 km or 30 miles - Option 2: 62 km or 39 miles
|
|
Today you’ll pedal west into the heart of the Vézére Valley, one of the world’s greatest fountainheads of prehistory. The area houses 147 prehistoric sites and 25 caves adorned with wall paintings. Not surprisingly, UNESCO designated the entire valley a World Heritage Site in 1979. The highlight of the day will come when you ride into Eyzies, home to the largest collection of Paleolithic art in France. You’ll visit Font-de-Gaume, the “cave version” of the Louvre. More than 200 prehistoric paintings decorate the cave’s walls, including a famous frieze of five bisons. Historians date the Font-de-Gaume’s paintings to as far back as 17,000 B.C. From here, you’ll then continue into Sarlat, a shockingly beautiful village with cobble-stone streets and one of best preserved medieval squares in all of Europe. You’ll lodge, for two nights, in the three-star Hotel la Hoirie, 3 km (2 ½ miles) from the center of town.
Your accommodations: three-star Le Renoir (www.hotel-renoir-sarlat.com)
|
|
|
DAY FOUR
Loop around Sarlat
CYCLING
Option 1: 48 km or 30 miles - Option 2: 70 km or 44 miles
|
|
The wow-parade continues today with visits to Beynac, La Roque Gageac and Domme, three medieval villages that appear to be in competition with each other for “most beautiful” status. All three, not surprisingly, have been individually recognized as “Un des Plus Beaux Villages de France” (One of France’s Prettiest Villages). The appropriately named Château de Beynac, rates as Beynac’s must-see attraction. This towering structure once served as the home for Richard the Lionheart and remains today as one of the region’s best preserved castles. Visually striking La Roque Gageac, a sliver of a village shoehorned in between a cliff and the Dordogne River, is the valley’s version of a beauty mark. And Domme, which has the look of a medieval village cascading down a towering escarpment, so moved famed writer Henry Miller, that he wrote, “Just to glimpse the black, mysterious river at Domme from the beautiful bluff is something to be grateful for all one’s life.” If you’d prefer not riding, you can instead explore the region via a threehour canoe ride along the Dordogne River.
Your accommodations: three-star Le Renoir (www.hotel-renoir-sarlat.com)
|
|
|
DAY FIVE
Sarlat to Rocamadour
CYCLING
Option 1: 50 km or 31 miles - Option 2: 70 km or 44 miles
|
|
Perigord’s lush greens will yield to Quercy’s arid plateaus as you ride to Rocamadour. Along the way you’ll visit Château de Fenelon. Dating back to the 13th century, this castle dominates the horizon from its perch atop a rocky promontory. Surrounded by triple walls and terraces, and backed by a stretching oak forest, it exudes a mythical quality. Not surprisingly, Ever After: A Cinderella Story, starring Drew Barrymore, was filmed here in 1998. You’ll then pedal through Causses du Quercy, a Regional Park noted for its underground maze of tunnels and rivers. And then continue into Rocamadour, France’s second most visited location. Towering cliff-side, overlooking a forested valley carved out by the River Alzou, Rocamadour has it all: geographical beauty, ancient history, architectural wonder and five-star dining. You’ll lodge for two nights at the three-star, Hotel du Chateau.
Your accommodations: three-star Les Esclargies (www.esclargies.com)
|
|
|
DAY SIX
Loop around Rocamadour
CYCLING
Option 1: 35 km or 22 miles - Option 2: 60 km or 38 miles
|
Today’s optional ride goes subterranean. You’ll pedal to the Abyss of Padirac and board a boat for a ride along an underground river. Located 300 feet below the earth’s surface, the ride will ferry you into vast subterranean chambers spiked with stalagmites and stalactites formed millions of years ago. Upon returning to the surface, you’ll continue the loop into Loubressac and Carennac, each of which has been hailed as “Un des Plus Beaux Villages de France.” Not just satisfied with one title, Loubressac even lays claim to being a recognized “Village Fleuri” (Flower Village) for its overflowing window boxes and gardens. Combined with its hilltop setting and cluster of ancient buildings capped with tiled, red-brown roofs, Loubressac warrants must-visit status. And Carennac is so beautiful, it has been attracting humans since the Neolithic Age. If you prefer not riding today, you’ll have the option of a self-guided hike through the adjacent Alzou Gorges.
Your accommodations: three-star Les Esclargies (www.esclargies.com)
|
|
|
DAY SEVEN
Rocamadour to Souillac
CYCLING
Option 1: 40 km or 25 miles - Option 2: 65 km or 40 miles
|
|
You’ll return to the Perigord region via Lacave, a small village nestled along the south bank of the Dordogne River. As its name suggests, Lacave is home to Grottoes de Lacave, a subterranean complex of limestone chambers filled with underground lakes. Continuing to Souillac, you’ll have the option to visit Château de Belcastel, overlooking the Dordogne River. The oldest section of this meticulously restored castle dates back to the 9th century. Looming just below the castle’s hilltop location sits Belcastel, yet another “Un des Plus Beaux Villages de France.” At night you’ll lodge where the tour began, in Souillac’s Le Pavillon Saint-Martin.
Your accommodations: 3-star Pavillon Saint-Martin (www.hotel-saint-martin-souillac.com)
|
|
|
|
|
|
After breakfast, we’ll shuttle you to the Souillac train station.
|
|
|
THE FINE PRINT
|
Pricing
- €1,620 double occupancy
- €595 single occupancy supplement.
The minimum number of riders required to run this tour is six.
Registration
Register online through Cyclomundo.
Cancellations
Cyclomundo's booking conditions and cancellation policy are available on their website.
Trip Inclusions
- Seven nights of accommodations in three-star properties
- Daily breakfast
- Five dinners (drinks are not included)
- Transfers between Souillac train station and your hotel on September 4th and 11th
- Marked maps and cue sheets for all rides
- GPS (subject to availability)
- Guide services throughout trip
- Support vehicle on all rides
- Riding guide if group is over eight
- Snack/water/fruit stops on all rides
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel
- All tax and service charges
Trip Exclusions
- Expenses of personal nature
- Any meals not listed in the above itinerary
- Travel insurance
- Airfare
- Bicycle rentals. Hybrids are available at the rate of 95 euros per bike. Racing bikes at
- the rate of €145.
International Tours FAQ
Please read the  Cascade-Affiliated International Tours FAQ for helpful information on participating on any International bicycle tour. Topics include renting a bike versus bringing your own, flight selection, trip insurance, spare parts, suggested gratuity guidelines and more.
Flight Plan
Cascade Bicycle Club recommends Seattle travel consultant Elizabeth Holmes Travel for booking airfare. Elizabeth Holmes supplies services to tour operators and travel media entities including Rick Steve’s Europe Through the Back Door, Rudy Maxa, the Savvy Traveller, Earthbound Expeditions and Tofino Expeditions. Most recently they were recommended in the National Geographic’s Adventure Magazine.
Please contact Sarah Ferris Scott at 206-547-8361 ext. 22 or visit www.elizabethholmes.com. The website will introduce you to current information and airfares; however, you must call for quotes.
Travel Insurance
Any policy you purchase should cover trip cancellation, loss of baggage, accident/loss of life, travel delays, and non-refundable airline tickets. You may also consider insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation. Search the web to find the best deal that suits your needs - and be sure to read the fine print. Carriers for travel insurance include Travel Guard and Travelex.
Weather notes
Please check Weather Underground or another weather site for seasonal weather patterns in Europe. In general we have an excellent chance of ideal riding weather on all our European tours.
Rider Testimonials
"Cyclomundo a wonderful organization, handling every aspect of our trip with aplomb. My initial impressions of Cyclomundo's competence, caring, and cycling expertise began with Lucile! She was so helpful in answering my questions thoroughly and graciously, as well as assisting me in thinking out our plans." - Ricki Hadow
For more rider testimonials, vist Cyclomundo.
|
|
|
|
Worried you might not be in good enough shape to tackle the hills? Join Cascade Ride Leaders this spring in the Cascade Training series. We'll be leading rides every weekend geared to getting YOU ready for this summer's big CBC rides. Visit the Activities Calendar for more information and ride listings.
|
|
|
|
