CYCLING CRUISE AND BIKE IN FRANCE Tuesday 9 April - Saturday 27 April 2019 18 nights TOUR OVERVIEW Cruise on the waterways of two special regions in France: Bordeaux and the Loire Valley. Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River. It combines 18th century elegance with modern French chic. When it comes to wine, the name Bordeaux is synonymous with quality as it is the oldest and largest fine wine producing region in the world with 115,000 hectares of vineyards. Given its temperate climate, flat to undulating landscape and with the Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde Rivers flowing through the area, the region is tailor made for cruising and cycling. In the first week, cruise from the Gironde estuary to the Dordogne River via the Garonne with stops at many fascinating towns and cities. Then, in the second week, discover the treasures of the Loire Valley, famous for its natural beauty and magnificent chateaux. Visit Nantes and its historical gems and Guérande protected by its strong ramparts and famous for its salt marshes. You will also discover the impressive Cadre Noir at Saumur well known for its master class equestrian skills, as well as the Angevine cliffs rising up to over a hundred metres and offering you an impregnable panorama over the Loire valley. Both regions are known for superb wine and food and the cuisine on board your French riverships reflects regional specialties. A relaxing holiday where you can enjoy visits to places of cultural and historic interest and of course vineyards, by bike or by coach returning in the afternoon to your comfortable 4 star rivership. TOUR HIGHLIGHTS A cruise with a choice of a biking or non-biking itinerary - the perfect solution for couples, where one likes a more active holiday and the other prefers to visits places of interest in a more leisurely way. Cruise on two comfortable 4 star riverships for seven nights each with all meals and drinks included. A great way to explore with a minimum of packing and unpacking. Taste some world famous wines from the regions of the Medoc, Graves, Sauternes and the Loire Valley. Explore the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bordeaux. The city was once a sleepy town but has undergone a stunning renaissance and in 2007 was recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Enjoy some of the famous chateaux and gardens of the Loire Valley: Château d'azay-le-rideau, the gardens of Villandry and the Château d'ussé.
TOUR INCLUSIONS The services of an experienced New Zealand based Calder & Lawson tour manager Economy class airfares 1 nights accommodation in Singapore 7 nights on board Cyrano de Bergerac TOUR EXCLUSIONS Airline taxes Personal expenses Travel insurance Other meals not specified in the itinerary 7 nights on board Loire Princesse All meals on the riverships. Meals are inclusive of wine, beer, tea & coffee Open bar on the riverships inclusive of cocktails, standard spirits and sparkling wine Local guides All group transfers Admissions as detailed in the itinerary All tips for local guides and drivers Pre-tour material TOUR PRICE Ex Auckland, Share twin per person Mid/Main Deck, cycling NZD $14,399 Mid/Main Deck, non cycling NZD $13,679 Upper Deck, cycling NZD $14,950 Upper Deck, non cycling NZD $14,229 Please contact Calder & Lawson Tours if you are interested in a single occupancy place. GROUP SIZE Minimum 10, maximum 18 VARIATIONS IN TRAVEL We can make arrangements for any travel you would like to do before or after this tour, or book business class seats for the flights. Please contact us. YOUR RIVERSHIPS Cyrano de Bergerac has 87 cabins, with passenger numbers of 174 passengers with 25 crew. Mid Deck cabins have an opening hip to ceiling window and Upper Deck cabins have a French balcony/ranch slider (window from the knee). The Loire Princesse has 48 cabins, taking 96 passengers. Main Deck cabins have half height windows and Upper deck cabins have full balconies. Cabin size is identical for both decks on both ships at around 13.5sqm.
Tuesday 9 April 2019 Auckland or Christchurch Singapore Meals: In flight Overnight: Singapore Wednesday 10 April Singapore - Paris Meals: B/In flight Thursday 11 April Paris - Bordeaux Meals: D Friday 12 April Bordeaux Pauillac Biking: Morning to Saint-Estèphe 11.3km (overall 76m elevation. Afternoon to Pauillac 35.4km (overall 213m elevation Saturday 13 April Pauillac - Blaye Biking: To Blaye 30.6km (overall 305m elevation. To Saint- Gervais 49.9km (overall 427m elevation DAILY ITINERARY Board your Singapore Airlines flight in the middle of the day arriving in Singapore in early evening and spending the night there. Enjoy a stopover in Singapore before departing in the evening for an overnight flight to Paris. Arriving in Paris in the morning, we will catch a train onwards to Bordeaux to board our ship at 6.00pm. After comfortably settling into our cabins, we will meet our crew for a welcome cocktail and a presentation about our cruise before dinner. Biking option: Cruise to Pauillac and mid-morning set off on your bike for the day. First you will bike to Saint-Estèphe, a town famous for its Baroque architecture, and its stunning view of the Garonne. Enjoy a picnic lunch before biking along the beautiful vineyards in the Médoc region. There will be an opportunity to taste wine in a place renowned for its Bordeaux before returning on board for an evening of entertainment. Non-biking option: GRANDS CRUS WINES OF MEDOC Depart by coach from Pauillac to discover the Médoc, a corner of the world that produces prestigious red wines, tightly wedged between an ocean and an estuary. This provides a mild, humid microclimate which has been favorable to the development of the vines. You will learn about the Médoc appellations (Saint Julien, Margaux, Haut-Médoc) and stop for wine tasting. On the way you will see major domains such as Châteaux Laffitte-Rothschild, Latour and Mouton Rothschild. Return to the boat at the end of the afternoon. Biking option: Leave early and spend the morning cruising the Gironde to the estuary. Travel through the marshes and pass the steep cliffs of Meschers -sur-gironde, troglodyte homes and fishing cabins before reaching Blaye with its vineyards, rich croplands and castles. You will leave on your bikes in the afternoon, head to Bourg and if you feel like it, bike a few more kilometres to Saint-Gervais, where you will be able to contemplate magnificent landscapes from the shadow of its medieval church. Return to Blaye and enjoy an evening of dancing on board the ship. Non-biking option: THE ROUTE DE LA CORNICHE FLEURIE & THE BLAYE CITADEL Leave by coach with a tour guide for a journey along the Route de la Corniche Fleurie. You will see the old, traditional fishing huts on stilts and the remarkable limestone cliffs. Stop in Bourg to take in the impressive views and walk to the market center to taste the local figs. After returning to Blaye, you will have a guided tour of the citadel built by Vauban, including the monastery and several army barracks. Finish up the tour with a tasting of the famous Blaye "praslines." Sunday 14 April Blaye - Libourne - Saint-Émilion Biking: To Libourne 33.8km (overall 213m elevation or to Saint-Émilion 20.9km (overall 183m elevation Biking option: Early in the morning, cruise on the Dordogne towards heritage-rich Libourne. In the afternoon take a bike tour through Saint- Émilion and visit its underground monuments. You will return on board after your tour for an evening of entertainment. Non-biking option: TOUR OF SAINT ÉMILION Depart by coach from Libourne for a guided tour of the underground monuments in Saint-Émilion village. Your guide will tell you about the history of the medieval town. You will then visit an exceptional troglodytic site with its most original monument, the Monolithic church. Hewn entirely in limestone, it is the largest in Europe. You will also visit a family-owned wine-growing estate, where you will be welcomed by the owner, who will
explain the stages of the wine-making process. A wine-tasting session will complete the visit. Return to Libourne by coach. Monday 15 April Libourne - Cadillac Biking: To Cadillac 45 km (overall 274m elevation Tuesday 16 April Cadillac - Bordeaux Biking: Morning to La Sauve 29km (overall 427m elevation. Afternoon to Bordeaux 57.9km (overall 549m elevation Wednesday 17 April Bordeaux - The Arcachon Bay - Bordeaux Biking: To Arcachon 35.4km (overall 244m elevation or to Lège-Cap-Ferret 56.3km (overall 335m elevation Thursday 18 April Bordeaux - Nantes Meals: B/D Friday 19 April Nantes - Saint-Nazaire Biking: To Lavau-sur-Loire 27.4km (overall 122m elevation. To Saint-Nazaire 56.3km (overall 183m elevation Biking option: The ship will cruise to Cadillac. Its preserved countryside, hilly landscapes and many small and quiet villages are picturesque. Biking south in the afternoon, ride along the Garonne and through the Sauternes, a region known for its sweet dessert wines, and Sainte-Croix-du-Mont, where you will have a stunning view of the valley. Non-biking option: TOUR OF THE ROQUETAILLADE CASTLE Depart by coach for the Château de Roquetaillade. This magnificent and prestigious medieval castle is listed as a 12th and 14th centuries historic monument. You will see its medieval keeps, the first Renaissance chimneys in the region, and the unique 19th century interiors, a masterpiece by Viollet-le -Duc. Along the way, visit a vineyard in the Sauternes area to taste the famous Sauternes wine. Return to Cadillac for a guided tour of town. Located on the right bank of the Garonne, the Grailly family, lords of Cadillac, founded this "bastide" (walled town) where the Duke of Epernon built his sumptuous castle. Return to the boat by coach. Biking option: Enjoy the French scenery from your bike, as the ship cruises towards Bordeaux. Begin with the fortified city of Cadillac and onto La Sauve and Cenac. Enjoy a picnic lunch next to the Sauve-Majeure Abbey, which used to be a Benedictine monastery. In the afternoon, you will have the afternoon to roam across the city of Bordeaux on your bikes. Tonight, enjoy a gala evening and dinner. Non-biking option: GUIDED TOUR OF BORDEAUX Enjoy a guided tour of Bordeaux renowned for its exceptional architectural heritage. From the wide avenues of the neo-classical Les Quinconces quarter and the Grand Théâtre to the narrow lanes of the Saint Pierre quarter, this walking tour will give you a good idea of the diversity of Bordeaux's heritage. Biking option: This morning, a minivan will drive you to the departure point of your bike tour on the Atlantic coast. Bike along the coast and visit the Pyla Dune, the tallest sand dune in Europe. You will enjoy a picnic lunch in Arcachon, a famous seaside resort frequented by aristocrats since the second half of the 19th century. After lunch, you ll board a boat with your bikes and head for Cap Ferret, renowned for its oyster farms. Return on board the ship in Bordeaux at the end of the day. After dinner, there will be an evening of entertainment. Non-biking option: THE ARCACHON BAY Depart by coach from Bordeaux for the Bassin d'arcachon. Start your tour with a visit to the Oyster Centre and Museum located in Larros Port. You will have lunch in a local restaurant before heading to Arcachon for a boat trip on the Bassin d'arcachon. You'll be able to see the Bird Island, the famous "cabanes tchanquées" houses on stilts and the oyster beds. Return to Bordeaux at the end of the day. Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9:00am and catching the train to Nantes for our second week of cruising and biking, this time along the Loire River. We will board our ship at 6pm and again enjoy a welcome cocktail and presentation from the crew. Biking option: This morning, your bike trip will follow the curves of the Loire River passing through verdant forests and enjoying the peacefulness of the river. The journey will take you to Saint-Etienne-de-Montluc and around Lavau-sur-Loire. In the afternoon, in the southern-most part of the Loire, bike through sumptuous and varied landscapes. At the end of the day, arrive in the old port city of Saint-Nazaire on the Atlantic coast. Take a tour of the shipyard museum before returning to the ship.
Non-biking option: TOUR OF GUERANDE Leave for Guérande, where you will begin with a guided tour. A fortified medieval city, Guérande overlooks the salt marshes and is entirely enclosed by ramparts. It is one of the rare cities in France to have been able to conserve the entirety of its ramparts (4,704 feet around). Famous writers such as Flaubert, Gracq and Balzac used Guérande as backdrops to their novels. The tour will continue to the salt marshes, the undeniable symbol of the region. With your guide, you'll discover the process of harvesting Guérande salt and how the marshes work. Saturday 20 April Saint-Nazaire - Ancenis Biking: To La Baule 12.9km (overall 61m elevation. To the salt marshes 33.8km (overall 183m elevation Biking option: Today's tour will begin with a trip to La Baule, a spectacular seaside resort where the most beautiful villas in France majestically line the ocean beaches. You will then continue on to the Guérande salt marshes. This medieval city is rich with history and its fortifications are among the best preserved in the country. You will once again set off through the Brière Regional Natural Park before returning to the ship for lunch. You will spend the afternoon cruising. Take advantage of this time to relax and admire the scenery from the sun deck. Non-biking option: GUIDED TOUR OF NANTES AND THE CASTLE OF THE DUKES OF BRITTANY You'll discover the small streets of the medieval Bouffay quarter and the beautiful Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul. Visit the île Feydeau and its exceptional buildings dating back to the 18th century, and then on to the quays. After, you'll discover the shopping districts created in the 18th century around the Théâtre Graslin and the Passage Pommeraye. Continue your tour to the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany. The last castle before the river reaches the ocean. This Breton monument with its outstanding 15th to 17th century buildings will transport you back in time. Sunday 21 April Ancenis - Bouchemaine Biking: To Oudon 30.6km (overall 213m elevation. To Ancenis 40.2km (overall 244m elevation Monday 22 April The Loire Valley and its Chateaux Biking: To Villandry 25.7km (overall 183m elevation. To Rigny-Ussé 62.8km (overall 427m elevation. To Saumur 69.2km (overall 457m elevation Biking option: Set off today for Oudon, known for its impressive medieval castle. Your journey will take you through quaint villages such as Mauves-sur-Loire before returning to the ship. Spend the afternoon relaxing on the sun deck or exploring the countryside near the port. Dinner will be followed by an evening of entertainment by the crew. Non-biking option: THE MUSCADET WINE ROUTE AND CLISSON You'll pass through several villages that are testimony to the strong wine growing identity in the region. Transfer to Clisson, a charming medieval city with 15th century influences and a slight Italian feel. Then continue toward La Chapelle Heulin and stop at the Château Cassemichère. This exceptional site invites you to discover its history-filled vineyards, visit its cellars and taste the dry, light, fruity and aromatic wine. Return on board. Biking option: You will take a minivan to the starting point of today s journey into the heart of the Loire Valley, riding past some of the most beautiful castles in the world. Take some time to stop at the Château de Villandry. Once owned by Napoléon Bonaparte, this majestic palace includes what many consider to be the most stunning gardens ever conceived. The water garden and decorative flower garden are not to be missed. Then back on your bike for a pleasant trip to the Château d Azay-le-Rideau, one of the oldest Renaissance castles in France. In Rigny-Ussé, enjoy a picnic lunch. Spend the afternoon touring the Château d Azay-le-Rideau. Your journey for today will finish up with a glimpse of vineyards and troglodyte homes before arriving at your destination, Saumur. Return to the ship in Bouchemaine and enjoy an evening of dancing. Non-biking option: GUIDED TOUR OF ANGERS AND THE FAMOUS APOCALYPSE TAPESTRY Angers was the capital of the historical Anjou province. During the Renaissance, Angers was home to the House of Plantagenet. The immense walls of the famous Château d'angers contain the extraordinary Apocalypse Tapestry. You will visit the 13th century castle and discover the Apocalypse Tapestry, part of one of the most important collections of medieval tapestries in the world.
Tuesday 23 April The Loire Valley and its Chateaux Biking: To Thouarcé 33.8km (overall 213m elevation. To Bouchemaine 62.8km (overall 396m elevation. To Rochefort-sur-Loire 72.4km (overall 457m elevation Wednesday 24 April Bouchemaine - Ancenis - Nantes Biking: To Chalonnes-sur-Loire 38.6km (overall 122m elevation Thursday 25 April Nantes - Paris Meals: B Biking option: Today s trip will begin with a ride along the south bank of the Loire. You will pass through Les Ponts-de-Cé the scene of a brief conflict between Marie de Medici s troops and her son s army in 1620 and Brissac Quincé, where the Château de Brissac is located. The afternoon will be spent at the Château de la Mulonnière, where you ll be able to taste some of their wines. Afterwards continue through the charming countryside and return to the ship. Enjoy an evening of entertainment. Non-biking option: THE CHATEAUX OF THE LOIRE VALLEY Leave by coach for the Château d'azay-le-rideau. Built on a small island in the middle of the Indre River, the château as it is seen today was built under Francis I by Gilles Berthelot, a wealthy financier who wanted to incorporate its medieval past alongside the latest architectural styles of the Italian renaissance. The chateau is a French national monument and possesses all the refinement found in the French Renaissance. Continue to Villandry for lunch. After lunch, enjoy a walk through the lovely gardens surrounding the Château de Villandry. Spread out over an impressive area, the gardens bring together aestheticism, diversity and harmony. Afterward, visit the Château d'ussé. Rebuilt in the 15th and 16th centuries, this stronghold with fortified towers, turrets and steeples looks like something out of a fairytale. The castle is still inhabited today and takes visitors back to a time of legends and fairytales. It is thought to have inspired Charles Perrault when writing "Sleeping Beauty. Biking option: You will begin your trip in Chalonnes-sur-Loire (or Bouchemaine depending on the water level) for your last journey through the Loire. The ship will be waiting for you in Ancenis at the end of the morning. The afternoon will be spent cruising to Nantes. Spend one last afternoon on the sun deck enjoying the scenery. Tonight, is our festive gala evening. Non-biking option: EXCUSION ALONG THE ANGEVINE CORNICHE Leave by coach to travel along the levees of the Loire Angevine. Stop at the Château des Vaults an authentic site in the middle of a beautiful park where you will enjoy a tasting of the local wines and then continue along the Angevine Corniche, admiring the picturesque villages and several viewpoints along the Loire. This morning we will disembark after breakfast and take the train to Paris where we will board our Singapore Airlines flight to Singapore and on to Auckland or Christchurch arriving on Saturday 27 April. Or you may decide to stay on in Paris or explore more widely in France or other parts of Europe. Left: Chateau Roquetaillade and Right: Arachon Bay
IS THIS TOUR FOR ME? On this tour, you can choose whether to bike or not. If you take the biking option, you are free to take a day/s off biking and just relax on your very comfortable river ship. However having chosen the biking option you can t change to the non-biking option for the day unless there happen to be days where numbers on sightseeing tours make it possible to join. The biking is graded 2 out of 5 in terms of difficulty and there are minor elevation gains. The distances are modified depending on the group s ability. On most days there is a shorter bike ride with an opportunity to extend. This is noted in the daily itinerary. Elevation gain describes the amount of elevation climbed overall for each ride. There is a support vehicle available to collect passengers if they want to do the shorter ride. E-bikes are available at an additional cost. There is sightseeing included each day for those choosing the non-biking option. Note that the cruise schedule may vary according to tides and arrival times at ports of call and may be subject to change. For the safety of passengers, the captain may decide to modify the navigational itinerary. Left: Gardens at Château de Villandry and Right: Praslines de Blaye HOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE ON THIS TOUR A deposit of $1,000 is required to secure your place on the tour. When minimum numbers are reached, the tour will become a confirmed departure. At that point we will advise when the full tour payment will be due. Click here to complete the online registration form, pay the $1,000 deposit and your spot in this tour is secured. Or you can complete a paper registration form. You can down load one from the website www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz, or give us a call and we will email or post one to you. TERMS & CONDITIONS Can be found on the website www.calderandlawsontours.co.nz, on the back of the paper registration form or on the summary page when you complete an online registration. VARIATIONS This itinerary is Version 2 dated 23/08/2018 and is subject to change. Exchange rate fluctuations may result in a change to the tour price.