Réf : NHN_BIKAIP Cruise : Biking through the Loire NANTES - SAINT-NAZAIRE - ANCENIS - The Châteaux of the Loire Valley - Saumur - BOUCHEMAINE - ANCENIS - NANTES Reasons to book with us EXCURSIONS AND BIKE TOURS INCLUDED A great way to visit France : Bucolic landscapes, picturesque villages and grand châteaux await you on this extraordinary and unique bike trip. English-speaking tour guide for the entire cruise Bike provided On-call maintenance and repair service All meals included - DRINKS INCLUDED with meals and at onboard bar Refined French cuisine - Gala dinner and evening - Welcome cocktail Free Wi-Fi in lounge and bar Complimentary Samsung Galaxy Tablet for guests use Headsets are included for excursions Official welcome from the captain and crew Onboard activities Travel assistance and repatriation insurance All port fees included DAY 1 : NANTES Passengers are welcome to board our ship at 6 :00 p.m. After comfortably settling into your cabins, we ll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail. Sit back and enjoy a presentation about your CroisiBike vacation. DAY 2 : NANTES - SAINT-NAZAIRE This morning, your bike trip will follow the curves of the Loire River. You ll pass under verdant canopies in magnificent forests and enjoy the peacefulness of the river. Your countryside journey will take you to Saint-Etienne-de-Montluc and around Lavau-sur- Loire. We ll enjoy a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, you ll jump back on your bike and continue to follow the river. In the southern-most part of the Loire, you ll discover sumptuous and varied landscapes. At the end of the day, you ll 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. Bike itineraries : to Lavau-sur-Loire 17 mi./27.4 km. (400 ft./122 m. elevation gain) - to Saint-Nazaire 35 mi./56.3 km. (600 ft./183 m. elevation gain) - from Nantes to Saint-Nazaire : 45 mi./70.8 km. (100 ft./305 m. elevation gain). DAY 3 : SAINT-NAZAIRE - ANCENIS 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. We ll then continue on to the Guérande salt marshes, and you ll have some free time to visit on your own. We ll spend the afternoon cruising. Bike itinerary : to La Baule 8 mi./12.9 km. (200 ft./61 m. elevation gain)? to the salt marshes 21 mi./33.8 km. (600 ft./183 m. elevation gain). DAY 4 : ANCENIS - BOUCHEMAINE
You ll set off today for Oudon, known for its impressive medieval castle. Your journey will bring you through quaint villages before returning to the ship. Spend the afternoon catching some rays on the sun deck. Dinner will be followed by an evening of entertainment. Bike itinerary : to Oudon 19 mi./30.6 km. (698 ft./213 m. elevation gain)? to Ancenis 25 mi./40.2 km. (801 ft./244 m. elevation gain). DAY 5 : The Loire Valley and its châteaux We ll take a minivan to the starting point of today s journey into the heart of the Loire Valley, passing in front 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 you ll get back on your bikes for a pleasant trip to the Château d Azay-le-Rideau, one of the oldest Renaissance castles in France. We ll enjoy a picnic lunch. Spend the afternoon touring the Château d Azay-le-Rideau on your own. Your journey for today will finish up with a glimpse of vineyards and troglodyte homes before you arrive at your final destination, Saumur. You ll return to the ship in Bouchemaine and enjoy an evening of dancing. Bike itineraries : to Villandry 16 mi./25.7 km (600 ft./183 m. elevation gain) to Rigny-Ussé 39 mi./62.8 km (1401 ft./427 m. elevation gain) - to Saumur 43 mi./69.2 km (1499 ft./457 m. elevation gain). DAY 6 : The Loire Valley and its châteaux Today s trip will begin with a ride along the south bank of the Loire. You ll 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. We ll enjoy a picnic lunch. The afternoon will be spent at the Château de la Mulonnière, where we ll be able to taste some wines. Afterwards, you ll continue through the charming countryside and return to the ship. Enjoy an evening of entertainment. Bike itineraries : to Thouarcé 21 mi./33.8 km (699 ft./213 m. elevation gain) - to Bouchemaine 39 mi./62.8 km (1299 ft./396 elevation gain) - to Rochefort-sur-Loire 31 mi./72.4 km. (1400 ft./457 m. elevation gain). DAY 7 : BOUCHEMAINE - ANCENIS - NANTES You ll 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 us 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 float by. Tonight is our festive gala evening and dinner. Chalonnes-sur-Loire bike itinerary : 31 mi./38.6 km. (1400 ft./122 m. elevation gain) DAY 8 : NANTES Enjoy one last buffet breakfast on board before disembarking at 9 :00 a.m. End of our services.
TRANSPORTATION Port-to-port cruise, no transfers included. For more information about flights and transfers, please contact our call center by clicking on Request a quote and filling out the form, or by calling1-800-768-7232. FORMULA This offer includes : Your cruise with all meals from dinner the first evening to breakfast on the final day - drinks included in this price are unlimited water, wine, beer, and fruit juices - coffee after both lunch and dinner for meals eaten on the boat - drinks from the bar, except for champagne or wines from our special list - double-occupancy cabin with shower in private bathroom - the bike excursions listed in the program - all entertainment - assistance from our onboard multi-lingual host/hostess - welcome cocktail - the excursions mentioned in the program - gala dinner - travel assistance and repatriation insurance - all port fees. This offer does not include : Drinks from our wine list or drinks ordered during excursions or transfers - cancellation and baggage insurance - transfers/travel to and from departure/arrival points - personal expenses.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION CROISIBIKE Practical Information + Types of bikes : Unisex hybrid bikes that can be used by both men and women (flat handlebars), similar or equivalent to the Alpenchallenge AC01 with Shimano 105 or Ultegra derailleurs. - High-quality Shimano 105 or Ultegra derailleurs make climbing hills easier - Disc brakes for better stopping ability and avoiding skidding during rain - A maximum 10 kg (22 lbs.) bike weight for optimal comfort The bikes used currently are BMC Alpenchallenge AC01 Deore XT/SLX. Our partner will be upgrading their fleet in 2017. Extra-padded seats for women. Pouch for accessories (camera, windbreaker, etc.). Please do not carry large items with you. Each bike is equipped with a GPS programmed with the day s itinerary so that everyone can bike at their own pace. Passengers can bring their own cleated cycling shoes, but you must also bring your own pedals so that they can be attached to our bikes. + Where we bike : On paved roads or bike paths. We will not go on mountain bike routes. + Biking while the ship cruises One or more minivans with guide(s) will follow the group of cyclists. Bikes will be stored in the minivan and picked up each day by passengers. For the slightest problem, the driver of the minivan will either repair the bike or replace it. Here is a FAQ list for several recurring questions : Can I stop cycling during the day s tour, and if so, how do I get back to the ship? o Yes. Vans will be provided with an extra seat for each passenger if needed. o The return to the ship will be done at the first opportune moment ; the passengers on the bike tour will remain our immediate priority. Can we request an e-bike? o Yes. Please ask for our rates. What happens if I get a flat tire? o Our guides will repair it! Some travel agencies think that tours over 31 miles per day (50 km) are too much for the average client. o That s why the shortest option each day will not be over 22 miles (35 km), except for one specific day on the Rhine. o If needed, our vans will be available for passengers who would like to stop. o Don t forget that elevation gain is a very important aspect of biking : 31 miles (50 km) along the flat Danube route is very different than even 6 miles (10 km) up to Mont-Sainte-Odile. o Our goal is to offer as many options as possible so that different level passengers can participate in the same tours. o Even beginner cyclists will enjoy our tours because the shortest itinerary will never be longer than 22 miles (35 km). Just for kids : Do you have bikes for kids? What age must they be and what are the sizes? o We can provide wheels for children under the following conditions : Kids bikes Children can ride on their own from 8 years and up 20 bike for children between 3 11 and 4 3 (120 to 130 cm) 24 bike for children between 4 3 and 5 1 (130 to 155 cm) Trail-a-bike Maximum weight = 83 lbs. (38 kg) For ages 4 to 7 Bike trailer Maximum weight = 60 lbs. (27 kg) For ages 1 to 3 o Parents must have the Trail-a-bike or bike trailer attached to their bikes o PLEASE NOTE : you must request these accessories when placing your order Are the tours and itineraries adapted to children? o All of our tours are designed to limit contact with road traffic as much as possible.
FORMALITIES Valid passport required. Non-EU nationals are advised to consult their embassy or consulate. To better serve you, excursions may be modified according to tides. For navigational safety reasons, the company and the captain are the only authorized persons who can modify the cruise itinerary. Alcohol can be harmful to your health. Please drink in moderation.