Essential Europe Travel

Day 1

Your trip package will be awaiting you upon your arrival at your hotel, located in the center of Lisieux. Feel free to walk through this pilgrimage town, famous for its giant white basilica that overlooks the gentle landscape of green pastures and orchards, your playground for the next few days. Dinner will take place in a nearby restaurant.

Day 2

After breakfast, our local representative will go over the next few days' itinerary, give you all the necessary materials, and outfit you with bikes. Your destination is Cambremer. In between, you will ride on virtually traffic-free roads through postcard-like scenes of Norman cows grazing in orchards, passing by cider-making farms, castles, gardens, and museums that are all worth a short stop. Remember that you have the freedom to spend as much or as little time as you want visiting these places of interest! A memorable dinner at your chateau-hotel will conclude your day.

Day 3

After breakfast, you'll follow the "Cider Route" to the very pretty village of Beuvron-en-Auge, a hamlet so beautiful that it has been awarded the coveted title of "One of France's Prettiest Villages". Beuvron is perfect early lunch stop unless you prefer to picnic roadside to fully enjoy the peaceful Norman countryside. On your way, you may stop by some local shops and farms to buy picnic delights including cider and pommeau, a delightful aperitif drink made with the right mix of calvados and cider. Green will give way to blue as you approach the Flowery coast where fashionable Cabourg is located. Your place of stay is steps from the beach and Cabourg's beautiful casino.

Day 4

Another soothing bicolor ride through the picturesque green Pays d'Auge and along the blue Flowery Coast. Once again, most of the riding will take place on quiet roads, so narrow that two vehicles cannot pass! Thatched roof houses, forested areas, pretty villages will provide many photo opps. Make sure you save some film for Honfleur, an absolute visual jewels that have inspired many to become painters and never leave! Your hotel overlooks the pretty harbor. Dinner will take place in a restaurant on one of Honfleur's lively squares.

Day 5

Although our kit includes a suggested ride through Marais Vernier, a natural "closed" and protected marshland area along the Seine river seemingly unaffected by time, most riders opt to give their legs a rest and fully enjoy the many sites of picturesque Honfleur. Needless to say, lunch and dinner will include rejuvenating cream- and cider-based dishes that riders with enjoy guilt-free! Your fuel for tomorrow's ride !

Day 6

Riding by the impressive and modernist "Pont de Normandie," an engineering feat that bridges over the River Seine and links Lower Normandy's Honfleur with Upper Normandy's Le Havre, you will soon reach small and quiet roads all the way to Lisieux. Today's your last chance to stop by a farm and taste the famous apple produce. An early arrival in Lisieux will allow for a relaxing afternoon of souvenir shopping and writing envy-producing postcards to your friends and family.

Day 7