Essential Europe Travel

Day 1

Upon your arrival, we will meet at our headquarters, where we can provide your package and adjust your bicycles. Depending on the time you arrive, you can stretch your legs and enjoy a short ride to limber up your legs, taking you south into the Cote de Beaune and the villages of the best white wines in the world! You'll have time for sure to explore the nooks and crannies of Beaune, the walk along the medieval ramparts, Renaissance courtyards, and shops and cafes. Dinner in Beaune tonight at a gourmet restaurant is included.

Day 2

Today's ride takes you northward, through the plains with fields of sunflowers and colza, and into the heart of the "Route des Grands Crus and the gorgeous villages and vines of Chambolle Musigny and Morey St. Denis. En route, you'll stop in a small domaine in the heart of the Grand Cru Corton vineyards to tour their medieval cellars, and then sit down for a tasting of several of their crus, accompanied by a delicious home made lunch! Night in Morey St. Denis. Dinner on your own, but we provide restaurant suggestions.

Day 3

Today's ride takes you up through picturesque villages and blackcurrent fields, which are used to make the local liquor, creme de cassis. This liqueur gets added to a local white wine to make a tasty pre-dinner drink, the Kir, or to sparkling wine to make a "Kir Royal". Ride back down into Gevrey Chambertin with its many Grand Cru wines (this is where the first vineyards in the region were planted) before riding back to your hotel. Dinner tonight is included.

Day 4

Your ride starts out with the most famous vineyards of the whole region: via the Clos de Vougeot and its 15th century chateau... Vosne Romanée, the Romanée Conti (the most expensive wine of Burgundy). There are many opportunities to do tastings, and be sure to have your camera handy, as the scenery and villages are gorgeous! You'll be back in Beaune in time to relax before meeting your guide for the private tour of  the extraordinary Hospices,  founded in 1443 as a charity hospital. Night in Beaune with some suggestions out of the multitude of restaurants available for your final dinner.

Day 5