This is one not to be missed by those looking for a full two weeks of biking adventure - from Northern France to the Pyrenees and into Northern Spain. Using mainly minor roads we'll be taking you through the Loire Valley, Limosin, Dordogne, Lot, Massif Central, Languedoc and three days in the Pyrenees before crossing into Spain and visiting the regions of Navara, Rioja, Burgos and the mountains of the Picos de Europa - in total almost 2000 miles of fantastic roads and scenery.

Day 1. Friday June 13. Calais to Blois (approx. 280 miles).
We start off on motorway, as the distance today is quite heavy, however your hotel tonight has a swimming pool for that relaxing swim before you head into town for dinner. The hotel is situated on the bank of the River Loire and is ideally situated for the restaurants of the old town. Blois has a beautiful chateau that was once the seat of the Dukes of Orleans and is one of the most stately and historic. Tonight you'll be free to explore the old town and eat out in one of the many restaurants.

Day 2. Saturday June 14. Blois to Limoges (approx. 160 miles).
South today, crossing the lower Loire and Indre regions, via Chatillion-sur-Indre and towards St. Savin where we follow the River Gartempe to Oradour-sur-Glane. We take time here to visit the village, which is now a memorial to those that died here, and it stands exactly as the SS left it on June 10th, 1944. From here it's on to Limoges and our hotel in the city centre. Dinner with wine is included tonight.

Day 3. Sunday June 15. Limoges to Vezac (approx. 150 miles).
Heading southeast towards the gorges, the volcanic region and Natural Park on the edge of the Massif Central we cross the Dordogne and then head south to Aurillac via Murat and Gorges-de-l'Alagnon. Our stopover tonight is in the Chateau de Salles in Vezac, a former 15th century watchtower, set on a hillside on 20 acres of parkland with a unique panorama of the Auvergne Mountains. Dinner with wine is included tonight.

Day 4. Monday June 16. Vezac to Millau (approx. 150 miles).
Our first stop today is in Conques one of the great villages of southwest France, which stands on the flanks of the gorge of the Rover Dourdou. From here its southeast towards Rodez where we will run south through the Tarn gorges to Millau site of the impressive sky bridge. Our hotel tonight is in the centre of Millau and you are free to eat out.

Day 5. Tuesday June 17. Millau to Carcassonne (approx. 140 miles).
First and most importantly we must cross the Viaduc du Millau (Sky Bridge) - The Millau Viaduct is a large cable-stayed road-bridge that spans the valley of the River Tarn and it is the tallest vehicular bridge in the world. One mast's summit at 343 metres (1,125 ft) - slightly taller than the Eiffel Tower and only 38 m (125 ft) shorter than the Empire State Building.
From here it's on to Roquefort, known of course for its cheese, then southwest across the high Languedoc via Lacaure (site of the Protestant Camisard resistance at the end of the 17th century) before finishing in Carcassonne one of the most dramatic and visited towns of the region. The hotel tonight has a swimming pool and is within walking distance of the medieval town and you are free to eat out.

Day 6. Wednesday June 18. Carcassonne to Vielha (Spain) (approx. 170 miles). We make our way to the Pyrenees today, stopping in Mirepoix, which dates back to the 13th century. South via Montsegue with its' castle and village strung out at the foot of the rock face. From here we head west to our evenings' stay in the foothills of the Pyrenees in Spain. Tonight you'll stay in the Paradore at Vielha with its' panoramic views of the Aran Valley. The hotel has a swimming pool and dinner with wine is included tonight.

Day 7. Thursday June 19. Vielha to Pau (France) (approx. 120 miles).
We pop back into France and pick our way around the foothills of the Pyrenees via Bagreres de Luchon, the Col d'Aspin, Lourdes and on to Pau and your stay for the next two nights. The hotel has a swimming pool. You are free to eat out.

Day 8. Friday June 20. Halfway through the tour and a relaxing day off in Pau where, on a clear day you have a 50-mile sweeping view of the highest Pyrenean peaks. Spend the day exploring the narrow streets around the castle or just relax at the hotel. Tonight you are once again free to eat out.

Day 9. Saturday June 21. Pau to Olite (Spain) (approx. 180 miles).
Today we cross the Pyrenees and head towards Pamplona and the Navarra region. A visit to the town of Sanguesa before arriving at Olite. The hotel tonight is another Parador and was formerly a 15th century castle. Dinner with wine is included.

Day 10. Sunday June 22. Olite to Santa Domingo (approx. 140 miles).
Following the natural valley of the River Clidacos we head towards Soria visiting small villages in this ancient region, which is known for it's prehistoric and dinosaur finds. From here we make for the most recognised wine region of Spain - Rioja and our hotel for the night. Tonight's Parador is in the old centre of Santa Domingo and was once a 12th century hospital for the pilgrims on their way to Santiago. Dinner with wine is included.

Day 11. Monday June 23. Santa Domingo to Lerma (approx. 100 miles). Today we cross the Sierra de la Demanda, now a National Park - a rugged region with high rocks, rivers & lakes. We stop in Covarrrubias, superbly preserved small town, before moving on to Lerma. Set at the highest point of the old town, our hotel tonight was once a 17th Ducal Palace. The Paradore has a swimming pool and dinner with wine is included.

Day 12. Tuesday June 24. Lerma to Cervera (approx. 130 miles). Today's route takes us towards the Picos de Europa, a high mountain range forming a natural barrier between the sea and inland Spain. The Paradore tonight is nestled in the National park and overlooks the reservoir and the surrounding mountains. Dinner with wine is included.

Day 13. Wednesday June 25. Cervera to Santander (approx 125 miles). Today we will spend our time in the Picos Mountains before heading to our final hotel, which stands on the beach in Sardinero, the upmarket area of Santander. You are free this afternoon and evening so take a promenade along the seafront before finding somewhere for dinner.

Day 14. Thursday June 26. Ferry from Santander to Plymouth (a two-minute ride to the ferry and your crossing back to the UK) or depart to ride back through France.

Day 15. Friday June 27. Arrive back in Plymouth.

This tour can be taken in part if preferred, providing you do 8 consecutive nights. You also have the option to ride back to Calais if you do not want to take the ferry back to Plymouth. Please call for prices and options.

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