ALPS & SWISS LAKESSaturday June 24th-Wednesday July 5th, 2023 (11 nights, 12 days)
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This tour starts and finishes at Dover and will be fully hosted & led for the duration of the tour.
This tour takes you through the French wine regions of Champagne and Burgundy before moving on to the spectacular mountains of the French Alps and Swiss lakes and then a two-night stay in the city of Basel. You’ll be riding the best minor roads, see stunning views and visiting towns and villages off the beaten tourist track. A support van will transport your luggage and be on hand to assist with any problems. 
Day 1. Saturday June 24. Calais to Reims (approx. 170 miles)
As we leave Calais we pick up the peage motorway to crunch the first 70 miles. After our lunch stop we cut to the country roads for a leisurely ride through the WWI region of North-West France until we reach our 4-star hotel on the outskirts of Reims. Dinner with wine is included tonight. Day 2. Sunday June 25. Reims to Dijon (approx. 175 miles) We head towards Epernay via the impressive vineyards and sleepy villages with their independent champagne houses. Onwards to Troyes where we pick up the main road, ride through the valleys and follow the River Seine until we reach Dijon and our four-star hotel. Dinner with wine is included again tonight. Day 3. Monday June 26. Dijon to Macon (approx. 100 miles) This morning we head to Gevrey Chambertin along vineyard bordered country roads to Ternant, Mauvilly, Savigny-les-Beaune before arriving at the capital of this famous wine region Beaune. Continuing cross-country through Chagny, Cormatin and Cluny until we reach Macon. Tonight, our four-star hotel is centrally located and dinner with wine is included. Day 4. Tuesday June 27. Macon to Chamonix (approx. 160 miles) Today we cross the River Soane as we make our way towards Oyonnax – sitting in a valley of the Jura Mountains – then on to Annecy, La Clusaz, the Col des Aravis at 1487m and St. Gervais before arriving at Chamonix. Our centrally located four-star hotel has stunning views of Mont Blanc and is the first of our two-night stops. Tonight you are free to eat out and there is a wide choice of bars and restaurants. Day 5. Wednesday June 28. Day off in Chamonix Relax at the hotel and enjoy their spa facilities, explore the town with many bars, restaurants and designer shops or take the train up to the glacier and enjoy the fantastic panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Once again you are free to eat out tonight. Day 6. Thursday June 29. Chamonix to Neuchatel (approx. 120 miles) Leaving Mont Blanc behind us we go via the col de la Forclaz to Martingny in Switzerland. After a lakeside stop in Montreux we head into the lush green hills and to Oron, Moudon and Yverdon which sits on the southern shore of Lake Neuchatel. We then head north, along the lakeside until we reach Neuchatel and our next two-night stay. Our four-star hotel is situated in the harbour and is just a 2 minute walk from this historic city centre. You are free to eat out tonight. Day 7. Friday June 30. Day off in Neuchatel Enjoy the hotel facilities or take the day to explore the old centre and its 12th century castle. As there are plenty of bars and restaurants you are free to eat out. Day 8. Saturday July 1. Neuchatel to Basel (approx. 135 miles) As we leave the lake we head up into the Jura Mountains to St. Imier and Saignelegier before crossing back into France at the Corniche de Goumois – a picturesque hillside road. Retuning to Switzerland we make our way to the cultural capital of Basel. Our four-star hotel sits overlooking the Rhine and is a perfect base for the next two nights. Known for its many museums and compact old town, tonight you are free to eat out. Day 9. Sunday July 2. Day off in Basel Day off to explore the medieval old town, wander down the riverside or relax at the hotel. As there are numerous bars, cafes and restaurants in and around the old centre, you are free once again to eat out tonight. Day 10. Monday July 3. Basel to Saarbrucken (approx. 160 miles) Today we hug the French side of the Rhine as we make our way to Marckolsheim – close to the old Maginot Line. North from here to the forested, high hills of the Vosges before crossing into Germany and to our four-star hotel in Saarbrucken. You are free to eat out tonight and the old centre is just a short walk from the hotel. Day 11. Tuesday July 4. Saarbrucken to Dinant (approx. 165 miles) This morning we run along the Saar River towards Trier where we cross the Mosel into Luxembourg. We’ll ride through the forested countryside and rolling hills via Larochette, then take in the lakes, cliffs & limestone crags around Esch before arriving in Belgium. Continuing through the woodlands of the Ardennes until we reach our final night’s hotel on the outskirts of Dinant. The hotel, a former Chateau, sits in 25 hectares of peaceful woodlands and a stone’s throw from the River Lesse. Dinner with wine is included tonight. Day 12. Wednesday July 5. Dinant to Calais (approx. 175 miles) A direct route to take us to Calais and an afternoon crossing back to Dover. Total tour mileage approx. 1,360 Please ensure you have read our Terms & Conditions
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Prices
Rider & pillion £4,995 ......................................... Rider sharing a room £2,550 ......................................... Rider, single room £3,795 ......................................... Price Includes:
Michaela and I both had a great time which was in no doubt down to your combined hard work behind the scenes. |
