Amanda asked if I’d be interested in joining her, her mom, and her sister-in-law (all people I know and have spent time with before) on a bike trip through wine country in France. I’m game for pretty much anything, so here I am in Lisbon, boarding my flight to Lyon, France.
Food in Europe is so good. Even simple things, like a sandwich. Camembert with a little fresh butter and lettuce on a delightful sesame baguette. Mmmm!
Our itinerary looks great!
Day 1: Saturday, May 09 – outward journey
Day 2: Sunday, May 10 – Lyon – Château de Saulon (hotel)
11:00 AM Meet at Lyon airport – Terminal 1
11:15 AMMini van transfer to Château de Saulon
01:45 PMLunch at Château de Saulon
03:15 PMTime to explore the surroundings
04:15 PMWelcome drinks
04:30 PMBike fitting & welcome orientation
05:30 PMFree afternoon
07:00 PMDinner at Château de Saulon
Day 3: Monday, May 11 – Château du Clos de Vougeot – La Cuverie de Vosne – Dijon
07:30 AM Breakfast
08:45 AMBike ride – Château de Saulon to La Cuverie de Vosne-Romanée via Château du Clos de Vougeot: 19.5 mi/31.4 km – 707 ft/215 m elevation gain
10:30 AMVisit Château du Clos de Vougeot (11:30 AM English guided tour)
11:30 AMBike ride (part 2) – Château du Clos de Vougeot to Cuverie de Vosne-Romanée
12:30 PMLunch & wine tasting at La Cuverie de Vosne-Romanée
02:30 PMEF van transfer back to our hotel
03:15 PMFree afternoon at the hotel
Day 4: Tuesday, May 12 – Beaune – Château Philippe le Hardi
07:00 AM Breakfast
08:15 AMBike ride (option A) – Château de Saulon to Beaune: 25.4 mi/40.9 km – 991 ft/302 m elevation gain
11:00 AMBeaune walking tour & Gougères tasting
12:00 PMLunch break
01:30 PMBike ride (option B) or transfer – Beauneto Château Philippe le Hardi: 14.2 mi/22.9 km – 816 ft/249 m elevation gain
03:30 PMWine tasting at Château Philippe le Hardi
04:30 PMTaxi transfer back to our hotel
06:00 PMFree evening at the hotel or to further explore the area on your own
Day 5: Wednesday, May 13 – Chablis – Vernou-en-Sologne
07:30 AM Breakfast
08:45 AMTransfer to Chablis
11:00 AMWinery cellar tour and wine tasting atDomaine Long-Depaquit
12:00 PMStroll through Chablis
12:30 PMLunch at restaurant Kimm & Ridge
02:00 PMTransfer to Vernou-en-Sologne
05:45 PMCheck-in and time to freshen up or to explore the surroundings
07:00 PMDinner at the hotel
Day 6: Thursday, May 14 – Château de Chambord
07:00 AM Breakfast
08:30 AMBike ride (option A) – La Borde en Sologne to Château de Chambord: 27.3 mi/43.9 km – 564 ft/170 m elevation gain
12:00 PMLunch break in Chambord
01:00 PMGuided visit of Château de Chambord
02:30 PMFree time in Chambord
03:00 PMBike ride (option B) – Château de Chambord to La Borde en Sologne: 19.6 mi/31.5 km – 351 ft/107 m elevation gain
05:15 PMFree evening to enjoy the hotel’s facilitiesor to further explore the area on your own
Day 7: Friday, May 15 – Château de Chenonceau – Amboise – Blois
07:00 AM Breakfast
09:15 AMVisit Château de Chenonceau
11:30 AMBike ride (option A) – Château de Chenonceau to Amboise: 13.3 mi/21.4 km – 354 ft/108 m elevation gain
01:00 PMLunch break in Amboise
02:30 PMBike ride (option B) – Amboise to Blois: 26.2 mi/42.2 km – 653 ft/199 m elevation gain
05:30 PM Introduction to Blois
06:15 PMFree time to explore and have dinner in Blois
08:15 PMTaxi transfer to our hotel
Day 8: Saturday, May 16 – Beaugency
07:00 AM Breakfast
08:15 AMBike ride (option A) – La Borde en Sologne to Beaugency: 27.8 mi/43.9 km – 427 ft/130 m elevation gain
11:30 AMExplore Beaugency’s Saturday market
12:00 PMMore free time for lunch and to exploreBeaugency
02:00 PMBike ride (option B) – Beaugency to La Borde en Sologne: 23.5 mi/37.8 km – 466 ft/142 m elevation gain
07:30 PMFarewell Dinner at La Margot’ine
Day 9: Sunday, May 17 – return journey
04:30 AMCheck-out
04:45 AMTaxi transfer to Paris Orly airport
09:55 AM Flight# TP 0453 to Porto (OPO)
Vacation Days 