VeloAsia: Loire & Burgundy

Tour Details
Road Bicycling with Support
8 Days/Nights
Leisurely Cycling
100% Good Paved Roads
Gastronomy
Luxury Châteaux Accommodation

Tour Dates
September 17 to 24, 2013


	Pre-Tour	P A R I S Free time in Paris (accommodation in the 6th at the Hotel Recaimer, below).

		Hôtel Recamier In the 6th arrondissement on the left bank of the Seine, this boutique hotel lies on a large, beautiful square across from the church of Saint-Sulpice. Luxembourg Gardens are a block away and the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés in only three blocks and all around are small, winding alleys and streets of medieval Paris. The hotel was recently renovated and the 24 rooms have been revamped. We love this discreet, pleasant location away from but close to the touristy areas and other hotels, with the pleasant Luxembourg Gardens very close by. Hôtel Recamier : 3 bis, Place Saint Sulpice. Hôtel Recamier Web site

	Sept 17	P A R I S to M O N T B A Z O N After pickup at Paris hotel, transfer to Tours for lunch and orientation, and after, briefly exploring the highlights of Tours. Located near the junction of the Loire and Cher Rivers, Tours is a university town and the typical point of departure for exploring the Loire Valley and castles in the region, but we'll pause for a glimpse of a few unique attractions, including the city's wonderful Renaissance and neoclassical mansions (right), which are clustered around the famous Plumereau square, and the Cathedral of St-Gatien. In the afternoon, transferring to nearby Montbazon (about ten miles) and splendid accommodation at the castle Domaine de La Tortinière. Dinner will be on the premises tonight in the formal dining room of l’Orangery by chef David Chartier.

		Château La Tortinière Domaine de la Tortinière, built in 1861, has a most impressive exterior, an inviting interior, and charming hosts Xavier and his wife Anne. Although, a first class hotel, they set a relaxed and welcoming ambiance as opposed to stiff or formal. Domaine de la Tortinière exudes the feeling of a home with a blend of contemporary and traditional decor with modern and antique furniture. In the drawing room old paneling painted in soft yellows combines with modern sofas and tables and traditional chairs to create a very comfortable room. Bedrooms continue in the same vein with a pleasing blend of traditional and contemporary, and are found in the main château, the adjacent pavilion, a little cottage by the entrance to the property and the recently converted manor where Xavier’s grandparents used to live-the accommodation is spectacular and absolutely gorgeous in the decor as selected by Anne. In autumn the surrounding woodlands are a carpet of cyclamens, while in summer the heated swimming pool and tennis courts are great attractions for guests. The Domaine de la Tortinière remains a favorite in terms of accommodation, welcome, and charm and its dining room is exceptional. Seasonally, cooking courses are offered that serve as an introduction to regional cuisine and provide the opportunity to dine with the owners.

	Sept 2	M O N T B A Z O N Get your first glimpse of the Château de Villandry and its amazing gardens on a warm-up ride along the bucolic Loire River. In the evening, listen to a French history expert and learn more about the Medieval Characters. Following a leisurely breakfast, rolling out from the castle along the majestic Loire River, and pass through charming little villages on quiet, peaceful roads. We continue riding to the Castle of Villandry to enjoy the visit of the château and its famous gardens. Lunch will be in a small restaurant directly across from the château. A 45 km (27 mi.) ride along the Loire River to Château de Villandry for lunch, then passing through small villages on mostly fl at terrain. A long option towards the Château de Langeais is available. (20 km – 12 mi.)

	Sept 3	M O N T B A Z O N to C H I N O N Before breakfast, enjoying breathtaking views of the Loire at sunrise, floating over the countryside in a hot air balloon. After the ride (about one hour), return to the Château for breakfast. A 45 km (27 mi.) ride along the Loire River to Château de Villandry for lunch, then passing through small villages on mostly flat terrain. A long option towards the Château de Langeais is available. (20 km – 12 mi.) Restaurant Le Chai at Manoir de Restigne featuring Michelin Star Chef Damien Cousseau. [website]


		Château de Marcay Marçay-Chinon, Chinon Picturesque 15th-century castle-hotel, comprising 33 lodgings (no A/C) with well-equipped modern baths, plus seven accommodations in a 17th-Century outbuilding. Restaurant serves fine regional cuisine. Impressive wine list with more than 700 selections. Cooking classes, outdoor heated pool and tennis. [Website]

	Sept 4	C H I N O N (Saumer) Following a leisurely breakfast, rolling out from the castle along the majestic Loire River, and pass through charming little villages on quiet, peaceful roads. We continue riding to the Castle of Villandry to enjoy the visit of the château and its famous gardens. Lunch will be in a small restaurant directly across from the château. A 45 km (27 mi.) ride along the Loire River to Château de Villandry for lunch, then passing through small villages on mostly flat terrain. A long option towards the Château de Langeais is available. (20 km – 12 mi.) Le Gambetta is the place to go for an elegant and special meal in Saumer. The locals will tell you it's the best restaurant in town, and once you taste the food you'll agree. Excellent [website]

	Sept 5	C H I N O N to L E M E R E Ride past troglodyte villages and the extraordinary Castle of Azay-le-Rideau, the famous Renaissance masterpiece also known as the "playground of the kings." Be certified as a member of the “Chinon Secret Wine Community” before dinner in the home of Michelin star Chef, M. Rigollet. After arrival at the Château du Rivau, we'll enjoy an introduction and tasting of Loire Valley wines, from Muscadet to Sancerre, Anjou, Chinon and Vouvray, to mention just a few of the best-known names.

		Château du Rivau With its majestic keep and its protective drawbridge, the Château du Rivau seems to come straight out of a fairy tale. Its shape is reminiscent of 13th century fortified castles as suggest the square layout one can still discern. The square shaped keep was the heart of the castle’s fortification. Yet the Rivau was one of the first ornamental castles to be built: its cheminees, wide windows and frescos endow it with a harmonious style. In the dining hall of the Feast of Belshazzar, a biblical episode of the Feast of Belshazzar was depicted over the fire mantelpiece by a Flemish master of the 16th century. According to the Bible, the son of King Nebuchadnezzar had violated the sacred vases of the temple of Jerusalem. [website]

	Sept 6	L E M E R E to N O I Z A Y Early today we pass by the birthplace of Rabelais, to whom we raised our glasses during initiation into the Wine Brotherhood. We continue our ride out into the nearby Chinon Forest and en route, we’ll catch a glimpse of the splendid Châteaux d’Ussé, near the confluence of the Indre and Loire rivers. Then we cross the Loire at its confluence with the River Vienne, to ride through the lush countryside on the north bank. For lunch, we’ll enjoy a degustation of some of the best wines in the Bourgueil appellation—at the famous Domaine de La Chevallerie with the wine maker from the domain, Stéphanie Caslot. All together we get to play sommelier and select the bottles we would like to drink with our picnic lunch, which will be served directly in the wine cave or in the vineyards if the sun is with us! After this memorable experience, we’ll drive one hour east from western Tours in a private coach in time for tonight’s dinner, which will be in the spectacular Château de Noizay’s formal dining room— recently honored by the famous French Gastronomic guidebook: Gault & Millau.

		Château de Noizay This remarkable castle, located in the Vouvray wine appellation and overlooking the village of Noizay and the Loire Valley, began its construction in the 26thC and was finally finished a full century later. Owner Mme. William recently transformed the castle into a Relais & Châteaux property, maintaining the French idea of luxury and “rafinement.” [Château de Noizay website]



	Sept 7	N O I Z A Y We’ll begin our last day with a lovely ride through forests, alongside rivers and by charming villages typical of the region. En route, we’ll catch a glimpse of both splendid Châteaux d’Amboise, including the Château du Clos Lucé in which Leonardo Da Vinci worked for the King François 1er. Then, we head off south towards the famous Château de Chenonceaux and the Cher River. Lunch is en route in one of the Renaissance villages you choose along the way. Tonight Mme. William, the owner of the Château de Noizay, will host a private dinner for us in the 18thC library to celebrate our last dinner in the Loire.


		Besides great mustard, the local dishes of Burgundy include coq a vin and boeuf bourguignon; both of which are made with local red wine. The beef is provided by Charolais cattle (see picture) which are the local breed. Another resident is the humble vineyard snail, which is used to make their famous escargot. And what about the wine? Well, in Burgundy it is easy to know what varietals you are enjoying, as almost all reds are made from Pinot Noir, with the whites being Chardonnay. But just because the vines are all the same doesn’t mean that the end products will be. With some of the best wine-growing terroir in all of France, Burgundy can produce some truly amazing wines. I cannot wait to try as many of them as I can find/afford. The Côte d’Or is part of the Burgundy region and starts just below Dijon. Apart from the type of grapes grown, Burgundy differs from Bordeaux in another way. In Bordeaux, it’s all about the name on the label. Lynch-Bages, Petrus, Mouton-Rothchild etc. So, where Bordeaux is all about the Château, Burgundy is all about the where. The Côte d’Or has two main regions, the Côte de Nuits to the north and the Côte de Beaune to the south. In terms of hierarchy, Burgundy wine is classified according to region i.e. Burgundy (Bourgogne), then by district, Côte d’Or then onto village, e.g Gevry-Chambertin and further up to a particular vineyard. Grand Cru is often thought of as a sign of quality, but it’s really a measure of the potential of the land the grapes are grown on. Many vineyards in Burgundy are split into subplots or allotments and have multiple owners, some only owning a small row so it’s very hard to pick a wine based purely on village or even vineyard, you sometimes need to know the exact producer. By reputation the top three villages in Burgundy’s Côte d’Or are: •Gevrey-Chambertin •Chambolle-Musigny •Vosne-Romanee



	Sept 8	Noizay to Dijon After a scenic breakfast on the terrace, enjoying our last moments at the Château before departure. Mid-morning, transfer by van to "Bourgogne," driving about three hours. After the picturesque journey arrive in Dijon and to the Château to settle in to your room and enjoy the tranquil surrounding of the property. Aperitif will be served in the lounge or terrace to discuss the coming week; we will then enjoy a wonderful dinner in the Château dining room overlooking the park. (D)

		Château Hotel André Ziltener, rue de la Fontaine, Chambolle Musigny, Burgundy Stylishly appointed 18th-century mansion- hotel tucked behind lofty walls in a vineyard-surrounded wine hamlet on the fabled “Route des Grands Crus,” 20 minutes north of Beaune. Ten guest quarters (no A/C) feature antique furniture and lavish marble baths. Wine bar serves simple meals; numerous nearby restaurants. [website]

	Sept 9	Dijon Market day in Dijon's Les Halles - Burgundy's largest market place designed by Alexandre Gustave Eiffel, where we'll learn about local ingredients to create the menu for this evening’s dinner. Prior to our afternoon cooking class, we will stop off on the Route Des Grands Crus for lunch at the quirky Le Bar A Vins in the village of Gevrey Chambertin, home to many of Burgundies Grands Crus. In the afternoon, learning from our talented chef how to prepare and cook delicacies of Burgundy.

	Sept 10	Dijon to Beaune This morning, enjoying a beautiful spin through the rolling hills of beautiful Côte d’Or, leaving the bustle of Dijon for the tranquil countryside passing through stars of the wine world incuding Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée, and Nuit-Saint-Georges in these “Hills of God.” We'll pause for lunch amidst the vins, and in between toasts at our outdoor cafe, sample specialties of the region. Afterwards, continue through the French countryside that has inspired artist masterpieces for centuries. Our easy pace today will allow for ample time to visit the many museums and architectural highlights along the way to Beaune, the unofficial wine capital of Burgundy. In the late afternoon, relaxing at the Hostellerie De Levernois until dinner at their excellent, outdoor restaurant.

		Hostellerie De Levernois, Route De Combertault, Levernois, Beaune Gourmet sanctuary in a pretty parkland setting with huge cedar trees, formal French gardens and a rushing creek, 10 minutes outside Beaune. Twelve bright and spacious rooms with parquet flooring, warm paneling and rich fabrics are situated in a garden pavilion; six are in the main building; and eight other chic lodgings combining tradition and modernity are in the “Meix des Glycines,” a recently acquired 18th-century structure. The stately white villa houses a luncheon bistro with a riverside terrace, and a gourmet dinner restaurant that opens onto the park and serves seasonal regional cuisine backed by an extensive wine list. [website]

	Sept 11	Beaune This morning is market day in Beaune; where we will design tonight's menu and purchase the wonderful produce that is so famous here at this colourful and vibrant market. Late morning we visit the 14th century Hospice of Beaune (Hotel-Dieu) where you will have time to wander through the Salle des Pauvres (the hall of the poor), the rooms of Sainte-Anne, Saint-Nicolas, Sainte-Hughes and Saint-Louis as well as the fully restored kitchen. After a gorgeous lunch at local favorite, Ma Cuisine, you will have time to explore this historic town in the afternoon. With time to refresh back at the Château we will dine out this evening enjoying another dinner accompanied by wonderful wines from the Cote d'Or.



		Abbaye de la Bussiere, La Bussiere sur Ouche, Dijon Manor house-hotel, once the country residence of the bishops of Dijon, providing a convenient base from which to tour Burgundy’s great wine towns, including Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle- Musigny, Pernand-Vergelesses, Aloxe-Corton, Meursault and Beaune. Set amid a walled 15-acre park, the magical three-story 14th-century mansion is constructed of mellow golden limestone and topped by a steep slate roof. The hotel’s 17 rooms have been individually decorated and furnished with fine antiques, while atmospheric public areas include a galleried Great Hall. The menu at the property’s main restaurant displays a shrewd synthesis of French tradition and the modern demand for lighter and healthier eating. As elsewhere in the hotel, service in the restaurant is exceptional. The hotel’s Michelin-starred chef, Emmanuel Hebrard, produces some truly spectacular Burgundian cuisine, using locally sourced ingredients. There are two restaurants – the lunchtime Bistro des Moines is relatively informal, while the Gastronomic is less a restaurant than an experience. At £72 (€89), the “menu de l’abbaye” is not cheap, but you’ll experience top-notch gastronomy. [website]

	Sept 12	Beaune This morning at the Abbaye de la Bussiere, enjoying a personal tour and then a four-course lunch; if the weather is kind we will dine on the terrace overlooking the manicured gardens. Late afternoon we will visit Le Ferme de Poiset, (a goat dairy) who make and supply chevre to many restaurants all over France. After seeing how the chevre is made we will enjoy some of their produce in the 300 year old farmhouse dining room. Departing Le Ferme de Poiset we'll enjoy a picturesque drive back to the Château for apertif and a light dinner. This morning we will enjoy a private wine tasting in the Cote de Nuits, followed by a wander through the vins and lunching in Gevrey Charmbertin – home of the many wonderful Grand Crus of the Cote d’Or. With the afternoon free to enjoy the garden and grounds of the Château prior to heading into the Dukes of Bourgogne city, Dijon, for a farewell dinner.

	Sept 13	Depart to Burgundy After a leisurely breakfast we bid farewell to the Château and travel back to Dijon for your onward journey and reflect on the past weeks.....
	* B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner
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