LOIRE VALLEY INDEPENDENT BIKING:

• NEW! -- Gastronomic Treasures of the Loire: Discover more of the Loire and its gastronomy with this itinerary that gives you the best of two worlds -- castles and countryside by day and specially chosen restaurants by night. 8D/7N, from $1320.
• NEW! -- From Orleans to the Atlantic: Discover the Royal Valley as you cycle along the majestic Loire River and explore its thousand treasures -- its historic heritage, châteaux, peaceful landscapes, and rural gastronomic delights. Three stages available which can be done separately or combined for a longer trip.
• L'Art de Vivre: Enjoy your exploration of the Garden of France, staying in charming hotels from the Grandes Étapes Français chain. 7D/6N, from $2370.

• Castles, Wines & Epicurean Delights in Touraine: The Touraine is called the "Garden of France", and this tour gives you a chance to discover the region's charms, its historic past, picture-perfect castles, and outstanding wines. 8D/7N, from $885.

• Land of Three Rivers: Explore the heart of the Touraine following the courses of the three major rivers that water this fertile region blessed with an incredible array of castles and gardens, manors, vineyards, and lovely scenery. 8D/7N, from $1025
• Land of Three Rivers DELUXE : Live like royalty! Explore the Touraine and stay in hotels as historic and luxurious as the castles you visit. The itinerary is similar to our standard "Land of Three Rivers" but uses deluxe accommodations. 8D/7N, from $1700.

• Cycling the Heart of Château Country : Discover more of the Loire and its splendors in a more relaxing manner, staying two nights each in Amboise and Montrichard, both areas so rich in history, vineyards, and castles that a single day cannot do them justice.  8D/7N, from $825 or 6D/5N from $645.
• Treasures of Anjou: The ancient Duchy of Anjou was one of the territories of the English Plantagenets, the dynasty that produced Richard the Lionhearted. It remains, to this day, a charming rural region with historical buildings, castles, and monasteries, as well as vineyards and farms.  8D/7N, from $945.

LOIRE VALLEY INDEPENDENT SHORT BIKING TOURS:

• Marvels of Chateau Country: This short tour is an ideal introduction to the Loire Valley region and its charms, featuring three full days of biking and giving you plenty of time to explore châteaux, stop for wine-tasting, or relax by a rural stream. 5D/4N, from $770.
• From Beaugency to Amboise: Once upon a time, the kings of France lived in a valley where Mother Nature showered them with natural riches and where time quietly slipped by. 5D/4N, from $920.
• Discover the Land of Three Rivers DELUXE: Accommodation is in 3-4* manorhouses and chateau hotels, and there is the option of upgrading to 4* Grandes Etapes Francaises hotel in Montbazon on Day 2. Either way, you will feel like royalty! 5D/4N, from $1055.

INDEPENDENT BIKING IN OTHER REGIONS

• Provence & the Cote d'Azur: Bike & Cruise: Who hasn't heard about the unique blue sea and the glamour of Cannes, St-Tropez, and Antibes? And who has not dreamed about the  beauty of the villages of Provence? The Côte d'Azur unites all in one -- the sea with magnificent beaches and breathtakingly beautiful landscapes. Living aboard a comfortable ship, spend a week of unforgetable cycling between Toulon and Antibes. 8D/7N, from $899.
• Splendors of the Norman Coast: The allure of great Normandy landscapes -- green pastures and apply trees, half-timbered manorhouses, sparkling streams and the the seaside jewels of the Cote Fleurie -- traditions and authenticity to guide you through discoveries and picture-perfect sites. 6D/5N, from $1060.
• Heart of Brittany: Highlights of this unusual tour include the fabled island-city of Mont-Saint-Michel and the ancient pirate stronghold of Saint-Malo on the Emerald Coast. 8D/7N, from $955.
• Burgundy (8D)
• Provence (8D)
• Dordogne Valley (8D)
• Bike Alsace for 2005: The country between Rhine and Vosges Mountains...and between Jura and Palatinate Forest - discover a fascinating landscape: soft hills along the wine route, picturesque villages and mysterious ruins as well as the meadows of the majestic River Rhine will make this tour an unforgettable experience. Not to forget Strasbourg, city of art, culture and lifestyle. 8D/7N, from   $750
• Canal du Midi (7D)

INDEPENDENT HIKING IN FRANCE

• Hiking Royal Paths of the Loire for 2006: From the prestigious Loire River and its Royal châteaux, hiking via the green Sologne forest, to the famous Touraine Vineyards, you will enjoy the richness of the Loire Valley area: a rich artistic and historical heritage combined to incomparable flavors. 8D/7N, from $750
• Hiking from the Touraine to the Anjou Vineyards for 2006: An incomparable journey through the vineyards of Touraine and Saumur, passing via many sumptuous châteaux and medieval towns dotted along the way. Enjoy a walk through an authentic rural environment along typical countryside lanes that the only Loire Valley area can offer. 8D/7N, from $850.
• Hike the Loire Valley: Mountain & Vineyard Trail: Our route takes in the chateau at Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci spent his twilight years, Chenonceau where the castle spans the River Cher, and Azay le Rideau, so delicate it was surely not built for war. At Fontevraud Abbey you can visit the tomb of Richard the Lionheart. On the way is the fortress of Chinon and the medieval town beneath it. 8D/7N, from $1350
   (8D)
• Dordogne Valley (8-10D)
• Burgundy (8D)
• Alsace: This is a delightful walk through the foothills of the Vosges mountains. The route takes you through pretty villages full of twisting streets, small squares and picturesque half-timbered houses with neat window boxes and roofs topped by nesting storks. A good area for lovers of food and wine 7D/6N, from $1165.

• Provence Southern Alps (8D)
• Way of St James (12D)
• Corsica:  Set in the heart of Corsica this trek lets you discover some of the best of its majestic mountain scenery and beautiful coastline. 8D/7N, $1135.

For the independent biker and hiker we offer the largest program of self-guided biking and hiking programs you will find anywhere. These trips combine the convenience of reserved hotel accommodation with the flexibility of planning your own travel dates. As an extra feature, all of our tours include luggage transfer from hotel to hotel, leaving you free to spend your time doing what you come to Europe for -- relax, explore, and have fun!

Other Special Programs & Tours for groups and individuals include arts & crafts, music, sports, language schools, trade fairs, museums, rail adventures, river odysseys, 2-3 week village camps for young people, and more.

Details are available for all of our programs. Please let us know what tour details you would like to see, and we will be happy to send them to you. Or give us a call if you have any questions.

(Subject to change)