grand crus - Great Explorations

BURGUNDY
GRAND CRUS
Cycling · 7 Days
Great Explorations |2
BURGUNDY LUXE
Burgundy was once the richest of the ancient duchies in
France and continues to exhibit wealth brought about by the
popularity of its wine.
Cycling small vineyard lanes and
quiet country roads, where the only
traffic you’ll encounter might be a
tractor bringing in the harvest, is the
best way to see the countryside here.
Picturesque villages are filled with
wine cellars inviting degustations and
tiny restaurants with winemakers’
lunches where you’ll enjoy food that
is superbly prepared. We have been
cycling in Burgundy for over 15 years
now, and know the region intimately.
From the many Flemish-style
chateaux to the extraordinary Hospice
de Beaune, the treasures of Burgundy
are numerous.
ITINERARY
Getting there
Day 3 & 4
Most participants will arrive from
Paris by train the evening before our
departure. We have recommendations
for excellent hotels in the historical
district of Dijon.
We’ll make our way south, enjoying
lunch at one of our favorite auberges
in the region, before entering Beaune,
our home for the next two days. We
stay at a charming 3-star hotel within
the ramparts of the old city, and dine
out at acclaimed restaurants, where
the wine lists are as extensive as
the menus. On our second day here,
we’ll take a historical tour of Beaune
including a visit to the extraordinary
Hospice de Beaune. For cycling you
can choose between several rides (flat
or hilly, short or long- your choice).
Dijon
Day 1 & 2
Chambolle Musigny
Our trip starts after a short transfer to
one of the premier towns in the center
of Grand Crus wine. We’ll ride to a
tiny village for lunch, and then visit
the Chateau of Gevrey-Chambertin,
with a private tasting of their Grand
Crus wine. On our second day here,
we’ll ride through the flat farmlands to
the Abbaye de Citeaux, where monks
still make their famous cheese. We’ll
finish the day with a visit to the Clos
de Veugot, and ride past vineyards
including Romanee Conti and other
prestigious estates.
Beaune
Day 5 & 6
Puligny-Montrachet
Continuing south, we’ll ride a route
which will have us stopping in the
famous wine village of Pommard, and
then to St. Romain where we’ll visit
tonneliers (barrel makers) to learn this
ancient craft.In Puligny-Montrachet,
we’ll stay at a 3-star hotel in the
Only Great Explorations
· Small groups, extraordinary
guides, and authentic experiences.
· A ride you will never forget: to
Le Rochepot, one of the most
charming chateaux in Burgundy,
if not France.
· Private tour of the Hospice de
Beaune, the hospital founded by
Nicolas Rolin in 1443
· Wine tasting at prominent wineries too many to list
· Order off the menu at restaurants
you won’t find in guidebooks.
· Distinctive, charming hotels too
small for larger groups.
· We design and operate our own
trips so there are only good surprises.
Trip Dates
2017
Jun 21-25
Aug 27- Sep 2
Sep 2-8
Sep 9-15
Sep 16-22
2016
Jun 22-26
Aug 28- Sep 3
Sep 3-9
Sep 10-16
Sep 17-23
Self-guided and custom trips also
available and can start any day.
Call or email for details.
Trip Size
8-16 participants
Total Days
7 days/6 nights
Arrive/Depart
Dijon-Gevrey/Beaune
Activity Level
Moderate
20-40+ miles daily. Van supported
Terrain
3 days gently rolling, 3 days
moderately rolling
Tel: 604.730.1247 | 1.800.242.1825 | Email: [email protected] | Website: www.great-explorations.com
Great Explorations |3
center close to shops and restaurants.
On our final day of riding we’ll climb
to Chateau la Rochepot, perched
in a verdant valley surrounded by
vineyards. Afterwards we’ll be hosted
by a wine-maker for a wonderful lunch
in Puligny-Montrachet, and then coast
back to our hotel and final evening
celebrations.
Temperature in Dijon, France
(Avg. Daily High)
°C
°F
May19
66
June23
73
July24
75
August24
75
September
21 70
October 1559
What’s included in cost?
·S
ervices of one or more experienced Great Explorations
guides and support vehicle
· 6 nights lodging
· All breakfasts, 2 lunches, and all
dinners but 1
· Entrance fees for selected historical sites and museums
· Setailed map and route instructions
· All baggage transportation
· All transportation from initial
meeting point to final drop-off
(see arrive/depart cities)
· City Guide Paris
Noyers
Avallon
Semur en Auxois
Dijon
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Tel: 604.730.1247 | 1.800.242.1825 | Email: [email protected] | Website: www.great-explorations.com
Great Explorations |4
HOTELS
Chateau Andre Ziltner
Château André Ziltener
Chambolle-Musigny
Described by Wine Spectator as “the
most beautiful hotel in Burgundy.”
This intimate chateau is surrounded
by vineyards. All rooms are creatively
designed with luxury antiques and
named after a famous ‘Grand Cru’.
Hotel Le Ce
Beaune
Originally built in 1442, this 4-star
hotel features a magnificent tower
and a beautiful stone staircase, as
well as two historical courtyards and
a picturesque garden. Rooms are
decorated in the traditional French
style.
p
Hôtel le Cep
Puligny-Montrachet
Housed in a 17th century stone
building in the center of PulignyMontrachet, this elegant yet charming
hotel offers comfortable rooms and
a gastronomic restaurant, where
tastings of the famed Leflaive wines
are offered.
Maison Oliv
er Leflaive
La Maison D’Olivier Leflaive
Tel: 604.730.1247 | 1.800.242.1825 | Email: [email protected] | Website: www.great-explorations.com
Great Explorations |5
OUR GUIDES
Our guests tell us time and time again that our guides are
what set us apart from other companies. Caring, knowledgeable, athletic, articulate and fun-loving, each one is a
natural leader…
Here at Great Explorations, we are
tremendously proud of our guides.
A diverse group of passionate and
charismatic professionals, they have
the local know-how and expertise
to make your vacation incredibly
rewarding. Whether it’s fitting your
bike, arranging a one-of-a-kind
activity or being your personal
interpreter, our guides wear many
hats with ease. They are intimately
familiar with their travel regions,
having either lived or traveled there
extensively.
Comfortable speaking the local
language and knowing all of the
off-the-beaten track secrets, our
guides ensure you’ll have the journey
of a lifetime. Our website features
detailed bios on some of the more
than sixty guides who lead trips for us
worldwide.
OUR BICYCLES
The majority of our bicycle fleet are Cannondale bikes; Cannondale is the premier bicycle manufacturer in North America and Europe. We also maintain a fleet of Van Nicholas
Mistral titanium race bikes in Provence.
Cost
Land Cost (current year):
US $2950
Includes 6B/2L/5D
Single Supplement: US $740
Bike Rental: US$180 - hybrid
US$280 – racing
Ready to reserve?
·C
all or email Travel Advisor with any remaining questions and
to reserve
your space 1.800.242.1925
· Reserve your flights to and from
the region
· Book your night before hotel, if
necessary
· Consider travel insurance
Please note: Final itinerary is subject to revision; any
changes made are done so in an attempt to provide
the best possible trip given route conditions and
available services. Due to the nature of our business
and exchange rates, prices are subject to change. All
prices quoted are U.S. dollars but we gladly accept
payment in Canadian dollars also. Due to cancellations
and waiting lists, trip availability fluctuates daily. If you
have any questions or would like to confirm space
on this trip before making your reservation, please
contact us at [email protected] or by
telephone at 604.730.1247
Our Cannondale hybrid bikes in the Provence are new Quick Speed 2
performance hybrids with components as follows:
• Frame: aluminum; carbon forks
• Crank: Shimano 105 5700 50/34
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano 105 5700• Tire: 700 x 28C
• Saddle: Cannondale Quick Speed Ergo
Racing bikes (dropped handlebar) models are as follows:
Supersix 5 105 carbon frame with components as follows:
• Components: Shimano 105 • Rear Cogs: Shimano 105 5700, 12-27 • Crank (double): 50/34
• Seat: Cannondale C3 alloy
Synapse 5 105 model with synapse alloy frame and components are follows:
• Components: Shimano 105 • Rear cogs: 12-32 • Seat: Synapse
• Crank: 50/39/30
Van Nicholas Mistral titanium bikes (54 cm; 56 cm; 58 cm; 60 cm sizes)
• Components: Shimano 105
• SRAM Elita Compact Crankset, 50/34T
• Rear Cogs: Shimano 105 CS-5700 Cassette, 12-25
Tel: 604.730.1247 | 1.800.242.1825 | Email: [email protected] | Website: www.great-explorations.com
Great Explorations |6
OUR CONNECTION
I first cycled through Burgundy in
1984 on my first of many European
cycling trips; I had been following
the Rhone River south from Lyon
and arrived to the famed Cote D’Or
vineyards; it was September- the
wine harvest was on and I chose
to follow the aptly named route
de grand crus, named after the
classification of superior wines
produced here. I had heard that the
roads in Burgundy were ideal to
cycle, and riding through the region
was even better than I had imagined.
Vineyard workers were picking grapes
by hand, filling wicker baskets and
singing as they picked. I pedaled
to the Abbey de Citeaux, where
monks still made artisanal products.
In Gevrey-Chambertin, I visited the
ancient chateau of Madame Massillon,
who insisted I wear paper slippers to
shuffle through her home. In her 70s
at the time, she bottled her Grand
Crus wines in the cellar. I cycled past
vineyards of Vosne Romanee and
Clos de Veougot, names I recognized
but didn’t yet appreciate. I loved
the charming villages of ChambolleMusigny, Nuit-St. George and others,
each with gorgeous chateaux with
distinctive Flemish-tiled roofs.
I stopped for lunch at the Auberge
de la Miotte in the village of LadoixSerrigny which offered a set menu
that included wine of course; the
restaurant was full of locals, some of
whom had no doubt just come in from
the fields. I arrived to Beaune late
afternoon and made my first stop the
Marche Aux Vins, where I was to have
the opportunity to taste countless
wines. The fellow giving instruction
had a nose that seemed ideal for
what was to come. It is said that one
should first smell the aroma, swirling
the wine somewhat to give it oxygen;
our sommelier’s nose seemed to hook
perfectly into the glass and he closed
his eyes as he breathed in deeply. He
identified berries, chestnuts and a
hint of cinnamon. I tried, but I guess
that takes imagination that I didn’t yet
have. Then, when ready, he instructed
us to taste. I watched as he swirled a
little into his mouth, making a sound
like he was sucking some through
his teeth.
I learned that they have been making
wines here since the 6th century.
At Clos de Vougot, Cistercian monks
tended the vines, and on private
estates families passed on vineyards
from generation to generation,
sometimes dividing up plots among
family members. This accounts for
why the plots are so small today.
The more I learned, the more I tasted
until I realized, it probably wasn’t a
good idea for me to continue to bike
any further! I found a small hotel and
enjoyed a wonderful meal at a little
restaurant called Cave Madeleine.
I have returned to Burgundy countless
times and I always try to dine at
this familial restaurant, where the
atmosphere is convivial, the food
excellent and selection of wines,
superb. Sitting next to you might be
a local wine maker, or a wine buyer or
another cyclist, happily discovering
another of Burgundy’s secrets.
Robbin McKinney,
Founder and owner of Great
Explorations
Tel: 604.730.1247 | 1.800.242.1825 | Email: [email protected] | Website: www.great-explorations.com
Great Explorations |7
ACCOLADES
“The roads we cycled were a pure delight- my husband enjoyed
the option for longer rides on a couple of days and I enjoyed
the chance to visit markets and relax- it was the perfect
vacation for both of us. P.S. we weren’t wine aficionados prior
to this trip but we’re starting a cellar with our purchases from
the trip!” Judy T. - New York, NY
“We loved the food on this trip, from the very first at Chez
Jeanette, to the winemakers tasting dinner on the last night.
On previous trips with other companies, we felt the meals
were too long, too formal- the ones you chose were perfect.
I guess it helps that you’ve got smaller group sizes
(which we also enjoyed!) P.S. your guides were terrific.”
Peter & Barb P. - Chicago, IL
For additional testimonials, please visit www.great-explorations.com/
testimonials.
Tel: 604.730.1247 | 1.800.242.1825 | Email: [email protected] | Website: www.great-explorations.com