21 - 28* September 2019 NORMANDY CYCLING ADVENTURE
D-DAY 75th ANNIVERSARY
8 Days, 7 Nights*.
Summary: The tour starts near the port city of Le Havre, at the mouth of the Seine River, in the lovely town of Honfleur. We will be here 2 nights to fully explore Honfleur and it's beautiful shops and harbor on foot and on bicycle. We then head south along the beautiful Atlantic Coast to Cabourg and stay at the Grande Hotel Casino, right on the beach for 1 night. We continue south on the coast and cross the famous Pegasus Bridge, passing Caen, then the Invasion Beaches and on to beautiful Bayeux for 2 nights. We explore on foot and by bike the amazing Museum, Cathedral and view the Bayeux Tapestry . There is wonderful shopping. Then to Omaha Beach for 1 night and visit the very moving American Cemetery and other amazing sites including a moving film at Arromanches. We end the cycling adventure here. We then transfer you by van to Mont St-Michel for our final night.
The tour is 8 days and 7 nights, at excellent hotels, it includes 7 breakfasts and 4 gourmet dinners. All lunches and 3 dinners are on your own. There are excellent options everyday, either on the cycling route or in the towns we are staying. *Staying an additional night at Le Mont is an optional add on.
The price is $2996 per person, double occupancy. Single room supplement is $595. Bicycle rentals are $375. *The extra night at Le Mont adds $340 B&B per person.
We pick meet you at your CDG2 hotel and drive you to Honfleur. On the last morning you will be taken by van to the Paris or CDG2 train in Rennes, for your return to Paris.
Your guide will be Dick Powell. This tour is be operated by Mindfulness Tours. You can book on line at: http://www.mindfulnesstours.org/booking-form.html
DAILY ITINERARY:
Day 1: We pick you up at Paris CDG2 airport at the Ibis or Novotel hotels at CDG2 Roissypole. We will have a scenic drive to Honfleur - Saturday, 21 September
Welcome to Honfleur, a Michelin 2 Star site (Michelin Green Guide pg 184). Once you arrive at the hotel, relax and enjoy the afternoon. The Old Town is located around a small beautiful harbor near our hotel. Some exploration is suggested. If time allows we will start fitting bicycles. The Welcome Dinner is included, nearby our Inn.
Day 2: Explore Honfleur on foot and bicycle - Sunday, 22 September
After breakfast we will finish fitting bicycles and have a short route for you to check it out and make any adjustments needed. We suggest taking the Old Town** Walking Tour, GG 186. Dinner is on your own tonight and there are many wonderful options, including a Michelin 2 Star, "Sa Qua Na", within walking distance.
Day 3: Honfleur to Cabourg - 33 - 50km - Monday, 23
After breakfast you head out of Honfleur with several interesting sites to visit along your way. Use your GG. You shortly have a climb and over the hill to the beach towns of Trouville** and Deauville** . You then continue southwest along the Atlantic Coast to Cabourg (GG 200), to your Casino Hotel, right on the beach. The hotel restaurant is closed on Tuesday so Dinner is on our own tonight. We have two nearby options suggested by the hotel.
Day 4: Cabourg to Bayeux - 65km - Tuesday, 24 September
It is a lovely ride mostly along the ocean to the Orne River. You follow the Orne inland toward Caen to the Pegasus Bridge* (GG274) and Memorial for a visit and possibly lunch. Then across the bridge and then right and back to the ocean where you will pass Sword, Juno and Gold Invasion Beaches on your way to Bayeux. At Gold Beach you turn inland direction Bayeux** (GG286). Your hotel is in the center of this lovely small city. It is the only city in the invasion area not to be destroyed as were Caen and others, sparing its cathedral and other buildings for us to view today. Settle in for 2 nights. Dinner is at our hotel tonight. Study your Green Guide pages 286-290 to plan tomorrow, either on foot or bicycle.
Day 5: Bayeux Exploration - Wednesday, 25 September
Take the Walking Tour GG286-290. It will be a full day. There are many good places for lunch. Dinner is on your own tonight. Many choices.
Day 6: Bayeux to Port-en-Bessin - 40-50km - Thursday 26 September
You head back to the coast to Arromanches 360 and the Movie in the Round of Normandy then (D-Day) and now, very moving. Then on to Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery. See GG272 - 284 for the complete story and our route. Our very popular hotel is on the edge of Port-en- Bessin and dinner is included tonight.
Day 7: Port-en-Bessin to Le Mont St-Michel - 200km - Friday, 27 September
We leave the bicycles behind and van to Le Mont St-Michel. Our final hotel is on Le Mont. We should arrive by early afternoon after an optional visit of Utah Beach and St-Marie du Mont GG418, or late morning if we skip the visit and head directly to Mont-St-Michel. We park at the foot of Le Mont and walk up to our hotel with our baggage. Our farewell dinner is at the hotels excellent restaurant and is included tonight.
Day 8 or 9: Depart for Paris - Saturday or Sunday, 28 or 29 September
Breakfast is at the hotel and will include their famous Omelets. We will take you by van to the train for Paris or to CDG2 in nearby Rennes. You should be in Paris by early afternoon. If you extend for a 2nd night at Le Mont, you would depart on Sunday, 29 September.
Summary
The tour is 8 days and 7 nights and includes 7 breakfasts and 4 gourmet dinners. If you add on the extra night at Le Mont it adds 1 breakfast and 1 night. All lunches and 3 or 4 dinners are on your own. There are excellent options everyday, either on the cycling route or in the towns we are staying.
The price is $2996 per person, double occupancy. Single room supplement is $595. Rental of Hybrid bikes is $375. The extra night at Le Mont St-Michel is $340 B&B. For Access to the start in Honfleur we recommend train from Paris to Le Havre, where you will be picked up, and driven to Honfleur. On the last morning you will be taken by van to the Paris train in Rennes, for your return to Paris. A $800 per person deposit is required to reserve your place. Final payment is due 60 days prior to the tour. We will bill you.
Deposits & Payment: Final payment must be paid 60 days prior to the tour. Cancellation and Refund Policy: Deposits are refundable up to 60 days prior to the tour, less a US$350 per person cancellation fee. Between 60 days and 30 days before the start of your tour, 50% of the tour fee is refundable. After 30 days prior to the tour no refund is given.
To Book go to http://www.mindfulnesstours.org/booking-form.html
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