Northern Transcon - 3 or 4 weeks
France (Champagne), Northern Europe (Belgium, Luxemburg & Germany), Denmark & Norway

On this page, you'll find...

• ...a presentation of the trip,
• a thumbnail itinerary with links to detailed descriptions of the itineraries that we follow in each of the regions visited, and...
• ...prices and departure dates.

Contrast is at Northern Transcon’s core:  tastes of Latin, Flemmish, Germanic, & Scandinavian cultures are on a varied menu of some of Europe’s most charming lands.

Toast the French Royals’ long-gone health with a ‘coupe’ in Reims’ champagne cellars.  Joan of Arc crowned her king at the cathedral, World War I was fought back and forth along the Marne.  History book Europe comes to life; classic French cuisine and champagne toasts add gastronomy to the mix.

Then to the Low Countries.  Belgian Flanders delights with tree-lined canals, windmills, & way too many beers. On to the Ardennes: pine forests, rushing brooks, wild boar, gnomes – lots going on.  Cross lovely Luxemburg – in a day – to Germany.  The wine towns of the Mosel offer Roman ruins, brooding castles, and Germany’s most interesting dining.

Then a 2-week idyll in the realm of Vikings.  Pastoral Denmark was made for cyclists.  A national network of bike paths proves it.  Thatch-roofed inns, hand-pulled brews and cheerful “homey” meals define a magical welcome.  Norway, Europe’s civilized Siberia, has geography designed for aesthetics.  Fjord boats replace buses, hiking trails are where the highways should be, and landscapes are stunning!  Mountain bikes and walking shoes carry us over this final week.   As the Norway portion is not a road-bike trip, other equipment and clothing is recommended.  Please see the “Norway Packing List” for Norway-specific stuff to bring.

3-week versions are also offered, skipping the French start (B3) or the Norwegian finish (B2).  But why would you do that?