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Tapestries & Tapas - 2 weeks
France (Loire Valley, the Basque Country) & the Spanish Basque Country
On this page, you will find...
 This trip is a study in contrast. French civilization’s heart: ghosts of nobility, the grandeur of royal castles, great art work, refined cuisine, delicately tended wines which you nurse in your glass....
Added to the ultimate popular culture: noisy fishing ports, town squares thronged with families, bars hopping until the wee hours, and wines characterized by abundance & affordability rather than barrel age.
A scenic smorgasbord matches the cultural one: pastoral farmlands, national forests and the sweep of majestic rivers in the Loire; the sharp green hills and dramatic proximity of mountains and ocean in the Basque Country. And the biking changes as much as the views: the rolling countryside of the Loire builds your strength for Basque climbs leading to dramatic views.
 
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Thumbnail view of the trip’s itinerary
For details within each region, including ride difficulty, click on the name under “Region Visited”...
Days |
Days of the Week |
Region Visited |
Details |
1 |
Sa |
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Meet in Blois |
1 - 7 |
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Sa, Su |
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Blois, Chambord |
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Mo & Tu |
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Châteaux, Trogs |
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We - Fr |
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Tours, Chinon, the Villandry Gardens |
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Sa |
Morning train to Hendaye |
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8 - 15 |
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Sa - Mo |
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French Basque Country, Biarritz |
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Mo - We |
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The Pyrenees, San Sebastian |
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Th - Sa |
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Costa Vasca, Gernika |
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Sa |
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Bilbao
Trip disbands Saturday, upon arrival in Bilbao.
Saturday night is included in the post-trip Bilbao Access Package to get you in place for ongoing travel on Sunday. |
16 |
Su |
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Tapestries & Tapas — Facts & Figures
2010 Dates |
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Baggage Services Offered**
(optional) |
May 29 - June 12
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$3,875 US
$4,075 C
2,575€
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Daily, Half
Lite |
Sept. 18 - Oct. 2
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Daily, Half
Lite |
| * Prices in $ and € do not include precisely the same things. Click here for details. |
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Prices of Optional Extras (links lead to explanations)
| Currency |
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$ prices include
the bike.
See here for information on bringing your own.
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** At least 4 riders must subscribe to a given baggage service for it to operate. The services listed are those currently offered on the departure in question. Services which appear in bold already have at least 3 subscribers (so, one more would ensure their operation).
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Daily |
Half |
Lite |
| $US |
$695 |
$326 |
$163 |
$635 |
| $C |
$740 |
$350 |
$175 |
$675 |
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| €uros |
480€ |
222€ |
111€ |
430€ |
220€ |
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| Specific information on reaching your trip’s start in... |
Blois |
| Specific information on departing from your trip’s end... |
Bilbao |
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Services