BMW The Ultimate Riding Machine

Tour Director's Luxury Chateaux Selection

Date: 8 - 14 August 2010
Type of Tour: Easy Riding, Luxury

How do I book?

Telephone: 08446 623913 or +44 208 607 3917 if outside the UK.
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Fax: 0208 607 3901
E-mail: bmw@worldofbmw.com

This tour is perfect for those with an interest in classic architectural masterpieces. During this seven day tour we will stay in some of the finest French chateaux which all offer the luxurious facilities you would expect. These high quality residences with towers, courtyards and impressive rooms also serve exceptional cuisine.

The riding programme features lower mileages, with plenty of free time to relax in the gardens or swim in the pools of various chateaux. If enjoying luxurious surroundings with a glass of champagne, in the grounds of a grand chateau takes your fancy, this tour is certainly for you! It is for those who enjoy quality accommodation, fine food and wine, as much as the scenic routes between each of our overnight stops.

If only for a few days, this tour is about enjoying the finer things in life.

Day 1 (08 August) - Portsmouth to St Malo

The tour will commence with an overnight ferry crossing from Portsmouth to St Malo where your Tour Leader will greet you. Twin-berth, en suite cabins have been booked for the outward crossing. Solo riders will also have single cabins. (It is possible to request cabin upgrades which will be subject to availability and a supplement).

Once on board, with the bikes secured and everyone changed out of their bike gear, there will be options for dinner and refreshments before retiring. Your Tour Leader will provide a briefing about the first day in France, which will be followed by a longer briefing, of the full tour, in the more comfortable surroundings of our first chateau.

Day 2 (09 August) - St Malo to Les Sorinieres

Arrival in France is at approximately 08.15hrs, allowing time for breakfast before we disembark. Once ashore we will enjoy a ride south, across Brittany, to the small fishing village of Le Croisic, close to La Baule for a seafood lunch (other foods are available). The village is very picturesque, with its proximity to the centre for salt production resulting in some strange landscapes. Well then ride across the Loire, close to Nantes, and over the magnificent bridge at St Nazaire, before continuing on to a restored Abbaye founded in the 15th century. Overnight accommodation has been arranged in this unique location. The rooms are comfortable, while the Abbaye features a pool and terrace perfect for an aperitif and a further briefing. This will be followed by a group dinner. (Mileage; 180)

Day 3 (10 August) - Les Sorinieres to Montrichard

After breakfast we will take a leisurely ride east, along the valley of the Loire, past Angers to Saumur. Here, after lunch, there will be an opportunity to visit the home of Bouvet Ladubay - the premier sparkling wine producer of the region, where you will be able to taste (and buy!) their superb range of sparkling wines. We then continue east, along the Loire and past the city of Tours, to our base for the next two nights - an established World of BMW favourite. A magnificent and quintessential Loire Valley chateau awaits us, with towers, courtyards, splendid rooms, an outdoor pool and drinks terrace. Sumptuous food is also on the menu. (Mileage; 180)

Day 4 (11 August) - Free day

Today is a free day to relax by the pool with a glass of wine or several. Alternatively, some of the greatest chateaux are situated within the surrounding region. Amboise, Usse, Chenonceaux, Azay le Rideau and Villandry are all within a short ride and are all worth a visit. A ride out to a chateau near Tours, which houses the largest private collection of Cadillacs anywhere outside the USA, is also a must for any motorsport enthusiasts. Whatever your pleasure we will all meet again in the evening for aperitifs and another great dinner at the chateau.

Day 5 (12 August) - Montrichard to Champagne

After another relaxing breakfast we will leave the Loire Valley and head north towards Paris, passing through the elegant location of Fontainebleau. Then we will head east, towards the Champagne region, and the venue for our next overnight stop - a very elegant chateau, set inside its own moat. Great care has been taken to preserve the d cor of this chateau, kept as it was in its days as a grand residence. The rooms are authentic and the food is wonderful, while the terrace is a perfect place to relax before another group dinner in the evening. (Mileage; 190)

Day 6 (13 August) - Champagne to Laon

After an elegant, leisurely breakfast we will take the short ride north to the town of Epernay the heart of the Champagne industry. Here we will visit the home of Moet & Chandon for a guided tour around their 28km of cellars, and a tasting of their finest champagne. There will also be time to visit Reims, capital of the region, and the magnificent cathedral where all the Kings of France were once crowned. Well then continue our ride north, towards the outskirts of Laon, where we will find the last of our teau quartet. A superb location, confirmed by many as the highlight of this extravagant Tour. The peaceful surroundings of the large park set this chateau in a haven of tranquility; there is an indoor pool in which to relax, as well as a picturesque terrace where we will enjoy an aperitif before a sumptuous last dinner together. (Mileage; 80)

Day 7 (14 August) - Laon to Calais

After breakfast we will begin the journey north, through Picardy, and back to Calais in time for the mid-afternoon ferry to Dover. There will be time, however, for lunch en route. Club Lounge facilities have been reserved, enabling the party to finish the tour with a last glass of bubbly before the ride home. (Mileage; 190).

Rider Price: £1,525
Couple Price: £1,925

Tour includes; overnight ferry to Brittany with cabin accommodation, return ferry with Club Lounge; half board in Les Sorinieres, Montrichard, Champagne and Laon; the visit to Moet & Chandon; the programme as outlined; all the necessary maps and route details; travel pack; local parking charges; a World of BMW Tour Leader to accompany the group; and VAT.

Not included are: fuel; meals other than those specified; drinks other than those specified; local entertainment not included in the programme; any admissions; tolls or travel insurance.

Evening wear; as this is a Luxury Tour, staying in opulent locations, the usual dress code for the evenings naturally moves up a notch or two to compliment the quality of the venues. Smart casual clothing is acceptable; however, jeans, trainers and t-shirts are not. In the past we have even had DJs and all manner of black ties and fancy waistcoats.