Our Path. Your Pace.
Like the idea of taking the reins yourself? Love your independence but don’t want to be totally on your own? A B&R self-guided trip is just the ticket. They combine the hallmarks of any B&R itinerary (like excellent hotels and award-winning routes) with the freedom of pacing each day exactly the way you like.
DAY IN THE LIFE: Self-Guided
9:20 am
I open my eyes and feel guilty for sleeping in past nine. The moment passes quickly as I realize my lovely husband has already ordered in coffee, fruit and my now ritual morning croissant. He’s a keeper.
10:32 am
In the courtyard of our boutique hotel (which also happens to be an 18thC château) the friendly concierge points us to where our B&R bikes have been placed. With our detailed route notes installed on our handlebar bags, we pedal into the vineyards.
11:50 pm
During a roadside photo op a man emerges from the vines and waves us over. He wants to show us how well the grapes are doing. My husband loves to talk terroir and wine (whereas I just love wine).
1:11 pm
The bistro recommended in our trip booklet doesn’t disappoint; great food, a glass of Meursault and some time watching the traffic go by. Three cars, two tractors and a goat in one hour.
3:01 pm
We roll into medieval Beaune and park our bikes at the hotel. The clouds that hastened our arrival have drifted away, so a drink on one of the dozen patios nearby is back in play. But first, a soak in the tub for me and a catnap for him.
5:33 pm
Tomorrow is our private wine tasting but we stop in at one of the nearby wine shops to take a look.
5:57 pm
Can’t resist the charm of the sommelier, nor the quality of the wines. Drop our recent purchase back at hotel.
6:15 pm
B&R’s friend Sherry leads us on a short historical walk through Beaune’s cobbled streets, arriving at the Hospices. It is breathtaking. Walking through its rooms I am transported back in time!
10:25 pm
Strolling arm in arm back from dinner, I gaze into the storefronts making a list of where I need to shop tomorrow. Good thing I packed that extra bag… .
B&R Self-Guided TOURS
Small Group & Private Trips
All of our Small Group trips can be booked as private trips (your dates, your group).
Small Group
The right number of like-minded travellers to make new friends.
Private
Your dates. Your group. Our expertly-designed itinerary.
Custom
Tailored to your interests, a bespoke travel experience.
Level 1: Occasional
Biking – 40-50 km (25-30 mi.) a day over relatively flat terrain with a few small hills—all very manageable for people trying their first biking trip.
Walking – 6-10 km (4-6 mi.) a day on country lanes, footpaths and coastal or forest trails, all on relatively flat terrain, perhaps with an occasional hill.
Level 2: Recreational
Biking – 40-50 km (25-30 mi.) a day over terrain that’s relatively flat but will include inclines and the occasional climb or two.
Walking – 8-12 km (5-7 mi.) a day over relatively flat terrain, with occasional steeper climbs.
Level 3: Enthusiast
Biking – 40-50 km (25-30 mi.) a day in gently rolling countryside, with occasional longer climbs to points that are well worth the effort.
Walking – 11-15 km (7-10 mi.) a day over rolling terrain on a variety of surfaces. Most days, one or two steeper climbs to spectacular viewpoints or places of interest.
Level 4: Avid
Biking – Roughly 50 km (30 mi.) a day in consistently rolling countryside, with repeated climbs and longer options available.
Walking – 11-15 km (7-10 mi.) over terrain that varies between rolling and hilly, with a few steeper climbs.
Level 5: Expert
Biking – 50-60 km (30-45 mi.) a day over both level and tougher, hillier terrain with multiple 100 km (62 mi.) options. The routes are designed for avid cyclists and include plenty of chances to push yourself.
Walking – 11-15 km (7-10 mi.) a day over fairly hilly terrain offering lots of challenges. Routes are along high meadow paths and/or well-maintained cliffside or alpine trails, with a few steep ascents to make you feel invigorated.
Signature
We use premium hotels that are unique expressions of the region. Often they’ve had a previous life as a monastery or a castle, but in every case they offer an exceptionally comfortable stay.
Bistro
These are stylish 4-star properties that offer a casual and comfortable stay. Often without a 24-hour concierge or room service, they tend to be smaller family-run hotels that are perfect for the region.
Go Bespoke
We craft extraordinary experiences, tailor made to meet your every need,
with every stitch of every day crafted just the way you want it.
Accolades
Our trip was the experience of a lifetime. The directions, materials and equipment were all beyond perfect, the B&R staff always went above and beyond, and the hotels we stayed at were highlights at the end of beautiful days. Now, I want to take my husband and my kids, and can't decide which one!
OCCASIONAL
RECREATIONAL
ENTHUSIAST
AVID
EXPERT
Self-Guided with B&R on our blog
B&R: Fuel your Wanderlust. Join more than 70,000 fellow wanderers. Sign up for our newsletter to receive insights and advice from our travel experts.
© 2024 Butterfield & Robinson Inc. All Rights Reserved