If you arrive early, take a stroll up to the ruins of the Château of Saint-Romain. When the weather is fine, the panorama across Saint-Romain-le-Bas valley is wonderful. Also possible: a vist to the renowned 'Tonnerie François Frères' where they make wine barrels to be shipped round the world.

After breakfast you will start your first bike tour through the Côte de Beaune. The route is full of variation and takes you along old mansions, extensive vineyards and fields. Besides the more wellknown villages as Meursault, Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet you will also pass the unknown pearls like Chaudenay and Corcelles-les-Arts. A great start to this wonderful trip.

Challenge: 36km, 180m ascent, 180m descent

First a short ride to beautiful Beaune, wine capital of the Côte d'Or, reportedly founded by Julius Ceasar in 52 B.C. Spoil yourself here with a delicious lunch (we'll give you some hints). Take a walk round the city and visit the 15th-century Hôtel-Dieu or 'Hospices de Beaune', a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. Continue through the countryside, past rustic farms, among verdant fields of sunflowers, wheat and corn. Today's tour ends in Aloxe-Corton, celebrated wine village of the Côtes-de-Beaune, where most wines bear the classification Grand Cru.

Challenge: 29km, 200m ascent, 250m descent

Today's ride is an easy one, following quiet lanes through the old Burgundian countryside. Cycle past the quintessential castles and farming villages of 'La Bourgogne' and taste some interesting 'vins d'appellation'. Then, from the town of Chorey-lès-Beaune, you cycle into the world famous Côte-de-Nuits region. As you pedal along through old oak forests and past historical churches, stop for a break in one of the sleepy farm villages.

Challenge: 32km, 150m ascent, 180m descent

A short and varied ride through the Côte-de-Nuits. You'll pass small villages as Villers-la-Fay, vineyards, oak forests and marble quarries. A few challenging climbs takes you to higher grounds with beautiful views. Famous villages along the way: Comblanchien, Nuits-St-Georges, VosneRomanée and Clos-de-Vougeot.

Challenge: 26 km, 150m ascent, 180m descent

This bike ride leads you to 12th-century St. Philibert's church and past the 17th-century mansions of Couchey. And don't forget Brochon: to savour its 'vins estimés' and admire the castle where the late 19th-century poet Stephen Liégeard lived. Occasional short sections on roads with a bit more traffic, but for the most part you cycle along quiet country lanes today.

Challenge: 38 km, 260m ascent, 260m descent

After breakfast your trip ends. A transfer possible (on request) takes you back to the first hotel or to the train station in Beaune.