“The combination of daily activity and nightly indulgence is perfect for relaxing and leaves you feeling invigorated. The bikes were really well maintained and the pre-trip briefing was very helpful. ”
- FRAN & ANDY SMITH 1ST HOLIDAY

“Good mix of hotels, some sophisticted and others with real local 'feel' ”
- MR & MRS PODMORE 3RD HOLIDAY

“An area of contrast, with hills, plains and comfortable hotels. ”
- M E & V HOLLAND 2ND HOLIDAY

“An activity break combined with potential for good food was a winning combination. ”
- MR & MRS BARTLETT 1ST HOLIDAY

“Good activity holiday for family with teenage children. Good email contact and regular letter communications to keep up-dated. All hotels were individual which was a plus. We felt the overall package was an excellent experience. Interesting to observe a 15 year old 'burger & chip' devotee, consume with enthusiasm Compote de Leg. . . after a hard day's cycle! ”
- C J O'BRIEN & FAMILY 1ST HOLIDAY

“An active holiday for people who don't want to sit on a beach. Good for combining the needs of middle-aged parents and energetic teenagers, all of whom like food! An active holiday without being too demanding ”
- MR T KERR 1ST HOLIDAY

“A good balance of adventure, exercise and hard work with the comforts of excellent accommodation and superb, gourmet food. This type of holiday is tops. Since this is our 6th trip, we can truthfully say that the hotels have improved tremendously. ”
- BRIGID & TONY MILLS 6TH HOLIDAY

“Freedom of choice in ways to reach the destination. ”
- T & B ROHOZINSKI 5TH HOLIDAY

“Liked the chance to see small towns slowly and talk to people. Scenery excellent, food excellent. ”
- B AUCHINCLOSS & B KRISCKA 1ST HOLIDAY

“Information sent before leaving was comprehensive and informative. ”
- P D HOLLIDAY 1ST HOLIDAY

“We loved the Beaujolais area. The base at Montmerle was delightful. We shall never forget the frescoes in the Chapelle du Moines, which we saw at their best in the early morning sunlight. ”
- MR & MRS DEAKIN 3rd holiday

“Although we do have other holidays, a 'Susi softie' is our favourite. We reckon to come back until we drop! As usual the planning and organisation was superb; it left nothing for us to do but enjoy and we did. ”
- MR & MRS LUCAS 12TH HOLIDAY

“Complete contrast to our London life. Daily sense of achievement, being part of the scenery, overeating justified by exercise. We always rise early (we're almost Susi veterans). But 6am was too soon for breakfast at the Chez la Rose in Julienas. We tossed and turned and dozed for a couple of hours, then presented ourselves for coffee and croissants at 10 to 9. Blank looks from hotel staff. Our French is not that bad. 'Nos petits dejeuners' we repeated. More Gallic shrugs. Arrival of Madame. .now we'll get sorted! 'Apres-midi' she announced, pointing at watch. TEN PAST NOON. . .Our alarm clock was three hours behind. Affected by pannier squeeze? Or by the heat? It was hot. . Didn't explain our red faces though! ”
- MR & MRS HODGMAN 7TH HOLIDAY

“Good hotels, overall the best food we have had on a Susi holiday. The holidays get better every year. How do you do it? ”
- MRS CONWAY 16TH HOLIDAY

“Once again we have been delighted with our Cycling for Softies holiday. We were so pleased with Burgundy, what a wonderful part of France. It now competes with Provence as our favourite Susi destination! ”
- MR & MRS JAMES 7TH HOLIDAY

“Dear Susi et al,

I have to say that our cycling holiday in Burgundy was probably the one of the BEST HOLIDAYS EVER! - and we've had lots of holidaying experiences over the years with sailing in Turkey, Greece, around Corsica, Croatia; skiing in Canada and the US; Asia - Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos; Cuba and Mexico.

Memories: climbing roses everywhere - all colours but especially the deep red; group of about 60 children cycling along the Voie Verte; fields of wheat rippling and swaying with the strong winds; the eerie tunnel du Bois Clair; "bonjours" everywhere; unclogging our wheels full of mud on the N6; flowers everywhere in well cared for villages; best afternoon tea ever at Verdun; cycling between vineyards; watching boats manoeuvre the locks; wild poppies; Pinot Noir;

We really loved appreciated such quality food and wine - in every hotel, all beyond expectations. Even the breakfasts were excellent! James (wine buff) and Leonie (food gastronomic) were very happy too and celebrated at Fleurville on the last night, after the yummy bottle of Champagne, with a 2000 Clos Vougeot Pinot Noir for dinner.

Every hotel was just perfect too. The stunning grounds Chateau de Fleurville - what a picture with the gardens in bloom, smell of lawns just mown and trees with new spring growth. M Lehmann's 'Madame' had such good energy, professional and knowledgeable, what an asset.

Onto Cluny with Frank's detailed instructions, in drizzling rain with a downpour as we reached the supermarket at Clesse, the owner and her young son were so kind, even offered to drive us to Cluny, it was their lunch time and we were fine especially after they opened out the awning for shelter and didn't last long. Cycling through the Tunnel du Bois Clair was a great experience. Cluny was a welcome site and how good was a soak in the bath and the very comfortable dining room - yum. We did go for a walk and bought lace from the gorgeous lacemaker in his medieval building.

Off the next morning to St Boil, very pleasant cycling along the paths and overwhelmed by the stately Chateau de Cormatin with the beautiful gardens, so lush after the rains, and we had the best panini dripping with chevre and pression. Arrived around 5pm, Mme spotted us from the restaurant and came rushing across in a flurry - what a delight; all good including the sloping spiral staircase; another celebratory wine and cheese (from Cormatin) on the terrace and admiring the beautiful Linden tree, then an excellent dinner in the sparkling polished dining room, the only diners and such attentive service.

Then off we go again to Puligny-Montrachet, finally found the way through forest and confused again in Chagny, such a relief to see the Puligny-Montrachet sign - a long day, but probably the best hotel, large rooms, comfortable ambiance and, two whole nights to relax! Wow! And did we relax? more celebratory drinks and just so wonderful to have the fabbo restaurant a minute away. Next morning we took a taxi to Beaune, (bikes tucked away in the cave - they needed a rest too) wonderful town, Hotel-Dieu, Wine Museum and wine tasting (of course) at La Cave des Cordeliers, same taxi ferried us home.

Next Morey-Saint-Denis, bought picnic lunch at Pommard, stopped at Nuit Saint-Georges for coffee and wander, through vineyards. Hotel le Castel de Tres Girard another top hotel with an innovative chef - with fresh new flavours and interesting combinations. We didn't venture further than Chateau du Clos de Vougeot - low roof line, kitchen and wine presses; we could still smell food & wine in the wonderful banquet room - or perhaps imagination. Good local fare for lunch down the road.

Blew a gale during the night and after one of the best breakfasts the intrepid cyclists (not), set off in the wind and rain to Verdun. Not a good day for navigator Bruce - first a circuit around the village instead of a short-cut out; crossed over main road on way to Flagey but the road was blocked at rail crossing, continued on an unsealed track back to the highway with our wheels and guards clogged with mud, a piece of pointy plastic pipe was an excellent tool plus lots of 'wipes'. Thereafter pleasant cycling, minor roads and small villages, rain intermittent, but nowhere to buy lunch and certainly no cafes so unloaded at the lovely Hostellerie Bourguigonne, again spacious and airy. Back into town for lunch, all fini, nothing, starving, so back to the hotel where there were still a few lunch stragglers in the dining room; the maitre'd took pity and offered desert; well we had full service, the boys had pression, girls a beautiful local Pinot, full cheese trolley, local breads, coffee, and, a beautiful brandy. We were feeling nicely warmed and comfortable and as James said "that's the best afternoon tea I've ever had".

Now for the really long haul - to Brancion; breakfast at 7am, left in the rain tried to find a rail station at Verdun, track but no station so off to Chalon for a train - it was wet and cold. Tickets to Tournus, a relief and we only had to wait 90 minutes. The guard helped us find the bike compartment, a bit of a struggle getting 4 heavily laden bikes onto the train in very limited time. We devised a system getting them off at Tournus where we had 'trained' the bikes on the our first day. To Brancion-on-the-hill and well navigated, again with Frank's help, for the long slow climb. What a picture perfect setting and 2 nights, pure relaxation!

Home to Fleurville and the sun shone for our last day!

Some of Bruce's photos are attached, I'll send them in two lots. Leonie will also have some when they get back early July - she takes a good shot. I still use film and have an album full which I love to look at and show off.

Susi, many, many thanks for your generosity in making this a very special and unforgettable holiday.

“Just a quick note to say thanks so much for arranging our trip last week. We had a really fantastic time. They looked after us very well at Chateau de Fleurville and we managed to cycle about 100km over the three days. The weather was fantastic, which enhanced the trip even more!”
- Carolyn

“First class organisation and real care for the clients makes happy and appreciative cyclists who value your staff as our friends. The chateau delightful, Vivienne’s cooking superb and Steve’s local knowledge first class.”
- DR FINLAY

“Very comfortable hotels. Veggie heaven at Les Pommiers!”
- MS GABRIEL

“Great hotels and food, lots to see and do and keeping very active at the same time. Excellent quality family time – no electronic distractions!! A great way to have an active holiday with 2 teenage boys – plenty to keep them and us happy! And get to practise our French. We love your holidays – they are a wonderful break at the end of each summer. We’ll be back next year for the 4th! I always come up with my own idea of an itinerary and Susi is excellent at making it work and telling me what is (and isn’t!) possible.”
- MRS WALLACE

“Offered a unique holiday experience enabling us to see the ‘real’ France. The three hotels chosen were great and each offered an individual experience both from the food and service point of view.”
- MRS NEWLAND

“Hard to improve on near “perfection”. Accommodation, food and wine all excellent. Steve and Viv were wonderful hosts.”
- MS TRAVIS & MR HOUGHTON

“Extremely good pre-holiday support. Friendly, helpful, knowledgable and professional.”
- MS EVANS

“You have give us so much enjoyment and enabled us to develop a love of France in a way which isn’t available by any other means of transport.”
- MR & MRS SHANNON

“I do like the hotels you pick – they make the holiday into something special. The chateaux were a delight and food and wine sublime.”
- DR GIBSON

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