Saturday, September 4, 2010: Arrival in Souillac
Upon arriving at the train station you’ll be immediately greeted by one of our representatives and transferred to Le Pavillon Saint-Martin. This three-star hotel, located in the center of Souillac in a 16th century mansion, meshes elegance with Old World charm, much like the Dordorgne region itself. Just a short stroll from the hotel sits Souillac’s old quarter area, a functioning monument to its medieval past, highlighted by a collection of half-timbered houses. In the late afternoon we’ll all gather for an aperitif. This will allow you to meet your fellow riders and to go over the tour ahead. After, we’ll all dine at a nearby restaurant.

Your accommodations: 3-star Pavillon Saint-Martin

Sunday, September 5, 2010: Souillac to Montignac – 45 km or 28 miles
Today you’ll experience Perigord at its authentic best. Pedaling west out of Souillac you’ll first visit The Gardens of Eyrignac, one of the world’s greatest displays of horticultural art. Next, you’ll ride into Salignac, a tiny medieval village shadowed by the storybook-like Château de Salignac. Dating back to the 12th century, the chateau has been classified as a “monument historique” by the French Ministry of Culture for its architectural importance. And then its on to St-Amand-de-Coly, one of only 152 towns in France to be designated “Un des Plus Beaux Villages de France” (One of France’s Prettiest Villages). Tucked within the folds of a green valley, St-Amand-de-Coly features a massive Romanesque church built in the 12th century. Only 9 kilometers (5.5 miles) west, perched along the Vézére River, lies Montignac, your home for the night. You’ll lodge in the three-star La Roseraie, a 19th century mansion with modern amenities, including a sparkling courtyard pool.

Your accommodations: 3-star La Roseraie

Monday, September 6, 2010: Montignac to Sarlat – 48 km or 30 miles
Today you’ll pedal west into the heart of the Vézére Valley, one of the world’s greatest fountainheads of prehistory. The area houses 147 prehistoric sites and 25 caves adorned with wall paintings. Not surprisingly, UNESCO designated the entire valley a World Heritage Site in 1979. The highlight of the day will come when you ride into Eyzies, home to the largest collection of Paleolithic art in France. You’ll visit Font-de-Gaume, the “cave version” of the Louvre. More than 200 prehistoric paintings decorate the cave’s walls, including a famous frieze of five bisons. Historians date the Font-de-Gaume’s paintings to as far back as 17,000 B.C. From here, you’ll then continue into Sarlat, a shockingly beautiful village with cobble-stone streets and one of best preserved medieval squares in all of Europe. You’ll lodge, for two nights, in the three-star Hotel la Hoirie, 3 km (2 ½ miles) from the center of town.

Your accommodations: 3-star La Hoirie

Tuesday, September 7, 2010: Loop around Sarlat – 48 km or 30 miles
The wow-parade continues today with visits to Beynac, La Roque Gageac and Domme, three medieval villages that appear to be in competition with each other for “most beautiful” status. All three, not surprisingly, have been individually recognized as “Un des Plus Beaux Villages de France” (One of France’s Prettiest Villages). The appropriately named Château de Beynac, rates as Beynac’s must-see attraction. This towering structure once served as the home for Richard the Lionheart and remains today as one of the region’s best preserved castles. Visually striking La Roque Gageac, a sliver of a village shoehorned in between a cliff and the Dordogne River, is the valley’s version of a beauty mark. And Domme, which has the look of a medieval village cascading down a towering escarpment, so moved famed writer Henry Miller, that he wrote, “Just to glimpse the black, mysterious river at Domme from the beautiful bluff is something to be grateful for all one’s life.” If you’d prefer not riding, you can instead explore the region via a three-hour canoe ride along the Dordogne River.

Your accommodations: 3-star La Hoirie (www.lahoirie.com)

Wednesday, September 8, 2010: Sarlat to Rocamadour – 54 km or 34 miles
Perigord’s lush greens will yield to Quercy’s arid plateaus as you ride to Rocamadour. Along the way you’ll visit Château de Fenelon. Dating back to the 13th century, this castle dominates the horizon from its perch atop a rocky promontory. Surrounded by triple walls and terraces, and backed by a stretching oak forest, it exudes a mythical quality. Not surprisingly, Ever After: A Cinderella Story, starring Drew Barrymore, was filmed here in 1998. You’ll then pedal through Causses du Quercy, a Regional Park noted for its underground maze of tunnels and rivers. And then continue into Rocamadour, France’s second most visited location. Towering cliff-side, overlooking a forested valley carved out by the River Alzou, Rocamadour has it all: geographical beauty, ancient history, architectural wonder and five-star dining. You’ll lodge for two nights at the three-star, Hotel du Chateau.

Your accommodations: 3-star Hotel du Chateau

Thursday, September 9, 2010: Loop around Rocamadour – 58 km or 36 miles
Today’s optional ride goes subterranean. You’ll pedal to the Abyss of Padirac and board a boat for a ride along an underground river. Located 300 feet below the earth’s surface, the ride will ferry you into vast subterranean chambers spiked with stalagmites and stalactites formed millions of years ago. Upon returning to the surface, you’ll continue the loop into Loubressac and Carennac, each of which has been hailed as “Un des Plus Beaux Villages de France.” Not just satisfied with one title, Loubressac even lays claim to being a recognized “Village Fleuri” (Flower Village) for its overflowing window boxes and gardens. Combined with its hilltop setting and cluster of ancient buildings capped with tiled, red-brown roofs, Loubressac warrants must-visit status. And Carennac is so beautiful, it has been attracting humans since the Neolithic Age. If you prefer not riding today, you’ll have the option of a self-guided hike through the adjacent Alzou Gorges.

Your accommodations: 3-star Hotel du Chateau

Friday, September 10, 2010: Rocamadour to Souillac – 50 km or 31 miles
You’ll return to the Perigord region via Lacave, a small village nestled along the south bank of the Dordogne River. As its name suggests, Lacave is home to Grottoes de Lacave, a subterranean complex of limestone chambers filled with underground lakes. Continuing to Souillac, you’ll have the option to visit Château de Belcastel, overlooking the Dordogne River. The oldest section of this meticulously restored castle dates back to the 9th century. Looming just below the castle’s hilltop location sits Belcastel, yet another “Un des Plus Beaux Villages de France.” At night you’ll lodge where the tour began, in Souillac’s Le Pavillon Saint-Martin.

Your accommodations: 3-star Pavillon Saint-Martin

Price: From 1,450 euros per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement is 425 euros.

This price includes:

• 7-night accommodations in 3-star properties
• Daily breakfast
• Daily dinner (drinks are not included)
• Transfers between Souillac train station and your hotel on September 4th and 11th
• Marked maps and cue sheets for all rides
• Guide services throughout trip
• Support vehicle on all rides
• Snack/water/fruit stops on all rides
• Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel
• All tax and service charges

This price does not include:

• Expenses of personal nature
• Travel insurance
• Bicycle rentals. Hybrids are available at the rate of 95 euros per bike. Racing bikes at the rate of 135 euros