Andorra and The Pyrenees
Fantastic roads, great scenery, good food.
Our Andorra trip has it all, which is why we keep going back.
Please note this not it is not a sightseeing trip,
this is a riding trip where we go in search of challenging routes through amazing scenery.
This trip is aimed the more experienced rider who is looking to discover many different types of roads that are generally not available in the UK.
However, we would be delighted to build you a sight-seeing trip if you prefer, with plenty of time to stop and soak up the atmosphere and sample more of the culture.
Our circular trip around France will take us on some of the best biking roads in Europe, as you travel with us, you will see what everyone raves about; beautiful, traditional villages that look untouched by time and miles of smooth tarmac with sweeping bends and the odd tight bend to maintain your concentration. We will be covering around 1500 miles during the week so be prepared for some 200-250 mile days, but it will be worth it.
Each morning we depart at 09:00 as we move on to our next hotel, please note although this trip is about riding some fantastic roads, we will be taking regular breaks to stretch our legs and top up with coffee and fuel. There will be time to relax in our hotels in the evenings as we plan to arrive between 3-4 pm each day.
We are happy to escort you all the way or if you would prefer to travel at your own pace, we are happy to provide you with the addresses for the hotels.
Each evening will be spent in a local restaurant where we can swap stories about the day and plan for tomorrow or you can choose your own food style and check out other restaurants in the town.
The price includes your return channel crossing with a shared cabin on the outbound ferry. ( A private cabin is available on request at additional cost), 3 - 4 star individual en-suite hotel rooms, breakfast and secure parking (where available, however, additional security measures are strongly recommended).
To enable us to get group discounts and therefore keep the price as low as possible for you, the trip is based on a minimum of six guests travelling with us, we reserve the right to cancel the trip and refund any deposits if the minimum numbers are not met.
The itineraries quoted should considered as a guide only. We reserve the right to alter the route due to weather, travel or time constraints. It may also be altered by a majority vote by the participants
Blois
Itinerary :
Day One: Caen to Blois 246 miles.
An overnight crossing from Portsmouth to Caen and then cross country to our first overnight stop at the beautiful river side town of Blois.
You will be spoilt for choice with a wide selection of restaurants and cafés to suit every taste.
Day Two: Blois to Clermont Ferrand 181 Miles
Leaving Blois, we head down through France to Clermont Ferrand. The town is surrounded by a chain of hopefully, dormant volcanoes and is on the Massive Central mountain range (more about this later)
Clermont Ferrand
The Millau Viaduct, a work of art by British architect Norman Foster
After all that, the A75 still has more to offer; the stunning British designed Millau Viaduct, at almost 900ft above the Tarn Gorge, it was the tallest and longest suspended road bridge in the world (until The Chinese went one better).
We will make a stop at the purpose built service / viewing area and if you feel energetic you can walk up to get the all-important photos.
Day Three: Clermont Ferrand to Carcassonne 246 miles
Day Three brings us to one of the highlights of the trip; a run down the A75 auto route to Millau. How can a run down an auto route be a highlight? Let me explain………. the A75 runs down the spine of the Massive Central mountain range and it has the honour of being the highest motorway in Europe at 3,841ft above sea level at one point, but that is not the whole picture. As it weaves its way through the mountains it takes on some very un-motorway like characteristics with sweeping bends, steep inclines and at one point a drop of 2000ft in 6 miles. This why it has various restrictions for LGV’s and vehicles towing caravans
A75
Not your average Motorway
It is then a short ride to our lunch stop where we prepare ourselves for some absolutely mind blowing twisties to the fortified town of Carcassonne for our next overnight stop.
Day Four: Carcassonne to Andorra 100 miles
As we begin our approach to Andorra we will see the Pyrenees rising ahead of us. Just getting to the border with Andorra involves a stream of mind bending hairpins. We will stop in Andorra Le Vella for lunch and then its a breath-taking run over the Col d'Ordino and back into Andorra Le Vella for an over night stop.. This route challenges your ability to ride and take in the scenery whilst wearing a silly grin.
Day Five: The Hill Fort at Carcasonne
A typical Andorra Road
It would appear that no one can build a straight road in this part of the world !
The Col d Ordino. How many hairpins do you want ?
Day Five. Andorra to Agen 180 miles
Leaving Andorra we head up through France to the picturesque riverside town of Agen for an overnight stop with plenty of time to discuss the day.
La Rochelle
Great food and not a bad view either ?
Day Seven. La Rochelle to Caen 248 miles
Leaving La Rochelle, we head back to Caen for our late afternoon crossing back to Portsmouth arriving at around 21:30.
On the ferry we can discuss the highlights of the trip and maybe start planning the next one!!!!
So how much will this amazing trip cost ?
Single traveller with their own hotel room £1350 per person
Pillion sharing a hotel room with their rider £850 per person
A Non-refundable 50% deposit (per person) is payable at time of booking and the balance is due a minimum of 10 weeks before start of the tour.
The tour price includes
- Return Ferry / Eurotunnel crossing (including shared cabin on overnight ferry crossings)
- 3 / 4 star hotel including buffet breakfast
- Sat Nav co-ordinates for each hotel
- Route plans if you require them
- Hotel Parking (where available)
The tour price excludes
- Petrol
- Toll charges (vignette)
- Admission charges
- Meals other than those specified
- Any fines (if you are being silly)
- Travel / Medical Insurance
- Breakdown / Recovery Insurance
The Small Print:
Although we will make every effort to stick to the itinerary detailed above; we reserve the right to make changes where necessary.
ECM Tours cannot be held responsible for any traffic, road or weather conditions on each day of travel. ECM Tours cannot be held responsible for any delays in your channel crossing to or from the UK, whether caused by bad weather or any other circumstances. In the event of delay you will be responsible for providing your own meals and accommodation.
ECM Tours cannot be held responsible for any additional costs incurred, should you decide to change your hotel or ferry bookings from those booked by us. ECM Tours reserve the right to request you leave the tour if your behaviour both on the road or at the destinations is considered to be dangerous to others or disrespectful to the other members of the tour or to the residents of the places we visit. In this situation all further hotels reservations will be cancelled and NO Refund will be issued
Your Vehicle:
You are responsible for your own motorcycle, the manner in which you decide to ride and for your pillion passenger.
You are required to ride within the law in any country visited.
ECM Tours will not accept any responsibility for violation of the law.
As we will be traveling through France, it is recommended that you purchase a 'Crit Air certificate' this the French equivalent of the ULEZ charge in the UK and it covers many cities throughout France. We will be happy to provide information on how to do this.
Valid motorcycle insurance is your own responsibility and must be valid for the duration of the tour. Although most comprehensive policies provide European cover, you are required to let your insurer know when you will be travelling abroad.
You are required to take out your own European motorcycle breakdown / recovery policy.
ECM Tours accept no responsibility for transporting you, your bike or your pillion to any alternative destination in case of breakdown or accident. Furthermore, in case of your motorcycle breaking down, the cost of any repair or service will be solely the responsibility of the rider.
You must carry your driving license, insurance certificate, current MOT and vehicle registration document (V5) at all times.
Travel / Medical Insurance:
Travel & Medical insurance is your own responsibility and must be valid for the duration of the tour and must cover holiday cancellation, accident, illness and death. Please check that you are covered to ride motorcycles abroad as many travel insurance policies only cover up to 125cc. Motorcycling is usually listed in the Dangerous sports section of the policy small print.
Passport:
All travellers should carry a valid passport at all times.
There must more than 6 months left after your return to UK. Please Note: Most foreign countries ignore the expiry date and count ten years from the issue date.
Non-UK passport holders must ensure that they meet all visa requirements for the countries included in the chosen tour.
Refunds:
The trip is based on a minimum of six guests travelling with us, if the trip is not filled it may be cancelled and in this case ONLY; all monies paid will be refunded.
If you decide to leave the tour for any reason ECM Tours cannot accept responsibility of refunding any money.
We also reserve the right, in any circumstances, to cancel your booking, giving you eight weeks’ notification and a full refund of all monies paid, unless the circumstances are beyond our control.
Refunds will not be made in the following situations: war, threat of war, riots, civil strife, terrorist activity, industrial disputes, natural disasters, fire, technical problems to transport, closure or congestion of ports, cancellations or changes to schedules by carriers ceasing to operate due to adverse weather conditions or other reasons and similar events beyond our control or where we cancel because you fail to pay the balance of your holiday cost.
Day Six. Agen to La Rochelle 180 miles
Today we continue across France to the stunning seaside town of La Rochelle, known throughout France as one of the best place to sample fish dishes. However, other meals are available for the carnivores amonst us.