Tom's Holiday

"I just returned from a formal tour of Normandy. I did not experience any of the problems/irritations that I find so often expressed on this board concerning tours. No time constraints, ate where and when we wanted, stopped and visited all the sites we wished to etc. The leader was knowlegable and laid back. The tour was very definitely a French experience, and I can highly recommend it to anyone interested in really getting "into" the country. The tour group also operates in Brittany and the Loire Valley. We wandered up and down lanes, narrower than my driveway, thru very beautiful country, eating out in small family run restaurants. (each meal took about two hours)The operator is BRETON BIKES; yep, we cycled around Normandy for two great weeks. We chose the camping option, rather than go with the B&B, or hotel or Gites choices. We (my wife and two friends) planned to stay in a hotel or B&B every 2nd or 3rd night. However after one night of camping, my wife and friends did not want to miss out on all the fun camping afforded, nor on Geoff's great campground recipes, so we ended up camping every night. Our lodging cost about $40 for two, for two weeks. The companionship this type of "tour" affords was a very big bonus. We had mostly "Brits", with French and us Americans for leavening. Group was 14 people ranging from 29 to 68. Us Americans were in our early 60's except for my wife who is ????For the cyclist: Pace was slow, at sight seeing, social pace (30 miles a day average -maximum 40). Frequent stops. Definitely not for the hammerhead. Roads were great, with almost no traffic. Altho there were some hills (inclines to me), Geoff, and the assistant sweep, were great coaches, and got everyone over them with a great deal of humor and sound advice, My wife only pushed her bike up one short hill. Coaching was excellent and has helped us out already on our weekend jaunts around the neighborhood. Equipment was in top notch shape. No problems with 14 tourers in the two weeks.For the camper: Campgrounds were absolutely spotless. I have never seen anything like them for cleanliness in Canada or the States. I would be embarassed to bring any of the group over here for camping. Again good equipment.We definitely plan on doing it again next year, probably the Loire Valley." - Tom Moriarty