Behind northwestern France’s understated beauty lie innumerable stories from its historic past. Ancient monasteries and wartime battlefields are all visual testaments to the many chapters that make up the fascinating history of Brittany and Normandy—and are just some of the reasons why these two destinations are so perfect for families. Join us for a pedal across this timeless landscape, with its dramatic windswept coastline, undulating pastureland, sleepy rural villages and sun-splashed orchards. Explore colorful towns and vibrant marketplaces, visit stunning Mont-St-Michel, and pay homage to heroism at inspiring World War II memorials. Adults will delight in experiencing the region’s penchant for luxury with its decadent cuisine and elegant inns. And for kids, a visit here is a history lesson come to life, a unique experience that simply can’t be duplicated in any classroom.

THE GOOD LIFE: Premiere Inns

La Cheneviere (2 nights): Classically elegant, this four-star Normandy château, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, is in a tranquil setting close to the beaches of Normandy.

Chateau d'Audrieu (1 night): Set amid exquisite gardens and parkland, this 18th-century estate, a Relais & Châteaux member, is enhanced by period furnishings and wondrous Michelin-starred cuisine.

Grand Hotel Barriere (2 nights):

With warm, inviting décor and mesmerizing coastal views, this hotel pampers guests with a heated indoor swimming pool, fitness center, Turkish baths and a casino.

 

Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain

Day 1

• Level 1 1 Route Option Available
• 18 miles
• 0 - 500 feet elevation gain

Day 2

• Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
• 19, 36, 46 miles
• 0 - 500 feet elevation gain

Day 3

• Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
• 19, 27, 43 miles
• 0 - 500 feet elevation gain

Day 4

• Levels 1 to 5  2 Route Options Available
• 20, 56 miles
• 0 - 500 feet elevation gain

Day 5

• Levels 1 to 5 3 Route Options Available
• 14, 40, 56 miles
• 0 - 500 feet elevation gain

Day 6

• Level 1 1 Route Option Available
• 19 miles
• 0 - 500 feet elevation gain

On this Family Trip, our routes follow gentle terrain with no significant gain or loss in elevation. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.

Trips For All Abilities

Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.

Activity Level	Average Time	Average Distance
		Biking	Walking & Hiking
Level 1	2-3 hours	10-20 mile	2-5 miles
Level 2	2-4 hours	21-30 miles	5-7 miles
Level 3	3-5 hours	31-40 miles	7-9 miles
Level 4	4-6 hours	41-55 miles	9-11 miles
Level 5	5-7+ hours	56-75+ miles	11-13+ miles

2009 DATES

FAMILY TRIPS

• 7/5-10Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1070 for sgl. occ.)
  
  The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
  Early Booking Promotion: $500 Savings per Couple currently available for this departure.
  Call today to book and save. Limited time offer.
• 7/19-24Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1070 for sgl. occ.)
  
  The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
  Early Booking Promotion: $500 Savings per Couple currently available for this departure.
  Call today to book and save. Limited time offer.
• 8/9-14Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $1070 for sgl. occ.)

Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.

Recommended Kids Ages

Minimum Ages:

Recommended minimum age for the trip: 9 years
Minimum age restriction for kart sailing: 12 years 
   Minimum age restriction to ride own bike: 7 years

General Info on Minimum Ages:

We strongly encourage families to join our Family Trips, designed with kid- and adult-friendly features. Please note that we have a minimum age requirement of 1 year for all Inn trips and 2 years for all Camping trips. Other than that, we do not restrict trips to a minimum age except in the rare case of a hotel age restriction. We do, however, recommend minimum ages based on the following criteria:

• 12+ cultural appreciation, difficulty of activities and route
• 9+ difficulty of activities and route
• 6+ several long adult dinners; parent may not be able to pull a Burley and/or there may be multiple activity restrictions
• 3+ riding is on bike paths, making it great for young kids; Burley and Piccolos are available; there are few or no activity restrictions; and no long dinners (or we offer alternatives)

Please note that a trip may feature an activity with an older age requirement than the minimum age recommendation for the trip. Younger kids are still welcome on the trip and while they will not be able to participate in the activity, the leaders will suggest an alternate activity. For safety reasons, children under 7 may not ride their own bikes and are required to ride on a Piccolo or in a Burley. For certain destinations, children must be 9 or older to ride their own bikes.

Guest Trip Reviews

It's the unexpected, the shared moving moment, the "you had to be there" story that makes a Backroads family vacation such an unforgettable experience. The fabulous locations, well-planned routes and superb guides don't hurt - but you'll go home remembering the time we all played foosball soaking wet.

Janis Hashe - United Parenting Publications

It was a very fun experience. The leaders were fantastic. They were great with my kids. My kids loved the activities for children, especially the glass blowing and cart racing. We had a fantastic time and everyone we talk to about our trip is fascinated. I can't believe how interested they are in everything we did. I can't wait for the next trip.

Wendy Collins - Aurora, CO