| HOLIDAY
ITINERARY
This itinerary is designed
so that you drive for about four hours a day and have enough
time to stop and enjoy the views. The full itinerary takes
14 nights and 15 days.
Day1:
Pau to St Jean de Pied de Port
The drive starts in Pau, the capital of Bearn famous for its
chateau and markets. From Pau you head south into the Ossue
valley and the old town of Oloron Sainte Marie at the foothills
of the high Pyrenees between the Aspe and the Ossau rivers.
Then you follow a series of small winding roads over to your
first stop - St Jean de Pied de Port and the French Basque
Country. St Jean is a great place to spend a night and explore
the ancient street and old castle.
Day 2: St Jean de Pied de Port to San Sebastian / Donista
A complete change of cultures today as you head further west
through the Basque Pyrenees to the cultural heart of the Basque
people on the Atlantic coast at San Sebastian - called Donista
by the Basques. This is a lovely drive with lots of opportunities
to visit small villages on the way - many of which have small
cafes or restaurants; just ideal for a lunch stop.
Day
3: San Sebastian / Donista
St
Sebastian is a really worthwhile place to stop for a day.
In the Middle Ages the town was just a little fishing village
built around a monastery called San Sebastian - a resting
place for the Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle pilgrims. Nowdays
San Sebastian is a bustling mixture of old cultures and exciting
beach life. You can visit the lovely old museums (there are
Naval and Basque heritage centres) or relax on the beach.
There are some great places to eat as well.
Day
4: St Sebastian / Donista to Pamplona
From St Sebastian you drive right through the heart of the
Pyrenees to Pamplona below the southern edges of the Spanish
Pyrenees. On the way you can stop at the Roncenvalles monastery
(on the Santiago de Compestella) which dates from about 1127.
Pamplona is of course famous for the San Fermin festival and
the "running of the bulls". You stay in the heart
of Pamplona.
Day
5:
Pamplona to Hecho
Back up into the hills and the small winding roads of the
Navarra as you drive to Hecho - a small traditional mountain
town of timbered houses and old squares. Along the way there
is time to take in a side trip to the Irabia lake for a picnic
lunch or stop off in Ochagavia, Uztarroz or Isaba. Fascinating
places that feel un touched by the internet or i-pods.
Day 6: Hecho to Torla
From Hecho you head to the spectacular Ordessa Canyon and
the National Park of the Monte Perdido. If you leave with
plenty of time you can catch lunch in Jaca - great tapas -
take a bit of time to visit the Cathedral and the Museum if
you can. You'll arrive in Torla a few hours later and, if
you've not been there before, be quite stunned by the scenery.
Torla itself is a great Aragonese village with lots of character.
Day 7: Torla
Torla and the Ordessa Canyon are so special that we think
it really is worth taking another break from driving here.
Instead, take the public bus from the bottom of the village
to the Ordessa canyon and explore on foot. You can take a
simple ramble along the bottom of the canyon or a more serious
hike to the upper ridge. Alternatively you walk downhill along
the GR10 back to Torla. Or of course, you could just potter
around Torla itself or lounge by the swimming pool !
Day 8: Torla to Benasque
A shorter driving day to the Aragonese town of Benasque -
the mountaineering centre of the Spanish Pyrenees. Once you've
checked in at your hotel take a side trip and drive up to
the old Hospitalet de Benasque for great views of the high
Pyrenees. The Aneto (highest peak in the Pyrenees) and the
Posets (second highest) are both accessed from this lovely
valley.
Day 9: Benasque to Espot
Espot is one of three gateways to the Aiguestortes National
Park and the stunning mountain scenery of the Sant Maurici
lakes and the twin peaks of the Encantats. You arrive at the
village (just a few houses and an auberge)in plenty of time.
Leave the car behind and head out on a pre dinner ramble with
your binoculars. You'll see plenty of big birds including
Griffon and Egyptian Vultures.
Day 10: Espot to Arreau
You drive back over the centre of the Pyrenees to France Vheila
tunnel. On the way you can drive down through the lower parts
of the Anisclo Canyon before heading up the long road to the
border with France. Arreau's main attraction is the church
of St Exupere with it's Romanesque entrance and museum.
Day
11: Arreau to Luz St Sauveur
Today is just spectacular.
You set off from Arreau and drive over two of the most famous
mountain passes in the Pyrenees - the Col d'Aspin and the
Col de Tourmalet. This is a long twisting drive with great
views - and there are several lovely spots for picnics. Stop
off at the Col du Tourmalet (made famous by the Tour de France
cycle race) and pop in the cafe - there are some great old
photographs and bicycles hanging on the wall. From the Tourmalet
you drive down to the 11th century town of Luz St Sauvuer
and it's fortified church.
Day12: Luz St Sauveur
Time for another rest day and a break from the driving. Luz
is at the centre of the Pays Toy and this is where the Orphean
(the singers on your CD) come from. There are three "must
dos" locally. First, drive up to Gavarnie (14 km) and
visit the spectacular Cirque of Gavarnie- a UNESCO World Heritage
Site, secondly look round the fortified 11th Century Church
in the centre of Luz and, thirdly have a look over the Pont
Napoleon bridge. If you are here on the right day you can
watch people bunjee jump into the gorge. Mad !
Day 13: Luz St Sauveur
to Laruns
A spectacular drive over the high mountains above the Val
d'Azun. In some places the road is carved out of a sheer rock
face on the side of a hanging valley, at other times you are
driving over a high plateau. There are always lots of vultures,
cattle and sheep on this route so keep the binoculars handy.
Great lunch spots of the Col d'Aubisque and the Col Marie
Blanc. The drive ends in the picturesque mountain town of
Laruns.
Day 14: Laruns
to Lescun
The last big drive continues West to Lescun. It is worth getting
here early and exploring the old churches as well as exploring
the village centre with its old houses and squares. Then,
before dinner, head up to the Cirque of Lescun - stunning
mountain scenery and a fitting location for your last night
in the Pyrenees.
Day
15:
Lescun to Pau
Your last day is a short hour and half back to Pau airport.
There's plenty of time for a last picnic, shopping or a slap
up lunch in Pau before catching your flight back to the UK.
THINGS
TO BRING WITH YOU / PACKING IDEAS
You'll get the most out of this journey if you bring:
A pair of Binoculars
Swim Suit / Swimming Shorts
Walking Boots
Sunhat
Some extra CDs / Cassettes
...
don't forget the Roadbook, Orpheon CD and the Rough Guide
to the Pyrenees !
|
Ski trips and more throughout Europe and beyond
Don’t let our name fool you: as well as Pyrenees
trips, we can take you to the Alps, South Tyrol, Dolomites,
Tatra Mountains and even further. In France, Spain,
Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, Poland, Slovenia…even
Mongolia.
Downhill skiing, alpine skiing, off piste, telemark
skiing, ski tours, ski touring snowshoeing, trekking,
mountaineering, expedition training, motorcycle tours,
expedition training, walking, activity holidays, canyoning,
mountain biking, white water rafting, road touring,
cultural tours and study – chances are we have
just what you’re looking for. We can also arrange
all accommodation, from a hotel or B&B to a self-catering
apartment or gite.
Can’t see what you’re after? We’d
be happy to arrange a bespoke trip for you.
Pyrenean
Mountain Tours
2 Rectory
Cottages, Rectory Lane, Wolverton,Hants,
RG26 5RS, UK
tel and fax: (0044)(0)1635 297209, web: www.pyrenees.co.uk
(Pyrenean
Mountain Tours is a trading name of European Mountain
Holidays Ltd.)
|
|
|
...
how your holiday works |
|
This
is a fourteen day self drive holiday. You fly
to either Pau, Biarritz or Toulouse airports,
pick up your hire car and follow or unique Roadbook
each day.
Once you have booked your holiday we send you:
•
an A5 format roadbook (see descriptions at the
end of the itinerary in the panel to the left)
•
a map set (with your driving route marked on it)
•
a copy of the Rough Guide to the Pyrenees (cross
referenced to / from our Roadbook)
•
GPS co-ordinates on a CD
(so you can load into your GPS if you have one)
•
a music CD by the Orpheon male choir (traditional
Pyrenean music to set the mood !)
• contact details for all the accommodation
that you will be staying at during your drive
•
your car hire voucher
Before
you arrive at the airport we will have booked
all of your accommodation. All you have to do
is get in the car, explore at your own pace...
and argue about the directions !
Car
Hire Options
You can choose from four categories of car:
•
Category A: Peugeot 106, 3 door.
•
Category B: Renault Megane, 5 door, Air con.
•
Category C: Renault Laguna, 5 door, Air con.
•
Category D: Renault Espace, 7 seats, Air con.
We
can also arrange this holiday for you if you are
bringing your own car. See below for price reductions.
NB. cars are indicative models and maybe replaced
by similar size and standard car by another manafacturer
subject to availability.
By Motorcycle ?
This Roadbook works equally well
by motorcycle. Ideally you need an A5 format Roadbook
Reader and a GPS, but you could make do with map
case.
Questions ?
Email Simon
for help.
|
|
|
.....travel
details & costs |
|
What
your Holiday will Cost
Prices are per person based on two
people sharing a car and a room. Extra people
can be added for the per person supplement shown:
•
Category A: Peugeot 106, 3 door: £899
per person
•
Category B: Renault Megane, 5 door, Air con: £945
per person
•
Category C: Renault Laguna, 5 door, Air con: £999
per person
•
Category D: Renault Espace, 7 seats, Air con:
£1191
per person
You
can add an extra person / people to these prices
for £499 per person regardless of the Category
type.
What
your Holiday will Cost
without Car Hire
If you are heading to the Pyrenees
and just want us to book the accommodation and
send you our roadbook pack the cost is £499
per person.
Accommodation
This fourteen night holiday is based in a variety
of small family run hotels with a variety of official
"star ratings" - from simple 1 stars
to 3 stars. In many of the place you stay there
is not a huge choice of accommodation but we use
the most authentic with the best food and views.
As far as possible rooms are en suite.
Departure Dates &
Flight Details
These holidays
are available from May through to the end of September.
Roadbook holidays are very flexible. You can start
any day of the week and take advantage of the
cheapest flights offered by Ryanair
and Easyjet.
We will arrange your car hire to coincide with
your flight - please let us have your flight details
asap.
Ryan
air flights are generally cheaper the further
in advance that you book and can be purchased
for as little as £50.00 return.
Included
in the Price
• Roadbook pack (as described
above)
• Car hire (or a price reduction if you
bring your own)
•
14 nights' half board accommodation
Not
Included in the Price
• lunches
• travel to the start of the itinerary
•
holiday insurance
|
|
| |
|
|
|
