BEAUTIFUL BRITTANY

WHAT'S INCLUDED

From 5 days durations
Departure dates throughout the year
Return executive coach
Either return short channel crossings OR crossings from Portsmouth to Cherbourg/St Malo (see below)
From 4 nights at a 3 star Hotel
All rooms with private en-suite facilities
4 nights half board 
Optional dinner at a local restaurant 
night dinner at a local restaurant 

SAMPLE ITINERARY BASED ON OVERNIGHT FERRY TO FRANCE

Day 1 - Depart from your locval pick up point and travel to Portsmouth. There might be some free time for you to visit Gunwharf Quays or one of the naval museums before boarding the overnight ferry to Brittany. Overnight crossing with Brittany ferries with pre-bookable breakfast onboard. All cabins are en suite and all bunks are lower berths and not bunk beds(Alternatively you can take the Eurotunnel to Calais and travel through Normandy and into Brittany arriving at your hotel later in the day).

Day 2 - After breakfast on the ship you disembark at around 8am local time
where we travel directly to the medieval city of Dinan, a traditional stronghold overlooking the exceptional Vallée de la Rance, which is undeniably one of the most exquisite cities in Brittany. Still entirely surrounded by its ramparts, the unique heritage the has managed to protect over centuries comes as a surprise: belfry, churches and convents, timbered houses, narrow streets narrow streets disclosing their secrets as you go along. You will have a couple of hours at your leisure here before we continue onto Benodet in the Finistere region of Brittany which will be your base for the next 3 nights. A table d'hote dinner is included nightly.

Day 3 - This morning you have some free time in Benodet, whih is an
International Yachting centre renowned for its picturesque setting, mild climate, Mediterranean-type vegetation and arcitectural gems hidden on the banks of the river Odet. It is a lively seaside resort with many terrace bars and Benodet has also recently become a spa resort. We travel onto Quimper for lunch (not included) which is known as a 'town of art and history' and dates back as far back as the Roman conquest when a small urban centre settled around a port which opened onto the Mediterranean world, downstream from the actual town. Later Breton immigrants chose to settle upstream, on the confluent (Kemper in Breton language). The choice of Quimper as an Episcopal town contributed to its development as it was already the residence of the powerful Count of Cornouaille. Since the 13th Century the building of the cathedral and the belt of walls have structured the town.
Your last visit of the day is to Argol on the Crozon Peninsula and the Brittany Cider Museum with its traditional cider making, the creperie and the farm inn. We also visit today a 'living museum' in Argol where volunteers bring the crafts of yesteryear to life through demonstrations There are rconstructed workshops for shoe-makers, sabot-makers (clogs), harness-makers & basket makers. Former farmers and fishermen show how life used to be like in the past. We return to the hotel later today for dinner.

Day 4 - Today we visit the Manoir and Ferme de Kerazan, which is situated in the south of Finistère. Kerazan Manor is a large rural domain bequeathed to the Institut de France by Joseph-Georges Astor in 1928. It is also one of the oldest seigniories in Bigouden country. The Manor comprises of a stately dwelling surrounded by farms and outbuildings, as well as a large park. Although Kerazan’s history dates back to the 15th century, it is the 19th century that has given it its character. It's then onto one of the busiest and most delightful harbours in Brittany. Here you will have time to relax and maybe watch the fishing fleet returning home laden with shellfish and other fruits de la mer before we return via Pont l'Abbe which is the capital of the Bigouden country and reflects the cultural identity of this unique area where the women still proudly wear traditional dress ands the famous lace coif. There is an optional dinner tonight onboard the Croisieres de l'Odet as you cruise the most beautiful river in France. This panoramic restaurant-boat combines wonderful Breton style food with delicious views as you enjoy a leisurely evening cruise on the river Odet

Day 5 - We depart the hotel after breakfast and head north making a stop en route at Brest where you will have a couple of hours at your leisure and can purchase lunch. Brest has since Roman times been the site of a fortress town due to its large natural harbour and its difficult access by land making it very easy to defend. However this fortified position worked against it during the second world war as Brest was destroyed by allied bombers in order to prevent it being used by the Germans. This does not mean that there is nothing of interest for the visitor as certain important sites have been carefully restored, the castle and the Tanguy tower for example and the town retains a great deal of charm. The town centre has a Fine Art Museum and the St Louis building has remarkable stained glass windows. There is also the Oceanopolis (a spectacular multi-level aquarium) - entrance extra should you choose to visit here. We leave here early afternoon for the onward journey to Roscoff where you board the mid afternoon ferry back to the UK and then on to your original departure point.

PRICE & SUPPLEMENTS

Price  on application
Single room supplements & minimum numbers apply

HOW TO BOOK

Choose a departure date
Call Simply Groups

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