2010 Tour de France Grand Depart

TRIP DETAILS:
Duration: 10 days (9 nights)
Dates: Thursday, 1 July to Saturday, 10 July 2010
Start: Amsterdam Finish: Paris
Accommodation: Selected quality 3 and 4 star hotels
Group Size: Maximum 35 people (4 Staff)
Cost: AUD$5,290.00 – Single Supplement AUD$1250.00
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Inclusions

Optional Extras:
Bike Rental $540 (Cannondale Synapse carbon fibre)
Paris Triomphe Package (Final day)
Grand Palais Seating (Final day)
Pre or post tour accommodation to extend your stay
Travel Insurance and Car Rental.
Email us for details

Trip highlights:
-Experience many stages of the Tour de France including  the “Grand Depart” opening prologue in Rotterdam.
-Stay in historic Spa and Reims, stage finish towns for the 2010 Tour de France.
-Guided visit and tasting at a French Champagne house in Epernay.
-Tackle some of the famous climbs of the Spring Classic, Leige-Bastogne-Leige
-Ride to the magnificent Chateau of Fontainebleau.

Who is this trip for?
This trip offers a great Tour de France experience visiting 3 countries closely aligned with the history of cycling, giving the world some of its greatest cyclists.  We’ll start with the Grand Depart in the Netherlands, then move on through the hills of Belgium, before finishing with stages in the French regions of Champagne and Burgundy. You will see stage starts, finishes, time trials and of course get to cheer the riders along the way. This trip is more than the Tour de France and we ride to and visit some of the picturesque small towns of Holland, challenge ourselves on the hills of the Ardennes, visit a champagne cellar and stay at a deluxe spa hotel in Spa (Belgium). This tour is ideal for those who may not feel up to tackling the mountains that dominate the latter stages of the Tour de France, but still see the race at its best with a few challenging rides for those that want them.

The trip is geared to suit anyone with an interest in Cycling who wants to see the biggest of the Grand Tours, the Tour de France. This (and riding our bikes) is our main focus for the trip. We cater for cyclists of all abilities by providing riding options each day. To enjoy our trips you don’t need to  be an athlete, but do need to be someone who cycles regularly and in good health. Each day we’ll have options for rides to suit people of who feel like a challenge, or an easy day enjoying the scenery. We ride on quiet scenic roads and where possible we ride on the race course ahead of the race. As with all of our tours you’ll be guided by our expert team of ride leaders, drivers and guides.

This trip will also cater for people who do not ride bikes with visits to the race and other attractions but an interest in seeing the Tour de France is important as it is the main focus of the trip.

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DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 Thursday, 1 July 2010
Our tour starts today with our staff meeting you as you arrive in the Netherlands, with a transfer from Amsterdam Schipol airport to our hotel in Den Haag. Should you wish to arrive by train it’s an easy trip with connections available from all over Europe to Den Haag Centrum, adjacent to our hotel.

Once we’ve got you settled into the hotel we will assemble bikes and take a short local ride through the surrounding Dutch countryside to stretch your legs and check your bike is in good working order. Our comfortable 4 star hotel is right in the historic  centre of Den Haag close to the Peace Palace and Het Binnenhof, scene of many of the most important events in Dutch history. Tonight we will have a welcome dinner where you will meet your fellow travellers and where our staff will answer all your questions on your upcoming adventure.

Overnight: Den Haag, The Netherlands
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Friday, 2 July 2010
Today we’ll take to the roads of Holland and what better country to ride in, with the worlds’ highest number of bikes per head of population. We will head from the hotel out to the North Sea dunes passing through the small coastal resort towns, before heading inland through Westland, the major flower producing region of the Netherlands. We’ll ride on quiet roads past the famous windmills, using the extensive network of beautiful traffic free bike paths to our lunch stop in Delft. Famous for it’s blue and white earthenware, Delft is an attractive town with quaint canal houses and a perfect spot to take a break and explore.

Delft painter Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) died a poor man, leaving his wife and eleven children with staggering debts. Only 35 on his works are still in existence and today these sell for astronomical amounts. Delft is an attractive town with quaint canal houses and the perfect spot to take our break. There will be plenty of time for lunch at one of the canalside cafe’s before we return this afternoon to Den Haag. The rest of the day will be free to explore the nearby historic centre of Den Haag and dine this evening in one of the local restaurants.

Overnight: Den Haag, The Netherlands
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 Saturday, 3 July 2010
The 2010 Tour de France gets off to a fast start today in the streets of the revitalised city centre of Rotterdam with a 8 km prologue around the waterfront and city centre. At 8 kms it is just a touch too short to be called a time trial, but can still favour the time trial specialists such as current world champion Fabian Cancellara, although the first person to wear the yellow jersey could be a surprise.

This morning we will take a short morning ride before returning to the hotel for a quick shower,  then it’s off to Rotterdam to see today’s time trial. Rotterdam is Holland’s second largest cities and the Dutch will be out in big numbers for Le Tour, no doubt hoping for a local win. Today we’ll be able to view the riders on many points along the route around the city, as well as near the start and finish areas which are close together. After the final rider has completed their race against the clock and the first wearer of the maillot jaune for 2010 is known we will head back to Den Haag where the evening is again free to relax after an exciting first day at the Tour de France.

Overnight: Den Haag, The Netherlands
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Sunday, 4 July 2010
The Tour de France departs Rotterdam this morning and heads south through the windswept coastal region of Zeeland before moving into Belgium for a stage finish in the capital city of Brussels. It’s a stage that will no doubt see a breakaway with the sprinters of Belgium hoping for a win on home soil to please the enthusiastic Flemish cycling fans.

We will drive from Den Haag this morning through to a point just past the halfway mark near the border with Belgium where we will head off on a ride through this quiet area before catching up with the race as it makes its way to Brussels and try to catch the race at a sprint point or feed zone, however we’ll need to wait for the final route details before deciding our best vantage point for the day.

After we’ve seen the race we’ll drive to our hotel for this evening in the town of Spa in the hills of the Ardennes in the Walloon region of Belgium. The town’s healing waters have made the town a popular health retreat for centuries and the of course the name “Spa” is now synonymous with every hotel and thermal retreat throughout the world. Our hotel is a 4 star resort hotel with its own Wellness Centre offering relaxing massages for those feeling the miles in their legs. Tonight we’ll enjoy a dinner in the hotel’s fine restaurant.

Overnight: Spa, Belgium
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 Monday, 5 July 2010
Our hotel in Spa puts in the perfect position for today’s Tour de France stage which finishes in the centre of Spa a short distance from our hotel. Belgium’s famous and oldest Spring Classic race of Leige-Bastogne-Leige is run over an undulating 260 km route through the nearby Ardennes. Today’s sprint finish is bound to be hotly contested and one of Belgium’s sprinters will try for the honour of a stage win in his home country.

We will take the opportunity to tackle a few of the famous climbs of the “Queen of the Classics” on an out and back route from our hotel this morning, returning to Spa in the afternoon in plenty of time to see the stage finish. The climbs aren’t long, but steep and are bound to be a challenge after the flat roads of southern Holland. It’s also quite likely that these climbs will form part of the TDF route as it approaches Spa this afternoon so we should be able to ride part of today’s route at the same time.  For those wanting to see the race on one of these short sharp climbs this afternoon rather than the finish in town then that will also be possible. Tonight is free to enjoy yourself in Spa, which is bound to be buzzing with the arrival of the Tour de France.

Overnight: Spa, Belgium
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6 Tuesday, 6 July 2010
Today the Tour de France stage takes the race into France with a 207 km stage from Wanze in Belgium to Arenberg Porte du Hainaut in a stage that pays homage to the Spring Classics with the peloton taking to the cobbles for the first time since 2004.  Our plan is to leave from Spa this morning by coach, stopping close to the border with France where we will ride one of the more scenic sections of the race route with our destination the feed zone, a great place to spot the riders as they collect their musettes and discard unwanted water bottles, a much sought after souvenir for some people!

After our ride we’ll head off to Reims in the French area of Champagne, and the centre of the Tour de France for the next couple of days. Reims is famous for its magnificent 12th century cathedral, where no less than 32 French kings were crowned, as well as the headquarters of many of the famous Champagne houses such as Veuve-Clicquot and Taittinger. Tonight we will enjoy dinner at our hotel as we ready ourselves for a big day tomorrow.

Overnight: Reims, France
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 Wednesday, 7 July 2010
The city of Reims hosts today’s arrival of the Tour de France and we’ll be in a ideal position to see the inevitable sprint finish in the city centre. The parcours today is quite short, only 150km across the undulations of northern France will see a fast and hotly contested stage suited to breakaways quite early in the day. The Tour de France was last in Reims in 2002 when the stage was won by Australian sprinter, Robbie McEwan.

This morning we’ll take a ride out from the hotel through the famous vineyards to the south of Reims to Epernay, the start town for tomorrow’s stage and famous as the capital of Champagne. We’ll offer a long and short route and there are a few hills around here so you’ll work up a thirst. Our destination in Epernay is the Avenue de Champagne and one of the famous Champagne houses where we will take a tour through the complex of tunnels and cellars where the prestigious sparkling wine is produces, with a sampling and chance to purchase at the end. If the bubbles have gone to your head there is the comfort of the bus back to Reims, or of course you can ride back via a shorter 30km route and still be in time to see the race arrive at the finish late today. There is plenty to see and do in Reims including of course the Unesco World Heritage listed cathedral and many other fine buildings and museums. Most of the pro teams will be staying in Reims tonight so this is a good chance to spot your favourite rider as they head off to their hotels after the finish of the race. Tonight is free to enjoy Reims and try the local cuisine, with a champagne aperitif of course.

Overnight:  Reims, France
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 Thursday, 8 July 2010
The Tour de France keeps moving south through France and today’s stage departs from the Epernay on a 185 km stage to the town of Montargis, directly south of Paris. We will leave the Champagne region behind this morning and travel through to another well known wine region, Burgundy. It’s here that we start today’s ride over quiet roads and through small villages of this scenic area along the river Seine, joining the race route as it makes it way to Montargis.  We’ll be able to offer some longer routes today for those wanting to stretch their legs on the quiet roads of France.

After our ride is over and we’ve seen the Tour de France riders pass by we will travel to Auxerre, an attractive small town on the Yonne river in Burgundy. Tonight we will enjoy a celebratory dinner at our hotel, leaving our final night in Paris free for people to explore.

Overnight: Auxerre, France
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 Friday, 9 July 2010
Today’s 225km stage from Montargis to Gueugnon is the longest of this year’s tour and heads south over the rolling hills of Burgundy and will be one of the last chances for the sprinters before the race heads into the mountains. We will drive to Montargis this morning and spend the morning seeing the Tour de France prepare for the depart as the riders make their way through the town to the sign on area. It’s a great chance to spot your favourite riders so don’t forget your camera or autograph book.

After the race departs we’ll have time for lunch in this attractive canal lined town before starting our ride north to the royal town of Fontainebleau, with routes of approximately 50 and 75km. Fontainebleau is best known for its impressive chateau, the home to many French kings, but most famously the favourite residence of Napoleon Bonaparte. This is a great ride to finish off our tour as it follows the Canal du Loing north through to the royal hunting forest of Fontainebleau before arriving at the chateau where you will have the opportunity to take a tour and see how the French aristocracy lived in opulence over the centuries. From Fontainebleau it’s a quick drive to Paris where we’ll spend our final night which we’ve left free for you to make the most of your time in Paris. Maybe a quiet dinner in a small restaurant, or a big night out at the Moulin Rouge, the city of lights has something for everyone.

Overnight: Paris
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 Friday, 10 July 2010
Over the last 10 days we’ve experienced the unforgettable spectacle of the Tour de France, sampled the food, wine and culture of 3 different countries and enjoyed some great cycling every day. Our tour ends this morning in Paris and for those not staying on in Paris we will have transfers available during the day to take people to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport for flights home.

Meals: Breakfast

Inclusions
Tour cost is per person twin share and includes:
-Transport throughout by private luxury coach with custom bike trailer.
-Services of 4 experienced tour guides, including a former Pro cyclist, plus our coach driver.
-Transfers on Thursday, 1 July from Amsterdam Schipol airport to hotel
-Transfer on Saturday, 10 July from hotel to Paris CDG airport
-9 night’s accommodation, in selected 3 and 4 star hotels (with private facilities).
-Buffet breakfast daily
-3 course evening meals on 4 nights
-Mechanical assistance with your bike
-Sightseeing and entrance fees as listed
-Maps and Bikestyle guide to the Tour de France
-Bikestyle Tours cycling jersey, cap and musette bag
-A 20% discount card off Official Merchandise at the TDF store

Tour de France 2010 Enquiry and Updates

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