2010 Tour de France Premiere Grand Depart

TRIP DETAILS:
Duration: 8 days (7 nights)
Dates: Friday, 2 July to Friday, 9 July 2010
Start: Amsterdam Finish: Paris
Accommodation: Selected quality 3 and 4 star hotels
Group Size: Maximum 18 people (3 Staff)
Cost: AUD$6450.00 – Single Supplement AUD$750.00
Reserve this Trip
Inclusions

Optional Extras:
Bike Rental $420 (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:
-Exclusive Bikestyle Tour de France privileges including VIP access to a stage start and finish, plus the chance to ride a stage with a podium finish just hours before the pros.
-The spectacle of the “Grand Depart” opening prologue in Rotterdam.
-Guided visit and tasting at a French Champagne house in Epernay.
-Ride some of the famous climbs of the Spring Classic, Leige-Bastogne-Leige.
-Celebration dinner at the famous Paris restaurant, Le Train Bleu.

Who is this trip for?
A special small group tour covering the exciting first week of the Tour de France. As one of our Premiere Trips it will offer you a unique insight into the Tour de France. As an Official Tour Operator to the Tour de France we have available a limited number of places each year to offer our clients. Premiere Trips also offer a higher level of  client service including a higher level of hotels and restaurants.

• The opportunity to ride the stage on the same day as the race, crossing the finish line and having your photos taken on the Tour de France Podium where in just a few hours the Winner of the Stage will raise his hands in victory.
• You are also invited to the start village. Inside the village there are many displays and exhibitions of sponsors. You can collect a few souvenirs, possibly have your photo taken with famous people and riders and enjoy a drink and relax in this special environment that few get to experience. An Official of the Tour de France will then take you on a visit of the rider’s enclosure where you will get close up with all the riders and get to take many photos that will be the envy of your friends back home.
• Be the guest of the Tour de France at the exclusive VIP finish area called the Izoard which is just near the finish line, offering a perfect location and refreshments to suit the occasion. Prior to this we take a tour of the Technical Zone to see how it all comes together behind the scenes. This is where all the media gather and it will amaze you. Cables, Trucks, Broadcast Studios and of course, famous people!

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.

Download the Premiere Grand Depart Itinerary Here

____________________________________________

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 Friday, 2 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 boutique hotel in Delft. Should you wish to arrive by train it’s an easy trip with connections available from all over Europe to Delft with the rail station close 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 small hotel is situated on one of the historic canals and surrounded by small cafes and boutiques in this well preserved Dutch town. Delft is known for its blue and white porcelain, as well as the 17th century painter Johannes Vermeer, made famous by the portrait “Girl with a pearl earring”.  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: Delft, The Netherlands
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 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 8km prologue around the waterfront and city centre. This morning we will take a short morning ride out into the local countryside, then it’s off to Rotterdam to see today’s opening prologue, which is just slightly too short to be called a true time trial, so the term prologue is used. It’s a great honor to wear the yellow jersey on the opening day of the Tour de France so the competition will be tough right up until the final rider crosses the line.

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 are huge cycle racing fans and 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 Delft where the evening is free to relax after an exciting first day at the Tour de France.

Overnight: Delft, The Netherlands
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 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 Delft this morning to the stage start in Rotterdam for your first day as  Tour de France VIP. With our special vehicle accreditation we will be able to park close to the start village in Rotterdam. Inside the village there are many displays and exhibitions of sponsors. You can collect a few souvenirs, perhaps have your photo taken with famous people and riders, try some of the snacks they have available, enjoy a drink and relax in this special environment that few get to experience. We will then take you on a visit of the rider’s enclosure where you will get close up with the riders and get to take many photos that will be the envy of your friends back home. The atmosphere today will be relaxed amongst the top riders as the big GC contenders will not be under any pressure at this early stage of the race, so it’s a good opportunity to say hello and  get an autograph from your favourite riders.

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 thermal retreat throughout the world. For those wanting a ride this afternoon we’ll make a stop and ride the last section of tomorrow’s TDF stage over the Rosier climb through to the finish in Spa. Our hotel is a 4 star retreat with a Wellness Centre offering relaxing massages for those feeling the miles in their legs. Tonight we’ll enjoy a dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.

Overnight: Spa, Belgium
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 Monday, 5 July 2010
Belgium’s famous and oldest Spring Classic race of Leige-Bastogne-Leige is run over an undulating 260 km route through the nearby Ardennes. So we’ll take the opportunity this morning of tackling a few of the famous climbs of the “Queen of the Classics” on an out and back route from our hotel. The climbs aren’t long, but steep and are bound to be a challenge after the flat roads of southern Holland. We’ll return to Spa in time for lunch before heading to the finish area where we will have the privilege of being VIP’s in the Izoard stand close to the finish line to witness the awesome power of the sprint specialists battle it out..

We will start with a tour of the Technical Zone to see how it all comes together behind the scenes. The scale of the area and the huge number of countries broadcasting from the Tour de France is a real eye opener and makes you realise why this is now rated amongst the biggest sporting events in the world. It’s quite possible you will see some of those famous faces from television so have your camera ready! If you are an Aussie then there is a good chance we will bump into Mike Tomalaris, the host of the SBS Tour de France broadcast, or perhaps Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwen and a host of other personalities including the odd podium girl or ex Tour rider.

After our tour of the technical zone we will go to our exclusive Izoard Hospitality Area just near the finish line where we can do what VIPs do: Enjoy a drink, have a snack served by the Tour hostesses, see the race on television and then get a view of the race finish from a very privileged position. Our hostess will serve champagne after the winner has crossed the line so we can toast the occasion. Maybe we’ll catch a view of some of the riders in their post race interviews, before enjoying the rest of the night in Spa with the rest of the race fans in the town centre which will be buzzing tonight.

Overnight: Spa, Belgium
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 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 peleton taking to the cobbles for the first time since 2004.  We’ll offer the choice of travelling to the start in Wanze today by bike or coach. Those choosing to ride will have a shorter and longer route available over a scenic route through the hills of the Ardenne, including the chance to ride the infamous Mur de Huy near the start. This tough little climb is famous for it’s inclusion in the Fleche Wallone race and is bound to be covered with cycling enthusiasts today.

After we’ve seen the race depart we’ll drive to our next destination in the town of Chateau Thierry in the Champagne region of France. Tonight we’ll enjoy dinner at our hotel as we ready ourselves for a big day tomorrow as VIP’s at the race finish in Reims.

Overnight: Chateau Thierry, France
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 Wednesday, 7 July 2010
The city of Reims in the French area of Champagne is famous for it’s 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. Today however cycling takes over the city with the arrival of the Tour de France late this afternoon.

This morning we’ll travel  to Reims where we will ride out from the city through the famous vineyards to ride the race route back into the city where we will ride across the finish line only hours before the arrival of the race itself.  Along the route you’ll be accompanied by our ex-professional rider who will offer advice and support, plus our specially accredited Bikestyle Tours support vehicle. As we draw closer to the finish line the crowds will grow bigger and the signs showing kms to the finish will help motivate you, finally crossing the finish line with a victory salute to the waiting crowds.

After we’ve had a refreshment we’ll be taken to the Tour de France presentation stage for our chance to stand on the podium for some souvenir photographs only hours before the eventual stage winner and yellow jersey will have their moment on the podium beamed around the world to tens of millions of television viewers. Afterwards as the race finish draws closer we will take our places in a special area next to the finish line, normally reserved for officials and race commentators, to see the finish. It’s bound to be a close sprint finish for the pros as it’s a relatively short 150km stage today, with the last Tour de France finish in Reims going to Australian sprint king Robbie McEwen.

After the race finish and presentation we’ll head back to Chateau Thierry after a most memorable day at the Tour de France. Why not celebrate with some of the local bubbly over dinner tonight!

Overnight: Chateau Thierry, France
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 Thursday, 8 July 2010
The Tour de France keeps moving south through France as today’s stage departs from the Epernay on a 207 km stage to the town of Montargis, directly south of Paris. Our final ride today will follow the undulating Route du Champagne from Chateau Thierry to Epernay. We’ll arrive in time to see the moving carnival that is the race caravane depart and the riders make their way to the start area. After the race departs there will be time for a leisurely lunch before we head off to a local Champagne house where we will take a tour through the amazing network of underground caverns and sample some of the fine French champagne. If the bubbles go to your head you can relax in comfort for the rest of the afternoon as we travel on to Paris for our final night.

Tonight we will enjoy a farewell celebratory dinner at a famous Parisian restaurant, Le Train Bleu, close to our hotel in the halls of the Gare de Lyon rail station.  Dining in this beautiful Belle Epoque restaurant will be an unforgettable way to finish our tour in style.

Overnight: Paris
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 Friday, 9 July 2010
Over the last week 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.

Inclusions
Tour cost is per person twin share and includes:
-Transport throughout by private luxury minibus with custom bike trailer
-Services of 2 experienced tour guides, including a former Pro cyclist and our coach driver
-Transfers on Friday, 2 July from Schipol airport to hotel
-Transfer on Friday, 9 July to Paris CDG airport
-7 night’s accommodation, in selected 3 and 4 star hotels (with private facilities)
- Buffet breakfast daily
-3 course evening meals on 5 nights including dinner at Le Train Bleu in Paris
-Ride part of a stage of the Tour de France (fully supported) prior to the pros!
-A photo on the TdF Podium after completion of the stage.
-VIP viewing afterwards in one of the most exclusive areas, the ‘Izoard’.
-Access to the VIP Zones where you have the opportunity to meet Tour Sponsors, Riders and Legends of past Tours in the Start Village.
-Access to the Technical Zone for chosen stages.
-A TDF welcome package (Backpack, T shirt and cap) for each participant.
-A discount in the TDF store for each VIP participant (20%).
-Official Tour de France race book and Tourist guide.
-Official Tour de France accommodation guide for each participant.
-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

RESERVE THIS TRIP
NOTE: Please place number of persons attending in box below This form allows you to make a reservation for a tour. You will not be charged until a spot has been confirmed. All trips require a specified deposit to reserve your place. Note: If paying a deposit before release of our Final Itinerary your deposit is fully refundable up to 14 days after release of that Final Itinerary.

• By paying a deposit you are deemed to have accepted our Waiver and Reservation Conditions. If you have any further enquiries please email us at tours@bikestyletours.com.
• Don’t forget it is a requirement of Bikestyle Tours that you have Travel Insurance for your trip.
  Purchase your International Travel Insurance here.
• * We charge for our trips in Australian Dollars (AUD) and prices shown in other currencies are only approximate. We advise that you check the exchange rate before booking.
• Deposits can also be paid by direct deposit or cheque. For more information contact our Office Manager Michelle Knibbs for our bank details and mailing address, michelle@bikestyletours.com.

Tour de France 2010 Enquiry and Updates

*We will not use your email for other purposes, or share it with other companies.