Bicycle and Hiking Tour Blog

Good Vintage for Provence Wines in 2009

2009-11-03T08:53:00.000-08:00

The famous Côtes de Provence wine is expected to be an excellent vintage wine in 2009

The AOC (protected designation of origin ) Côte de Provence grape harvests is noted by the experts as “excellent”, better than 2008.
Nevertheless, the first grapes showed a return in slightly less important juice than in 2008, those having received more “generous” rain.

For the moment, the harvested volumes seem comparable in 2008 so a decline of the volumes is waited but it should not exceed 5 %. Summer was very dry but winter was rainy enough to insure grapes growing.

Less bottle, better quality, lucky 2010 travelers in Provence should defectively try any AOC “Côtes de Provence”. You have 3 choices:

1) Rosé wines are a genuine symbol of Provence. The Côtes de Provence rosé wines are typified by a very bright, pale pink colour.

Fresh and exotic fruits dominate in their highly complex bouquet, alongsidefloral and spicy notes. Well-balanced and pleasantly zesty, combining freshness and smoothness, they are best served

at a temperature of 8 to 12°C.

2) Red wines. Depending on their origin, composition and the personal style of each grower, the Côtes de Provence reds may be suitable for drinking young or for ageing. They can be light and supple with notes of red berries or flowers, full-bodied and generous after maturing for several months in oak barrels or tanks, or require long ageing to develop a velvety texture and deep aromas.

They should be served at a temperature of 16 to 18°C.

3) Provence Whites - small production, but high quality...

Provence’s white wines are traditionally “blancs de blancs”, meaning white wines produced using white grapes. Their colour ranges from pale gold to green-tinted.

Offering a delicate balance of freshness and smoothness, they should be served at a temperature of 6 to 8°C.

Cheers!

Tom in our Languedoc office

Discover France Offical Tour Operator for Tour de France

2009-10-29T16:42:00.000-07:00

Now posted live on the official tour website: www.letour.fr

Pricing and details will be posted live within a few days timeframe on our sites:

www.discoverfrance.com
www.cyclingclassics.com

Discover France Selected Best Trips for 2010

2009-10-28T16:18:00.000-07:00

National Geographic Adventure has selected another Discover France tour for their annual award list known as the "25 Best New Trips for 2010". The November issue is now on news stands and the online article can be found at this link: http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/2009/11/best-new-trips-2010/trips-text

The trip chosen is our new Crossing the Pyrenees Trip which is actually listed on the Cycling Classics Website at this page: http://www.cyclingclassics.com/pyrenees_traverse.php
This is a challenging trip as it involves cycling from the Atlantic Coast to the Mediterrean Coast over the passes and through the famous Pyrenees Mountain chain. It is however a dream trip for strong cyclists and long distance riders who love to get away from it all! The big draw and main selling feature in selecting this trip for this prestigious list is the fact that the Pyrenees remain a true natural setting that have gone largely unnoticed by mass tourism development.

Small villages that depend on agriculture and livestock as well as a few small industries still keep people in these remote and wildly picturesque hill sides. This is still France and so food is an important tradition everywhere in France. Cycling all day is rewarded with comfortable lodging, a warm welcome, and hearty traditional cuisine!

We referred to this trip as an 'expedition' style trip of days gone by. Imagine leaving the glitzy Atlantic coast at Biarritz behind and riding into the 'unknown'?! Passing from small village to small village and crossing quiet lands and soaking up raw mountain beauty creates anticipation and a bit of concern. The cycling is hard - so participants need to be ready! We offer guided and self guided options to do this tour; prices are posted on the link above!

Award Nomination for Discover France

2009-10-12T12:39:00.000-07:00

Discover France Adventures has been selected as a finalist by the French Government Tourist Office in New York in the category of Best Special Interest Tour Operator. This is part of the annual French Affairs meeting in which top operators to France meet to discuss the business of tourism in France. Awards in different categories are presented. Discover France has previously won Best Website and been nominated in Most Extensive Product Offer category 3 times.

Discover France Offical Tour Operator for Tour de France

2009-10-07T13:37:00.000-07:00

Discover France Adventures is pleased to announce that we are now recognized as an official licensee and Official Tour Operator to the Tour de France by Amaury Sports Organization, owner of the Tour de France. As one of only five tour operators worldwide with this status, Discover France is now in a position to bring exclusive race access to our clients including access to media areas, team areas, and special access to be on the closed roads of the race just prior to the arrival of the pro riders themselves.

Interest in the 2010 Tour is already tremendous and volume is expected to be very high. As a result, Discover France is planning to offer numerous tours of different cycling levels from challenging to moderate as well as different budget levels from deluxe VIP access to moderate self-guided 'go as you please' access.

Discover France will also offer an Etape du Tour program for amateur cyclists who want to ride a full stage of the Tour de France over closed roads in what is known as a cyclosportive. This is an organized ride with SAG support, cheering fans, and about 7000 participants from around the world.

Finally, Paris Tour Arrival packages will be available for those who want privileged access to the final stage in Paris on the Champs Elysees! We can book for groups of up to 50 persons or individuals will be able to book a place.

All this will require advance planning to get the best place! We are already holding space in numerous hotels, but as we have no better advantage than anyone else, we also have to wait until October 14 to know for sure what the 2010 Tour route will be. After that, we will finalize our offers and post them for booking. Anyone can book now - RISK FREE. Anyone who wants to put themself in a position to have a 'first right of refusal' should book now before our tours are posted. We will allow a 100% refund of any deposit paid up to December 15. So, if you are interested, you should book now!

A new website for www.cyclingclassics.com and new pages within the Discover France Adventures domain are in construction and will be launched on October 14 with the announcement of the Tour route. Press releases will go out the following week. Our logo and links will appear on the Tour de France website shortly after this. It is a very exciting time at our offices - we encourage anyone interested to contact us as soon as possible!

A+

Discover France Is Cycling Classics

2009-10-05T13:57:00.000-07:00

At Discover France Adventures we are known for our broad offers of cycling and hiking tours in France, as if you as a reader didn't already know!! What you may or may not know is that the brand Cycling Classics is also our brand! Why a separate brand if it is also for cycling tours?

The brand Cycling Classics at www.cyclingclassics.com is dedicated to promoting only more challenging cycling tours. We do not list any hiking tours on that site, and all tours are for strong, experienced cyclists looking for a challenge. The most common theme under the Cycling Classics brand is routes of the Tour de France: Alpes, Mont Ventoux, Pyrenees, and the actual Tour de France itself!

In a few days, Discover France Adventures will be announcing that we are an Official Tour Operator to the Tour de France in 2010 and all tours will be listed on the website www.cyclingclassics.com as well as our own Discover France site. Just earlier today, I posted a blog note about our new status as Official Operator and put up some of our early info on what we see for the Tour de France in 2010: check it out

Gardens in the Loire Valley

2009-09-28T15:54:00.000-07:00

One of the big attractions to visiting the Loire region are the many gardens. I already wrote about Villandry recently which is fairly well known as far as gardens go in the Loire. But, our guy Sebastien was doing some 'recon' for our cycling and hiking tours last weekend and he sent some photos of another garden stop that is much less known; the Chateau de la Chatonniere. http://www.lachatonniere.com/en/jardins/ We had several large cycling groups travel on the 'Garden Theme' this year and they all loved this little stop. As noted on their website, this is a closely guarded secret!

"The Castle of La Chatonnière is built on the site of a troglodytic village with stables and an underground church. La Chatonnière was originally a stronghold on the old Roman road, the one which in the Middle Ages, Joan of Arc was to take. The four towers at each corner of the castle are strong reminders of the Hundred Years War and the wars of religion. Later the manor became a country house with land stretching between Azay-le-Rideau and the river Loire. During the 19th century La Chatonnière had many owners and the estate flourished while the land fell into disuse. The gardens shrank and the vale became overgrown with trees and undergrowth. In 1955 a family discovered this secret jem and set about restoring the gardens and bringing them back to their former glory."

Please see the website link above for more of this fascinating site! Our 2010 tours are in some cases being slightly reworked so we can include this stop on more of the itineraries.

Wine & Lavender in Provence

2009-09-25T12:59:00.000-07:00

Another client submittal here in this blog; it makes fun reading I think for a good traveler perspective. Some nice pictures also. What I like about this customer's writing and photos is that she/they are clearly exploring and taking advantage of the freedom that self-guided travel offers. We include suggestions for visits in our route notes, but not everyone takes advantage the same way; these people are getting into it! These travelers are also finding their own sites. They are meeting locals and checking out the customs. Way to go!!

**************

FROM Cyndi Lehr:

Vineyards and Lavender: Bike Trip:7 Nights, June 2009

My Husband and I can’t say enough positive about our recent Discover France/Pure Adventures Bike Trip through Provence. Really, to me, the best part was riding the scenic and secluded routes --- the scenery and aroma of lavender were awesome. There were so many opportunities to stop to taste, see and enjoy.

I have written a bit and included some photos of some of our more off the path/but highly recommended stops:

Day 1: Arrival in Villeneuves Les Avignon:

There is so much to see and do (Abbey of St. Andre, Le Forte St. Andre, Chartreuse Pontificale), but don’t miss a delightful tour and tasting of olive oil at Moulin de la Chartreuse (http://www.moulindelachartreuse.com/) located right on the main street.
We love the Hotel L’Atelier, great service. The maps for the bike trip were excellent and we highly recommend upgrading to have the GPS as well.

Itinerary 1: Villenueve Les Avignon to Chateaneuf-du-Pape:

We had a delightful stop at Domaine d’ Aiguilhon, (http://www.vins-de-vignerons.com/vins_par_producteurs/domaine_d-aiguilhon-c-5_22.html) where the proprietor personally gave us a tour of the winemaking process and then to the tasting room. The proprietor greeted us and immediately cut a bouquet of lavender for Lori. This was our first and maybe the best wine stop, an unforgettable experience … fun and great wine. Look for the sign, and take a left at the intersection leading towards the estate. On Itinerary 1: it is after the cimetiere (line 8) and around 6.0 km.

Day 3: Chateanuef-du-Pape to Rochegude:

Our first stop was at the Market in Orange. We shopped and compiled a delicious market lunch.

Itinerary 4: Grignan Loop:

An absolutely fabulous day: the sights, smells and tastes of Provence were beautifully demonstrated with: The Cheese Museum, The Goat Farm and the most fabulous seafood lunch in La Garde-Ademar at Les Terrisols:
Ø The Cheese Museum: (East Bompard 26230 Roussass 0475985108)

See the sign from the road, lovely Mamie Eglantine took time with us to taste her cheeses and jams. You can also browse her collection of artifacts in The Cheese Museum.

Ø The Goat Farm: Just down the road from the Cheese Museum, we saw another sign for Goat Cheese. We parked our bikes and entered the shop. The shopkeeper (who is the mother-in-law of the owner/farmer) gave us a tour of the farm, including their prize pig, Carmen. We saw how they milk the goats. All the goats were so friendly and wanting to be petted. Then of course we sampled some cheese in the shop.

Ø Le Tisonnier, La Garde Adhemar: (http://www.ruba.com/review/RedBalloonTravel/Le_Tisonnier ) This beautiful village certainly deserves it’s designation as one of the 100 most beautiful villages in France. A little off the center of the village, we discovered this great lunch spot. We sat down and were immediately served a carafe of wine. With no menu, Camille –the owner and server, came to our table and explained all the choices. The fish was superb and the atmosphere even better – very fun lunch.

Itinerary 5: Gringan to Vaison-La-Romaine:

Snails: Les Escargots de l’Enclave (http://lesescargotsdelenclave.over-blog.com/ ) Biking along we saw a trail of signs leading us to this Snail Farm. Even though it was closed on Sunday, the owner Clavel, welcomed us. We received a tour and she told us everything we would want to know about snails. Interesting and very different. You can taste when the restaurant is open, or there are products to buy.

Itinerary 6: Vaison-La Romain to Bedoin:

Plan time to sample some of the best wine in Gigondas, we loved:
Ø Domaine Saint Gayan: our bike bags were heavy due to many purchases of this delicious wine.

Ø Domaine St. Francis Xavier: the tasting room was the garage, a real “garagiste”

Customer Stories & Photos

2009-09-21T14:11:00.000-07:00

A client Adam Pomerantz traveled with his wife Jessie this summer on our Provence Classic 7 Night Tour and sent some photos and journal comments back; we are sharing for fun and of course with their permission:

"Day four (also our four year anniversary) was the best day so far. After the super fast (and super smelly) train ride, we took a taxi to our hotel across the river from Avignon. This place is literally like something out of our imaginations. The cobblestoned streets twist and turn, and there isn't a cloud in the sky. The temperature is perfect, but the wind may blow even Adam off his bike.

Once we unloaded at the hotel we found a beautiful square to eat lunch. The waiter was extremely friendly and humored Adam as he attempted to converse in French. We spent a good two hours eating our salads and a crafe of wine (only 4.50 euros!) before we hiked up to this abbey that overlooks the town. It was built in 999, and the gardens were awesome.
We then had to head back to the hotel for bike orientation. A guy named Tom gave us our bikes and spent a good deal of time reviewing our information packets (if we get lost on this bike trip we're complete idiots).

After chatting with Tom we spent some time reading in the courtyard. Then my very thoughtful husband surprised me with an anniversary cake like we get every year from Whole Foods. This cake was one of the best cakes ever.

After cake we headed to dinner (this was one of the dinners included in the bike tour). All we had to do was show up and eat. The first course was squid with veggies. I'm not a big squid fan, but I gave it a good try. I then had the tuna and Adam had the beef. Dessert was strawberries with a little strawberry sorbet. Again our meal lasted more than two hours.

After dinner we hit the sack to prepare for our first day on bikes. The wind doesn't look as wild today so it should be a fun ride.
******
By now we've been on vacation for a few days and I can't remember exactly how many.

This morning we woke up to a construction crew working outside of our window. Not too much of a problem since we had to eat and then get our bags packed for our first day on les velos.

My concern was that we would go through nice countryside but it wouldn't be that different from where we ride in Chapel Hill. After seeing our third chapel that was built in the 900's, our second middle ages city and the 2000 year old Roman aqueducts (Pont du Gard) my fears were quashed. There was a strong wind the entire day but we took our time and wondered through the countryside. The tour company has us on small roads for most of the time, so small that I thought they were bike paths...until cars rolled through. Riding bikes was the way to go.

This afternoon we arrived in Uzes which is a small town with a ring road surrounding a cobbled town. The streets almost have a Disney World feel to them but this is the real thing that Disney is trying to emulate. We walked around a bit, grabbed some gelatto and few drinks on the town square after we checked in. Eventually we made it back to our room and headed to dinner at our hotel. The entire dining room was 7 tables, the innkeeper was our waiter and there was one chef. Four courses plus a few other goodies later we're feeling fairly satisfied. The French know how to put together a good dining experience. Now it's time for a walk and then bed.

A couple of thoughts on France thus far...

The roads are really small. I mean REALLY small.

The wind in Provence is strong.

We need a change purse for all of the 1 and 2 euro coins.

Jessie and I can burn through euros faster than I ever thought.

Bread and baked good are really cheap. Bagettes are 0.90 euros and the cake I got jessie that would have been at least $20 at Whole Foods was 3 euros.

Vin de pays is also cheap."
****************

Villandry - A Garden Masterpiece in the Loire Valley

2009-09-09T14:44:00.000-07:00

Villandry is one of the most famous gardens in all of France; and it happens to be a favorite stop for our cycling and hiking tour clients to the Loire Valley. I have been on several occasions and with groups and it never disappoints. You don't have to be a little old English lady into to gardens to appreciate. For example, I imagine the maze games from childhood and the little monsters of fairy tales that lurk about (Alice in Wonderland?) in those labyrinths of passageways. Pictures tell a thousand words, so included here and on our Facebook Fan Page are some photos taken by Seb, our Loire Valley tour manager. Here is a bit of what you can read on Wikipedia too for official Villandry info:

The Château de Villandry is a castle-palace located in Villandry, in the département of Indre-et-Loire, France.

The lands where an ancient fortress once stood were known as Colombier until the 17th century. Acquired in the early 16th century by Jean Le Breton, France's Controller-General for War under King Francis I, a new château was constructed around the original 14th-century keep where King Philip II of France once met Richard I of England to discuss peace.

The château remained in the Le Breton family for more than two centuries until it was acquired by the Marquis de Castellane. During the French Revolution the property was confiscated and in the early 19th century Emperor Napoleon acquired it for his brother Joseph Bonaparte.

In 1906,Joachim Carvallo purchased the property and poured an enormous amount of time, money and devotion into repairing it and creating what many consider to be the most beautiful gardens anywhere. Its famous Renaissance gardens include a water garden, ornamental flower gardens, and vegetable gardens. The gardens are laid out in formal patterns created with low box hedges. In 1934, Château de Villandry was designated a Monument historique. Like all the other châteaux of the Loire Valley, it is a World Heritage Site.

Still owned by the Carvallo family, the Château de Villandry is open to the public and is one of the most visited châteaux in France.

Official Website: http://www.chateauvillandry.com/

France Expeditions 2010 or 2011

2009-09-04T11:54:00.000-07:00

We are toying with the idea of some long distance, long duration 'expedition' type tours in France for 2010. Already, we have announced our Pyrenees Crossing tour which is being considered by National Geographic as a best trip for 2010. That tour is challenging with mountain riding. So, we are interested in gauging the interest for something like a 2-3 week tour that traverses the country from North to South or even circumnavigates the perimeter of the hexagon. People could sign up for a week's worth, 2 weeks, worth, or do the whole thing. A circumnavigation would probably take 4 weeks however. We have already some routes and with as few as 6 persons throughout at any time we can make it go. Comments posted on the blog would be a great place to start or send an email to contact@discoverfrance.com

New Cycling Jerseys Are Here!

2009-08-24T14:56:00.000-07:00

The new Discover France Adventures 'kits' are in! Jerseys, shorts, and bib shorts are available at prices just over cost. This is not a profit center item, we want jerseys on the road so we are just covering costs; so the prices are very good. This is high quality gear made by Sugoi, the same company that outfits our top rated amateur youth development team, Team Waste Management.

The design is very cool too! We use our custom logos and unique logo color combination but we have kept the graphics to a minimum. For fun, we stuck a baguette, wine bottle, and camembert (cheese) in the back pockets! Its France afterall!! On the collar it says Bonjour and Au Revoir! The material is lightweight and light colors so will keep you cool; and looking very cool!

Also on this page that is linked above are some new T-shirts! Of course they too are very stylish and sold at just over cost. Different options are available. Some nice white Ts to our blue/green T, and our night club black T.

Enjoy!

Heat Wave In France

2009-08-19T16:36:00.000-07:00

Heat wave hits France

It’s been over a week now that we have been having an unusually hot weather throughout the country, especially in southern France. From Bordeaux to Nice, temperatures are over 35°C, even reaching the 40°C mark (104°F) . In our office in Lunel, the temperature has been around 37-38°C, and except for checking the temperature, there is no need to look at the weather forecast: it’s always a big blue sky with no clouds in the horizon!

A few départements have been put under “vigilance orange”, a level 3 weather alert due to the heat. Nearly all southern départements are on level 2 “vigilance jaune”, and are only a few degrees short of being put under the level 3 alert. Among those in level 3 are the Vaucluse and Drôme départements in Provence. So for all of you cycling or hiking, here are some tips to enjoy your tour without suffering from this heat:

- wear light cotton clothes, wicking clothing

- under the helmet, you can put a cap, hat, or wet bandana to protect your head from the sun. You can also wet it to keep you cool.

- try to leave earlier in the morning to avoid cycling when it’s the hottest (between 12pm and 4pm)

- make sure you always have water with you before you leave, and don’t wait until you are thirsty to drink.

- to help stay hydrated, you can also eat melon, watermelon, grape, plums among other fruits.

- to fill your water bottle, you can stop at a café. Some may ask you to pay for it, so make sure you have some change with you. If you find a fountain in a village, make sure it’s written drinkable water (“potable” in French).

- always wear sunscreen. It’s best to put it 20mn before sun exposure.

from Laura Martinoty

Feedback 2009

2009-08-07T13:00:00.000-07:00

I feel like tooting our horn. Our staff has worked really hard this year and they like to get a good pat on the back once in a while. These customers have all sent in comments recently; and its great to hear. We didn't expect a big year in 2009, what with all the bad economic news, but it turned out just the opposite. We've had a record breaking year in terms of sales; go figure!

So, for the staff - way to go!

"Just wanted to let you know, [my client] and his son, had a WONDERFUL Biking Trip to France!
Thank you so much for all your hard work on this booking, {Maggie}……………you really are the BEST!"

"Bonjour Laura – I just wanted to thank you for such a wonderful time we all had this past week. I can honestly say that it was the best trip we have ever had as a family and the experience was just amazing."

"Hello Jessica. We got back yesterday from the bike trip to Provence through Discover France. We had a wonderful time and I wanted to let you know that it was a fabulous experience. Your operation was very well organized."

"Loren,Everything is excellent. Your guides Michel, Julien and Sebastian are doing everything to make our trip unforgetable. We are having a great time. It is a good group of strong riders. This trip has helped me become a better cyclist."

"My fiance and I did a bicycle self guided trip last month. It was one of the best traveling experience ever! We absolutely loved it.
The hotels we stayed were beautiful, clean, and just so special. And our luggage was always there waiting for us. The dinners that were included were above our expectations. Les Petits Dejeuners were also great!
And the bicycling, it was just right, enough to get tired at the end of the day, with enough energy left over for a late dinner. The scenery was gorgeous, we visited one chateau a day, plus stopping for breaks, lunch, and pictures.
I have and will recommend the Discover France bike tour to anyone who likes to do this type of thing!
Thank you to Sebastien in Tours, who helped us when we couldn't find a taxi to our hotel. It was so good to have someone locally to help us.

Again, mille mercis,and I would love to do this again!"

“We had a fantastic time, and having traveled to many locations around the world, my partner and I are in agreement that the multisport tour was a trip of a life time. “

Photos in this post were sent in by customers.

Festivals in France - continued

2009-07-16T10:36:00.000-07:00

Let’s continue our Festivals’ Tour de France! After Southern France, let’s move north towards Brittany and Normandy.

In Brittany is the festival "La Route du Rock" organized in Saint Malo from August 14th to 16th. Dedicated to rock music, as its name indicates, several concerts will be organized each day at the Fort de Saint Père, the Palais Sony Ericsson and on the beach. More information at www.laroutedurock.com

From July 15th to 19th, the Mont Saint Michel will host the 2nd edition of the Festival "13 siècles en Ciel et Terre". Organized by the association Robert de Torigny, its goal is to introduce visitors to the spiritual aspect of this unique site, through art exposition, conferences, theater shows, concerts and mass. More information is available at http://festival.mtstmichel.free.fr/.

In Caen is the festival “Caen Soirs d’Eté” every Thursday and Friday from July 6th to August 31st . Dedicated to theater and music, it features several shows in the street as well as in the castle or the St Nicolas church among other sites. Also during this festival, a night market will take place every Friday from 5pm to 11pm, from July 13th to 17th.
In Bayeux will take place the “Calvadose de Rock” festival on August 7th and 8th. Dedicated to rock, it features several concerts throughout the city on these two days.

In the Loire Valley, several chateaux organize throughout the summer “son et lumières shows” at nights, as well as night guided tours of the gardens or the chateaux to discover the place in a different way. Sites include the Château de Chenonceau, Château de Chambord and the Chateau d’Azay le Rideau.
In Amboise is organized every year the show "A la cour du Roy François". This show, featuring 500 actors and 1000 costumes portrays what life was in the region when the Kings of France built their castles. The representations take place every Wednesday and Saturday, from June 24th to August 29th.
In Blois, every night from April 4th to September 27th is a light show arranged, presenting the history of the castle, with its dramas and mysteries. Shows are in French, except on Wednesdays when it is in English. Starts at 10:30pm in July, and 10pm from August on.
Check at the tourist office or on the chateaux’s website to get the schedule.

In Tours is the festival “Les Méridiennes” from July 15th to 24th. Dedicated to music, several concerts are organized during this 10-day festival, with different styles offered (classical music, jazz, celtic music etc….). More information is available at www.les-meridiennes.fr.

In Alsace, Obernai organizes the "Estivales d'Obernai", a music festival that takes place every saturday from July 11th to August 15th. Free concerts are organized on the market place (place du Marché). More information on the official city's website at www.obernai.fr/site/Les_Estivales_dObernai_2009-802.html

In Colmar, from August 7th to 14th will take place the "Foire aux vins", which is a double event. During the day, an exposition will teach you everything about Alsacian wines, with tastings possible of course! Street animations, tastings of local gastronomies will also take place. In the evening, concerts of various international bands and singers are organized. More details at www.foire-colmar.com

Our Tour de France ends in Burgundy, another wine region! From August 24th to 30th, Dijon will host the "Fetes de la vigne" festival. Dedicated to wine, it includes tastings, street animations, concerts among other activities. This festival also presents world traditions with local dancing groups from Burgundy and various countries (such as Bulgaria, Turkey, French Polynesia or Peru for instance). The full schedule and more details can be found at www.fetesdelavigne.fr

South from Dijon, the city of Beaune will celebrate classical music from July 3rd to 26th, with the "Festival de Beaune". This year, Haendel will be honored, with 4 operas organized during this festival. Besides operas, concerts will be organized in the Notre Dame basilica. More information available at www.festivalbeaune.com

These are just some of the many festivals taking place in France. To check if there is one in the region you will visit, contact the local tourist offices. And for all of you currently in France, don't forget that tomorrow is Bastille day, which is celebrated throughout the whole country. Many cities and villages will organize fireworks, and it's a day full of animations everywhere. Most fireworks start between 10 and 11pm, but ask at the hotel or the tourist office for the exact schedule, and where is the best spot to watch it. Enjoy!

Laura

Team Astana Rocks TTT

2009-07-07T10:45:00.001-07:00

Sent by a colleague in our France office:

Life is sweet.
Today, I had a day of so I was able to see the Tour de France in my own city: Montpellier, close to the French office.
From my flat, I could hear the people and the helicopters used for TV. The atmosphere was dedicated to bicycle.
So, of course, the crowd was fantastic and very enthusiastic. People were from all over the planet.
But guess who get the best welcome? Lance for sure!
The only guys who draw something on the road were Lance fans, they wrote “Allez Lance” (Go Lance) just in front of me. Even if there are quite a lot of stars, everyone was overwhelmed by Lance.
He has a huge charisma, he moves the audience.
I am so happy to finally get to see him even if they are so fast that you just cannot believe it!
The race is on, enjoy it…

More on our Facebook fan page

Tom.

Events in France

2009-07-06T17:12:00.000-07:00

What's Happening in France:

The Fête de la Musique on June 21^st set the tone: the summer has started, and it’ll be an eventful one in France! With the Tour de France underway and the recent heat wave that hit the country in the last 10 days (and is still there in southern France), there is a smell of holiday in the air! In July and August, you will find plenty of festivals taking place throughout the country, from the small village festival to the big city one. Whether you like music, theater, dance or art, you’ll find an event for you, for sure! So here is our “Festivals tour de France”!

For those of you traveling to Provence, there is of course the Festival of Avignon. It starts on July 7th until July 29th, and features theatre plays, concerts and ballets among other. Also, several "side-events" take place at the same time too. There is a market, called the "marché du festival", taking place from 11am to 1am everyday, from July 3rd to 26th. More information at www.festival-avignon.com

Also, each saturday July 11th to 25th included at the Halles, several local chefs will prepare, in front of the public, a meal using products from the Halles markets. It takes place from 11am to 12pm.

In Arles, there is "Les Rencontres d'Arles" from July 7th to September 13th. The festival celebrates its 40th anniversary. This event is dedicated to photography, and several exhibitions are organized throughout the city. From July 7th to 12th is the opening week, with various conferences and exhibitions planned. More information at www.rencontres-arles.com

Then, from July 13th to 19th is the Festival les Suds, dedicated to world music and dance. The full program is available at www.suds-arles.com

In the Languedoc region, there is the "Festival de Radio France et Montpellier Languedoc-Roussillon", from July 13th to 31st. Dedicated mainly to theater and classical music, it celebrates its 25th anniversary. More information at www.festivalradiofrancemontpellier.com

In Carcassonne takes place the "Festival des Cités", a cultural festival that uses the beautiful background of Carcassonne's medieval town to create a magical event. Dedicated to music, dance and theater, it is not to be missed if you are in the area! Details available at www.festivaldecarcassonne.com

In Dordogne, you'll have plenty of events to discover too! In Sarlat, from July 18th to August 5th the "Festival des Jeux du Théâtre" takes place. Centered on theater, it features several plays, from renown authors or young artists. Full programme can be viewed at www.festival-theatre-sarlat.com

In Bergerac and its surroundings the festival "L'été musical en Bergerac" takes place from July 23rd to August 14th. A total of 15 events will be held in Bergerac and its surroundings (Abbaye de Cadouin, Bastide de Monpazier among others). This festival is dedicated to music (all genres, from classical to blues) as well as dance. More information at http://festivalbergerac.blogspot.com

In the Bordeaux area, there is the festival “Vivacité fait son cabaret” in La Réole, on July 17^th and 18^th. It features several street animations and shows, for all ages! More information at vivacite.info.

In August is the “Itinérance Médiéval en Valley du Dropt”. This festival travels through the Dropt Valley (Saint Macaire, Sauveterre de Guyenne area) from August 6^th to 30^th, with shows and animations presenting what life was in this region in the Middle Age, using the many monuments (bastides, castles…) as a beautiful background. More information at www.medieval.dropt.org.

More information about festivals in other regions of France coming up soon!

Sent by Laura in our France office.

Tax in France restaurants drops - will the price?

2009-07-02T12:49:00.000-07:00

VAT changes in France

After years of discussions between restaurants, the French government and the European Union, it finally happened! Instead of applying a 19.6% VAT on the bill, restaurants will now apply a lower tax of 5.5%. It had been a promise made by Jacques Chirac, and was a subject of conflict between the government and the restaurants union. So today, all the newspapers talk about this change, and how it should reflect on the overall bill. Officially, restaurants and cafés are supposed to reflect this tax change by lowering their prices. Officials also hope that the employees will see a raise in their paycheck, and that it will create more job in this industry. If you believe the media, it is the magical pill that will solve all the problems restaurants are facing right now, and will have everyone in France rush to the restaurants. Will it really shows on the bill? Personally, I don’t think so. I hope it does lower the price by a few Euros, but I wouldn’t count on it. Many restaurants say that they are struggling to make money, and have already announced that they will not use this to lower the price but to have a better margin.

It will take some time to determine the consequences of this change on prices, as the summer season is here, summer prices have arrived and depending on where you travel, some places charge a ridiculous amount of money compared to the quality of products/services they offer. So one piece of advice for all of you traveling, don’t jump on the first restaurant you see. Take some time to walk around and see the various options you have.

Sent by Laura in our France office.

Team Astana Works the TTT Course

2009-07-01T04:44:00.000-07:00

As we have an office just outside of Montpellier and a few connections in the local cycling scene, one of our local contacts sent these pictures in from Tuesday when Team Astana showed up in Montpellier to work on their Team Time Trial form on the course for next week in the Tour. The course and details can be found at www.letour.fr

World's Coolest Castles

2009-06-29T17:13:00.000-07:00

In the tradition of top ten lists, headline news, and useless trivia, I post this subjective list of Coolest Castles according to MS NBC:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31447437/ns/travel-destinations

Chateau of Chambord is number 7. Interestingly, purists scoff at the castle of chambord as a example of excess and a total lack of uniformity and architectural style. hmmmph!

Whatever you think, the way to see it, and compare to others is on our Classic Loire 7 Night tour:
http://www.discoverfrance.com/regions/loirevalley_cycling_tour_sgp4.html

L

Tour de France - Day by Day Details

2009-06-11T17:51:00.001-07:00

The Tour de France website now has the details of each stage posted. You can see stage by stage the map/route, sometimes profiles when it isn't a flat stage, also the time schedule which I think is really great info. There are nice pictures and info of the stage start towns and finish towns. If you are going to the race, the Time Schedule is very useful for planning. The race runs almost exactly as they have it posted!

http://www.letour.fr/2009/TDF/COURSE/us/100/etape_par_etape.html

Normandy D-Day Celebrations June 6

2009-06-04T17:02:00.000-07:00

June 6, 2009 - the 65th anniversary of the landings at Normandy and the starting of the end of WWII.

United States President Barack Obama will be attending the 65th anniversary of D-Day ceremonies in Normandy on the 6th of June, 2009. French President Nicolas Sarkozy confirmed the American Presidents visit during the commemorations of the 8th of May in Sainte-Maxime. Though Barack Obama's itenerary is not yet set, many believe that he will be stopping in Caen as well as the Peace memorial. There are also current talks of the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown attending as well.

Keeping the Memory alive
Sixty-five years after D-Day, the landing sites still speak to us of the heroic actions and sacrifice of the Allied forces. Museums and memorials provide a window to the past, while continuing to update and innovate, passing the flame of remembrance to the younger generations.

How can we grasp the enormity of the sacrifice? Visit the American Cemetery and contemplate the endless rows of white crosses - 9,386 in all –in perfect alignment, leading your eyes out over Omaha Beach. You can almost see the landing boats on the horizon… What actually happened on D-Day? Omaha, Utah and Juno Beach each have a museum providing insight into the assault through collections and archive film footage. Arromanches’ artificial port is also explained in a museum facing the remains of this gigantic undertaking. In Sainte-Mère Eglise, the famous drop point the night before the landings, you can see an actual WACO glider, while further inland, the Memorial of Coudehard-Montormel tells of the bitter fighting that brought the Battle of Normandy to an end.

But what was D-Day really like? Today you can experience intense moments of the June 6th assault inside one of the original Merville Battery blockhouses thanks to digital surround sound, a light show and battlefield odors. At the Arromanches 360° circular cinema you are at the center of the action during an exceptional film, combining period footage and modern-day images. As of June 2009, you will be able to rent a multimedia PDA/GPS that provides explanations, archive photos and videos corresponding to each point of interest in the Sainte-Mère-Eglise - Utah beach sector. And to get the big picture, don’t miss the Caen Memorial, one of the most visited in Europe, which covers 20th century history and the long road from war to peace.

FESTIVITIES 2009

Once again, and for the third edition, the Bayeux-Bessin tourist office presents its annual D-Day Festival, which will take place in Bayeux, Longues-sur-Mer and Port-en-Bessin-Huppain on June 5th, 6th and 7th.

First given in 2007, the Festival contributes in highlighting the touristic appeal of the region, internationally famous for 65 years: out of 4 million visiting the sites of the Battle of the Normandy, 3 million are counted in the Bessin area alone. It therefore seemed particularly legitimate for the Bayeux-Bessin region to organise a major touristic event reflecting its historic heritage.

The D-Day festival is a popular event which will be linked to the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings: it is the celebration of the liberation, and the occasion for the veterans to travel for the last time to Normandy. That’s why this big celebration promises to be a particularly moving and festive time. The programme of the events will suit the whole family: a lighting-up of the coast with 25 fireworks along 50 miles of coastline, the official liberation evening with the famous London gospel band, the London Community Gospel Choir, a parade with over 300 military vehicles and a 13 mile long walk in the footsteps of the British soldiers … An event not to be missed!

FREE ACCESS!

“The night they arrived”
Friday 5th June – Longues-sur-Mer & Port-en-Bessin-Huppain – 11pm

Normandie Mémoire, an association which promotes the historical heritage and the duty of remembrance, is preparing a magic moment: an incredible lightning up of the coast!

At 11pm, 25 magnificent fireworks will light the coast along 50 miles for the 65th anniversary of the D-Day, from Merville-Franceville to Saint Martin de Varreville, near Utah Beach. This first show will be a tribute to the soldiers who landed on June 6th, 1944, in order to free France.

Longues-sur-Mer and Port-en-Bessin are two of the numerous location taking part in this event.

In the footsteps of the 47th British Commando
Saturday 6th June – From Asnelles to Port-en-Bessin-Huppain – 8.30am

A historical and popular 13 mile long-walk is organised by the Bayeux-Bessin tourist office to re-live the epic of the soldiers who freed Port-en-Bessin. On 6th June 1944, it was the 47th British Commando’s mission to take part Port-en-Bessin, thus making it the first petroleum harbour. It was the opportunity to make the junction with the junction with the American troops coming from Omaha beach.

A lively picnic will be organised at noon with a concert by the band awaiting Power Flower the participants. A British veteran will give a short conference during luch and some veterans of the 47th commando will be there for the D-Day festival.

During the afternoon, the participants will enjoy a break in Mont Cavalier to know how the harbour was taken. The speaker will give a lecture for the last time to share his own story.
The bus will drive back the participants at 5.30pm from Port-en-Bessin-Huppain.

“The official liberation evening”
Saturday 6th June – Bayeux, place De Gaulle – 6.30pm

6.30 pm: Concert with the philharmonic orchestra from Bayeux

The Bayeux’s philharmonic orchestra will revisit music from famous films, the biggest 1940’s hits and military marches.

7.30 pm: Picnic and liberation ball with the Anita Covelli Quartet.

Anita Covelli is a well-known singer from Normandy, she will interpret songs from her repertoire to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the D-Day. It will be a popular ball just like in the 40’s with a joyful atmosphere of the “post world war II”.
Everyone will bring his picnic or get it on site thanks to Kiwani’s association who will propose a food stand.

10 pm: Grand concert with the London Community Gospel Choir

Bayeux is proud to do things on the grand scale by welcoming the London Community Gospel Choir. Through this band singing the liberation, the symbolism is significant: Bayeux is the first town to be liberated in France thanks to the Britannic soldiers.

In 1982 a dream and a vision came alive. Bazil Meade made a mark in history pioneering the first concert gospel choir in Britain – the London Community Gospel Choir (LCGC). Over the years, he worked with more than 100 singers from all accross the country.

His great reputation earned him frequent appearances on the radio and on tv, or side by side with world-renowned artists such as George Michael, The Temptations, Manu Dibango, Tina Turner, Michael Bolton, Blur, Depeche Mode, Celine Dion, Diana Ross, Luther Vandross or Elton John. The LCGC also took part in the original soundtrack of the movie "the Lion King" Walt Disney 's most successful film until now.

“Liberation picnic”
Sunday 7th June – Port-en-Bessin-Huppain – 1pm

Port-en-Bessin-Huppain takes part for the first time in the D-Day Festival, organizing a big picnic for everyone with musical entertainment.

The city was the first petroleum harbour of the landing operation on 7th June 1944, consequently the most important objective for the allies in the recapture of the territory.

“Bayeux, first town to be liberated”
Sunday 7th June – Bayeux – 3pm

True to popular tradition, Bayeux organised last year a parade of historic vehicles, but this year, the city together with the tourist office have decided to go up a watch : thanks to the partnership with MVCG France, no less than 300 military vehicles will parade in the center of Bayeux.

Displayed on place Gauquelin Despallières, on Sunday morning from 10h30 to 12h30, the D-Day legendary vehicles will then parade along Larcher Street at 3pm, via the street Saint-Malo and Saint-Martin. Mr Quemener, President of MVCG France will do a commentary throughout, from the city hall square.

For More Information Contact:

Office de Tourisme de Bayeux Intercom
Mélanie Dufrou
Phone : (+33) 02.31.51.28.24
Email : mdufrou@bayeux-tourism.com

Springtime in the Vineyards

2009-05-18T16:13:00.000-07:00

sent by Laura from our France office:

“Printemps dans les Vignes”

Each year the regional tourist office of Languedoc-Roussillon organizes, in coordination with wine growers, a wine festival. The goal is to allow wine growers to share their passion and their work with the public. Various animations are organized each weekend throughout the whole region. Concerts, tastings, bike riding or walking through the vines to discover the various techniques used to grow the vines etc… From the vineyards around Montpellier to those of Collioure, all the AOC wines are celebrated.

For all of you traveling on our Carcassonne countryside tour, you will cycle through the various vineyards of this region. Make sure you check the schedule of this festival, as it is a great, fun way to learn more about vineyards and discover another aspect of the French culture.

More information available at www.languedoc-wines.com. Website in French only.

Year of the Last Minute Booking

2009-05-05T19:38:00.000-07:00

Not many posts lately as we have found ourselves a bit under water with tour bookings. Its a great problem to have when all the news is seeminly bad, yet curious that business is so strong. We certainly won't complain. While it is hard to manage last minute bookings, we are getting them done. It is obvious why it is the year of the last minute booking - if anyone reads the news they gotta be scared! So, planning far in advance for a vacation doesn't seem like a good strategy anymore.

In light of this trend, how can travelers keep the stress level down and plan a vacation? First of all, I suggest that a traveler stop watching the news! Or, at least try to put things in perspective when you get your news. Consider why you might be waiting and not booking in advance. Is it a tenuous job situation? Is it a tenuous financial situation, or both perhaps? These are stressful enough on their own. A vacation is a nice getaway from those stresses and the media and other daily life adventures. But, I suggest you look at the type of vacation that you want to have. If you book in advance, are there penalties to cancel? If so, how much and is it worth it to book in advance? For example as we are finding in much of France, hotels are filling up and space is getting sold. If you are really set on a particular experience, you may want to weigh the costs of cancellation against not being able to book it later for lack of space. And, can you get an airline ticket at the last minute; and at what price? Do these add up to good choices?

Anyone looking at our self guided trips or just doing a trip, on their own -on the fly - should be ok to wait to book, as long as you remain flexible. We are adjusting hotels to sometimes upgrade or go down a star rating in order to get an itinerary to work. Sometimes we have to adjust by a day or two for the start. Last minute bookers should expect to be flexible - in time, and possibly cost as well as lodging.

With what seems to be a bad economic time for many, one would think discounts could be had. The airlines and some hotels have started to train the public that booking last minute is the way to get a deal. That is not a universal application. Many people have asked us for a discount on our tours this year; unfortunately we aren't getting any discounts from our suppliers and we are at much lower margins than our industry standard. So, discounts, if you will, are already built in - the price is the price. We recommend some comparison shopping and you should ask yourself how a company that is offering a $500 discount on a tour can do so without losing a lot of money. And, do you think they are losing any money? If so, they won't be around long! Look at the terms and consider how much your paying for that product!

Booking last minute shouldn't be planning last minute. Travelers should continue to do their homework and study the exchange rates, evaluate the terms and conditions of the tour they like and the competition, and finally watch the airfares and their attached terms. If you do so, you'll be very informed when it does finally come time to book - even if its last minute.

Spring in Provence

2009-04-14T18:12:00.000-07:00

Spring in Provence

Ca y est, spring has arrived! We've had the chance of having a nice weather in March with a lot of sun. April started with a few clouds and some rain, but we can't complain! Spring is my favorite season for several reasons. First, the landscapes change and the colors are beautiful. Fields are green and filled with yellow flowers, fruit trees are in bloom and add shades of white and pink. It's incredible! Another reason I love the spring is because it's the beginning of the fruit season! There is a fruit producer in the small village I live in, and they have finally opened for the season. And much to my delight the first Gariguettes have arrived! This variety of strawberry is mostly found in southern France as it's a delicate fruit that doesn't support transportation very well. To me it's the best strawberries. They have so much taste that you can eat them without anything on it, no sugar or cream!

The strawberries are the first fruit of the season, but the producer explained to me that by mid-May, they should have the first melons. They'll also have tomatoes, potatoes, zucchinis and aubergines. In June, we'll have the first peaches and apricots as well.

For all of you traveling either on our biking or hiking tours, you'll see small fruit stands along the road. This is the best place where you can buy fruits as they come directly from the producer! Prices are reasonable (not really more expensive than in the supermarket, but the quality is so much better!) and I strongly recommend to stop at least once! This is one true French experience!

Sent by Laura in our Southern France office