TOUR DE FRANCE 2013 THE 2 PYRENEAN STAGES CYCLING HOLIDAY Friday 5th to Monday 8th July 2013 With or Without Bikes

The first high mountain stages of the 2013 Tour de France will take place in the Pyrenees and on this tour you will see 2 of the most important mountain stages of the race. It is on these stages that riders with any ambitions of a high placing in Paris must show their faces. We have seen in previous Tours de France that the first mountain stages are more exciting than some of the final stages. It is on these stages that you’ll get to see which riders are hot, and which are not.

For those bringing bikes you will be able to ride the famous climbs the feature on the 2013 Route du Tour such as the climbs of Port de Pailheres, Ax les 3 Domaines and the mighty Col du Tourmalet.

We will spend 3 nights in the city of Toulouse at the excellent 3* Novotel Hotel.

Please arrange your own flight to Toulouse Blagnac Airport, where our reps will meet you, and we offer regular transfers to your hotel (Novotel Toulouse Centre)

Friday 5th July:
Arrange your own flight into Toulouse airport, where we will meet you and offer regular transfers from the airport to the centre of Toulouse where we spend 3 nights Bed & Breakfast at the 3* Hotel Novotel.

Saturday 6th July:
The first high mountain stage of the 100th Tour de France leaves from the town of Castres and finishes at the Ariege ski station of Ax les 3 Domaines. There are only two major climbs on this stage, but they are both very difficult, the first is the very difficult 2000mts climb of the Port de Pailheres, that comes just 26km from the finish, followed by the 10km climb to the stage finish at the ski station of Ax les 3 Domaines.

Our location in Toulouse is ideal for accessing the stage. After breakfast we will leave the hotel on the bus and travel to the town of Ax les Thermes which is located at the foot of both the Port de Pailheres and the final climb to the ski station of Ax les 3 Domaines. Prior to arriving in Ax les Thermes, those with bikes will be dropped off in the town of Foix from where we will offer a guided ride of approx. 45km along the Ariege valley to Ax les Thermes and up the final climb to the ski station of Ax les 3 Domaines. Alternatively those with bikes can travel on the bus to Ax les Thermes and ride either the climbs of the Port de Pailheres or the final climb to Ax les 3 Domaines. Those without bikes will be able to walk from Ax les Thermes onto the final climb of the stage.

After seeing the stage, we will rejoin the bus in Ax les Thermes and return to Toulouse.

Sunday 7th July:
The second Pyrenean stage will start from the town of Saint Girons and will finish in the spa town of Bagneres de Bigorre. This is a very difficult stage and sees the riders face 5 cols (Portet de Aspet, Mente, Peyresourde, Val Louron Azet and the Hourquette d’Ancizan) before a descent into Bagneres de Bigorre for the finish.

After breakfast we leave Toulouse and travel to the stage finish town of Bagneres de Bigorre, from where we offer a guided bike ride to the summit of the Col du Tourmalet prior to seeing the stage on the final climb of the day, the Col Hourquette d’Ancizan or returning to Bagneres de Bigorre for the finish. Those without bikes will spend the day in the town of Bagneres de Bigorre where they will see the stage finish.

After seeing the stage, we shall rejoin the bus in Bagneres de Bigorre and return to Toulouse.

Monday 8th July:
After breakfast you will be taken the short distance from the hotel to Toulouse Blagnac airport for your return flight.

£449 per person, based on two people sharing a Twin room for 3 nights at the Novotel Toulouse. £149 supplement for the sole occupancy of a twin or double room Twin to share: If you would like to join us as a single traveller but you want to avoid the single supplement then you can make use of our 'twin to share' option. We will pair you up with another rider (of the same sex) and you can enjoy the event without having to pay extra. Simply click on the green button and select the twin to share option. What's included: Air conditioned coach transportation throughout 3 Nights Bed & Buffet Breakfast accommodation at the Hotel Novotel Toulouse centre Coach transfers to and from Toulouse airport Special bike trailer for the safe keeping & transport of your bike Bike storage at the hotel Guided bike rides Detailed travel itinerary Services of our coach rep and bike guide. What's not included: Your flights to and from France Any other meals and drinks to what is included above Travel insurance (Very important)

HOW TO BOOK: Click on the green button below. Adults 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 At time of booking we require a non-refundable deposit per person plus any applicable entry fee. The balance of your travel package must be paid, at the latest, 12 weeks before departure to avoid the cancellation of your trip. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Visas are not required to enter France. You need a passport or a National Identity Card (see the website of the Identity and Passport Service (IPS)) to enter France. As a British passport holder or National Identity Card holder you may stay as a visitor for three months. For links to important websites, click here. All other non-UK passport holders must check their own country's entry requirements for France. For details of insurance for our travel packages, please visit our insurance page. There is additional information about our other Concierge Services on our special web page.

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