TOUR DE FRANCE 2013 THE CORSICA STAGES Wednesday 26th June to Tuesday 2nd July

Corsica, also known as 'the island of beauty' and famous as the birth place of Napoleon Bonaparte will offer a spectacular start to what will be a very special Tour de France in 2013.

Our package to the event's start will be based at the beautiful coastal town of L'Ile Rousse on the northern coast between Bastia and Calvi at the 3* Hotel Best Western Santa Maria for 6 nights. L'ile Rousse is a fantastic place to be based with good access to all 3 stages of the 2013 Tour de France with numerous non-cycling activities on offer as well as beautiful beaches and a quaint old town to visit.

Please note that if you want to join us for the next stages of the 2013 Tour de France after you have seen the Corsica stages, you can join us in Nice on Tuesday the 2nd of July for the Cote d'Azur to Pyrenees Tour.

Wednesday the 26th of June:
Arrange your own flight to Bastia airport where our reps will meet you and take you to the beautiful coastal town of L'Ile Rousse which is approximately 1h15 from the airport. We will spend 6 days in Ile Rousse at the 3* Best Western Hotel Santa Maria on Bed and Breakfast. There are many different options available in Ile Rousse to sample the local cuisine.

Thursday the 27th of June:
Today will be a free day to explore the surrounding area either by foot or on your bike. Our bike guides will offer you the opportunity to accompany them on guided bike rides round this beautiful area of Corsica. If the Tour de France team presentation takes place today we will offer an optional day excursion from L'Ile Rousse down to Porto Vecchio for this event. This transfer will take 2.5hr approximately.

Friday the 28th of June:
Today will be a free day to explore the surrounding area either by foot or on your bike. Our bike guides will offer you the opportunity to accompany them on guided bike rides round this beautiful area of Corsica. If the Tour de France team presentation takes place today we will offer an optional day excursion from L'Ile Rousse down to Porto Vecchio for this event. This transfer will take 2.5hr approximately.

Saturday the 29th of June:
The 100th edition of the Tour de France will start today from the town of Porto Vecchio on the Corsica's southern coast. The first stage of the 2013 Tour will be a 200km flat stage from Porto Vecchio to Bastia. From our location in Ile Rousse we will travel to Bastia to see the stage finish. Those with bikes will be able to take part in our group ride of 65km from Ile Rousse to Bastia while those without bikes will be taken by vehicle.

Sunday the 30th of June:
The second stage of the 2013 Tour de France will be a difficult stage of 155km as it crosses the centre of the island from Bastia to Ajaccio. En route to Ajaccio the riders will have to face the following climbs: Col de Bellagranajo (723m), Col de Serra (807m) and Vizzavona (1,163m) as well as the ascent of the steep slope of Monte Salario which is 10km from the finish.

From our base in Ile Rousse we will travel to see the the stage pass through this mountaineous area of central Corsica. Those with bikes will be able to take our guided group ride of 90km from the hotel to the main climb of the day, the Col de Vizzavona (1,163m). For those who don't want to ride this distance, we can take you part of the way in the support vehicle and ride the rest. Those without bikes will be driven to the Col de Vizzavona.

After seeing the stage we will return to our hotel in Ile Rousse.

Monday the 1st of July:
The third and final stage of the 'Grand depart 2013' in Corsica will take the peloton 145km along the magnificent west coast of the island between Ajaccio and Calvi. Just like yesterday's stage, today will be a hilly route that features the following coastal climbs: Col de Bastiano (415m), Col de Lava (498m), Col de Palmarella (374m) and Col de Marsolino (443m) before finishing in the coastal town of Calvi.

Our location in Ile Rousse is excellent for accessing today's stage. Those with bikes will have the choice of riding from the hotel to Calvi for the stage finish (23km) or a longer ride to the spectacular western coast and see the stage on one of the coastal climbs. Those without bikes will also have the choice of seeing the stage at either the stage finish in Calvi or on the spectacular western coast.

After seeing the stage we will return to our base in Ile Rousse.

Tuesday the 2nd of July:
After breakfast you will be taken back to Bastia airport in time for your return flight.

Prices: Best Western Hotel Santa Maria*** in Ile Rousse: The hotel is ideally situated overlooking the sea with its terrace and dining room enjoying excellent views.. The hotel has friendly, attentive staff who will look after you well during your stay. The hotel has a bar and restaurant, is fully airconditioned and all clients have free WIFI access. There is a private beach and pool and also a closed garage for your bikes. £1399 per person, based on two people sharing a Twin room. Single supplement for the sole occupancy of a twin or double room of £859. 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: 6 nights at the Hotel Best Western Santa Maria on bed and breakfast board basis Bike storage at the hotel Transfers for you and your bike to and from Bastia airport Optional day excursion to Porto Vecchio for the team presentation and the start of the 2013 Tour de France Daily minibus transport to watch the various Tour de France stages in strategic locations Various pre-mapped riding options with GPX files and maps The services of our Sports Tours representative What's not included: Your flights to and from Corsica 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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