loire valley/normandy france cycling trip 2020 · 2020 loire valley/normandy cycling tour fees...

15
Loire Valley/Normandy France Cycling Trip 2020 May 6 depart – May 12 return

Upload: others

Post on 15-Jul-2020

3 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Loire Valley/Normandy France Cycling Trip 2020 · 2020 Loire Valley/Normandy Cycling Tour Fees & Cancellations: DEPOSIT TO RESERVE A SPOT: $500 Cancel Fee return If you need to cancel

Loire Valley/Normandy France

Cycling Trip 2020 May 6 depart – May 12 return

Page 2: Loire Valley/Normandy France Cycling Trip 2020 · 2020 Loire Valley/Normandy Cycling Tour Fees & Cancellations: DEPOSIT TO RESERVE A SPOT: $500 Cancel Fee return If you need to cancel

Dear Friends,

Over the span of a decade, I have adventured with many of you through various

regions of Italy together and most recently back in May, we explored Umbria with its

hilly landscapes and charming medieval towns.

For 2020, I have been drawn to France.

Seventy five years ago on June 6, 1944, thousands of American soldiers and their

Allied nation comrades crossed the English Channel to attempt an invasion against the

near impregnable German enemy fortified coastline of Normandy France. It was a

desperate plan by the nations’ leaders of the time to wrestle back any small measure of

control of Western Europe from the grips of the evil Nazi empire. Those leaders also

estimated that once the fatal invasion launch order was given, thousands of these

young soldiers would never see home again – and sadly they were correct. On June

6th of this year 2019, the world recognized and celebrated in solemn reverence the 75

year anniversary of that special-yet-horrific day and to honor those soldiers whose

bravery and self-sacrifice ultimately led to the German army defeat in the months

following. I promise you this: there is no greater feeling of spine-tingling pride that can

bestow upon any American than standing silently in view Omaha Beach and the rows

of white crosses marking the home of the brave who died that day. That’s where we will

head this coming May.

However, we will start our ambitious cycling journey due south in the Loire Valley to

admire France’s historical castles, magnificent chateaux, historical towns, stunning

landscapes in the “Valley of the Kings” and home to some of my favorite wines

Savignon Blanc, Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume. And we will end our fantastic journey with

a celebratory dinner and evening in Paris, the City of Lights.

As always, non-cycling companions happily welcomed to join and be guided for a

‘deeper dig’ of those towns and local wonders while the cyclists ride.

John Profaci

[email protected] 908-468-7703

Page 3: Loire Valley/Normandy France Cycling Trip 2020 · 2020 Loire Valley/Normandy Cycling Tour Fees & Cancellations: DEPOSIT TO RESERVE A SPOT: $500 Cancel Fee return If you need to cancel

Loire Valley/Normandy France

Cycling Trip 2020 Details and Pricing

The itinerary following will be finessed in the weeks ahead following our scouting trip to France to review roads, locations for lunches, scenic stops, dinners and hotels. France is essentially “flat-to-slightly rolling” so we can cover a lot of distance each day. In fact, we will plan to break our own cycling trip distance barrier with a total of about 400 miles over 5 riding days. HOOYAH! Electric assist bikes are available for rent and as always plenty of vehicle support provided for those will who wish to ride less on some days. To get a look at France itineraries and compare value with other bike tour companies:

Ciclismo Classico: https://ciclismoclassico.com/tours/loire-valley/

Backroads https://www.backroads.com/trips/BBNI-9/brittany-normandy-france-biking-tour

Non-Cycling Companions: Once again, we are offering a “non-cycling” group tour of the region led by Kim. Those not cycling will enjoy a more relaxed but thorough experience of the towns and sites of interest while meeting up with the cyclists for lunch and later in the day at the destination towns. Transport will be provided with optional local tours when available.

Flights: If you wish to travel with the group from the airport to our hotel on May 7th, you need to either be with us on our group flight (below) or meet us at baggage when we arrive in order to get onto the Bus Shuttle to the Loire Valley. There are also numerous hourly scheduled trains heading to the Loire Valley from Paris as an option. Not required to fly with us but the preferred group flight is:

Departure: Air France flight AF007 departing JFK on May 6 at 7:00pm arriving Charles De Gaulle Airport Paris at 8:20am Thursday May 7.

Return: Air France flight AF010 departing Charles De Gaulle Airport Paris on May 12 at 4:15pm arriving JFK 7:20pm.

The chartered bus shuttle will be scheduled to depart as soon as our group has its luggage and hopefully NO LATER than 9:00am from Charles De Gaulle on May 7th in order to reach our hotel in Loire Valley by about 12 noon. Once we arrive at the hotel, we will meet our guides, set up on bikes and plan for an afternoon 35 or 65 mile “chateaux loop” ride.

Arriving ahead of time to Paris to explore on your own before our trip starts is always a great idea to acclimate to time zone change before the cycling starts. That excursion will be at your own additional expense of course!

Page 4: Loire Valley/Normandy France Cycling Trip 2020 · 2020 Loire Valley/Normandy Cycling Tour Fees & Cancellations: DEPOSIT TO RESERVE A SPOT: $500 Cancel Fee return If you need to cancel

Trip Cost:

*$2950 per person (single room) or $2700 per person if doubling up. Flight cost not included. The trip will be “self-guided” so you must have a Garmin/GPS unit with the routes uploaded and we can give instruction to those who haven’t don’t that before. We will have two support vehicles on the roads patrolling and call-reachable in case of injury, mechanicals or needs to pick up and shuttle riders for any reason – fatigue or otherwise.

- Cycling estimated at 400 miles and 10,000 elevation gain. - All-inclusive: ground transport to-and-from Paris Charles De Gaulle airport, rental race bike, single rooms in hotels, all breakfasts, all lunches, all dinners, water, beer and quality French wine during meals. Electric- assist bikes, Full Carbon bikes, route loaded GPS units, helmets all available for an upcharge.

Save your spot:

Deposit $500: to PV Sports and Wellness which will be 80% refundable until Nov 1 because we have now reserved rooms and will lose deposits starting November. Full Trip Payments are due January 1, 2020. We need to follow travel industry standard “payment and refund policies” as other tour companies to avoid losses. Deposits for rooms have already been made as its late in the planning already. Please review the chart below and let us know if you have any questions.

Checks made out and mailed to: PV Sports & Wellness 16 De Hart Road Maplewood, NJ 07040 Zelle and/or Venmo payments accepted as well.

2020 Loire Valley/Normandy Cycling Tour Fees & Cancellations: DEPOSIT TO RESERVE A SPOT: $500 Cancel Fee return

If you need to cancel before November 1, 2019 you will receive back: $400

If you cancel after November 1, unfortunately there will be no deposit return: $0

TRIP PAID IN FULL by January 1: $2950 single rooms /$2700 doubles Cancel Fee return

cancel before February 1, 2020 you receive back $1,850

cancel before March 1, 2020 you receive back: $1,000

cancel before April 1, 2020 you receive back: $500

after April 1, unfortunately there will not be any refunds: 0

* Note: If the final trip cost need to be adjusted up for any reason, we will provide the option to cancel with

100% refund of the deposit.

First come/first serve on spots and we will accept a total of 25. Please email me if you have any further questions. [email protected]

Thank you! John Profaci

Page 5: Loire Valley/Normandy France Cycling Trip 2020 · 2020 Loire Valley/Normandy Cycling Tour Fees & Cancellations: DEPOSIT TO RESERVE A SPOT: $500 Cancel Fee return If you need to cancel

Loire Valley/Normandy Cycling Trip 2020 Itinerary May 6-May 12

Have you ever dreamed of sleeping in a fairyland castle in an enchanted forest? If so,

here’s how to make your dream come true: Go online, research and reserve an evening

in your Loire Valley castle-of-choice for the evening of May 6th. Upon your morning flight

arrival to Paris that morning, take the Loire Valley train to either Ambois, Blois or Chinon

which are all nearby our group hotel on May 7. Pre-arrange your shuttle to your castle

and make it happen. Otherwise, keep dreaming and consider our group flight below:

May 6 - Depart JFK Airport on Air France AF007 at 7:00pm and arriving to Charles De

Gaulle Airport (CDG) in Paris at 8:20am on May 7

May 12 – Depart Charles De Gaulle Paris Airport (CDG) on Air France AF010 at 4:15pm

and arriving JFK at 7:20pm (same day)

Page 6: Loire Valley/Normandy France Cycling Trip 2020 · 2020 Loire Valley/Normandy Cycling Tour Fees & Cancellations: DEPOSIT TO RESERVE A SPOT: $500 Cancel Fee return If you need to cancel

Day 1: Loire Valley

Day 1: Thursday May 7 arrive to Paris and bus transport to the “Valley of the Kings”

Chateaux Chenonceaux

The Loire Valley has been coined “quintessential France” which still glows of former glory from

the Renaissance France era - rich with history, intrigue and drama of kings, queens, mistresses,

and knights in shining armor. The magnificent castles, walled fortresses, palaces and chateaux

from centuries ago are still intact. And coincidently, it is the location where Leonardo De Vinci

chose over Italy to spend the final years of his life.

8:20am: Group arrival into Paris on Air France Flight AF007 from JFK Airport. Our

private bus will meet for transport to Hotel et Spa Du Domaine des Thomeaux.

Hotel et Spa Du Domaine des Thomeaux

Page 7: Loire Valley/Normandy France Cycling Trip 2020 · 2020 Loire Valley/Normandy Cycling Tour Fees & Cancellations: DEPOSIT TO RESERVE A SPOT: $500 Cancel Fee return If you need to cancel

12:00pm: Check into our rooms and meet our cycling support guides who will set us up

on our rental bikes. Cycling routes will be planned for a 35 mile and 60 mile ride which

will direct us to the doorsteps of the notable chateaux including Cheverny, Blois,

Chaumont Sur Loire, Chenonceaux – depending on the distance you choose.

8:00pm: Welcome dinner at the hotel and a good night sleep.

Day 2: central France region of Alencon

Day 2: Friday May 8 - Loire Valley to Alencon 91 miles/3915 elevation

Today we start our scenic riding north through the beautiful central France countryside to

ultimately reach the shores of Normandy. Let’s get this party started!

Northern Loire Valley and Central France countryside

7:30am: Breakfast in our hotel, pack luggage and bring to lobby for pick-up.

8:00am sharp: Cyclists depart north and stop for an outdoor lunch tbd somewhere in

the northern Loire Valley countryside about 4 hours into our ride before continuing to

our hotel destination near the town of Alencon.

5:00pm: arrive to our hotel by the lake Les Etangs De Guibert. Dinner at 8:00pm

Les Etangs De Guibert

Page 8: Loire Valley/Normandy France Cycling Trip 2020 · 2020 Loire Valley/Normandy Cycling Tour Fees & Cancellations: DEPOSIT TO RESERVE A SPOT: $500 Cancel Fee return If you need to cancel

Day 3: Normandy Coast town of Bayeux

Day 3: Saturday May 9 - Alencon to Bayeux 85 miles/3225 elevation

Today we will continue our ride north and arrive into Normandy following a countryside lunch.

Our hotel Domaine De Bayeux is located in Bayeux which is a quaint and preserved town having

the distinction of being the first town to be liberated on D-Day. Unlike most French towns in the

region, Bayeux was spared bombing and destruction during the war and to this day the

sentiment “Vive l’Amerique” still resonates with the residents of this town. Tour expert Rick

Steves’ loves this town.

Bayeux

8:00am: Breakfast in our hotel, pack luggage and bring to lobby for pick-up.

8:30am sharp: Cyclists depart north to the city of Bayeux

1pm: Lunch in the countryside tbd

5pm: arrive to hotel Domaine de Bayeux

8:00pm: Dinner in the old center of town

Domaine de Bayeux

Page 9: Loire Valley/Normandy France Cycling Trip 2020 · 2020 Loire Valley/Normandy Cycling Tour Fees & Cancellations: DEPOSIT TO RESERVE A SPOT: $500 Cancel Fee return If you need to cancel

Day 4: D-Day sites and finish at Honfleur

Day 4: Sunday May 10- Normandy Coast to Honfleur 95 miles/3250 elevation

8:00am: Breakfast and luggage to lobby

8:30am sharp: Depart for Normandy memorial sites

This will be our Longest Day. We will start our day riding west to the historic beachhead called

Pont du Hoc to pay tribute to the fallen soldiers and observe the World War II Pointe du Hoc

Ranger Monument located on a cliff eight miles west of Normandy American Cemetery

overlooking Omaha Beach. It was erected by the French to honor the U.S. Army Rangers who

scaled the 100-foot cliffs and seized the German artillery pieces that could have fired on the

American landing troops at Omaha and Utah beaches. At a high cost of life, they successfully

defended against determined German counterattacks.

Pointe Du Hoc

Page 10: Loire Valley/Normandy France Cycling Trip 2020 · 2020 Loire Valley/Normandy Cycling Tour Fees & Cancellations: DEPOSIT TO RESERVE A SPOT: $500 Cancel Fee return If you need to cancel

We then ride back east for a quick stop at the infamous Omaha Beach landing site and

observe the Omaha Beach Memorial. We will continue to the Normandy American

Cemetery and Memorial where we will get off our bikes to spend 1.5 hour on our own to

visit. We will have access to our “day bags” and change shoes and clothes as desired.

Omaha Beach Memorial and American Cemetary

1:00pm after leaving the Memorial around noon, we will continue to ride beachside

and stop in Arromanches-les-Bain which is another historic site during the Normandy

landings where an artificial port was installed to unload tanks and other heavy

equipment.

Arromanches-les-Bain

Page 11: Loire Valley/Normandy France Cycling Trip 2020 · 2020 Loire Valley/Normandy Cycling Tour Fees & Cancellations: DEPOSIT TO RESERVE A SPOT: $500 Cancel Fee return If you need to cancel

Arrive to Honfleur for hotel and dinner

Honfleur is a cozy historical port town situated where the Seine River meets the English

Channel. It’s been in use by merchants and sailors since the Roman era and spared destruction

during both World Wars. Samuel de Champlain sailed from this port on his way to North

America in 1608 when he discovered the St. Lawrence River and Impressionist painters Monet

and Boudin have enjoyed time practicing their craft in Honfleur.

6:00pm: arrive to Honfleur and check-in to Les Maisons de Lea Hotel and Spa

Les Maisons de Lea Hotel and Spa

8:00pm: Dinner location in Honfleur port to be determined

Page 12: Loire Valley/Normandy France Cycling Trip 2020 · 2020 Loire Valley/Normandy Cycling Tour Fees & Cancellations: DEPOSIT TO RESERVE A SPOT: $500 Cancel Fee return If you need to cancel

Day 5: Final ride to Giverny and evening in Paris

Giverny is a village in the region of Normandy where Impressionist painter Claude Monet lived and

worked from 1883 until his death in 1926. The artist’s former home and elaborate gardens, where he

produced his famed water lily series, are now the Claude Monet museum.

images from Monet’s gardens

Day 5 Monday May 11- Honfluer to Giverny 77 miles/3400 elevation

8:00am: Breakfast and luggage to lobby

8:30am sharp: Depart for Giverny with a pre-determined ‘rest stop’ for a snack.

1:30pm: arrive to area of Monet’s Garden museum, give up our bikes, change into

regular clothes and enjoy a relaxed final lunch before heading to Paris.

Page 13: Loire Valley/Normandy France Cycling Trip 2020 · 2020 Loire Valley/Normandy Cycling Tour Fees & Cancellations: DEPOSIT TO RESERVE A SPOT: $500 Cancel Fee return If you need to cancel

4:30pm: Arrive by bus to the Paris

5:00pm: check into the luxury K+K Hotel Cayre located in the Saint-Germaine des Pres district which is a quaint neighborhood near the Musee D’Orsay, the Seine riverbank, the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre and Notre Dame. Arguably, the best location in Paris.

Saint Germaine des Pres district K+K Hotel Cayre

8:00pm Farewell Dinner at a restaurant to be determined

Day 6: Depart for home

Day 6: Tues May 12: Depart for Charles De Gaulle Airport for 4:15pm flight

Breakfast at hotel and time to explore some sites before the bus departure

12:30pm: Private bus from hotel to airport Bon Voyage!

Page 14: Loire Valley/Normandy France Cycling Trip 2020 · 2020 Loire Valley/Normandy Cycling Tour Fees & Cancellations: DEPOSIT TO RESERVE A SPOT: $500 Cancel Fee return If you need to cancel
Page 15: Loire Valley/Normandy France Cycling Trip 2020 · 2020 Loire Valley/Normandy Cycling Tour Fees & Cancellations: DEPOSIT TO RESERVE A SPOT: $500 Cancel Fee return If you need to cancel