ORIGINAL

BICYCLE

TOUR

FRANCE

The French Riviera  Cycling and Sailing

Picture the Cote d'Azur, the gilded shore of France... soft sand beaches edged with gay cabanas... exotiularly beautiful scene on corniche roads through pretty resorts and past secluded beacc flowers perfuming the air... white limestone cliffs rising abruptly from the sea. Cycle leisurely along this spectaches, then inland to medieval towns perfectly preserved. Visit the casinos, the cozy ports and St.Tropez, the jewel of the Riviera. Explore France's first Roman coliseum, swim at Tahiti and Pampelonne, and return each night to your elegant sailing yacht manned by an internationally qualified crew. Dinner each evening, fresh from the sea, is prepared by your on-board chef.

Day 1 - Board our private yacht at Cannes and settle into your stateroom. Then join the group on deck for a toast as the crew lifts the sails and we head for the sea. Sail down this glorious coast stopping along the way for a swim, or windsurfing, dropping anchor in some secluded cove for a picnic followed by snorkeling or water skiing and arriving in St Raphael early for a good look around, or, you can choose to cycle following the corniche road winding along the sea. A spectacularly beautiful ride. Cyclists and sailors will meet in the port at St Raphael and dine on board. The dinner prepared by your on-board chef.

Day 2 - Cycle through Frejus with its Roman ruins and through fishing villages to Ste Maxime, a good place for a swim. Follow the palm-lined rim of the Golf of St Tropez to the jewel of the French Riviera, St Tropez. The port, filled with magnificent yachts, is one of the liveliest on the Mediterranean. Meet your ship at the port and join your shipmates for a fabulous dinner on board. Then get ready for an evening of music, artists and street performers.

Day 3 - Enjoy breakfast on deck and watch this famous harbor come to life. Cycle past the beaches of Pampelonne and Tahiti and over the Colep pass with sweeping panoramas of the south French coast. Then follow the corniche road to your yacht moored in the port of Cavalaire-sur-Mer and another evening of portside adventure.

Day 4 - Pedal out of Cavalaire along a beautiful coastline to Hyreres with its elaborate villas and 12th c. churches. After a fine dinner on deck, you may want to try your luck at the casino.

Day 5 - Cycle inland past great fields of cultivated flowers to Toulon, the French naval port. Then on to Bandol, a small village whose sheltered bay has transformed it into an elegant, quiet resort.

Day 6 - The cycling today is a treat. The road curves along the coast lined with palm trees, flowers, and oleander all the way to Cassis, a charming fisherman's' village famous for its white wine and its seafood. Tonight we'll enjoy a festive farewell dinner followed by an evening in one of the most charming little ports in the world.

Day 7 - We'll enjoy our last breakfast together on the deck of our floating palace.

Overnight Itinerary:  Cannes,  St Raphael,  St Tropez,  Cavalaire-sur-Mer,   Hyreres, Bandol,   Cassis

Average daily miles = 30

CHATEAU TOUR – $13,500

Single Supplement $2825

Includes all breakfasts and dinners

TOUR DATE:  May 18 - 24, Aug 30 - Sep 6