Our 2010 tour calendar begins with arguably our most luxurious tour, encompassing fine French cuisine, superb accommodation, and truly spectacular scenery.
Named in honour of the adrenalin junkies who go B.A.S.E (Bridges, Antennas, Spans and Earth) jumping we make sure that you'll feel every bit as invigorated as those guys without needing to resort to a parachute. There's something for everyone on this tour, from exhilarating mountain passes to relaxing luxury hotels.
If you've never been on a European tour before it's the ideal introduction for singles and couples. You can take it easy or push on, the choice is yours. With two support cars, friendly and helpful tour managers, sat nav files, walkie talkies, detailed route notes and info pack we'll make sure you're well taken care of. We even include evening meals as well as breakfast at every hotel including a black tie dinner on Day 4.
A relatively quick motorway section to get us south, avoiding Paris, before we peel off the Autoroute and enjoy some twisty countryside roads on the way to our first overnight stay, an 800-year-old monastery overlooking the Loire river.
After a hearty breakfast on the terrace overlooking the river, we fuel up and head further south, slicing through the hills of the Auvergne on the way to the canyons of the Gorges Du Tarn and our next gourmet meal in a magnificent hotel.
A short drive along the river Tarn and we find ourselves humbled by the sheer majesty of the Millau Bridge. Needless to say, there is ample time for a photo opportunity at the visitors centre before we continue on our journey, heading East now, into the foothills of the southern Alps.
We begin the day with a dawn raid (optional) up the Tour De France special stage which is up the eastern side of Mont Ventoux, a sinuous piece of perfect tarmac with razor sharp hairpins and short, hard straights which lead us up to the summit, crested with a large antenna array and a simply breathtaking view. Fear not, if you miss the dawn raid, we'll simply come back after breakfast and do it again! Once we descend the western side of the mountain we then turn north towards our next hotel, a 14th century chateau deep in the Burgundy vineyards and with it's own spa and pool facilities. Once again we are wined and dined in finest French tradition as we host our very own "black tie" dinner.
After a good nights sleep we head north once more, using the fine French autoroute network to take us deep into the Picardy region and our final hotel, another chateau - again with a heated swimming pool, sauna, tennis court, and gym.
Our final day provides two choices - a leisurely morning in bed, with a short hop to the Eurotunnel OR a scintillating drive through the Seven Valleys on the way to the very same Eurotunnel crossing. Either way will see us all back in the UK for a late lunch on the Saturday before parting company with friends old and new.
