Hidden Treasure on the French Med Coast

Travel in rural France can be a challenge in winter when lots of hotels close so the owners can have a break or do fixups. So, its not always just a question of where to go, but what is open. For sure, lots of big towns and cities have plenty of lodging available but in the smaller more charming settings - even in hot spots like Gordes in Provence - have hotel closures in fall and winter months.

Well, one little spot that is relatively well known and where a hotel can usually be had, is the town of Cassis. Located on the mediterranean between Marseille and La Ciotat. It has its own charming little port that is surrounded by cafes, restaurants, and shops. They do even have a little Christmas market.

What can you do there in winter? Hiking is always possible, a number of grand randonee paths are accessible and follow a little the famous 'Calanques' toward Marseille. Cycling and mountain bike are also possible.

Where to stay; numerous options; but just overlooking the beach and away from the bustle of the port is the Mahoganey hotel and just below that is the Jardin d'Emile. Our clients have mostly preferred the Mahoganey, but in winter season the Emile can be quiet with fewer guests. The hallways are noisy at the Emile. Others include Les Roches Blanches, Jardins de Cassis. A decent 2 star in the center near the port is the Cassitel.

I love this town in the winter and fall period, especially around Christmas time. I would avoid the place as much as possible in July and August however. If you want to go, you can best get there by car rental, but also trains from Marseille are frequent. Parking in Cassis is a moderate challenge, but not too bad in fall/winter, however in summer 'c'est l'enfer'!

For more info and event dates; see the local office of tourism website: http://www.ot-cassis.com/

Multisport Tour in Provence

Cycling, hiking, canoeing, mountain biking, and zip lining! All in one tour! Pretty cool, and the best part is that you don't have to be an expert in any of these disciplines. All this, and in the surroundings of sunny Provence. This trip is currently a finalist with National Geographic Adventure for their Best Trips of 2009. BOOK THIS TRIP FOR 2009 before November 1st, and we'll give you 100 euros off!

That offer is not going to be published anywhere else, except here in this blog. The blog is distributed to email inboxes and RSS feeds, but you won't find it on the website.

Some of the trip highlights include:

Pont du Gard - cycle to the famous site and later canoe on the river that runs under the Pont.

St Remy de Provence - hiking in the Alpilles to Baux de Provence and back to St Remy

Luberon - Le Colorado - an amazing red rock area similar to some place in Utah where you can do some non-technical mountain biking

Of course these areas of Provence are also well known for their artists, the wine, the sun, the cuisine, and the 'art of living'.

The trip is a 7 night package and is self guided, so it can go any date subject to hotel availability. The only caveat is that this trip needs a minimum 4 persons to make the transfer costs affordable. More people - more discount! See details:

http://www.discoverfrance.com/regions/provence_cycling_tour_sgp2.html

Discover France Adventures

www.discoverfrance.com

2009 Tour de France

Yes, OMG, Lance has announced his return! Its great news for cycling fans and travel companies for sure. Since the rumor on Monday and the official news on Tuesday, our inquiries for going to see the Tour in 2009 have taken a 5 fold increase in a few days.

So, to add momentum to the mounting frenzy, here is the best place to get info on the 2009 Tour - what we know for the moment:

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/grand_depart_2009.html

The Tour will start in Monaco on July 4th and do a 2nd stage on July 5th. Team presentations and lots of activities will preceed the July 4th start. The first 2 stages will be impressive with a beautiful seaside city of royalty hosting including the use of part of the Monaco Grand Prix course. Oh, and it isn't flat on that coastline!

The rest of the route remains a mystery until it is announced officially at the end of October in Paris. We are making advance preparations, including the blocking of space, but there is still time to quote and book private group trips. There are a number of ways to see the Tour, and we have some ideas on how to do it without it being too exhausting.

All of our tours for 2009 at the "French Grand Tour" will be cycling tours. We have no plans to offer spectator tours. Contact us if you have a private group and want to quote a program, or if you want to join a group and need details about what will be available.

info@cyclingclassics.com

Alright now, can we be patient and wait til the end of October?

Regards,

Loren

www.cyclingclassics.com

800-960-2221

New Blog Domain & Title

The long running blog that has been used to publish announcements and commentaries has now a new domain name!

http://www.discoverfrance-adventures.com now instead of the old http://flognblog.blogspot.com

It was long overdue, and is more relevant. The blog will continue to focus on cycling and hiking tours but mostly in France, and France travel.

Lance Armstrong Coming Back?!

Velo News is reporting today that Lance Armstrong will come back and race for Astana in 2009. They cite "sources" and rumors in the article, but it sounds pretty credible. Armstrong is 37 years old now and that would be considered old in the pro peloton, but he wouldn't be the first, or oldest by any means. Tyler Hamilton just won the US Pro RR Championships at age 37, and Armstrong himself gave an impressive performance at the Leadville 100. He's a machine at his age, but curiously, he says he will race for no compensation. Uh, that to me means direct compensation from Team Astana. The media circus likely generated and all the endorsements to follow will be fine for him I'm sure. Its not like pro cyclists get paid a lot to beat themselves up daily on the bike. Whatever the reason, who cares.

This story will give his targeted races some new energy and bring cycling some more news - hopefully positive. It'll help charge up some tour sales too - thank you very much!

L