The standard package is just over a week, running from any Friday (morning or lunchtime departure from Dover) to the Sunday afternoon just over a week later. For most people, it's 6 days' leave from work.
The deal includes;
Return ferry crossings, normally with P&O, Dover / Calais
Hotels (half-board) on outward and return journeys, (INCLUDES 3 course meal on outward AND return journey now)
7 nights at La Petite Auberge (B&B) OR a self-catering "chalet" option in Bourg
Marked up maps & suggested routes provided (including day rides)
Coordination service - puts you in touch with others travelling at same time, if you want someone to ride down with (by mutual consent)
2010 Pricing – Full Hotel Deal, or self-catering “Chalet” alternative.
2010 Prices for Alps “DIY” trips. Hotel Deal for 9 nights.
2 on one bike, shared room (friends or a couple)
Return Ferry,
Mussy hotel, half board
LPA hotel, x 7 nights B&B
Dizy hotel HB
Marked Maps & Routes
Grand total £900
By 2 = £450 each
2 riders, shared twin or double room
Return Ferry,
Mussy hotel, half board
LPA, x 7 nights B&B
Dizy HB
Marked Maps & Routes
Grand Total £957
By 2 = £479 each
1 rider, own room
Return Ferry,
Mussy hotel, half board
LPA, x 7 nights.
Dizy HB
Marked Maps & Routes
Grand Total (no-one to split cost with!so £620
Same duration & destination, but “chalet” style mobile home instead of a hotel in Bourg St Maurice
“Alpine Chalet” for 4 people at Le versoyen
4 riders, 4 bikes, shared twin rooms en-route, 4 in chalet
Return Ferries x4
Mussy 4 people half board
Chalet Louisiane for 7 nights
Dizy hotel Half Board, 4 people
Marked Maps & Routes
Grand Total for 4 riders £1600
By 4 = £399 each
DIY Same trip, but “Alpine Chalet” for THREE RIDERS at Le versoyen
3 riders, 3 bikes, shared twin / triple rooms if poss in hotels (or 2 rooms), 4 in chalet
Return Ferries x3
Mussy hotel Half Board
Louisiane for 7 nights
Dizy hotel HB
Marked Maps & Routes
Grand Total £1340
By 3 = £446 each
Same duration & destination, but “chalet” style mobile home instead of hotel)
DIY Same trip, but “Alpine Chalet” for just 2 people in large chalet at Le Versoyen
2 people, 1 bike, shared twin rooms, 2 in chalet (couple on one bike)
Return Ferries x1 with pillion
Mussy half board hotel double
Louisiane chalet for 7 nights
Dizy HB
Marked Maps & Routes
Grand Total £1010
By 2 = £499 each
Same duration & destination, but “chalet” style mobile home instead of hotel)
DIY Same trip, but “Alpine Chalet” for just 2 people (2 bikes) in large chalet at Le Versoyen
2 riders, 2 bikes, shared twin rooms, 2 in chalet
Return Ferries x2
Mussy HB £120
Louisiane for 7 nights
Dizy HB
Marked Maps & Routes
Grand Total £1075
By 2 = £537 each
If money is really tight, I could knock off another £40 or £50 by using Formula One or Etap hotels on the outward & return journeys. It's a false economy. These places are fairly unpleasant* and not worth the cost saving when you’re on holiday.
The prices above include breakfasts while in hotels and a really nice 3 or 4 course evening meal on the outward AND return journeys now.
See articles on right for even better value camping alternatives and more detail - contact me for more info. I'm happy to talk you through it on the telephone.
Itinerary - flexible - I book your ferries and hotels - you are free to decide your exact route and schedule. However, my tried & tested plan, below, works well, and I'll supply you with the routes and maps I normally use myself.
Friday (day 1) - Take morning or lunchtime ferry from Dover to Calais.
Ride approx 300 miles to our hotel in a medieval village SE of Troyes.
Saturday - ride the remaining distance to Bourg St Maurice - approx 300 miles.
7 nights in Bourg, with suggested rides in the mountains and into Italy and Switzerland (optional extra - guided rides by Robin on his Triumph Speed Triple)
The following Saturday, ride 400 miles up through France to a hotel in Sezanne or Dizy.
Sunday (day 10) ride the remaining distance (approx 200 miles) to Calais to catch an early afternoon ferry back to Dover.
* Why don’t I use the very cheapest hotel rooms?
- “Fairly unpleasant”. Why do I say this?
- Why don’t I recommend Formula One, or Etap, or Mister Bed, or even the slightly better Premiere Classe hotels on a motorcycle tour?
- Location. These are usually built on an industrial estate on the outskirts of a big city.
- Soul-less, and no character. A lot of plastic.
- The cheaper ones usually have no bar or restaurant. Nowhere to sit and relax with your friends. Not a place to spend a pleasant & convivial evening. No fun for a group of travelling bikers. Sitting down together for a nice meal & a few glasses is part of the holiday.
- Where there actually is a restaurant on the premises or close by, think “Little Chef”, ratjher than Egon Ronay.
- These hotels are like a downgraded Travel Lodge or Premier Inn – OK and functional – but in my opinion you can do much better for a few Euros more.
On the plus side, what are the benefits of the Formula One type of hotel?
- Cheap – although not quite the bargain they once were, with current poor exchange rates.
- Good for late arrival - reception is often manned up until around midnight, and after this you can auto-check-in with your credit card any time through the night. If your UK card is accepted J
- Anonymous. If you want to be seen by no-one, speak to no-one, nor socialise with anybody else either. Ideal for escaped serial killers & loners.
- I’ve used them many times on ski trips – taking a late ferry out of the UK, get an hour's CAR driving under my belt, check in after midnight, get 7 hours kip, then straight back on the motorway to reach the Alps by late afternoon. Does the job in certain circumstances, bu tnot ideal for a Bike Tour.
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