2023 Grand Depart Spectator

Welcome to Spain! We will be meeting in the lobby of our group hotel in the late afternoon. Our hotel is ideally located on the river and a ten minute walk to the famous Guggenheim museum. We will spend two nights in Bilboa and will be close to the busy energy of le Tour.

Tonight we’ll enjoy welcome dinner in the hotel restaurant. In addition to meeting our fellow travel guests at dinner, we’ll go over the itinerary for our Grand Depart trip. Each guest will receive a gift from Custom Getaways and from Tour de France. You will also receive a discount card for 30% off official le Tour merchandise.

After breakfast we will embark on a leisurely stroll to the Start Village of today’s stage. You will love the energy of the start of this year’s Tour de France. Bilboa makes its first appearance on the race map for le Tour and has also hosted the Tour of Spain (Vuelta a Espana) on 37 occasions. You will have VIP access to the Start Village with coffee, snacks, tour officials and merchandise tents. You will also be able to see the riders interviewed at the sign-in stage before they begin their three week journey through Spain and France.

In the afternoon, the group will walk to the Guggenheim museum. Designed by US architect Frank Gehry, the museum is a large sculpture made of titanium, limestone, and glass, and has become the most recognizable icon of the city of Bilbao. You will have a chance to explore the exhibits within the museum at your own pace.

Dinner is not included tonight, so it is a perfect opportunity to explore Bilbao and find a cool place for local cuisine.

We will have a little free time this morning before we make the short drive to San Sebastian. This charming town, also known as the “Pearl of the Cantabrian coast”, is a favorite of tourists from all over the world.

The official podium will be our first stop once we arrive into San Sebastian. We’ll have the opportunity to take pictures on the podium individually and as a group. After the podium, we will view the finish of Stage 2 in the Izoard VIP venue. TV’s are located within the Izoard venue where we will watch the racers make the 8 kilometer ascent of the Jaizkibel before the race passes us on the way to the finish line. This venue has snacks, drinks, beer, champagne, TVs and private restrooms…a great way to see the race!

Our hotel is within walking distance from the finish area. After check-in and freshening up, we’ll enjoy another group dinner tonight.

Being within walking distance to “Old Town” is ideal as this morning we will tour San Sebastian and see some of the sights that have attracted tourists for many centuries.

Today’s stage begins in Amorebieta-Extano, Spain and finishes in Bayonne, France. Luck for us, the race will pass through San Sebastian. We will find a place in town to view the race. Although most days we have VIP access, it is also fun to experience the race with the locals and feel their passion and energy.

You’ll be on your own tonight for dinner in San Sebastian. We recommend the fresh seafood!

After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll say hasta luego to San Sebastian and set our sights on France. We will transfer to the town of Lourdes in the French Pyrenees mountains.

Lourdes is located in a valley with a beautiful river running through it. This afternoon, you’ll tour the world famous grotto and cathedral. Both the grotto and cathedral are located very close to our 4* hotel. These sites attract pilgrims from around the world.

The town of Lourdes has many restaurant choices and you’ll be on your own for dinner tonight.  We recommend the cassoulet, a local favorite.

Today our race viewing is very unique. Close to the town of Laruns, will be the Relais Etape VIP venue. This venue is located along the course and serves an excellent 4-course meal with water, soft drinks, beer, wine and champagne. Another nice feature of this venue is that the caravan passes right in front and throws gifts to the crowds. After the caravan passes, you will be have a great view of the racers as they pass.

After returning to Lourdes, we will have our farewell dinner in town.

Your guide will drop you at the Lourdes train station in the morning or you have the option to book and stay with us for the Running of the Bulls extension in Pamplona, Spain.

We hope to see you again soon!