Some great comments from a former 2009 Tour de France client on how he chose our company:
1. Websites, brochures, and written references are nice, but you want to actually talk first-hand with someone who has traveled with the company before. Ask the tour director for a list of contacts that YOU yourself can choose from.
I can't agree more and this is why we routinely provide a list of references, quite often from a potential client's home town. It's essentially to contact people who have previously traveled with a company as they can provide an unscripted and unbiased review of TDF tours and its products.
2. Find out the size of the currently registered group (and what the expectations are before departure) and compare that number with previous years trips. Be wary of a tour company that has experience with smaller groups but has vastly increased their numbers for your trip.
This is an excellent point. In 2010, we chose to limit the group size to ensure that we maintain the right guide to client ration.
3. Prior to departure, ask for a final itinerary. Yes, a few things may still be up in the air, but most of the details SHOULD have been ironed-out before you actually leave.
Our final itinerary is available on our website and pre-trip materials are sent in February the year of travel.
4. Absolutely do not pay with a check! If things go horribly wrong, you have zero recourse for getting your money back. If the tour company insists on a check instead of a credit card, then find another tour company--period.
An excellent point. Fewer than 1% of our clients actually pay by check, preferring rather to pay with credit cards.
5. Make note of communication patterns with the tour company up to and prior to your date of departure as they are likely to manifest into a full blown issue when you are overseas.
I couldn't agree more. The longer the lag in communication, normally the more disorganized the company.
6. When you arrive at your destination, you should have a welcome kit with a final trip itinerary in your hotel room. No comments. Great point.
7. As it is a cycle tour, a huge concern of yours should be the bike you will be riding for the duration of your travel. If you shipped your own, you will need to schedule time with the tour mechanic/s to help assemble the bike and make sure everything works as it should.
We've discouraged clients from bringing their own bikes in 2010 as there were often delays in getting out for the first day's ride. For those who do, we ask that they complete our "Getting your bike ready" form and that they ship their bike to France so that it arrives at least 24 hours before the first day of the tour.
8. Make note of how the bikes are transported. Any and all vehicles transporting your bikes should have the appropriate bike rack or trailer.
In 2010, we'll have several modes of transportation including our vans with roof racks, trailers, and for those bringing their own bikes, a cube van that can fit their bike boxes.
9. Be wary of last-minute changes to lodging and/or itinerary. When traveling in France during the tour, hotels, restaurants, and attractions book-up solid.
I can't imagine any company trying to book hotels just days (or weeks) before the Tour. This is why TDF Tours pre-books its hotels in September/October the year before the tour.
Posted by Ryan King, http://www.tdf-tours.com/
