SELF-GUIDED BIKE TOURS FROM DISCOVER FRANCE -- NEW DOLLAR-STRETCHING PROGRAMS IN ALSACE AND LANGUEDOC OFFER UP CULTURAL CONTACT, BEAUTIFUL VISTAS

Week-Long Tours are First-Class Trips Starting at Just $795. Meticulously Planned Itineraries Allow Travelers to Experience France Beyond the Tourist Clichés

Scottsdale, AZ, January 7, 2003 - Out beyond Paris and its immediate surroundings, France is a quilt of distinctive regions and cultural differences. The natives call it la France Profonde or 'Deep France.' Too few Americans venture into this land of varied and beautiful countryside, delectable cuisines and charming smaller cities and towns. But now Discover France's new self-guided bicycle tours will take travelers into the heart of two of France's most distinctive regions, the German-inflected borderland of Alsace and the languid, Spanish-influenced southern region of Languedoc. What's more, both trips are real deals.

These carefully arranged self-guided bike tours are the latest examples of Discover France's signature approach to France tourism. They combine the assurance of pre-arranged accommodations and meals - and what meals! - with the freedom to stray from the beaten path and get a real taste of local culture. Discover France self-guided itineraries are for people who don't think that being shepherded on and off a bus is the best way to travel; they are for people who want to meet the locals and want to stop and smell the flowers.

The new Alsace and Languedoc self-guided bike trips provide just these kinds of experiences. Each is a week-long immersion in a beautiful region with a distinctive culture that is expressed in architecture, art and food. While both are integral parts of France, Alsace and Languedoc have been shaped by very different histories and geographies. It is exactly these types of differences that Discover France self-guided bike tours are designed to celebrate and make accessible to travelers with just a soupçon of adventure.

The Trips

Alsace - This eight-day/seven-night self-guided bicycle itinerary is an introduction to France's eastern region of Alsace, situated on the German border. It is a beautiful area of rolling countryside that is equally famous for its beauty, its hearty cuisine and its wines.

The trip begins and ends in Strasbourg, a lovely city that is the seat of the European Parliament. Its proximity to Germany is obvious in the many half-timbered buildings in the old section known as "La Petite France." From there the trip takes cyclists along the Rhine Canal and northward through picturesque villages, into the lush wine-growing region. Alsatian wines, which are mostly white, are highly prized - among the famous names are Tokay and Gewurztraminer - and quite different from those produced elsewhere in France. Among the highlights of this trip is a stop in the city of Colmar, which is chockablock with Romanesque and Gothic art. Of special interest is the Musée d'Unterlinden and the old town, with its charming, winding streets. Another high point is the town of Riquewihr, one of the best-preserved and most charming wine towns in Alsace.

The accommodations on this trip are in intimate, family-owned properties chosen for their charm and warm welcome. In Colmar guests stay in the lovely, centrally located Hotel Beauséjour, operated by the Keller family since 1913. In Riquewihr, the 16th-century Hôtel de la Couronne, set in a meticulously restored 1550 building, is noted for its hospitality.

The Alsace self-guided bicycle tour is priced at $795 per person, double occupancy.

Languedoc - Here is the perfect way to get to know a beautiful, varied region that is little visited by Americans. This eight-day/seven-night self-guided bicycle trip begins at the medieval fortress of Carcassonne and ends in the charming, small Mediterranean city of Narbonne. In between is a land that includes the tranquil Canal du Midi, palm-studded beaches and the Corbières, an other-worldly expanse of hills where Cathars sought refuge from the Albigensian Crusade in the 13th century.

Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a double-walled fortress-city that played a part in Languedoc's turbulent history. Crossing the moat and walking through the gate is like stepping back hundreds of years in time and offers a real taste of life in a medieval city. From there, travelers head south along the Canal du Midi, a 300-year-old architectural marvel built in the 17th century to link the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. On Day 3 the destination is the ancient fortified village of Lagrasse, site of the 8th-century abbey of St. Marie d¹Orbieu.

The tour then heads into the Corbières, a hilly expanse of wild beauty that is also a large wine-producing region. The ride through this area presents many opportunities for wine tastings and for getting a sense of the region's long turbulent history. After that, the route heads for the Mediterranean coast and through picturesque villages like Roquefort-des-Corbières, an excellent place to taste the famous blue cheese. Then it's along the sunny coast with its beaches and seaside towns. The trip ends in Narbonne, first settled by the Romans and now an enchanting town with an excellent small museum and an imposing cathedral.

The hotels chosen for the Languedoc self-guided bike trip are charming and intimate family-run properties that show off the region's hospitality and excellent cuisine. The gastronomic highlight of the trip is a two-day stay in the village of Fontjoncouse, where celebrated chef Gilles Coujon has his two-Michelin-star restaurant and small hotel. Participants on this tour will enjoy two superb dinners prepared by chef Coujon, which are sure to be the dining experiences of a lifetime.

The Languedoc self-guided bicycle trip is price at $1,025, per person double occupancy.

What is Self-Guided Touring?

Long popular in Europe, self-guided touring is a compromise between lock-step group tours and being completely on one's own. The carefully planned bike tours from Discover France allow travelers to proceed at their own speed and with the flexibility to stop where they please. Behind this freedom is a lot of support, including baggage transfers between hotels, detailed route maps, guide books and additional assistance that is just a local phone call away.

Travelers on a Discover France self-guided bike tour reap the benefit of the company's years of experience and get an enjoyable and memorable vacation that is also an excellent value. Discover France picks smaller hotels and inns for their charm and the quality of their service, and chooses restaurants that serve excellent regional cuisine. The freedom of a self-guided bike tour also facilitates meeting local people, who are often anxious to point out interesting sights.

Advantages of Self-Guided Touring

Self-guided touring has several advantages over both traditional group tours and individual travel. They may be summed up as 'value' and 'choice.' They are good value because they are considerably more affordable than group tours; there is no bus or full-time guide to pay for. The 'choice' advantage has several aspects. First is choice of companions: Discover France clients travel with people they like, not with a group of strangers. A couple wanting private time can have a Discover France trip all to themselves; others might want to travel with family or a group of friends. Discover France arranges its self-guided tours to suit the number of people, with a minimum of just one or two participants. Equally important is choice of timing: Because there is no pre-assembled tour group, Discover France clients can go whenever it suits them, either because they prefer a certain time of the year or because of their work schedule. Choice of accommodations is third: Discover France works with clients on an individual basis, so travelers can choose the level of accommodations they prefer. Lodging options run the gamut from simple, intimate family-run properties to deluxe chateaux-hotels. Finally, Discover France offers self-guided tours in many regions of France, many more than traditional tour companies, which tend to stick to certain well-traveled areas.

Self-guided tours offer freedom with security. Discover France clients are free to follow their fancy, to stop along the way when something interests them. At the same time, they are secure in the knowledge that their accommodations have been carefully chosen and that advice and assistance are just a phone call away. The company even rents cell phones. Another thing not to worry about is baggage, which the Discover France support staff transfers between hotels. Third, Discover France clients know where they will be staying each night of their trip and dinner reservations assure them that each day will end with an excellent meal. Luncheon arrangements can also be made. All in all, Discover France self-guided tours offer complete peace of mind.

Discover France

Established in 1994, Discover France specializes in France tourism. The company offers self-guided tours designed to provide travelers with real insight into life in the country's diverse regions. From the south's torrid Mediterranean climate to the snow-capped Alps in the east and the Spanish-inflected southwest, France is a tapestry of changing colors and tastes. In every area, Discover France clients sample local abundance and meet artisans who are continuing the traditional agricultural practices and crafts that have enriched French life for centuries.

Discover France offers trips geared for every level of physical activity. The company also features self-guided walking, driving and cooking tours. By whichever mode of locomotion, Discover France has a trip that will appeal to those who want a different experience of France.

Additional Information

The Alsace self-guided bicycle tour includes seven nights in intimate, family-run properties, transfer to Strasbourg at tour's end, baggage transfers between hotels, maps and tour information, local emergency service and support, orientation upon arrival, bike delivery and pickup. Meals provided include breakfasts and dinners.

The Languedoc self-guided bicycle tour includes seven nights' accommodations in small country hotels, all breakfasts, six dinners (two of which are in a two-star Michelin restaurant), a personalized welcome and orientation, baggage transfers between hotels, route orientation and maps, local emergency service, a wine tasting session, and transfer to Narbonne on Day 8.

A note about physical fitness. These are bicycle trips and participants should be able to spend several hours on a bike each day. The Alsace tour traverses rolling countryside, averaging 27 miles per day, much of it over well prepared bicycle paths. The Languedoc trip is more difficult as it involves hilly terrain, some of it rather steep. Prospective travelers should take these factors into account when choosing an itinerary.

For reservations or additional information, contact Discover France, tel: 800-960-2221 (valid in the U.S. and Canada); Web site: www.discoverfrance.com.