Day 1, Wednesday 31 March,

Brussels, Belgium

Welcome to the home of cycling. 

On arrival in Brussels, customs are more likely to ask you what cycle team you support than what’s in your bags. To say they’re passionate about their cycling is an understatement. You’ll see that in the next 2 weeks.

We would encourage you to arrive a day or 2 early (we’ll book your extra accommodation). The agenda is full and missing a couple of days with jetlag wouldn’t be great. 

Today is easy, our hotel is located at the airport. We'll help you put all the bikes together. If you have hired a bike, then we'll make sure you are comfortable.

Tonight, we drive into Brussels for a quick walk through the old town, before sitting down for a fantastic feast, supplemented by Belgian beer and Belgium chocolates. This trip is no weight-loss program. We'll introduce the team and talk through the next two weeks.

/ Meals included - Dinner
/ Hotel - Brussels Airport

Day 02, Thursday 1 April

Oudenaarde, Belgium

It's all about the cobbles. We start with a tour highlight. On past tours we found a cycling shop that is simply the best in the world. They even put on free coffee for us. We spent an hour there and the only complaint was that it wasn't long enough. It really is a must and a great way to start our trip together.

After the bike shop, we head to the Ronde van Vlaanderen Centre. An interactive cycling-themed museum devoted to the Tour of Flanders. You simply can't go to this part of the world without visiting. It has its own café and even the sugar comes in UCI World Champion colours.

This afternoon is all about getting on that bike for a leisurely ride of 50km. We'll target some of the Tour of Flanders Sportive course so there will be plenty of cobbles to practice on. The cobbles in Belgium are nice when compared with France (hmm).

Team Macchiato (non-riders) - we won't make you follow us to a bike shop. You visit the world-famous Atomium, and what is considered one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Europe, the ornate Grand Place. It’s the centre of Brussels, where many historic buildings dating from the 17th century are located.

Our next four nights are spent in the magnificent city of Bruges. If you like chocolate and beer, then you are in luck. Bruges is quite possibly the most beautiful city we visit on any of our tours. Can't wait to get back there.

/ Meals included - Breakfast and Dinner
/ Hotel – Bruges

Day 3, Friday 02 April

Exploring Bruges

Today, we spend some quality time in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Bruges.

Yes, we'd like to get a good ride under our belts. The plan is to ride along the canal which features many WW1 bunkers. A new experience for a lot of us. We can pretty much turn around when you've had enough.

Team Mac - embarks on a journey through the Belgian countryside to Ghent. Also, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit St. Bavo Cathedral, home to the world-famous Mystic Lamb painting, and take a walking tour of Ghent's churches and castles, including Gravensteen Castle. You then join the cyclists back in Bruges. 

If you wanted to design a fairy-tale medieval town, it would be hard to improve on central Bruges (Brugge in Dutch). Picturesque, cobbled lanes and dreamy canals link photogenic market squares lined with soaring towers, historic churches and old whitewashed houses.

This afternoon, we've booked two local walking guides to show us around and we also hop on a canal boat. There will also be plenty of time to visit one of many breweries on offer. Dinner is back at the hotel as we prepare for tomorrow's adventure.

/ Meals included - Breakfast and Dinner
/ Hotel – Bruges

PS, at some stage we will need to sign on for the Fondo tomorrow. It’s also a good chance to pick up souvenir t-shirts, etc.

Day 4, Saturday 03 April

Tour of Flanders Sportive

Tomorrow sees the 111th edition of the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Tour of Flanders). Possibly the most famous of cycling's legendary monuments.

The day before the pros battle it out, a sportive is held to allow weekend warriors to share the experience of riding the famous cobbles. There are a variety of distances to choose from.

230km is the big dog and that starts in Brugge (near our hotel) and finishes in Oudenaarde. There’s also a more social 80 to 160km which starts and finishes in Oudenaarde. Totally up to you. You choose and we’ll make it happen.

Offering a smorgasbord of cyclists from all over the world - it's more than just a bike ride. We encourage you to meet as many cyclists as you possibly can. Spain, Japan, Italy, Russia and Canada - you name it. Shake a hand, kiss a baby and then let's have a beer together at the finish. All 14000 riders will be there.

Team Mac - today you head for the coastal city of Ostend. The central city is gorgeous; however, most people visit this region to see the Atlantic WW1 Wall museums. There are also markets, plazas and, of course, tall ships like the Mercator. You certainly won't be bored. Or, if you decide that you want to be at the finish line to support your loved one then we can easily make that happen. Flexibility is the key.

/ Meals included - Breakfast (Lunch and Dinner are own arrangements)
/ Hotel – Bruges

Day 5, Sunday 04 April

Tour of Flanders Spring Classic

Simply put - a special day. 

We'll head off early on the bus as we want you to experience the race start in Antwerp. It's a must and a very rare occasion that you can get up close and personal with the professional teams before they set off on a hectic 260km. You can certainly see how nervous they are. With a valid reason.

We’ll then have a cunning plan to get you as close as possible to one of Belgium’s famous bergs. Sit back and relax for the rest of the afternoon as you watch the race unfold. There are numerous big screens, beer and, of course, the cobbles will be only metres away.

We’ll probably finish up in Oudenaarde, which is where the race winners’ presentations are made. To say it’s a party is an understatement.   

Yes, a big day, but I can guarantee that you won't be disappointed. It's our last night in Bruges. We suggest walking into the old part of town for dinner (that’s if we don’t stay in Oudenaarde).

/ Meals included – Breakfast and Lunch (Dinner is own arrangements)
/ Hotel - Bruges

Day 6, Monday 05 April

Northern France and Moet et Chandon

Day 7 & 8 (06 & 07 April)

Time to explore the Champagne region

Feedback from earlier trips is that there could have been a couple of days which offered bigger mileage. Well, we've listened and picked one of the most beautiful regions in France. Today and tomorrow, we’ll offer rides up past the three digits. There will obviously be shorter rides for those not wanting to go long.

Team Mac - you pretty much have two days to explore. You will be in the van rather than on a bike. There's the fantastic Montagne de Reims Regional Park where the cyclists will be. We will also visit the Lighthouse of Verzenay. From the top, it’s a 360-degree view. What of? Champagne Vineyards. Speaking of, as we don't have any WW1 visits, there's plenty of time to visit one of the many Grand Champagne Houses.

Both cyclists and Team Mac visit Hautvillers. One of the most beautiful villages in the area. Here we will find the famous Church of Hautvillers where it is said that the Abbot Dom Pérignon discovered the process of fermenting and how to make a drink with bubbles.

On one of the evenings, we’ll dine in Reims. One of the most beautiful cities in France and capital city of the Champagne region.

/ Meals included - Breakfast (Dinner own arrangements on both nights)
/ Hotel - Champagne Region

Day 9, Thursday 08 April

Day 10, Friday 09 April

Paris-Roubaix Sportive registration & exhibition

Yesterday was busy, so let's just relax a bit today. It's all about tomorrow's event.

Let's keep the legs turning over. Nothing too serious but we will get to check out the French Cobbles. Maybe a quick preview of the Forest of Arenburg perhaps? It's likely we'll see some pro teams out riding the course too.

This afternoon, we head to the Paris-Roubaix Sportive registration and exhibition. A visit to the famous Velodrome, those showers and the Roubaix Museum. It's certainly your best chance to buy souvenirs.

Team Mac - there's absolutely nothing exciting for you to do at the Fondo registration.  We'd like to take you to Le Tri Postal. Initially devoted to sorting mail, it was transformed at the Lille 2004 European Capital of Culture to be now a must for contemporary art. Perhaps a cooking class or a guided hop-on hop-off bus tour? The Team Mac guide will show you plenty of options.

There are lots of questions prior to the Paris-Roubaix Sportive. Let's meet for a drink prior to dinner where we'll talk about the day.

/ Meals included - Breakfast and Dinner
/ Hotel - Lille

Day 11, Saturday 10 April

Paris-Roubaix Sportive - 70, 145 or 172km?

It's important to remember that this is a holiday (of sorts) and because of that we are suggesting that you choose one of the shorter Fondo options. Both the 70 and 145km start and finish at the Roubaix Velodrome. Both include cobbles, although it is certainly more of a ride than a race. Whatever you choose, this is a bucket-list ride that will be the envy of all your friends back home.

You'll get a chance to ride with over 5000 other cyclists today. If it's the mystic Forest of Arenberg that you want, then you'll need to pick the 145km option. Certainly, you'll be fit enough by now. Let's hope for good weather.

Team Mac - wave us off then tour the highlights of Lille, an historic French city on the Belgian border. Learn more about the history of Lille, founded in the 11th century and influenced by several cultures over the centuries before at last becoming French. See the evidence the Flemish, Burgundian and Spanish left on the city in Lille's varied architectural styles, among other things. Lille's top sights include the Old City, the Grand Palace, the Town Hall and Belfry.

Team Mac - we simply need you at the finish. Yes, some of us will be hurting. You'll be required for support as well as a few hugs.

Tonight, we dine together and discuss the plan for tomorrow. The pros will be anxious.

/ Meals included - Breakfast and Dinner
/ Hotel – Lille

Day 12, Sunday 11 April

Paris - Roubaix Grandstand view (V.I.P)

The plan for today is to change nothing from previous tours. It's simply a fantastic day watching the sport we love. There's no point in heading to the race start. It's a 3-hour drive away and you would have seen the Flanders start.

Our plan is to drive to the first of the cobble sections. The pros will have been riding for 100km before they see their first bit of pave. It's an awesome atmosphere as we join a few thousand French in a tiny town. Back on the coach please - just in time for happy hour. It's only a short 90min drive to the most famous velodrome in the whole world.

We've booked the same velodrome seats as previous years. Which are literally on the finish line. You've got a big screen and, of course, liquid refreshments to enjoy. I will never ever forget Peter Sagan winning in 2018. He crossed the line only 5 metres from where we were sitting.

Same again please, MVDP.

/ Meals included - Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
/ Hotel - Lille

Day 13, Monday 12 April

Our last full day on tour

We really want to finish with a nice bike ride. We spend the day in the Brabantse Pijl region, which is only about 30km away from the big city of Brussels but literally could be on the other side of the country. The ride will be around the 75km mark.

This afternoon we pack down the bikes. Our French guides leave us. Job well done. Thanks guys.

Team Mac - a visit to Leuven, with the grandiose Town Hall, and the home to many unique and beautiful buildings that surround this Grand Square. Often described as "gothic intimacy" with gorgeous buildings at every corner.

We've planned something special for our last night. Let's celebrate what a fantastic two weeks we've spent together. We'll even crack open some champagne. Oh, and eat chocolate and chips.

/ Meals included - Breakfast and farewell Dinner
/ Hotel – Brussels Airport

Day 14, Tuesday 13 April

Time to say au revoir

Our tour finishes after breakfast. Our hotel has an airport shuttle.

For some it's time to head home, while others will take some time in Brussels or head off to explore other parts of Europe.

Thank you for joining us on the adventure of a lifetime.

Safe travels for the remainder of your journey.