FAQ - RIVIERA DRIVING TOURS

Riviera Driving Tours
Convertible adventures on the Côte D’Azur

“Fun, fun, fun! What an awesome way to see the beautiful French Riviera! Sign us up again!
Margaret A. - Spring 2019

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This trip sounds really fun, but I’m not a “group trip” type of person. How does a Riviera Driving Tour differ from other group trips?

Guests should always feel free to explore on their own if they wish. Most people, though, find that driving around the south of France rally style is much more fun than doing it alone. A convoy of sports cars attracts a lot of attention, smiles, and photo opportunities!

Why do you provide round-trip airport transfers? Wouldn’t it be easier to just pick up the car at the airport?

We want to take the hassle out of transatlantic arrivals, so cars are delivered to the hotel. Upon arrival at Nice Cote D’Azur airport you’ll be met in the arrivals terminal and transferred to the hotel.

How large, or small, will the group be?

The group will consist of at least 4 cars (plus the lead car) and no more than 7 cars.

Tell me about the hotel.

Riviera Driving Tours is currently based just down the road from the medieval village of St Paul de Vence (about 35 minutes northwest of Nice) at the Hotel La Grande Bastide. La Grande Bastide is a small, elegant property with spectacular views across the valley to St Paul and beyond to the Mediterranean. It has WiFi, a lovely, heated pool, and bar and food service.

PLEASE NOTE: We do ask that each couple provides the hotel with one valid credit card upon check-in. This is to ensure a smooth check-out and avoid any confusion about charges for misc drinks, etc. Misc drinks and unscheduled meals are not included in the tour price.

What are the cars like?

Riviera Driving Tours has contracted with a local agency to provide Mini Cooper Cabriolets or Porsche Boxster 718's for each of our trips. Cars are delivered to the hotel on the first driving day of the trip and picked up after your departure on the final day. Vehicles are never more than six months old and have very low mileage. Navigation Systems and tour booklets ensure that, should you split from the group, you’ll never be in doubt about your next destination.

Once I arrive at the hotel can I hop in my car and go?

Guests arrive on Wednesday and vehicles are available on the afternoon of the first driving day (Thursday). We like to schedule a rest day upon arrival to help mitigate the effects of jet lag. You will have to endure a quick vehicle orientation and sign one or two forms on Thursday before we hit the road.

Are fuel and insurance included in the trip price?

Fuel is included in the price.
Riviera Driving Tours purchases the maximum amount of insurance possible for each vehicle. In car rental lingo this means we “buy down the excess” to its lowest limit of 1,300 euros for the Mini Cooper and 3,900 euros for the Porsche Boxster, The excess is the maximum amount the renter (you) will be liable for should there be an accident. According to the terms of our agreement with the car rental company, the driver(s) is responsible for the excess. Before you embark on your trip Riviera Driving Tours will ask for the passport number of each driver as well as one valid credit card per vehicle. The credit card will be “blocked” (not charged) by the rental car company for the amount of 1,300 or 3,900 euros for the duration of the trip.

What should I pack?

We think it always makes sense to pack as lightly as possible when traveling. Nights can be cool in the mountains in spring and fall so a pullover or light jacket is recommended. Comfortable clothing and shoes make a great day even better. There will be a couple of meals you may want to dress up a bit for (we'll let you know when), but certainly nothing more formal than "business casual".

What’s a typical day like?

We’ll gather downstairs at the hotel between 9:00 and 9:30 in the morning (after breakfast) for a quick rundown of the day’s route (each one carefully designed to take advantage of light traffic conditions, days of the week, etc.). Then we drive! Each day has at least one or two destination points (a particular village or vineyard) where we’ll stop for lunch, a wine tasting, etc. Driving normally winds down in the late afternoon so that guests can have plenty of time to rest before heading out to dinner.

Each car will have a hand-held radio on board so that vehicles can communicate with each other during the day. Your lead car will also use the radio to provide information to the group regarding road hazards, speed-limits, etc. It is illegal in France to drive while talking on the phone (or using a hand-held radio) so the passenger in each vehicle should always be in charge of communication and navigation.

OK, I’m ready to book! What information do you need from me?

Please download the Welcome Packet for the Mini Cooper Tour here or the Porsche Tour here.
Review the material and fill out the requisite forms (all forms are in the Welcome Packet).
Scan and email the completed forms to Dirk Dominick at rivieradrivingtours@gmail.com.

We will need the following information in order to reserve your vehicle:
- Drivers license and passport information for each driver.
- One valid credit card per vehicle.
- A signed waiver for each guest.
- A 30% deposit (per person). Deposits are fully refundable until 90 days prior to the first day of the tour, at which time the full balance is due. Reservations made within the 90 day period will require payment in full.
  
  Credit card payments will incur an additional fee.
  
  Once your travel plans have been confirmed please send the Arrival/Departure form to Dirk Dominick at rivieradrivingtours@gmail.com.
  
  Space is limited so please confirm your reservation as soon as possible.
  
  Riviera Driving Tours reserves the right to alter the itinerary in cases of unforeseen circumstances such as inclement weather, road closings, etc.

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