Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reserve and pay for a trip?
You can reserve a trip any time up to one week before a trip begins as long as there’s space available. To reserve a trip, call us at 800-874-1153, seven days a week, 9am to 9 pm Eastern Time. Tour d’Epicure accepts Visa, MasterCard, American Express, personal checks, money orders, and cashiers checks. A deposit of $300 per person is required for Getaway Tours and $500 per person for Epicurean Tours. The balance is automatically billed to your credit card thirty (30) days before the tour begins or you may pay by another accepted method at that time.
What should I expect after I reserve a tour?
Once you've reserved a trip, we'll mail you an information packet including rider waiver forms and questionnaires to be signed and returned. We'll also provide you with travel insurance information, and details to help you prepare for your tour.
What if I want to change my tour date?
If you choose to change your tour date for any reason, the following fee schedule applies:
| Number of Days Prior to Tour |
Date Change Fee |
more than 30 days
|
$100 per person |
| 15 – 30 days |
$300 per person |
| 14 days or less |
100% of Total (no changes allowed) |
What if I must cancel my tour?
If you need to cancel for any reason, the following cancellation fee schedule applies:
| Number of Days Prior to Tour |
Date Change Fee |
| more than 60 days |
$100 per person |
| 31 – 60 days |
25% of Total |
| 15 – 30 days |
50% of Total |
| 14 days or less |
100% of Total (no refund) |
We encourage you to purchase travel insurance for protection against unforeseen events that may prevent you from participating in your scheduled tour. For your convenience, a third party travel insurance application is included in the information packet you’ll receive after making your reservation.
Can I rent a bicycle from Tour d’Epicure?
Tour d'Epicure is proud to offer Giant bicycles for you to use free of charge during a scheduled tour. We have a very limited supply of bicycles which are available on a first-come first-served basis to Tour d'Epicure riders. Call us for sizing and pedal information. We encourage you to bring your own bicycle and will be happy to assist you in unpacking, assembling and re-packing your own bicycle, if needed.
How difficult is the riding?
The riding is moderate with varying terrain of rolling hills, some long climbs and very few flat stretches. You'll get the most out of your tour if you're an intermediate to advanced cyclist or if you're an athletic casual cyclist. On a Tour d’Epicure vacation, you’re encouraged to ride at your own pace and enjoy the sights, sounds and beautiful countryside of Virginia. With two guides on the road and a support vehicle nearby, you’ll have plenty of support, no matter how fast or slow you want to ride. There'll be options for a short and long ride each day with distances of 25 – 50 miles. Riding is optional each day and you may choose at any time to ride to our destination in the support vehicle.
I’m a casual rider now, but I’d like to become a stronger cyclist before my tour begins. What can I do to prepare?
One of our guides, Robert Teixeira, is a certified USA Expert Cycling and Fitness Coach. Although his coaching practice is in Southern California, he can assess your fitness level and goals through an in-depth interview and provide you with a customized training schedule. When you become one of Rob’s clients, you use his Web site to record your workout results and view your training progress which he’ll review with you on a weekly basis. Rob will continually monitor and analyze all of your data to ensure that you have accomplished your goal by the time your Tour d’Epicure vacation begins! For more information, visit
www.spintexfitness.com.
What are the age requirements for the Tour d’Epicure?
Tour d’Epicure requires that guests be at least 21 years old.
