Grand Départ Firenze

Ciao and welcome to Italy! Today marks the start of your Grand Départ Firenze experience and we couldn’t be more excited to let the games begin.

Mid morning, the Mummu Cycling team will meet you at Florence airport before transferring you to our stunning boutique 4* accommodation at the Gallery Hotel Art, located at a prime spot right within the buzzing city centre.

On arrival, check-in and settle before meeting the Mummu staff in our allocated bike room who will give a short welcome brief.

The afternoon will then be at your leisure to enjoy lunch in your own time from one of the many local hotspots that surround us and take your first opportunity to explore the history-rich city.

This evening, we will meet in the hotel lobby before making our way to the official opening team’s presentation! This marks a historical moment in TDF history as the first time ever that the race has entered Italy, ensuring this evening’s presentation will be a true spectacle. Get your cameras ready as the pro’s take to the stage, a mix of excitement and nerves in the air ahead of the big start.

After an exciting presentation spotting all your favourite riders, we will make our way to a reputable local restaurant for a group welcome dinner. The perfect opportunity to get to know one another, enjoy an incredible Italian spread and chat all things Tour de France Grand Départ. Saluti!

Enjoy a delicious Italian breakfast this morning and a cappuccino or two. You will then have a free window to explore.

Florence is a city rich in history dotted with incredible monuments, squares and medieval buildings, well known worldwide for its many iconic sights and amazing Renaissance art and architecture. A place you will undoubtedly be completely entranced by as you make your way through the city streets…

After a spot of sightseeing, we will transfer you to a pro team’s hotel where you will have the exclusive opportunity of seeing up close what goes on behind the scenes of a World Tour team the day before the TDF! While we are there, you will take a tour of the team bus and watch the mechanics hard at work, tentatively preparing each bike with utmost precision.

Following the morning’s fun, we will make our way back to the hotel to freshen up and get set for an indulgent afternoon at a highly rated local winery sampling delicious local Italian wines at a tasting, followed by a beautiful lunch where you will be completely immersed in Italy’s incredible flavours and cuisine. When in Italy, it would be rude not to…

On return to the hotel, the evening will be yours free to maximise our prime inner city location and continue discovering Florence, or – call it a day, put your feet up and relax at the hotel.

Today the 2024 Tour de France at long last gets underway! We hope you’re as pumped as we are to jump right into the spectacular circus it is…

Following breakfast this morning, it will be time to get set for an incredibly special experience exclusive to us as an Official Tour Operator. Today, you will have the opportunity to line up on the actual Stage 1 start line, in the heart of beautiful Florence to then drive onto the course behind the race caravan and just hours ahead of the pros themselves, all on closed roads! This is a once in a lifetime fan experience and one that won’t be matched on this special occasion, with atmosphere expected to be truly incredible being the opening stage and the Tour’s first time in Italy. Expect crowds of passionate fans lining the streets cheering the Mummu crew on as we make our way through the city before the race route ventures out into the rolling countryside. After travelling along the course for 30-40km we will stop off at our roadside viewing location where the Mummu marquee will be set up awaiting your arrival with picnic lunches and cold beverages. Settle in for some live stage viewing as soon enough the peloton will blitz by showing us how it’s done. Get set to chant allez’s at your favourite riders!

After an exciting dose of Tour de France action, we will transfer back to the hotel.

This afternoon you might like to join us at the hotel bar to watch the stage finish and cheers to what we are sure has been a memorable day on tour. The evening will be yours free to scope out Florence’s incredible selection of bars and restaurants within close walking distance to our hotel.

Treat yourself to a good breakfast this morning as it’s going to be a big day out at Le Tour!

Today you will be joined by the legendary, Stuart O’Grady. Throughout Stuart’s extensive career he rode an incredible 17 Tour de France’s, in which he won two individual stages, two Team Time Trials and wore the Yellow Jersey. So, it’s safe to say, you’ll be guided by the expert!

Once ready to roll, we will transfer to the Stage 2 race route that travels from the Adriatic Coast’s Cesenatico, inland to Bologna where a tough finish awaits, including the same Imola circuit that saw Julian Alaphilippe claim the rainbow bands in 2020.

We will then continue driving along the final section of the course, specifically designed for the punchers. The climbs we’ll encounter along the way may be short, however they’re far from sweet. Imagine the pros battling up them in just a few short hours! On arrival to the finish, we will make our way to the stage winner’s podium where you’ll have the opportunity to step into the spotlight for a snap or two – an experience exclusive to us as an Official Tour Operator of the race.

Once you’ve had your time to shine, we will make our way to VIP finish line hospitality. It doesn’t get much better than kicking back over unlimited beverages and delicious French canapés while watching the action unfold over big screen entertainment… Soon enough it will be time to brace yourself for what is predicted to be a nail biting finish amongst the strongest, and good news – you’ll be in the best seat in the house to watch it all LIVE right at the finish. Prepare to be wowed at the share speed as the best in the business take honours and we raise our glasses to celebrate.

After a truly epic day out on tour, we will transfer back to the hotel. This evening will be yours free to relax and unwind.

This morning following breakfast and checkout we will transfer approximately 2.5 hours to the Stage 3 start in Emilia-Romanga’s beautiful city of Piacenza. Another truly exquisite Italian city rich in history and incredible architecture providing yet another picture perfect back drop for today’s start.

Today you will once again be joined by Stuey who will be guiding you through the Official Tour de France Departure Village – a unique experience we have the honour of delivering as a TDF Tour Operator. The Departure Village is a buzzing area that surrounds the official podium where the riders sign on for the stage, packed with atmosphere, entertainment and an array of local treats and beverages to choose from while soaking it all up. Neighbouring the village is the team paddock where the pros busily prepare at their team buses ahead of sign on.

We will have you right there in the thick of it to lap up the Departure Village festivities, and if we’re lucky – catch the stars in action as they prepare.

After watching the excitement of a Tour de France stage start, you will have a free window to enjoy lunch at your leisure downtown and discover the lovely city of Piacenza. Another place very famous for its art, unique architecture and history.

This afternoon we will transfer to our ideally located inner city accommodation. After check-in and taking some time out to unwind, we will regroup for this evening’s final farewell dinner where we will be toasting all-round to what we are confident has been a fantastic tour absorbing the very best of the Tour de France’s Grand Départ in Bella Italia!

After an early breakfast and checkout, we will transfer you to Milan airport before saying arrivederci! We trust that you’ve had a fantastic trip lapping up the best of the 2024 Tour de France Grand Départ Firenze and hope to have you back on tour soon. Ciao for now!