Pure Destinations recently sponsored an associate, Robert Simpson, who was attempting to complete the Etape du Tour, which is more commonly recognised as the stage of the Tour du France that members of the public can ride. In 2009, this stage returned to the Mont Ventoux, not previously used by the tour since 2000.

This stage of the tour consists of a gruelling 167km ride that culminates in a 21km climb up Mont Ventoux. From looking at the gradient map he sent through with his request for sponsorship, the final 21km looked almost vertical!

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I’ve recently returned from my second trip to Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus. Having heard mixed reviews about the island, prior to my first visit last November, I was a little bit anxious but came away with an incredibly positive feeling.

Firstly, there’s the climate. I was in Aphrodite Hills towards the end of last November and the temperature was a very sociable low to mid 20’s for the majority of my stay, the perfect site seeing or sporting time of year. As any typical Englishman entering the ocean in the middle of our winter, I tip toed gently towards the water to discover the sea temperature was absolutely lovely. On return from my recent visit in July, I can confirm that summers there are hot! If you’re looking to escape the all too regular rainy British summer weather then head to Cyprus, you can’t go wrong.

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When I was younger I’m sure I remember going home for the school summer holidays and spending my time enjoying the fairly consistent British weather. Naturally there was the odd day of rain but by and large I am very confident one could be fairly certain the sun would be shining and the temperature would be above 18 degrees. In fact, I definitely recall a few years where hosepipes would be banned...what does one need to do to get a decent drought!?

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Towards the end of August and the beginning of September almost all of Italy goes wine harvest mad as every vineyard goes through the painstaking but joyous process of grape picking. When you have a country as historically and passionately associated with wine as Italy, the harvest is a fantastic blend of culture, tradition, hard work but ultimately enjoyment.

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The famous event, held twice a summer in the historic Tuscan town of Siena, is a bareback horse race in honour of the Virgin Mary. The Piazza del Campo main square holds 25,000 people for the race and you don’t need a ticket!

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