"Alps and Arrival" Package - NON Cycling

July 19th to July 28th, 2008

 Some of the highlights of this trip include:

Registrations:
We are now accepting registrations for our 2008 Trips. All places are on a first come first serve basis. A 25% deposit per person is required to reserve a spot. If places are still available when we receive your application along with deposit, you will receive notification of your registration. If the trip is sold out, you will be given the option to be placed on a waiting list. Waitlist order is on a first come first serve basis as well. Please email us to receive a registration form our complete reservation procedure: info@customgetaways.com

- July 19th -

Hotel location: Cuneo, Italy

Our hotel will be home for the first 3 nights of the trip, so we will be able to "settle down" a bit. Our hotel is very conveniently located for the next 3 days' Tour action.

Once everyone is checked in, we will gather for a welcome toast and dinner.

- July 20th -

Hotel location: Cuneo, Italy

Tour Stage 15  /   Digne les Bains  - Prato Nevoso  /  216km (134 miles)

The serious Alpine stages start today for the racers: they will be leaving France to reach 2 passes (Col de Larche and Colle della Maddalena) before the mountain top finish at Prato Nevoso in Italy.

The arrival of today’s stage is about an hour drive from our hotel. We will not need to leave very early to make our way to the stage arrival. Once all the riders cross the finish line and after the podium ceremony, we will return to Cuneo for the evening.

- July 21th -

Tour Stage: Rest Day

Some of the teams will be staying in Cuneo for the Tour rest day today, so this will make for a great opportunity to see the riders in a relaxed atmosphere, preparations for the next day's stage start etc...

We'll also plan on visiting nearby Torino.

We will be on location for today’s stage. We will simply walk from our hotel to the start village. Starts offer great opportunities for pictures and to mingle with the teams and racers warming up (autographs as well?). Tour starts are often a favorite part of our trips as the interaction with the riders/teams is unparalleled.

Once the race is off, we will transfer to our second hotel in the heart of the French Alps where the Chef, Gilbert Delas, will prepare a great dinner for us.

- July 23rd -

What a day this promises to be!

Today's stage will finish with the climb to Alpe d'Huez, which is most likely the world's most famous cycling climb. A win on Alpe d'Huez is every cyclist's dream. in addition this is the final "high mountain" stage of the 2008 Tour and two other monuments of cycling - col du Galibier and col de la Croix de Fer - are also featured today. We will be in Alpe d'Huez to witness history in the making.

We will bus out early to avoid the huge traffic and use our “secret” way up Alpe d’Huez. We will then make our way to our private Chalet located on switchback #2 (second to last switchback). The views from this location are second to none anywhere on the climb to Alpe d'Huez. We will be able to see from the Village of Huez up to our location.  We will also have lunch at the Chalet.

Alpe d'Huez profile

Schleck & Cunego on AdH - 2006

- July 24th -

Hotel location: Beaune

Tour Stage 18  /   Bourg d'Oisans - Saint Etienne  /  197km (122 miles)

The town of Beaune should not be missed. Beaune is one of France's most interesting cities: its famous basilica, hospice, bell tower and ramparts are part of its heritage.

We thought we should make time today to investigate more closely why it is that the Burgundy wines have developed such a notoriety and indulge in a bit of wine-tasting.

- July 25th -

Tour Stage 19  /   Roanne  -  Montlucon  /  163km (101 miles)

- July 26th -

Hotel location: Paris

Tour Stage 20  /  Cerilly  - Saint Amand Montrond  /  53km (34 miles)

 The stage is the all important time-trial, and we have always made it a point to be on site for this great stage. The 2008 location of the Time Trial is very remote however. There are no high-speed trains, no trains go up to Paris at a convenient time and the drive up to Paris is a bit lengthy.

So rather, than plan on having everyone either go or not, we will give everyone the option to either make the trip over, or spend a bit more time in Burgundy before heading up to Paris. The decision may be influenced by the standings in the GC and we can decide to go or not as late as the evening of the 25th. We will make our way to Paris in the evening.

- July 27th -

Hotel location: Paris

Tour Stage 21  /   Etampes  - Paris Champs-Elysees   /  143km (89 miles)

We will find out who will be wearing yellow today as we watch the arrival from the Grand Stands setup alongside the Champs Elysees by the Tour organizers. A large screen is set up to follow the race before it enters Paris.

Once the Tour festivities are over, we will get ready for a great dining experience. This year again, we will be renting an entire boat for our dinner-cruise along the Seine river. Great food and unbelievable sight seeing of Paris by night will end our "sensory overloaded day"!

Our 4 star hotel hotel is located within walking distance of the Champs Elysees, the Grand Stands and the dinner cruise.