Custom Getaways

Hotel Location: Crozet
We will be picking up at Geneva airport at noon and will then head to Les Rousses where you will be able to witness the Stage finish. This is the first of the mountain stages, and the arrival in Les Rousses will come at the conclusion of a 14km climb!

Once the stage is over, we will make our way to our hotel which will be "home" for the first 3 nights of the trip and will enjoy a fantastic dinner. Those riding will be able to ride the 35km to get to the hotel as an initial brief ride.

Hotel Location: Crozet
Our hotel location is very convenient to get to the stage start in Les Rousses which is the first location we will see the race from.

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 take to the highway to beat the peloton to the col de la Ramaz. Those who wish to ride will be dropped off along the way and will be able to ride to the climb. After the "Voiture Balais" (broom wagon) has gone by, we'll ride down to a nearby village to follow the stage finish on TV. Seeing the stage from a cafe with the local, like-minded crowd, is always a great experience.

Hotel Location: Crozet
Today is the first rest-day on the 2010 Tour de France and while there is no racing happening, the pro-riders must keep their legs moving. We'll plan on visiting some of the teams hotels. The timing of the day will be determined once we have more information on the hotel locations (June), but in all likelihood, we will ride in the morning around Lake Geneva and those who wish to ride the most can ride a metric century from our hotel to Morzine. Shorter options will be available as usual.

We'll also plan on spending a bit of time in Geneva to catch up on some shopping!

Hotel Location: Corps - route Napoleon
This second stage in the Alps goes over great classic climbs of the Tour; col de la Colombiere, Col des Aravis, Col des Saisies and col de la Madeleine.

Those who wish to ride on this trip will be able to ride over the final two climbs on this stage. We will setup our private viewing location in the Col de la Madeleine to see the race go by (private viewing location setup).

Once the stage is over we will make our way to one of our favorite hotel/restaurants in the Alps. Hopefully today's ride will have us all very hungry this evening!

July 14th
Hotel Location : Corps - route Napoleon

HAPPY BASTILLE DAY!
It just so happens that our hotel is also located an enjoyable 50km ride from Bourg d'Oisans; the village at the base of Alpe d'Huez. It would be a crime to be so close and not use the opportunity to ride cycling Mecca! We will head out early in the morning and ride the 21 switchbacks of Alpe d'Huez. We'll have a bit of time for some souvenir shopping and will then head to Gap to see the race.

Once in Gap, thanks to our invitation bracelets will gain access the exclusive VIP Izoard hospitality area located about 50-75 yards from the finish line.

Here hostesses will serve drinks and snacks while you watch the live broadcast on Big Screen TV. After seeing the stage finish from this exclusive viewing area, champagne will be served to celebrate the stage winner. The Izoard bus is among the more exclusive areas at stage finishes and you should expect to see/meet plenty of Tour celebrities.

We will then head north on the "Route Napoleon" to get to our hotel. Those who wish to ride during the trip will be able to ride the 37km from Gap to our hotel and arrive hungry for a great dinner in of of our favorite restaurant in the area.

Those who wish to ride on this trip will be able to ride the final 135km or so of today's stage. The exact ride distances will be determined once we know the itinerary ourselves. The only difficulty on the day is the col de Cabre which should be located about 115km for the finish and we'll be sure to schedule drop-offs further along the course. If some are not interested in riding at all, that will be quite feasible and you will be driven over the stage course, in order to still be able to take in all of the craziness of a Tour stage.

Custom Getaways vehicle(s) with on-course accreditation will be accompanying you and providing an extra lift if necessary, and an official Tour de France vehicle will escort us over the final few kms of the course and you will cross the finish line on closed roads.

Riding or not, everyone can then climb the official Tour podium to have your picture taken.

We'll then be able to tour the press and media/technical areas.

For the peloton's arrival, we will be directly overlooking the finish line to see how the pros stack up as we will have special access to the "Bulle Mangeas". Daniel Mangeas is the French commentator for the Tour de France ("La voix du Tour").

Our final overnight is in another family run establishment which also offers a great table!

July 16th
Hotel Location: n/a

For our final day "On Tour", we will be treated to the "Start Village" today in Bourg de Peage just outside Romas Sur Isere. The village should open around 10:00am or so. There, we will be greeted by a person from ASO who will show us around the area and explain how things work. Thanks to our passes, we will access the rider's area, meet some of the racers, see them warm-up, meet Directeurs Sportif, personalities, possible visit of team bus, etc.

Tour starts are often a favorite part of our trips as the interaction with the riders/teams is unparalleled.

Once the peloton is off, we will transfer you to the near TGV bullet train station of Valence.

 WHAT'S INCLUDED

- Transfer from Geneva airport

- Transfer to Valence TGV station

- All transfers throughout trip as needed

- Hotel rooms based on double occupancy (6 nights).
- All breakfasts at the hotels
- All but one dinners

- Deluxe Air-conditioned, Minibuses with on-course accreditations

- VIP access to Izoard pavilion (Stage #10 - July 14th)

- Exclusive VIP ride of stage #11 with official Tour Vehicle escort just hours before the peloton
- Crossing of finish line in Bourg les Valences (Stage 11 - July 15th)
- Tour de France Podium photo finish

- Visit of technical/media areas

- VIP access to stage start and rider's enclosure (Stage #12 - July 16th)

- Viewing of 6 stages in total

- riding Alpe d'Huez

- Bi-lingual and bi-cultural group Leader

- Bike Mechanic

- Guides

- Support Staff

- Excellent staff to guest ratio of about 1:4

- Tour de France Road Book (not available to the general public) showing full details of stages, profiles etc etc

- Tour de France tourist guide (not available to the general public)

- Tour de France welcome package

- Discount card for Official Tour de France stores

- Cycling Jersey

- 2 or more ride distances daily

- Detailed cue-cards, directions, maps, profile of stages, etc.

- Special Tour de France gift

- Memories to last a lifetime!

 OPTIONS

- Rental Bikes. Full carbon Frame w/ Ultegra group with compact cranks (34x 25/27 low gear)
- Trip Insurance