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2010 Signature Series Pyrenees to Paris - Trip #3

July 17th to July 26th, 2010

Itinerary - What's Included - Options

Our Signature Series trips continue to be a great hit and to set the standard when it comes to experiencing the Tour de France in style. The accommodations, experience of the Tour and service are second to none! No wonder more and more of our guests return year after year!

With 2 such trips sold-out over the week of the 2010 Tour de France full, we were able to setup this 3rd and final one for a small group of 6 people.

These trips will allow you to see the Tour from the inside. By that we mean VIP access, helicopter fly-over of the race, visit of the Press rooms, Technical Zones, visits guided by a representative of the Tour de France organization, visit of the Riders Zone, meeting personalities that have marked the Tour (former Tour winners, personalities, etc...). On the rest day we will visit with one of the teams and possibly ride their "recovery ride". Last year we were able to spend quality time with one of the teams, in 2008 we went to Cadel Evans' press conference the day after he captured the Yellow Jersey. We're certain to have something exciting planned this year as well.

In addition we are working on having celebrities of the Tour come have dinner with us on selected nights. While some of the highlights you will experience are known at this time, others will take more time to detail. Regardless, one thing is for sure, you're certain to have an experience of a lifetime and great memories for years to come.

You can find a few testimonials of previous year's guests here.

Registrations:
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 or choice of another trip. Waitlist order is on a first come first serve basis as well.

ITINERARY

2010 TOUR DE FRANCE - Signature Series Pyrenees to Paris - Trip #3

Rate : $9985.00/person

9 nights, 10 days - July 17th to July 26th

Pick up in Toulouse airport

Some of the highlights of this trip include:

- The Medieval City of Carcassonne

- Viewing in the HC climb Port de Pailheres (18th)

- Once in a lifetime Helicopter fly-over of a stage (23rd)

- Vip ride into Bagneres de Luchon (19th) under Official vehicle escort

- Vip access to Stage finish in Pau (20th)

- Visiting with one of the teams on the rest day (21st)

- Vip access to Stage start (24th)

- Preferred viewing location for Time Trial (24th)

- Day in the Vineyards surrounding the Time Trial.

- Incredible viewing of the Arrival in Paris (25th), directly opposite the finish line in Private Pavillion

- Sunset dinner cruise in Paris (25th)

OPTIONS: Trip insurance / Bike Rental / Pre-trip extension to ride Ventoux/Provence / Post-Trip extension to take part in Alpe d'Huez triathlon / Post-trip extension to visit Paris

July 17th
Hotel Location : Carcassonne
We will be picking up at Toulouse airport/train station around 1:00pm. From the airport it is a short hour transfer to get to Carcassonne and our first hotel, located within the walls of the fortified city. The hotel includes several restaurants and its breakfasts are the best we've had in France (that is saying something!). Carcassonne is twice ranked as UNESCO World Heritage.



Once checked-in, those riding will assemble bikes and/or get fitted if the rental option has been chosen., our mechanics will be on hand to help and, we'll take a short ride to ensure proper working condition of the bikes. It will then be time to get together over a welcome toast, do proper introductions and go over the next few day's fun and action... of course a nice dinner al fresco will follow!

July 18th
Hotel location: Carcassonne
Today is the first of 4 stages through the Pyrenees which are sure to be decisive. The mountain top finish at Ax 3 Domaines, will follow the very difficult Port de Pailheres. This is also your first day on the Tour de France and things kick-off in Grand fashion!
We'll fill-up on a terrific breakfast before leaving the hotel and will then rally the stage course. After driving over the course and experiencing the fan fervor, you then board a helicopter for a 20mn flight over the actual peloton for a birds-eye view of the race. This incredible flight is a once in a lifetime affair.

The timing of the flight, stage will determine what will happen next, but we anticipate, being able to view the race again from the Port de Pailheres (HC climb) where we will enjoy a nice lunch from our viewing location. Our tents also have several large screen TV's which will allow us to follow the race as it nears us and see the end of the stage as well before we head back to Carcassonne for the evening. Those riding may have a bit of time later on to backtrack a portion of the stage heading back to Carcassonne.
See pictures of our private viewing location setup.
Once back at our hotel, we'll enjoy a sumptuous dinner at the hotel's Michelin starred restaurant.



July 19th
Hotel Location: Pau
Ever dreamed of riding a Tour de France stage along roads filled with spectators and raise your arms to the sky as you cross the finish-line? Today is the day it comes true!

Those who wish to ride on this trip will be able to ride over the final two climbs on this stage. We will need to cross the finish line around 2:00pm, which means that an early start will be in order today. All so worth it!

Of course, we will be dropping off a bit further down the way those who wish to keep the ride distance lower. 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.

You will then climb the official Tour podium to have your picture taken.

Those not riding will be driven over the final kms, will enjoy the excitement of the climb, climb the podium, etc.

Once the stage is over we will make our way to Pau to stay at another 5 star hotel where 2 teams (historically) should be lodging as well from the 20th to 23rd and where we will spend the next 3 nights of this trip.

July 20th
Hotel Location: Pau
We'll take full advantage of our perfect hotel location in Pau and those who wish to ride the most will be able to ride about 100km while meeting up with the stage itinerary and going over the final climb of the day. We will then ride on course through to Pau, stopping just shy of the town and rallying the stage finish location.
Those who wish to ride less will be able to get dropped off further along the course as usual. The ride from the top of the col d'Aubisque will be about 60km, nearly all downhill.

We'll gather for a nice lunch and it will then be time to gain access to the exclusive VIP Izoard hospitality area located about 50-75 yards from the finish line and overlooking the course.

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.

Ride Profile



July 21st
Hotel Location: Pau
This is the second and final rest day in the 2010 Tour de France and we will plan a couple of things at a minimum:
- We will visit with one of the teams. It is much too early to say what exactly will be involved. In 2009 we rode with one of a teams for a little over an hour which was a great treat. We will plan on doing the same this year, but naturally much of this must be decided with various teams much closer to the deadline.

The second thing we will want to do is ride the col du Tourmalet. no visit to the Pyrenees would be complete without such a visit. Those not riding may want to come along as well; if the weather is favorable, we will plan on taking the cable car from La Mongie to the famous observatory at the top of the Pic du Midi!

There will also be a bit of downtime at the hotel to catch-up on some shopping, correspondence, etc...

July 22nd
Hotel Location: Margaux region
The final mountain stage in this year's Tour is epic to say the least. The 3 categorized climbs are all arduous, but the true celebration of the 100th anniversary of the crossing of the Pyrenees will take place with the finish atop the Col du Tourmalet!
After 3 nights in Pau, we'll be moving on to the Bordeaux wine region this evening. We will watch the stage from some of steepest inclines of the day in the Col de Marie Blanque

We'll have setup camp and will have lunch in the climb while we await the Pro's arrival! Once they have gone by, we'll ride back down to our buses and catch the stage finish on TV as we drive on North to Margaux! We should arrive at our Chateau-Hotel in the late afternoon / early evening and will indulge in a terrific meal, properly accompanied by the local drink of choice!

Marie Blanque

July 23rd
Hotel Location: Margaux region

The Tour de France is exiting the Pyrenees today on a transition stage. After the past few days filled with great Tour action, we wanted to take a day off to enjoy a more regional experience of France. And since we are in the middle of some of the World's most exclusive wine estates, we'll make sure we get to catch the "essence" of the area (literally!)

The details of this day are still being worked on, but rest assured, that it will be a memorable day. Cycling will be part of our day of course, as well as a visit of a wine producing Chateau.



July 24th
Hotel Location: Margaux region
This will be the last opportunity for the contenders to the Yellow jersey to make their mark on the 2010 Tour and we will be in the heart of the action. We will begin the day with a visit to the Start village. The village should open around 10:00am, so we will leave the hotel after breakfast to rally Bordeaux. 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. Start villages are always great, but seeing the start village at a time-trial is even more interesting as teams setup for riders to warm-up, etc.

We will watch the first few riders leave and will then make the short drive to our preferred viewing location along the course. This location will be catered to and TV's will broadcast the event live while we watch from the side of the road.
See pictures of our private viewing location setup.
Once the time trial is over, we will head back to our hotel for a final overnight in Saint Emilion and celebrate the day with a gastronomical dinner.



July 25th
Hotel Location: Paris
This is what every professional cyclist aspires to; the arrival of the Tour de France on the Champs-Elysees!

Who will be wearing yellow on the Champs Elysees tonight? We will find out today as we watch the arrival from our superb viewing location. We will have a private pavilion setup across the avenue from the finish line.... the best seats in the house!
We'll be taking a bullet train from Bordeaux to Paris and will arrive in time to take place in our private location where lunch will be served - directly on the course itself!

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 hotel is located within walking distance of the Champs Elysees and the dinner cruise.

July 26th
We will transfer you to Paris CDG airport based on your flight time... or extend your stay in Paris!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

- Transfer from Toulouse airport / train station on 17th

- Transfer to Paris airport on July 26th (or trip extensions...)
- Hotel rooms based on double occupancy (9 nights) in 4 and 5 star properties.
- All breakfasts at the hotels
- All but two dinners

- Lunches on July 18th, 20th, 24th, 25th
- Grand Touring, Air Conditioned bus with Video and Restrooms

- Deluxe Minibus(es )with "On-Course" accreditation for support, water, snacks.

- Use Of Garmin Edge 605/705 GPS units during the trip

- Visit with one of the teams on Tour second rest day (July 21st)

- VIP day on stage course with helicopter fly-over of the race (July 18th)
- Preferred viewing location for Stage on July 18th (port de Pailheres) - est. to be finalized based on helicopter flight
- Preferred viewing location on July 22nd (col de Marie Blanque)

- Preferred viewing location on July 24th (Final Time Trial)
- Exclusive VIP ride of stage #15 with official Tour Vehicle escort just hours before the peloton
- Crossing of finish line in Bagneres de Luchon (Stage 15)
- Tour de France Podium photo finish

- VIP access to Izoard pavilion on Stage #16 (July 20th)

- VIP access to stage start and rider's enclosure on stage #19 (July 24th)

- Amazing VIP viewing of the final stage in Paris - opposite finish line with open bar.
- Sunset dinner cruise in Paris

- Designated viewing spots

- Bi-lingual and bi-cultural group Leader

- Bike Mechanic

- Guides

- Support Staff

- Excellent staff to guest ratio of about 1:3 / 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

- Pre-Trip extension in Provence to ride Mont Ventoux... and enjoy Provence; July 15th to 17th

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

- Post-Trip extension in Paris; July 26th to 29th - a few days to enjoy Paris

- Alpe d'huez Triathlon Extension: July 26th to 30th

July 17th Hotel Location : Carcassonne We will be picking up at Toulouse airport/train station around 1:00pm. From the airport it is a short hour transfer to get to Carcassonne and our first hotel, located within the walls of the fortified city. The hotel includes several restaurants and its breakfasts are the best we've had in France (that is saying something!). Carcassonne is twice ranked as UNESCO World Heritage.

Once checked-in, those riding will assemble bikes and/or get fitted if the rental option has been chosen., our mechanics will be on hand to help and, we'll take a short ride to ensure proper working condition of the bikes. It will then be time to get together over a welcome toast, do proper introductions and go over the next few day's fun and action... of course a nice dinner al fresco will follow!

July 18th Hotel location: Carcassonne Today is the first of 4 stages through the Pyrenees which are sure to be decisive. The mountain top finish at Ax 3 Domaines, will follow the very difficult Port de Pailheres. This is also your first day on the Tour de France and things kick-off in Grand fashion! We'll fill-up on a terrific breakfast before leaving the hotel and will then rally the stage course. After driving over the course and experiencing the fan fervor, you then board a helicopter for a 20mn flight over the actual peloton for a birds-eye view of the race. This incredible flight is a once in a lifetime affair.
The timing of the flight, stage will determine what will happen next, but we anticipate, being able to view the race again from the Port de Pailheres (HC climb) where we will enjoy a nice lunch from our viewing location. Our tents also have several large screen TV's which will allow us to follow the race as it nears us and see the end of the stage as well before we head back to Carcassonne for the evening. Those riding may have a bit of time later on to backtrack a portion of the stage heading back to Carcassonne. See pictures of our private viewing location setup. Once back at our hotel, we'll enjoy a sumptuous dinner at the hotel's Michelin starred restaurant.


July 19th Hotel Location: Pau Ever dreamed of riding a Tour de France stage along roads filled with spectators and raise your arms to the sky as you cross the finish-line? Today is the day it comes true! Those who wish to ride on this trip will be able to ride over the final two climbs on this stage. We will need to cross the finish line around 2:00pm, which means that an early start will be in order today. All so worth it! Of course, we will be dropping off a bit further down the way those who wish to keep the ride distance lower. 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. You will then climb the official Tour podium to have your picture taken. Those not riding will be driven over the final kms, will enjoy the excitement of the climb, climb the podium, etc. Once the stage is over we will make our way to Pau to stay at another 5 star hotel where 2 teams (historically) should be lodging as well from the 20th to 23rd and where we will spend the next 3 nights of this trip.

July 20th Hotel Location: Pau We'll take full advantage of our perfect hotel location in Pau and those who wish to ride the most will be able to ride about 100km while meeting up with the stage itinerary and going over the final climb of the day. We will then ride on course through to Pau, stopping just shy of the town and rallying the stage finish location. Those who wish to ride less will be able to get dropped off further along the course as usual. The ride from the top of the col d'Aubisque will be about 60km, nearly all downhill. We'll gather for a nice lunch and it will then be time to gain access to the exclusive VIP Izoard hospitality area located about 50-75 yards from the finish line and overlooking the course. 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.
Ride Profile

July 21st Hotel Location: Pau This is the second and final rest day in the 2010 Tour de France and we will plan a couple of things at a minimum: - We will visit with one of the teams. It is much too early to say what exactly will be involved. In 2009 we rode with one of a teams for a little over an hour which was a great treat. We will plan on doing the same this year, but naturally much of this must be decided with various teams much closer to the deadline. The second thing we will want to do is ride the col du Tourmalet. no visit to the Pyrenees would be complete without such a visit. Those not riding may want to come along as well; if the weather is favorable, we will plan on taking the cable car from La Mongie to the famous observatory at the top of the Pic du Midi! There will also be a bit of downtime at the hotel to catch-up on some shopping, correspondence, etc...


July 22nd Hotel Location: Margaux region The final mountain stage in this year's Tour is epic to say the least. The 3 categorized climbs are all arduous, but the true celebration of the 100th anniversary of the crossing of the Pyrenees will take place with the finish atop the Col du Tourmalet! After 3 nights in Pau, we'll be moving on to the Bordeaux wine region this evening. We will watch the stage from some of steepest inclines of the day in the Col de Marie Blanque
We'll have setup camp and will have lunch in the climb while we await the Pro's arrival! Once they have gone by, we'll ride back down to our buses and catch the stage finish on TV as we drive on North to Margaux! We should arrive at our Chateau-Hotel in the late afternoon / early evening and will indulge in a terrific meal, properly accompanied by the local drink of choice!
Marie Blanque

July 23rd Hotel Location: Margaux region The Tour de France is exiting the Pyrenees today on a transition stage. After the past few days filled with great Tour action, we wanted to take a day off to enjoy a more regional experience of France. And since we are in the middle of some of the World's most exclusive wine estates, we'll make sure we get to catch the "essence" of the area (literally!) The details of this day are still being worked on, but rest assured, that it will be a memorable day. Cycling will be part of our day of course, as well as a visit of a wine producing Chateau.


July 24th Hotel Location: Margaux region This will be the last opportunity for the contenders to the Yellow jersey to make their mark on the 2010 Tour and we will be in the heart of the action. We will begin the day with a visit to the Start village. The village should open around 10:00am, so we will leave the hotel after breakfast to rally Bordeaux. 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. Start villages are always great, but seeing the start village at a time-trial is even more interesting as teams setup for riders to warm-up, etc. We will watch the first few riders leave and will then make the short drive to our preferred viewing location along the course. This location will be catered to and TV's will broadcast the event live while we watch from the side of the road. See pictures of our private viewing location setup. Once the time trial is over, we will head back to our hotel for a final overnight in Saint Emilion and celebrate the day with a gastronomical dinner.



July 25th Hotel Location: Paris This is what every professional cyclist aspires to; the arrival of the Tour de France on the Champs-Elysees! Who will be wearing yellow on the Champs Elysees tonight? We will find out today as we watch the arrival from our superb viewing location. We will have a private pavilion setup across the avenue from the finish line.... the best seats in the house! We'll be taking a bullet train from Bordeaux to Paris and will arrive in time to take place in our private location where lunch will be served - directly on the course itself!

	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 hotel is located within walking distance of the Champs Elysees and the dinner cruise.

July 26th We will transfer you to Paris CDG airport based on your flight time... or extend your stay in Paris!

WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Transfer from Toulouse airport / train station on 17th - Transfer to Paris airport on July 26th (or trip extensions...) - Hotel rooms based on double occupancy (9 nights) in 4 and 5 star properties. - All breakfasts at the hotels - All but two dinners - Lunches on July 18th, 20th, 24th, 25th - Grand Touring, Air Conditioned bus with Video and Restrooms - Deluxe Minibus(es )with "On-Course" accreditation for support, water, snacks. - Use Of Garmin Edge 605/705 GPS units during the trip - Visit with one of the teams on Tour second rest day (July 21st) - VIP day on stage course with helicopter fly-over of the race (July 18th) - Preferred viewing location for Stage on July 18th (port de Pailheres) - est. to be finalized based on helicopter flight - Preferred viewing location on July 22nd (col de Marie Blanque) - Preferred viewing location on July 24th (Final Time Trial) - Exclusive VIP ride of stage #15 with official Tour Vehicle escort just hours before the peloton - Crossing of finish line in Bagneres de Luchon (Stage 15) - Tour de France Podium photo finish - VIP access to Izoard pavilion on Stage #16 (July 20th) - VIP access to stage start and rider's enclosure on stage #19 (July 24th) - Amazing VIP viewing of the final stage in Paris - opposite finish line with open bar. - Sunset dinner cruise in Paris - Designated viewing spots - Bi-lingual and bi-cultural group Leader - Bike Mechanic - Guides - Support Staff - Excellent staff to guest ratio of about 1:3 / 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
- Pre-Trip extension in Provence to ride Mont Ventoux... and enjoy Provence; July 15th to 17th - Rental Bikes. Full carbon Frame w/ Ultegra group with compact cranks (34x 25/27 low gear) - Trip Insurance - Post-Trip extension in Paris; July 26th to 29th - a few days to enjoy Paris - Alpe d'huez Triathlon Extension: July 26th to 30th