Custom Getaways | Tour de France packages

2012 Cycling Pyrenees to Paris

July 13th to July 23rd, 2012

Itinerary - What's Included - Options

This trip will cover the important final stages of the 2012 Tour de France and offer an opportunity to view all the stage in the Pyrenees, celebrate Bastille Day just outside of Carcassonne, see the final time trial and finish in Paris. Grand Stand seating on the Champs Elysees is included for the arrival in Paris!

A minimum of 2 cycling distances are offered daily.
Please read below for a daily itinerary.

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

2012 TOUR DE FRANCE - Cycling Pyrenees to Paris

Rate : $5355.00/person

10 nights, 11 days - July 13th to July 23rd

Pick-up in Toulouse airport (TLS)

Some of the highlights of this trip include:

- riding of Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourde, Aubisque and more

- Carcassonne for Bastille day

- Preferred viewing on July 19th

- Final Time Trial

- Grand stands in Paris

- Hotels in excellent locations

- Sunset dinner cruise in Paris

OPTIONS: Trip insurance / Bike Rental / Polka Dot Alps July 10th to 14th / Paris extension

July 13th
Hotel Location: near Carcassonne

We will be picking up at Toulouse airport around noon and make our way to our first hotel located near the Medieval part of Carcassonne.

Once at our hotel, we'll check-in and those who wish to ride can assemble or get fitted for their bikes (if renting). Our mechanics will be there to assist in any way possible.

Riders can then take a ride in the area to ensure proper operation.

If you prefer not to ride, you will be able to relax a bit and we'll also take a bit of time to watch today's stage finish on TV!

It will then be time to get together over a welcome toast, do proper introductions and go over the next few days' fun and action... of course a welcome dinner will follow!

July 14th
Hotel Location: Carcassonne

Happy Bastille Day! We'll be celebrating this evening, but there is an entire day ahead of us!

We'll plan our loop ride in the morning and those riding will get to cycle some of the vineyards in the Minervois region. While less famous than the vineyards of Bordeaux or Burgundy, the Minervois are part of the Languedoc AOC.

There will be some time to relax at the hotel or head into the walled section of Carcassonne. We've planned the dinner at the hotel as there are so many peolpe everywhere and the location is well within "viewing" of the fireworks.

July 15th
Hotel Location: Carcassonne

The start will take place in nearby Limoux which is just 25km from Carcassonne, so we will ride to the start.

Starts offer great opportunities for pictures and are the best place to try to catch some of the riders (autographs as well?).

Once the peloton is off; we will want to get going ourselves as we are going to ride to Foix to catch the stage finish!

It will then be time to make our way back to our hotel for a final overnight near Carcassonne .

July 16th
Hotel Location: Beaudean

The Peloton is going over a flat stage to get to Pau. We'll leave early and pending the final itinerary have planned to see the stage around it's midway point (perhaps an intermediate sprint or feedzone?).

We will then ride from this location to our hotel located at the base of the col d'Aspin and col du Tourmalet!

July 17th
Hotel Location: Beaudean

Since the race is taking its second rest day, we will take this opportunity to ride up the (in)famous col du Tourmalet. This climb has been featured more than any other in the history of the Tour de France - tomorrow will mark the 78th time the race goes over its summit!

From the hotel it will there are several options. Our hotel is for the most part at the base of the Tourmalet, so one option is "simply" to ride up the most direct route and back.

Another option is to loop around and climb the Western side and downhill on the East back to the hotel.

Once at the summit, a visit to the Cafe/Restaurant should not be missed - the decoration is well worth a picture... we won't say more to keep the surprise.

July 18th
Hotel Location: Beaudean

This is as classic a stage as there can be in the Pyrenees and with just a few opportunities remaining to make time differences, this will be a contested stage without a doubt.

The finish comes immediately after the downhill of the col de Peyresourde.

We will be in Luchon to witness the victory first hand. So who will be first to cross the finish line today? Can Cadel Evans hold off the likely attacks from more climbing specialists?

We'll find out today in Luchon. We will also be able to ride out from the hotel once more and get to Luchon while riding over the col d'Aspin and col de Peyresourde - all on course - and downhill into Bagneres de Luchon.

July 19th
Hotel Location: Beaudean

The final High Mountains Pyrenees stage of the 2012 edition ends atop Peyragudes which is a first. While the final climb isn't as difficult as others in the area, the Port de Bales just preceding it is another animal altogether and someone could launch an attack from this climb already.

At 144km the stage is fairly short and the GC contenders will have tomorrow to stay sheltered in the pack, so we expect a wild stage.

From our hotel we will be able to ride a rolling 65km to get to the base of the Port de Bales. There a few options are possible to either; stop the ride, ride "just" the Port de Bales or add the col des Arres as well!

Our private viewing location will be catered to with several TV broadcasting the race live as it nears us!

See pictures of our private viewing location setup.

July 20th
Hotel Location: Paris

As mentioned above, the Peloton today is going over a flat stage through an area with limited transportation options.

The choice was to see the stage today or tomorrow and given the importance of tomorrow's time trial we will skip Tour viewing today.

We will enjoy a morning ride before making the transfer up to Paris.

Your luggage and bikes will be traveling separately so you will not have to worry about them during transportation.

There are a number of possible rides in the area. More mountains; Hautacam, Luz Ardidens, col du Soulor and Aubisque are all well within striking distance.

If you prefer a less "hilly" is option today, that is very feasible as well!

July 21st
Hotel Location: Paris

This will be the last opportunity for the contenders to the Yellow jersey to make their mark on the 2012 Tour and we will be in the heart of the action.

We will be making the trip to near Chartres where we will have setup a private and catered viewing location for Custom getaways Clients only.

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 in Paris.

July 22nd
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 tonight?

We will find out today as we watch the arrival from our seats in the Official Grand Stands alongside the "World's most beautiful Avenue".

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, the Grand stands and the dinner cruise.

July 23rd
Check out of the Hotel at your leisure before Noon... or extend your stay in the City of Lights!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

- Transfer from Toulouse airport

- All transfers throughout trip as needed

- Hotel rooms based on double occupancy (10 nights).
- All breakfasts at the hotels
- 7 Dinners, including Sunset Dinner cruise

- 2 lunches

- Air-conditioned Minibuses with on-course accreditations for support

- picnic Lunch on July 19th and 21st on course

- Private viewing locations for stages on July 19th and time trial on 21st

- Grand stand seating in Paris

- Bi-lingual and bi-cultural group Leader

- Bike Mechanic and guides

- Discount card for Official Tour de France stores

- Cycling Jersey

- 2 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
- Post-Trip extension in Paris; July 23rd to 26th - a few days to enjoy Paris

July 13th Hotel Location: near Carcassonne We will be picking up at Toulouse airport around noon and make our way to our first hotel located near the Medieval part of Carcassonne. Once at our hotel, we'll check-in and those who wish to ride can assemble or get fitted for their bikes (if renting). Our mechanics will be there to assist in any way possible. Riders can then take a ride in the area to ensure proper operation. If you prefer not to ride, you will be able to relax a bit and we'll also take a bit of time to watch today's stage finish on TV! It will then be time to get together over a welcome toast, do proper introductions and go over the next few days' fun and action... of course a welcome dinner will follow!

July 14th Hotel Location: Carcassonne Happy Bastille Day! We'll be celebrating this evening, but there is an entire day ahead of us! We'll plan our loop ride in the morning and those riding will get to cycle some of the vineyards in the Minervois region. While less famous than the vineyards of Bordeaux or Burgundy, the Minervois are part of the Languedoc AOC. There will be some time to relax at the hotel or head into the walled section of Carcassonne. We've planned the dinner at the hotel as there are so many peolpe everywhere and the location is well within "viewing" of the fireworks.

July 15th Hotel Location: Carcassonne The start will take place in nearby Limoux which is just 25km from Carcassonne, so we will ride to the start. Starts offer great opportunities for pictures and are the best place to try to catch some of the riders (autographs as well?). Once the peloton is off; we will want to get going ourselves as we are going to ride to Foix to catch the stage finish! It will then be time to make our way back to our hotel for a final overnight near Carcassonne .

July 16th Hotel Location: Beaudean The Peloton is going over a flat stage to get to Pau. We'll leave early and pending the final itinerary have planned to see the stage around it's midway point (perhaps an intermediate sprint or feedzone?). We will then ride from this location to our hotel located at the base of the col d'Aspin and col du Tourmalet!

July 17th Hotel Location: Beaudean Since the race is taking its second rest day, we will take this opportunity to ride up the (in)famous col du Tourmalet. This climb has been featured more than any other in the history of the Tour de France - tomorrow will mark the 78th time the race goes over its summit! From the hotel it will there are several options. Our hotel is for the most part at the base of the Tourmalet, so one option is "simply" to ride up the most direct route and back. Another option is to loop around and climb the Western side and downhill on the East back to the hotel. Once at the summit, a visit to the Cafe/Restaurant should not be missed - the decoration is well worth a picture... we won't say more to keep the surprise.

July 18th Hotel Location: Beaudean This is as classic a stage as there can be in the Pyrenees and with just a few opportunities remaining to make time differences, this will be a contested stage without a doubt. The finish comes immediately after the downhill of the col de Peyresourde. We will be in Luchon to witness the victory first hand. So who will be first to cross the finish line today? Can Cadel Evans hold off the likely attacks from more climbing specialists? We'll find out today in Luchon. We will also be able to ride out from the hotel once more and get to Luchon while riding over the col d'Aspin and col de Peyresourde - all on course - and downhill into Bagneres de Luchon.

July 19th Hotel Location: Beaudean The final High Mountains Pyrenees stage of the 2012 edition ends atop Peyragudes which is a first. While the final climb isn't as difficult as others in the area, the Port de Bales just preceding it is another animal altogether and someone could launch an attack from this climb already. At 144km the stage is fairly short and the GC contenders will have tomorrow to stay sheltered in the pack, so we expect a wild stage. From our hotel we will be able to ride a rolling 65km to get to the base of the Port de Bales. There a few options are possible to either; stop the ride, ride "just" the Port de Bales or add the col des Arres as well! Our private viewing location will be catered to with several TV broadcasting the race live as it nears us! See pictures of our private viewing location setup.


July 20th Hotel Location: Paris As mentioned above, the Peloton today is going over a flat stage through an area with limited transportation options. The choice was to see the stage today or tomorrow and given the importance of tomorrow's time trial we will skip Tour viewing today. We will enjoy a morning ride before making the transfer up to Paris. Your luggage and bikes will be traveling separately so you will not have to worry about them during transportation. There are a number of possible rides in the area. More mountains; Hautacam, Luz Ardidens, col du Soulor and Aubisque are all well within striking distance. If you prefer a less "hilly" is option today, that is very feasible as well!

July 21st Hotel Location: Paris This will be the last opportunity for the contenders to the Yellow jersey to make their mark on the 2012 Tour and we will be in the heart of the action. We will be making the trip to near Chartres where we will have setup a private and catered viewing location for Custom getaways Clients only. 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 in Paris.

July 22nd 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 tonight? We will find out today as we watch the arrival from our seats in the Official Grand Stands alongside the "World's most beautiful Avenue".
	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, the Grand stands and the dinner cruise.

July 23rd Check out of the Hotel at your leisure before Noon... or extend your stay in the City of Lights!

WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Transfer from Toulouse airport - All transfers throughout trip as needed - Hotel rooms based on double occupancy (10 nights). - All breakfasts at the hotels - 7 Dinners, including Sunset Dinner cruise - 2 lunches - Air-conditioned Minibuses with on-course accreditations for support - picnic Lunch on July 19th and 21st on course - Private viewing locations for stages on July 19th and time trial on 21st - Grand stand seating in Paris - Bi-lingual and bi-cultural group Leader - Bike Mechanic and guides - Discount card for Official Tour de France stores - Cycling Jersey - 2 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 - Post-Trip extension in Paris; July 23rd to 26th - a few days to enjoy Paris