Custom Getaways | Tour de France packages

2012 Non-Cycling VIP access

July 16th to July 23rd, 2012

Itinerary - What's Included - Options

This trip will cover the final 6 stages of the 2012 Tour de France including VIP Access to 2 stages, the stages in the Pyrenees, the Final Time Trial and the arrival in Paris with Grand Stand seating on the Champs Elysees included!
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 - Non Cycling VIP access

Rate : $4225.00/person

7 nights, 8 days - July 16th to July 23rd

Pick-up in Toulouse airport (TLS) at 11:00am

Highlights: the stages in the Pyrenees, Special VIP access to stage finish on July 16th, VIP Access to stage start and riders enclosure on July 20th, Private viewing location on July 19th, Grand Stands for Arrival in Paris, Sunset dinner cruise

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

July 16th
Hotel Location : Lourdes

We will be picking up at Toulouse airport at 11:00am and immediately make our way to the capital of the Bearn region and site of today's stage finish; PAU.

Once in Pau, we will have passes to 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.

Once the stage is over, we'll make our way to Lourdes for our overnight.

July 17th

Hotel Location : Lourdes

The race is taking a second and final rest day and several teams will be staying in Pau. We will plan a visit to see if we can spot some of the riders and spend some time in this enjoyable city!

We are also working on an option to visit the Pic du Midi observatory - weather allowing.

July 18th
Hotel Location: Lourdes

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 live!

We will plan on arriving around noon, so you can have some time to wander around the Thermal town of Bagneres de Luchon have lunch and feel the excitement building as the peloton nears the finish line!

July 19th
Hotel Location: Toulouse

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.

We will make our way to the Port de Bales which is where we intend to watch the race live from.

We are currently working on several options.

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.

We'll then make our way to Toulouse to be on site for tomorrow's stage.

July 20th
Hotel Location: Paris

The start will take place in nearby Blagnac where we will have VIP access to the activities surrounding the stage start. The "start 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.

There will be some time in the partner's gated "village" which features various exhibits and entertainment. A Tour de France shop is also on site.

Thanks to our passes, we will also have access to the rider's area, meet some of the racers, 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; it will be time to make our way North to Paris!

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
Hotel Location: N/A

You may leave at your leisure prior to check-out time... or extend your stay in Paris!

WHAT'S INCLUDED

- Transfer from Toulouse airport

- All transfers throughout the trip as needed

- Hotel rooms based on double occupancy (7 nights)
- All breakfasts at the hotels
- 5 Dinners

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

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

- Exclusive VIP access to stage finish on July 16th in Pau

- VIP access to start village and rider's enclosure on stage of July 20th

- Grand stands for final stage in Paris

- Bi-lingual and bi-cultural group Leader

- Support staff

- Tour de France welcome package

- Discount card for Official Tour de France stores

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

- Special Tour de France gift

- Memories to last a lifetime!

OPTIONS

- Trip Insurance
- Grand stands upgrade
- Post-Trip extension in Paris; July 23rd to 26th - a few days to enjoy Paris

July 16th Hotel Location : Lourdes We will be picking up at Toulouse airport at 11:00am and immediately make our way to the capital of the Bearn region and site of today's stage finish; PAU. Once in Pau, we will have passes to 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. Once the stage is over, we'll make our way to Lourdes for our overnight.

July 17th Hotel Location : Lourdes The race is taking a second and final rest day and several teams will be staying in Pau. We will plan a visit to see if we can spot some of the riders and spend some time in this enjoyable city! We are also working on an option to visit the Pic du Midi observatory - weather allowing.


July 18th Hotel Location: Lourdes 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 live! We will plan on arriving around noon, so you can have some time to wander around the Thermal town of Bagneres de Luchon have lunch and feel the excitement building as the peloton nears the finish line!

July 19th Hotel Location: Toulouse 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. We will make our way to the Port de Bales which is where we intend to watch the race live from. We are currently working on several options. 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. We'll then make our way to Toulouse to be on site for tomorrow's stage.


July 20th Hotel Location: Paris The start will take place in nearby Blagnac where we will have VIP access to the activities surrounding the stage start. The "start 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. There will be some time in the partner's gated "village" which features various exhibits and entertainment. A Tour de France shop is also on site. Thanks to our passes, we will also have access to the rider's area, meet some of the racers, 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; it will be time to make our way North to Paris!

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 Hotel Location: N/A You may leave at your leisure prior to check-out time... or extend your stay in Paris!

WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Transfer from Toulouse airport - All transfers throughout the trip as needed - Hotel rooms based on double occupancy (7 nights) - All breakfasts at the hotels - 5 Dinners - picnic Lunch on July 19th and 21st on course - Private viewing locations for stages on July 19th and time trial on 21st - Exclusive VIP access to stage finish on July 16th in Pau - VIP access to start village and rider's enclosure on stage of July 20th - Grand stands for final stage in Paris - Bi-lingual and bi-cultural group Leader - Support staff - Tour de France welcome package - Discount card for Official Tour de France stores - Detailed cue-cards, directions, maps, profile of stages, etc. - Special Tour de France gift - Memories to last a lifetime!
OPTIONS
- Trip Insurance - Grand stands upgrade - Post-Trip extension in Paris; July 23rd to 26th - a few days to enjoy Paris