Custom Getaways

Hotel Location: Evian
We will be picking up at Geneva airport at noon and will then head to Les Rousses where, thanks to our passes, we will 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.

Once the stage is over, we will make our way to our beautiful hotel located between lake and mountain, just above Evian.

Hotel Location: Evian
Our hotel location is very convenient to get to the stage start in Les Rousses where we will be treated to the "Start Village". 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 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: near Chambery - Private Chateau
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 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.

We anticipate many of the teams will be staying either in Morzine or Avoriaz, which from our hotel location is a great ride.

Our next hotel is one of our favorite places to stay in the Alps and is a wonderful Private Chateaux

Hotel Location: near Chambery - Private Chateau
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. If you've 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 the most on this trip will be able to ride from the hotel and catch onto the Tour stage in Albertville before riding the final 75km on course, including the col de la Madeleine! The total ride distance comes to right around 100km. We will need to cross the finish line around 2:00pm, which means that a relatively 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. From the top of the col de la Madeleine, the ride distance is 32km mostly downhill and those not riding will be driven over the course to enjoy the excitement of the climb, climb the podium, etc. Custom Getaways vehicle(s) with on-course accreditation will be accompanying you and provide 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 be able to 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").

Once the stage is over we will make the short drive back to our Chateau to change. Dinner isn't included tonight. Those who wish to eat at our hotel can do so of course, otherwise we will be going into the old part of Chambery for an evening on the town.

Hotel Location: near Chambery - Private Chateau

Happy Bastille Day!!!
This final stage through the French Alps will start in Chambery which is where we will see the stage from. We are in the Alps and within striking distance of Alpe d'Huez so once the Pros are off, we'll get to ride the (in)famous climb -  it would be a crime to be so close and not use the opportunity to ride cycling Mecca!

Once at the top of the climb, there will be a bit of time for shopping. This is our final day together, so we will finish in style with a transfer from Alpe d'Huez directly back to our Chateau!

We will enjoy a farewell dinner this evening to celebrate these memorable past few days together.

Hotel Location: n/a

We will be transferring to Lyon airport (which also has a TGV train station) in the morning.

 WHAT'S INCLUDED

- Transfer from Geneva airport

- Transfer to Lyon airport

- All transfers throughout trip as needed

- Hotel rooms based on double occupancy (5 nights in 5 star properties).
- All breakfasts at the hotels
- All but two dinners

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

- VIP access to Izoard pavilion (Stage #7 - July 10th)

- VIP access to stage start and rider's enclosure (Stage #8 - July 11th)

- Exclusive VIP ride of stage #8 with official Tour Vehicle escort just hours before the peloton
- Crossing of finish line in Saint jean de Maurienne (Stage 8 - July 13th)
- Tour de France Podium photo finish

- Visit of technical/media areas

- Viewing of 4 stages in total

- visit/ride of one of the Pro teams

- riding Alpe d'Huez

- Helicopter transfer off of Alpe d'Huez

- Bi-lingual and bi-cultural group Leader

- Bike Mechanic

- Guides

- Support Staff

- Excellent staff to guest ratio of about 1:3

- 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)

- Extension to ride Mont Ventoux
- Trip Insurance