"VIP Alps and Arrival" Package

July 17th to July 24th

As an official Tour Operator for the Tour de France, we are in a position to offer you behind the scenes access you never thought possible.

This trip will allow you to see the Tour from the inside as a VIP. When we mean VIP access, we mean visit of the Press rooms, Technical Zones, visits guided by a representative of the Tour de France organization, visit of the Riders Zone, Grand stands for a stage finish, meeting personalities that have marked the Tour (former Tour winners, personalities, etc...). In addition to having VIP access to a stage start and 2 stage finishes, you will also be able to ride the final time trial (Stage #19), on the same day as the pros, just hours before the Yellow Jersey and the peloton. This experience will include crossing the actual finish line and pictures of yourself on the official Tour de France Podium. We are also working on getting authorization to use the start ramp and a timing system. This is the first time the Organization allows the public to experience the Tour from the inside. Can you stand not to be part of it?

Please read below for day by day description of the trip.

This trip is open to cyclist as well as those who prefer not to ride and restricted to 20 people to preserve its exclusive character.

- July 17th -

Pick-up in Lyon Airport or Grenoble or Chambery train stations. In addition to having an international airport with easy connections from the US, Lyon airport also has a train station which can be easily accessed via bullet train directly from Paris (Chambery and Grenoble have bullet train stations as well).

Beloki, Armstrong, Mayo, Hamilton (2003)

The serious Alpine stages start today for the racers. On the menu today ; col d'Izoard - col du Lautaret and Alpe d'Huez.

This is an exciting day and we have planned exciting things... Starting with the ride, which will take us from the hotel and over the famous col de la Croix de Fer and then back up to Oz en Oisans to end the ride.

From there we will get to the resort of Alpe d'Huez and make our way to our Chalet located on switchback #2 (second to last switchback). The views from this location are second to none anywhere on the climb to Alpe d'Huez. We will be able to see from the Village of Huez up to our location.  We will also have lunch at the Chalet.

Finally, when the stage is over, we will take a Helicopter ride back down to Saint Jean de Maurienne where we will spend the evening.

Col du Glandon

There are a number of ride options today. Those most eager to get some serious riding in will be able to ride the final 80km of the day's stage. This includes, col de la Croix de Fer (via Glandon), Col du Mollard and the climb to La Toussuire!

A shorter version of the ride would bypass the first few climbs and leave "only" the climb to La Toussuire.

Once the stage is over, we will make our way North to the Haute-Savoie region

Col du Mollard

La Toussuire

- July 20th -

Days are only getting more exciting as we go! Today, you will be able to experience the stage Finish village as a VIP; rub shoulders with the international press as they interview the pros, drink cocktails in the VIP bus, etc. Since we will already be on site, we will be taking an early morning ride from and to Morzine. Those not riding today will get to see the Tour village being setup and have some time to enjoy the Alpine Resort of Morzine.

Several ride options are offered today:

- ride the Aravis, Colombieres and Joux Plane to Morzine

- bypass the Aravis and ride the last 2 climbs of the dayl

- ride to the col des Colombieres and shuttle to the Arrival.

The 2 longest rides will include the final 25km of the stage including the terrible col de Joux Plane. For those who have been following the Tour for the past few years, you will remember this climb as the one that gave Lance Armstrong the most trouble ("that was the hardest day of my life on a bike") back in 2000.

Col de Joux Plane

- July 21st -

Hotel location: Beaune

Short ride: 60km (37.5 mi.) or 42km (26 miles)  - Long ride: 100km (62.5 mi.)

Tour Stage 18  /   Morzine  -  Macon  /  193km (120.5 miles)

While the Tour heads out of the Alps, we'll take this opportunity to spin out and ride some flatter terrain.

We'll be leaving the Alpes ourselves relatively early to work our way to the heart of the Burgundy region ; Beaune. Beaune is one of France's most interesting cities: its famous basilica, hospice, bell tower and ramparts are part of its heritage. We will be able to cycle through the wine region and those who are so inclined will be able to visit one of the area's great wine producing Chateau and taste the local product!

Our 4 Star hotel this evening is located in the town center. Once a private residence, it features a magnificent tower and a most beautiful stone staircase. An ancient artesian well and Renaissance medallions sculpted into rock can be found in the hotel square.

- July 22nd -

Individual Time Trial - Short/Long ride: 56km (35 mi.)

Tour Stage 19  /  Le Creusot   -  Montceau les Mines  /  56km (35 miles)

Dressed under team colors, you will start the "ride" early and follow the exact stage route and cross the actual finish line. You will be assisted by our cycling guides and we will have 2 Custom Getaways support vehicles with on-course passes and will be cheered on by the thousands of fans lining the roads.

Once you have crossed the finish line, you will be able to have your picture taken on the famous Tour de France Podium. You will then be invited to visit the Press room and to take a seat in the official stands where you will watch the end of the stage on big screen, before the actual arrival live in front of you.

We will be working with the Tour organizers to try to obtain access to the start ramp for great photo opportunities and will try to have a timing system as well. The start of the ride is dependent upon the start of today's stage. Since this is an individual time trial, it will likely vary up until July 21st. An early start will be necessary regardless.

The evening will be back in beautiful Beaune.

You will find a profile of the time trial by  clicking here

- July 23rd -

Hotel location: Paris

Tour Stage 20  /   Anthony  - Paris Champs-Elysees   /  152km (95 miles)

What an unbelievable finish to this trip we have scheduled for you. This is the perfect day to gain backstage access to the start of the stage as everyone is a lot more relaxed. Only the last few contenders for the green jersey might be more tense. This is all about Champagne and making it through 3 weeks of grueling racing and into Paris.

So we will go behind the scenes for the start of the stage. Our passes will enable us to get to the start village and enter the restricted areas. You'll be able to see the Pros warm up, cycling mechanics fine tune the bikes, and "Directeur Sportifs" give last  minute advice. Make sure you have a Sharpie (or two!) ready.

The start village opens 3 hours before the race actually starts so we anticipate around 10:15am. This means that we will need to leave early from Beaune. Once the race is off, we will take a subway train to get to Paris and the Champs Elysees to watch the arrival from our viewing suites. 

Who will succeed to Lance Armstrong? Will it be one of the favorites - Ullrich, Basso, Vinokourov, etc, or will someone else have the honor? We will find out this afternoon.

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 sunset dinner-cruise along the Seine river. Great food and unbelievable sight-seeing of Paris by night will end our “sensory overloaded day”!!!

Our 4 Star hotel is located within walking distance of the Champs Elysees, our viewing suites and the dinner cruise.

- July 24th -

Tour...  not until next year!

Goodbyes or....... Option to Visit Paris for a few days (read about this option below)