Custom Getaways - Tour de France packages

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2009 Giro d'Italia

May 9th to May 31st, 2009

LANCE ARMSTRONG

will be racing the GIRO!

Lance Armstrong confirmed his participation some time ago, and with the likes of Ivan Basso, Danilo Di Luca, Gilberto Simoni, Damiano Cunego (all 4 past winners) as well as other hopefuls such as Carlos Sastre, Denis Menchov and possibly Cadel Evans the battle to win the 100th anniversary Giro d'Italia will be Epic.

The course itself is spectacular as well with;

- Team Time Trial start in Venice

- Dolomite mountains arriving early in the race

- Difficult French Alps stage

- The 100km intra-Milan stage

- a very long and difficult 61.7km Time Trial in beautiful Cinque Terre

- Tuscany and Firenze

- Mountain stages at Monte Petrani and BlockHaus

- The spectacular mountain-top... or rather volcano-top finish on the Vesuvius

- The time-trial in Rome on the final day

Of course we'll be there for it all and will be in all the best locations!

Despite being the second largest Tour (after the Tour de France), the Giro offers a more approachable experience of the race and our connections to the racing world allow us to, sometimes gain even better access. In previous years some of our clients were able to ride in team cars directly behind the pros on the final time trial. We also visited team Cofidis at their hotel one evening and spent time with some of the riders.

2009 Giro Trips

24th to June 1st, 2009 - Est cost = $3575

The Mountain stages of Mont Petrani, BlockHaus and Vesuvius, Pompeii, Amalfi coast, Giro arrival in Rome and climactic final time trial.

Option to add 4 days including the grueling 62km Time Trial in Cinque Terre and Tuscany.

We will offer a minimum of 2 rides daily. The distances will vary depending on terrain but you can expect anywhere from 20/25 to 40/45 miles for the shorter distances and 45/50 miles to 70/75 miles for the longer distances. We also pride ourselves on being to adapt the distances to cater to a wide variety of cycling abilities. This quality is often pointed out in many of our satisfied customer comments.

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24th to June 1st, 2009 - cost = $3575

- May 24th -

Hotel location: Perugia, Umbria

We'll be picking up toward the later part of the morning at Rome Fumicino airport (FCO). From Rome we'll make our way to the Umbria region check into our hotel.

Those riding will be able to assemble bikes. Our mechanic will help those in need of assistance and we will then go for a short spin to stretch-out the legs from traveling.

We'll then gather for a group dinner and go over the next few days' planned fun and excitement.

- May 25th -
Hotel location: Perugia, Umbria
Giro stage 16 / Pergola - Monte Petrano / 237km
	What a stage! 237km is quite a distance in a Grand Tour and this particular stage isn't exactly flat with several sizeable climbs including the mountain top finish on Monte Petrano. We will be riding from our hotel to meet-up with the race. Our ride distance is 77km and there will be a shorter option as well. Once the stage is over we'll make our way back to the hotel for the evening.	Monte Petrano

- May 26th -
Hotel location: Loreta Aprutino
Giro stage / Rest Day
	While the Peloton takes a well deserved break from the race, we'll ride over some of the wonderful scenery the region has to offer. Our ride will take us to Terni which features spectacular waterfalls and a very nice Duomo. We'll end the day in the medieval town of Loreto Aprutino in a fantastic hotel which is a castle.

- May 27th -
Hotel location: Loreta Aprutino
Giro stage 17 / Chieti - Blockhaus / 79km
	Another stage and another Mountain top finish. Contrary to stage #16 however, at 79km, this is a very short stage for a GT! Of course we'll be in the climb to Blockhaus and since our hotel happens to be on the stage route, the location couldn't be any more convenient! Once the race is over, we'll get back to our "castello" for the evening.

- May 28th -
Hotel location: Sorrento
Giro stage 18 / Sulmona - Benevento / 181km
	The only hill on this stage comes very early on with the rest being flat. We'll ride early from the hotel to get to Sulmona and see the start of today's stage. Starts offer great opportunities for pictures and to mingle with the teams and racers warming up (autographs as well?). Tour starts are often a favorite part of our trips as the interaction with the riders/teams is unparalleled. Once the stage is off we'll drive south to Pompeii for a visit of the impressive archeological site.

- May 29th -
Hotel location: Sorrento
Giro stage 19 / Avellion - Vesuvio / 164km
	We'll be riding a loop from and to the hotel today over one of Europe's finest coastal rides. Those who wish to ride the longest distance, will go by Amalfi, Positano and see the race pass us by on the Picco Sant' Angelo climb! We'll then coast down to Sorrento where we can see the stage finish on TV with "the locals". We'll spend the evening in Sorrento again.

- May 30th -

Hotel location: Sorrento

Giro stage 20 / Napoli - Anagni / 203km

Today's flat stage acts as a transition stage for the race to get closer to Rome.

We've chosen to skip the stage to take better advantage of what our area has to offer. There is so much to see and do that we decided that the best would be to allow the day to be more "a la carte".

We'll have a ride planned in the morning and we'll then have some time to spend sightseeing.

Those who wish can plan a day trip to the Island of Capri.

Mount Solaro (Capri)

Blue Grotto (Capri)

Mount Vesuvius profile

Positano

Crater Vesuvius

- May 31st -
Hotel location: Rome
Giro stage 21 / Rome - Rome / 15.3km - Time Trial
	The entire Giro course and stages has been a festival of beautiful locations and important stages so far. Today's stage is no exception. Rather than the usual "parade", the race will end with a time trial through historic Rome. The stage will go by Porta Pia, Piazza del Popolo, Piazza Venezia and the Coliseum (just to name a few landmarks!) and end on Via dei fori Imperiali. We'll leave the Sorrentine peninsula early and make our way to our hotel in Rome, located within walking distance of the Time Trial course.