PROVENCE & ALPINE STAGES QUALITY PACKAGE (3* Hotels) [Live the Dream] VIP Package options Tuesday 15th to Friday 25th July 2008 With or Without Bikes

On this tour you will see the 2 Provence stages (Nimes & Dignes les Bains) as well as all the crucial Alpine stages, and for those bringing bikes you will be able to ride the famous climbs such as the mythical climb of Mont Ventoux, Larche, Vars, Izoard, Bonette-Restefond, Lauteret, Galibier and Alpe d’Huez.
Following the Tour de France for 9 days can be tiring, therefore this tour has been designed with the minimum amount of hotel changes. Apart from the first & last nights in Paris at the 3* Hotel Mercure Porte de Versailles EXPO we shall spend 2 nights in Avignon, 3 nights in Savines le Lac/Guillestre area and 2 nights in privileged accommodation on L’Alpe d’Huez.

As part of this tour you will have the option of spending some VIP days on the Tour de France and join our LIVE THE DREAM package. Our LIVE THE DREAM package offers you the opportunity to ride part of the mountain stage Cuneo to Jausiers, have VIP Hospitality treatment at L'Alpe d'Huez stage finish, and access to the Bourg d'Oisans start village and riders enclosure.
We can offer you this exclusive package for the special price of £650 (see supplements below).
For further details please click here.

We shall spend 1 night in Paris on Bed & Buffet Breakfast basis at the 3* Hotel Mercure Porte de Versailles EXPO. We have arranged for you to keep your bike box / bag at the hotel for the duration of the tour as the bikes will travel built up in a special bike trailer.

Wednesday 16^th July:
After breakfast you will be able to load your bike onto the special bike trailer. We shall leave Paris and travel to the Provence city of Avignon where we shall spend the next 2 nights on Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis at a 3* hotel. Our location in Avignon offers excellent access to Mont Ventoux and the 2 stages that pass through Provence.

Thursday 17^th July:
The Tour de France leaves the Pyrenees and heads for the Mediterranean with a 168km stage from Lavelanet to Narbonne. After the three Pyrenean stages that have been, today will be a relatively quiet stage in the Tour de France with a bunch sprint.

For those with bikes we shall ride the “Giant of Provence”, the mythical climb of Mont Ventoux and pay your respects to Tom Simpson who died on the mountain taking part in the 1967 Tour de France, 41 years ago. For those without bikes it will be a chance to visit Avignon which is on festivals during July or relax and chill out by the hotel swimming pool.

Friday 18^th July:
Today the Tour de France hugs the Mediterranean coast with a 182km flat stage between Narbonne and Nimes. Once again, another day for the sprinters or breakaway as the GC contenders will be saving themselves for the forthcoming Alpine stages.

Our location in Avignon is excellent for seeing the stage and those with bikes will be able to have an easy ride from the hotel to Nimes, and back and may also want to have a look at the Pont du Gard Roman aqueduct. Those without bikes will have the choice of being taken to Nimes for the stage finish, visit the beautiful town of Avignon or relax by the poolside.

Saturday 19^th July:
The Tour de France leaves behind the flatlands of the Mediterranean as it heads inland, under the shadow of Mont Ventoux across the Provence hills with a 182km stage from Nimes to the spa town of Digne les Bains. With all the small climbs on today’s stage it is ideal for a breakaway as the stage is too difficult for the pure sprinters and the GC riders will be saving themselves for the Alps.
After breakfast we shall leave Avignon and travel to a mid point of the stage. Those with bikes will be able to ride from the hotel, whilst those without bikes will be taken there by the touring bus.
After seeing the stage we shall travel into the French Alps and the town of Savines le Lac , Guillestre or Briancon where we shall spend the next 3 nights on half board basis (Dinner B&B).

Sunday 20^th July:
The riders enter the Alps with a 216km stage that will take them from Digne les Bains into Italy and the ski station of Prato Nevoso, en route they will face a number of cols including the 2,000mt Col de Larche whose summit forms the border between France and Italy.
After breakfast we shall travel to see the stage, and those with bikes will be able to ride to the Col de Larche, whilst those without bikes will be taken to see the stage in the touring bus.
After seeing the stage we shall return to our hotel in Savines le Lac, Guillestre or Briancon.

Monday 21st July:
As the Tour de France spends its 2^nd Rest Day in Cuneo (Italy), this  gives us the chance to visit and explore Guillestre and the region. Those with bikes will have numerous options open to them as the monumental climbs of the Col du Galibier, Col du Lauteret, Col du Vars and Col d’Izoard are within easy reach of Guillestre. Those without bikes will be able to have the day at leisure in Savines le Lac , Guillestre or Briancon.

Tuesday 22^nd July:
The Tour de France returns to its home country with a short but brutal stage that takes in Europe’s highest pass, the 2,802mt Col de Bonette-Restefond before plunging down to the finish in Jausiers. Prior to climbing the Col de Bonette the stage will also tackle the Col de la Lombarde (2,350mt) which will bring the riders back into France and via the ski station of Isola 2000.
After an early breakfast we shall travel to the town of Jausiers, from where those with bikes will be able to climb the Col de Bonette-Restefond to see the stage, whilst those without bikes will see the stage finish in Jausiers.
After seeing the stage we shall travel to the ski station of L’Alpe d’Huez where we have reserved privileged accommodation for watching tomorrow’s stage at a hotel overlooking the stage route.

Wednesday 23rd July:
The best is saved for last…..as L’Alpe d’Huez (cycling’s mecca) will play host to the final Alpine stage, and what a stage it is going to be. It’s an absolute classic stage that takes in the monumental climbs of the Col du Lauteret, the mighty Col du Galibier and the Col de la Croix de Fer before climaxing on the 21 hairpin switchbacks to the ski station of L’Alpe d’Huez.
Our location in L’Alpe d’Huez could not be better for accessing the stage as the hotel is located on the stage route, approx 1km from the stage finish near to the final hairpin bend.
After seeing the stage we shall spend the night on L’Alpe d’Huez.

Thursday 24th July:
After following the Tour de France for 9 days and seeing all the Provence stages as well as the crucial Alpine stages it is time to say “Aurevoir” to Le Tour and commence the journey back to Paris.
After breakfast we shall leave L’Alpe d’Huez and descend to Bourg d’Oisans where we shall see the stage start. After seeing the stage start we shall commence our journey back to Paris where we shall spend 1 night on Bed & Buffet Breakfast basis at the 3* Hotel Mercure Porte de Versailles EXPO.

If you want to continue following Le Tour you could join our Montlucon stage finish, Final TT & Paris Finale tour that arrives at the Hotel Mercure in Paris tonight. You would depart with that tour tomorrow morning for the stage finish in Montlucon.
Click here for full details of this tour and see price supplements below.
If you simply want to extend your stay in Paris then we can book extra nights for you at the Mercure Paris Pte de Versailles EXPO. Please see supplements below.

Friday 25^th July:
After breakfast we shall leave Paris. We shall offer transfers from the hotel to Paris Charles de Gaulle airport at the following times 07.30hrs, 11.00hrs & 14.00hrs.

Order a full Graham Baxter Sporting Tours cycling kit (short sleeved jersey, bib shorts, socks and cap) for only £70 (list price £85) when purchased with your holiday booking. See clothing page for clothing details and sizes. Clothing order must be paid in full and sent with holiday booking. The offer does not apply if ordered separately from holiday booking.

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