TOUR DE FRANCE 2013 MONT VENTOUX TO ALPE D'HUEZ CYCLING HOLIDAY Saturday 13th to Friday 19th July 2013 With or Without Bikes

There is no doubt that the two most awaited stages of the 2013 Tour de France are the mountain top finishes at Mont Ventoux and at Alpe d’Huez, and that’s exactly what this tour offers you…2 iconic mountains over 6 days, with time in between for riding and relaxing, and with privileged accommodation on Alpe d’Huez…

For those bringing bikes you will be able to ride these two famous climbs that feature on the 2013 Route du Tour, Mont Ventoux and Alpe d’Huez, as well as other iconic climbs like the Col du Galibier, Col du Glandon and Col du Lautaret.

We will spend two nights in the town of Pierrelatte at Hotel du Centre followed by four nights at the ski station of Alpe d’Huez. Having accommodation on Alpe d’Huez for the Tour de France is a real privilege and you will be able to enjoy the unique atmosphere that the Alpe provides during the build up to the 2013 Tour de France arrival, as well as the festivities on race day.

Please arrange your own flight to Geneva airport, where our reps will meet you, and we will run a transfer to Pierrelatte at 15.00hrs. If you can’t make it for 15.00hrs, then please look at flights the day before and stay at one of the Geneva airport hotels would be a possibility.

From the UK there are numerous budget airlines that fly into Geneva airport (book early to take advantage of cheap flights).

Saturday 13th July:
Arrange your own flight into Geneva airport, where we will meet you and offer a transfer at 15.00hrs to Pierrelatte, where we spend 2 nights on Dinner B&B basis at a 2* Hotel du Centre.

Sunday 14th July:
Today is Bastille Day (France's National Day) and what better way to celebrate than with a classic mountain top finish to the mythical Mont Ventoux. This will be the longest stage of the 2013 Tour de France, at 242km, starting from Givors. Givors is just to the south of Lyon and this stage will follow the Rhone Valley all the way to the Provence region of Vaucluse and the small town of Bedoin from where the riders will tackle one of the hardest climbs of the 2013 Tour de France, the 21km ascent of the Giant of the Provence, Mont Ventoux…

Our location in Pierrelatte is excellent for accessing the stage, and those with bikes will be able to ride from the hotel to Mont Ventoux to see the stage (55km), whilst those without bikes will be taken to the town of Bedoin at the bottom of the climb, from where you will be able to walk onto the lower slopes. Those riders that don’t want to ride from the hotel can travel to Bedoin on the bus and ride the mountain of Mont Ventoux from there.

After seeing the stage we will rejoin the bus in Bedoin and return to our hotel in Pierrelatte.

Monday 15th July:
As the riders of the 2013 Tour de France spend their second rest day in the city of Avignon, we will make our journey into the Alps and the ski station of Alps d'Huez, the location of the double ascent of the climb on the 18th of July. We will spend 4 nights on half board basis at our hotel in the centre of Alpe d'Huez. Being located in Alpe d’Huez for the 2013 Tour de France is a real advantage and you will be able to enjoy the unique atmosphere that the Alpe provides during the build up to the 2013 Tour de France arrival, as well as the festivities on race day.

Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th July:
These 2 days are free days in Alpe d’Huez for riding and taking in the special atmosphere that only Alpe d’Huez can provide in the build up to the arrival of the Tour de France.

For those with bikes, there are many ride options available. You can ride to the Col du Galibier and back or to the Col du Glandon. There is also the TDF race circuit loop that the riders will do on the Alpe d’Huez stage, taking in the newly surfaced Col de Sarenne and the climb of Alpe d’Huez (twice).

For the non-cyclists there are numerous activities in Alpe d’Huez like walking in the mountains, the ski lift to the glacier at Pic Blanc, mountain bike hire, indoor sports centre, outdoor swimming pool).

Thursday 18th July:
The long awaited stage to the famous Alpe d’Huez and its 21 hair-pinned bends finally arrives today but this stage is different to any other past editions as this year the mountain will be climbed twice!!. This gives us the opportunity to see two fantastic ascents of this iconic climb.

Our location could not be better for accessing the most popular mountain stage of the 2013 Tour de France. Waking up in Alpe d’Huez only meters from the stage route is a real privilege. Some of our hotels have balconies and terraces that overlook the stage route only 1km from the stage finish. After seeing the stage we will spend the night in Alpe d’Huez along with the teams, race officials and the Tour caravan.

Friday 19th July:
As the riders of the Tour de France enter the final weekend of the race, they face a massive “5 Cols” mountain stage across the Alps from Bourg d’Oisans to the ski town of Le Grand Bornand. This is a 204km stage that takes in the Col du Glandon, Col de la Madeleine, Col de Tamie, Col de l’Epine and finally the very steep Col de la Croix Fry before finishing at Le Grand Bornand. This will be a very tough stage.

After breakfast we will descend down from Alpe d’Huez to the town of Bourg d’Oisans, where you will see the stage start. Here you will be able to see the riders sign on and start this mammoth stage that crosses the Alps.

After seeing the start we will rejoin the bus and travel to Geneva airport. We aim to arrive at Geneva airport for approx. 14.30hrs to 15.00hrs, for people to take evening flights. Should this be too late for your flight time then you can take an extra night at Geneva airport and fly out the next day, (see supplement below for 1 extra night).

Alternatively, you can spend 2 extra nights at a hotel close to Geneva airport, and on Saturday 20th July see the final mountain stage from Annecy to Col du Semnoz. Geneva airport is only 40mins from Annecy. (See 2 nights extra supplement).

ADDITONAL DAYS:

Saturday 20th July:
Fly out from Geneva airport or (please see below for the additional itinerary if 1 or 2 extra nights are added):

After breakfast you will be taken the short distance from Geneva airport to Annecy to see today's stage. The penultimate stage of the Tour de France is usually a Time Trial. For the 100th edition, the TDF organizers are breaking with tradition and today’s stage will be a mountain stage that starts in the picturesque town of Annecy and finishes on top of the Col du Semnoz which is a 1700mts mountain that towers above the town of Annecy and Lake Annecy.

We will see the stage start in Annecy and then those will bikes will be able to ride the Col du Semnoz to see the finish of this crucial mountain stage, and the winner of the 100th Tour de France, whilst those without bikes will be able to see the finish on the lower slopes of the Semnoz mountain.
After seeing the stage we return to our hotel at Geneva airport.

Tonight, we prefer not to advise you to book a flight as we do not know at this stage what time we will be back at Geneva airport. Please call us to discuss if you still want to do this.

Sunday 21st July:
Fly out from Geneva airport…..

COST: £999 per person, based on two people sharing a Twin room. Single supplement for the sole occupancy of these rooms is £239 Supplement for an extra night at Hotel Nash at Geneva airport: £120 (based on 2 people sharing a twin room) Supplement for 2 extra nights at Hotel Nash at Geneva airport: £210 (based on 2 people sharing a twin room) Twin to share: If you would like to join us as a single traveller but you want to avoid the single supplement then you can make use of our 'twin to share' option. We will pair you up with another rider (of the same sex) and you can enjoy the event without having to pay extra. Simply click on the green button and select the twin to share option. INCLUDES: 2 nights at the Hotel du Centre** on half board basis 4 nights at our hotel in Alpe d'Huez on half board basis Bike storage at the hotels Transfers for you and your bike from and to Geneva airport Various pre-mapped riding options with GPX files and maps The services of our Sports Tours coach representative and riding guide DOES NOT INCLUDE: Your flights to and from Geneva Any other meals and drinks to what is included above Travel insurance (Very important)

HOW TO BOOK: Click on the green button below. Adults 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 At time of booking we require a non-refundable deposit per person plus any applicable entry fee. The balance of your travel package must be paid, at the latest, 12 weeks before departure to avoid the cancellation of your trip. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Visas are not required to enter France. You need a passport or a National Identity Card (see the website of the Identity and Passport Service (IPS)) to enter France. As a British passport holder or National Identity Card holder you may stay as a visitor for three months. For links to important websites, click here. All other non-UK passport holders must check their own country's entry requirements for France. For details of insurance for our travel packages, please visit our insurance page. There is additional information about our other Concierge Services on our special web page.

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