Discover France Adventures Announces Nine 2011 VIP Cycling and Non-Cycling Tours Following Routes of and with Access to Tour de France Legends

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- A French company that specializes in bringing clients up close and personal with Tour de France announces that again this summer its bicycle tours will follow routes and destinations through the Alps taken by the legendary cycling competitors. Discover France Adventures (http://www.discoverfrance.com), the leaders and specialists in France for cycling and hiking tours, is one of only four companies globally and the only one in France licensed to bestow varieties of Tour de France access to its guests.

Its VIP itineraries (http://discoverfrance.com/tour-de-france.html) will give exclusive on-site access to the world's top cycling luminaries.  

"Our VIP guests will have the opportunity to make contact with top pro riders and experience what it's like on the podium before the stage and GC winners. They literally get to bike along the same routes the great names in cycling are racing just a few hours behind them, and this year's Tour will pit some legendary names in a head-to-head battle that shouldn't be missed," said Loren Siekman, President of Discover France Adventures.

For the 2011 Season, Discover France Adventures has on tap nine VIP Tours with special access to the Tour de France. Both challenging and moderate level cycling tours accommodating a wide variety of abilities, as well as tours expressly designed for non-cyclists. Here's a capsule description of what is offered:

The Alpes VIP Tours - Challenging and Moderate levels. The Alpes is where the 2011 Tour champion will be made! The July 16-23 tours are priced from 2630 euro (VIP Challenging) and 2969 euro (VIP Moderate), double occupancy. The tours start in Montpellier and finish in Grenoble, and offer unique opportunities to mingle with the challengers. The route includes Alpe d'Huez, Mont Ventoux, Croix de Fer and other trophy climbs. Participants will be on Alpe d'Huez, at the finish line on July 22 in the Izoard Bus and join the champagne celebration while watching the winner and most likely the 2011 Tour champion cross the line.

Challenging: http://www.cyclingclassics.com/Tour_de_France_ChallengeTours3.php

Moderate: http://www.cyclingclassics.com/Tour_de_France_ModerateTours2.php

Two Provence-Alpes VIP Tours, July 16-23, are priced at 2820  euro (VIP Challenging) and 2865 euro (VIP Moderate), based on double occupancy. The Tour champion will be determined at the top of the Alpe d'Huez and riders on this tour will witness the deciding battle for the yellow jersey. Tours will visit Ventoux, Gap, Izoard, Alpe d'Huez, Lautaret and Galibier. Enjoy the sprint finish in Montpellier at the Izoard bus as the tour transitions from the Pyrenees to the Alpes.

Challenging: http://www.cyclingclassics.com/Tour_de_France_ChallengeTours2.php

Moderate: http://www.cyclingclassics.com/Tour_de_France_ModerateTours3.php

Pyrenees VIP Tours run July 9-16 and are priced from 2755 euro (VIP Challenging) and 3225 euro (VIP Moderate), double occupancy. The Pyrenees is the first major mountain stop in 2011 after some important climbs in the Massif Central. Travel from Clermont-Ferrand and finish in Toulouse, including a ride on the course into Luz Ardiden on Bastille Day.

Challenging: http://www.cyclingclassics.com/Tour_de_France_ChallengeTours1.php

Moderate: http://www.cyclingclassics.com/Tour_de_France_ModerateTours1.php

These programs include lodging in superior category hotels, all breakfasts, picnic lunches and several dinners, cycling guides and support vans and more. Discover France also offers three non-cycling tours for a VIP Tour de France experience without having to pedal:

Opening Week Brittany VIP Non-Cycling Tour, July 2-7, priced at 2279 euro, double. The Tour takes no prisoners with an opening stage of 191 kilometers and the following team time trial day where guests have VIP Access.

http://www.cyclingclassics.com/Tour_de_France_CustomTours1.php

Grenoble Time Trial & Paris Finish VIP Non Cycling Tour, July 21-25, priced at 1985 euro, double. See the ultimate deciding stage in Grenoble, the only individual time trial of the 2011 Tour, and witness up close the eventual winner and podium finishers vie for the title. In Paris, participants will have VIP finish line seating to enjoy what is always a prestigious sprint victory on the glamorous Champs Elysees.

http://www.cyclingclassics.com/Tour_de_France_Paris1.php

Paris Finish Line VIP Non Cycling Tour, July 23-25, priced from 599 euro (3-star hotel) to 629 euro (4-star hotel), double. The perfect package for anyone who wants to take in the excitement of the big finish in Paris on July 24.

http://www.cyclingclassics.com/Tour_de_France_Paris2.php

Discover France Adventures has been organizing bicycle tours and hiking tours in France since 1994 and has offices in both the USA and in France. Discover France Adventures' award-winning tours are made up of their unique self-guided tours and very competitively priced guided tours. They are proud to be a continued supporter of Sustainable Travel International.

Visit http://www.discoverfrance.com for all details or contact them by phone at 800.960.2221 or by email at [email protected].  

MEDIA INQUIRIES:

Alexia Nestora, Lasso Communications, 1.303.898.3376, [email protected]

This press release was issued through eReleases(R).  For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Discover France Adventures