The calves, the controversy, the climbsit can only be the Tour de France. And if you've got the legs (and lungs) for it, you can get out in front of the pack this July with a Tour de France itinerary from the experts at Discover France.

These eight-day cycling trips follow the same routes as the pros, over the most fearsome mountains of the Alps and Pyrenees and through fields of lavender in Provenceat times just a few hours ahead of the peloton. VIP access allows you to interact with the event's cyclists, and they'll even lend you a yellow jersey so you can commemorate your personal victories.

But our favorite part? With all that pedal-pushing, you won't have to feel bad about having an extra pain au chocolat--or three.

If you're going to hurl yourself out of a helicopter, we can't think of a better sidekick than former James Bond film stuntman John Falkiner. This Aussie adventurer is one of a cast of intrepid outdoorsmen (British commandos, counterterrorism specialists--exactly the kind of people you want around when the chips are down) who lead the way on Momentum Adventure's bespoke extreme sports tours.

The company arranges itineraries based on your fitness level and interests, be it heli-skiing in the Rockies, ascending unconquered mountains in Antarctica (pictured), or dogsledding at the South Pole. And because these are the self-styled "Savile Row" of tailor-made trips, you can wash down a day of adrenaline with a dry martini. Shaken, not stirred, of course.

Photo: Courtesy of Momentum Adventure

Stay at this funky new chalet in the Swiss Alps and you might not even bother putting on your snow boots.

Opening this coming season in the village of Saas-Fee (near the Hannig lift station, if you do decide to venture out), Chalet Chloe is a three-floor property with four double bedrooms and a bunk room for kids. This place has the wood paneling and kick-ass views we love about traditional Swiss chalets, but it's the cool lighting, rotating fireplace, and buttery leather sofas that will make it impossible to extract yourself, especially after a couple of mugs of Glühwein. The huge sundeck and sauna don't hurt, either.

Suddenly the great outdoors doesn't seem so great.

Photo: Joe Condron