Want to explore Europe for all it’s worth? Backroads believes that the best way to explore Europe-from France‘s storied châteaux to Slovenia‘s Julian Alps-is from the seat of a bicycle on a bike tour through the countryside and forgotten towns brimming with real European culture.
By exploring on a bike, guests are fully immersed in a region’s sights, sounds, scents and daily rhythms. Riding from village to village or through spectacular natural landscapes, they cover enough ground to truly experience an area-with an immediacy one just doesn’t get from behind a steering wheel or a train window.
The Loire Valley, with easy access from Paris, is ideal for families because its roads have few hills and limited traffic. For guests seeking a challenge, Backroads’ new Slovenia & Italy biking trip not only takes riders through two distinct countries, but also offers epic options sure to appease the heartiest bikers. There are more than 200 miles of riding and dramatic, heart pounding climbs!
And, as the value of the Euro continues to rise against the U.S. dollar, guests can look forward to fixed prices that include lodging and most meals, bicycle rental, engaging tour guides and local experts – all you need in a trip to Europe. Since 1979, Backroads has grown to be the world’s #1 active travel company, with the most destinations, itineraries and annual departures in the active travel industry. Check out some of the tours being offered this year.
Five Most Popular European Biking Tours
Slovenia & Italy
New in 2008, you’ll pedal through the green Friuli-Venezia Giulia area, a hidden gem whose Celtic and Roman histories are meticulously preserved. The vine-draped hills of the Collio wine region produce some of Italy’s finest whites and tasting is encouraged. Entering Slovenia, the environ changes to alpine valleys and jewel-like lakes surrounded by the limestone peaks of Triglav National Park. The route leads to Bled, a town beloved for its thermal spas and stunning natural surroundings.
Hungary/Slovakia/Poland
As one of the National Geographic Traveler’s 50 Best Tours of a Lifetime in 2007, this tour sees the re-emergence of Hungary, Slovakia and Poland as a stellar opportunity to discover the glories of old-world Europe. Designed to appeal to a broad range of cycling abilities, this unique itinerary offers days of 100-kilometer-plus cycling through a region that feels both ancient and amazingly new or a relaxed pace thanks to van support. Routes link some of Europe’s most authentic and overlooked medieval cities and castles. Hike over the grand High Tatras, bike on quiet roads to alpine hamlets and cap off the journey in the fin-de-siècle gem of Kraków.
Czech Republic & Austria
As the most popular European bike trip in 2007, this two-country trip brings together two fascinating regions rich in history and tradition. In the Baroque city of Ceský Krumlov, wander cobblestone streets and relax over pints of locally brewed beer. In the heartland of Austria, pedal rolling hills past vineyards and storybook farms. En route to Vienna, ride along the romantic Danube River in the shadow of the imposing Melk Abbey.
Loire Valley
A favourite for families, you’ll experience majestic châteaux emerge on rides through lush forests for a beguiling mix of overt opulence and serene natural beauty. Castles provide respite from the saddle through tours and luxurious lodgings. All around, the gentle landscape is graced with rolling vineyards and fields of wildflowers. There’s no place more ideal than the Loire Valley to live like royalty.
Tuscany
The oldest bike tour offered by Backroads, this tour offers the Chianti landscape features rolling vineyards, stately cypress trees and artfully weathered hillside villas for a backdrop straight out of a Renaissance painting. Pedal into the hills and through such renowned towns as San Gimignano and Volterra to get a feel for the pace of Tuscan life. At day’s end, settle into epicurean accommodations, and savor hearty Tuscan cuisine and an array of celebrated wines.
For more information, please visit: http://www.backroads.com .
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