Question
Bicycling: Can you recommend a 1-2 week bike trip, (probably Europe, but I'm open to elsewhere), not too hilly, with good scenery and inns? Cruising, not racing, off the main roads.
Posted on May 23, 2011
13 Answers
Wow, how has no one suggested THE biking hotspot of Europe... that being The Netherlands?! I biked around southern to northern Holland and I loved it. It was an easy ride, beautiful scenery, and you can fuel yourself on delicious cheese :)
Posted May 25, 2011
Add a commentYou're so right, and I forgot, I DID do that, and it was great! Now looking for new horizons!
Posted on May 25, 2011
I second Britt's suggestion. I just did a bike tour in the Netherlands, near the north shore of the Nordsee, up & down between Noordwijk & Haarlem. I would have loved to spend more time exploring the farmlands and fishing villages. You can check out http://tulipcycling.com/ for customized bike tours.
Posted on May 26, 2011
The Loire Valley, France. Beautiful, easy, bike paths along river.
Check it out. Also wine and fabulous food.
Posted on Feb 27, 2012
Great suggestions everyone!
Posted on Feb 28, 2012
I agree - thanks! We looked at May, but after studying the weather charts a bit (!), and seeing that May is the rainiest month - decided that June-early July will probably be better. Now to choose between all these good spots!
Posted on Mar 02, 2012
Hungary! You can start from Zagreb - Croatia and head to the hungarian border, cycling through country towns, along rivers or sunflower crops that go for ever.Head to Pecs, towns nearby have old forts and a wine growing region, then to Tihany & Lake Balaton, easy to cycle around and plenty of places to kick back, Heviz is a spa lake, awesome, fascinating towns, Tapolca, Vesprem and many more, then you could head up to Sopron on the border with Austria, Vienna is not that far away. Then back along the Danube into Budapest, encountering old Royal palaces. I never ventured to the east part but it has a good reputation. Very flat and so,so enjoyable, language can be a barrier in smaller towns but if desperate enough you will get your message through.
Posted May 24, 2011
Add a commentExcellent - we keep coming back to that Danube Trail...!
Posted on May 25, 2011
Southern Visions Travel in Southern Italy (Puglia) are premier cycling & culinary tour operators (info@southernvisionstravel). Ask for Antonello Losito. Besides the tours, they also run 2 quaint farm villas. Their US sales manager is Michael Housewright (michael.housewright@southernvisionstravel.com, 713-5400989). Tell 'em I sent you!
We also recently created a joint-venture with Southern Visions for a cycling tour in South Africa's Western Cape region. Check out www.helloyebo.com where you can get more info. If you are interested, give me a shout at 917-686-2620.
Thanks and good luck,
Rumit (Immersion Journeys)
Posted May 24, 2011
Add a commentYou know, I never thought about going in a group - must look into that with all these suggestions.
Posted on May 25, 2011
For some crazy adventure try Yucatan Mexico with Basil at El Tours: http://www.bikemexico.com/
I'd suggest us as well, but there are hills (!) http://www.bicycletourmexico.com/tours/
Posted Sep 14, 2011
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I didn't try but somebody recommended these guys to me a while ago... It looks pretty tempting...
http://www.franceavelo.com/uk/index.php
Posted May 23, 2011
Add a commentGreat! Thanks for the link - I didn't realize "bike trips" were such a big thing, and that there's so much info out there.
Posted on May 23, 2011
The Altmuehl Valley in Bavaria--it's beautiful, gentle country, with lots of castles, Roman traces, and fossils. If that isn't long enough for you, it connects to the Danube at Kehlheim, and that is also scenic. See http://www.germany.travel/en/erholung/wandern/deep_content_datenbank_3341.html
Posted May 23, 2011
Add a commentWow. "200 long distance cycle routes.." -Excellent! (And I even speak German!) Ganz toll - danke! I've read about the Danube Cycleway, and it looks great. Now just some unanswered questions like- bring bike? Rent? Dank nochmals!
Posted on May 23, 2011
Cycling is a favorite vacation activity here, and there are lots of bike rental shops all over. Unless you have a very expensive designer model, you will probably be happy with renting a bike here. There used to be a company that specialized in hiking and biking the Altmuehl Valley. I will see if I can find a link for them.
Posted on May 24, 2011
Found it! It is http://natour-altmuehltal.de/radwandern.html I worked with them a bit over 10 years ago to organize a 'Wanderung'along the Altmühl. It was a great experience. I know that area pretty well, so if you have questions, I am more than happy to help.
Posted on May 24, 2011
We don't have fancy bikes at all, but it's nice to know you can rent at least a decent one, if it's going to be a longer trip. (We've rented some very interesting bikes around the world!) Thanks for your offer - I may be back in touch with you.
Posted on May 26, 2011
Margie- this trip is still being planned, for next spring.
(I'm using your suggestions, and I've already bought a book!) But in case they close this question before then, could I ask for your email, so I can still contact you?
Thanks!
Posted on Oct 07, 2011
Margie - I looked at May (that's our window, just after one son's graduation) and it looks like it's the rainiest month. So we've booked a trip to Turkey for this year - and will try the bicycle trip NEXT year, when we can go in June-early July. So - not forgotten, just postponed!
Posted on Mar 02, 2012
You will love Turkey. If you do the Altmuehl in June, try to make your trip coincide with Corpus Christi day. In Bavaria, the day is observed in small towns with a procession to four altars that have been set up for the occasion. Or perhaps try for St. John's Day (21st or 22June), which is celebrated with bon fires. I think late August or early September can be a good time weather-wise, but in Germany, you can always run into long strings of nasty weather. I am looking forward to hearing about your Turkish adventure!
Posted on Mar 03, 2012
Excellent! Corpus Christi Day - or St.John's..? Okay, I'll put that on the list. I do remember a summer job in Pegnitz, in Bayern, when the Glühwurmchen were so very amazing!
But with the rain, I remember one year in southern Germany when, on Sept. 1, I realized - we weren't going to have any summer at all! So sad! That just doesn't go with bikes.
But I AM excited about the Turkey trip - and May seems perfect.
Thanks!!
Posted on Mar 03, 2012
I would like to take a Backroads tour sometime. They have some really nice itineraries and give you great tips about the areas you will be cycling through. They also have a van that runs up and down the route so if you run into a mechanical or other problem they are right there to assist if needed.
Posted May 23, 2011
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Hi Trish! Lots of great suggestions here!
Backroads and Immersion Journeys/Southern Visions are definitely great options! I also suggest checking out Experience Plus! Bicycle Tours. Maria Elena is super helpful and will be able to work with you to create the type of trip you're looking for! Good luck!
Posted May 25, 2011
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CHeck out SpiceRoads ....I took my entire family, children ages 5-16 and a bunch of adults. 5 days in central Thailand. Not difficult, Wonderful guide, wonderful support team, best bike snack ever!!! I am sure all of their trips are great if you want to go the Asian Route.
www.spiceroads.com
Posted May 25, 2011
Add a commentSpiceroads. Thanks!
Posted on Mar 02, 2012
Try Tuscany! Great scenery and you can stay at agritourismo's (working farms that host guests!) a great way to get a scene of the local culture. Also a bike around the walled city of Lucca cannot be missed! This is a gorgeous medieval town near to Pisa. It's wonderful! Have a great trip!
Posted May 29, 2011
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Check out Beyond Boundaries Travel (http://beyondboundariestravel.com/ for many bike tour options in Europe, Asia, South Africa and elsewhere in the world. I've toured Egypt and South Africa (Cape Town & Johannesburg/Savannah Game Preserve) with them and have found their cycling tours to be among the best---emphasizing cultural discovery more than mileage, geared to cyclists' abilities (you can get in a sag wagon any time you don't want to ride), affordable and a good value. If you book, please tell Doug Lofland I sent you. Questions? Feel free to contact me through this site or www.wordgeisha.com. Wherever you go, I'm sure you'll find two wheels a great way to immerse yourself in a destination. Have fun!
Posted May 30, 2011
Add a commentWow - quite a range of trips there! And all on bikes-? My list of ideas is growing....
Posted on Mar 03, 2012
Yup, except for the Harry Potter Fan Trips to the UK + Orlando Universal Resort in sunny Florida (http://www.hpfantrips.com/). BTW, you WILL have luggage on a bike tour, so make sure there's good sag support. One more suggestion: Riccione Bike Hotels on the Adriatic Coast of Italy, a great collection that caters to cyclists in spring + fall. Check out my story here: http://www.hpfantrips.com/,
Posted on Mar 03, 2012
I can vouch for the franceavelo.com recommendation. My wife and I went on a biking trip in Burgundy with them a few years back, but they also plan trips in other regions. The biking was great, the dinners at the hotels was even better. They move your luggage each day while you're biking.
Posted May 30, 2011
Add a commentLuggage! Hope I don't take enough so that someone else has to haul it! But - worth considering, and I like the idea of Burgundy.
Posted on Mar 02, 2012
My husand and I biked Corsica back in mid 90's and it is on our bucket list to do it again. We took the ferry from Lavorno to Corsica and rode aound half of the island with our then 3 year old son on the back. We camped at several of the many camp sites, the food was wonderful, the weather was beautiful(June) , beaches were beautiful, amazing sailing villages an the people were quite friendly. I do have to say at the beginning of our travels it was hilly but after that we cruised around quite easily. We do want to go back sooner than later.
Posted Feb 22, 2012
Add a commentThanks, Linda - I never considered Corsica! I'll definitely look into it...great idea!
Posted on Feb 22, 2012
