Exploring a country from a bicycle seat is an exhilarating experience—the call of the open road, the wind at your back, the views that lie ahead.
Cycling can stimulate all your senses: You become acutely aware of the scent of freshly ripened strawberries, the panorama of distant mountains, the jolt from every bump or defect in the road, the thrill of smooth pavement, the song of a bird, and the taste of salt on your lips.
Bicycle tours are truly about both the destination and the journey. They will take you at just the right pace to meet the people, enjoy the views, and savor the food and culture of your chosen destination.
What Can You Expect from a Bicycle Tour?
Sunny days, smiling faces, gourmet lunches, and plush accommodations — a picture-perfect cycling tour may not always be a reality. While the sun may not always shine, the rest reflects a typical luxury bike tour.
If you're on a budget, you can choose a less plush tour, but regardless, any bicycle tour will allow you to immerse yourself in a new region's foods, wines, and customs.
Breakfast on a cycling tour includes fuel for the day's ride, i.e., food and vital information. At breakfast, maps may be disbursed, and suggestions for the daily route and attractions are discussed. Somebody would have already checked out your bicycle's mechanical condition and declared it OK to squeeze your tires and make sure that they suit your style.
Wining and Dining on a Cycling Tour
You will receive a welcome and farewell dinner as part of the tour. Other meals depend on the
tour operator and the tour's style. Most bicycle tours on Travelstride include all meals during the trip. However, on some tours, especially the budget ones, you may be responsible for your own meals.
Being responsible for your own meals allows you to dine with whomever you want and at whatever time while enjoying the food and drink you prefer.
Don't worry — you won't need to fend for yourself with camping food and dry snacks. You can still enjoy fine dining on a cycling tour. You can easily come across a Michelin-rated restaurant in the area or a favorite wine right where it's produced. How about a spectacular restaurant view that overlooks the region where you just bicycled?
Route Choices for Bicycle Tours
Usually, tours have dining options for their guests, but you also get route choices on cycling tours.
Are you looking for a leisurely, short route with plenty of time for shopping, hanging out in a cafe, or wine tasting? Or, Are you ready to challenge yourself and pedal long and hard to accomplish your fitness goals? Do you want to take it easy one day and push yourself the next?
On Travelstride, you will find many options so you can choose the cycling tour that fits your needs. Remember that your traveling partner, if you have one, may follow a different route and/or pace than you do.
You'll likely meet new people along the route and form new friendships with fellow cyclists or locals.
At the end of the day, when you reach your final destination, you usually have free time to dine, explore, or relax with your traveling partner if you get to the same destination at the same time. Your cycling tour guide may also collect the ones left behind in a vehicle to take them to the next destination or back to the hotel so they can join the rest of the tour members.
Most Popular Destinations for Cycling Tours
Explore the world on two wheels and discover some of the most iconic cycling destinations. From scenic countryside routes to vibrant city rides, these popular destinations offer unforgettable experiences for cyclists of all levels.
Cycling through Spain is a good choice for many active travelers for its varied landscape and incredible beauty, from Mallorca to Girona to Calpe. There are hills to climb when you want them and long flats in between.
Opt to tackle the
Camino de Santiago classic pilgrimage on two wheels, savor the goods of the wine valley of El Bierzo, and, every day, refuel with delicious tapas.
Touring China by bike with a guide is a great way to slow down and soak up the culture and landscapes of the country. Top it off with a bike ride through Yangshuo, from Guilin to Xingping, a glorious, postcard-perfect ride.
The Dolomite mountain range in northern Italy is a top cycling destination in
Europe. It is known for its rugged alpine beauty and the challenges of its ups and downs.
If you're up for the climbs, you won't regret the choice — an alternative is the Bormio region, still in the Dolomites, and offering its own collection of rewarding mountain passes. A more accessible biking alternative in the Dolomites is along the Old Dolomites Railway, from the mountains to Venice. You'll still get all the alpine views but with fewer ascents.
A bucket-list biking destination for many,
Tuscany is an epic spot for a guided cycling tour. Tackle the most scenic bike routes of the Tuscan countryside, through the Arno River Valley, into Chianti and its delightful wine villages, the Elsa River Valley, and the World Heritage town of San Gimignano.
Of course, your
Tuscany cycling tour will give you plenty of time to taste renowned red and white wines while visiting vineyards and dining on savory local specialties.
Cycle the iconic Pan American Highway and see the beauty and attractions of Nicaragua,
Costa Rica, and
Panama. This favorite biking destination boasts Lake Nicaragua, Irazu volcano, Panama City, and more, plus the chance to stop and go rafting, hiking, and snorkeling.
San Juan Islands
Washington State's San Juan Islands archipelago is a cyclist favorite in the Pacific Northwest. Crisscross farmland and forest on quiet country roads, climbing - if you so choose - Mount Constitution on Orcas Island.
Pedal from vineyard to vineyard, refueling with world-class cuisine along the way as you cycle through Napa and Sonoma counties. Your cycling guide may have suggestions for backcountry roads less often traveled, which is an excellent way to customize your bike tour.
Biking the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) feels like you've pedaled right into the pages of a fairytale. The Baltic states are an emerging cycling destination, combining natural scenery with historic sightseeing.
Bike along the renowned Route 10 to get a taste of medieval history in Tallinn — it will take you across the Baltic Sea — and continue through lush forests, past serene lakes, and pastoral farmland.
From the Stellenbosch vineyards along Route 62 to the Karoo Desert to the Cape of Good Hope,
guided bike tours near Cape Town unveil all this spectacular region has to offer.
Whale watch from Hermanus, visit penguins at the Boulders colony, feel like a pro as you pedal along the Cape Argus race route, and eat the farm-fresh produce from Koo Valley orchards.
Hop on a bike to explore the Neckar and Rhine river valleys in
Germany. The highlights of your cycling tour are the historic, storybook villages that line the riverbanks, wine tastings, good food, and good company.
Want to sail the Rhine? Read more about
Rhine river cruises - many of these voyages include as much biking onshore as you'd like to include.
Going at Your Own Pace
A reputable, well-reviewed bike tour operator will likely have routes available for all fitness levels. You're typically encouraged to get from point A to point B at your own pace, stopping for picnics, wine tastings, or scenic vistas whenever the spirit moves you.
Don't feel like finishing all the miles in a given day? Your cycling tour guide will come up behind you in the support vehicle to provide you with a lift to the next town or back to your hotel, where you can enjoy the local culture and dip in the pool before dinner.
Accommodations on Cycling Tours
A good night's sleep is of the utmost importance when you're on a bicycle tour, no matter how easy or challenging the terrain. You'll want to ensure you have a quiet stay in a comfortable bed and are well-fed before and after catching your zzz.
Depending on your
bike tour company, you may travel from one destination to another over a week or so, changing hotels every night. Or, you may stay in one central location and set off on out-and-bike rides each day.
If your bike vacation involves a lot of moving around, ask your tour operator how your luggage will get from place to place. While at it, check in about how your bike is stored overnight.
Accommodations on cycling tours will range from more rustic stays to five-star resorts, depending on your tour operator and destination. The age of the cycling group weighs in here as well, with more serious and/or younger cyclists probably needing fewer comforts. On the contrary, seniors on bicycle trips or those on a luxury cycling tour would expect comfortable/upscale accommodations with first-class amenities (in-room massage, anyone?).
For a taste of what you might expect for accommodations on a
luxury bike tour, imagine:
- A mountain resort in Tennessee, where relaxing spa treatments and locally sourced meals renew your mind and body after challenging days on your bike.
- An elegant five-star hotel set in a historic royal chateau in the French countryside.
- A magnificent country house in the Irish countryside, where you can gather for afternoon tea with your fellow riders and share highlights of your cycling tour that day.
- Deluxe camping next to a pristine lake, where your daily ride can end with a refreshing dip and a hearty meal of barbecued salmon and summer fruit crumble.
- A tiny yet historic cottage in Tuscany, tucked in amongst the vineyards.
- A farmhouse in the Canadian Rockies, where a young local chef welcomes you into his home for a fabulous meal and comfortable overnight.
How Fit Should I Be for a Bicycle Tour?
Cycling tours vary widely in intensity, from leisurely rides through flat landscapes to challenging mountainous routes. Assess your physical fitness honestly before choosing a tour.
If you're up for cycling several hours daily, consider adventurous routes like exploring the Alps or touring the scenic coastlines of Croatia.
Otherwise, opt for more relaxed cycling trips through charming countryside villages or along picturesque riverbanks where you can stop wherever you want and relax and enjoy the scenic views.
Travelstride simplifies assessing the fitness level required for each tour by assigning them a physical level and trip pace, allowing you to determine whether a trip suits you. For instance, a 'moderate' rating typically involves cycling most of the day with a comfortable stay at night.
Popular Activities on Bicycle Tours
Cycling tours offer not only thrilling rides but also a variety of engaging activities to enhance your experience. In addition to pedaling through stunning landscapes, cyclists often indulge in:
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Photography: Capture breathtaking scenery, charming villages, and cultural landmarks along the route; for example, capturing the stunning sunrise over the vineyards of Tuscany or the rugged coastline of the Pacific Coast Highway.
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Wildlife Viewing: Spot diverse fauna such as birds, deer, and even elusive wildlife in natural habitats. Cyclists can encounter kangaroos and koalas along the Great Ocean Road in Australia or spot bald eagles soaring above the forests of the Pacific Northwest.
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Local Cuisine: Taste authentic dishes and savor culinary delights at roadside cafes and traditional eateries, such as traditional French pastries in Provence or freshly caught seafood along the coast of Maine.
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Cultural Exploration: Immerse yourself in local culture by visiting historical sites, museums, and artisan workshops. For example, visit ancient ruins along the Camino de Santiago route in Spain or explore historic castles in the Loire Valley of France.
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Wine Tasting: Sample exquisite wines at vineyards and cellar doors nestled along cycling routes, such as the award-winning wines in California's Napa Valley, or cycle through the vineyards of Portugal's Douro Valley.
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Relaxation: Take leisurely breaks by riversides, parks, or scenic viewpoints such as the tranquil lakes of Austria's Salzkammergut region, or enjoy a picnic in the picturesque countryside of Tuscany.
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Shopping: Browse bustling markets such as the colorful markets of Thailand or explore artisan workshops in Italy for unique souvenirs and handmade crafts.
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Yoga and Meditation: Practice mindfulness amidst nature with rejuvenating yoga sessions and meditation stops, such as on the beaches of Bali or the serene landscapes of Bhutan.
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Swimming: Along the cycling route, take refreshing dips in rivers, lakes, or coastal waters. For example, swim in the crystal-clear waters of Croatia's Dalmatian Coast or cool off in the turquoise lagoons of French Polynesia.
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Farm Visits: Experience rural life by visiting farms, orchards, and plantations. Participate in agricultural activities like visiting olive groves and citrus orchards in Sicily or coffee plantations in Colombia's Coffee Triangle.