Even if you’re not the athletic type, but you’ve got an adventurous spirit, traveling by bike is an exciting — and exhilarating — way to see the world. Need some convincing? Here are four programs on our hot list.
Napa Valley Bike Tours
Take a five-day bike tour with one “free day” in between. Fly into San Francisco, Oakland or Sacramento airport. Drive to your hotel, meet your guide and travel buddies, and begin pedaling through the vineyards. Along the way, stop for wine tastings, picnics, mud baths and shopping. Rest in quaint hotels overnight and repeat.
Opt for the Cycle IN tour if you want to go off-road and ride through the few vineyards that allow it. Explore the Carneros district, an area known for its Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. You’ll visit three wineries and bike two to four miles in between each winery visit.
Paris à Velo c’est Sympa
Guided day tours give you the chance to experience the City of Light in a new way. There are four options:
- Unusual Paris. Ride through the south of Paris exploring everything from pre-war farms and factories to the cityscapes and hidden gems of the city.
- Paris at Dawn. For the early risers, see the beautiful city at its quietest hour and ride through the morning to see it transition.
- Heart of Paris. Bike to all of the hot spots, like the Marais district, the Louvre and Notre Dame.
- Paris Contrasts. Explore the hilly side of Paris and modern architecture in the Belleville and Menilmontant districts.
Daily departure times vary.
Backroads: Puglia Biking Tour
Take a six-day tour biking along the Adriatic coast of Italy, through olive orchards and historic villages with breathtaking views and sea breezes. In between and after biking, gain a better appreciation for Pugliese cuisine as you cook with a local chef, learn from a mozzarella master and understand the depths of Pugliese wine from a sommelier.
Stay overnight at premiere inns — restored farmhouses and villas with gardens, spas and pools — most of which are Relais & Château members. There are routes for all levels, so even if you’re not in tip-top shape, you can still enjoy Puglia by bike.
Butterfield & Robinson: Holland Biking
Spend six days in Holland, biking from Amsterdam to Kruiningen, on a leisurely tour averaging 28 miles per day. Visit the birthplace of Rembrandt; explore Gouda (and taste the cheese); ride along the sea; learn about the Dutch mussel and oyster trade; and savor a final meal at Manoir Inter Scaldes, a 2 Michelin Star restaurant.
The package includes everything from meals (with wine), special tours and charming accommodations.