Cycling for Softies

Start in Ravenna - once the capital of the Western Roman Empire - and cycle through the Romagna region all the way to Bologna, the culinary capital of Italy. This tour allows you to explore the famous ceramics town of Faenza, medieval villages such as Brisighella and Dozza and the planned renaissance village of Terra del Sole, built by the Medici family to protect the northern flank of Tuscany in 1564. We love: Easy, flat rides and more serious hill rides make for a cycling paradise through the heartland of homemade pasta, so don't wait until you arrive to Bologna to delight your culinary taste buds with freshly made "tagliatelle", "lasagna", "ravioli" and more, all washed down with ...Read more >

This pocket of Provençal perfection inspired Vincent van Gogh through the most productive period of his career, with the beauty of the region, both natural and cultural, captured in more than two hundred of his works. Our route will let you experience your own starry nights in St-Rémy-de-Provence, soak up the colours and culture of Arles and explore the glorious Provençal countryside, with 5-star hotels to look forward to at the end of each ride.Read more >

Explore the gorgeous region of Catalonia, with its historic towns and picturesque landscape. From the mountains to the sea, you’ll be treated to some of the most wonderful views in Spain. The cycle routes on this tour are well-maintained and leisurely, meaning you can easily take in all your beautiful surroundings. On this tour, you’ll visit famous towns like Girona, which are just overflowing with history. We highly recommend you take any opportunity to explore the rich cultural sights and immerse yourself in Catalan culture. The real star of this tour is the natural scenery; fields of orchards, sunflowers, vineyards, unspoilt beaches, olive groves, and the list goes on. Not to mention ...Read more >

Extremadura is a little-known area West of Madrid, near the Portuguese border. It is an area with huge areas of forest and natural parks, making it ideal for cycling vacations. In Extremadura, you can find some wonderful 'Paradors'. These are luxury hotels with exquisite service, located in National Heritage properties, including restored palaces, monasteries or castles. The cycling route on this tour starts in the old castle of Oropesa and takes you through the south side of the Gredos Mountains in the La Vera region, which is rich in agriculture. You'll then visit three beautiful old cities: Plasencia, Trujillo and Cáceres. You will also cycle through Monfragüe National Park, famous for ...Read more >

A stunning self guided cycling tour in one of the most cultured regions of the world. Romance, art, history and great food come together on our most popular trip for beginner cyclists. From the canals of Venice, the bridges of Comacchio and the early Christian mosaics of Ravenna to the Renaissance architecture of Florence, this tour features six days of pedalling through the heart of Italian culture and cuisine.Read more >

Dive into this magical region filled with unforgettable scenery. This tour is all about experiencing one of Europe’s hidden gems, where delicious wine and authentic experiences can be found in every town and village. Take a tour round Lake Bled and soak up the peaceful atmosphere of this truly beautiful part of the world. The vineyards that grow on picturesque mountainsides produce some wonderful wines you’ll not find anywhere else in the world. Packed with history, culture and unique sights, an indulgent cycling tour of the Julian Alps is the perfect way to experience the region. Dine at authentic restaurants and soak up the wonderful atmosphere found in this corner of Slovenia.Read more >

This tour offers a leisurely cycling vacation along stunning and quiet country roads in the heart of Spain, away from the crowds. Take a step back in time in the breathtaking historic city of Segovia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This ancient city is home to some of the best-preserved monuments in Spain: an astonishing Roman aqueduct, a fabulous Gothic cathedral, and a fairy-tale castle built on a cliff. Discover two National Parks on this tour: the beautiful Guadarrama National Park, and the magical Duratón Canyon Natural Park, with its remarkable birdlife. Visit the fabulous medieval towns of Pedraza and Sepúlveda, full of narrow cobbled streets and enchanting centuries-old stone houses. ...Read more >

Take a tour of the classic English countryside aboard a top of the range e-bike. Traversing the Cotswolds from north to south, this route blends the historical charm of the region with some of its finest contemporary touches. Starting in the north, at Moreton-in-Marsh, there is an early opportunity to visit Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, before the route traverses the picture-perfect countryside to the south. On the way, stop in at the beautiful towns and villages, including Bourton-on-the-Water, Upper & Lower Slaughter, Tetbury, Cirencester and Bibury amongst many others. Roll into the Roman spa town of Bath on the final day to spend the last night in one of ...Read more >

Experience the wonderous Douro Valley on this self-guided cycling adventure. Leisurely pedal alongside the gentle river and marvel at the terraced vineyards which lie on the hills. Along the way, learn all about the fascinating and historic region. The vibrant city of Porto is one of the most exciting places to visit in Portugal, with its impressive architecture and authentic restaurants. Most of the cycling on this tour follows the Douro River as it gently flows through the valley, passing by historic towns and friendly villages. As a major wine region, you’ll also get the chance to visit vineyards, where we recommend a tour and tasting if you can. The wines produced here vary greatly, ...Read more >

This self guided cycling tour takes you into the real heart of Cilento National Park and then on to the iconic Amalfi coastline. Starting at ancient Paestum you'll discover landscapes, towns and villages that are largely undisturbed by the 21st century. You will encounter few other tourists along your way and will pedal past world-famous cultural sites, through pristine natural areas and dreamy coastal scenery. Your tour will take you on small country roads passing through rough mountain scenery, as well as attractive countryside, with vineyards and olive groves. Combine five days of cycling with a few nights on the iconic Amalfi Coast. Considered by many as Italy's most beautiful ...Read more >

Enjoy the best of the Sussex countryside and now-famed sparkling wine with this carefully created tour: five nights and two vineyards with plenty of time in between to relax in our hand-picked, luxury spa hotels and explore the county aboard a top of the range E-bike. Expect peaceful lanes through charming countryside, easy riding along riverside and coastal paths and some spectacular scenery around the South Downs National Park. We love: - The scenic, luxurious beachside accommodation of Bailiffscourt offering a menu of award-winning spa treatments. - Marvellous hillside rides passing through sprawling countryside and quaint hamlets. What's included? -Two nights accommodation in a ...Read more >

Stay in a luxurious hotel in the charming St-Rémy-de-Provence on this single-center cycling vacation. On this vacation, you’ll get to know the region intimately, as you cycle as much or as little as you like. On a single-center tour, stay in one hotel in St-Rémy-de-Provence and venture out each day to explore the surrounding areas. This is the same town where Van Gogh found inspiration for some of his most famous works of art, and we think you’ll be equally inspired here. On a Wednesday morning, the town hosts the largest weekly market in Provence, with regional specialities and beautiful crafts on offer. The surrounding region is filled with olive groves filled with the symphony of ...Read more >

This tour through Burgundy is an Oenophiles dream, based in one of the most famous of France’s wine regions. In between wine tastings and gastronomic stop offs, you will enjoy the relaxed cycling in between picturesque villages and wonderful hotels. Following the cycle Route des Grands Crus, you will enjoy gorgeous scenery, vineyard Chateaux and the delightful regional capital of Wine, Beaune.Read more >

On this self guided cycling tour you'll ride through Italy's premier pasta region. After a day of leisurely cycling, enjoy gourmet evening meals that will include some of the finest traditional fayre in the world ... delightful local dishes made according to Italian traditions. You'll get away from the main tourist trail and pedal quiet roads. On the route, you'll have the chance to enjoy behind-the-scenes visits of parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar producers, but also ancient castles and various UNESCO world heritage sites*. We love In this stunning region of Italy, history, art and culture - combined with fantastic food - provide an unforgettable Taste of Italy. What's included • ...Read more >

Take a dive into the rich culture and history of Catalonia on this leisurely cycling experience. The region has a fascinating history, as well as gorgeous architecture and wonderful scenery. A Taste of Catalonia is all about immersing yourself in the region, enjoying a taste of the Catalonian culture and history. Along the way, you’ll learn just how much the region treasures Dalí, whose artistic and cultural footprint is felt in everything. Museums and castles contain his many works, and they’re a joy to visit and see. You’ll even stop at his own castle, dedicated to his wife, which is filled with lesser-known works of his. This tour also has wine tastings and food market visits, to give ...Read more >

Experience the amazing region of Catalonia through its delicious cuisine. Flavours of Catalonia is the perfect Spanish cycling getaway for foodies, filled authentic treats and traditional dishes. The tour starts in the mountains and winds its way down to the coast, visiting important gastronomic centers of the region. The cycling routes on this tour are leisurely, but that doesn’t mean you can’t reward yourself with some local wine and traditional snack of cured ham along the way. In Girona, you’ll get the chance to experience a walking food tour, where an expert local guide will take you on a delicious adventure. You’ll visit markets, authentic cafes, and have the chance to taste ...Read more >

Welcome to the land of lavender: sun-kissed Provence makes for a great cycling destination. The south of France region is both scenic and historic, and the pace of this vacation is relaxed enough that you can take your time browsing the market, or lingering over lunch. This is a leisurely cycling vacation, covering distances around 20 miles with each ride. Your luggage is transported for you to the next stop, leaving you unburdened to explore. Highlights could include the historic city of Avignon with its famous bridge or the well preserved Roman theatre at the city of Orange. Don’t miss Vaison la Romaine, an extremely atmospheric medieval town with Roman ruins on its doorstep. Don’t forget ...Read more >

The Loire valley is a fantastic place for a center-based cycling break – there’s just so much to do on your doorstep. Base yourself in the quiet village of Candes-St-Martin and you’re just a short cycle from some of the valley’s loveliest châteaux. Highlights in the area include Saumur, a historic town crowned by an impressive chateau and home to vineyards that make lovely sparkling wine. Little children might fall under the spell of Château d’Ussé’s, which, with its ever-so-pretty turrets, is said to have inspired Charles Perrault when he wrote Sleeping Beauty. The Loire Valley has quiet rivers for canoeists and there are even caves to explore – the intrepid might go inside, the thirsty ...Read more >

Pedal from Slovenia’s Karst region to the glittering shores of Croatian Istria on this tour of discovery. Explore the ancient towns and beautiful sights that Istria has to offer and enjoy the world-class wine and cuisine that’s unique to the region. This is a corner of the Adriatic that not many know about and is a delight to discover. The peninsula is known for its mixing of Croatian, Slovenian and Italian influences, creating an exciting gastronomic scene. This tour is a wonderful way to indulge yourself in all that Istria offers, pedalling along this pristine stretch of the Adriatic.Read more >

Welcome to Puglia, the heel of the Italian boot and the home of a fascinatingly distinctive local culture, with countless sights of historical significance. The tour starts in the incredible 'City of Caves', Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This interesting and eclectic region is steeped in history and has been governed by the Greeks, Romans and Spaniards over the centuries, each leaving their own distinctive mark, from local dialects and flavoursome cuisines to unique architecture.Read more >