Wonderful trip. It was amazing to be able to travel from one hill town to another, each one so different from the others.
Highlights of our trip included an art exhibit in Perugia on how medieval artists perceived nature - absolutely beautiful and we had the place to ourselves, quite a contrast to the crowds at the Uffizi; staying in a 14th century pilgrim guest house in Assisi; walking out to the aqueduct bridge in Spoleto; hearing all the bells in Narni suddenly start ringing when the new Pope was elected and running outside along with everyone else to find out what had happened; and, my husband would say, the wild boar stew he ate that evening at a restaurant in the square.
Logistics were well organized and the routes well planned. It was a challenging route, however, with many steep climbs. We were glad we reserved e-bikes. There were also a number of places with poorly maintained roads, quite a bit of springtime road construction, and some areas where the route took roads with heavy traffic. Italian drivers were quite considerate, though.
We had a great time and were sad to go home. We could have stayed in each town longer, and will hopefully return to Italy soon.
Trip was well paced. Accommodations were good. Plugged shower drain in two locations one with a good response, another with a bad response. Food was good. Good view of rural France.
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, The Way of St. James, Le Puy-en-Velay, Auvillar, Armagnac, Aire-sur-l'Adour, Maslacq, St Palais, Saugues, Aumont-Aubrac, Estaing, Conques, Figeac, Bouziès, Cahors, Lauzerte
Explore the rolling hills and olive groves of Tuscany on this eight-day cycling adventure from Florence to Pisa. Cycle through small, traditional villages backdropped by mountain views in Barga, then ride the pulsing streets of Pisa to the famed lopsided tower. Visit one of the oldest bakeries in Italy, operating since 1885, for a taste of their delicious biscotti (and maybe an espresso, too) and soak up some of the stunning views of Garfagnana – Tuscany's mountainous escape – with a bike ride through the town. With stops in Vinci and Lucca, too, you’re bound to fall in love with provincial Italy (even more than you were before).
A fun and engaging family adventure exploring the coast and countryside of Catalonia by bike. Experience the subtle landscapes and interesting villages on a gentle cycle through Catalonia, specially designed for families. Ride across nearly flat or gently rolling terrain, from the green countryside near Girona to the azure Mediterranean Sea. Pedal back into history, as you ride through Roman archways and Medieval squares. Visit two museums dedicated to the fabulous art of Dalí. Discover the ancient history of Iberians and Romans who inhabited the area. Marvel at sturdy town walls, while ancient watchtowers guide you through fields of sunflowers and wheat. Cycle the Ter River Delta and discover the rich fauna of protected wetlands at Aiguamolls. Once out at the coast, you'll enjoy sandy beaches, quiet coves and the beauty of typical fishing villages. During this three centred cycle holiday, stay in charming rural accommodations housed in historical stone buildings.
Another outstanding tour through Explore. Seeing the north of Italy by following the Adige River trail from Merano, and winding up with a full day in Venice, was simply epic. Riding into Verona to the Colosseum was magical.
We had an excellent guide (Massimo) who was very skilled, with great sense of humour. We all laughed the entire journey.
Most of the group had e-bikes, though the trails were fairly easy aside from a couple of hilly bits.
Excellent from start to finish. Everything was so well organised, each day flowed seamlessly. Met a great bunch of people who I soon felt at home with and our tour leader, Fabio, went the extra mile to ensure everyone was happy and well catered for. As for the cycling, it's quite hilly in places so don't expect an easy ride (apart from the last day) but with the encouragement of Fabio and the rest of the group, I managed to get up most of them! Well done Explore for providing such a great trip!
We had a wonderful time on this cycling trip in Sardinia!
It was a great route with lots to places to stop along the way. So much good food, and all the accommodation was wonderful. Some of the roads were a bit busy for my liking, not sure if I would be comfortable taking children on those roads but for adults it was fine. A very enjoyable week- a highlight of our month in Italy!
As we were following the Bay of Biscay (Atlantic coastline) it was a beautiful part of the world to visit, see, experience. Would totally recommend it.
This guided cycling cruise tour in Dalmatia starts and ends in Split, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site and a popular hub for Croatia sightseeing tours. Head towards Brac, best known for the white-pebble beach Zlatni Rat (Golden Cape). Cycle along the coast roads and visit the old fishing villages, Splitska and Postira. Then, get to admire the view of Pakleni islands from Hvar, one of the main tourist attractions. Next, enjoy the cycling tour starting from the small, picturesque bay, Pokrivenik—decorated with impressive cliffs and beautiful pebble beaches—and descend towards the eastern point of Hvar Island, Sucuraj. Later, cycle through the Trstenik vineyard area in the village on the Peljesac peninsula, famous for the best Croatian wines, and visit Mljet Island, renowned for its diverse National Park with two saltwater lakes. Next, explore Korcula Island, often known as "Little Dubrovnik” for its charming medieval architecture. Return to Hvar Island to discover one of the most peaceful towns in Croatia—Stari Grad, meaning “Old Town.” On your final day, cruise to Solta and cycle from Stomorska to Gornje Selo, the island’s highest point, before continuing to Maslinica and concluding your journey back in Split.
An amazing trip, seeing so many different sides of Italy, the main tourist centres, but the rural villages. Fantastically organised and supported when things went wrong (personal injury). Highly recommend this trip for adventurers.
Inland you discover typically Spanish villages and the Mediterranean coast is a delight to explore with wild beaches and ecologically important and diverse Nature Parks. This 7 night holiday takes in all that the region has to offer, starting with 2 nights in the wonderful city of Valencia, explore the Albufera wetlands to the south of the city where rice was first grown in Europe and the famous 'paella' dish so typical of Spain was created. Make sure you take plenty of time to explore the city of Valencia itself; the modern City of Arts and Sciences is a must and its contemporary buildings were built on the former riverbed of the River Turia. The historic old town area of the city holds the cathedral with a beautiful mixture of Romanesque, Baroque and Gothic styles, for a perfect view of the city, climb the 207 steps to the top of the Miguelete tower and enjoy the 360 degree view of the city. The gothic building of 'La Longa', the Silk Exchange is well worth a visit and has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1996.After a short transfer inland you explore the off the beaten track inland valleys with pretty Spanish villages, some with their buildings dating back to the 13th and 14th century. Take a dip in the thermal spas of Montanejos where the crystal clear mineral waters are renowned for their rejuvenating qualities before following the river back towards the coast. The gentle coastal cycling takes you past secluded beaches and through the Sierra de Irta Marine Park where you can enjoy the natural environment at its best, before reaching your final destination in Peniscola, a charming town with a Templar castle and medieval walls surrounded by the sea with plenty of cobbled streets to explore.
You start and finish your holiday in Logrono, on the banks of the river Ebro and the capital of La Rioja region, it is famous for its quaint historic city centre and its pinchos bars - Northern Spains equivalent of tapas bars. On your first cycling day you ride along a section of the pilgrims route, 'El Camino de Santiago' before reaching the beautiful town of San Millan de la Cogolla famed for its UNESCO World Heritage twin monasteries, Suso and Yuso.
Explore this wonderful wine growing region passing through medieval walled town of Laguardia, mountain village of Ezcaray, past ancient churches and visiting the regions wine capital of Haro, where there are opportunities aplenty to enjoy the regions most famous export.
Explore Tuscan gems on a specially crafted cycle trip for all ages. There are no steep Tuscan hills on this beautifully designed self guided cycle taking in some of Tuscany's most famous towns. Pedal effortlessly along the meandering Arno river cycle paths that take you from one classic Tuscan city to the next. From the leaning tower of Pisa to the elegant Piazza Anfiteatro in Lucca and the famous Duomo of Florence, there are no shortage of sites to engage the whole family. Delve further into the countryside to visit lesser known corners such as Calci, where a famous Natural History Museum is housed and Vinci, where Leonardo da Vinci was born. Cycle through a quintessential Tuscan landscape, taste the many local specialties and stay in three comfortable family run hotels generally with swimming pools and gardens, perfect for relaxing after the cycling day is over.
