Cycle Tours
Cycling is for just everyone—people of all shapes, sizes and ability levels. Opportunities abound for children, who can now ride behind mom and dad in a bike trailer, tag-along or tandem. For adults, there’s the choice of road bikes, mountain bikes, and the increasingly popular hybrid (sometimes called trekking) bikes. There are electric bikes for those of us who need a bit of a push, tandem bikes for lovers, and recumbent bikes for recliners.
Put simply, there is no better way to see a new country or place than by bicycle. It’s called slow travel, and it’s the best possible way to experience a new culture, landscape and people. It’s the antidote to mind-numbing bus tours and mile-a-minute travel itineraries. It’s a chance to discover a new world by pedaling through it, rather than flying over it.It’s flexible. You can leave from your front door or fly across Europe. There are one-day rides and weeks-long routes.
Trips are organized for you down to the last detail and adventures, also you can plan along the way. You can choose routes that meander along a scenic route or roads that race you from town to town.
You can choose from tour programs that offer short distances or full-day rides, leisurely riding or hardcore cycling, and or terrain ranging from flat bike paths to steep mountain climbs. You can go to the abundant popular destinations in Europe.
It’s just plain fun. It’s not a means to train or get in shape (though you can certainly do both) but rather to create the best kind of souvenir, a lasting sense of the road you traveled and the places you visited. A way to capture the spirit of your destination rather than record a new race time.
So — do it! Go ride your bicycle. Go ride it where you like.
Guided tours: Guided tours are just that, you have a guide, a set plan and a structured daily schedule. These tours will have just about everything planned out for you. The guide will be there to show you the region and to help in case of breakdowns (mechanical or human).
Guided tours can be group tours from 8 to 20 people or Guided private tours, you travel only with your own private party—the tour is just for you.
On guided tours, riders tend to stick together as a group with the guide. Riders sometimes can go ahead to the next turn or next town, but the norm is sticking together.
Guided tours usually include lodging, breakfast, evening dinners, rental bikes, support van or bus with driver, ride-along guide, luggage transport, detailed route planning, and more.
Self-guided tours: Self-guided tours are becoming the most popular form of bicycle tourism. They cost less than guided tours but still maintain a level of support and convenience that allows you the flexibility to explore on your own, without sweating the logistics.
It doesn’t mean that you’re totally on your own. These tours have logistics covered for you: hotel reservations, comprehensive tour information with maps and route descriptions, and usually a hotline in case of emergencies or problems. You’ll have someone to call!
Self-guided tours typically include lodging, breakfast, luggage transport from hotel to hotel, tour descriptions, maps, detailed route planning, and an emergency hotline.
You do need some level of independence. It’s your responsibility to get to the next hotel every day, even if you head into bad weather or just don’t feel like riding anymore. While the operator usually gives you a list of bike shops along the route, you do need to know how to fix a flat tire.
Austria Cycle Tours
Austria sits at the crossroads of Central Europe, known today for its idyllic and majestic landscape. The country’s mountains, green valleys, rivers and storybook villages make for one of the most beautiful places in all of Europe. Cultural centers of Vienna and Salzburg are truly incredible. The elegance and genuinity of culture is impressive and intriguing. Vienna is popular mainly for its Opera House and various cathedrals, while Salzburg is home to The Sound of Music and Europe’s largest intact medieval fortress. Wherever you are in this country, you’ll be in awe. From cobblestone streets to impressive stain glass churches and endless forests and babbling brooks, Austria is absolutely a must-see.
Why cyclists love it
- A plethora of well-marked, nearly traffic-free asphalt trails
- Flat, downhill cycling with some rolling hills, perfect for families or cyclists looking for easy and leisurely routes
- Areas of short, steep ascents and undulating hills for more experienced riders seeking a challenge
- Unforgettable scenery
- Delightful locals
- Warm weather from May through September
Fast facts
Language: German
Currency: Euro
Population: 8,217,280
Size: 32,382 square miles (83,871 square kilometers) – Slightly smaller than Maine
Capital: Vienna
Border Countries: Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Liechtenstein, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Switzerland
National tourist office: www.austria.info
Belgium Cycle Tours
Belgium might be small, but it’s a giant when it comes to its lively culture and pastoral landscapes. It’s unique location has helped the country become a crossroads of cultures and languages. It’s unusual to travel within one small country and witness such diverse influences, hailing from France, Germany and the Netherlands.
Belgium’s capital, Brussels, is home to some of the most important museums, art galleries, and collections in the world. Here, you can also experience world-class shopping and an exciting nightlife.
Bruges, located in northwest Belgium, is a romantic city with lively restaurants, horse-drawn carriage rides and incredible panoramic views. Known as the “Venice of the North,” Bruges is popular for its charming canals and intact medieval architecture.
Outside of its cities, Belgium boasts pastoral landscapes crossed by rivers and canals leading to the sea. The dune-lined Belgian coast is home to quaint, historic port towns with cozy atmospheres and cobblestone streets.
Belgium serves as headquarters for many international organizations, such as NATO and the EU, making this country a significant player in international affairs. Its astounding international population allows you to meet diverse people with various backgrounds. Another perk? This worldliness has led to a diverse cuisine scene. It’s most famous for its waffles, chocolate, and beer. Vendor’s paper cones filled with fries and mayonnaise are always a visitor favorite!
Why cyclists love it
- Belgium bike tours often start or end in the larger cities of Brussels or Bruges. Along the way, you’ll make numerous stops into some of the country’s charming smaller towns, such as Antwerp and Flanders.
- Cycling through the Belgian countryside is an ideal way to experience the beautiful landscapes and winding alleys of medieval towns.
- Belgium enjoys a plethora of first-class dining. What better way to energize yourself for cycling than to feast on top-notch cuisine!
- It’s destination central for Europe’s bike and boat tours, a great option for those interested in ever-changing scenery from a floating hotel after a long day of cycling. It’s also a starting point for our most popular bike and boat route we offer, Bruges to Amsterdam (and reverse).
Fast facts
Language: Dutch, French, German
Currency: Euro
Population: 10,296,350
Size: 11,780 square miles (30,510 square kilometers), about the size of Maryland
Border countries: France, Germany, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands
National tourist office: www.visitbelgium.com
We also Manage the Following Tours
- Croatia Cycle Tours
- Cyprus Cycle Tours
- Czech Republic Cycle Tours
- Denmark Cycle Tours
- England Cycle Tours
- Finland Cycle Tours
- France Cycle Tours
- Germany Cycle Tours
- Greece Cycle Tours
- Holland Cycle Tours
- Hungary Cycle Tours
- Ireland Cycle Tours
- Italy Cycle Tours
- Poland Cycle Tours
- Portugal Cycle Tours
- Romania Cycle Tours
- Russia Cycle Tours
- Scotland Cycle Tours
- Slovenia Cycle Tours
- Spain Cycle Tours
- Sweden Cycle Tours
- Switzerland Cycle Tours
- Turkey Cycle Tours
- Ukraine Cycle Tours