There’s nothing more exhilarating than a cycling holiday. It’s just you, your bike and the glorious landscape ahead. Whether it’s pedalling along a river past vineyards and small villages, or free-wheeling down Alpine hills, it’s difficult to conceive of a better way to explore a destination.
Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a fair-weather rider, there are plenty of tour operators that will arrange everything for you: from accommodation and meals to cycling routes, luggage transfers and bike hires.
Perennial favourites France, Italy and Spain are some of the highlights on this list of the 10 best cycling holidays for 2016. There are also cycling trips to Burma, Chile and Portugal as well as a rarely-visited island in Germany. All the tours here fall under gentle cycling - although there are some tours which offer alternative challenging routes for more experienced riders.
The selection features wine routes, coastal rides and countryside excursions – so you’re spoilt for choice.
1. Côtes du Ventoux
Headwater’s new seven-day Côtes du Ventoux cycling tour takes in the vineyards of Cotes-du-Rhone and Ventoux appellations and the cycling roads of Mt Ventoux, where this year’s Tour de France is set to finish. This seven-day self-guided tour cycles past country lanes across plains and foothills, with views of Mt Ventoux in the background. It takes in the medieval village of Aubignan, which is partly surrounded by 14th century ramparts; Beaumes-de-Venise, which is famous for Muscat wine; Bedoin for a picnic and wine pairing at Chateau Pesquie; Pernes-les-Fontaines, home to over 40 ancient stone fountains; and Mazan, the gateway to Mt Ventoux for serious cyclists in search of a challenge. There are leisurely pursuits too: visits to Beaumes-de-Venise vineyards and olive oil museum and the village of Caromb, which has a magnificent church, watchtower and fountains.
Departures between May and October, from £897 including flights and most meals. Headwater (01606 828468; headwater.com).
• Tour de France: ride the Tour's most epic climbs
2. Road to Rügen
A new eight-day Rügen: an Island Odyssey itinerary explores a rarely-visited part of Germany. This self-guided tour, arranged by Inntravel, begins in Stralsund past beaches, chalk cliffs and fishing villages and across the bridge to Rügen through Putbus into Baabe. Then cycle through pine woods along the coast to visit Sellin Pier before pedalling north to Lohme via Prora, a Nazi holiday camp from the 1930s that remained unfinished. There’s also a circuit which takes in the beech forest of the Jasmund National Park, a ride to Vitt and Kap Arkona into Poggenhoff, and a jaunt to car-free Hiddensee, a seahorse-shaped island. Other highlights include a stop at Göhren to sample a Sanddorn ice cream, which is made from the island’s sea buckthorn berries; a stop at Königsstuhl National Park Centre; and a tour of Hiddensee.
Departures between May and October rom £950 including all meals. Inntravel (01653 617000; inntravel.co.uk).
3. Burma by Bike
Trailfinders is offering a new 13-day Burma by Bike tour which takes in Yangon, Bagan, Mandalay, Mount Popa and Inle Lake, a floating village. Highlights include the Golden Palace Monastery; Bagan Markets; Shwezigon Pagoda; Pindaya, a small town dominated by limestone caves filled with thousands of images of Buddha; and Wetkyi-In Gubyaukgyi, a cave temple inscribed with intricate paintings and carvings. There are cycle rides to Mount Popa, a popular pilgrimage site for many in Burma; the ancient kingdom of Ava and the Buddhist monasteries of Sagaing; and a descent down the plains of Bagan, past open farmland and temples. In addition to bikes rides, there is also a gentle trek through Pindaya and a boat ride for a closer look at the Intha people’s houses built on stilts.
Departures between September and October, from £2,549 including domestic flights and some meals but excluding international flights. Trailfinders (020 7368 1551; trailfinders.com).
4. Sardinian sojourn
HF Holidays is running a Cycle Sardinia tour which takes in Nebida, St Pietro Island, St Antioco Island, Trattalias, Narcao, Las Rosas, Nuxis, Santadi Caves, Teulada and Pula. Highlights on this eight-day guided tour include the white beaches along the Costa del Sud, wine tastings in south Sardinia, the Necropolis of Montessu and a bike ride through Nebida, which offers great views of Pan di Zucchero. There’s also the chance to visit Trattalias, known as the ghost village which was abandoned in the mid 19th-century due to a leakage from a newly constructed dam; the carsic caves of Is Zuddas, one of the island’s natural sculpture museums; and punic necropolis and tophet, as well as the Catacombs below the Church of St Antioco, the first Christian burials on the Mediterranean islands.
Departures between May and September, from £1,010 including some meals but excluding flights. HF Holidays (0333 123 9559; hfhcycling.co.uk).
5. Cyling in Asturias
Pedal along country lanes, past coves and coastal villages on a self-guided tour of Asturias. This eight-day itinerary starts in Llanes, ventures across rolling hills to Nueva de Llanes along the coast to Colunga, via Lastres harbour into Aguero via the cider capital of Villaviciosa, then heads to Tazones before finishing in the seaside town of Gijon. Some of the rides follow sections of the Pilgrims’ Route to Santiago de Compostela or St James’s Way past ruins and Romanesque chapels. There is a stop at the Jurassic Museum, where you can literally walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs, as well as a ride along the beautiful San Lorenzo beach boardwalk and a visit to the harbour of Lastres, the steepest of Asturias’s fishing villages.
Departures between March and September, from £490 including some meals but excluding flights. Explore (01252 883 869; explore.co.uk).
6. Chile wine country
Saddle Skedaddle’s new 10-day Chile Wine Country tour cycles through the country’s wide-producing regions, with stays at selected vineyard-hotels. The guided tour starts at Viña Tarapacá vineyard - about 50 miles from Santiago - into the Isla de Maipo site, which sits at the feet of the Andes. There are rides into the city of San Vicente de Tagua Tagua and the Pacific Coast. The tour takes in Viña La Playa Winery, Casa Silva vineyards - the oldest winery in the Colchagua Valley - and the Alpalta Valley, the source of some of the most celebrated wines from Chile. Other highlights include Hacienda El Huique, an antique house which has now been converted into a museum; days out in Santa Cruz and a visit to Pichilemu, a small coastal resort famous for its waves and dark sand beaches.
Departures between May and September, from £2,495 including some meals but excluding flights and bike hire (bike hire: £150). Saddle Skedaddle (0191 2651110; skedaddle.co.uk).
7. Classic Corsica
A new seven-day Classic Corsica itinerary run by Marmot Tours explores the island on two wheels and takes in Ajaccio, Zonza, Aleria, St Florent, Galeria and Golfe de Sagone. The guided tour includes a descent down the gorge of the Orbu river, a cycle around Cap Corse with a descent to Bastia along the coast, to the fishing village of Macinaggio, and an ascent up Col de Palmerella overlooking the coastline. This gentle route offers extra optional loops and climbs for those up for a challenge. Other highlights include the town of St Florent, the village of Galleria where you can go for a dip in the sea, and a journey past the famous red cliffs of Piana to the Col de Lava.
Departures between May and September, from £1,175 including most meals but excluding flights. Marmot Tours (01373 830409; marmot-tours.co.uk).
8. Path to Portugal
Pedal past beaches, sand dunes, lighthouses and marinas on Headwater’s new Porto Coastal Cycling tour. This eight-day self-guided itinerary takes in Porto, Furadouro, Aveiro and Praia de Mira. There are bike rides along the south bank of the Douro river, where the rabelo boats queue along the quay and along the protected Aveiro Lagoon where there’s a chance to spot pink flamingo, purple heron, and kingfisher. Other highlights include port wine tasting in Porto and visits to the 16th century castle of Sao Joao da Foz and a museum in Aveiro set in a beautifully preserved Augustinian convent. The hotel selection is excellent, ranging from upscale townhouses in Porto and Aveiro, to a designer property at Praia de Mira and a boutique spa hotel in Furadouro.
Multiple departure dates, from £1,047 including some meals but excluding flights. Headwater (01606 828468; headwater.com).
9. Dolomites, Prosecco and Veneto
Visit the Dolomites, Prosecco and Veneto by bike on a new trip from Bspoke Tours. This 10-day itinerary includes a ride along the Pustertal cycle route, following the tracks of an old railway which passes the Toblacher See lake; an ascent to Puster Valley along the river Reinz into Toblach, the gate to the Dolomites; and a descent down the Ampezzo Valley past lakes and forests. There are visits to a cheese factory, Cortina d’Ampezzo, one of Italy’s most stylish ski resorts, and Asolo to sample a glass – or two – of Prosecco Superiore. There’s more tipple on offer: stop at Bassano del Grappa - where grappa brandy was first created – for a small sampling.
Departures between June and September, from £1,395 b&b including flights. Bspoke Tours (020 7471 7750; bspoketours.com).
10. Back to Brittany
A seven-day Côte d’Emeraude Prestige en Vélo tour arranged by Belle France takes in the Brittany coastline and countryside, criss-crossing the River Rance past Belle Epoque towns and fishing ports. Cycle through St Lunaire and St-Briac-sur-Mer before heading down to Ploubalay and back to Dinard. From here, cycle to Dinan to visit Château de la Bourbansais before making your way to the maritime town of St Malo. Then there’s a gentle trip along the flat coast road into Cancale, famed for its oyster beds. Outside of cycling, there’s a chance to stop at beach-side cafés in St Malo, visit the zoo and gardens at Château de la Bourbansais, and browse the independent art galleries in Dinard.
Multiple departure dates, from £1,159 including rail travel and some meals. Belle France (01580 849 257; bellefrance.com).
Tips
- Most tours are suitable for travellers of all fitness levels. However, for some trips, guests must be able to swim. Cycling tours nearly always give details of how demanding the daily itineraries are - if not, ask!
- Luggage transfers between hotels are normally included in the price, but double check.
- Some tours listed are self-guided. Route notes and maps will be provided.
- You will need some extra money to cover meals and drinks not included in the tour price and any optional sightseeing.
- High quality bikes are provided on most tours, with some operators offering optional electric bikes. It may also be possible to bring your own bike – but double-check.
- For inspiration, read France on Two Wheels: Six Long Bike Rides for the Bon Vivant Cyclist by Adam Ruck.
More of the best escorted tours for 2016
- The 10 best art holidays
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- The 10 best food and wine holidays
- The 10 best history holidays
- The 10 best special interest holidays
- The 10 best walking holidays
- The 10 best watersports holidays
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