E-bikes now put bike tours of the Green Mountains of Vermont within reach (c) Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarnandnear.com
Always popular cycling tours have gotten an extra charge in recent years with the addition of electric bikes, allowing guests to ride hills with ease or get a boost to keep up with others. E-bikes are now available as an option on tours around the globe, from the Green Mountains of Vermont to the Tuscan countryside and Taiwan’s coastline. They’re even making their way off road and onto trails on e-mountain bike tours among the dunes of Namibia and the Alps in Switzerland. E-bikes mean there are no excuses for not taking a tour because you are afraid you can’t do the hills, the knees aren’t what they used to be.
Here are seven bike tours where you can find an electric ride:
E-MTB Safari in Namibia: Pedal across vast plains and seas of sand dunes, along dry streambeds and rocky jeep tracks, and past shipwrecks and surf on the Skeleton Coast on H+I Adventures’ new E-MTB Safari in Namibia. From the saddle of an e-mountain bike, watch for elephants, giraffes, zebras and oryx, and connecting with local communities along the way.
Natchez Trace Path: Biking the Natchez Trace is a cyclist’s dream come true, and why Cycle of Life Adventures offers it four times a year. The ancient path through Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi began as a wildlife and Native American trail, and has a rich history of use by explorers, trappers and traders, post men and Civil War soldiers. An e-bike will ease the few days where the mileage may seem overwhelming.
Tuscan Countryside: On Tourissimo’s cycling tour of Tuscany, Italy, visit some of the region’s most iconic destinations, from Cortona, the delightful hill town made famous by Frances Mayes in her bestselling novel “Under the Tuscan Sun,” to the abbeys, thermal springs and wineries in the countryside outside Pienza. Upgrade to an e-bike capable of covering 70 miles on a charge to go the distance.
Alps by E-MTB: Climb mountain passes and descend to lush valleys on H+I Adventures new E-MTB Tour of Switzerland. Riders will put the country’s seamless transport system to use accessing backcountry singletrack and perfectly built flow trails as they traverse the beautiful Graubünden region by e-mountain bike. Refuel with mid-ride rösti, then unwind with a glass of wine and dinner made with local flavors.
Mediterranean Islands Ride: E-bikes are a great option on Ride & Seek Bicycle Adventures epic cycling tour across Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily. Split into three week-long stages, the tour explores the Mediterranean islands’ history, food, architecture and traditions, as well as their strikingly rugged interiors, white beaches and emerald waters.
Vermont Covered Bridges: Ride through more than a dozen covered bridges on a tour of Vermont with Cycle of Life Adventures. This iconic ride passes through Montpelier, Stowe, Middlebury and Woodstock, climbing from river valleys over the Green Mountains. The optional e-bike rental will help flatten out the roads.
E-Bike Taiwan: On Grasshopper Adventures’ Bike Taiwan tour, guests cycle the length of the country from the northern capital, Taipei, to the southern tip. Along the way, they take in the beauty of east Taiwan’s rugged Pacific coast, exotic hot springs and valleys like the stunning Taroko Gorge. Grasshopper is the first tour operator to offer e-bikes to cyclists in Southeast Asia.
Discover Sri Lanka over nine days, cycling 285 km from the capital, Colombo, through the lush highlands and rainforests down to the southern coast on Grasshopper Adventures new bike tour.
(Bangkok, Thailand) — Discover Sri Lanka over nine days, cycling 285 km from the capital, Colombo, through the lush highlands and rainforests down to the southern coast on Grasshopper Adventures new bike tour. Along the way, enjoy some of South Asia’s best biking, hike through national parks, take a jeep safari to see leopards, monkeys and elephants, relax in luxurious hotels, and indulge in mouthwatering Sri Lankan cuisine. Departures are available in January, February and March of 2020 starting at $2,850 per person double. Pedal-assist e-bikes are an available for an additional $385. For more information, visit https://www.grasshopperadventures.com/multi-day-cycling-tours/sri-lanka-by-bike-tour/
“Sri Lanka is a small island with a big heart known for its highland tea plantations that we will spend days riding through,” said Adam Platt-Hepworth, Grasshopper Adventures CEO. “We will also explore the city of Kandy with its sacred Buddha Tooth Relic, tour Yala National Park where we’ll see elephants, monkeys and leopards, and spend some time on the southern coast.
Tour Highlights:
Visiting The Buddha Tooth Relic Temple and Museum
Taking a Sri Lankan cooking class
Cycling through tea plantations
Sampling local delicacies like fresh dates and dried corn crackers
Touring Yala National Park by Jeep and seeing elephants, monkeys and
leopards
Trekking to World’s End Lookout
Hiking UNESCO World Heritage Sinharaja Rainforest
Descending by bike from the beautiful tea country hills to the southern
coast
“This is the perfect tour to see the best of Sri Lanka in just
over a week,” said Platt-Hepworth. “You’ll get a taste of the
highlights and hidden treasures and be blown away by the diversity this small
island nation boasts.”
Grasshopper Adventures is a cycling and active travel specialist, headquartered
in Bangkok. They host more than 25,000 travelers of all ages and abilities on
tours in Japan, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, China,
Uzbekistan, Taiwan, Bhutan and Myanmar. https://www.grasshopperadventures.com
(Bangkok, Thailand) — On this new cycling tour of Taiwan, Grasshopper Adventures guests will bike the length of the country, from the northern capital, Taipei, to the southern tip. Bikers will ride past emerald-colored rice paddies and Taoist temples dedicated to the sea-god Matsu. Along the way, they’ll take in the sheer beauty of Eastern Taiwan’s rugged Pacific Coast, with pristine beaches, exotic hot springs, and gorgeous valleys, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Taroko Gorge. The 9 Day/8 Night tour starts at $3,150 and covers 355-435 km. The terrain varies from gently undulating to steep ascents and descents over the coastal mountain range. Pedal assist E-bikes are available for $495 surcharge. For more information, visit https://www.grasshopperadventures.com/multi-day-cycling-tours/bike-taiwan-tour/.
“This classic cycling route takes us from Taroko Gorge down
along the coast and into the lush East Rift Valley before we re-emerge on the
rugged Pacific East Coast,” said Adam Platt-Hepworth, CEO of Grasshopper
Adventures. “Along the way, we’ll hike to the beautiful Shakadang Stream,
cycle narrow paths through banana palms to the coast for a beach-side rest
stop, and pedal into the little-visited East Rift Valley full of vibrant rice
paddies and small communities.”
Offering unparalleled scenery and challenging terrain,
Taiwan draws more and more visitors from across the globe each year. Riders
will visit the striking Saoba Monuments and hike along the Walami Trail to spot
wildlife. They’ll take a rest day to enjoy the beach of Dulan before the final
leg of the ride along the dramatic coastal cliffs and then inland across the
mountains to Kenting in the tropical south.
“Whether marveling at the sheer power of the Pacific Ocean, soaking
away the stresses of life in one of the island’s numerous hot springs, or
slurping down a hearty bowl of delicious noodles, Taiwan assaults the senses
and leaves guests hungry for more,” said Platt-Hepworth.
Tour Highlights:
Cycling through the dramatic Taroko Gorge on part of the
famous King of the Mountain route
Viewing monkeys, deer, eagles and Formosan black bears on a
hike into the Central Mountain Range on the Walami Trail
Pedaling through the lush East Rift Valley into the jungle
then past gorgeous beaches to Dulan
Soaking up the sun and swimming in the bright blue waters of
the Pacific Ocean
Grasshopper
Adventures is a cycling and active travel specialist, headquartered in
Bangkok, Thailand. They host more than 25,000 travelers of all ages and
abilities, on tours ranging from one day to two weeks in Japan, Sri Lanka,
Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, China, Uzbekistan, Taiwan, Bhutan
& Myanmar. https://www.grasshopperadventures.com
Ride & Seek adventure cycling company has introduced the first two stages of The Marco Polo Expedition, cycling 1900 km from Venice to Athens.
(Provence, France) —
Ride & Seek, an adventure cycling company offering itineraries that follow
in the footsteps of historical figures, is thrilled to announce its most
ambitious project to date: The Marco Polo Expedition. The goal of this newly
created tour is to cycle from Venice, Italy to Beijing, China in seven distinct
stages. The first two stages are scheduled to run in September 17 – October 14,
2020, leading riders 1,900 km from Venice to Athens, Greece over 26 days.
Guests will bike down the coast from Italy through Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and Greece, riding from harbor to harbor. Accommodations range from charming Soviet-style hotels to agriturismos and modern boutique hotels. Fine wine and gourmet food will be featured throughout the trip. This epic excursion ranges from $5,260 USD to $11,248 USD per person.
“Our Epic Adventures are all created with a sense of discovery at their core, and this tour fulfills that in abundance,” said Ride & Seek Founder Dylan Reynolds. “Marco Polo is one of the great travelers in history and in many ways, he embodies the spirit of the tours we run.”
Polo was a Venetian merchant who journeyed across Asia at the height of the Mongol Empire. He first set out at age 17 with his father and uncle, travelling overland along what later became known as the Silk Road. Upon reaching China, Marco Polo entered the court of powerful Mongol ruler Kublai Khan, who dispatched him on trips to help administer the realm. Marco Polo remained abroad for 24 years.
STAGE 1 – Venice to Dubrovnik Leaving Venice by boat, the first stage of The Marco Polo Expedition embraces the essence of island-hopping, which lies at the heart of this tour. We negotiate our way down the stunning Dalmatian coast via Marco Polo’s alleged birthplace of Korcula and take in such jewels as Hvar and Split on our way to the enchanting city of Dubrovnik. 12-days/11-nights, 738 km, September 17-29 2020
STAGE 2 – Dubrovnik to Athens Leaving Dubrovnik, riders quickly enter the beguiling country of Montenegro before jumping on to the road-less-traveled through fascinating Albania, a true tour highlight and phenomenal cycling destination. The final week take guests first to Corfu, before heading inland towards Athens. 16-days/15-nights, 1,050 km, September 29 – October 14, 2020
Ride & Seek is a worldwide adventure cycling company offering unique
historical itineraries with quality lodging, fine gastronomy, and cultural
immersion. Cyclists can not only ride some of the greatest roads in Europe but
also visit some of the most spectacular sites as well. Providing a cultural
insight into the areas visited both historically and gastronomically is central.
Historical journeys and cultural adventures are the company’s specialties. https://rideandseek.com
One of the best bike tours on the planet is in our own backyard: the annual Parks & Trails NY Cycle the Erie Canal ride, eight-days, 400-miles and 400 years of history, from Buffalo to Albany, a fully supported biking and camping trip (you can even hire Comfy Campers to set up your tent).
The
ride raises money and awareness for advocacy for new trail development and this
year’s ride will highlight new trails that take the riders off the roadway – this
year, cyclists will ride a new stretch west of Lockport in the town of
Pendleton and a gorgeous new trail between Amsterdam and Pattersonville (so you
no longer bike on the highway). Some 550
riders are expected this year, its 21st
annual Cycle the Erie ride, taking place , July 7-14; Parks & Trails NY is
still accepting registrations ($925/adult, 6-17 $545, 5-and under $280,
ptny.org)
The
organization’s key focus now is to build upon the state’s plan for 750-miles of
off-road recreational trails – the 360-mile long Erie Canalway, plus Empire
State Trail, north-south mixed-use, off-road trail system that will fully
connect New York City to Canada.
The
plans are already in place for the Empire State Trail to be completed by the
end of 2020. In 2019, PTNY launched Trails Across New York Campaign, to build
off the momentum of the Empire State Trail’s planned completion in 2020 and
support ways to turn the statewide trail system into a true network, connecting
local trails with the main spine of the Empire State Trail, including Long
Island, “and cementing New York’s position as the nation’s leader in multi-use
trails.”
Legislation
is currently pending in the NYS Assembly (A. 5035B) (S.4416B has already passed
the NYS Senate) would create a statewide multi-use trails plan. This important
bill would direct the state to come up with a blueprint for future trails
development, helping to turn our local trails across the state into a unified network
of trails with major spines and connecting routes, ensuring all parts of the
state have access to quality outdoor active recreation on trails.
The
Senate version has already passed; the Assembly version is in Ways & Means,
which directs the State Parks department to strategize and prioritize filling
in the trail gaps. Though it was considered possible for the Assembly to pass
its version by the June 19th close of session, if it languishes to
the next session, progress will not be lost. Parks & Trails was urging
people to contact their state legislator to ask them to cosponsor the
legislation and to make sure that the legislation is brought up for a vote
before the legislature adjourns for the year.
“Trails
Across New York envisions a future in which all New Yorkers will be located
only minutes from a trail and ideally will be able to access that trail easily
and safely by walking or bicycling. Throughout the state, trails, bicycle
boulevards, and Complete Streets will be acknowledged as essential and
mainstream elements of community infrastructure, much as utility lines and
sidewalks are thought of today.”
PTNY notes that New York State’s trail-rich and
trail-friendly reputation will attract visitors from across the nation and
abroad to experience the historic communities and varied and beautiful
landscapes accessible through the state’s trail network.
Trails
offer a wide range of benefits, including stimulating local economies, PTNY
notes. The Erie Canalway Trail alone has an estimated annual impact of more
than $250 million, and has created close to 3,500 jobs. New York’s outdoor
recreation economy annually generates $41.8 billion in consumer spending and
supports 313,000 jobs.
See
Cycle the Erie series on goingplacesfarandnear.com:
Grasshopper Adventures, a leader in Asia
bike tours, launches three bike & boat
adventures for 2019 and 2020 on the Mekong in Cambodia/Vietnam, the Brahmaputra
in India and the River Kwai in Thailand.
Grasshopper Adventures is partnering up with colonial and intimate
river vessels on Asia’s great rivers. Cycling off-the-beaten-path, cruising
along storied rivers, meeting villagers at the river banks and enjoying some
scenic pedalling mixed with culture and delicious local food.
With these new itineraries unpacking is only needed once. The ships
are under private charter to Grasshopper Adventures and are escorted by a
Grasshopper tour leader.
Single travelers are welcome. Grasshopper Adventures is matching guest with another same sex single traveler or guest can decide to pay the single supplement for a private cabin.
“With these new, exciting and unique tours we are able to welcome non-cycling partners or friends and will have special activities planned for them each day while the riders are out on the bikes,” Adam Platt-Hepworth, Grasshopper Adventures’ founder, said. “ It’s like having a portable hotel!”
Mekong Bike & Boat Adventure, from Vietnam to Cambodia, 9 days / 8 nights (from $4,990 per person sharing) This epic journey on the Mekong starts at colonial Saigon in Vietnam and finishes at breath-taking Angkor in Cambodia’s Siem Reap. The RV Toum Tiou with its shallow draft can reach river arms inaccessible to other cruise lines. Guests will be cycling through Vietnam’s scenic and busy Mekong delta and exploring Cambodia’s remote and rural corners before reaching the bustling capital Phnom Penh with its colonial and Art Deco architecture. The trip ends in Siem Reap with off-the-beaten-track cycling excursions to the Angkorian temples.
6 nights on board RV Toum Tiou
2 nights at Jaya House River Park, Siem Reap
India: Bike & Boat Brahmaputra, 9 days / 8 nights (from $4,900 per person sharing)
The Brahmaputra, one of the world’s most storied rivers, flows through Assam, India’s most north-eastern region. Guests will start exploring charming and colonial Kolkata before flying to Jorhat to embark the elegant Grand Dame of the river, the RV Charaidew. The polished brass engine room, telegraph and enormous ship’s wheel bear witness to her heritage. We cycle on the world’s largest river island, Majuli and explore rural villages which have not often see foreigners. There will be national parks with plenty of wildlife from rhinos, to elephants and birds – with a bit of luck maybe a tiger spotting.
1 night at the Oberoi Grand, Kolkata 7 nights on the RV Charaidew
Thailand Bike, Boat & Beach, 8 days / 7 nights (from $3,950 per person sharing)
Guests
will be cruising the scenic River Kwai and immerse into the history of the
infamous Death Railway, built during
WWII. The colonial RV River Kwai will take passengers on a trip back in
time. This tour combines cycling Bangkok by night, with a river cruise and the
extension to the paradise in Southern Thailand, Koh Yao. Guests can take part
on our included cycling, kayaking or hiking activities down south, or enjoy the
stunning beach and island resort.
1 night at the Riva Surya Hotel, Bangkok
3 nights on the RV River Kwai
3 nights at Paradise Koh Yao Resort, Island of Koh Yao
Grasshopper Adventures is approaching its 15-year anniversary. Grasshopper multi day tours across Asia feature great guides and bikes, off-the-beaten-track itineraries, unique escapes and genuine experiences and fine-tuned details. Grasshopper Adventures operates tours in Bhutan, Cambodia, India, Japan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. Choose from scheduled group departures, bike & boat, private tours, family tours or self-guided trips.
Grasshopper Adventures is introducing a cycling tour exploring the back roads of Rajasthan, India’s quintessential land of maharajas, majestic forts, lavish palaces and tigers.
(Bangkok, Thailand) — Grasshopper Adventures is introducing a cycling tour exploring the back roads of Rajasthan, India’s quintessential land of maharajas, majestic forts, lavish palaces and tigers. Starting in Delhi and finishing in Udaipur, guests will ride through rural farmlands, deserts, and mountains, while exploring the “Land of Kings”. The eight-day trip starts at $3,300 USD per person double and is scheduled for October 26-November 2, 2019.
The remnants of a rich and romantic past have earned Rajasthan a place on most travelers’ bucket lists. It is a land of deserts, jungle, camel trains, tigers, jewels, art and vibrant culture. The festivals and cuisine are nothing short of spectacular. It is the must-see state of India, brimming with history and unique attractions.
“We will pedal 230 km through fascinating towns, ancient desert hamlets, and an oasis of Rajasthani forts,” said Grasshopper Adventures CEO Adam Platt-Hepworth. “Rajasthan is one of India’s most captivating states, famed for its historic forts and palaces, desert villages, spice markets, and the warmth of its people. This tour definitely discovers the real Rajasthan.”
The cycling follows predominantly flat, country roads and lanes with little traffic. There is some hill riding, but it is broadly achievable at a moderate level of fitness. A support vehicle is always on hand throughout the entire trip to give guests a lift if they need a break from the riding. Distances covered are between 40 km and 60 km a day.
“Rather than the popular tourist sites, guests may well find that the highlight of this bike tour is a chance encounter with a pink-turbaned man in the middle of nowhere, or maybe a shared Rajasthani family meal,” said Platt-Hepworth. “That is the beauty of this trip!”
Highlights:
Touring the 15th century Mehrangarh fortress
Riding through the desert to Rohet
Taking a Jeep tour to visit the Bishnoi tribes
Visiting a traditional haveli for a tasty lunch
Boarding a train for a scenic ride from Khambli Ghat to
Phulad
Overnighting in the lush, wooded valley of Ranakpur
Touring Kumbhalgarh and the world’s second largest
man-made wall
How fitting that during May, National Biking Month, Rails-to-Trails
Conservancy (RTC) has just unveiled its preferred route for its visionary Great
American Rail-Trail™—or the “Great American”— a 3,700-mile biking trail that
would link Washington DC with Washington State.
The proposal underscores the organization’s long-time
commitment to creating an iconic piece of American infrastructure that connects
more than 125 existing trails and fills 90 trail gaps to create the
cross-continental recreational trail.
“Since the 1980s, RTC has understood the potential of a
trail like the Great American Rail-Trail that could connect the nation. That
vision has been a guidepost for the organization for 30 years. Now, we have the
chance to create from that vision a national treasure that unites millions of
people over thousands of miles of trail,” said Ryan Chao, president of RTC.
“This trail is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to provide—together—an enduring
gift to the nation that will bring joy for generations to come.”
The preferred route of the nation’s first cross-country
multiuse trail is detailed in a comprehensive report released by RTC today. The
Great American Rail-Trail Route Assessment Report outlines RTC’s recommendation
for the route, developed in close partnership with states and local trail
planners and managers.
“When defining the preferred route of the Great American Rail-Trail, we sought a cross-country route that would provide the highest-quality experience while delivering significant economic and social benefits to the communities it connects,” said Liz Thorstensen, vice president of trail development at RTC. “This route achieves those things and more, in large part thanks to the input, support and leadership of state agencies and local partners who have built the existing trails that will make the Great American Rail-Trail possible, and whose ongoing collaboration is vital to its completion.”
The route assessment was developed over 12 months with input
from RTC’s GIS analysis of more than 34,000 miles of multiuse trails; review of
state and local trail plans; and discussions with hundreds of local trail
partners and state agencies representing the trails along the route. The
preferred route aligns with RTC’s and its partners’ criteria that specify the
Great American be one contiguous route that is initially more than 80 percent,
and ultimately entirely, off street and separated from vehicle traffic;
comprises existing trails to the extent possible; is the most direct route
possible between Washington, D.C., and Washington State; is amenable to the state
and local jurisdictions that will host it; and will serve as a catalyst for
local economic development, including providing services for long-distance
trail travelers.
Traveling through 12 states and the District of Columbia,
RTC and its partners have defined the Great American Rail-Trail as more than
3,700 miles, comprising more than 1,900 miles of existing trails—those trails
already developed that will help carry the route across the country—and more
than 1,700 miles of “trail gaps,”—sections of trail in need of development to
fully connect the Great American into one contiguous route.
As the nation’s first cross-country multiuse trail, the
Great American will connect people of all ages and abilities with America’s
diverse landscapes and communities. Nearly 50 million people living within 50
miles of its route will be able to call this iconic American infrastructure
their own as the trail delivers new access to the outdoors and new
opportunities for physical activity and recreation. Hundreds of communities
along the route will experience new opportunities for business development and
tourism thanks to the Great American Rail-Trail, all while contributing to the
growth of the country’s burgeoning outdoor economy—one of the largest sectors
in the United States.
“We believe the Great American Rail-Trail will be a
transformative project for the nation, as it magnifies on a grand scale the
benefits that trails have delivered to communities for decades,” said Chao.
“Whether bridging gaps within and between communities, creating safe walking
and biking access to jobs, transit, shopping and green space; or serving as
recreation for cyclists, runners and casual daily explorers, this will be
America’s trail.”
While completion of the Great American Rail-Trail is a
significant undertaking and several decades away, 52% of the path is already
complete and available for public use, with plans for RTC to work in
partnership with states and local jurisdictions and organizations to bring new
segments online year after year.
RTC and its partners view the route assessment as a
blueprint for the trail’s development that is based in the reality of existing
plans and priorities. To spur trail completion, RTC has identified initial
catalyst initiatives—projects or challenges that would most benefit from RTC’s
national breadth of resources. Through these initiatives, RTC will directly
support local and state partners, investing time, expertise and organizational
resources in specific projects that are critical to catalyzing the completion
of the Great American Rail-Trail. RTC is also enlisting the support of trail
lovers across the country to demonstrate national enthusiasm for the Great
American’s development.
Setting a goal to reach 1 million pledges in support of the cross-country trail, RTC is asking the public to pledge at greatamericanrailtrail.org.
“We know that it will take a significant investment of time,
resources and energy to complete the Great American Rail-Trail—but it will be
worth it. It will take the help of trail lovers and leaders to bring this
vision to life,” said Kevin Mills, RTC’s vice president of policy. “Federal,
state, local and private investment will all be needed to complete this
project. To support the ongoing advocacy necessary to secure critical public
resources, we hope everyone will be inspired to proudly pledge to show the
widespread desire that exists for this trail.”
The Great American Rail-Trail is a signature project of RTC
and the most ambitious in its portfolio of TrailNation™ projects—the
organization’s initiative to encourage the rapid replication of regional trail
networks across the country. The Great American was first envisioned at RTC in
the late 1980s, and for decades has been an underpinning of the organization’s
strategy to create a nationwide network of public trails.
Separately, New York State, which already offers a 353-mile
long Erie Canalway from Buffalo to Albany, is in the process of filling the
gaps for a bikeway that will extend the entire north-south expanse, from New
York City to the Canadian border.
To learn more about the Great American Rail-Trail and RTC and to view the preferred route, visit greatamericanrailtrail.org and follow @greatamericanrailtrail on Facebook and Instagram.
It will take public and private support to complete the
Great American Rail-Trail. To learn more about how you can support the project
and RTC’s national leadership to plan, organize and advocate for the trail,
contact Alisa Borland, vice president of development at RTC, at
[email protected] or 202.974.5126.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is the nation’s largest trails organization—with a grassroots community more than 1 million strong— dedicated to connecting people and communities by creating a nationwide network of public trails, many from former rail lines. Connect with RTC at railstotrails.org and @railstotrails on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
A new cycling tour being offered by Tourissimo and Ride & Seek as part of their PLUS Tours series highlights two UNESCO sites – Alberobello and Matera
(Turin, Italy) –
Situated between the blue waters of the Adriatic Sea and the forests and
mountains of Basilicata, Puglia offers a landscape of beguiling views,
ancient olive groves, and UNESCO sites. This new cycling tour being offered by
Tourissimo and Ride & Seek as part of their PLUS Tours series
highlights two of these UNESCO sites – Alberobello and Matera. The former
is known for its trulli, whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs, whilst the
latter for its cave dwellings built into the calcareous rock. Guests will cycle
the road-less-traveled with average daily rides of 40 km, and spend evenings
dining on gourmet cuisine and fine wines.
“From the Adriatic Sea to the stones of Matera, this Puglia tour explores
the most beautiful riding destinations in Southern Italy,” said Ride &
Seek Founder Dylan Reynolds. “We will cycle rolling landscapes carpeted
with olive groves, vineyards, whitewashed hill towns, fishing villages, and
thousands of trulli.”
The trip starts in Savelletri with fig trees, blooming cacti, and herb gardens
offering delightful fragrances. Guests will ride through one of the gems of
Puglia: the Valle D’Itria. Its wooded slopes, vineyards, and endless olive
groves are punctuated by the coned roofs of trulli.
“While many regions of Italy boast of having the best food in the world,
Puglia could claim this title due its simple preparations that allow the true
flavors of the food to stand out,” said Beppe Salerno, Co-Founder of
Tourissimo. “But the charm of Puglia is rooted in the people themselves.
Their hospitality is renowned throughout Italy.”
Tour Highlights:
Touring Matera where the 2016 remake of Ben-Hur was filmed
Discovering the white-washed town of Ostuni and the
beaches near the fishing village of Savelletri
Visiting two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Alberobello
& Matera
Riding among the orchards and trulli of Valle d’Itria
Attending a demonstration by a master cheese maker
Exploring the Greek Ruins of Egnazia
Lodging in the award-winning Sextantio Hotel
The trip is scheduled
for October 10-17, 2019 and starts at $4,195.
On Grasshopper Adventures’ 8-day cycling tour, guests pedal past karst mountains, alongside rivers, and through remote hill tribe villages.
(Bangkok, Thailand) — With its dense forests, limestone caves and seemingly endless waterways, Laos is a dream destination for intrepid travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-track corner of Asia. On Grasshopper Adventures’ 8-day cycling tour, guests pedal past karst mountains, alongside rivers, and through remote hill tribe villages. They boat down the Mekong River, hang out with Buddhist monks, take cooking lessons, learn about rice wine making, and visit both bear and elephant conservation sanctuaries.
“This tour gets people away from the large infrastructure works that are being undertaken throughout much of the country and closer to what Laos is all about, the villages, the tribes and the natural environment,” said Grasshopper Adventures founder Adam Platt-Hepworth.
The cycling offers nice variety, including back roads and quiet highways. There are some short, manageable climbs, but the stunning views and Hmong village scenery are ample rewards for the effort. Most days include undulating terrain, with a fair share of flat pedaling along winding river roads.
“When not exploring by bike, we make use of boats for some added variety,” said Platt-Hepworth. “There is a good mix of on and off-bike activities with a number of free afternoons to spend at your leisure, be it enjoying some R&R or delving deeper into the environment.”
Tour highlights:
Exploring Mekong Elephant Park
Taking Laotian cooking lessons
Boating down the Mekong River to see river/village life
Touring sacred Pak Ou caves filled with thousands of Buddha relics
Experiencing the traditional Monks Alms ceremony in Luang Prabang
Cycling to Wat Xieng Thong, one of Laos’ most important monasteries
