Tag Archives: biking

family-friendly adventures

Backroads Offers Selection of Spring Break Family Adventures, from Florida to Costa Rica to Hawaii

Visiting the Butterfly Sanctuary in Key West. Backroads is offering a series of family adventures to places from the Florida Keys and Everglades, to Costa Rica, to Hawaii © 2016 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Visiting the Butterfly Sanctuary in Key West. Backroads is offering a series of family adventures to places from the Florida Keys and Everglades, to Costa Rica, to Hawaii © 2016 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

BERKELEY, CA –Backroads, a leading active travel company, has just introduced a slew of spring break trips for the whole family, ranging from Florida’s Key West and the Everglades to Hawaii’s Big Island, Costa Rica, Palm Springs and beyond. The all-inclusive family adventures offer a perfect blend of activity choices for all ages including biking, hiking, kayaking, cultural exploration, great food and unlimited opportunities for adventure.

Backroads makes traveling easy for families by handling all of the planning and logistics and making booking a breeze. Families traveling with Backroads find it easier to engage with the destination, with everything taken care of, there is less family tension and as kids unplug from their electronics opportunities for interaction abound. Each itinerary balances quality time together and apart, with welcome opportunities for everyone to take a break and recharge—usually impossible on a family vacation.

“Spring break is an ideal time to embark on a family adventure. Many of our destinations are not as crowded as in the summer and the school break is a welcome respite for busy kids and their parents,” said Backroads Founder and President, Tom Hale. “Because we take care of all the details, families can fully relax and enjoy their time together, and even book last minute knowing we have reservations at the popular hotspots.”

Some of the most popular family trips planned for spring break 2016 include:

California’s Palm Springs & Joshua Tree Bike Tour (new in 2016), March 28-31:
Bike on quiet roads amid gravity-defying rock formations and Joshua trees, rock climbing, pool time at luxury hotels, bird watching, hiking and more.

Everglades to Key West Family Multisport Adventure Tour (March 6-11, March 20-25, March 27 – April 1): Winter sunshine in America’s Caribbean – biking, walking & hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, glass-bottom boat rides, history, culture and relaxation

Hawaii’s Big Island Family Multisport Adventure Tour (March 13-18, March 20-25, March 27-April 1, April 3-8): Big-Time Fun on the Big Island from Coast to Crater

Costa Rica Family Multisport Adventure Tour (Family Breakaway and Family departures), April 4-8: From Arenal Volcano to the Pristine Pacific Coast

Santa Barbara & Ojai Valley Family Bike Tour (April 4-8): Rolling Waves and Rolling Hills on California’s Coast

Ecuador: Galapagos & Andes Multisport Adventure Tour (March 20-27):Ancient Culture & Wondrous Wildlife in Ecuador’s Islands & Highlands

Caribbean Family Adventure Multisport Tour (new in 2016), March 21-26 and April 4-9: Beaches, Rain Forest and Volcanoes on Nevis & St. Kitts

Argentina’s Lake District Family Multisport Adventure Tour (new in 2016), March 20-27: National Parks & Epicurean Delights in Patagonia

Belize and Guatemala Family Multisport Adventure Tour (March 13-19, March 20-26, March 27- April 2): Jungles, Maya Temples & The Barrier Reef

More information about Backroads’ family adventures is at www.backroads.com/award-winning-tours/family.

Backroads was founded in 1979 by Tom Hale and has been in business for more than 37 years. The company hosts thousands of guests, 80% of whom are repeat guests or referrals from past guests, in hundreds of locations across the globe. Backroads was named one of the top 100 places to work by Outside magazine in 2015, and is a founding member of the Adventure Collection. For more information, visit www.backroads.com or call 800-462-2848.

 

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bike trips

BikeTours Highlights 7 Hot Cycling Destinations to Keep Your Saddle Warm this Winter

Biking in Cambodia with BikeTours.
Biking in Cambodia with BikeTours.

Winter doesn’t have to mean hibernation or a break from travel or active vacations. In fact, it’s the perfect time to explore a balmy locale by bicycle, says BikeTours.com. This year, escape winter’s wrath in a warm and inviting cycling destination.

BikeTours.com, which offers more than 450 tours operated by local tour companies in 70 countries worldwide, suggests these seven hot active vacation destinations that offer great cycling, warm weather, unique culture, and charming villages and towns:

  1. Algarve, Portugal

The popular and leisurely Algarve Coastal Route tour spends a week along Portugal’s coast, featuring charming old fishing towns and beautiful beaches. From $860 with daily departures available.

  1. Catalonia, Spain

The 8-night Best of Catalonia Cycle Tour takes you along a converted railway from Ripoli in the Pyrenees to Sant Feliu de Guixols on the Mediterranean Sea. Stunning scenery, pine and cork forests, and bucolic farmlands dot the landscape. From $1,476 for self-guided (private guided tours also available). Daily departures available.

  1. Rajasthan, India

The 10-night Land of the Maharajas tour carries travelers through the princely states of India—along dusty roads, beneath towering camels, and alongside women adorned in brilliant colors. From $2,580 with daily departures available.

  1. Angkor Wat, Cambodia

The 4-night  Angkor Wat Experience tours the beautifully haunting and sprawling temple complex in Cambodia and is the perfect add-on tour to any trip in Southeast Asia. It’s also a fantastic main event, boasting one of the most remarkable and impressive sights in all of Asia. Sitting on more than 500 acres, it is truly best seen and experienced by bicycle. From $635 with weekly departures available.

  1. San Jose, Costa Rica

The 9-night Costa Rica Multi-Sport Adventure takes travelers cycling, hiking, zip-lining, sea kayaking, stand-up paddle-boarding and more through its infamously beautiful landscapes. From $1,500 with weekly departures.

  1.  Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico

The 6-night Yucatan Bike Adventure through the Yucatan Peninsula is the perfect antidote to winter, offering cycling, snorkeling and ziplining in beautiful weather, while staying at luxurious and upscale accommodations each evening. From $1,985. Departures in January, April and October-December, 2016.

  1. South Island, New Zealand

Travelers experience the majesty of Aoraki and Mt. Cook and the sweeping tussocklands of the Mackenzie Basin during the five-day New Zealand Alps to Ocean tour out of Christchurch. The tour features cycling on quiet rural roads through gentle hillsides and flat easy riding on New Zealand’s South Island, the 12th largest island in the world. From $1,191 with departures January-April and October-December, 2016.

(Prices may vary due to currency fluctuations and are valid as of December 11, 2015.)

BikeTours.com represents local tour companies with more than 450 tours in 70 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, Oceania and the Americas. A team of tour advisors helps travelers choose, plan, book, and go on the tour of their dreams. Learn more at www.biketours.com. 

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bike trips, Hotels & Resorts

Hilton Hotels Showcase Biking Opportunities for Guests

oThe Conrad Indianapolis has a fleet of Conrad Cruisers available for guests to use complimentary during their stay.
o The Conrad Indianapolis has a fleet of Conrad Cruisers available for guests to use complimentary during their stay.

Biking can be a marvelous activity to enhance a stay at a hotel or resort, to let you get out and explore the destination. Hilton Hotels are highlighting some of the bike rentals and tours available at their properties:

  • Hilton Burlington Vermont
    • Located on a wonderful bike trail that runs along Lake Champlain, the hotel holds 25 bikes that are free for guests to sign out with our Bell Staff. The hotel has covered bike parking with a built in repair station with pumps and tools. Not too far from the hotel there is a bike ferry that can take guests across the lake to continue your exploration.  Photo
  • Casa Marina, A Waldorf Astoria Resort and The Reach, A Waldorf Astoria Resort
    • The Key Lime Bike Tour, bookable through the resort’s concierge, is a recommended guided bike tour of Key West to learn the history of the island. The tour visits top destinations like Ernest Hemingway’s House, Mallory Square, Key West’s Historic Seaport, the Famous Key West Cemetery and the Southernmost point of the United States. Guided tours cost $39 per person which includes a bicycle and helmet, a bottle of water at departure, a stop at the Key West Lime Pie company for a slice of Key Lime Pie.  Photo
  • Hilton Bogotá
    • Every Sunday from 8:30am to 2:00pm, the hotel offers guests to join a local Sunday tradition. Every Sunday, locals and tourists take to the “Ciclovía,” or cycleway, when certain streets close for automobiles and exclusively open for cyclists and pedestrians. During these hours, guests can enjoy 120 Km of cycleway across the city.
  • Conrad Centennial Singapore
    • Cycle @ Conrad is a complimentary unique fitness program for all hotel guests by the Conrad Centennial Singapore. In house guests are invited to join for a ride around town during pre-dawn hours on recommended and customizable routes (around 20-30km) starting from and ending at the hotel. The guide for the trip would be any team member who is passionate about cycling. Photo
  • Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam
    • The Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam offers complimentary bikes, on a first come first serve basis, which have to be returned before 10pm. The hotel can also arrange private guides to show guests the highlights of Amsterdam, Broek in Waterland or down along the Amstel to Oudekerk.
  • Grand Wailea
    • Grand Wailea guests can borrow one of 12 adult road bikes at the property and head out for an island adventure. Take a ride down La Perouse Bay, named for the French explorer, and the site of Maui’s most recent volcanic activity formed 900,000 years ago. Located at the valet desk in front of the hotel, bikes are available first-come, first-served daily from sunup to sundown.
  • Trianon Palace Versailles
    • Discover the Palace of Versailles by bicycle going down the Grand Canal to the Domaine of Marie-Antoinette, the Grand and the Petit Trianon, cycling through groves and hundred years old trees. Guests can pay for guided bike tours throughout the park of the Palace on weekends and public holidays. Photo
  • Boca Raton Resort & Club
    • Guests staying at Boca Raton Resort & Club are able to enjoy the coastal views of the Atlantic Ocean, Intracoastal Waterway, and historic Mizner Village with the ease and breeze of its four neighboring bicycle routes. From 6 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. guests can rent bicycles from the resort’s Health Club and cycle at their own leisure around the resort’s 356 acres, or along any of the four designated bicycle routes ranging from one to eight miles long. The Youth Friendly route is 1-1.5 miles long and stretches along the Intracoastal Waterway, providing a scenic, short and sweet rides even the youngest cyclists will enjoy. Bicycles costs $15 per person per hour and have no age restrictions.
  • Conrad Indianapolis
    • The Conrad Indianapolis has a fleet of Conrad Cruisers available for guests to use complimentary during their stay. Located just outside the Conrad’s front doors is the renowned Indianapolis Cultural Trail, an 8-mile urban bike trail that connects all six of Indy’s vibrant cultural districts. Flanked with public art installations, the Cultural Trail is the best way for guests to explore the city. Photo
  • Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa
    • Hilton San Diego Resort & Spa offers multiple ways for guests to bike around the city. At our on-site sport rental outlet, Action Sport Rentals, guests can rent beach cruisers, kid’s bikes, surreys and more and enjoy 28 miles of Mission Bay’s beautiful boardwalk. The resort also works with city-wide DecoBike, a company that provides bicycle sharing services. There is a DecoBike station in front of the resort where anyone is welcome to rent bikes and take a cruise around the city. Photo

Visit hiltonworldwide.com.

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bike trips

Bicycle Adventures Introduces New Cycling Trips to Taiwan, Spain, Plus New Money Saving Tours

Biking at Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan. The island nation is one of the new destinations featured by Bicycle Adventures © 2014 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
Biking at Sun Moon Lake, Taiwan. The island nation is one of the new destinations featured by Bicycle Adventures © 2014 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s in store for bicycle enthusiasts in 2015 from trail blazing Bicycle Adventures http://bicycleadventures.com/, a Pacific Northwest-based active travel company known for its two-wheel tours in North America, Hawaii’s Big Island and New Zealand.

The company is introducing one new Epic Tour, one Classic and three “Frugal Tours”, a new trip category, as well as international trips to northern Spain and Taiwan. It will also extend its season 2014 popular Lewis & Clark Series with Parts 3 and 4. And back by popular demand is Methow Valley Cross-Country Ski Tour in Washington.

New Epic and Classic Tours for 2015:

  • Prairies to Pines Epic – Oregon: Ride from Bend, OR, north and east through the Painted Hills, John Day Fossil Beds, Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, Wallowa Lake, Eagle Cap Wilderness, Hell’s Canyon and Central Idaho’s high pastures. If the geologically diverse terrain doesn’t steal hearts, the roads will. Departures are June 20 and July 5 for nine days at $3,595 per person double. http://bicycleadventures.com/destinations/oregon-bike-tours/Prairies-to-Pines-Epic—NEW!
  • Palm Desert Classic – California: Ride through Joshua Tree National Park’s realm of desert flowers and golden rock outcroppings. Explore the Coachella Valley. Lounge by the pool under a palm tree. Here the winter blahs disappear with 354 days of sunshine per year. Departures are Mar. 16 and 23, and Oct. 19 and 26 for five days at $2,795 per person double. http://bicycleadventures.com/destinations/california-bike-tours/Palm-Desert-Classic—NEW!

Epic Tours promise rides of minimally 70 miles a day through phenomenal scenery, plus deluxe dining and lodging. “These tours are designed for avid cyclists who like nothing better than to ride 100 miles/day through spell-binding landscapes, with plenty of surprises, challenges and climbing,” said Todd Starnes,” Bicycle Adventures Founder/CEO.  Classic Tours are designed for more casual riders who like the sound of “35-ish miles/day”, plus hiking, shopping and soaking up the sun.

New “Frugal” (money saver) Tours for 2015:

  • Bend, Oregon Frugal: Otherwise known as ‘Bend on a Budget’, this tour of Oregon’s adventure capital includes riding on velvet-smooth roads, time playing in the resort area of Sunriver and fantastic rides nearby, including Smith Rock and McKenzie Pass. Departures are July 5 and Aug. 2 for six days at $2,225 per person double. http://bicycleadventures.com/tours/frugal-bike-tours/Bend-Frugal—NEW!
  • Sun Valley, Idaho Frugal: Ride curving roads beside wild rivers. Golf, hike, river raft, shop – even taste wines and fly fish. Explore majestic, beautiful Southern Idaho, from cowboy country to Sun Valley’s bling – at a price that won’t break the bank. Departures are July 19 and 26 for six days at $2,195 per person double. http://bicycleadventures.com/tours/frugal-bike-tours/Sun-Valley-Frugal—NEW!
  • San Juan Islands Frugal: Stay the entire time at the rustic Wayfarer Inn in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Feast on delightful offerings prepared by expert guide-chefs. Ride pristine island roads. Watch for whales and explore island secrets from lavender farms to artists’ haunts. Departures are June 14, July 19, August 16, September 13 for six days at $2,225 per person double. http://bicycleadventures.com/tours/frugal-bike-tours/San-Juan-Islands-Frugal—NEW!

New International Tours for 2015: 

  • Camino de Santiago, Spain: Guests ride through Basque country pedaling the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, from the wine-rich region of Rioja, to the Spanish Pyrenees in the shadow of the French border and onward to the wide-open plains of Castilla Leon and Galicia’s mountains and forests. The tour ends with the awe-inspiring sight of the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. Departures are May 2 and 17 for this 14-day trip at $4,450 per person double. http://bicycleadventures.com/destinations/spain-bike-tours/Camino-de-Santiago—NEW!
  • Island of Taiwan: This island nation offers a unique and safe cycling experience that begins with a high-speed train ride from Taipei at the north end of the island to Kaohsiung City in the south for the start of the tour. Along the way guests challenge themselves with one of the most famous climbs in the world, into the mountains of Taroko National Park and back down again. There are stops at the National Palace Museum, an aboriginal village and night markets, national parks and of course along the coast that rivals Big Sur.  New and experienced cyclists can enjoy this 11-day trip with departures Oct. 24 and Nov. 7. The per person double rate is $3,945.

 Methow Valley Cross-Country Ski Tour is a six-day program beginning Feb. 8 and Feb. 22 that engages people who want to learn to cross-country ski or skate-ski or just simply hone their skills. These tours are led by seasoned Bicycle Adventures guides and cross-country ski experts Teri Smith and Laurie Stephens. The per person double rate is $2,499.  http://bicycleadventures.com/destinations/washington-bike-tours/Methow-Cross-Country-Ski-Tour—NEW!

Lewis & Clark (Parts 3 & 4) continue Bicycle Adventures’ Lewis & Clark Series into the Dakotas and near the Canadian border, then west again into Montana. The per person double rate for seven days is $2,675 and for six days $2,195. Departure dates are Aug. 30 for Part 3 and Sept. 7 for Part 4.

Lewis & Clark 3 – Pierre to Williston –
http://bicycleadventures.com/destinations/south-dakota-bike-tours/Lewis-&-Clark-3—Pierre-to-Williston—NEW!

Lewis & Clark 4 – Williston to Great Falls –
http://bicycleadventures.com/destinations/north-dakota-bike-tours/Lewis-&-Clark-4—Williston-to-Great-Falls—NEW!

For more information, 2014 and 2015 availability and reservations contact Bicycle Adventures by phone: 800.443.6060, email: [email protected] or visit online at: http://bicycleadventures.com/.
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