Tag Archives: cycling trips

Active Travel, Adventure Travel, camping-glamping-RVs-adVANturing, cycling trips, hiking, Millennial Travel, Multisport adventures, Outdoors Travel, Uncategorized

12 Guided Tours That Appeal to Active Travelers

A recent survey showed that guided tours are making a comeback among younger travelers, who value local expertise as they explore and immerse themselves in destinations. From cycling in Spain and Utah to hiking in New Zealand and Italy, Western dude ranch adventures and traditional gulet cruises in Turkey, here are 12 guided tours to excite active travelers.

1. New Zealand Guided Hiking: Explore New Zealand’s North and South Islands on foot on a new 15-day small-group tour from Adventure Life. Watch for glow worms in Waitomo’s caves, experience Māori culture and geothermal wonders in Rotorua, trek the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, enjoy the golden beaches and native forest of the Abel Tasman Coast Track, take in the glacial landscape of the Southern Alps and spot marine wildlife in Milford Sound. https://www.adventure-life.com/new-zealand/tours/18055/new-zealand-uncut-north-south-islands

​2. Girona Road and Gravel Riding: Join The Cycling House on a seven-day tour of world-class roads or less-traveled gravel paths surrounding the beautiful walled city of Girona, Spain. Girona has become a cycling mecca thanks to the many professionals who call it home between grand tours, and gravel riding there has grown tremendously in recent years, with miles of dirt roads ready to be explored. Enjoy cycling routes along the rugged Costa Brava, through farmlands and vineyards, and into the foothills of the Pyrenees, as well as accommodations in a large villa, chef-prepared meals with authentic Spanish ingredients and a few favorite local restaurants. https://thecyclinghouse.com/

3. Cruising Ancient Turkey: Travel along the coast of ancient Caria and Ionia aboard a traditional gulet and visit some of Turkey’s most important and more intimate archaeological sites on Peter Sommer Travels’ eight-day Cruising to Ephesus tour. Led by an expert guide, explore the remains of the port town of Iasos, the mountaintop sanctuary of Zeus at Labraunda, the vast ruins of Miletus, the huge Temple of Apollo at Didyma and the beautifully wooded Priene. The highlight of the tour is the magnificent Ephesus, with its monumental squares, marble roads, 25,000-seat theater, impressive Library of Celsus and remarkable Terrace Houses. https://www.petersommer.com/tours/ephesus-cruise-turkey

4. Historic Arizona Ranch Stay: Located north of Phoenix, the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been hosting travelers for more than 100 years. Explore the cactus forests, slot canyons, sandy washes and rocky ridges of the Sonoran Desert and the Hassayampa River on a guided horseback ride or UTV tour, try cattle work, sport shooting or archery, or go for a hike, then unwind with a swim in the pool or a cold drink in the adobe lodge. https://www.kayelbar.com/

5. Guided Big Sky Wonders: In Big Sky, Montana, use The Wilson Hotel as a basecamp for a variety of adventures outside the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park. When they aren’t hiking, mountain biking or skiing, guests can arrange guided tours of Yellowstone National Park’s natural wonders and wildlife in summer and winter, go fly fishing or rafting on the clear waters of the Gallatin River, or experience the thrill of dog sledding or snowmobiling. https://thewilsonhotel.com/ 

Rafting on the Gallatin River, Big Sky, Montana, just outside Yellowstone National Park © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

6. Alaska Northern Lights Adventure: On Gondwana Ecotours’ eight-day Alaska Northern Lights Adventure, guests will get a dose of local culture by day, then photograph the aurora borealis at night. Highlights of the tour include dogsledding through snowy forests, taking curling lessons from locals, enjoying a meal with homesteaders, soaking in a geothermal hot spring, learning how to photograph the aurora borealis, snowshoeing on private land, having tea with a family of reindeer herders and more. https://www.gondwanaecotours.com/adventure-tours/northern-lights-tour-fairbanks-alaska/

7. Luxury RV and Bicycle Tours: Escape Adventures is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Blacksford Luxury RV Rentals to offer multi-day guided cycling tours by luxury RV. Using Blacksford RVs on a new selection of road and mountain biking tours, Escape Adventures will be the only travel operator to offer this elevated experience that perfectly blends the comforts of home with the thrills of active travel. The first itineraries being offered are six-day multi-sport trips in Canyonlands and Arches national parks and Moab, Utah, by road or mountain bike. Thrill seekers lacking outdoor experience or family groups will find this tour a perfect mix of adventure and tempo. https://escapeadventures.com/lodging_type/luxury-rv/

8. Play Cowboy in Big Horn Mountains: Ranchlands is excited to formally open the 80,000-acre Paintrock Canyon Ranch in the Bighorn Mountains of northern Wyoming. Guests will immerse themselves in ranch life, explore the surrounding areas on horseback, fly fish, hike and experience the natural world in this unique landscape. Accommodations are designed for guests to be as close to nature as possible, but with all the comforts of home. Large safari-style tents are stylishly furnished with full-size beds, bedside tables, dressers and chairs. And meals are prepared by a private chef and incorporate Ranchlands beef, local produce and dairy whenever possible. https://ranchlands.com/pages/explore-the-paintrock-canyon-ranch

9. Amazon and Galapagos Getaway: This adventurous 11-day journey combines two of Ecuador’s most iconic and wildlife-rich regions, the incredible Galapagos Islands and Amazon Rainforest. Scalesia Galapagos Lodge and Finch Bay Hotel will provide a comfortable base for the guided Galapagos Islands tour, with guests exploring Isabela and Santa Cruz islands and taking a yacht to other nearby islands. Guests will then visit Ecuador’s Amazon Rainforest from the comfortable Sacha Lodge, going into the jungle on guided tours to discover colorful birds, fascinating reptiles, many species of monkeys and a variety of other wildlife. https://www.scalesialodge.com/programs/

10. Rafting Montana: Looking for exciting Yellowstone whitewater rafting, breathtaking Montana scenery and awesome river rafting guides? Choose from a half-day whitewater trip, full-day whitewater trip, scenic float or overnight Montana whitewater trip for thrilling and exhilarating rafting adventures. Flying Pig Adventures’ river experts ensure each trip is safe and enjoyable for all ages and experience levels. https://www.flyingpigrafting.com/white-water-rafting-yellowstone

11. Trekking Amalfi and Capri: Experience the pure magic of Italy’s Amalfi Coast and the enchanting nearby island of Capri on this seven-day hiking tour offered by Tourissimo. The fragrant lemon groves and vibrant flowers, the gentle breeze of the Mediterranean Sea, the verdant woods, and the picturesque towns perched on cliff slopes will captivate guests, much like the Sirens’ song that lured Ulysses’ sailors in Homer’s “Odyssey.” https://www.tourissimo.travel/amalfi-capri-positano-hiking

12. Jackson Hole Glamping: Wyoming’s Fireside Resort offers 25 pint-sized, luxuriously outfitted tiny house rental units designed by Wheelhaus a short distance from Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, making it the perfect place to post up for a spring getaway. Snowshoe across Grand Teton National Park, enjoy a snowmobile tour with Scenic Safaris, or sit back and relax around a cozy fireplace. https://www.firesidejacksonhole.com/

For more travel features, visit:

goingplacesfarandnear.com

Going Places @ theisland360.com/travel

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

moralcompasstravel.info

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/

goingplacesfarandnear.tumblr.com/

instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near/

instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures 

Active Travel, Adventure Travel, cruises, cycling trips

Backroads Announces New Greece & Croatia Ocean Cruise Multi-Adventure Tour Among 100 Trips for 2025

Backroads introduced a new Greece & Croatia Ocean Cruise Multi-Adventure Tour from Athens to Dubrovnik for 2025 aboard Emerald which features a bike ride to the ruins of Delphi © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Backroads, a leading active travel company, introduced a new Greece & Croatia Ocean Cruise Multi-Adventure Tour from Athens to Dubrovnik for 2025 aboard Emerald, Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice award-winner for Small Ship Cruise Line. The trip features a bike ride to the ruins of Delphi, hiking above the UNESCO Heritage Site of Kotor, Montenegro, and kayaking off the shores of the Greek island of Lefkada, among other activities. Additional stops include Itea, Greece; Corfu, Greece; and Sarandë, Albania.

The company is hosting this eight-day, seven-night trip aboard Emerald’s sleek new yachts, the Azzurra and Sakara, the newest featured small ships in Backroads’ Active Ocean & River Cruises collection. The ships’ amenities include an open-air bar, lounge areas, a pool and a gym, along with master chefs known for their gourmet dishes.

Backroads has explored waterways from Europe and Polynesia to Antarctica and the Galápagos Islands on active adventures since 2015, utilizing a selection of small luxury ships that also includes Ponant and AmaWaterways. Poised to expand its active cruise options in 2025, Backroads will also debut a River Cruise Multi-Adventure Tour on the Danube to join its popular Danube River Cruise Biking Tour from Prague to Budapest.

It’s been a decade since Backroads combined the best small ship cruise experiences with the best of active travel and redefined river and ocean cruising. The appeal of unpacking only once with the opportunity to explore multiple regions has spurred year-over-year growth in the company’s Active Ocean & River Cruises category, which includes trips specifically designed for all types of families and children. Today, Backroads remains the only company offering family trips segmented by age.

“When we pioneered the active river cruise space with AmaWaterways in 2015, I had no idea that we’d be reinventing the cruise market,” said Tom Hale, Backroads Founder, President and CEO. “But looking back, it was a winning combination from the start. Active cruising offers that seamless sense of journey, adventure, leisure and luxury that our guests are looking for—it’s truly a unique and special way to explore the world.”

Backroads Active Ocean & River Cruises are available for immediate booking for 2024 and 2025

Backroads Active River Cruise Adventures

*In 2016 Backroads was the first—and only—company to offer Full Ship Celebrations, cruises exclusively for Backroads guests. Today’s Danube Full Ship Celebration Bike Tour takes over an entire AmaWaterways luxury ship, hosting up to 150 Backroads guests for eight spectacular days of sailing and exploring five countries.  

For more information on Backroads Ocean & River Cruise trips, visit our website or call 800-462-2848. 

For more travel features, visit:

goingplacesfarandnear.com

Going Places @ theisland360.com/travel

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

moralcompasstravel.info

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/

goingplacesfarandnear.tumblr.com/

instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near/

instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures 

Active Travel, bike trips, cycling trips, Historic Places

Parks & Trails NY Opens Registration for 25th Anniversary Cycle the Erie Canal Adventure

1 Comment
Parks & Trails NY’s eight-day, 400-mile Cycle the Erie bike adventure from Buffalo to Albany is back to full strength, 650 riders, for its 25th anniversary year. Registration has just opened © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Parks & Trails NY has opened registration for the 25th Anniversary Cycle the Erie Canal 2023. The eight-day, 400-mile adventure from Buffalo to Albany takes place July 9-16.

This year, the ride – a supported camping trip – returns to its full complement of 650 riders.

There are two options: an 8-day tour from Buffalo to Albany and a 4-day option from Buffalo to Syracuse (4-day capped at 100 riders).

The route follows the legendary Erie Canal passing locks and aqueducts and winding through historic villages and rural farmlands.

The 400-mile journey along the legendary Erie Canal ends in Albany eight days later. Along the way, cyclists enjoy some of the finest scenery, most interesting history, and unparalleled cycling in the United States. Covering between 40 and 60 miles per day, cyclists travel along the Erie Canalway Trail, which is now the east-west axis of the statewide 750-mile Empire State Trail.

Designed as a camping trip, accommodations are provided with showers, toilet facilities, some with pools or lakes for swimming; eight breakfasts and six dinners; two daily refreshment stops along the route; evening entertainment including music and historical presentations; guided tours of the Canal, historic sites, museums and other attractions including the Women’s Rights National Historic Park, Erie Canal Museum and Village, Fort Stanwix National Monument and a boat tour through the Lockport locks; kick-off reception and end-of-tour celebration; Cycle the Erie Canal t-shirt; baggage transport; SAG wagon and mobile mechanical support; daily maps and cue sheets; painted and arrowed routes; pre-departure info packet including training trips.

Other amenities available (at additional fee) include fresh daily towels, gourmet morning coffee, tent and air mattress rental and set up (for those who don’t want to pitch their own tent or prefer to rent).

Shuttle transportation from Albany to the start in Buffalo (you arrive the night before the bike trip starts and have an extra night camping), or from Albany back to Buffalo is available. Arrangements are made for parking.

Safety protocols are place (see 2023 COVID Policy).

Find the answers to questions at the Cycle the Erie Canal FAQ page.

The registration fee for the full tour is $1,075 for adults and $580 for youths ages 6-17, and $750 for non-cycling participants.

To register, visit https://www.ptny.org/cycle-the-erie-canal/annual-bike-tour/register

See:

Cycle the Erie: 400 Miles & 400 Years of History Flow By on Canalway Bike Tour Across New York State

Cycle the Erie, Day 1: In Lockport, See Erie Canal Engineering Marvel, ‘Flight of Five’, Cruise Thru Double Locks, and Go Underground to Fathom Rise of Industrial Revolution

Cycle the Erie, Day 2-3: A Sequence of Charming Canaltowns, Pastoral Landscapes, Punctuated by City Birthed by ‘Mother of Cities’

Cycle the Erie, Day 4: Seneca Falls to Syracuse, Crossing Halfway Mark of 400-Mile Biketour

Cycle the Erie, Day 5: Deep Dive into The Erie Canal: ‘Mother of Cities’, Empire Builder, Wonder of the World

Cycle the Erie: At Fort Stanwix, Rome, Time Travel Back to America’s Colonial, Native American Past

Cycle the Erie, Days 6-7: Erie Canal Spurs Rise of America as Global Industrial Power

Cycle the Erie, Days 7-8: Schoharie Crossing, Mabee Farm, Cohoes Falls to Finish Line in Albany of 400-Mile Biketour

For more travel features, visit:

goingplacesfarandnear.com

Going Places @ theisland360.com

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

moralcompasstravel.info

www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/

goingplacesfarandnear.tumblr.com/

instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near/

instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Adventure Travel, bike trips, Multisport adventures

Seeking More From This Summer’s Travel? Add Adventure to the Itinerary

Experience extraordinary landscapes and incredible biodiversity on a new 15-day Madagascar Wildlife & Rainforest Expedition from Adventure Life

With pent-up demand unleashed for summer travel, it is important to book early.  From family cycling tours on Cape Cod to cycling across America, following the footsteps of Napoleon’s Grande Armée across Europe, river cruising in Europe, exploring the Galapagos and Amazon rainforest, here are a sampling of active travel ideas with a measure of adventure:

Cycle Across the USA: Plan an epic bike tour or bikepacking trip of your own with the assistance of the Adventure Cycling Association. To help riders find their way, the organization offers maps for 50,000 miles of bike routes through the U.S. and into Canada, the Bicycle Route Navigator app and other resources. Cross the country on the TransAmerica Trail, ride the Rockies on the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route or try a shorter adventure in between. https://www. adventurecycling.org/

Bike Across Europe: Follow in the footsteps of Napoleon’s Grande Armée on Ride & Seek Adventures’ 36-day, 3,700-kilometer “Bike Across Europe” tour. The epic adventure crosses eight countries and two continents between Paris and Tallinn, Estonia, taking in the Champagne region of France, the green hills of southern Germany, the great lakes of Poland and the Baltics. https://www.rideandseek.com/  

Zimbabwe Safari: Summer is peak safari season in Zimbabwe and a tour with Adventure Life will bring breathtaking views and an abundance of wildlife. Guests will take in the thundering Victoria Falls and Batoka Gorge, then travel by train to a tented lodge near Hwange National Park, where elephants, buffalo, hippos, lions and other wildlife can be seen on game walks and drives during this six-day safari tour. https://www.adventure-life.com/zimbabwe/tours/11300/classic-hwange-safari

Madagascar Wildlife + Rainforest Adventure: Experience extraordinary landscapes and incredible biodiversity on a new 15-day Madagascar Wildlife & Rainforest Expedition from Adventure Life. Visit the hillside capital of Antananarivo, Morondava and its famous baobab trees, the white-sand beaches of Sainte Marie, the port city of Tamatave, and national parks and reserves filled with unique natural wonders and endemic wildlife while staying in upmarket hotels, beachside resorts and forest lodges. The 15-day tour, one of several new tours in Madagascar from Adventure Life, is available starting at $4,707 per person based on double occupancy. https://www.adventure-life.com/madagascar/tours/16437/madagascar-wildlife-rainforest-expedition

Galapagos, Amazon & Andes: Discover the magical Galapagos archipelago at Scalesia Galapagos Lodge, explore the Amazon Rainforest at Sacha Lodge and experience the Ecuadorian Andes at Hacienda Piman. Guests will hike active volcanoes, explore the Napo River by dugout canoe, enjoy a train ride in the Andes and visit one of the biggest craft markets in South America. http://www.scalesialodge.com/programs/

Rhine River Cruise: Sail the Dutch waterways and Rhine River from Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, to maritime Rotterdam, medieval Ghent and Belgium’s second city, Antwerp, before arriving in magnificent Cologne on Riviera River Cruises’ new Amsterdam, Cologne and the Best of Holland & Flanders itinerary. In 2022, guests will enjoy a visit to the once-in-a-decade Floriade Expo and its stunning array of flowers, plants, fruits and vegetables. https://www.rivierarivercruises.com/river-cruises/amsterdam-cologne-and-the-best-of-holland-flanders-river-cruise

Dolomites Cycling Tour: Experience dramatic mountain beauty and fairytale towns of Italy’s Dolomite Mountains with Tourissimo. Each day, guests will be surrounded by stunning Alpine scenery as they cycle through some of the most beautiful towns and villages of this breathtaking region. Ride over exhilarating passes, climb by soaring spires and coast downhill to charming hamlets on routes made famous by the world’s greatest cyclists. https://www.tourissimo.travel/dolomites-bike-tour

Sardinia Chef Tour: Tourissimo and SHS in Sardinia present a NEW project: a 7-day “Blue Zone” culinary cycling tour of Sardinia hosted by celebrated Chef Mary Sue Milliken. Guests will experience the culinary specialties of both the coast and the mountains and discover the cultural roots of the island while cycling some of its most scenic and traffic-free roads. Chef Milliken will play an important role in helping guests understand and experience the local cuisine and culinary techniques that tell the story of the territory. https://www.tourissimo.travel/chef-tours/sardinia

Family Cycling Adventure: Experience four days of family-friendly bike travel on Massachusetts’ scenic Cape Cod during Adventure Cycling Association’s new Cape Cod Family Adventure. At the core of the trip is nearly 100 miles of great biking between Provincetown at the tip of the outer cape and Brewster on the lower cape, including traffic-free paved trails such as the Cape Cod Rail Trail and the Head of the Meadow Trail. There’s even time off the bike to go hiking, swimming and stand-up paddleboarding.  https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/family-adventure-tours/cape-cod-family-adventure/

Tetons Tiny House Getaway: With sustainably built, LEED-certified “tiny house” cabins, Fireside Resort in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, embraces modern, yet rustic design and presents a fresh approach to luxury lodging. Nestled in a wooded setting at the foot of the Teton Range, the cabins allow guests to get back to nature while enjoying the intimacy of a boutique hotel and the ambiance of their own cozy residence. https://www.firesidejacksonhole.com/

Yellowstone Country Adventures: Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Yellowstone this summer with a stay at The Wilson Hotel in Big Sky, Montana, on the edge of America’s first national park. Guests can explore the natural wonders and wildlife of the park on their own or with a guided tour, and find hiking, mountain biking, ziplining, fly fishing, whitewater rafting and more around Big Sky. https://thewilsonhotel.com/

MTB Hut System in Southern Utah: The new Aquarius Trail Hut System offers a backcountry mountain biking experience like no other in the region. A system of five huts furnished with beds, a bathroom, a fully stocked kitchen, and solar power has been strategically placed along a 190-mile route through some of Utah’s most scenic backcountry and best mountain biking trails. https://aquariustrail.com/

Maui Multi-Sport: Escape Adventures’ Maui multi-sport tour loops around the valley between Pu’u Kukui on the Hawaiian island’s west and Mount Haleakalā on the east. In addition to world-class road biking, surfing lessons and sea kayaking allow guests to add water sports to their experience, while several unforgettable hikes offer a chance to see the beautiful island on foot. https://escapeadventures.com/tour/hawaii-maui-multi-sport-road-bike-tour/

For more travel features, visit:

goingplacesfarandnear.com

Going Places @ theisland360.com

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

moralcompasstravel.info

www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/

goingplacesfarandnear.tumblr.com/

instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near/

instagram.com/bigbackpacktraveler/

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Active Travel, bike trips, Cultural Travel, cycling trips, food-and-wine travel, Uncategorized

Tourissimo Unveils NEW Cycling Tour Exploring Prosecco Wine Region of Italy

Veneto, Italy: the landscape vineyards in “Duca Di Dolle” farmstead. Tourissimo, is introducing a NEW 7-day “Grappa and Prosecco” cycling tour of the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Superiore Prosecco wine making area of Italy.

(Bridgewater, MA) — Tourissimo, a leader in active travel to Italy, is introducing a NEW 7-day “Grappa and Prosecco” cycling tour of the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Superiore Prosecco wine making area of Italy. Guests will learn about the ancient origins of wine making and how the reputation and qualities of the wine have evolved throughout the centuries. The cycling is just as varied and dramatic as the Vento region’s history, ranging from a challenging climb up Mount Grappa to the hilly terrain of Prosecco.

The tour includes multiple wine tastings, dining at a MICHELIN-starred restaurant, exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites, overnighting at 4 and 5-star hotels, and cycling one of Italy’s most beautiful regions. Prices start at $4,695 per person double. Venice is only one hour away and makes for a great add-on to the tour.

“For the Prosecco wine lover, this is an absolute dream vacation,” said Tourissimo Co-Founder and Managing Director, Beppe Salerno. “The tour is rich in history, and the scenery is nothing short of spectacular with panoramic vistas and patchwork landscape of steep terraced hills, woodlands, and meadows. The cycling is absolutely amazing, and the food, wine, and accommodations are as good as it gets.” 

The Prosecco area is wedged between mountains and the plain before the Adriatic Sea. It is extremely hilly, with grapes growing at 150 to 1,600 ft above sea level. A route between the towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene has been named the Strada del Prosecco (“Prosecco Wine Route”), and it’s the perfect riding playground for wine lovers. 

The landscape is characterized by ‘hogback’ hills, ciglioni – small plots of vines on narrow grassy terraces – forests, small villages and farmland. Since the 17th century, the use of ciglioni has created a particular chequerboard landscape consisting of rows of vines parallel and vertical to the slopes. 

“One goal with this tour, in addition to cycling some of the most beautiful terrain in Italy, is to educate guests about why a Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG is a superior product, why it is worth spending more for a quality sparkling wine,” said Salerno. “Because DOCG producers—with the limited growing area, lower yields and extremely high cost of production—can not compete with DOC on price, more and more of them are seeking to explore the particularities of their diverse growing area and long viticultural tradition, and find new ways of expressing them in their wines.”

Tour Highlights:

  • Walking the walls of medieval Cittadella
  • Exploring the hills of Prosecco, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Having coffee in Piazza degli Scacchi in Marostica  
  • Cycling along rolling roads surrounded by vineyards
  • Experiencing a Grappa tasting at a famous grappa produce
  • Soaking up the village of Asolo      
  • Enjoying multiple wine tastings at Prosecco Superiore DOCG producers  
  • Picnicing at mulino della Croda
  • Learning Monte Grappa WWI history and visiting the memorial-museum

What’s Included:

  • Two professional tour guides throughout the program
  • All accommodations in 4-star hotels (one 5-star)
  • All breakfasts, all lunches, and all dinners
  • Wine and beer with meals, coffee, cappuccino, and gelato stops
  • Two wine tastings
  • Logistical support during the tour and luggage transfer
  • Guided tour of Bassano and grappa tasting
  • Shuttle at the beginning and at the end of the tour
  • Bianchi bike rental
  • GPS navigation and maps

For more information, visit https://www.tourissimo.travel/bike-tour-prosecco.

For more travel features, visit:

goingplacesfarandnear.com

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

moralcompasstravel.info

www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/

goingplacesfarandnear.tumblr.com/

instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near/

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Active Travel, bike trips, cycling trips, Outdoors Travel

Adventure Cycling Association Offers Biking Trips to the Islands

Biking the Shining Sea trail, Cape Cod © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

MISSOULA, MT- Because of limited access, biking in an island destination can be the perfect getaway. In 2021, Adventure Cycling Association is offering active tours to Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket (https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/self-contained-tours/cape-cod-the-islands/), the San Juan Islands, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.

Of the four itineraries, only Cape Cod and the Islands still has availability. Spend a week cycling along the beautiful Atlantic Ocean shoreline, viewing seaports, glacially formed kettle ponds, and lighthouses of southeastern Massachusetts, visiting historic sites from the days of colonial America, and exploring quaint shops on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard. Attractions of special interest include Cape Cod National Seashore; a full-scale reproduction of the Mayflower; the preserved village of New Bedford, once the whaling capital of the world; and the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center. Every day on this tour is spent within 15 miles of the Atlantic, and each night close to a large body of freshwater or saltwater.

This level 1 tour is suitable for all riders and is a great choice for anyone looking to learn the basics of self-contained touring, or for an experienced bicycle traveler looking for a week of relaxed cycling. The riding is relaxed, services are plentiful, and the campgrounds are outstanding. (Sept 11-18, 2021 8 days, $1349, https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/self-contained-tours/cape-cod-the-islands/)

The other tours have waiting lists:

Puerto Rico, Inn to Inn: The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is characterized by a mist-shrouded interior mountain range, long stretches of sand beaches, and numerous forest reserves, including El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest System. The route we’ll follow focuses on coastal towns and the regions encircling the central highlands with side excursions to interior sites and small neighboring islands. This tropical adventure begins and ends in San Juan, the capital city of Puerto Rico, founded in 1521 by the Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León. Travel back 500 years to Spanish colonial times by strolling down cobblestone streets, admiring ancient architecture and visiting museums, fortresses, and churches. The tour circumnavigates the island on a 339-mile journey visiting beaches, snorkeling, enjoying local cuisine, and appreciating the beauty of this tropical paradise. (Dec 5-16, 12 days, $3599, https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/inn-to-inn-tours/puerto-rico-inn-to-inn/)

Washington’s San Juan Islands, Inn to Inn: This weeklong inn-to-inn tour weaves along the glorious northwestern coastline of Washington’s Puget Sound and through its famous San Juan Islands, offering an irresistible combination of manageable daily mileages and world-class scenery. The tour spends days leisurely pedaling the waterfront, spinning inland through fertile farmlands and scenic villages full of interesting shops and top-notch seafood restaurants. On several days, cycling is broken up by ferry rides, with a chance to spot orca whales, seals, and bald eagles.  (Level 3, 8 days, Sept 4-11, $2699, https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/inn-to-inn-tours/wa-san-juan-islands-inn-to-inn/

Hawaii-3 Island Inn to Inn features Maui, Molokai, and Lanai, three of Hawaii’s most beautiful islands. On Maui, ride along stunning coastal roads and make an epic climb from sea level to the top of the Haleakala volcano at 10,000 feet — one of the world’s longest paved climbs! A small plane takes cyclists and bikes on the short 15-minute flight to Molokai for three days of cycling on quiet roads with views of gorgeous valleys and the world’s tallest sea cliffs. A ferry takes the group out on the ocean, past migrating humpback whales to Lanai for a day of exploration by bike or shuttle van, or with snorkel and fins, before returning to Maui. The inn-to-inn format means restaurant meals, overnight accommodations at hotels and inns and riding lightly loaded bikes while experiencing a tropical paradise. (Level 4, 11 days, $4,999, Dec 3-13, https://www.adventurecycling.org/guided-tours/inn-to-inn-tours/hawaii-3-island-inn-to-inn/)

Adventure Cycling Association, with 52,000 members and 50,000 miles of mapped routes, has great articles on trip planning at its site (www.adventurecycling.org, 800-755-2453).

For more travel features, visit:

goingplacesfarandnear.com

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

moralcompasstravel.info

www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/

goingplacesfarandnear.tumblr.com/

instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near/

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Active Travel, bike trips

Discover Sri Lanka on Grasshopper Adventures’ 9-Day Bike Tour

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

For more travel features, visit:

goingplacesfarandnear.com

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

moralcompasstravel.info

www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/

goingplacesfarandnear.tumblr.com/

instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near/

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Active Travel, Adventure Travel, bike trips, Cultural Travel, cycling trips, Historic Places, international travel

Ride & Seek Organizes Marco Polo Cycling Expedition

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

For more information, visit https://www.rideandseek.com/tour/marco-polo/.


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

For more travel features, visit:

goingplacesfarandnear.com

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

moralcompasstravel.info

www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/

goingplacesfarandnear.tumblr.com/

instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near/

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Active Travel, bike trips, camping trips, cycling trips, Historic Places, New York State tourism, Responsible Travel

Parks & Trails NY Gets Set for 21st Annual Cycle the Erie Tour; Advocates for Trails Across NY

Parks & Trails NY is hosting the 21st annual Cycle the Erie ride, along the 360-mile scenic and historic Erie Canalway © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

By Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate, goingplacesfarandnear.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:

Cycle the Erie: 400 Miles & 400 Years of History Flow By on Canalway Bike Tour Across New York State

Cycle the Erie, Day 1: In Lockport, See Erie Canal Engineering Marvel, ‘Flight of Five’, Cruise Thru Double Locks, and Go Underground to Fathom Rise of Industrial Revolution

Cycle the Erie, Day 2-3: A Sequence of Charming Canaltowns, Pastoral Landscapes, Punctuated by City Birthed by ‘Mother of Cities’

Cycle the Erie, Day 4: Seneca Falls to Syracuse, Crossing Halfway Mark of 400-Mile Biketour

Cycle the Erie, Day 5: Deep Dive into The Erie Canal: ‘Mother of Cities’, Empire Builder, Wonder of the World

Cycle the Erie: At Fort Stanwix, Rome, Time Travel Back to America’s Colonial, Native American Past

Cycle the Erie, Days 6-7: Erie Canal Spurs Rise of America as Global Industrial Power

Cycle the Erie, Days 7-8: Schoharie Crossing, Mabee Farm, Cohoes Falls to Finish Line in Albany of 400-Mile BikeTour

For more travel features, visit:

goingplacesfarandnear.com

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

moralcompasstravel.info

www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/

goingplacesfarandnear.tumblr.com/

instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near/

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Adventure Travel, bike trips, Cultural Travel, cycling trips, international travel

Grasshopper Adventures Introduces New Bike & Boat Adventures in Cambodia/Vietnam, India & Thailand

Grasshopper Adventures has introduced a new bike/boat trip to Cambodia/Vietnam © Laini Miranda/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

For more information, visit https://www.grasshopperadventures.com

Mekong: https://www.grasshopperadventures.com/en/scheduled-tours/mekong-bike-boat-adventure-new-itinerary.html
India: https://www.grasshopperadventures.com/en/scheduled-tours/india-bike-boat-the-brahmaputra.html
Thailand: https://www.grasshopperadventures.com/en/scheduled-tours/thailand-bike-boat-beach.html

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.

For more travel features, visit:

goingplacesfarandnear.com

goingplacesnearandfar.wordpress.com

moralcompasstravel.info

www.huffingtonpost.com/author/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate/

goingplacesfarandnear.tumblr.com/

instagram.com/going_places_far_and_near/

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures