There’s off the beaten path, and then there are these tours….

Take a deep dive into local culture as we cycle even further off the tourist trails into small towns where you’ll experience life as locals do. Travel through villages that seldom see tourists and boast rich history and warm culture. Check out our short and long  – the Plus! itineraries – for each of these great trips.

Bicycling Northern Argentina (Plus! Ruins of Quilmes)

Listed as one of the ‘Top 20 Great Adventures in Latin America’ in National Geographic Traveler magazine!

While Bicycling Northern Argentina you’ll explore the famous Camino Inca or Inca Trail – a major trade and cultural route between Buenos Aires, Bolivia and Peru. You will cycle through a gorgeous small village situated at the base of a mountain of seven colors and a hub for artisans from Argentina, Peru and Bolivia.  Then pedal paved roads through deserts, canyons, cloud forests, and wine country. This tour will show you Argentina’s rich history in many ways including the archaeological ruins of once-prosperous, pre-Incan societies that thrived amidst the splendor of the spectacular Rio Grande Valley.

Highlights: Ruins of Tilcara–the Pucará, Salta, Purmamarca’s Cerro de Siete Colores, the Mountain of Seven Colors, UNESCO World Heritage Site Quebrada de Humahuaca, Geological formations at Quebrada de las Conchas, Colorful deserts, Incan ruins, Rides through deserts, lush green valleys, quiet villages, and wine country, Cafayate’s wine country 

Departure Dates:

Bicycling Northern Argentina (8-day )

Bicycling Northern Argentina Plus! Ruins of Quilmes (12-day)

Bicycling the Vineyards of Alsace Plus! the Black Forest

Alsace is arguably the most unique region of France. As a place that has changed hands five times between France and Germany over the last 150 years, it is now a cultural crossroads where French finesse meets German gusto. Tucked between the Vosges Mountains and the Rhine River the region enjoys a perfect balance between architecture, nature, and gastronomy. Although officially located in France, the Alsatians have a distinct identity and refuse to be grouped with the French from the “interior” or the Germans across the Rhine river. As you move into Germany on our 13-day Plus! trip, enjoy 2,000 year old thermal baths, the center of Germany’s haute cuisine, wineries, beer gardens, and some spectacular rides through magical villages. Join us as we explore the quiet wine roads and villages of Alsace and the Black Forest.

Highlights: Some of France’s best cuisine, Parc Regional des Vosges du Nord, Alsatian villages, The Wine Road, Pedal from France to Germany, Saverne, Colmar, Wine tasting, Freiburg, Baiersbronn – Center of Germany’s Haute Cuisine, Baden Baden

Departure Dates:

Bicycling the Vineyards of Alsace (8-day)

Bicycling the Black Forest to Lake Constance (8-Days)

The Grand Cycling Tour of Alsace Plus! the Black Forest (13- day)

Emilia Romagna’s Culinary Delights Plus! the Farm

Revamped in 2019! Join this fresh itinerary as we travel new roads and taste new flavors of Italy’s premier culinary region. You’ll go behind the scenes and learn time-honored traditions of making some of Italy’s most famous foods including Parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar, cured meats, and wine! (Not to mention taste testing said ingredients in extraordinary local dishes made according to tradition.) Every day of pedaling will not only take you on behind-the-scenes visits to the artisans and chefs, but also to ancient castles and world heritage UNESCO sites. On tour you will visit art capitals including Modena and Parma. You’ll round out the tour in Bologna and put the ingredients you’ve seen made over the previous days together during a hands-on cooking class.

Those continuing on the Plus! version of this tour will cycle to hilltop villages, countryside resorts, and stay in restored parish houses in the Apennine foothills. You’ll explore aged cheese (formaggio di fossa) fermented in pits underground, and you will pay a visit to Casa Artusi— the father to Italian home cooking cookbook and the first to “appreciate” and document home cooking beyond high-end royal dishes. Pellegrino Artusi wrote “Science in the kitchen and the art of eating well” in the 19th century documenting his maid’s cooking. Join us Cycling Italy’s Culinary Delights Plus! the Farm as history, art, culture, and tradition conspire in Italy’s premiere food region to make this tour unforgettable!

Highlights: Balsamic vinegar cellar, Parma, visit to see how Parmesan cheese is made, Castle of Torrechiara, winery visit, Modena, Cooking class in Bologna, hilltop villages.

Departure  Dates:

Emilia Romagna’s Culinary Delights (8-day)

Emilia Romagna’s Culinary Delights Plus! the Farm (12-day)

Bicycling Bavaria’s Back Roads Plus! the Austrian Alps

Bicycle along Germany’s scenic Romantic Road which stretches from central Germany to the Austrian Alps. This route provides a trip back in time, extending from the Roman occupation of Transalpine Gaul into the Medieval and Renaissance periods. Today some of the best-preserved towns and villages from the 15th through the 18th century are strung out like pearls throughout Bavaria. You’ll bicycle through the fairy tale landscape of the brothers Grimm and gain a better understanding of this historic part of central Europe. A visit to the extraordinary Neuschwanstein Castle and crossing the border into the Austrian Alps are memorable highlights.

Highlights:  Bad Mergentheim, Augsburg, Castle Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, Würzburg, Rothenburg on the Tauber, Dinkelsbühl, Landsberg, Austrian Alps.

2020Departure Dates:

Bicycling Bavaria’s Back roads (8-day)

Aug 30-Sep 6

Bicycling Bavaria’s Back Roads Plus! the Austrian Alps (11-day)

Aug 30-Sep 9

Book Early and Save

Take advantage of our annual Early Booking Discount and save $200 on all 2020 European bicycle tours. Submit your reservation by November 15th, and we will take $200 off (per person) to reward you for planning early! Some 2020 tours are already filling up, secure your spot for next year and save before the Early Booking Discount ends!

Re-Cyclers: Remember if you are on your 5th, 10th or 15th ExperiencePlus! tour, we do limit Re-Cycle discounts to two per departure so it is also important for you to book sooner rather than later.
Learn about additional ways to save on tours here!

*Restrictions and fine print: Only one discount per person. Discounts not available for our TourzPlus! partner trips.