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2021: A Year in Review

group of people posing in front of mountain view in their bike jerseys and helmets

Each year, we take thousands of guests on our trips to show them the world by bike! This year, we want to share with you a review of 2021 with some fun numbers we have collected, along with a selection of the great ‘WOW’ moments our guides have created for our guests.


2021 in numbers

2021 in numbers

Can you believe across all of our Classic guided trips, our guests biked 639,984 miles (1,029,954 kilometers)?!

Across the world in 62 destinations, we took our guests on hundreds of trips. From visiting Michelin Star restaurants 21 times to drinking about 1,426 bottles of wine and taking 325 boat rides, our guests know how to travel in style! It’s a thrill to know our guests saw beautiful, natural landscapes across 26 mountain ranges and 11 National Parks. Not to mention, with 44 UNESCO World Heritage Site visits, our guests explored and learned about our destinations that are so rich in cultural and historical significance. And by adding 1,000 e-bikes to our fleet this year, we were able to take more guests to see these vast and epic places; they saw more by bike than they ever imagined possible.

Vermont

Top 5 Trips

Where did most people enjoy traveling with us this year?

Counting down our top five most traveled trips this year, our number five fan-favorite trip for all levels of riders includes riding through the iconic National Parks of Utah on our Bryce & Zion bike tour.

Glacier National Park bike tour sits at number four, a trip that highlights one of the most scenic roads in America, Going to the Sun Road, which is also in the top spot on our Top 20 Great Rides collection.

At number three, we have the San Juan Islands, a multisport paradise in Washington state where besides biking, you can sea kayak, spot Orca pods, and enjoy the freshest seafood.

Asheville takes number two with its beauty of rolling green Southern Appalacian mountains. You will ride the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway to the highest peak east of the Mississippi, along ancient waters, and breathtaking views.

Our number one most travelled destination in 2021 was our Vermont bike tour where guests love to celebrate the beauty of the changing seasons in Champlain Valley and Green Mountains. Guests enjoy unforgettable rides around Lake Champlain, past hillside farms, across covered bridges, and up into the vibrant forests of the pristine Green Mountains.


Our European honorable mentions include Croatia and Tuscany as two of our most beloved trips abroad. You will experience the most delicious and luxurious European dishes, learn how to make a few yourself, and ride past infinite vineyards and turquoise seas.

Guests

How we got here

As we look back on 2021, we feel gratitude that we were once again able to show people the world by bike, as we began running trips in North America. We kicked off our year with a Greenville Ride Camp at the beginning of March. As European borders began to reopen in June, we brought our first guests on a very special custom Cinque Terre, Italy trip and to our Croatia & Dalmation Coast bike tour.

Guides

Epic Moments

Our guides always love to make our guests feel extra special on trips, ensuring that their once-in-a-lifetime experience has that ‘WOW’ moment to create lasting, fond memories. Here are a few memorable moments from the year:


Rocket Anne
Guides Kyle and Lark had a very sociable group on one of our Asheville trips this year. All the guests quickly became friends on their vacation and had nicknamed one of their fellow travelers Rocket Anne for how fast she would finish the routes. At the end of the trip, our guides presented Anne with an awesome shirt with her nickname printed across it!

Awards night
Meanwhile in Utah, Colton and Anna had such an eager crew of riders who were way ahead of schedule on multiple days. Our guides offered up some scenic hiking ideas with the extra time and took the guests for some picturesque views of Bryce Canyon and Petrified Forest State Park. At the trip’s last dinner, Anna and Colton presented their guests with paper plate awards who, in turn, went wild over these whimsical, personalized tributes.

A Moonlight Performance
Brittany and Melissa discovered one of their guests was a singer on a Vermont trip. They hunted down a guitar and brought it to the s’mores campfire night where the guest proceeded to sing to them with glee. Even more exciting, another guest spontaneously jumped in on a song and the two of them harmonized for the whole crew.

Stormy Days Filled with Love
One day in Portugal, Nick and Mafalda ran into strong rainstorms which threatened the day’s plans, but instead of sitting around, our guides took their guests out to lunch on a free day. Mafalda proceeded to make up wonderful cards with words and expressions on them in several languages for their guests since they were on a month-long excursion. Their guests absolutely loved them and were really touched by their thoughtfulness.

The museum tour in Vermont
Steve, Brittany, and Skelly learned that the parents of two of the guests had donated pieces to the Shelburne Museum, a museum of art and design. Those two guests and their spouses had decided they did not want to ride on the last day. The team decided that one guide would escort these guests to the museum in Shelburne to see the works of art before meeting up with the rest of the group for lunch in Waterbury. It was a beautiful surprise for the guests.


Guides

Safety First

Here at Trek Travel, we are always looking out for your health and well-being and in 2021 with our enhanced standards, we led the way in keeping your care as priority number one. By strictly maintaining our safety and hygiene protocols, Trek Travel is fully committed to ensuring you feel comfortable and secure during your travels with us.


Here’s to a great new year and new adventures! Join us in 2022!

See Trips

2022 Bicycling Travel Awards

A view of tree covered mountains and low-lying clouds

Trek Travel is honored to have our Classic Climbs: The Tour bike vacation included in 2022 Bicycling Travel Awards in their Climber’s Dream Trip category. Focused on the most famous climbs of the Tour de France, this trip takes you to the French Alps, the Pyrénées, and the revered Mont Ventoux.

Caitlin Giddings writes that travelling by bike is the best way to experience the history, food, and culture of a region. And in the case of a climber’s ideal vacation, also spectacular riding in challenging, breathtaking terrain.

After more than a year and a half of day-to-day anxiety and travel uncertainty, she says we’re “ready for a two-wheeled escape where our biggest concerns are the simple essentials: where to rest, find water and food, and ride next.” Trek Travel’s trips check all the boxes to provide you with everything you need and more, with carefully planned routes, hand-picked accommodations, and the best of local dining so you get to experience much more than just the essentials.

Trek Travel agrees that the world is best seen by the seat of a bicycle, now more than ever.

Read the full article at Bicycling.com»



See trips from Trek Travel’s Classic Climbs Collection





Your favorite Trek Travel picnic recipes from your awesome guides

picnic lunch set up on a table

Looking for some quick recipes this holiday season? Trek Travel has you covered! Our guides have been known to create beautiful picnic displays with delicious, easy, and homemade snacks that our guests cannot get enough of! Now, they want to share some of their favorite recipes with you to wow your family and friends!


Kale Salad

Kale Salad

As seen on our Yellowstone & Grand Teton trip by Claire Reierson

1 bunch of kale, stemmed and sliced into ribbons
1/3 cup dried cranberries (or cherries)
1/3 cup walnuts
1/3 cup feta cheese
2 tbsp chopped shallots
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
3 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Dash of salt & pepper

1. Place kale in a large bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, combine shallots, olive oil, red wine, vinegar, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Whisk well.
3. Pour dressing over kale. Gently toss until all kale is coated. Top with cranberries, walnuts and feta cheese. Enjoy!

Very Berry Salad

Very Berry Salad

As seen on our Andalucia trip by Carlos Moreno

14 oz pack of mixed baby spring greens (spinach, arugula, lettuces, chard, radicchio)
8 oz strawberries, cored and sliced thin
8 oz blackberries
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup sliced almonds, lightly toasted
1/2 cup feta, crumbled
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp dijon mustard
Dash of salt & pepper

1. Place spring greens in a large bowl.
2. In a separate bowl, combine balsamic vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk well.
3. Pour dressing over greens. Gently toss with berries, almonds, and feta.

Roasted Chicken with Dates and Olives

Roasted Chicken with Dates and Olives

As seen on our Palm Springs trip by Megan Waldbillig

Boneless/skinless chicken thighs, about 6
Olive Oil
Herbs de Provence
Lemon zest
Honey
Dash of salt & pepper
1 leek
Pitted green olives, one small handful per chicken thigh
Dates, one small handful per chicken thigh
Caper berries

1. Preheat oven to 415 degrees F.
2. Use a 9×13 baking dish (glass recommended). Season boneless/skinless chicken thighs with olive oil and herbs de Provence, lemon zest, salt and pepper. Generously drizzle honey all over seasoned chicken.
3. Cook for 35 minutes or until the chicken thighs have an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
4. Meanwhile, thinly slice 1 leek set aside and then chop pitted green olives and dates.
5. When chicken is halfway done, take it out and flip thighs. Add all of your leek slices, dates, and olives.
6. Once fully cooked, sprinkle with caper berries.
7. Slice chicken thighs when cooled and serve, or refrigerate and eat chilled with salad the next day.

Grilled Veggie Quinoa Salad

Grilled Veggie Quinoa Salad

As seen on our Santa Barbara Long Weekend trip by Megan Waldbillig

1 cup quinoa
Homemade chimichurri (recipe below)
Veggies of your choice (Megan uses summer squash, bell peppers, red onion, and asparagus, or broccolini and shishito peppers)
1/2 cup – 1 cup dried fruit of choice (Megan uses a blend of dried cranberries, cherries, and blueberries)
Dash of salt & pepper

1. Make 1 cup quinoa, let cool.
2. Make homemade chimichurri in a separate bowl. Blend in a food processor: 1 full bunch curly parsley, half pack of fresh oregano, handful of cilantro stems if desired (sometimes Megan throws in a small handful of other herbs too!), 5 cloves of garlic, 1/4 cup white or red wine vinegar, 1 tsp crushed red peppers, 1/2 sliced red onion, juice of 1/2 lemon, 1/2 cup plus olive oil.
3. Grill your veggies. Let cool. Then chop. Mix with quinoa.
4. Add in 1/2 cup or more chimichurri.
5. Add dried fruit.

Melon With Serrano Ham

Melon With Serrano Ham

As seen on our Tuscany trip by Carlos Moreno

*A Trek Travel favorite since the beginning*

5.5 oz (150 g) serrano ham or prosciutto, thinly sliced
1/2 melon (crenshaw, galia, honeydew, cantaloupe, or other melon)
1 bouquet of parsley

1. Slice the melon in slices.
2. Wrap one slice of Serrano ham around each melon slice.
3. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top.

Avocado Goat Cheese

Avocado Goat Cheese

As seen on our Glacier National Park trip by Megan Waldbillig

Avocados
Goat cheese
Honey
Dash of salt

1. Halve and slice avocados.
2. Crumble your favorite goat cheese on top of the halved avocados.
3. Add a heavy drizzle of honey on top.
4. Sprinkle with salt to taste.

Gingered Fruit Salad

Gingered Fruit Salad

As seen on our New Mexico trip by Andrea Fair

1 small watermelon, chopped into 1 inch cubes
1 quart blueberries
1 quart strawberries, halved
5-7 fresh mint leaves
Crystallized ginger*
(Serves ~20 people. Adjust ratios as you see fit.)

1. In a medium-size bowl, toss together the watermelon, strawberries, and blueberries.
2. Finely chop the mint. Coarsely chop the crystallized ginger.
3. Mix the mint with the fruit and, just prior to serving, mix in the ginger! Garnish with a large bunch of fresh mint.

Note: Prepare this a day early by putting the watermelon in a bowl first, then layering the strawberries and blueberries on top. Cover and refrigerate. As per above, add the mint and ginger at the last minute.
*Crystallized ginger can usually be found by the clear, plastic container-packed bulk nuts and candy section in grocery stores. Typically near the produce department.

Banana Bombs

Banana Bombs

As seen on our Provence trip by Thomas English

Bananas
Oreos
Melted chocolate or Nutella

1. Spread melted chocolate or Nutella on top of one Oreo.
2. Add a slice of banana.
3. Bon appetit!


While preparing some easy and fun dishes, start cooking up your 2022 Trek Travel vacation plans with your family and friends!

Find Your Trip

Add pedal power to your travel adventures with an e-bike – USA TODAY Go Escape Winter magazine

person riding an e-bike

Organized bike tour companies are adding more pedal power with the inclusion of the e-bike (electric-assist bicycle) so all levels of bikers can enjoy the whole ride, making bicycling more accessible and ultimately, more people travelling more often by bike. Sal Vaglica, contributing writer for USA TODAY’s Go Escape Winter magazine, features Trek Travel in his article in the Winter 2022 edition of Go Escape Magazine by USA Today.

Sal Vaglica writes,“Riding an e-bike is certainly a workout — you’ll earn a glass or two of wine — but with a tour, that’s just about the toughest part. Once paid, almost everything from your hotel and dinner reservations to turn-by-turn directions is handled for you. You’re left to focus on enjoying the vacation instead of fretting about logistics.”

“We did our first trip with e-bikes back in 2019 through Scotland,” says MarySue Howisey of the tour she took with her husband through Trek Travel. “Getting e-bikes was the best decision because you focus on the vacation and the views, and not the hill in front of you. And you can breathe after you get to the top.”

Read the full article in USA Today’s Go Escape Magazine»



See some of the trips from Trek Travel’s E-bike Collection





Explore all e-bike vacations with Trek Travel

See E-bike Tours

Bike Tour Operators Respond to Booming Demand with Itineraries Near & Far – Going Places, Far & Near – The Island Now

alps

With the demand for biking still on the rise, bike tour operators are responding with 2022 itineraries to new and classic international destinations on top of trips close to home. Trek Travel is honored to be featured by contributing travel editor and publisher, Karen Rubin, in Going Places, Far & Near and The Island Now.

“Trek Travel is celebrating 20 years of cycling vacations in 2022 by inviting people to cycle through a bucket-list destination and the company sure offers many of them spanning the globe,” wrote Rubin.

Trek Travel offers exceptional vacations in bucket list destinations as Rubin adds, “What could be more ‘bucket list’ than ‘Classic Climbs: The Tour Bike Vacation’ which has you ride the most famous climbs of the Tour de France on a nine-day cycling tour of the Alps and Pyrenees.”

Read the full article on Going Places, Far & Near»



See some of the featured trips







Slovenia with Trek Travel – Forbes

Bled lake in SLovenia

2022 is proving to be an exciting year to travel, especially for those overseas travellers looking to go a little bit deeper. Our new Slovenia Bike Tour tops the list of 5 new European bike tours featured by Forbes contributing travel writer, Everett Potter.

As Everett Potter notes, “Eastern Europe has a strong appeal for seasoned travelers and this Slovenia Bike Tour trip from Trek Travel is an exploration of Slovenia and the border area with Italy.”

Trek Travel’s Slovenia Bike Tour features the emblematic Lake Bled and the gorgeous rolling hills of the Goriska Brda Wine Region. Trek Travel also offers a Classic Climbs version that highlights the epic climbs of the Julian Alps and Italy’s great Monte Zoncolan.

Read the full article on Forbes»



See the beauty of Slovenia on Trek Travel’s Slovenia Bike Tour and the Classic Climb of the Slovenian Alps







Girona Gravel Tour with Ewan Shepherd – The Gravel Ride Podcast

Trek Travel’s Logistic Coordinator, Ewan Shepherd, sat down with The Gravel Ride, to talk about what makes gravel riding in Girona great.

Learn more about Trek Travel’s Girona Gravel Bike Tour trips and get insider info about Girona, its cycling community, and the gravel riding that surrounds the city.

Listen to the podcast from The Gravel Ride »

See Trek Travel’s Gravel Bike Tour

Show Me

Trek Travel Named A Travel & Leisure World’s Best Tour Operator in 2021

two people hoisting their bikes in the air with mountains in the background

Every year, Travel + Leisure asks readers to vote on the top hotels, destinations, airlines, and tour operators around the globe. Known as the World’s Best Awards, travelers rated tour operators on their staff and guides, itineraries and destinations, activities, accommodations, food, and overall value. We are both thrilled and honored to announce that we have been included in the prestigious list of best tour operators for the third time with an overall score of 95.71, putting Trek Travel proudly in the Top 10 Tour Operators in the World. We were also named one of the World’s Best Tour Operators in 2016 and 2018.

Trek Travel wins Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2021


Scott Bay, from Travel and Leisure, says, “Linking up with the right tour operator can take an amazing trip and turn it into a trip of a lifetime. This might seem like magic, but their in-the-know expertise and long-standing relationships open the doors for the seemingly impossible…The companies that made the list have the skills and connections to create itineraries that reflect their clients’ personal interests.” Read the full article in Travel + Leisure Magazine »

For 20 years Trek Travel has been focused on creating trips of a lifetime — it has been our company mission statement from the beginning and it is who we are. We are truly thankful that you have chosen to recognize us as your favorite team to take you to your favorite places and experience the world by bike. You are the reason we’re in business–your stories inspire us, your energy fuels us, and your expectations drive everyone here at Trek Travel to deliver the best bike tours every time. Thanks for all the fun you have, and the love you’ve shared with us over the years.

See T&L’s full list of World’s Best Tour Operators




ON your next cycling vacation, stay in award-winning accommodations featured in the 2021 Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Lists


Finger Lakes Bike Tour

The Lake House on Canandaigua

Finger Lakes, New York

Stay at The Lake House on Canandaigua in New York State on our luxurious Finger Lakes bike tour. This property was voted the 2nd best resort hotel in all of the Continental US and can be found on our trip as part of our all-new Reserve Collection.

See T+L’s list of best resorts in the Continental US

Arizona Bike Tour

CIVANA Wellness Resort and Spa

Carefree, Arizona

Be truly pampered and carefree at the CIVANA Wellness Resort and Spa on our Arizona bike tour. Sitting in the fourth spot on the Travel and Leisure’s Best Spa Getaways in the US, this property is part of our One Collection where you can just unpack and relax.

See T+L’s list of best spa getaways in the US



Join us for unforgettable cycling vacations in six of the top 25 national parks, a newly added category in 2021 Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Lists. Experience the best bike tours in the best of America’s national parks




See T+L’s list of best national parks in the US   See all Trek Travel national park trips



Wisconsin’s own Trek Travel Named A 2021 World’s Best Tour Operator

two people riding their bikes on a paved road through Oregon trees

Trek Travel rejoined the rankings this year and wins a place among the top 10 tour operators in Travel + Leisure magazine’s 2021 World’s Best Awards.

Trek Travel, based in Madison, Wisconsin, was ranked 10th among the world’s 15 best tour operators. The active tour company that specializes in bicycle tours also made the list in 2016 and 2018.

Read the full article on Milwaukee Journal Setinel»




Trek Travel wins Travel + Leisure World's Best Awards 2021





See the T&L World’s Best Tour Operator list



Multisport vacations with Trek Travel – Forbes

A row of hikers walking on a lakeside trail

As we all look forward to going places again, the last two years have changed how many of us want to travel moving forward. Active travel is seeing a huge boom because it allows you to combine your favorite activities with your love of seeing the world.

Allison Olmsted, contributing writer for Forbes, says, “(Multisport trips are) a great option for groups with members who like to do different things, or those, who may have gotten started during the pandemic and are newer to outdoor activities and still trying to find their niche. Or people who just love variety”.

Read the full article on Forbes»



Let Trek Travel take you on your best bike tour or multisport adventure


Private

If a date is marked as Private, it is reserved for a private group.

Don’t see exactly what you are looking for or looking for a custom date?
Call our trip consultants at 866-464-8735

What is the Difference?

Ultimate Luxury:

Savor some of the most spectacular, 5-star properties in the world. Exuding luxury and elegance, these one-of-a-kind accommodations offer the chance to rejuvenate at award-winning spas, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, and more.

Luxury:

Enjoy luxurious accommodations handpicked for a refined experience. From signature spa treatments to delicious local cuisine, you’ll be more than provided for; you’ll be pampered.

Explorer:

These handpicked hotels provide relaxation and fun in a casual and comfortable environment. Delicious cuisine and great service mix perfectly for a memorable stay.

Combined:

On select cycling vacations, you’ll stay at a mix of Explorer and Luxury hotels. Rest assured, no matter which hotel level you’re at, our trip designers carefully select every accommodation.

Activity Level

Level 1:

Road: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 25 mi (40 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Gravel: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 20 mi (35 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 1-3 hours of hiking. Up to 5 mi (8 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).

Level 2:

Road: 2-4 hours of riding. 20-35 mi (35-60 km). Up to 2,500 ft (750 m).

Gravel: 2-4 hours of riding. 15-30 mi (25-45 km). Up to 2,000 ft (300 m).

Hiking: 2-4 hours of hiking. 4-8 mi (6-12 km). Up to 1,500 ft (450 m).

Level 3:

Road: 3-5 hours of riding. 25-55 mi (40-85 km). Up to 4,500 ft (1,500 m).

Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 20-40 mi (35-60 km). Up to 3,000 ft (900 m).

Hiking: 3-5 hours of hiking. 6-10 mi (9-16 km). Up to 2,000 ft (600 m).

Level 4:

Road: 4+ hours of riding. 40-70 mi (60-110 km). Up to 8,000 ft (2,400 m).

Gravel: 4+ hours of riding. 30-50 mi (45-80 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

Hiking: 4+ hours of hiking. 7-15 mi (11-24 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).

What are your trip styles?

Classic - Reserve:

Savor the finer things as you relax in luxurious 5-star accommodations and wine, dine, and ride in some of the most unforgettable destinations around the world.

Classic - Signature:

Explore beautiful destinations by bike, enjoy extra inclusions, savor delicious local cuisine, and enjoy the perfect mix of accommodations.

Classic - Discover:

Enjoy a casual cycling vacation with fantastic routes and comfortable accommodations.

Ride Camp:

Train like the pros in some of their favorite riding destinations.

Pro Race:

See the pros in action at the biggest cycling events of the year.

Cross Country:

Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.

Self-Guided

Enjoy a bike tour on your schedule with just your chosen travel companions.

Single Occupancy

Sometimes it’s more convenient and comfortable to have your own room while on vacation. We understand and that’s why we offer a Single Occupancy option. The additional price guarantees a private room all to yourself