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Top Active Vacation Destinations 2025

Plan your 2025 travel with our guide to the best active vacation destinations. From the scenic trails of Europe to the coastal rides in North America, get ready to explore!

Whether you’re looking to pedal through the quaint villages of Europe, hike along breathtaking coastal trails, or indulge in other cultural activities, our comprehensive guide covers the best destinations for your 2025 vacation. Ready to find the perfect adventure for your taste and fitness level? Dive into our guide and start planning today!

A cyclist riding alongside the sea

Croatia: Explore the Istrian Peninsula

Take a cycling tour through Croatia’s breathtaking Istrian Peninsula. This tour offers a blend of picturesque coastal roads and historical towns, perfect for those who appreciate the beauty of the old world mixed with physical activity.

A view of a colorful perched village in Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre: Italian Riviera Hiking Adventure

Traverse the iconic trails of the Italian Riviera, from the enchanting village of Portovenere to the vibrant scenes of the Cinque Terre. This hiking tour is ideal for those who want to soak in spectacular coastal views while meandering through colorful villages.

A couple pose with their bikes in front of rows of grape vines

California Wine Country: Vineyard Vistas

Pedal at your own pace through the serene vineyards and rolling hills of California’s Wine Country. This tour combines leisurely biking with gourmet experiences, making it a perfect choice for connoisseurs of fine wine and scenic rides.

Two cyclists on a gravel roadway with hills in the background

Scotland: Galloway Gravel

Explore the gravel cycling capital of the UK in Galloway and experience miles of scenic forest, riverbanks, and coastal trails This tour is tailored for those who crave adventure beyond the usual roads.

Amsterdam to Bruges: Tulips and Windmills

Glide through the flat, picturesque landscapes of the Netherlands and Belgium. This relaxed journey is great for first-time cyclists and e-bike enthusiasts wanting to enjoy Europe’s urban and rural beauty.

A cyclist overlooking a view of rolling hills

Portugal: Ride Camp Training

Experience the Algarve’s hidden trails and temperate climate, making it an ideal spot for off-season cycling. This trip is a great option for riders looking to improve their skills in a scenic setting.

Vermont: Autumn Colors

Marvel at Vermont’s stunning autumnal palette from the saddle. This tour captures the essence of New England charm and is best for those who enjoy a fall ride under colorful canopies.

Single cyclist on gravel road with mountains in the background

Provence to Girona: The Ultimate Gravel Journey

Push through the historic gravel paths from Provence to the Pyrenees. Adventurers and gravel enthusiasts will find this challenging terrain both invigorating and rewarding.

Tuscany: The Heart of Italy

Cycle through the heart of Italian culinary tradition and stunning landscapes. This tour is a dream for foodies and those who wish to experience Tuscany’s renowned culture and cuisine.

Cyclist on dirt road riding past a lake and mountain

Black Hills: America’s Gravel Frontier

Adventure through South Dakota’s historic landscapes on gravel paths, from the mysterious Spearfish Canyon to the iconic Mount Rushmore. If you’re looking for a twist on a classic summer vacation, this is your bike tour.

Whether you’re cycling, hiking, or gravel biking, these tours are designed to deliver an immersive experience that goes beyond ordinary travel, leaving you with memories and stories to cherish for years to come. Don’t just explore; immerse yourself in the vacation of a lifetime!

Ready to book your next adventure? Start planning today and prepare for an active 2025 filled with new experiences and breathtaking landscapes!

Guest Feature: Fabulous Flanders 2024

Crowd gathered in the street to watch bike race

From conquering the cobbles of Flanders to experiencing the thrill of Paris-Roubaix from the best seats in the house, the 2024 Spring Classics was a journey like no other. Our guest, Patrick Gabrion, wrote about his experience on this year’s Spring Classics bike tour in his blog, Pedal2Page. See the featured posts below and stay tuned for more entries coming soon!

A group of cyclists riding in Belgium

Part 1:  Trek Travel & My New Friends

Right from the start, I realized my cycling trip was going to be special — not even close to anything I’d experienced in the past. The entire time we were based at Hotel Harmony in Ghent, one of Belgium’s oldest cities and the historic capital of Flanders. The location alone certainly set the tone.

A landscape shot of cobbles in Belgium with a windmill in the background

Part 2: Cobbles & Climbs

While intimidating in one sense, these bone-jarring stones were a major reason for deciding to embark on this Trek Travel cycling vacation. Like a moth to a flame, I just needed to experience them for myself — no matter the possible danger.

A group of people watching the Tour of Flanders 2024

Part 3: Tour of Flanders

It’s one of the five Monuments, the most prestigious single-day races in men’s professional cycling. I’ve viewed it countless times on television, but now I was actually there in person for the first time.

The team bus for the Lidl-Trek Pro Racing Team at the 2024 Spring Classics

Part 4: Trip Highlights

There were three other highlights that truly elevated my whole five-day cycling vacation, increasing the “wow” factor to an even loftier level. I’m totally convinced that these particular occasions were additional examples of why Trek Travel earns top marks for its guest services and hospitality.

Part 5: The Belgium Experience

Where does one begin when summarizing such a fantastic five-day cycling experience? It is something I’ve attempted to accomplish through my previous four blog postings — hopefully, with some success. But to bring things to a close, I’d like to offer a few final thoughts.

Riding Towards a Greener Future: Trek Travel’s Sustainability Initiatives with ecollective 

Protecting our planet for future generations to explore and enjoy is more than a responsibility—it’s a core value of our business. Driven by this, we actively seek opportunities to minimize our environmental footprint, both in our offices and on our trips around the globe. We continually take proactive steps to ensure that our vacations of a lifetime are as gentle on the planet as they are memorable for our travelers. To advance our sustainability efforts, we have partnered with ecollective, a leader in environmental impact strategies. This collaboration is centered on a strategy to assess and reduce carbon emissions across our operations. Earlier this year, we conducted a comprehensive greenhouse gas inventory for 2023, which is a critical step towards understanding and mitigating our environmental impact. We are excited to share the results of this inventory soon, along with our reduction goals for 2024. 

As we move forward with our sustainability strategy, we want to highlight three current initiatives that underscore our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint. These steps are part of a broader effort to integrate sustainability into every aspect of our travel experiences, from where you stay to how you explore.

Ecollective Hotel Survey 

Understanding the environmental impact of our on-trip accommodations is crucial. That’s why we’re introducing a comprehensive Hotel Survey in collaboration with ecollective. This initiative evaluates our hotel partners based on their carbon emissions and energy usage, helping us rank our accommodations, empower and educate our hotel partners, and guide guests in making sustainable travel choices. More information will be available soon.

Educating Through Carbon Labeling

Knowledge is power, and empowering our guests to make informed choices is a step towards a more sustainable future. Rolling out in 2025, our trip itineraries will feature carbon labeling, providing clear, accessible information about the carbon impact of each journey. This transparency will allows travelers to understand their environmental impact and choose adventures that align with their values. It will also guide our trip designers in creating adventures with smaller carbon footprints.

A gravel bike tire on a gravel road.

Recycling with Liberty Tire Recycling

Recognizing that sustainability initiatives extend beyond reducing carbon emissions, we are also excited to announce a new tube and tire recycling program for our US-based trips, in partnership with Liberty Tire Recycling. This initiative ensures that these consumable components of your biking equipment are recycled properly–reducing landfill waste, and promoting the use of recycled materials in new products.


Private

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

Looking to travel with a small group 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 hotel levels, from Explorer to Luxury to Ultimate Luxury. Rest assured, no matter which level of hotel 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