“Every business works hard to build a brand, to create an image that identifies their products and services and differentiates them from their competition. But can your brand–no matter how positive and highly-regarded–actually create a marketing obstacle?
Surprisingly, the answer is yes.”
Jeff Haden | December 30, 2015
Here’s another in my series of interviews where I pick a topic and connect with someone a lot smarter than me. This time I talked to Tania Burke, the President of Trek Travel, a full-service cycling vacation company that offers trips in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Latin America, about the impact of a strong brand on the growth of a business.
(Oh: I own two Trek bikes I really like… and that’s also why I understand the marketing “challenge” faced by Trek Travel.)
Asking us to pick our favorite trip of the year is like asking us to pick our favorite child; they’re all too unique, handcrafted and distinctive in their own special ways.
Our guests tell us, time and again, that our trips are magical from the moment they arrive to the final day of departure. But which trips are our most-loved on a consistent basis? We tallied the guest evaluations on trip design, routes, hotels and more, and these six trips rose to the top as our most popular. Our guests have spoken. Are you listening?
PROVENCE LUXURY
Experience the “La Belle Vie” in France
6 Days | From $4,499
Connect to the essence of life—food created with care, wine produced with passion, and intimate moments shared with friends. You’ll ride through this ancient countryside, perhaps stopping to eat cherries off a tree or to explore a fortress overlooking a medieval village. Cozy cafés and unique local markets await leisure riders while Mont Ventoux waits to be conquered for the avid cyclists. Provence is one of our most popular bike tour destinations, and for good reason. You’ll have an experience you won’t soon forget! Learn More»
RIDE ACROSS ITALY
Discover the essence of the heartland of Italy
6 Days | From $3,499
Join us as we dip our toes in the Adriatic sea and traverse the enchanting regions of Le Marche, Umbria and Tuscany to the Mediterranean coast. Along the way, you’ll indulge in sumptuous cuisines, world renowned wines and charming medieval towns. You’ll climb across the misty Apennine mountain range and roll through vine-covered landscapes before you celebrating on the stunning Orbetello peninsula with a sunset cocktail. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for lovers of all things Italian! Learn More»
PRAGUE TO VIENNA
Czech Republic and Austria
6 Days | From $3,299
A bicycle is truly the best way to discover the secret forests, charming Baroque palaces, and quiet cobblestone streets of this enchanting Bohemian wonderland. This Central European tour wends through history, preserved Renaissance towns and countryside laden with dense forests and rolling hills. Take in the sweeping vistas of the lush Danube River Valley as you immerse yourself in the culture, cuisine, and adventure that continue to make this region a favorite for active travelers worldwide. Learn More»
ETAPE DU TOUR
Ride a stage of the Tour de France
6 Days | From $4,699
Cycling fans have dreamt of riding the routes of their heroes since the first true mountain stage of the Tour de France in 1910. Each year a lucky few get the unique opportunity to experience those dreams in all their glory by taking part in the Etape du Tour–designed to celebrate the challenge of the famed routes and share in the passion that surrounds the Tour de France. A breathtaking alpen stage, this year’s ride features four mountain passes as it covers Stage 20 of Le Tour from Megève to Morzine. Learn More»
PYRENEES SEA TO SEA
From the Atlantic to the Mediterranean
10 Days | From $5,399
With daily routes through France and Spain, averaging over 60 miles and 7000 vertical feet, this cross-country bike trip offers avid cyclists an invigorating combination of riding and cultural experience. Though the riding is challenging and the terrain is spectacular, the unassuming charm and hearty cuisine of the Basque & Catalan people serve to keep cyclists well-fueled and refreshed as you traverse a true cycling paradise. (The magical healing powers of the springs of Bagnères de Luchon don’t hurt either.) Learn More»
BARCELONA VILLA
A Mediterranean Retreat
6 Days | From $4,999
On the Mediterranean just south of Barcelona lies Sitges, a beautiful sun-kissed village nestled above the sea in the heart of the Penedès wine region. Your luxurious private villa, Almiral de la Font, is an exquisite manor surrounded by olive trees. This week you’ll savor the essence of Spain and all its flavors, proud traditions and vibrant culture. From tranquil vineyards to forested river valleys–this cycling vacation reveals spectacular sea views and glimpses into history as you pedal past ancient fortresses and castles. Learn More»
When I first began speaking to my now friend and then contact Jonathan Hershberger (Hershy) about becoming a guide with Trek Travel, there were many questions. Anyone of a certain varietal would seek this job under any circumstances. I, however, had a mild background in active-travel guiding and knew there could be caveats to the dream. Long hours, inconsistent work, life in a bag away from home.
Words by Gabrielle Porter, Trek Travel Guide
I asked Hershy about the company culture, the home office and guiding. His response? “We are, I dare-say, one big family.” I read these words and was a tad suspicious, a jaded reaction perhaps. Come on. One big family? But he really wasn’t trying to sell me anything. We had enough in common to treat each other honestly. Even if he was exaggerating, it was clear there were good people within the company and I pursued the long application process with suppressed yet lingering sarcastic suspicion.
Now, one year in, I can say with confidence that we truly are like one big family here at Trek Travel. Just like a family, not everyone gets along all the time, there are some you are closer with and others you barely know. Yet you would do any of them a favor in a minute, because they are part of the family and that’s what you do. Some things drive you crazy and sometimes you just need to get away, but they make you incredibly happy, they are fun and loving, and they are there in the very thick and the very thin.
I know our company’s family-like culture most poignantly from the co-guides I have had the great pleasure to live and work with. If you are spending all waking hours with one or the same group of people and wish to enjoy life, it is essential to get along with them. The stakes increase when the context is extremely diverse. We jump between professional situations including paper work, inner-company logistics, bike tuning, actual guiding, cooking, contract developing, and designing (to name a few). We jump between social situations like going from acquaintances to roommates in seconds; our schedules are such that we essentially dominate each other’s social lives (what little there may be) for months. We jump between personal situations, supporting each other in times of loneliness and happiness, when graduations, weddings, funerals, reunions, and births are all occurring at home. We don’t know each other from an early time but our existence with one another becomes rapidly intimate.
The best part of all this time spent together is that somehow the greatest humans on earth have found their way to populate Trek Travel. Sure there are similarities amongst us, we all have a few common passions essential to the job: cycling, traveling, interesting people, good food. But the more you interact, the more you learn the great intricacies and diversities of each person, their background, personality, humor, interests. Each has their own incredible story of the most engaging quality and it’s almost freakish that a group of people with such goodness could be collected into one entity at any one point in time.
There came a time late in this season in which the full meaning and impact of Hershy’s statement came to be truth. The night before a trip start, a dear friend of mine was murdered. It was one of those awful moments, when you get news and your legs can’t hold you. What do you do? What can you do? How do you support or even navigate being around someone who is finding out such news? Let alone if you really don’t know them beyond a few weeks or months, don’t know their context or where they come from. It doesn’t matter. The sneak-peak insider’s look into guide life that so many guests ask for is this: adventure, camaraderie and support network.
So, as this year draws to an end and we all reflect upon what 2015 brought and gave, I think back to one year ago when I was approaching Trek Travel for the first time. When I had not met the many wonderful people I now know. I think about that sentence Hershy sent me and I am grateful for its validity. For the many moments of vast laughter and jokes over pickled carrots and table wine out of porcelain cups in Puglia. For take-out Vietnamese, shivering at the base of Mount Ventoux and 16-hour chamois days, moving trailers at midnight. For dance parties in the parking lot of Chateau de Mazan and family meals on the patio, the sun setting over Provincial fields and spending night after night with the coolest ladies in the world. Who else can say they genuinely enjoy having six house mates and a tiny kitchen? For getting lost countless times amongst the never-ending Bordeaux vineyards and a co-guide that doesn’t judge you for insisting upon pulling over and napping by the side of the road before you can GPS another kilometer of the route. For late night long drives and many tolls. For warm meals and an impeccable whistling ability. For the constant invitation to visit fellows’ regions. For the great adventure of finding an open recycle center on a Saturday. For hard workers, smart people, and jokesters who can share a landscape with all our wonderful guests. When too many questions is not a thing. For Belgian brews and drizzly walks. My colleagues can fix everything, save any situation, make anyone smile, and teach and teach and teach.
I am thankful for all the laughter and productivity. And I am thankful for the best support system I could have asked for during those two weeks. For the shot of whisky Leanne immediately took with me, no questions asked, the night of. For the constant reminder Celine gave that La Vie Est Belle. For the graceful way Tara navigated working with me immediately after, despite the turbulent internal energy I had that we had to keep secret. When she stroked my hair until I fell asleep for the first time in days. For Marcia’s text and all the extra work she took on. For the moments she let me bike away, for just a bit, to breathe. For the many texts of affection and support and proper space I got from co-guides who were far away in other regions. For the office getting me home. How many companies would actually respond that quickly and with such sincere support?
So, now amongst the holidays, when many of us are home with our family and friends, I extend my gratitude and affection to the incredible humans within Trek Travel. In all its corniness, I dare-say that we are one big family.
“In time for the National Park Service’s centennial year, 2016, Trek Travel has added a Glacier National Park Cycling Trip, making it Trek’s sixth tour to incorporate national parks in the itinerary.”
Diane Daniel | December 14, 2015
On the five-night six-day tour, guests will cycle between 20 and 88 miles a day, with short or longer options available. The trip features the renowned Going-to-the-Sun Road, 50 miles of paved roadway that leads through the park’s interior, winds around mountainsides and offers spectacular views of northwest Montana, as well as of wildlife and wildflowers.
The tour has six departures, in July and August, and costs $2,799 per person, which includes lodging, Trek bikes with GPS devices, most meals, daily route support and transportation. Featured hotels include St. Mary Lodge and Resort and Grouse Mountain Lodge.
This was my first year working for Trek Travel, and I was lucky enough to guide in France, my native country. I enjoyed shopping at Provençale markets, cruising through lavender fields and vineyards, and exploring orchards of olive and cherry trees with guests.
Words by Celine Welker, Trek Travel Guide
As soon as I got a week off, I decided to set off on my first bike tour. I installed a rack on my Trek FX Hybrid bike, fastened on a backpack, and took the road. No experience, no plan and no itinerary in mind. But I did have a goal: to explore the south of my country and its treasures with a bike as my only companion.
This adventure brought me to so many beautiful places. I got to explore beautiful seaside towns on the French Riviera such as Le Lavandou, Nice and Cannes. Along the way I rode beside the Mediterranean coast, through the beautiful “Gorges du Verdon,” slept in cheap hotels, stayed in company of relatives, and met with family, friends, and locals! 700km later I was back at the foot of the beast of Provence–Mont Ventoux–with good memories and the strong desire to experience that again soon!
I don’t know about you, but I’m always dreaming of a getaway, and typically, my daydreams involve fine wine, good food, great company, fresh air and maybe a plush robe. Not that you need an excuse for a vacation, but I can think of ten reasons to jet set to Santa Barbara right now. And surprisingly, one of them isn’t just because winter is upon us.
Words by Bryna Rudy, Trip Consultant
1.Canary Hotel
The only rooftop pool in Santa Barbara? Check. A glass of wine with check-in? Yes, please. Redesigned in 2012 to reflect its Moroccan roots, this stylish boutique hotel seamlessly combines Mediterranean hand painted tiles and vibrant textiles with Californian red-tiled roofs and palm trees. Winner of a 2015 Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Award, this picture-perfect hotel in the heart of downtown is reason enough to visit Santa Barbara.
2. State Street
The best palm tree-lined street in the country is filled with shops, restaurants and bars. Discover hidden Paseos, experience the trendy and popular Funk Zone, take your pick of charming outdoor patios to enjoy a coffee, shop at the amazing boutiques, or follow this ‘red-brick road’ all the way to the beach.
3.The Wine Cask
According to owner Doug Margerum, “The unique, transverse nature of the valleys of Santa Barbara Wine Country provides a patchwork quilt of microclimates and terrains, resulting in one of the most diverse grape growing regions in the country.” This may be the place to find coveted single-vineyard Santa Barbara wines, but their innovative cuisine is no less outstanding than the wine list.
4. East Mountain Drive
Imagine winding along a gorgeous ridge with incredible vistas over the city and sea the entire way. Meet East Mountain Drive. While it seems as though every road in Santa Barbara offers buttery-smooth pavement and breathtaking views, this particular route deserves a shout-out. The jaw-dropping scenery makes this one of the prettiest rides in North America, with stunning panoramic views of private estates in the hills above and the glittering blue expanse of ocean below.
5. Sunshine
Temperatures in the 70s and 80s make for spectacular cycling weather and a great excuse to lounge by the rooftop pool or rent a paddle board at the beach. Speaking of the beach, Santa Barbara’s oceanfront is hard to beat. Lined by palm trees and the Cabrillo Bikeway, the miles of pristine sand are perfect for people watching, volleyball, and long evening walks. Plus you can also check out Stearns Wharf, offering the best views in Santa Barbara as well as many incredible shops and restaurants.
6. Santa Ynez Valley
Where there’s wine, there’s a way. A fan of red? The Pinot Noirs of the area are world-renowned. Prefer white? Give the Chardonnay a try at Sanford Winery. The historic town of Los Olivos awaits, ready to charm you with its tasting rooms, art galleries, upscale shops and laid-back locals. And cycling through the Santa Rita hills to get there is just the cherry on top.
7. Scenic Train Rides
Many of the beautiful views along this rural coastline are visible only from the train. Board the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner for a gorgeous ride from downtown Santa Barbara to Surf Beach, and along the way you’ll enjoy up-close views of the seabirds, dolphins, and surfers who inhabit this wonderful area. To get any closer, you’d have to be on a surfboard.
8.The Lark
Dine al fresco at The Lark, and enjoy course after course of locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. One of Santa Barbara’s most highly acclaimed new restaurants, I promise you won’t leave hungry after a family style dinner with new friends. Don’t like Brussels sprouts? I’ll ask you again after you’ve tried them here.
10. Handlebar Coffee
Voted one of the World’s Best Coffee Shops and a favorite among our guide team, Handlebar Coffee Roasters began when two former professional cyclists shifted their focus, training and determination from racing to coffee. A visit to this warm cafe and world-class micro roaster in Santa Barbara’s “Gourmet Ghetto” is guaranteed to start your day on the right foot.
Bonus: Cycling (of course)
The University of California-Santa Barbara has so many bikes they’ve built a network of bike paths that include adorable mini roundabouts. It’s no wonder students here choose cycling as their primary mode of transportation, since every ride includes wind in your hair and sun on your face. Ride though affluent neighborhoods, pedal past vineyards and olive groves, and reward yourself with a well-deserved glass of vino. The views don’t disappoint. I promise. And whether you want to coast along the ocean and take photos or prefer to tackle the climb up Gibraltar Road, Santa Barbara has the perfect road for every type of rider.
As if you need another reason to take a trip into the heart of wine country, where sunshine meets vineyards and incredible cuisine, our California Wine Country 4-Day Weekend vacation is a foray into the state that produces 90% of America’s wine inventory annually. But this experience is about so much more than just wine.
This trip is about cycling through a mecca of culture. It’s dusty fields, majestic forests, and farm-to-fork food. Not convinced? Here are our top reasons why the California Wine Country is about so much more than just full-bodied reds and crisp whites.
Ogle the Armstrong Redwoods
Our guides’ first piece of advice? Watch where you’re riding. Because all you will want to do is stare upward at the tree canopy shading the pavement from hundreds of feet above your head. These remarkable trees can live to be 1,000 years old and grow to a diameter of 16 feet! The towering redwoods stand in stark contrast to the low-laying vineyards in the valleys, and it’s impossible not to marvel at the majestic, natural beauty of the landscape around you.
Enjoy the charm of Healdsburg
In a town known for its world class shopping, art museums, locally grown produce, and endless number of wine tasting rooms, it is impossible to run out of things to do here. The luxurious shopping boutiques mix with a delightful town square (complete with an adorable gazebo) and seemingly year-round gorgeous weather to create irresistible charm.
Extend your stay in the City by the Bay
A city with global appeal, San Francisco offers a little bit of everything–from the Fisherman’s Wharf and Coit Tower to cable cars and the Painted Ladies. Also named “The Best Food City in the Country Right Now” by Bon Appétit magazine, it’s no wonder 18 million visitors flooded the city in 2014. That’s why we pick you up and drop you off at the Westin St. Francis Hotel in downtown San Francisco before and after our California Wine Country 4-Day Weekend vacation, so you can easily explore the city on everyone’s “must-see” list.
See the Golden Gate Bridge
This three-mile long landmark that crosses from San Francisco to the Marin headlands is heralded as one of the top ten construction achievements of the 20th Century. Often seen in movies, postcards and advertisements since it opened in 1937, this architectural marvel is nothing to sniff at. A place you have got to visit at some point in your lifetime, we make it a point to drive across this iconic structure and park in the visitor areas so you may take in the spectacle on our way out of town.
Since returning from wine country, my sunburn has faded but the pictures–and the distinct feeling of having discovered an incredibly unique and distinct culture–remains intact.
I grew up around the table. Weekly dinners at my grandmother’s were part of the family routine and while us kids were allowed to run off and play after the meal, the adults would linger for hours, retelling family stories, discussing world events, and enjoying one more glass of wine.
Words by Katherine Usher, Sales and Guest Services Manager
Now as an adult, I treasure each moment spent at the table. Although the company changes–friends and family, old and new–there is always something special about lingering around the table.
Our new Cinque Terre vacation is a foodie’s dream, offering many unique culinary experiences and opportunities to gather around a table with new friends. This past September I had the privilege of being a guest on this trip, and while the riding and hiking are spectacular, my lasting memory is one of robust flavors that linger on your palate long after the table is cleared.
The trip starts in Tuscany, nestled in the hills above the sought-after town of Lucca. The grades of these “rollers” are no joke but the traditional Toscana cuisine that awaits is worth the ride. The first hotel of the trip, Tenuta San Pietro, boasts its own vineyard, olive grove, and vegetable garden and Chef Guido Lotti is not shy to craft a Mediterranean menu directly from the land.
As the trip moves toward Cinque Terre and the region of Liguria, you start to notice the cuisine change as drastically as the landscape. The menus of handmade pastas, garden fresh tomatoes and aromatic herbs now feature sardines, squid, anchovies, and whatever the sea is generous to provide that morning. Perhaps the taste I savored most, however, is the Italian Riviera’s renowned artisanal pesto.
The shared experiences of riding through the unspoiled countryside and hiking the rugged hills of Cinque Terre’s five historic villages are certainly highlights, but the time spent gathered around the table is truly something special. The flavors are memorable and even more unforgettable are the stories behind them. From the young up-and-coming chef in San Pietro who is willing to take risks with his menu, to the woman who learned how to roll pasta from her grandmother and would never dare to change her ways, the stories behind the meals bring the experience to life.
For thirteen years, Summit Lake Vineyard has held a special place in the hearts of Trek Travel guides and guests. Perched atop Howell Mountain (one of the most highly regarded viticulture regions in all of Napa Valley, California), it is one of the highlights of our California Wine Country trip agendas with Trek Travel.
Words by Trek Travel Guide Beth White
But this forty year old, family-owned vineyard that produces 1,500 cases of wine a year was threatened by wildfires in Lake County and Napa Valley, right at the peak of the Fall 2015 harvest. Three generations of the Brakesman family (along with two horses, goats, chicken, cats, and several dogs), had to be evacuated from their home the night of September 11th, as there was only one small mountain ridge separating the fires in the valley from racing up the side of Howell Mountain. And the four-year drought conditions in California created a tinderbox and made these wildfires challenging to fight due to rough terrain.
Several days later, the family (and all the animals) were able to return to Summit Lake Vineyards. While the fire was contained, the was still a preeminent threat to the harvest. Smoke can be absorbed by the grapes, thus affecting the flavor and results of future wines. Most winemakers determine when to pick their various types of grapes based on a number of factors, from the sugar content, size and skin color, to the general health of the vines and future weather conditions. It is a science, with a lot of experience and creativity thrown in, and ultimately decided based on the intentions of the wine maker’s future vintage.
Given the recent scare, Summit Lake decided they could not wait any longer and they needed to start harvesting various blocks of grapes over the next few weeks. Many vineyards in Napa Valley rely heavily on contracted labor for seasonal pickers, whom are often in high demand. The work is grueling, requiring skill and speed, as grapes perish quickly after picking when left in large plastic bins under the hot sun.
As one of several guides leading trips in the California Wine Country, I have learned a lot about the wine making process and have had the pleasure of enjoying many picnic lunches, wine tastings, and tours of the Summit Lake Vineyards. Understanding the time constraints and labor shortages (due to the early harvest and wild fires), my co-guide and I volunteered to help out in any way possible. Although the family had everything in control, they agreed to put us to work for a day, helping to sort grapes (quality control) before they went into the de-stemmer and bladder press. We had a great time and it was exciting to see everyone work together like a peloton!
“With the drought this year, we harvested about three weeks ahead of schedule, along with most of the valley. On the years where this happens, our small family is spread rather thin between all of our respective jobs. My Dad, Bob Brakesman, my brother and myself are the only full time employees here at the winery. My husband works full time as a vineyard manager on the valley floor and my youngest brother, Danny, is working at another winery. During harvest, when we bring in more than a couple tons of fruit, it is important to process the fruit while it is still cool in the morning,” said Heather Griffin from Summit Lake Vineyards.
She continued, “We had a day when we knew we would be short handed, as it takes at least five people to run a harvest and process fruit at the same time. In general, I run the crew in the field and drive the tractor to take empty bins out and bring in the full ones. My dad and brother run the crush equipment, and we need the extra hands to sort fruit as it goes into the top of the stemmer-crusher machine. Jake and Beth heard we were short on people and volunteered to help us! I think they now have a hands on appreciation for the work that goes into wine, as they spent hours on our catwalk sorting through our fruit all day. We couldn’t have done it with out them!”
Frankly, I think they wanted us to have an opportunity be part of the “crush” process more than they truly needed our help! We’ve grown to love this special family and vineyard that it made us feel good to give a little back to them, considering all the special hosting they have done for Trek Travel over the past years. The harvest was a success and all the grapes were picked and processed, awaiting the long fermentation cycle. We look forward to next year’s challenging cycling ride through Pope Valley and up Ink Grade Road to Summit Lake Vineyards. And now we can’t wait to taste the 2015 Zinfandel in two years!
I had expected to end my days with endless local red wine, but quickly discovered that the real drink of choice for locals was the gintonic.
Words by Trek Travel Guest Erin F. For more stories of Erin’s voyages home and away, visit her blog: VogueTrotter
On our first night, I asked the bartender at our hotel, the Reina Victoria in Ronda, to help me choose from the 60 different types of gin they had on offer. She quickly returned and served me up a softball sized coupe with a generous portion of Gin Mare. Produced in the small fishing town of Vilanova, just outside Barcelona, this tasty spirit boasts typical mediterranean flavors like Seville orange peel, Arbequina olives, basil and thyme. (And luckily for us, they’ve just started importing it in the US.)
Drink in hand, proud of having completed our first day of riding, we sat on the hotel’s deep gray outdoor sofa, nestled under a heat lamp, and watched the rain fall on the mountainside through a sea of palm trees and ethereal fog. Most people go to Spain for the sun, but in yet another unexpected twist, it was the rain that gave us our perfect vacation moment.
On the Grid in Madrid
One of the best reasons to go off the grid is the feeling you get when you resurface back on it. After a week of batting my mascara-less eyes and looking at the rolling hills rather than a scrolling iPhone screen, it felt exhilarating to arrive at the luxurious boutique hotel, Only You, in the big city of Madrid. Fancy cocktails! Facials! Fluffy white beds! Not that we didn’t stay at some lovely Andalucian hotels, but we’re city people at heart and being in the capital felt just a bit more like home.
Completely worn out after our week of cycling in the mountains, we let ourselves truly indulge, simply by doing very little. We opted to eat lunch, dinner and breakfast the next day all in our hotel–a renovated neoclassical townhouse from the early 1900’s, clad in a modern day Delft-Blue motif–and stepped out to see the Prado museum and Botanical Gardens in between meals. We also spent several rounds of gintonics at the hotel bar and learned some more about Spain’s gin craze from Only You’s head bartender, Marc Puig.
Tell me about the gin trend in Spain.
People have been drinking gin and tonics in Spain since the 70’s; however, they made a huge come back about 10 years ago aiming to become a more “premium” drink. Nowadays they are one the most popular drinks in almost every cocktail bar around the country. What I love about the gintonic is that there are so many subtle variations that everyone can find their perfect drink. It also can be consumed from the late afternoon until the moonlight; it’s refreshing and light making it easier to deal with even the hottest Spanish day. What’s the best way to make a gin and tonic?
Take a big cold glass, filled with ice to the top, 5 cl of premium gin and a nice Indian tonic water. Absolutely superb! Add a twist of lemon for a fresh touch of citrus. How many different types of gin do you have at the bar? What’s most popular?
At Only You, we have 44 different types of gin. I think the best we have is Tanqueray because it has just the right balance of botanicals; we serve it with a twist of lemon or orange to bring out the flavor.
In terms of the most popular – I’ve noticed a big difference between our Spanish and international customers. While the Spanish tend to order Beefeater, guests from other countries really have a thing for Bombay Sapphire and Hendricks (I mean, who doesn’t like a bit of cucumber with their gin?).
And for those who enjoy gin but not the bitterness of tonic, I always recommend a gin fizz or Tom Collins. Why should someone stop by your bar?
Here at the Only You bar, we take our cocktails very seriously and have created the perfect drink-pairing for every gin. We carefully study the ingredients of our gins to achieve the best possible harmony for our guests.
About Erin:
Since returning to NYC after living abroad for seven years, I’m aspiring to keep the same “new eyes” that I have when I visit a place for the first time. Whether in old or new Amsterdam, walking along the canals of Venice, Italy, or Canal street in Chinatown, I want to approach it all as an first-class adventure.
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.
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.
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
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
