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Award winning Blackberry Farm

Trek Travel, a leader in personalized cycling vacations, has been awarded National Geographic Traveler magazine’s coveted “50 Tours of a Lifetime” for their Great Smoky Mountain Blackberry Farm vacation.

The competitive selection process finds 2014’s most authentic, most innovative, most immersive, best-guided, and most sustainable tours. “This year marks the 30th anniversary of National Geographic Traveler, which has always looked at the world through the lens of culture, nature, and history. The tours we selected go beyond destination to add meaning and context,” said Norie Quintos, executive editor of National Geographic Traveler magazine. “They open the mind to new possibilities, new connections, new ways of thinking—all critically important given the world’s complex issues.”

National Geographic Traveler magazine surfaces the best tours and outfitters for travelers as part of the magazine’s mission “to propel readers out of their armchairs and into the field.” National Geographic Traveler has the largest audience of any travel magazine, with more than 8.5 million readers. Their readers love to travel, with the highest passport ownership, most international and domestic trips, and most outdoor recreation spending of any other travel title.

“We were excited to find out we had this award from such an industry leading publication.” says Tania Burke, President of Trek Travel. “Our trip designers work long and hard to find the most compelling and unique destinations around the world that can provide an incredible cycling vacation of a lifetime.”

For over 10 years, Trek Travel has been offering luxury cycling vacations around the globe. The Great Smoky Mountains Blackberry Farm tour raises the bar on the definition of luxury. Blackberry Farm is a Relais and Chateaux property known by discerning guests as a place to escape and relax. Trek Travel partnered with this intimate location nestled on the 4,200 acres estate in the Great Smoky Mountains to bring guests an unforgettable experience. From private garden tours with their esteemed Chef, an iconic dinner in their Barn Cellar and meeting the brew master with an exclusive tour and tasting, to cycling the local foothills, Trek Travel has created a tour to be emulated.

Trek Travel’s Hotel of the Year

Being experts in the world’s best bicycle vacations is not a title we take lightly.

TT14_Hotel_logoWe’ve spent years researching the ins and outs of every place worth visiting. Collectively, we are a team of seasoned travelers who have been to almost every corner of the Earth. We have experienced firsthand the tranquil hilltop villages of Tuscany, the ancient temples of Myanmar, and the dazzling shores of Costa Brava. Fortunately for you, we want to share our passion. Our hotel of the year award is designed to highlight the best of the best, the hotels that standout above the rest. They are magical places where moments are pure and experience is everything. Together they redefine charm and exceed every expectation of hospitality. Winning our Hotel(s) of the Year Award, it is our pleasure to honor Moraine Lake Lodge and Chateau de Mazan.

Dreamy. That is the word that comes to mind when we think about Moraine Lake Lodge in Banff, Canada. The photos can speak to the beauty of the lodge but cannot capture the oasis away from busy life that the owners have created. It is a place without phones or TVs to interrupt relaxation. This spectacular lodge is the ultimate spot for a getaway to the pristine Canadian Rockies. It is situated just a short distance to Lake Louise, one of the most photographed sites in the region. From this dreamy launch pad, breathe the fresh mountain air and create lasting memories with your travel partners or family. Moraine Lake Lodge Enjoy delightful days filled with adventure, be it biking, hiking, or canoeing. The water on tap at the lodge is some of the freshest in the world, coming straight from their alpine mountain well. The food is nothing short of divine; the lodge has one of the top gourmet restaurants in the Park. The Walter Wilcox Dining Room offers an outstanding menu showcasing regional specialties like our favorite dish, the deer tenderloin with red currants and juniper berries. In sync with the natural surroundings, the lodge is self-sufficient and has high environmental standards. When it comes to service, this place is exceptional. Their staff is knowledgeable about the area and treats you like a friend from the moment you step through the door. What more could you want on your Canadian Rockies adventure? For the World’s Best Awards, Moraine Lake Lodge is consistently rated nearly perfect in guest evaluations. In the words of a guest, “We were thrilled with the Trek Travel selection of Moraine Lake Lodge.” So are we.

Now travel across the Atlantic Ocean, replace fresh Rocky Mountain air with the scent of luscious lavender, and transport yourself to France. La belle vie spills over in Provence. The leisurely pace of life, the cozy cafés, the local markets, and the historic relics meld to create la vie Provençale. For avid bikers, the epic climb of Mont Ventoux stands waiting to be conquered. For foodies – Michelin-starred meals, wine tastings, and a renowned cooking course tantalize your taste buds. Welcome to Chateau de Mazan—a member of the prestigious Chateau et Hotels Collection. PRL_chateaudemazanNestled in the tiny town of Mazan only a short distance from the base of Mont Ventoux, this 4-star property is undeniably beautiful. Originally built in 1720 during the Regency Period, it became the property of the notorious Marquis de Sade and hosted the first Theatre Festival. Fast-forward to 2001 and the new owner, Mme Lhermie, transformed the Chåteau into the quaint, charming hotel it is today. The hotel staff is focused on the essence of hospitality—welcoming each and every guest as part of their family and making everyone feel truly at home. As distinguished guests of Trek Travel you will be treated as trusted friends and you will be put at ease in a manner that is only possible in Provence. Just 30 rooms, a perfectly landscaped garden, and a French gourmet restaurant await. Chateau de Mazan will wow you. And the evening before you ride the famed Mont Ventoux, you want nothing less.

Anticipating the 2014 Tour de France

In just 93 days the 2014 Tour de France will kick off in the English city of Leeds for what is sure to be another thrilling three weeks of racing on the sport’s biggest stage.

Last year’s Tour de France undoubtedly lived up to the ‘100th edition’ hype and exceeded fans’ expectations. A double ascent of Alpe d’Huez. Chris Froome’s unprecedented three stage wins and definitive climb up Mount Ventoux. Nairo Quintana’s podium sweep that included 2nd place in the general classification along with king of the mountains and best young rider jerseys. A heated rivalry between cycling’s fastest men, Marcel Kittel and Mark Cavendish. We were left wanting more after riders circled the Arc de Triomphe at twilight during the final stage in Paris. Then again, doesn’t cycling’s biggest race always create unparalleled excitement?

At Trek Travel, our highlight reel of last years Tour de France looks slightly different. The best part of Alpe d’Huez came after the day’s second ascent, when guests were lifted off the mountain and brought back to their hotel via helicopter. On Mount Ventoux, our guests were provided with first class views of Chris Froome’s solo ride to victory, but a wave from Jens Voigt was the cherry on top. 13TDF5716 Cover PhotoRiding a stage from start to finish with Trek Travel’s Etape trip provided guests with an entirely new appreciation for the strength and courage that professional cyclists must have in order to emerge triumphant after 21 days of suffering. Finally, Paris was highlighted by our annual VIP viewing party at the beautiful and historical Automobile Club of France. With that, we raised our glasses to the maillot jaune and toasted another memorable year.

Tour de FranceFor 2014, the ASO has crafted yet another unique route and thereby ensured that this year’s race will be better than the last. Setting the stage for a race full of surprises, breakaways, climbs, and sprints is what the race designers do best. This year’s 101st edition of the Tour de France will bring out the history buff in us all, with stages that visit Buckingham Palace and pay tribute to towns and countryside once devastated by World War I. The riders are in for another action-packed race and a strong climber is likely to emerge victorious. Six mountain stages and five summit finishes are sure to get viewers screaming “Allez” as Jens Voigt launches more legendary attacks to make the neo-pros’ legs scream during his last Tour de France. All eyes will be on Stage 5 as it features the unpredictable and punishing cobbles that make Paris-Roubaix so famous. A sole time trail at the end of the race means that no one is safe until Paris. Excitement is guaranteed until the bitter end.

Witness the Tour de France with Trek TravelSo instead of listening to Phil and Paul tell you what it’s like, join us for the spectacle. Meet the racers that put on the show. Wear a complementary Trek Factory Racing jersey and ride the same bikes as the team. Test your legs on the roads that get devoured by the peloton. The Schleck brothers won’t be the only VIPs at the race, because you’ll be there too. We can’t promise you who will wear yellow, but as an official tour operator and hospitality partner of the Trek Factory Racing team you better believe there will be hundreds of highlights that you’ll miss if you watch it from your couch. Excitement this big simply can’t be experienced second hand. So let us know your thoughts about who will be on the podium, the route, the teams, and the race in general…then join us to watch the magic unfold!

Intern Chronicles: Part 2, the next step

Although interning for Trek Travel has been remarkable, I can’t contain my excitement about moving on.

During the last four years I have lived the dream. I’ve learned from world-class educators. I’ve sailed across the breathtaking Pacific Ocean and skied 30+ days per winter in the magnificent Colorado Rockies. I’ve spent summers enjoying the lakes and bikes paths of Madison, WI. Like I said…living the dream. But when a new opportunity came knocking, I had only one question: when can I start?

Before you worry, I’ll still be around. In fact, I think a better word to describe my move is ‘up’. Last month, I had the opportunity to play hooky for a week and head to Solvang, California for Trek Travel’s 2014 New Guide Training. For ten days, we potential new guides worked tirelessly to learn the ropes. Although my family thought it was a glorified excuse to escape winter and ride bikes in the sunshine, I can assure you this was not the case. We spent far more time learning how to fix, load, clean, and fit the Trek Domane than we did riding it. We went back to drive school and learned how to safely maneuver a fully loaded van and trailer unit. Despite their humility, ask any Trek Travel guide and they are likely to brag about their ability to back a trainer into a parking stall without any hesitation. We spent hours in the hotel conference room, learning as much as we could absorb. We heard from Tania about Trek Travel’s values, spoke with Meagan about trip design, sat in on a sales meeting with Emily, and talked to Tim about expenses on our newly minted credit cards. We learned enough acronyms to make anyone’s head spin. Finally, after we had covered the ‘basics’, it was time for the real test. We met with vendors, drove routes, grocery shopped, prepped bikes, delivered safety talks, crafted picnic lunches, and provided support from the van and the saddle. From start to finish, we guided a mock trip…and that makes it sound simple.

Because of the veterans who made it happen, not a single minute of the week felt like work. They imparted their knowledge, shared their secrets, and patiently answered our questions. They are the rock stars we hope to become. My 2014 co-guides and I come from a broad spectrum of backgrounds and experiences, but during those late nights and early morning we bonded over our enthusiasm for what is the next chapter in each of our lives. The creativity and collaboration, ingenuity and zest, determination and dedication that we bring into our new careers is infectious. With the leadership and guidance of those who came before us, we are ready to put all this talk into action.

This June, college diploma in hand, I will finally get to join my co-guides in the field. I couldn’t ask for better companions with whom to share this adventure. Although the learning never ends, the fun is just beginning. I’m ready to take on the world. The question is: are you?

Incredible Mountain Biking Value In Moab

Moab mountain biking cheaper with us than on your own? What! Trip designer, guide, dirt lover and all round fine dresser, Greg Lyeki put it to the test. Here’s what he figures.

I’ve done a lot of travel in my day, especially with a bike in tow. I’ve always set off thinking I was doing it better, easier, and cheaper than renting a bike, or doing some type of tour. Certainly, in some places, I have gotten away with a pretty inexpensive cycling vacation, but it took some serious effort. In the back of my head I’ve always thought that there must be a better way. There has to be. Think about all the planning you have to do when you set off on your own adventure with a bike! Actually, I will do the thinking for you.

  1. Where do you want to go? You’ve got to pick a location to ride, right?
  2. What does this area have in store for you? What kind of riding can you do, and where? Are the roads safe? Are the trails easily accessible? Are the trails ride able this time of year?
  3. How are you going to get there? Most likely, you are thinking of a destination further than just a few hours’ worth of driving. You’ll need to fly, so then what? Will you rent a car to your final location? Will you shuttle? Is your bike going to fit with the travel case or box?
  4. How are you going to pack the bike? Will you take it to a shop or will you do it yourself? What kind of travel case are you going to use? Hard sided cases are cumbersome, and cardboard boxes can be damaged really easily (trust me, I’ve been the recipient of a dented downtube on an aluminum bike before).
  5. You’ll need all of your accessories if you want to do it successfully – tire pump, tubes, patches, (no CO2 on airplanes!) small pump, bottles or hydration pack, tools, shoes, pedals, helmet, clothes, nutritional supplements, and more.
  6. What happens if I break a spoke, shifter cable, or derailleur?

Moab mountain biking trips with Trek TravelThat’s just the beginning! I don’t think I need to go into more detail for the sake of saving space, and your eyesight while squinting at this page. You get the drift; it’s hard to travel with a bike(s).  There actually is an easier way though. It’s called Moab with Trek Travel.

We’ve done all the hard work that I listed above, and even more. You know what?  It’s CHEAPER too! We host a 5 day Moab Mountain Bike shred session for $1,299 greenbacks. I know you’re thinking “That’s amazing, especially when everything is included! But I bet I can do it cheaper…”

Take a look at these averages:

  1. Guided tours can range from $100-$150 per person, per day for a small group of friends, more for solo riders.
  2. Average hotel price per night (from expedia.com) $146.
  3. Food costs per day (average, of course you could eat Ramen noodles) $30.
  4. Trail Shuttles $15-$25 per person per day.

Total On Your Own: $100 (guided tour) + $146 (hotel) + $30 (food) + $15 (shuttle) = $291/day x 5 days = $1,455 per person!

Moab mountain biking tours with Trek TravelAgain, that is just the basic nuts and bolts of the trip at the low end, and it’s already $150 more expensive than Trek Travel not including the cost of bike shipping/airline charges, and transportation to and from the airport.

Simply put, we offer one heck of a package deal to get you out on a mountain bike in the most sought after location. A killer Trek Remedy or Lush mountain bike, meals, accommodations, transport to and from the trail, and transfers before and after the trip. Heck, we even throw some beers in the deal. No strenuous brain activity required…other than paying attention to the trail:)

Trek Factory Racing Launch Event

Erin Berard, our Race Trip and Hospitality Manager, walks us through a very successful Trek Factory Racing team launch event.

As Trek Factory Racing’s Official Hospitality Partner, Trek Travel was in Belgium last month to help the team kick-off its global launch with a 68 kilometer Fan Club ride along the hallowed Tour de Flanders route. Starting at the famous Tour of Flanders Visitor’s Center and Museum in Oudenaarde, the ride drew 200 participants including fans, dealers, team sponsors, and professionals including Fabian Cancellara, Jens Voigt, Stijn Devolder (Belgian National Champion), Jasper Stuyven, as well as the team’s Director Sportif Dirk Demol.

Trek Travel rest stop at Trek Factory Racing event

Our Trek Travel team supported the Fan Club ride by hosting a Trek Travel signature rest stop a little over half way along the course, driving follow-vans on-course for rider support, and providing team VIPs with Trek Domane bicycles complete with a Spring Classics’ set-up of extra bar tape and tubeless tires in preparation for the cobbles! The day before the ride, while pre-driving the course, the rain was pouring down and wind was gusting sideways. Splashing through the mud puddles along the famous Oude Kwaremont, Patenberg, and Koppenberg cobbled sections of road, we all looked at each other with fright, happy we were in the heated van.

Still remaining on our to do list: 1. Pick-up 300 fresh liege waffles, 2. Coordinate 80 Liters of hot water for our portable thermoses, and 3. Stop by the Trek Factory Racing service headquarters to equip our vans with the required Belgian road safety signage.

The morning of the ride, to our disbelief and great joy, it was sunny in Belgium in January. In true Trek Travel fashion, we unveiled a delicious spread of liege waffles with Nutella, bananas, hot coffee and hot chocolate. The waffles solicited a great reaction from riders and pros a like and became the center of many fan photos. Jasper Stuyven’s family showed up to see him, Stijn Devolder, a national celebrity, barely had time to get a coffee with all the fans around him. Jens Voigt and Fabian Cancellara both posed with the Nutella although Fabian later complained to us, jokingly, that the waffles were cold. And that reminded us to share an important lesson learned – never serve Nutella in cold weather!

Fabian Cancellara of Trek Factory Racing team rides with Trek Travel

This ride marked the start of a full day of celebrations, followed by a Press Conference and then the Team Presentation in the new Roubaix Velodrome, where Trek Factory Racing unveiled its management team, 28 riders, team kits, bike line-up, and sponsors. We wish the team great luck this season and we hope to see you soon on a Trek Travel Race Trip with Trek Factory Racing.

 

For more photos of the event, visit http://www.trekfactoryracing.com/multimedia/fan-club-ride-tour-flanders

Designing a Santa Barbara vacation

We asked one of our trip designers, Rebecca Falls, to tell us about her creative process in designing a new trip. She takes it one better and told us how she designed our new Santa Barbara long weekend trip for this year. In the cold temps of Wisconsin, this sounds like quite the escape.

Rebecca, trip designing in Santa BarbaraIt’s a February morning.  I’m laying on a broad expanse of warm tile under the bright California sun, waiting for a train.  And I can’t keep the smile off my face.

This time of year I would normally be in Asheville, North Carolina, where I live and work from home as a trip design coordinator.  The weather in Asheville in February…let’s just say there’s not much sun-basking going on.  But on this beautiful morning I am outside the Santa Barbara Train Station with my friend Tim, preparing to test a day of the Santa Barbara Long Weekend bike trip I am designing.

What goes into designing a new trip?  I’m sure there are as many approaches as there are people who do it, like any creative process, but I start with a simple question: How would I like to spend my day?  Given a short period of time in an amazing place I may only visit once (there are many places to see, after all!)…how would I BEST spend my day.

The train pulls up and Tim and I grab our bikes and climb aboard.  Soon we are heading west, along the Gaviota Coast. The views are incredible as miles of unspoiled coastline slip past and seabirds sail over small waves.  With the Pacific out the window to our right and coastal mountains and ranches to the left, we can’t decide where to look.  So we do our best to take it all in and before we know it the train has rounded Point Conception and we are headed north toward our stop: Surf Beach.

From here we ride our bikes inland, enjoying a terrific tailwind!  Ahh, glorious and the miles zip past.  Once we reach Lompoc and the western end of Santa Rosa Road (home to the Santa Rita Hills Wine Appellation), I am on familiar ground, having guided trips in this area before.  On the new trip, guests will continue riding to a winery for a tasting and picnic, then on to the wine country towns of Solvang and Los Olivos.  But, for Tim and I, our research for the day is done and we explore Lompoc for a coffee stop before riding back to the train station into the wind that had been at our backs before. We laugh as we scream stories to one another over the gale and arrive back in Surf Beach in time for our train and a repeat of the morning’s gorgeous ride.

Back in Santa Barbara I wander over to the impressive Moreton Bay Fig Tree on the train station grounds, then start the walk back to my hotel.  The sunshine, our companion all day, is fading to pink hues in the west-southwest.  My mind is full of moments from a day well spent.  I’m putting it all together in my head…and I decide that I’m probably not the only one who would like to spend my day this way.

Intern Chronicles: Part 1, working for Trek Travel

How did a 21-year-old college senior end up with a four-year summer internship at the world’s best cycling vacation company on her résumé? At 17-years-old I was a washed up soccer player, bored summer lifeguard, outdoor enthusiast and recent high school graduate. Over the years multiple broken legs have forced me take up a low-impact fitness alternative and as a decent athlete native to the cycling industry mecca of Madison, WI, cycling was the easy choice. I quickly took to the bicycle and after a few hours in the mailroom each week I had found my place at Trek Travel as well. The people, the mission, the product—it was all such a perfect fit. I was hooked.

Let’s start with the people. At Trek Travel we like to use the word ‘rock star’…a lot. But after many years of working alongside best in class employees I can honestly say that every person on the Trek Travel team is truly a rock star. That first summer I asked hundreds of questions each day. To be honest, I probably still do. Maybe I’d broken the postage machine, jammed the printer, or couldn’t navigate the online database. Pretty small problems in the grand scheme of things, but no matter what I threw their way it was always met with unwavering patience and a true desire to help.

Over time I’ve watched as this same attitude is applied day in and day out with guests. Four summers in a small office has given me opportunities I could not have imagined, the most unique of which is the ability to work with many different departments. Not ironically, this same benefit extends to guests as well. Each and every employee, from sales and customer service consultants to trip design and logistics specialists, work together seamlessly to provide guests with solutions to all their problems and answers to all their questions. Always with unwavering patience and a deep desire to help make yours the best vacation possible. There really is no better way to describe everyone who works at Trek Travel than ‘rock stars’, and there is no better place that I could have worked during the ‘best years of my life’.

Kari talks Blackberry Farm luxury

Our private trip coordinator, Kari K., was recently able to travel to and stay at our newest hotel partner, Blackberry Farm. She got to experience the slower pace of life in this little paradise. Here are her takeaways from her own break from reality.

Photographs of Blackberry Farms Garden Shed with Jeff RossTraffic lights, car horns, overloaded inboxes, and the bottom-less pit of meetings and conference calls. If your substitute these everyday things with the likes of fly-fishing, farm-to-table gourmet cooking, the crackling of a campfire next to a moonlit pond, wine-tastings from an oak cellar, and rides through the majestic Smoky Mountains then Blackberry Farm might be the place for you.

Let’s talk about the unique and extraordinary cuisine you will experience at Blackberry Farm; known as the “Foothills Cuisine”. Your taste buds will be moving more than your legs as you taste the fresh and local flavors recognized as the number one hotel for food lovers by Bon Appetit in 2013.

Some getaways leave you feeling anxious, ready to get back to the daily grind because they are a one-trick pony–sitting on the beach, laying by a pool, but not at Blackberry. The array of activities will provide you with an enriching experience, one that challenges and inspires mind, body, and spirit. Cycling through the mountains will make the private yoga class and massage at the new wellness facility feel well-deserved. Fly-fishing with seasoned instructor’s in the pristine Hesse Creek, and kayaking in one of the nearby lakes will make your wine from the best producing wine-regions in the world taste even sweeter that evening.

When thinking about a getaway, Blackberry Farm offers the right mix of relaxation and adventure. I know I can’t wait to get back to the Farmstead.

Why A Smooth Ride Matters On A Bike Tour

Being Trek Travel’s Marketing Manager, I understand how marketing a new product works. You want to get the product in front of as many people as possible and talk up its attributes. In the words of Mad Men’s Don Draper, “Advertising is about happiness”. The Trek Domane road bike delivers happiness.

I spent a week in Solvang, CA recently for our Amgen Tour of California viewing event. Our Ride Camp season had just wrapped up and there were plenty of Domane bikes floating around our warehouse. I grabbed one and spent the better part of the week riding the hills and valleys of this awesome place. To say the ride was smooth is such an understatement. It was velvet.

Trek Travel is sometimes thought of as the “avid bike tour company”. Having all Trek carbon road bikes included in every bike trip probably contributes a bit to that stereotype, even though we also have the industry leading Trek FX hybrid bikes available or the upgrade option to the electric assist hybrid bike. In fact, the first time we brought in the electric assist bikes, a woman rode up Mt. Ventoux during the Tour de France on one. Talk about stretching the bike’s capabilities! The fact is, having a great bike during a bike tour is pretty important.

6a0147e09179b6970b01901d6199e1970b-320wiI was blown away riding the Trek Domane. I heard the hype and honestly didn’t think it would be much of a difference over my Trek Madone. For anyone who has ridden in the Santa Ynez Valley, you know how lovely the roads are. Riding the Fig gives your triceps a serious workout as you navigate the Grand Canyon sized cracks in the road. But riding 50 miles on these roads on the Domane…WOW. It brought me happiness as advertised. I couldn’t believe how smooth the roads felt even when I purposefully steered the bike towards every crack I could find. And, I don’t think I have to mention that the bike is fast. Just look at Fabian Cancellara’s spring classics season to see how well he did on this incredible bike.

Why does this matter from our (Trek Travel) perspective? Imagine taking a Sunday drive in a BMW on a pot-holed highway versus doing that same test drive in an old, rickety Pinto. You’re going to be a heck of a lot more comfortable in the BMW which allows you to sit back and take in the sights. That’s how we think of the Trek Domane on a bike tour. The bike is definitely not all you signed up for with us. You want to taste the Italian wines of Tuscany, or indulge in the spas of California Wine Country. But you did sign up for an active vacation and who wouldn’t want the best fit and smoothest ride when out riding your bike in these scenic areas? That’s what the Trek Domane does. It gives you that extra little bit of happiness on your active vacation of a lifetime.

And I can say that without any marketing hype. The roads of Solvang can attest to it.

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