We offer trips for every traveler and choosing your perfect style means you can enjoy the trip of a lifetime. Trek Travel Ride Camp is designed to take you beyond your typical day, to push your limits, to accomplish your training goals. Follow the chart below to find out if Ride Camp is right for you.
So the allure of old, American-made cars, hand-rolled cigars, and back ally Cuban music streaming into the city streets has captured your sense of adventure. We couldn’t be more excited to announce our People-to-People tour to Cuba, one of the few cycling trips available that meets the US legal requirements. We are excited to explore this culturally rich nation with you during the experience of a lifetime.
Cuba is in a unique time in history, constantly changing as a growing American tourism market emerges. With regular flights departing U.S. soil bound for Cuba and regulations loosening, now is a great time to see and experience the charm of this developing country.
If you’re interested in visiting the island but unsure how it all works, below are some tips to get you started on researching your dream cycling vacation to Cuba.
Is it legal to travel to Cuba? What does People-to-People mean?
Technically, traveling to Cuba for a leisurely beach vacation is still illegal for Americans. Your trip must fall under one of the 12 categories of permitted travel set forth by the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). One of these categories is educational activities, including People-to-People interaction. What does this mean exactly and how will affect your travel to Cuba? It means you can travel to Cuba if you, “Maintain a full-time schedule of educational exchange activities intended to enhance contact with the Cuban people…and that will result in meaningful interaction between the traveler and individuals in Cuba.” You won’t just pedal through Cuba. You’ll spend time with locals each day in a variety of settings, whether it is sharing experiences over coffee or a mojito, visiting a local sugar plantation, or meeting with artists and authors to hear their stories. We have taken care of designing a trip that meets the legal requirements so you can enjoy an authentic and worry-free vacation.
Please take note of the Planning for your Trip section on our Cuba trip page. There is a lot more information regarding travel requirements both before and after your trip. Traveling to Cuba presents unique challenges, and we want to ensure you have the best experience possible.
Fun and Flexible
Because Cuban tourism is just begining to develop, traveling there presents unique challenges not found in more common destinations such as Western Europe. Hotel quality can vary significantly and plans may change at the last minute. Infrastructure in Cuba is not at the same level as our other destinations and resources can be limited. We have selected the best possible hotels, which are centrally located in historic towns, instead of isolated all-inclusive resorts offered by our competitors. These allow for a more enriching cultural experience, but it means that you may forgo some of the comforts and amenities that you are used having available on other Trek Travel vacations. We are leveraging years of trip design expertise and relationships with local partners to make your trip as smooth and comfortable as possible, but we suggest bringing your sense of adventure along for this journey. After all, this is Cuba!
At Trek Travel, our internal mantra is simple: fun and flexible. It means that no matter the circumstance, our rockstar guides will handle any curveball thrown their way while always keeping our guests’ experience and safety as their main priority. On this trip, we invite you to adopt our mantra, keep an open mind, and enjoy what authentic Cuba has to offer before it is gone.
Why go with Trek Travel to Cuba?
On our People-to-People journey to Cuba, expect to have an incredible and authentic experience while engaging with locals at every turn. Our trip designers have worked hard with local partners to ensure you get a unique view into Cuban life. You will burn plenty of energy each day as we enjoy four days of cycling between some of Cuba’s oldest colonial towns, take a walking tour in each (including the grand finale tour of La Habana Vieja), lace up your hiking boots for a day hike in the mountains, and snorkel in the warm waters of the Caribbean. Combined with educational People-to-People experiences, your vacation to Cuba is an authentic itinerary you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
Allow us to take care of the logistical hassles of traveling to Cuba. Your safety and well-being is our primary concern. You will have the full resources of Trek Travel behind your trip, including our knowledgeable trip consultants who will help you prepare, two Trek Travel guides, two local guides, and a driver once you are there.
Our Cuba People-to-People itinerary is not for everyone. But for those seeking a true adventure to a burgeoning destination, it is sure to entice. The possibilities are endless for this country and its tourism infrastructure. But with that comes change, and now is the time to experience Cuba’s rich and engaging culture at its best. We hope you will join us.
Other great resources for planning your Cuba bike tour:
General travel information from our friends at Travel + Leisure.
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/travel-to-cuba-what-you-need-to-know
Health information from the CDC.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/cuba
Getting ready for Cuba from Cuba Explorer.
http://cubaexplorer.com/getting-ready-for-cuba/
Your first time traveling by train can be nerve-wracking. The bustling stations, indiscernible platforms, convoluted schedule, and absent signage can be intimidating. Add to that a foreign language and you might as well write off any hope of getting to your final destination.
But rail travel is a big part of the European experience, and there’s a reason most people opt to take the train. Driving on narrow foreign roads can be daunting, and traveling by train allows your to sit back in a remarkably large, comfortable seat and let someone else do the driving. No turbulence. No claustrophobic middle seat. Just uninterrupted time for productivity, sight-seeing, or a much-need nap.
In order to ease any concerns, we’ve put together a few tips on how to book, what to expect, and how to travel safely:
Planning Your Trip
Unlike air travel, train schedules remain fairly consistent throughout the year. Although train schedules are not typically more than 30 days in advance, you can check tentative schedules at any time. Visit the Rail Europe website, plug in your cities, and choose a date on the same day of the week that you will be traveling. This will allow you to see sample itineraries, prices and train durations. These schedules may change slightly, but can be a valuable tool for those who like to plan their vacation well in advance.
Booking Trains
Some European trains on longer routes, or high speed trains such as the TGV in France, require advance reservations. These reservations can be made through Rail Europe up to 90 days before your departure date. Rail Europe is a U.S. company that charges a nominal fee in exchange for a user-friendly booking portal. Trust me when I say that it is much easier to navigate than individual national rail sites.
During peak travel times, trains can sell out. Reservations give you security and peace of mind by allowing you to select a specific train time and receive a seat assignment seat. It can also save you money on certain routes with special fares for advance purchase.
Most journeys are e-tickets, which gives you the option to print your ticket at home or pick up your ticket at the station. While I recommend printing your ticket at home, you may pick up your ticket at a self-service kiosk using an e-ticket code, or from a train attendant at a ticket window.
Some slower, regional trains do not require reservations in advance. These trains have open seating, meaning you can sit anywhere you’d like within your ticket’s class of service. For trains that do not offer online booking, please allow time at the station to purchase your ticket.
Please Note: most kiosks will only accept credit cards with chip technology, but tend to have much shorter lines than the ticket windows.
Classes of Service
Most trains offer a choice between 2nd class (Economy) or 1st class (Comfort or Premier). Economy offers the cheapest fares, but is generally more crowded and does not offer reclining seats. First class tends to be less crowded, and offers more amenities such as outlets, reclining seats and other small perks.
At the Station
Plan to arrive at the station 30-45 minutes prior to your scheduled departure. If you have a reserved seat on a specific train, check the boards for the train number. Some routes have multiple trains departing around the same time, and you’ll want to be sure you’re on the correct platform for your train number. Be ready to board your train 15 minutes prior to departure.
If you have purchased a regional ticket with no specific departure time or train number, your ticket is valid for any of the trains that day. Most of these tickets require validation, meaning you must stamp your ticket at boxes located by the platforms before boarding. Not always is your end destination the train’s end destination, so pay attention to all cities on the route instead of just the final destination.
If you have any questions, find a uniformed train attendant, as most can speak English and are happy to assist.
Keeping Safe
In the front or back of most trains there will be an area to store your larger luggage. Keep all valuable personal items, especially your passport, with you at your seat. There will be a train attendant who comes through the coaches to check tickets and passports, so keep them handy at all times. If you plan to take a nap on your journey, make sure your passport and personal items are secure. Money belts might not be fashionable, but they are a great way to safely hide money, credit cards and your passport while in transit.
Helpful Links
Already abroad? Here are the most popular regional train websites:
France: www.sncf.com
Italy: www.trenitalia.com
Spain: www.renfe.com
As guides, we spend a lot of time on the road, and it’s unfortunately not always on a bike. Long hours of travel and big days preparing our trips mean that we need to make the most of our time. When we can’t get out for a bike ride or a run, we like to do workouts that will give us the most bang for our buck.
High intensity interval training (HIIT) does just that. The workouts don’t require any equipment, and can be varied for intensity and to keep things interesting. Here’s a sample 10 minute session:
This particular workout consists of 10 exercises. For each set, there is a 40 second interval of work and a 20 second interval of rest. Start by doing as many jumping jacks as you can in 40 seconds, and then take 20 seconds to recover and set up for squats. Repeat this for each exercise on the list.
If you have more time, you can do a 20 minute workout by simply repeating the entire program. If you have less time, research has shown big fitness gains by using a Tabata regimen: 8 rounds broken into 20 seconds of super intense exercise followed by 10 seconds of rest. This makes for a quick and difficult 4-minute workout.
To make a workout harder, do more repetitions of each exercise or do a more challenging version of the exercise. To do an easier session, do fewer reps or a less challenging version of each exercise.
To time yourself, there are free interval timer apps for iOS and Android phones that allow users to create custom timers for different workouts. I particularly like the “Gymboss” app, but find whichever one works best for you.
However, I’ll let you in on a guiding secret: some days we don’t have time for even a quick interval training session. On days like this, when we’re working before sunrise and still going long after sunset, we follow a five step regiment to stay in shape:
1. We ride our bikes.
2. We lift weights.
3. We stretch.
4. We eat well.
5. We stay hydrated.
“17 switchbacks. That was how my Trek Travel guide described the climb up Col de Soller on the third day of my Trek Travel Ride Camp in Mallorca, Spain last month. And that was just the warm up.
That day my Garmin told me I put in 5 and 1/2 hours of ride time and climbed over 8,500 feet. My route took me up and over Col de Soller, then up and over the highest peak in Mallorca, the Puig Major, and then out and back to Sa Calobra, a gorgeous port town on the western side of the island accessible by a single winding road. Sa Calobra – the Cobra – descends 2,000 feet over the course of six miles. Reminiscent of ribbon candy or coils of spaghetti, that descent is at once both thrilling and terrifying as I hit the brakes sharply into the hairpin turns, then accelerated to get back up to speed, again and again and again…but more on that later.
When I dreamed up this vacation last fall, I had a few simple requirements. I wanted to ride a bike outside in February. I didn’t want to spend a ridiculous amount of money. And I wanted it to be in a stunningly beautiful place. Oh, and I didn’t want to have to worry about flying my bike or riding a hybrid. Easy, right?
Trek Travel’s Mallorca Ride Camp fit the bill to a tee. This enchanting island jewel off the coast of Spain isn’t just for beach goers; it’s a choice destination for cyclists everywhere, including many pros. There, I got a rider’s-eye view of the Tramuntana mountains, fertile valleys, and tranquil turquoise waters on picturesque, pothole-free roads.
I’ve flown my bike across the country and I’ve rented bikes before on vacation. I’ve even resorted to trying to get in some training time on a heavy, ride-share bike now available in most big cities. It’s always kind of nerve racking (and expensive!) to hand over your bike to the airlines – fingers crossed it will get there in one piece. And somehow rented bikes never really feel the same to me. Call me spoiled.
What sets Trek Travel vacations apart is the quality of the bikes you ride. I had the option to ride a Domane 5.9 (included) or upgrade to an Emonda SLR, either one equipped with Shimano electronic Di2 shifting. Because Mallorca is a climber’s paradise, I opted for the Emonda upgrade. When I arrived, my guide had already set up my bike using my fit coordinates, which included swapping the stem out to a smaller length. After installing my own pedals and saddle, I hopped on for quick ride around the hotel parking lot. It fit like a glove.
But what really made the trip head and shoulders above other cycling vacations I’ve taken was our guides. It was a pleasure to show up each morning and have my bike ready, water bottles filled and Garmin maps loaded. Our guides’ knowledge of the country, language ability and most of all the pure joy and sense of adventure they brought to each ride – whether they were driving the support van or riding along with us – was awesome.
On the last day, as I was cycling along the coast from one ridiculously picturesque mountainside town to the next, I saw a large peloton approaching. Fast. A pack of thirty or forty men went streaming by in a flourish of colors, followed by their team car — Leopard. I gave them a friendly wave and a nod, communicating that feeling of joy of being out on your bike in one simple gesture. Yeah, I wasn’t going anywhere nearly as fast. But during my week with Trek Travel, I truly felt like a pro. And frankly, it’s something I could get used to.”
– Trish Dugan, Syracuse Bicycles
Join us as we take you along the undulating California coastline on our Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara vacation.
Our journey starts in the historic city Monterey, then visits the artsy town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, threads through Big Sur crossing the much photographed Bixby Bridge, continues on to San Simeon where you can visit the Hearst Castle, and finally makes it’s way through Cambria and Pismo Beach to the “American Riviera” of Santa Barbara. This unbelievable vacation will amaze even the most traveled cyclist with challenging routes, roaring surf, redwood forests, and historic state parks.
Day 2 of this vacation features the stunning (and flat) 17-Mile Scenic Drive, then winds its way along the coastline as you travel from Monterey to Big Sur.
6:30 AM
This morning you will awaken to the sights and sounds of Monterey in all its coastal glory. Leisurely make your way down to the C Restaurant at the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa to enjoy a fresh breakfast.
10:00 AM
After breakfast you have two options for the first part of the day: walk down the street to tour the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium or get up close to marine life in the Bay with a self-guided sea kayaking adventure. Located right on the coast, those who choose to visit the aquarium can view several spectacular exhibits both above and below the waterline. On the other hand, lucky kayakers may be rewarded for their paddling with a view of harbor seals, sea otters and pelicans in their natural habitat.
12:00 PM
Board your bike to cruise along the famous 17-Mile drive to the artists’ enclave of Carmel-by-the Sea. Snaking it’s way through Pebble Beach Golf Course, this scenic ride passes Bird Rock with thousands of cormorants, the aptly named Seal Point, and Cypress Point with a grove that contains the largest and oldest Monterey Cypress trees in the world. Upon arriving in Carmel-by-the-Sea, explore your surroundings and fuel up at a local bistro of your choosing for lunch. Located on one-mile of white sand beach, this town touts the sophistication of San Francisco and glamour of Hollywood nestled in one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world.
1:30 PM
After lunch the road narrows and the sweeping views of the Big Sur coastline come into view. There are several riding distances for you to chose from, so make it your day. Along the way cross over the Bixby Bridge, which introduced automobile travel to the spectacular Big Sur coast in 1932. The terrain on our ride offers stunning views of the Santa Lucia Mountains rising abruptly from the Pacific Ocean. This area has been compared to the Amalfi coast, minus the bumper-to-bumper traffic and giant tour buses. By the end of the ride you’ll appreciate the saying that this area is the “Greatest meeting of land & sea”.
7:00 PM
Upon arriving at tonight’s hotel, the Big Sur Lodge, relax and soak in the quiet and comfort of your surroundings. Located in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, the redwoods around you will make it easy to escape and unwind after a long day on the bike. This evening, enjoy the cuisine made with organic ingredients and sustainable agriculture in the hotel dining room. Be sure to get plenty of rest tonight to prepare for another spectacular day tomorrow as your continue riding down the coast to your beachfront hotel in Cambria.
If you ride all year like a growing number of people in the world, I’m sure you have experienced less than ideal riding conditions, especially during these winter months. I’d like to give you a few pointers on good riding technique to keep your ride safe and uneventful!
Eye contact: This is true in all weather conditions, but eye contact with motorists is very important. Don’t assume that people see you 100% of the time. Intersections are a place where the unexpected can happen in a heartbeat. Make sure you have eye contact with someone driving near you. It’s always better to know that someone sees you than to make assumptions.
Lights: The nights still come upon us early and riding without lights is unsafe and sometimes illegal in certain states. Not only does it help with vehicles, but it helps with fellow pedestrians on the bike path. I can’t tell you how often I barely see other riders because they don’t use a light. I can’t imagine driving without headlights, and we shouldn’t be riding without lights either. Personally, I’m a fan of multiple rear lights too–one blinking and one steady. You can never be too safe!
Avoiding Debris: While riding on the roads be careful about riding too close to the curb. That’s an area of the road that collects debris this time of year. Broken glass and a lot of miscellaneous items that can ruin your day live by the curb during the winter months. Riding just a bit further into the lane, away from these potentially dangerous items, can be a good idea to avoid a puncture or flat tire. Also keeping a straight line and riding predictably is much safer than weaving to avoid debris and keeping the cars behind you guessing your next move.
You don’t need to be an athlete to enjoy a Trek Travel cycling vacation.
Each day of your bike tour is yours to discover and explore at your own pace based on what you want to see and do. Most of our vacations include multiple ride options each day to accommodate the different ability levels that regularly occur. With a typical guide team consisting of one guide on their bike during the day’s route and another sweeping back and forth in the support van, you are free to ride, sightsee, stop or shuttle throughout the day. Your guides are there to accommodate riders of all types. Take a shuttle ‘bump up’ on any climb, or ahead to the next town, or head back to the hotel to relax by the pool or catch an afternoon nap before dinner.
When choosing the vacation that is right for you, it is important to think about the amount of riding you would like to do and on what kind of terrain–flats, hills, mountains, a little of everything, or lots of off the saddle time for relaxing. On all our vacations, you can always ride as little or as much as you like, but certain trips lend themselves to the more leisurely bicyclist while others are geared to the avid cyclist.
In order to ensure the enjoyment of your trip to its fullest, it is important to assess your personal level of fitness. Take some time to look over our Rider Type chart to get an idea of what trips are a good fit for you. We offer a variety of levels of cycling. Think about what type of balance you are looking for throughout your vacation with respect to sightseeing, biking, relaxing and any other activities that you imagine to make up your perfect vacation.
For more information, view our Frequently Asked Questions page.
“It didn’t take my wife and me long to choose the new Barcelona Villa trip from Trek Travel’s array of adventures. We loved the idea of unpacking our suitcases and staying in one place for a week. As Priscilla said when we first discussed signing up for this trip, “You had me at private chef!”
The trip turned out even better than we expected. Almiral de la Font was spacious and luxurious. A portion of the original stone manor house dates to the 16th century and a subsequent addition served for many years as a church. As an architect, I appreciated the contemporary renovation that preserved the history and character of the house yet provided every modern amenity, including robust wifi. I liked relaxing in the appropriately named Moroccan “chill-out” lounge best.
It was an outdoor room covered with lush grape vines and bougainvillea and furnished with casual furniture and dozens of pillows.
Because we had the place to ourselves, we really bonded with our fellow travelers. It seemed like a week-long house party at the home of a favorite (and wealthy) relative. It was wonderful to tumble down to breakfast each morning at our leisure or to come home from a day of riding and relax in the hot tub with a drink from the open bar. Everything was included. I don’t think I touched my wallet all week.
We were also fortunate that trip planner and guide Penny Gatward lives in the nearby resort town of Sitges. She knows the region well and planned a variety of routes leading from the house each day to a featured destination. One day it was a tour, wine tasting and tapas at an outstanding local winery. Another day we rode past a medieval castle to enjoy a classic Catalan lunch at a surprisingly elegant country restaurant. And a third day we celebrated some legendary climbing in the Garraf National Park on a high terrace overlooking the Mediterranean. There was enough terrain to challenge even the most avid riders in our group, but those desiring a mellower experience found that, too.
We found our way to Sitges one evening to take a walking tour and sample authentic pinchos at a tapas bar favored by locals. But the best meals were the custom dinners at the villa prepared by Gillian and Connie, our private chefs. One night we all pitched in to help prepare a sumptuous paella with fresh local seafood. And for our final night they used the outdoor kitchen to grill a variety of meats and seasonal vegetables for a festive dinner on the terrace.
This is a trip that we could definitely take again. It would be wonderful to return to “our” private villa again someday!”
Written by Trek Travel guest Bob Joy
Speaking the local language is crucial to running an excellent trip, but that can be difficult when you run trips in 12 countries. Whether brushing up your skills or starting from scratch, Duolingo is the best way to learn a language on the go.
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Available is 45 countries, Uber is the perfect transportation service to find a reliable ride. With five different tiers, you can conveniently request a ride that matches your style and budget.
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Enter your trips into TripCase to manage the information. The app will provide you with everything from flight alerts and weather forecasts to alternate flights and driving directions.
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A webcam, internet connection, and computer or mobile device is all you need to stay in touch with family and friends worldwide. Stay close to loves you love while you see the world.
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Translate between 80 languages by speaking, typing, writing, or taking a picture. No internet connection needed. Get yourself out of a bind or just converse with those around you.
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Plan your day, and your outfit, perfectly. Never be unprepared thanks to the daily snapshot, local forecast summary, severe weather alerts, animated weather radar and more.
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Expect the unexpected with Hotel Tonight. Book a room up to seven days in advance, scroll through a hand-picked selection of hotels, and find exceptional values on the go.
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The world is at your finger tips with the Google Maps app. Navigate like a local, avoid traffic jams, never get lost, and find the best spots while discovering destinations near and far.
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No matter where you are in the world, find free Wifi hotspots using this JiWire app. Search based on your current location, find Wifi in a specific region, or filter by location type.
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XE Currency offers live exchange rates for every currency in the world. Convert every currency, even without internet, so you never pass up a great deal or pay too much for a meal.
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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?
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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.
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.
These handpicked hotels provide relaxation and fun in a casual and comfortable environment. Delicious cuisine and great service mix perfectly for a memorable stay.
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.
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).
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).
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).
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).
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.
Explore beautiful destinations by bike, enjoy extra inclusions, savor delicious local cuisine, and enjoy the perfect mix of accommodations.
Enjoy a casual cycling vacation with fantastic routes and comfortable accommodations.
Train like the pros in some of their favorite riding destinations.
See the pros in action at the biggest cycling events of the year.
Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.
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
