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Rosé All Day

Spring and summer are the seasons of rosé. Served chilled and ranging from pale blush to bright ruby in color, these light fruity wines are dangerously easy to enjoy on a hot sunny day.

While any red grape could technically be used to craft these wines, there are a few that have developed a pedigree to make exceptional rosé. Rosés account for vast majority of Provence’s wine production, and the Grenache-based rosés of Côtes de Provence are an absolute classic.

The often pale rosé wines of Provence are blends of at least two different grapes, with Grenache usually being the protagonist. They aren’t overtly fruity on the nose, but rather exhibit aromas that are reminiscent of the sun-kissed flora that grows around the Mediterranean, which the French call garrigue. The palate offers notes of white and golden raspberry moving toward orange fruits, like peach, the longer you savor it.
 
 
Visit Provencal Markets on Trek Travel's Provence, France Bike Tour
 
 
I indeed had the chance to savor this special varietal many times on my trip to Provence, as sunshine and high temperatures meant that my glass was always full. To kick off the trip, we toasted to new friends before a beautiful dinner on the terrace of Chateau de Mazan. Day two brought a great ride to a traditional market filled with spices, cured meats, olives, fresh bouquets, lavender soaps, and handmade table cloths. After getting lost in the colors, smells, and local conversations on this magnificent Monday morning, we capped off the experience with a chilled glass and laughter. The following day was one for the books: 22 kilometers up Mont Ventoux followed by a stop for gelato in the charming town of Beaumes de Venis. We of course clinked our glasses at the end of the day to celebrate those that conquered the Giant of Provence. I’ll drink to that.

Day four was the most gorge(ous) ride through Gorge de la Nesque, and we ended the day with a wine tasting at Hotel Le Mas de Gordes, overlooking one of the most picturesque villages in France. And finally, on the last day, we cooled off with a refreshing dip in the pool and a taste of ‘rosé piscine’, because only in Provence do they have a particular type of wine to drink by the pool. That evening we upgraded to a 1.5 liter bottle of rosé at dinner, because what better way to cap off the vacation of a lifetime than with a glass of the good stuff.

There’s a reason the common Provencal saying is, “Life is Good Here.” The French countryside is incredibly charming, and together with fabulous wine, its a combination that makes you never want to leave.
 
 
Trek Travel Provence France Bike Tour
 

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Inside Guide Life

The Lac d’Annecy isn’t such a beautiful place from a windowless conference room. I was locked in with a few dozen bikes and the same fluorescent lights that make a summer day indoors as miserable in Cleveland as it is in the French Alps. The room was stuffed with hot, lathered air from hours of wrenching on bikes. I was dialing in every spoke and screw before the Etape du Tour, a 90-mile sufferfest for thousands of riders tackling the hardest stage of the Tour de France. This is not the most glamorous part of the job.

 
Read the real story about the life of a travel guide
 
 
DanF, my co-guide, is the Obi Wan of Trek Travel. He was delivering lunch, and found me working away in my shop apron and underwear. Guide life is textured by a range of magical moments: summer night swims in the lake, a shared bottle of wine in an alleyway bar. It’s a job (a lifestyle) that enters a dream state easily. These moments happen upon you like a tide that, before you realize it, sweeps you into a surreal world of sapphire sea views and castle-top parties.

This was not one of those moments. DanF’s lunch was a batard served with tins of greasy fish in mustard sauce: Exactly the kind of thing you want to crack open in a warm, confined room. This was an absolutely dog’s breath meal. The fish are neither liquid nor solid, rather a kind of oily gelatin that never leaves your fingers. We ate while watching an illegal broadcast of the NBA Finals on my laptop, and DanF dripped mustard sauce on the keyboard.
 
 
Behind the scenes look at the life of a Trek Travel bike tour guide
 
 
That meal lifts higher into the echelon of my favorite guiding meals despite the many moments of instagram fodder from years of guiding. Those yellow, pungent fish remind me that this was the same trip when DanF taught me the essence of guiding: how to discover spontaneity in a trip, how to unveil the nooks and crannies that hide France’s subtle delights. It was the trip when we camped on the lakeshore with a van full of Czech paragliders; when we ate troughs of pain au raisin.

Not everything about guiding is poignant or romantic. And not everything you love about travel has to be beautiful.
 
 
Learn more about the life of a Trek Travel bike tour guide
 

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Top 3 Places to Go in July

From the stunningly gorgeous vineyards of Bordeaux, to the lazy countrysides of Vermont, or the world renowned fields of lavender in Provence, summer was made for vacation and relaxation. Join us for a heated summer romance on two wheels. Your heart may skip a beat, but you won’t want to skip a moment.

1. Bordeaux

Bordeaux is perhaps the most famous wine country in France, if not the world. Tiny villages break up miles and miles of vineyards, producing some of the deepest, full-bodied reds a tongue could ever taste. The flowering of the vines in July presents the best opportunity to soak in the sensational views of vine-covered slopes. This isn’t just another wine country. This is the world’s premiere destination of wine. Welcome, and drink up.
 
 
Trek Travel Bordeaux, France bike tour
 
 

2. Vermont

Vermont in July promises everything you love about New England, like the gorgeous mountain backdrops and quiet country roads, with the added kick of the region’s best breweries. Take a dip in Lake Dunmore, hike the Stowe Pinnacle Trail, indulge in a maple creemee, and taste everything from double IPAs to small batches from some of craft brewing’s most famous names. There’s no better place to celebrate the brilliance of summer than the picturesque Green Mountains.
 
 
Trek Travel Vermont Brewery Bike Tour
 
 

3. Provence

Nestled between the Rhone River and Italy, Provence offers plenty of southeastern French cuisine, washed down with world-class rosés and Pastis, a homegrown traditional liqueur. In July, Provence also offers sensational views of lavender fields for which the region is known, and there’s no better place to drink in the scenery than Abbaye de Senanque – a Cistercian abbey dating to the 12th-century, whose monks still produce lavender and honey.
 
 
Trek Travel Provence, France Bike Tour
 
 

For the VIP Cyclist

“An official tour Operator of the Tour de France, Trek Travel provides an in-depth and behind-the-scenes experience of professional cycling’s most exalted event. Take on the routes ahead of the professional peloton-riding across the starts and finishes of stages and such epic, history-filled climbs as Mont Ventoux and Alpe d’Huez-and meet the 2016 riders and team mechanics, as well as (on select tours) the famous and immensely personable Jens Voigt.”

Kathryn Hunter | May/June 2016 Issue

Read More in Prime Living»

The Off Season: Bike Touring in Southern France

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

 
Bike touring through Southern France
 
 
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!

A bientôt et bonne route!
 
 
Trek Travel Guide Celine Bike Tours through Cannes, Nice and the French Riviera
 
 
EXPERIENCE TREK TRAVEL’S PROVENCE BIKE TOUR»

Bike and Barge Experience

When Mac Tichenor, a close friend of Trek Travel, wanted to celebrate his birthday in style, he put together the guest list and we took care of the rest. What followed was a floating party, an unforgettable bike-n-barge vacation from Paris to Champagne. Together, Mac and nine of his closest friends cruised the Marne River and set a new bar for the ultimate birthday celebration.

What inspired you to take a bike and barge vacation?

The inspiration came from the Trek Travel trip designers. I presented them with a nascent idea, and, very creatively, they came up with a spectacular trip. Even after the idea was hatched, we weren’t certain what we were getting into. But our previous experience on a Trek Travel trip made us confident that it would be well done and fun, and our expectations were far surpassed.

Tell us about your favorite day of the trip.

It is really hard to pick a favorite. Each day had its own flavor, with different intensities of riding, different types of scenery, and different kinds of off-the-bike activities, all of which made each day interesting and exciting. But the first full day was probably the most memorable. Our group of 10 was already wowed by the elegance of our accommodations on the barge, the conviviality of its crew, and how our guides were almost giddy about the plans for the week. The excitement of starting off that first morning still sticks with me.
 
 
Trek Travel guests celebrate their birthday on a custom bike and barge cycling vacation
 
 
How does a bike and barge trip compare to a classic cycling vacation?

1. A big benefit was that we did not have to pack up and move out of our rooms for the whole week. After we departed the barge each morning on our bikes, it would motor on to the next port of call, where we would meet it at the end of the day. We had the same room but a different view every day.

2. The barge had a great bar, wine cellar, and an extraordinary chef. It was particularly nice to stay aboard after a long day of riding and be treated to a Michelin-quality meal.

3. When someone in our group didn’t want to ride on a given day, they had the option of staying on the barge to read and relax on deck during a pleasant trip down the Marne River.

What made the bike and barge trip a unique travel experience?

I think the true uniqueness of this trip was the melding of two activities, either one of which makes a great trip in itself – a Trek Travel bicycling adventure and a river barge excursion. It led to a confluence of magic ingredients: good friends, engaging and helpful guides, gorgeous scenery, great bikes, the novelty and unexpected luxuriousness of the barge experience, and some of the best food and wine in the world. The excitement and camaraderie generated among our group, our guides, and the crew grew over the week and made it especially enjoyable.
 
 
create a custom cycling vacation or bike and barge trip with Trek Travel
 
 

“The barge experience was a perfect complement to biking. The barge crew was exceptionally fun and helpful. The food and wine were fabulous. Our Trek Travel guides were immediate friends, it couldn’t have been better!” – Mac Tichenor

 
 
Join Trek Travel and AmaWaterways on a Bordeaux River Cruise bike trip
 
 
Why did you choose to celebrate your birthday with Trek Travel?

My wife and I had recently been introduced to bike touring on a Trek Travel trip to Vermont, which we loved. Some friends on that trip had been on Trek Travel trips in Europe that they raved about, so we filed away that idea. Somehow the idea of adding in the barge element surfaced, and the Trek Travel trip designers took it and ran with it.

Do you have an especially memorable story from the trip?

On our first full day of riding, our guides told us we would stop at a French country inn for lunch. That sounded fine, but we didn’t really have any idea what we were in for. It turned out to be a charming spot in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by an apple orchard, with a great outdoor dining area. We were fêted with too many courses to count of delicious food (for which we had built up big appetites by riding all morning). The meal lasted almost two hours and, after a brief recovery period (i.e. naps on the grass), we set out to ride it off and be ready for dinner. That day brought us to realize what a highly civilized experience was in store for us.
 
 
Trek Travel custom cycling bike and barge river cruise vacation
 
 

Meet Cricket Hile, featured Travel Agent

There is no better way to do business in travel than to experience the destinations yourself. Cricket Hile, a travel agent and bicyclist who has pedaled her way across her home state of Pennsylvania, sends her clients on our cycling vacations with the miles and memories from going on our trips herself in her toolbox. As a business partner and our guest, we are happy to introduce you to Cricket. Read about her travel experience and favorite vacation spots.

Name: Cricket Hile
Travel Agency: Travel Time Travel
Specialty European Travel
Years in the Business: 32

Tell us a bit about your background. What inspired you to pursue a career as a travel agent?

I started my career as a French teacher which led me to taking students to Europe. Eventually I decided I liked the travel part of it more than the teaching part!

Do you have an especially memorable client or story?

Several years ago four clients asked if they could go with me the next time we went to Paris; and of course, I said yes. We went to Paris as agent and clients. We returned as friends and have taken several trips together since then.

What is your favorite travel destination and what makes it unique?

Paris, France is my favorite destination. Between speaking French and going to Paris frequently I feel very comfortable there. However, I must say I love Italy, too, and I don’t speak Italian.

Based on your agency bookings, what are the three most popular destinations for 2015 and what is the must-do activity you recommend in each location?

Agency top three are …
1. Caribbean – Go snorkeling
2. Cancun – See the ruins
3. Disney World – Act like a child

My top three destinations and must-do activities are…

1. Paris – Have a picnic on the grounds of Versailles
2. Provence – Don’t miss the hill towns. It was Trek that really introduced them to me on the Mt. Ventoux trip. Best way to see them is on a bicycle!
3. Capri – Enjoy a Limoncello on the terrace of the Hotel Quisisana

Which Trek Travel trip is top on your bucket list and why?

That is difficult to answer because I have already done Provence (Mt. Ventoux) and the Classic Climbs of the Alps. However, at this point in my life, Croatia is at the top of my bucket list and I will do that in September. Several years ago my husband and I took a cruise that stopped in Korcula, Croatia. At that point, I said I needed to go back. Later when I saw that Trek offered a trip to Croatia, I decided it was definitely at the top of my list.

What is the most important piece of advice you give travelers before their trip?

I always tell clients to be open to change and expect that something is not going to be exactly as they had planned. The second thing I tell them is to not expect everything to be like it is at home. The third thing, and really the most important, is to smile when they are totally overwhelmed and confused. It will be okay.

Meet Cricket, our friend and travel agent

What TDF means to Trek Travel

As traveling staff members schedule their out-of-office replies and guests call in to finalize their trips to the Tour de France, I sit here wanting to go with. Then I realize I have little idea what is about to even happen.

I’m the new intern here at Trek Travel. So when people around the office start talking about the tour, I can’t begin to imagine everything that goes into it from Trek Travel’s point of view. I know that it is a huge collective of hours and hours of work put in to make the trips happen flawlessly. But along with the hard work comes a trip of a lifetime. I want to be in their shoes, experience the tour, be surrounded by cycling-fanatics and take in the biggest cycling event in the world from stunning views. Until then, I’ll listen to their stories and daydream. Read about the Tour de France from the eyes of the Travel Travel team here in Madison.

Featured in this story:

Meagan Coates, Trip Design Manager
Brie Willey, Guide Manager
Mark Thomsen, Marketing Manager

Briefly, describe how Trek Travel is involved in the Tour?

Meagan: Trek Travel offers the premier trips in the industry at the Tour de France, hands down. From trips that allow guests to ride the routes on the same day as the pros, to trips and spectator vacations with Official Tour Operator VIP passes and Trek-Segafredo team access to Paris finish packages, and even supported trips at the Etape du Tour, we have something for every fan of the race. We put a lot of effort up to a year or more in advance to the race being announced to source the prime locations for on course viewings and hotels and overall we have a team of designers working on Tour de France year round.

What would you say is one of the “I can’t believe this” moments for a Trek Travel guest?

Meagan: This is very personal for everyone and depends on the drama that unfolds throughout the race. But I think nearly all guests have a moment during their trip–perhaps while sipping a glass of champagne at a perfectly-situated on-course viewing spot looking out over the French Alps–and they realize they are actually there in person and not watching the Tour footage from the helicopters as broadcast on tv.

Trek Travel Tour de France Paris Finish Photos

What’s going through your mind on your way to the tour?

Mark: Typically trying to learn as much as I can about the areas of France the Tour will visit for that year. I like to find fun facts that are not obvious. Also I like to have a solid understanding of the top cyclists that could podium or win a green jersey. Guests love talking shop, so I have to keep up.

Brie: Study! It is imperative to study maps, regional highlights, trip materials, pro riders and more. You want to be as prepared as you possibly can be heading into any trip. The TDF takes it to the next level. All guides have to be firing on all pistons to make these trips successful and awesome! Other thoughts always include daily back-up plans and what ifs! Our job is to deliver a Trip of a Lifetime, in order to do that, we have to be prepared for absolutely anything. A saying we use often: “It is the Tour. Anything can happen. Always have a Plan B!” Roads close earlier than they are supposed to, thunderstorms roll into the mountains in a matter of minutes, bridges give out weeks before a stage causing a complete reroute. You name it, it can happen at the Tour. “Fun and Flexible” is the name of the game and Trek Travel guides are the masters!

How many times have you been on this trip, and how does it change year by year for you?

Mark: I’ve guided it four years’ worth. Personally I always looked forward to the mountain stages as I love to climb. I loved the variability of the Tour as well, always having to think on your feet was fun to me. Road closures, crazy fans, our incredible viewing sites halfway up mountains. It’s always hectic, but I tend to thrive on that. I also always love going into Paris at the end. It’s a great party at the Automobile Club where all the guides and guest come together for one last big party. It’s the perfect way to wrap up three weeks of crazy Tour de France trips.

Brie: My first year guiding at the Tour de France was in 2012 in the Alps. I’ve guided TDF trips every year since and head to France in a few short days for the Etape this time around. Each year the route changes throughout the beautiful Alps and Pyrenees mountain ranges but always ends in Paris. From the most challenging days on a bike to the utmost breathtaking views I’ve ever laid eyes on, the Tour de France has been a real pleasure to experience with Trek Travel over the years!

How do you prepare for the tour?

Mark: Ride, Ride and Ride. See above, love to climb. Also we do a lot of pre-trip research as guides. We’ll go out for a couple weeks prior to our first group, to review all routes, hotels, meeting locations, etc. As guides we like to know as much as possible before any guests arrive.

What’s going through your mind on your way home?

Mark: Can’t wait to sleep in my own bed!

Brie: Guides are pretty exhausted at the end. I typically sleep the entire plane ride home. From take-off to landing, no joke. Tour de France trips run at a high level mentally, physically and emotionally. When headed home there is often the feeling of, “I survived…that was the craziest trip ever…I CAN’T wait to do it again next year!” That was how I felt in 2012, it hasn’t changed since.

Favorite TDF moment?

Mark: The first time I climbed Alpe d’Huez the day the pros did. It was my first year guiding and only second trip guiding ever. You get to the base and it just looms overhead…21 switchbacks to the top. The crazy thing was that all the fans were already lining the route. They cheered us on as though we were pros. And the Dutch corner was a sea of orange. Truly an incredible experience and one I can’t wait to get back to some day.

Brie: There are many! Paris is always a favorite. I love seeing the pure joy on guest’s faces—they are loving life and thrilled to experience the tour finale in such a stunning city. As of late, I have also really enjoyed seeing the happiness and relief on my guide’s faces in Paris. Once you reach Paris, it’s a home-free feeling for guides. You have the opportunity to relax a bit, drink champagne with colleagues and have a grand ol’ time in the City of Lights. Other memorable moments include helicoptering guests off the top of Alpe d’Huez at the end of a mountain top finish to their luxury hotel on Lake Annecy. A VIP experience they never forget.

“I survived…that was the craziest trip ever…I CAN’T wait to do it again next year!” That was how I felt in 2012 and that feeling hasn’t changed since.

Race Access on Trek Travel's Tour de France Cycling Vacation

Ride the best climbs in France on a fully support Trek Travel bike tour

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The Roubaix Showers

Following a massive week of riding the routes of the Spring Classics, two rockstar Trek Travel guides had a surprise prepared for their guests. After riding the Paris-Roubaix course, Jason and Amy arranged for their group to have a Roubaix Velodrome finish with a very special visit to the historic shower stalls where champions have rinsed off their victories for a hundred years.

“This water usually runs hot for one day a year. In 2015, it was two” said Jason. But what exactly makes these cement showers so special? For the answer, we turned to experts at The Inner Ring:

Trek Travel Spring Classics Trip

Paris-Roubaix must be the only race where the washing facilities make up part of the legend. The showers inside the velodrome are as much a part of the ritual as is the photo of the winner lifting the cobbled trophy in the air. Indeed can you name another sport where the showers or locker room is treated with the same reverence?

If you weren’t into cycling and from outside France, you’d probably never have heard of Roubaix. But maybe an artist would know of the town as it has an art gallery made from a converted swimming pool.

But if the town has lavished money on the old swimming baths to make a modern public space, the velodrome in Roubaix is neglected, a less than lavish water feature. The track is crumbling and as I wrote the other day a new track is being built. The showers, part of the same 1930s building, are no different. These are hard blocks of cement.

With the mud and dust from the finishes, the communal showers resemble a cow shed with milking stalls. The plumbing looks like it was installed by Heath Robinson or Rube Goldberg. You wonder if the water is even warm.

Why are these showers so important? It’s hard to pin one reason. Obviously the riders need a good wash, this race throws up dirt like no other. But riders these days have team buses with onboard showers. No, for me there are three more factors.

Danny Van Poppel Paris Roubaix 2014

First up, to reach the showers is itself an achievement, it means you have finished the hardest one day race of the year. Only 74 riders merited a shower last year.

Next the showers are a place of legend. Iconic images have been taken and each cubicle bears a brass plaque of the past winner. This is more than a washroom, it is a part-museum, part Elysium.

Also this is a race where I find a lot of luck is involved. Those who lost out find a moment of calm to replay the race, to reflect on what happened, what they could have done differently. Above all what would have happened if they hadn’t punctured, if they’d taken the other side of the cobbled road. Few other races have such a coulda, woulda, shoulda aspect and the shower is the moment for a rider to lament when the race slipped, sometimes literally, away from them.

I’ll leave the last words, translated, to an anonymous Swiss journalist:

“The showers are the only strategic place to get hold of a Paris-Roubaix rider. They all go there. And they dream of the place like a dog dreams of a bone. With time the communal showers have become a legend, as much as the cobbles. They are the wall of tears, the place where riders grimace, lament, compare injuries, describe their crashes… it’s the place where they wash dust, wounds and fatigue.”

Fabian Cancellara and Paris Roubaix

This article originally appeared on Inrng.com on April 8, 2011.

Industry Insider: Ken Sommer

Ken Sommer was a founding member of the LEOPARD-TREK cycling team and as marketing director he built the biggest team brand in professional cycling – on and offline. Ken holds a Masters Degree in International Business Marketing and Finance from Maastricht University. Currently Ken represents pro cyclists, including Trek Travel’s Ambassador of Awesome, Jens Voigt.

Tell us your story.

I started to be passionate about cycling when Jan Ullrich won the Tour de France. After that I spent 4 school summer holidays cleaning cars and carrying suitcases at the Tour de France. That’s when I fell in love with cycling. After my International Business studies I worked for a cycling team in Switzerland before I became one of the founding members of LEOPARD TREK. Now I run an agency focused on managing cyclists with my partner, Joao Correia. We work with some of the best young talents in the business such as Michael Valgren, Mads Pedersen, Adrien Costa and Tao Geoghegan Hart. We also represent established cyclists like Gerald Ciolek, Laurens Ten Dam, Ted King and of course fan-favorite, Jensie.

What’s the most rewarding part about your job?

Seeing a young rider succeed. It’s probably like seeing one of your kids score a goal in a soccer match. It’s great to see how hungry and full of motivation these kids are.

What is your favorite part about working in the bike industry?

The community amongst fans, riders and everyone involved in cycling. It’s a down to earth business with so many great stories and people. I met some of my best friends working in the cycling industry.

Favorite place you’ve ever traveled and why?

Lech in Austria. It’s my favorite place in Europe. Great for skiing but also great to ride your bike in the summer. It’s a great town to work out, or to just relax and watch the beautiful landscape.

Which Trek Travel trip is top on your bucket list and why?

It has to be the trip in California Wine Country. I think it’s the best place on earth to ride your bike. Plus amazing wine. If Jens Voigt joins that trip it would be the icing on the cake!

Tell us about your best day on a bicycle.

It was probably 2000 or so when I road the Mont Ventoux for the first time the same day the pros did it during the Tour de France. The weather was amazing and all fans were out on the course already. I suffered a lot, but it was a beautiful day.

Tell us about your craziest adventure.

The craziest was probably going great white shark diving with one of my best friends last year. I didn’t think I’d actually go into the water – but eventually did. It was freezing and these animals are pretty scary.

Favorite sport other than cycling and why?

As a German I definitely have to say soccer. I think it’s amazing how many people are touched by the sport everywhere in the world. A soccer world cup is followed by nearly everyone around the globe and brings so much joy to billions of people.

What does your perfect day look like?

Have a great espresso at my favorite café in Cologne, then ride my bike with Gerald Ciolek and Andreas Stauff on the Rhine River. Then watch a bike race on TV where one of my boys takes the win, followed by a nice dinner with my girlfriend.
 
 
Trek Travel Interviews Cycling Agent Ken Sommer

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What is the Difference?

Ultimate Luxury:

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

Luxury:

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

Explorer

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

Combined

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

Activity Level

Level 1:

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

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

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

Level 2:

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

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

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

Level 3:

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

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

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

Level 4:

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

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

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

What are your trip styles?

Classic - Reserve:

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

Classic - Signature:

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

Classic - Discovor:

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