Every year, Travel + Leisure asks readers to vote on the top hotels, destinations, airlines, and tour operators around the globe. Known as the World’s Best Awards, travelers rated tour operators on their staff and guides, itineraries and destinations, activities, accommodations, food, and overall value. We are thrilled to announce that, with a score of 96.97, Trek Travel was in the Top 10 as one of the World’s Best Tour Operators in 2016. Will you help us get to number one this year?
Every year, Travel + Leisure asks readers to vote on the top hotels, destinations, airlines, and tour operators around the globe. Known as the World’s Best Awards, travelers rated tour operators on their staff and guides, itineraries and destinations, activities, accommodations, food, and overall value. We are thrilled to announce that, with a score of 96.97, Trek Travel was named one of the World’s Best Tour Operators in 2016.
Stephanie Wu | July 2016
Read the full article in Travel + Leisure Magazine
“It’s a question that has plagued the travel industry for some time—has the wealth of information on the internet and the rise of digital booking tools signaled the end of tour operators? As our readers have told us time and time again, the answer is no,” said Stephanie Wu of Travel + Leisure.
“In fact, some argue, we need travel agents more than ever to cut through the clutter and tell us what is really worth seeing. A top tour operator will negotiate the best rates possible, take care of all logistics, and help out if any issues come up during the course of the trip, such as a missed connection or overbooked hotel. Most importantly, they will plan an itinerary that is just right for you.”
Among our industry’s highest honors, this distinction means so much more because it was awarded by you. You are the reason we’re in business–your stories inspire us, your energy fuels us, and your expectations drive us to be the best. Thanks for all the fun you have, and the love you’ve shared with us over the years.
Ever wonder what destinations are trending this year? Discover the secrets of Asheville, Glacier, Annecy to Alpe d’Huez, Costa Rica and Tuscany below. You’ll soon see why they’re well-loved.
Designed by a local and offering something for everyone, if you can’t find something to love in Asheville, you may need to re-examine your priorities. The microbrew scene is alive and well, as is the food culture, with sweet, savory Southern comfort favorites. And whether it’s playing a game of bean-bag toss at The Wedge before dinner on Monday night or taking in 360-degree views from the summit of Mount Mitchell, every moment of this trip has surpassed every expectation.
There are few national parks as majestic as Glacier, and hundreds of reasons why it has quickly become one of our most popular trips. You ride the famous Going to the Sun road, raft the whitewater, hike the backcountry, and even meet a Blackfeet tribe member. Or maybe it’s simply because with every passing day, the glaciers get a little smaller.
This trip is popular among those who’ve ever had a desire to conquer the monsters of France. It’s where cycling mythology was born, from Eddy Merckx’s dominance of five Tours, to Pantani’s record-breaking ascent up Alpe d’Huez, to today’s champions like Contador, Quintana and Froome battling it out in the mist and haze of Europe’s high peaks. And it even offers a chance to to stay on the Alp you know, love and lust for.
It’s one of the most diverse and picturesque places on earth, so it should come at no surprise that this trip is a best seller among adventure-seekers looking to get up close to the Costa Rican countryside. Where else can you zipline across a tropical canopy, learn to surf, ride horses, bike from coast to coast, hike through the jungle, explore the beach and be back in time for dinner?
Sure, it’s an all-time best seller and the longest-running trip on our schedule. But everything that is said about Tuscany is true. The wines, the food, the views – it’s all over the top. And it’s a crowd-pleaser, offing to accommodate any level of cyclist. Our most popular trip ever isn’t going anywhere next year, so if you haven’t discovered the “allegria” that permeates Tuscany, there’s still time.
“I guess you could call it a midlife crisis. I’d flown across the Atlantic Ocean for a weeklong cycling trip on this Spanish archipelago off the coast of Morocco.”
Lori Rackl | May 4, 2016
The crisis part came as I watched a Trek Travel guide hoist my Domane road bike onto the roof rack of the support van, and I sheepishly crawled into the passenger seat while the other cyclists on the trip pedaled up the hill and out of sight.
“Going-to-the-Sun Road, which follows a dizzying path along a mountainside in the heart of Glacier National Park, is considered one of America’s most spectacular routes. Most experience it from a car, but a cycling tour lets you breathe in the fresh mountain air along the way.”
Lindsey Olander and Ryan Krogh | May 4, 2016
On Trek Travel’s six-day tour through the park, riders will bike through the lake-filled Blackfeet Indian Reservation, spot bighorn sheep on moderate mountain climbs, and raft down the Middle Fork Flathead River.
“Every business works hard to build a brand, to create an image that identifies their products and services and differentiates them from their competition. But can your brand–no matter how positive and highly-regarded–actually create a marketing obstacle?
Surprisingly, the answer is yes.”
Jeff Haden | December 30, 2015
Here’s another in my series of interviews where I pick a topic and connect with someone a lot smarter than me. This time I talked to Tania Burke, the President of Trek Travel, a full-service cycling vacation company that offers trips in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Latin America, about the impact of a strong brand on the growth of a business.
(Oh: I own two Trek bikes I really like… and that’s also why I understand the marketing “challenge” faced by Trek Travel.)
“In time for the National Park Service’s centennial year, 2016, Trek Travel has added a Glacier National Park Cycling Trip, making it Trek’s sixth tour to incorporate national parks in the itinerary.”
Diane Daniel | December 14, 2015
On the five-night six-day tour, guests will cycle between 20 and 88 miles a day, with short or longer options available. The trip features the renowned Going-to-the-Sun Road, 50 miles of paved roadway that leads through the park’s interior, winds around mountainsides and offers spectacular views of northwest Montana, as well as of wildlife and wildflowers.
The tour has six departures, in July and August, and costs $2,799 per person, which includes lodging, Trek bikes with GPS devices, most meals, daily route support and transportation. Featured hotels include St. Mary Lodge and Resort and Grouse Mountain Lodge.
“Every country has a place where the pace of life is slower and the residents seem more concerned with what’s for dinner than anything else. In Spain — a country already known for its siestas and multi-hour meals — that region is Andalusia. Located in the southernmost part of the country, Andalusia is one of Spain’s best areas for bike touring. The roads are smooth, the drivers are mellow, the weather is generally comfortable, and the food is hearty.”
A.C. Shilton | September 23, 2015
“This is quintessential Spain. It’s limestone peaks, mountain passes, and spectacular views,” says Meagan Coates, a trip designer for Trek Travel. Coates planned the company’s current trip through Andalusia, and says it’s one of her favorites. “The terrain is varied with occasional steep climbs. Car traffic is generally slow-moving and drivers are courteous of cyclists.”
“Plus, Andalusia has tons of off-the-bike destinations to explore. Balance time in the saddle with trips to wander through Moorish ruins, explore stunning cathedrals, visit world-class museums and, of course, eat your share of Ibérico ham. By the end of the trip you’ll see why artists like Picasso, composers like Bizet and Mozart, and authors like Hemmingway were all inspired by this corner of the world. Here’s how to plan your inn-to-inn trip.”
“Travelers can take wing with the birds flying south.”
Phil Marty | September 1, 2015
“Many bicycling vacations move from one lodging to another on a daily basis. Sometimes that means cyclists have to cart their belongings on their bike, though often the tour company shuttles luggage. Trek Travel has a new batch of bike trips that take a different approach, with bikers staying in one lodging and doing day trips from there. An example is a six-day/five-night tour based at Blackberry Farm, a highly rated property in the Great Smoky Mountains. Priced from $5,499 per person double occupancy, it includes daily rides ranging from 19 miles with 750 feet of climbing to 43 miles with 4,300 feet of climbing. In addition to lodging, the tours include all meals, full support services, use of Trek Domane 5.9 carbon bikes, Trek helmets and Garmin GPS bike computers and more. Other packages in what’s called the One series are in the U.S. as well as foreign locations such as the Canary Islands or Italy’s Piedmont region.”
Today, the League of American Bicyclists recognized Trek Travel with a Platinum level Bicycle Friendly Business award, joining more than 1,000 visionary businesses from across the country.
With the announcement of 100 new and renewing BFBs today, Trek Travel joins a cutting-edge group of more than 1,050 local businesses, government agencies and Fortune 500 companies in 47 states and Washington, D.C., that are transforming the American workplace.
“The business community’s investment in bicycling is playing a central role in making the country a safer, happier, and more sustainable place to live and work,” said Amelia Neptune, League Bicycle Friendly Business Program Manager. “We applaud this new round of businesses, including Trek Travel, for leading the charge in creating a bicycle-friendly America for everyone.”
Trek Travel strives to show people the world by bike, and in doing so it is our mission to encourage a passion for cycling. Trek Travel also promotes bicycling as an easy option for transportation and provides amenities and incentives for employees who commute by bike.
Trek Travel President Tania Burke said, “I am really proud that Trek Travel has received this Bicycle Friendly Business award. We have an awesome group of people that contribute to create a really good program to support cycling in our workplace and the community. We are passionate about biking and live the benefits everyday.”
Moving forward, Trek Travel will have access to a variety of free tools and technical assistance from the League to become even more bicycle-friendly. When our employees bike, great things happen: decreased carbon foot print, reduced heath care costs, lesser traffic congestion, and a healthy work culture.
To apply or learn more about the BFB program, visit the League online.
About the Bicycle Friendly America Program
The Bicycle Friendly Community, Bicycle Friendly State, Bicycle Friendly Business and Bicycle Friendly University programs are generously supported by program partner Trek Bicycle Corp. To learn more about building a Bicycle Friendly America, visit www.bikeleague.org/BFA
The League of American Bicyclists is leading the movement to create a Bicycle Friendly America for everyone. As leaders, our commitment is to listen and learn, define standards and share best practices to engage diverse communities and build a powerful, unified voice for change.
Log in to see upcoming trips, preferences, and much more.
Sign up to personalize your experience and trips.
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
Trek Travel offers three hotel levels to match your style. Luxury hotels provide elegant, thoughtful touches with exceptional hospitality. Explorer hotels blend modern amenities with local charm in unique settings. Comfort hotels are casual and conveniently located near Trek Travel activities.
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).
Explore beautiful destinations with a curated blend of guided activities, local cuisine, handpicked accommodations, and itineraries to suit every traveler, from laid-back adventures to luxurious escapes.
Venture off the beaten path to unforgettable places, with fully-supported routes that combine gravel and paved roads in classic Trek Travel style.
Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.
See the pros in action at the biggest cycling events of the year.
Step into adventure with carefully designed routes, unparalleled hospitality, and deep-routed local connections.
Train like the pros in some of their favorite riding destinations.
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
