Relaxing

Best Romantic Destinations

Posted on February 8, 2023 - 1:30 pm by keith_ritter

A man and woman on a sailboat looking out to the coast.

Whether you’re celebrating a special milestone, rekindling the romance, or just seeking a romantic escape, our tours offer the perfect balance of adventure, luxury, and romance. Check out some of our most romantic destinations that are sure to sweep you and your loved one off your feet.

Trek Travel Romantic Getaways

1.Mallorca Island

Combining luxurious accommodations with an inspiring array of acclaimed restaurants, Mallorca has a reputation as one of Europe’s premier destinations. With crystal-clear waters, stunning beaches, and a lush Mediterranean landscape, it’s no wonder why this beautiful island is considered one of the world’s most romantic destinations.

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2. Arizona

Get ready to bask in the breathtaking scenery of the southwest and take your vacation to the next level! This luxury getaway offers the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure, emphasizing health and wellness. Enjoy exploring one of the most biodiverse deserts and unwind at the luxurious CIVANA Wellness Resort, rated as one of the World’s Best Destination Spas. You’ll return from this romantic vacation feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

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3. Slovenia

Step into the fairytale setting of Slovenia: marvel at the region’s historic castles, and witness the beauty of Slovenia’s crystal-clear lakes, including the famous Lake Bled. Get ready to fall in love with breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

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4. California Wine Country

This sun-soaked region boasts rolling hills, charming villages, and renowned vineyards that make for the ultimate romantic getaway. Immerse yourself in the local culture and take in the breathtaking views while you explore the vineyards on a leisurely bike ride. To top it off, you’ll be staying at the luxurious Harmon Guest House, the premier hotel in Healdsburg, where you and your loved one can relax in ultimate comfort.

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5. Andalucia

The heart of Spanish romance, Andalucia boasts a rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty. As our expert guides lead the way through this romantic region, you’ll discover hidden villages, historic landmarks, and breathtaking landscapes. For all rider levels alike, Andalucia is sure to steal the heart of any active traveler.

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Start planning your romantic getaway today and experience the adventure of a lifetime!

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Photo Gallery: Danube River Cruise

Posted on April 27, 2017 - 3:39 pm by keith_ritter

This isn’t your average cruise. Journey along the Danube and sample the cuisine and cultures of Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and Germany. You’ll explore the heart of each historic region by bike then kick back and relax on the deck of a five-star luxury Scenic Space Ship.

Say “Grüß Gott” to a Danube River Cruise

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Best Brews Vermont Edition

Posted on April 6, 2017 - 1:17 pm by keith_ritter

After an unforgettable bike trip through the picturesque forests and winding roads of the Vermont country side, there are few things better than kicking back and sipping on some of the best micro-brews the Green Mountain State has to offer. We’ve lined up our favorite pints and bites for you to try as you pedal your way through each stop of the Vermont Brewery Bike Tour. Cheers!

Where: Fiddlehead Brewery
What: Enjoy a Fiddlehead IPA
What’s better than pizza and beer? Grab a glass then head next door for a bite of Folino’s Margherita pie. It’s their specialty, and a Vermont must-try.

Where: Otter Creek Brewing Company
What: Belly up to the bar for a Free Flow IPA
Try it with the Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese with Jalapeño Pesto. It’s the perfect marriage of heat and hops, and a combination you won’t forget.

Where: Prohibition Pig
What: A pint of Bantam at a neighborhood hot spot
Refuel on the deck with one of the best IPAs around and a spread of tacos made from all local ingredients and house-smoked meat. Simple and satisfying.

Where: Stone Corral Brewing
What: Sip on a top-rated Maple Porter or enjoy a pint of the Palomino Pale APA
They say it’s the “freshest water in the United States” that helps make their impressive lineup of brews so delicious. Pair with a cheese board featuring a variety of Vermont’s best cheeses, sweet and crunchy candied walnuts, crisp apple slices and cranberry jam.

Where: Lost Nation Brewing
What: From a crisp Gose to a rich Pitch Black Ale, fuel up with a flight
As they say, “When in Rome do as the Romans do,” that means ordering a roasted pork Cubano or crispy Tempeh Reuben sandwich to go with your flight–they’re local favorites.

Where: Von Trapp Brewery
What: A variety of Austrian lagers
Visit the historic Von Trapp Family Bierhall for your choice of flavorful crisp lagers and meals inspired by the Von Trapp’s ancestral Austria. Be sure to check out the working wood-fired Parrilla grill that is the showcase feature of the Bierhall.

Experience a brewery bike tour in Vermont.

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Picnic Tips and Summer Recipes

Posted on June 29, 2016 - 10:03 pm by keith_ritter

Our guides have put together amazing picnics at the foot of landmarks, in the back of our vans, by the ocean, in forests and across the world. So it’s only natural that’s how we celebrate the 4th of July weekend. Below are our guides’ top five picnic tips, as well as a few favorite summer recipes to impress your family and friends.

Picnic Tips | Summer Recipes

1. Shopping

Shopping for your picnic is a twofold task: first deciding what to buy, then going to the store. When creating the menu for your picnic, don’t forget to include regional specialties! Small items such as cheese in Vermont, jamón ibérico in Spain, or wine in France can bring a picnic to life when accompanied by stories of the farmer or vineyard. And secondly, to save yourself time, be sure to organize your menu into a shopping list by departments of a grocery store: produce, dry goods, condiments, bread, diary and deli.

2. Prep

Picnics can be stressful, especially when hungry guests are waiting to eat. Make it easier on yourself by prepping as much as you can in advance! This will save you LOTS of time later on. Veggies can be chopped, pasta can be cooked, and lettuce can be washed. If you do chop lettuce or other veggies in advance, be sure to put a napkin in the plastic bag to absorb moisture and keep things fresh.

3. Elevate

When it comes time to assemble your picnic, the display is nearly as important as the food on your table. Place cardboard Ziploc boxes, empty berry containers, or upside-down bowls under your tablecloth. Then set a bowl or platter of food on top, and a flat table will be instantly transformed into a bountiful multi-level display. Tilting the food toward guests will allow for easy viewing and serving.

4. Garnish

The second key to elegant presentation is garnish. Use fresh leafy vegetables – parsley, kale, collard greens, and romaine lettuce – to line bowls and fill empty spaces. Buy carrots, beets or radishes with the tops on. Bell peppers, lemons and limes can add zest and color to the display. Scatter pistachios, chocolates or uncooked pasta to add texture to the table.

5. Feast

Over and over, guests are ‘wowed’ by their guides’ ability to provide a feast. F.E.A.S.T. is actually a mnemonic device our guides use to help remember the five most important principles of creating a killer picnic: Full, Elegant, Appetizing, Selection, and Timely.

Top 5 European Spas

Posted on September 15, 2015 - 9:59 pm by keith_ritter

For the lovers of luxury who want to sip wine off the Mediterranean coast or lounge in Europe’s finest hotels, we’ve got great news. In addition to posh lodging and choice amenities, these five hotels also offer world-class spas perfect for treating yourself or your loved one to the ultimate relaxation experience. They’re so indulgent, you may feel guilty. But don’t. We both know you deserve it.

1. Les Sources de Caudalie: Bordeaux

In perfect harmony with the surrounding vineyards, Caudalie’s distinctive style blends wood and stone materials inside an old tobacco kiln to create a one-of-a-kind atmosphere. The exclusive wellbeing treatments at this Vinothérapie Spa are based on vine and grape-based extracts and natural hot spring water rich in minerals.

Signature Treatment: Crushed Cabernet Scrub
The most popular treatment from the Vinothérapie Spa, this scrub is developed with a base of grape-seed, honey, brown sugar and essential oils, and designed to regain your skin’s radiance and softness.

2. Jumeriah Port Soller Hotel and Spa: Mallorca Luxury

With its abundant sun, sea, nature and culture, Mallorca is an ideal place to escape to for a rejuvenating break. Offering a new generation of spa treatments, the Talise Spa uses natural ingredients such as citrus, almonds and olive oil that will transport you to a serene state of mind and body.

Signature Treatment: Talise Signature Massage
This exclusive therapeutic massage uses a variety of techniques from the best treatments in the world. A unique combination of pressure points and a massage sequence using healing oils enhance this unforgettable experience.

3. Lešić Dimitri Palace: Croatia and Dalmatian Coast

Set in the midst of an ancient city, an exotic experience awaits you at the Lešić Dimitri Spa. Blending cultures and techniques from along the Silk Road, indulge in the therapeutic benefits of spa therapies offered by the palace’s Thai therapists who are trained to world-class standards in a country with centuries’ worth of spa tradition.

Signature Treatment: Thai Traditional Massage
A therapeutic treatment developed to promote energy, stimulate the nervous system and support the development of the body, mind and spirit. The stimulating hand massage combines with stretching to improve circulation and energy.

4. La Coquillade: Provence Luxury

Located in the heart of Luberon Natural Park, the Coquillade Spa is the ideal space to fully recharge, increase your energy levels and restore your equilibrium. The comprehensive treatment program–including an indoor pool, sauna, steam bath, relaxation room, fitness area, and salon–allows you to find something that suits your needs.

Signature Treatment: Signature Face and Body Care
This all-inclusive treatment allows you to personalize your experience with a bath, scrub or wrap of your choice. Embark on a comprehensive wellness experience unlike any other, including a massage and facial treatment.

5. Alentejo Marmòris Hotel And Spa: Portugal

Implanted in an ancient olive oil mill and dug in a quarry, entering in the Stone Spa is an unforgettable experience. The beauty of the marble that adorns its original walls transport you to another place as your enjoy the amenities and genuine hospitality offered at this Small Luxury Hotel of the World.

Signature Treatment: Marble Stone Massage
Developed by the Stone Spa team, this deep tissue massage was designed for lovers of vigorous massage. It is the fusion of Eastern wisdom and contemporary therapies combining various massage techniques, stretches and digit pressure.

#Vagabonds

Posted on September 9, 2015 - 9:15 pm by keith_ritter

We finish our seasons late in the calendar year, and that’s when it’s time to reflect on the days spent riding the bike with guests in the evening light, in gluttonous enjoyment of a coastline picnic, or in the nights spent working behind the scenes, sweating, preparing every last detail.

Being a guide is a dream. Just like a dream, though, there are moments of surreal beauty, where I pinch myself because I’m so lucky, and moments where I feel like nothing more than a vagabond, wandering from road to road, without a home to speak of.

A season of nights can be remembered in two ways. Long nights linger throughout a guide’s season, presenting sleep debt that appears every morning like the crust in your eye: it’s a gross, immovable feature of guiding that invites itself into your morning routine. Late night hours accumulate on dark, drizzling drives across the French Alps, or in bike repair sessions that endure until a new feature of bicycle mechanics is finally mastered. These nights of bleary eyes and greasy fingers hit in the morning like a middle-aged hangover. They metastasize over weeks upon weeks through the summer rush. For the rest of the season you can point to them as the reason you need just 30 more minutes of sleep. I awake each morning with the simple joy to have a job that is perpetual adventure: that fortuity is laced into the first minutes of my day, but it cannot always soothe the need for a long night of rest, or a slow morning with too much coffee and a sojourn through the news to nullify my accrued fatigue.

There are other nights, however, that are not pernicious. With co-guides as my partners in crime, we spent last season’s nights in 12th-century castle ruins perched atop the bluffs looming over the Danube, and watched the moon drift across the valley; we wended our way through herds of Prague’s revelers until the early morning and devoured fried-cheese sandwiches to bridge dinner and breakfast. Every guide cobbles together nights of extemporaneous adventure: In the evenings they become impromptu wedding guests, and dinner dates for the stars, or might just end the wee hours vaulting over fences or hailing the relics of rock and roll’s saints. These nocturnal voyages stoke the engine driving us through our season. They are filled with electricity, are stolen moments from a history and a place that never expected us, and remind us that rapture can be found in the time between the days filled with purpose, agendas and goals.

These evening escapades are archived in the Trek Travel legacy at the end of the season when guides float back to the guide house to eddy-out. We all come with the excuse to catch a night of rest and reclaim cached belongings, but the real purpose is to relish the scuttlebutt from everyone’s season.

I feasted my first night back at the Tuscany guide house last season with a table full of guides, tortellini, and gas-station wine. What started as dinner became a jam session for raconteurs who had repressed the parts of the job that percolate when the season ends: too many missed weddings, too few evening chats with a spouse, wearing the same pair of trousers packed and unpacked in countless hotel rooms, and the claustrophobia from sharing long days in the same van, hotel room, bathroom, bedroom, bike path, breakfast table and dining room with somebody else every day of the season.

The ineffable beauty of this job is the family of companions that emerges from the chaos and stress of life on the road. Within that family is a cast of saviors that cart other drained and reeking guides from Megeve to Geneva to arrive in time for a date, conjure gourmet dinners from melons and mint to serve starving colleagues, or otherwise provide the lost features of “normal life” to professional vagabonds.

At the end of a full season, after leaving the various guide houses to return home, we are supposed to resume something that feels more permanent. But we are visitors here for only a few months. The season begins again when the days get longer in Spain, and heats up to a full thrust when the sun warms the rest of Europe. Until then home feels idle, like an indictment of “normal”, and easily defined as just a “time in-between.” It is a purgatory released by the memory of seized moments that incite us to new adventures. Is it time to get back yet? Is it time to start adventuring again?

Written by Sam Clark, Trek Travel Guide

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All Work and No Play Is No Fun At All

Posted on August 20, 2015 - 9:44 pm by keith_ritter

Listen up, Americans. Collectively we’re taking less vacation time than at any point in nearly the last four decades. And by doing so, we’re only hurting ourselves.

According to a study conducted by Oxford Economics for Project: Time Off, American workers lost 169 million days of paid time off in 2013. And in the last 15 years, we’ve lost nearly a full work-week of vacation time–going from an average of 20.3 days to 16.0 days most recently. These days could not be rolled over, paid out, or used for any other benefit.

We’re making a name for ourselves. Our poor time management is turning into headlines. There might be an end game–a raise, a promotion, a retirement–but in the mean time we’re becoming a nation of work martyrs.

You shouldn’t have to feel guilty about leaving the office. You’re not a slacker, you won’t get behind, and the work can wait. In fact, taking earned time off is essential to creating a productive workforce. Furthermore, vacation time creates strong bonds with family and friends, and helps cultivate a fulfilled life.

So instead of providing free labor to your employer, think about what you could do in a week. Learn to salsa dance in Barcelona. See the leaves change in Vermont. Taste the finest wines in Italy. Eat too many pain au chocolat in Provence.

YOU COULD BE HERE:

Project: Time Off was an initiative to prove the personal, business, social, and economic benefits that taking earned time off can deliver. We aim to shift culture so that using personal time off is not considered frivolous, but essential to strengthening families and improving personal health; a business investment with proven returns and an economic necessity. Learn more at ustravel.org.

This is Happy Hour

Posted on July 31, 2015 - 5:27 pm by keith_ritter

At any given time or place around the world, there is a group of travelers finishing their day’s ride. They have a euphoria, a sense of tired accomplishment.

The ride included exploring a cobbled-street village in Provence, or experiencing an authentic cappuccino in a Tuscan cafe, or tasting a wine high up over the Napa Valley. The elation carries into conversations with new-found friends, often around a Trek Travel trailer, about the day’s adventure.

This is happy hour.

It can linger for hours into the setting sun with guides, travelers, and cyclists enjoying the company of one another, reveling in the stories at hand.

Guest Choice: Healdsburg, CA

Posted on July 17, 2015 - 2:21 pm by keith_ritter

Just north of San Francisco in the heart of Sonoma County lies the delightful city of Healdsburg. Surrounded by three major wine-producing regions, Russian River, Dry Creek, and Alexander Valley, this is truly wine country. This charming city is a treasure for food-lovers and offers stunning views as you bike along the rolling hills of grape vines.

Our newly redesigned California Wine Country 4-Day Weekend trip takes you through these captivating landscapes and lets you unwind in the charming epicenter of Healdsburg. Here you can sip on very good wine at countless wineries and tasting rooms and feast on equally good food at one of the award-winning restaurants. In a city where old-town culture combines with new, award-winning features, Healdsburg will in some way or another win your heart. When you’ve got the time to take in the city on your own, here’s where I would go to get the most out of my visit.

Where To Go to Wander: Downtown Healdsburg
Just steps away from Hotel Healdsburg, take a stroll through the downtown center surrounding the town plaza. Each block is lined with charming shops, tasting rooms, galleries and outstanding restaurants. In true Wisconsinite-fashion, I search out specialty cheese shops to indulge in new bites of local flavors. Stop by the Cheese Shop of Healdsburg for local artisan cheeses and accoutrements and take your snacks and a blanket to the plaza for a relaxing afternoon picnic. Stop for a pick-me-up with the perfect cup of coffee at Flying Goat Coffee, or for a lovely cup of tea, chai, or hot chocolate. If you have Saturday morning available, be sure to visit the Farmers’ Market one block west of the Plaza to enjoy the the local food community.

Where To Go for Baked Goodss: Downtown Bakery & Creamery
Stopping in to this family run bakery is a must while visiting Healdsburg. Owner Kathleen opened this bakery in 1987 with her friends, all former colleagues at the award-winning and renowned Chez Panisse. Today Kathleen and her children run the bakery, serving up the best baked goods in the area. Using the best local and organic ingredients they can find, the quality of their creations is impeccable. Satisfy your post-biking sweet tooth with one (or two) of the famed sticky buns, or peel apart one of their fresh, buttery croissants. Don’t miss out on trying the cinnamon and sugar-dusted donut muffin that is raved about by locals and visitors.

Where To Go to Dine: Bravas Bar de Tapas
Healdsburg is considered the gourmet center of Sonoma County, and there is no shortage for where you can grab a really great bite to eat just a walk away from your hotel. Enjoy Bravas Bar de Tapas, awarded with “One of the top 20 tapas restaurants in the US” by Travel + Leisure and a “Top 100 Bay Area Restaurant” by the San Francisco Chronicle for the past three years. This tapas bar serves up traditional Spanish and modern tapas-style dining. Owners Mark and Terri Stark are James Beard nominees and own a few restaurants in Sonoma County, this one being their newest, and well-recognized already. They have created a relaxing and fun space to share plates and sip on a cocktail from their impressive drink menu. Sit out on the patio under romantic strings of lights and share the paella with a group of friends or try a selection of smaller plates. This restaurant is a top-choice for locals and visitors, so be aware of busy weekend nights. I’d recommend calling ahead to reserve a table, 707-433-7700. Read more culinary favorites by our Trip Design Manager Meagan Coates from her trip to California Wine Country, including Charlie Palmer’s Dry Creek Kitchen and h2’s Spoon Bar.

Where to go for a snack and shopping: SHED
Winner of a 2014 James Beard Award for restaurant design, SHED is a community gathering space designed to bring us closer to the way we grow, prepare, and share our food. Part market, part café, part farm, this culmination is a delightful stop for fresh flavors and local shopping. Earlier this year we had the honor of interviewing owner Cindy Daniel to learn more about her creation of SHED. The offerings start with a large menu selection including beverages made at their fermentation or coffee bar and a café serving up combinations of fresh, local ingredients. While you’re there pick up artisan-made goods in their packed “pantry” that you won’t be able to resist perusing. Try a refreshing kombucha or shrub at their fermentation bar or a sandwich or salad from the café, grab a seat on the terrace and enjoy.

About Guest Choice:
You will often hear us say, “It’s your day, you decide,” because our smaller group size allows the flexibility for you to decide how your day unfolds. In addition to multiple daily ride options and shuttle flexibility, this also means that we offer ‘guest choice’ nights designed for you to indulge at a local restaurant of your choosing, or explore the local sites. Whether you want to order take-out while relaxing by the hotel pool or get dressed up for a fancy dinner in town, guest choice nights let you craft your own perfect evening.

28 Acres of Paradise

Posted on July 2, 2015 - 4:08 pm by keith_ritter

Your eyes are closed, sitting in a highback Adirondack chair with a glass of wine in hand, overlooking a great valley below.

Two dogs are playing fetch, roosters crow occasionally, hens cluck, horses neigh, and faint mumbles of conversation are heard between the passing summer breeze. You are on vacation in the wine country of California. You just experienced a challenging, yet rewarding climb called Ink Grade. Your guides told you that morning, “Oh, it’s not that bad…I have faith you can make it!” Maybe it was the toughest 4-mile uphill stretch you’ve ever done. Maybe it wasn’t. What really matters is where you are now, and that indescribable feeling washing over you.

Read the whole story…

Older posts

Category Archives: Relaxing

Best Romantic Destinations

Photo Gallery: Danube River Cruise

Best Brews Vermont Edition

Picnic Tips and Summer Recipes

Top 5 European Spas

#Vagabonds

All Work and No Play Is No Fun At All

This is Happy Hour

Guest Choice: Healdsburg, CA

28 Acres of Paradise

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