We cover the globe in adventure, exotic experiences and first-class memories. We’ve been to every corner of the world, from the back roads of Chile to the riverbanks of the Danube to the singletrack of Iceland, and we’ve tested the thread-count of practically every hotel along the way. So what’s the best of our best? Drum roll, please…
Ojai Valley Inn and Spa
Transformed from former military barracks to a country club hosting Hollywood’s most glamorous elite, the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa is our favorite new source of inspiration, rest and relaxation. Here, five stars is only the start. This impeccable resort has won a host of awards including Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List and Top 100 Resort Spas in the US, Travel and Leisure’s World’s Best Awards, and AAA’s Five Diamond Resort Award nine years in a row! With over 200 acres of beautifully manicured grounds, seven restaurants, four pools, a lavish spa and one expertly designed golf course, it’s no wonder the Ojai Resort is where we’d choose to stay if we had one night away. And to think, the Spanish-colonial-style escape is only 90 minutes from L.A.
Join us on our Ojai to Santa Barbara vacation
to rest your head in world-class style.
“Lesic Dimitri Palace was incredible. We could have
gone swimming in our bathtub!”
– Mary Sue, Trek Travel Guest
Lesic Dimitri Palace
If it’s an undiscovered hotel gem you want, look no further. A masterclass in first-class accommodations, Lesic Dimitri is a recently renovated 18th century Bishop’s palace tucked away in the winding alleyways of old town Korcula. Designed by an Asian-Croatian team of architects and inspired by Korčula’s famous resident, Marco Polo, and his travels along the Silk Road, every aspect of this luxury hotel was thoughtfully planned to celebrate the rich culture and exquisite beauty of the area. Best of all, this Relais & Chateaux retreat is comprised of six luxurious apartments and five medieval cottages, striking a perfect balance of intimate yet unobtrusive service.
We’ve stayed in hundreds of hotels.
Join us in Croatia to discover our favorite.
“There are few spots in the western mountain lands about which there hangs so much frontier romance.”
– William Maillie-Grohman, English Mountaineer 1882
No foothills. Steep coniferous forest. Solitary sub-alpine meadows bursting with wildflowers: paintbrush, lupine, sticky geranium, forget-me-not. Above it all, bare granite pinnacles. Moran, Buck, Middle, South, Owen, Teewinot. The Grand. Below, the braided channels of the Snake River. Banks carpeted by sagebrush, gatherings of aspen and cottonwood. Native Snake River cutthroat, beaver, geese, elk, moose, deer, pronghorn antelope and bison are here. Your flight makes its final approach from the north to the only commercial airport in the US located within a National Park. If you find yourself seated on the left side of the plane, gaze down at Blacktail Butte, the Gros Ventre River, Sleeping Indian, Flat Creek, Jackson Peak and the National Elk Refuge. On the right: Leigh Lake, Jenny Lake, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. And towering above (even your plane), the Tetons.
Summer, 1871. Hot. Humid. Sweating and anxious, Ferdinand Hayden walked the streets of Washington D.C. He scrambled in and out of government office buildings. Up and down stairs. On and off street cars. He met with everyone who gave him a minute. Senators, Congressmen, Department of Interior officials. He schlepped large-format photographs taken by his friend William Henry Jackson, small oil paintings and sketches by Thomas Moran, and a giant report that bore his name: “The Hayden Geological Survey.” On December 18th of that same year, thanks to Hayden’s gargantuan efforts, a bill was simultaneously introduced to both the US Senate and the House of Representatives calling for the creation of a public park at the headwaters of the Yellowstone River, “…For all to enjoy.” On March 1st of 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Act of Dedication into law, effectively creating the world’s first National Park. It was named “Yellowstone.”
It was the spring of 2003. I took a break from college in Florida and got a job working on a guest ranch a few miles down the road from Allenspark, Colorado. During that time on the ranch, I learned most of the basic, Florida-boy-in-the-mountains lessons: horses are heavy, lightning above tree-line is scary, it can (and will) snow in July, bears can smell you cooking, wet cotton pants are cold, etc. etc. I made fantastic friends, cleaned horse stalls, slept outside, worked long hours and ultimately made my first journey north to Jackson, Wyoming and Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. My fate was sealed.
I returned that fall to Gainesville, Florida to complete my senior year. Surfing magazine posters and neon beer signs were replaced on my walls with photos by Ansel Adams, Bradford Washburn, Galen Rowel and Tom Mangelsen. I bought my first “Sibley Guide to Birds” and “Plants of the Rocky Mountains.” I read John McPhee’s Rising from the Plains, Annie Proulx’s Close Range, Owen Wister’s The Virginian, and Gretel Erlich’s The Solace of Open Spaces. I sent out resumes by the dozen. I was in love.
After finishing my last exam and turning in the final “Blue Book” of my college days, I packed my truck and headed west again. My destination this time: a tiny basement bedroom on Millward St. in downtown Jackson. The 20 million-acre Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the Jackson Hole Valley had called me back, and corny as it sounds, I was home. Fast forward to today, over 12 years later: I’m still in Wyoming. Weekend explorations of the canyons and ridgelines of the Tetons have kept me here. Floating and fishing the Snake River Canyon has kept me here. Riding bikes on lonesome ranch roads and dark timber-lined singletrack has kept me here. Pizza and beer with friends on the deck at Dornan’s has kept me here. Skiing quiet winter glades has kept me here. The bear and elk and moose and antelope have kept me here. This fantastic, eternal landscape has kept me here.
I now live in a town just a few hours southeast of Jackson, on the east side of the Wind River Mountains, but every time I crest the top of Togwotee Pass on Highway 26, heading north, and catch that first glimpse of the Tetons…the hair still stands up on the back of my neck. I’m not joking. Staring up from the road, sometimes I cross the yellow line. Rumble strips snap me back to reality. The fantastical mountains and steep canyons, sweeping valleys and winding rivers of Grand Teton National Park; the bubbling mud-pots and steaming geysers, ghost-like lodgepole pine stands and sweeping grasslands of Yellowstone National Park; they belong to us all. Go see them. Take a deep breath of sulfury air in Norris Geyser Basin, pause and listen to the leaves of a quaking aspen stand on Signal Mountain. Watch wolves lope across Lamar Valley and eagles perched in a dead snag above Jenny Lake. Catch the sunrise over Sleeping Indian. Feel the nip on a cool summer evening in Teton Village. Just scratch the surface. You’re home.
If word gets out about the hidden gems of the Rio Grande Rift Valley stretching north from Santa Fe through Ojo Caliente and Abiquiu to Taos, it might just be quartered off as a National Park.
Before that happens, get here.
The spotlight this year in North American travel has been largely on National Parks like Glacier or Zion and on the newish rising-star towns of Bend, OR and Asheville, NC. Indeed, these are all fabulous places to travel, eat, drink, explore and, of course, ride bikes and I love guiding in all of these destinations. But there is a region, very appropriately known as the “Land of Enchantment”, that has recently slipped under the radar despite being a hot-bed destination for over 1,000 years. And truth be told, that is just fine by me!
Why would I say that? Because this is one national treasure you don’t have to share with the crowds. This is a land where the history doesn’t need to be recreated in taxidermy dioramas or CGI animation because it lives in the people, the architecture, the art, the landscape and the amazing cuisine. In fact, if word gets out about the hidden gems of the Rio Grande Rift Valley stretching north from Santa Fe through Ojo Caliente and Abiquiu to Taos, it might just be quartered off as a National Park. Before that happens, get here.
Truth be told I fell in love twice in the “Land of Enchantment.” The first time was with the place itself. To escape the Texas summers in college I picked up work as a counselor at a wonderful camp on the Pecos River in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Situated just outside of Santa Fe, my days off were spent cramming in as much adventure and exploration as I could. On these days there was little sleep and a lot of biking, hiking and outdoor activity in the endless playground of northern New Mexico.
I investigated pueblo ruins, discovered natural springs and Ancestral Puebloan petroglyphs. I met Native American elders and artisans in places like Taos, Nambé, and Jemez Pueblo. I tested my tolerance with an array of roasted chiles from Carlito Medina at his chile shop and art gallery in Chimayó and learned that females are by far the spiciest. I found creative inspiration in conversations with the famous Taos artist Ed Sandoval and Jemez Pueblo sculptors Andrea and Bill Fragua. I roamed the 400-year-old adobe lined streets of Santa Fe, feeling as if I had been transported to another country in another time, all the while marveling at the colors, the textures, the forms, and best of all the light. After four summers there was no doubt why northern New Mexico was referred to as the “Land of Enchantment.”
In the spring of 2011 I was back in New Mexico assigned to guide the trip I had designed for Trek Travel. My co-guide was a “rockstar” second year guide who had proved herself through all manner of trips and challenges in her first year. She was eloquent, graceful under fire, intelligent, a strong rider and a savvy problem solver. She was also incredibly photogenic. As we prepared for the first trip of the season, it became clear that this place was not simply enchanting to me, she was hooked on it too. It’s not difficult to fall in love with the New Mexican landscape, but it is actually incredibly difficult to fall in love with a co-guide with whom you spend 24 hours a day for 6 weeks straight. Despite the odds, this was the second time I fell in love in New Mexico, and nearly five years later Elizabeth and I married.
It’s not difficult to fall in love with the New Mexican landscape, but it is actually incredibly difficult to fall in love with a co-guide with whom you spend 24 hours a day for 6 weeks straight.
Over the years we have guided in many destinations both together and independently, in North, Central and South America as well as Europe. We have designed trips in various regions and it turns out we make a great design and guide team. Cycling, travel and living well are our passion and it’s how we spend our free time as well as make our living. This spring Elizabeth and I were asked to return to New Mexico to re-design the old itinerary. We were given free reign with only two parameters: 1) Make the trip comfortable for riders of both modest and avid ability and 2) Make it awesome. Naturally we jumped at the opportunity.
In the spring we made our way back to the Rio Grande Valley to begin our trip design. The blossoms were on fire and the aspens were just starting to pop their quaking neon green. The 70 degree air was crystal clear and intoxicating with the sweet smells of ponderosa pine and piñon fires from rustic kiva fireplaces. The enchantment was indeed still there if not stronger than ever. Over the course of our research it was not difficult to create quite possibly one of the most ideal cycling trips in North America.
Fantastic hotels in Santa Fe, Ojo Caliente and Taos as well as gourmet and homestyle Southwest cuisine are of course standard. Days are filled with quiet bike routes that can be mellow with a shuttle or fulfilling for the avid rider, linking every mile from Santa Fe to Taos. Secret hiking opportunities reveal sublime and inspiring landscapes as well as artifacts of ancient civilizations. Mineral hot springs at Ojo Caliente offer serenity and recovery from activity filled days. Personal interactions with Native Americans and 10th generation Spanish Colonial settlers add authentic exposure to unique cultures. The majesty of both the desert–that inspired generations of artists including Georgia O’Keefe–and the towering southern tip of the Rockies that soar to 13,000 feet will leave you speechless and truly enchanted. Best of all this cruise from Santa Fe to Taos offers the kind of peace and that you simply cannot find elsewhere in North America. There is no better way to experience Northern New Mexico than on bike and foot, and we are so excited for the incredible experience we have created for you in the Land of Enchantment. We hope to see you there.
To discover true paradise, sometimes you have to go off-road. And sometimes in a 4×4, if it’s anything like my town.
When you turn onto the unpaved road, ignore your instinct to bust a u-turn and your fear of the unknown. Instead, continue off the beaten path. Eventually you’ll pass a man and his wife selling ice-cold fresh coconuts, better known in Costa Rica as “Pipas,” before you end up in Nosara. If you trust that the machete in his hand is simply used to slice open the coconut, and you dare to engage them with your Spanglish, you’ll learn that these charming individuals are more than just “Pipa people”. They too have a story, a family, goals and dreams, morals and values, just like you and me.
I first visited Nosara when my group of friends was planning a surf trip to Costa Rica and asked me to join. At the time, I was clothed head to toe in March as a snowboard instructor who had put in nearly 100 days chasing and counting my little “snow ducklings” all over Vail Mountain. I glanced at the powder below my board, then to my pretzel-ed up student stuck in waist deep snow awaiting my rescue, then back down to my snowboard, which had suddenly become a surfboard atop crystal blue waves. I thought to myself, “I need a vacation.”
At the time, I couldn’t even surf. I mean, sure, I could stand up on a long board, paddle and mimic a whale-like dismount. But I hadn’t experienced “the feeling”. The feeling that one has when they finally learn how to dance on water. The feeling of floating through the air while the ocean playfully spits water back at their face. The feeling of flying with mother nature, or in layman’s terms, catching a green wave. That was a feeling I wanted to know.
It took less than a week to fall in love with Nosara’s charm: the people’s positive energy and generosity, the natural beauty and environment, and the wildlife right before your eyes. Three weeks of waking up to howler monkeys, finding my way through lush green jungle paths to an untouched, white sand beach with a stellar wave, and consuming more mangos and fresh pipas than I thought possible. For three weeks I was mesmerized day after day by how strikingly beautiful and different one sunset was from the next. So I looked at a “Casita” that was for rent in the fall, shook the hand of a Tica friend named Ane, and said, “I’ll be back in November, I’m good for my word.”
A simple, “Yes, I’m in,” from atop a snowy mountain five years ago has lead to one of the most life changing decisions I have ever made.
In the years since then, I’ve learned to love the simplicity of life here. I’ve learned that you can live a very full life once you strip away everything else. Eventually I learned to live without all the things that I once felt were a necessity, and learned to value life’s true necessities. Life becomes less complicated here. Without distractions, you enable yourself to be present and engaged in each and every moment. I feel like I am myself in my purest form in Costa Rica.
What makes Costa Rica a unique travel destination?
Costa Rica boasts a higher biodiversity than the United States and Europe combined! When you think about its size–slightly smaller than West Virginia–the diversity is incredible! The wildlife and natural beauty of this country is present everywhere you look. Secondly, Costa Rica offers a bit of everything, which is why I think it is the perfect place for groups of friends or families. Everyone can get their own taste of Costa Rica: biking through cloud forests, visiting cocoa farms in the Caribbean, gazing at volcanoes, splashing around in natural hot springs, riding Central America’s best surf, and hiking through the rain forest spotting monkeys, toucans, sloths, the striking poison dart frog. There is something exciting for everyone here, and it’s welcoming to all: singles, couples, families, young and old alike.
What do you love most about Nosara?
The sunsets. There are some sunsets where the sun subtlety falls below the horizon. There are some sunsets that feel more grandiose. And then there are Nosara’s sunsets, where the sun and the colors of the sky stop an entire town at 5:45PM. During a Nosara sunset, you’ll find everyone on the beach transfixed by it’s natural beauty. Sometimes the sky brings you back to childhood memories and paints itself the colors of cotton candy. Other times it may choose to boast the brightest hues of orange and yellow imaginable. At some point you’ll find that your mind goes blank and time stands still. It’s rare to be so deep in a moment that you actually don’t think of anything. Once it sets, everyone wakes up and hustles to get home before dark. It’s a funny 15 minutes where the world just seems to be on pause, but once it sets, the play button is pushed again. For me, it has become the most anticipated part of my day.
What are you most excited for guests to experience?
Our Costa Rica trip can’t be compared to any other Trek Travel trip we offer. It’s in a category of its own. Each guest takes away their favorite moment of the trip, whether it be whitewater rafting through the rain forests, zip lining through the Cloud Forests, or enjoying coffee with our hotel owner, Agnes, while taking in views of Pelada. However, once guests arrive in Nosara, I’m undeniably excited to show it off to them! Guests stay in a quaint bed & breakfast in the hills overlooking Playa Pelada, one of my favorite fisherman beaches in the area. They have surf lessons with my friends at Agua Tibia and catch their first waves on the very same beach where I too caught my first real wave five years ago. They horseback ride at sunset to my favorite restaurant in town, infamous for it’s delicious passion fruit mojitos and breathtaking sunsets. And best of all, they get to know the community of Nosara. More than just strangers passing through a town, our guests have a key to the door behind which lies local Costa Rican life. After two days they’ve met most of my friends, and for guests who stick around after the trip, they’re treated more like friends than tourists. I find that guests really enjoy that experience, and it’s especially fun for me!
When Anthony Rovente lost his job in New York in the spring of 2013, the San Juan Islands were the furthest thing from his mind. Though he had never heard of this little archipelago in the Salish Sea until stumbling upon it on Google Maps, that summer he and his wife decided to move their family some 3,000 miles across the U.S. to Lopez Island. In his own words, this is the story of how his family’s dream became reality.
“At some point or another I feel that most people are drawn to certain destinations, whether it be fate or curiosity or some other power. During a particularly trying period in my life after a layoff, I began to dream of other opportunities and possibilities for myself and family…things that you simply don’t consider when you are tied to a job. I had never lived anywhere outside of Upstate New York and had no clue where to start. Searching Google Maps for potential places to live became a new hobby.
Living in a rural area in close proximity to the ocean was our dream scenario, and a moderate climate would be even better. During one particular Google Maps session I grazed over the San Juan Islands. It was the perfect little island of farms, surrounded by beautiful craggy outcroppings and beaches; an absolute unspoiled paradise. We took our first trip to Lopez in March of 2013, and in August we packed up our four boys and everything that could fit into our minivan and made the move. Three years later and Lopez is home.
Growing up in a tight-knit family, the idea of owning and operating a family business has always been a dream of mine. When Crystal and I married and started our family, we knew we wanted to create a life we could all invest in and share together. The Edenwild Inn seemed like a perfect opportunity. It had become a major landmark in the center of Lopez Village, and was up for sale when we arrived. It’s no easy feat to run a busy inn but we cherish the opportunity to build a family business with our four sons while sharing Lopez Island with guests. Everyone has a job and we all work together to get it done. Even our four-year-old has his little chores!
Our vision for the Edenwild has been the same idea since day one–to create a sweet little retreat from the stressors of daily life. Visitors come to Lopez Island to relax and enjoy the beautiful peacefulness of the natural surroundings. Our goal is to turn a long weekend at The Edenwild into beautiful, life lasting memories. It’s the small things that people appreciate the most, whether helping to plan an evening out or adding thoughtful touches to their room. Our guests know we care and I think that connection means a lot to them!
I think what drew me to the San Juan Islands three years ago, and what continues to excite me most today, is the incredibly special relationship residents and visitors have with natural environment around them. Being isolated on an island, away from the stressors of everyday life allows you to re-connect with nature and ultimately yourself. A walk on a quiet beach, a spectacular sunset, ocean views all around; this truly creates an environment of serenity so difficult to find in the modern world.”
New in 2017:
Stay at the Edenwild Inn on our San Juan Islands Vacation
A celebrity favorite, Santa Barbara is one of this country’s most unique destinations. It’s where luxurious relaxation meets world-class cycling, where mountains meet the sea, and where small-town intimacy meets big-city sophistication. There are few gems in the world like Santa Barbara, and this is our perfect day.
8:00 AM
This morning you will awake at the picture-perfect Canary Hotel located in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. Winner of a 2015 Conde Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Award, the Canary’s generously sized guestrooms and city views make it almost impossible to get out of bed. But after making your way to breakfast at your leisure, we recommend a short morning stroll to Handlebar Coffee Roasters. A visit to this warm cafe and one sip of their freshly roasted coffee is guaranteed to start your day on the right foot.
10:00 AM
After an unhurried morning, grab your cycling gear and head towards the hotel lobby to meet your guides. A short shuttle will bring you to the train station where you’ll board the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner for a gorgeous ride to Surf Beach. Along the way you’ll enjoy up-close views of the seabirds, dolphins, surfers, and of course, dramatic coastline. Upon arriving at the beach, we’ll begin the 18 mile ride inland toward Santa Rosa Road (known for its brisk tailwinds) and the Sanford Winery.
1:30 PM
This afternoon your guides will prepare a stellar Trek Travel picnic at Sanford Winery, where you will enjoy a tasting of the region’s finest Pinot Noirs. Graced with a climate and soil that closely mimic the famed Burgundy region of France, Sanford Winery was the first to plant Pinot Noir vineyards in this area of the Central Coast. Enjoy lunch at your leisure before choosing to take a shuttle or continue riding to Los Olivos.
4:30 PM
After riding through Ballard Canyon you will arrive in the quaint town of Los Olivos. What began as a place for passengers to stop on their stage coach journey over San Marcos pass is now a charming town filled with upscale shops, laid-back locals, tasting rooms and art galleries. As you explore town, be sure to stop in at our guides’ favorite tasting room–Sarloos and Sons–for a glass of wine, family stories and mini cupcakes.
6:00 PM
A short shuttle over San Marcos Pass will bring you back to downtown Santa Barbara and the Canary Hotel. After what can only be described as a perfect day, this evening is yours to enjoy a memorable meal and discover the magic that is a Santa Barbara sunset. Our recommendation? Taste the famous Hoppy Poppy Double IPA at Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company before walking out to Stearns Wharf for sunset and a fresh seafood dinner at the Santa Barbara Shellfish Company.
When David Baldwin came to us with his idea in January 2016, the task seemed as far-fetched as the goal itself. In June he was going to set out on a 3,500 mile ride across the United States, and he wanted us to design three different opportunities for friends, family and donors to ride along with him. His goal? Raise $13 million for adults with disABILITIES.
It was a tall order, especially in just four short months. In total there would be more than 100 people joining this ride, all of whom required bikes, hotels, food and support. This in addition to the difficulties David himself was about to face. “Trying to raise $13 million in Houston when oil is $35 per barrel is one challenge,” he said. “And I’ve only done a couple of long rides in my life.”
But if there was ever anyone up for the challenge, David was the right person for the job. “As [my wife] and I started to share our dream/vision with others, our ‘peloton’ started to grow. In total there were more than 200 volunteers working to make Pursuit a huge success, and with Trek Travel’s help, we created three opportunities for people who enjoy riding to participate in the Pursuit mission as well.” After countless hours of planning and preparation, the team dipped their wheels into the Pacific Ocean on June 6 in Astoria, Oregon and began the journey west.
The route, custom designed by Trek Travel Trip Designer Amy Davison, covered 14 states and 3,362 miles. It showcased the vast and indescribable beauty our country has to offer, from iconic small towns and restored railroad depots to dramatic mountains and lush green forests. “While I had previously ‘touched down’ in all but one of the 14 states I visited with Pursuit (South Dakota being the exception), I hadn’t spent much time in any of these states. From the seat of a bicycle, without the pressure of time or interruptions or any physical barrier other than sunglasses and a helmet, I began to take in the real character and beauty of each individual state and developed a true appreciation for so many unique things across our country,” David said.
“The kindness of strangers, the physical beauty of our parks, the wide open spaces…we have something tremendous under our feet, just off the beaten path. It is truly refreshing and inspirational.”
– David Baldwin
Along the way they spotted moose in Jackson Hole, rode through the Badlands, stopped at Mount Rushmore, and cheered on the Cubs at Wrigley. They changed flats, battled winds and climbed mountains. And on August 3rd, 59 days after the Pursuit began, David dipped his wheel in the Atlantic Ocean, concluding what can only be described as the ride of his life.
For us it was a custom trip unlike any we’d ever created. The chance to not only bring one man’s dream to life, but to help bring hope to a population so desperately in need of a hero. So thank you letting us be a part of your journey, David. It is one we will never forget.
Tucked deep in the Moors of Telemark lies a place where you’ve dreamt of riding. Except it’s one of those elusive dreams; the kind you can’t recall when you wake up in the morning.
It’s a place where ancient battles were won and lost. Where pilgrims made their journey for a thousand years. Listen to Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song” and you’ll know the place. A hidden retreat on a tiny isthmus, surrounded by over 100k of legitimate, undiscovered, flawless singletrack. After a decade of meticulous planning, Norwegian adventurer Jan Fasting’s vision has culminated in the birth of this dream. A real mountain bike retreat.
“We come from the land of the ice and snow,
From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow.”
– Led Zeppelin, The Immigrant Song
In May of this year, I walked off the jetway in Sandefjord, Norway and into what I would soon discover was a singletrack Valhalla. Following a two-hour car ride among rolling hills, atop flawless pavement and down a rugged, 10-mile gravel road and I was on a bike. Jet lag had set in. My heart-rate was around 130. Excited, tired, a little nervous.
Granite domes the likes of which I’d only seen in the eastern Sierra were all around. Hundreds of crystal clear streams and small lakes akin to those found high in the Wind River Range of Wyoming sliced and dotted the landscape. The familiar strong scent of giant conifers that blanket the slopes of the Cascades of Central Oregon overwhelmed my senses. The trail crested a hill. And there, all alone in a tiny valley, was a collection of canvas, Mongolian style yurts. Colorful doors. Tiny oil lamps. A giant fire ring.
We shared saunas, drank beers, talked music, and brainstormed ideas. Ultimately, we rode. We dreamt. We planned.
My hosts for the week were renown adventurer, TV producer, epic storyteller and Canvas founder Jan Fasting and Vebjørn Haugerud, a local rider, trail builder, family man and Canvas Hotel co-owner. Of course, the cast of characters that I’d get to meet, ride, dine and dream with for that 10 days included a number of other passionate, talented folks: our professional photographer/in-house mechanic Thomas Svendsen, Canvas’s own reggae-jamming, Zimbabwean chef Desmond (he smiles 24/7 – probably in his sleep), and two new amazing friends from Trek Norway – Eivind Martensen and Knut Lonnqvist. I was introduced to families, and taken sailing. We shared saunas, drank beers, talked music, and brainstormed ideas. Ultimately, we rode. We dreamt. We planned.
Over the course of 10 days, with the help of my new friends, strong coffee, a full notebook and over a dozen rides, we stitched together a true Trek Travel mountain bike experience. Combining perfect, 18” wide singletrack and the charm and authenticity of my new Norwegian friends, with the Canvas Hotel at its heart, I boarded the plane back to the states with something we’re proud to share.
Barcelona can be an action-packed combination of passion, nightlife, food and culture. Or it can be the getaway to end all getaways, with the serene escape of your own private villa. New in 2018, you can now choose one of three luxury villas and say goodbye to the bustle of civilized life.
Casa Felix
Casa Felix is beautifully located in Barcelona, on the edge of the charming village of Olivella, with stunning views over the Garraf National Park and just a short drive from the Mediterranean coast. A traditional Catalan Masia dating back to the 11th century, the villa has been lovingly restored to include 16 bedrooms, many sitting rooms, a library, game room, private garden and two swimming pools. Perhaps the best part, however, is the large terrace with beautiful sunset views over the surrounding vineyards! Stay at Casa Felix»
Villa Isla Cozumel
Perfectly located on the beachfront promenade, a stone’s throw from the white sandy beaches of Sitges, Villa Isla Cozumel is an iconic colonial mansion. Originally built in 1940, it has recently been exquisitely refurbished by the renowned Interior Designer Sandra Valenti. The main villa boasts 6 bedrooms, and the ground floor has spacious living area inviting relaxation and enjoyment of the fabulous sea views. Relax and enjoy the pool surrounded by tropical gardens or stroll into town for a cocktail and tapas. Stay at Villa Isla Cozumel»
Ca L’Almiral de la Font
Ca l’Almiral de la Font is an exquisite, private villa situated among olive trees and vineyards in the Penedès wine country. This traditional “basilica” style manor formerly used for winemaking has been refurbished to maintain the original building’s historic charm, while also affording guests every possible luxury – inside and out! A large tiled courtyard, complete with a Moroccan lounge, leads to a breathtaking infinity pool, and the 330 acres of private grounds include vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees. Stay at Cal L’Almiral de la Font»
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.
If a date is marked as Private, it is reserved for a private group.
Don’t see exactly what you are looking for or looking for a custom date? Call our trip consultants at 866-464-8735
What is the Difference?
Ultimate Luxury:
Savor some of the most spectacular, 5-star properties in the world. Exuding luxury and elegance, these one-of-a-kind accommodations offer the chance to rejuvenate at award-winning spas, dine at Michelin-starred restaurants, and more.
Luxury:
Enjoy luxurious accommodations handpicked for a refined experience. From signature spa treatments to delicious local cuisine, you’ll be more than provided for; you’ll be pampered.
Explorer:
These handpicked hotels provide relaxation and fun in a casual and comfortable environment. Delicious cuisine and great service mix perfectly for a memorable stay.
Combined:
On select cycling vacations, you’ll stay at a mix of Explorer and Luxury hotels. Rest assured, no matter which hotel level you’re at, our trip designers carefully select every accommodation.
Road: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 25 mi (40 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).
Gravel: 1-3 hours of riding. Up to 20 mi (35 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).
Hiking: 1-3 hours of hiking. Up to 5 mi (8 km). Up to 1,000 ft (300 m).
Level 2:
Road: 2-4 hours of riding. 20-35 mi (35-60 km). Up to 2,500 ft (750 m).
Gravel: 2-4 hours of riding. 15-30 mi (25-45 km). Up to 2,000 ft (300 m).
Hiking: 2-4 hours of hiking. 4-8 mi (6-12 km). Up to 1,500 ft (450 m).
Level 3:
Road: 3-5 hours of riding. 25-55 mi (40-85 km). Up to 4,500 ft (1,500 m).
Gravel: 3-5 hours of riding. 20-40 mi (35-60 km). Up to 3,000 ft (900 m).
Hiking: 3-5 hours of hiking. 6-10 mi (9-16 km). Up to 2,000 ft (600 m).
Level 4:
Road: 4+ hours of riding. 40-70 mi (60-110 km). Up to 8,000 ft (2,400 m).
Gravel: 4+ hours of riding. 30-50 mi (45-80 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).
Hiking: 4+ hours of hiking. 7-15 mi (11-24 km). Up to 4,000 ft (1,200 m).
What are your trip styles?
Classic - Reserve:
Savor the finer things as you relax in luxurious 5-star accommodations and wine, dine, and ride in some of the most unforgettable destinations around the world.
Classic - Signature:
Explore beautiful destinations by bike, enjoy extra inclusions, savor delicious local cuisine, and enjoy the perfect mix of accommodations.
Classic - Discover:
Enjoy a casual cycling vacation with fantastic routes and comfortable accommodations.
Ride Camp:
Train like the pros in some of their favorite riding destinations.
Pro Race:
See the pros in action at the biggest cycling events of the year.
Cross Country:
Tackle an epic adventure that takes you point-to-point across mountains, countryside, and more.
Self-Guided
Enjoy a bike tour on your schedule with just your chosen travel companions.
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
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