Europe Trips & Tours

Issue 06 examined a diverse range of topics, including embracing aloneness, rekindling a sense of adventure, grappling with failure, and many more… I’m planning the same trip you did from Umea to Nordkapp. The only thing that causes me anxiety is to arrive at a fixed date to my destination and fly back to Spain. Europe is so diverse with so much to see, and I can’t think of a better way to explore it than on a bicycle. As you might expect, I discovered a lot about both Europe and myself during my time on the road. Cycle along the Helgeland coast on the beautiful Coastal route.

Many of the campsites along EuroVelo 6 were dominated by bike tourists, and I was often invited to join people for dinner or have a chat. As I headed further east, EuroVelo 6 became less and less populated with cyclists, so when I did spot one, we’d always wave at each other a little too enthusiastically. There is a narrow but surprisingly deep market for the kind of bicycle that will take you on a once-in-a-lifetime round-the-world cycling adventure. This trip from Backroads connects two of the greatest cities in Europe. It includes sites such as the remnants of the Berlin Wall, Cecilienhof Palace, and Sanssouci Park in Potsdam. Expect biking routes in the surprisingly tranquil countryside outside of Berlin and pedaling in the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve, with its marshes, old-world towns and waterways.

A Taste Of The Best On Edelweiss Bike Travels Best Of Europe Tour

It’s important to know that cycle touring is a very traditional and conservative niche, with specifications changing little year on year. This is good, because it means many of these touring bikes have a strong tried and tested heritage. A lot of cycle tours land somewhere in the middle of these spectrums. That’s why the major bicycle manufacturers – Trek, Kona, Surly, Cube, Fuji, etc – tend to offer one do-everything touring bike. These are the questions that will help determine your choice of touring bike. If you’re not clear on the answer to each of them, it might be time to stop reading about bikes and think harder about what kind of experience you want to have.

Thanks for the link to cyclestore and your advice. I did a 3000 miles plus tour of SE Asia quickly followed by JOGLE on a mountain bike which was blast, but very much looking forward to journeying on a proper touring bike. Because of all the things you’re going to spend your money on while getting ready to go cycle touring, this is the one purchase you really don’t want to get wrong. They’re all priced within a few hundred pounds/dollars of each other. Most of them have steel frames, wide gearing, non-aggressive riding positions, pannier racks or at least rack mounts, and hybrid drivetrains cut from the middle of Shimano’s mountain-bike and road-bike ranges. They’re all built primarily for paved roads, but could handle a dirt track or gravel road if need be.

Perfect Pyrenees Tour With Imtbike

Particularly for the popular tourist areas, going at the height of the season means that you’ll have more company than you want, and that you’ll spend lots of time looking for lodging and seats in restaurants. June and September can also be busier than the rest of the year; it’s best to check with the tourism board of each country regarding the region you’ll be travelling in. It’s hard to say what the best bike routes in Europe are, as there’s no best. It all depends what kind of bicycle touring experience you have and you want.

This means you’ll be on your bike longer than you expect, and certainly longer than weekend rides at home. One one the East Cape of New Zealand and one near to where you are headed next in Salento in Southern Italy. Browse various bike tour websites to see the basic cost per itinerary.

Best Islands To Explore By Bike

Learn History, stay in World Heritage sites and enjoy the beautiful and quiet landscape of Alentejo region. We currently offer 14 different bike tours in Portugal – Guided, Supported or Self-Guided. One question I get asked all the time is “when can you start biking with a baby? ” This query comes from parents who are avid cyclists and are itching to get back on the bike, as well as moms who are new to biking but are anxious to get out of the house and do something active with their young babe. Looking for potential companions for a future trip to the Indian panhandle. Especially interested in exploring the rugged Tibetan terrain of Arunchal Pradesh, but would also like to see other provinces in this often-overlooked region.

• Let its beauty unfold as you bike to the Adriatic Sea.
• A view of changing scenery and culture across France and Europe; partly in Loire Chateau Area described above.
• The Roman Arena is a very short walk from your hotel.
• Look at your map and make sure you buy your lunch supplies well before you plan on eating, especially if you might not ride through any sizable towns in the interim.

It will last a lifetime if well cared-for and handle most touring scenarios very well. Capable touring bikes can be bought new for under £1,000 (USD$1,200 or CAD$1,500). I regularly update this post with the latest details of all the touring bikes mentioned below as new information becomes available from the manufacturers. In my experience, GPS routing is not at all required and actually detracts from the fun of touring. You’ll be able to navigate by following signage, so all you need to know is which nearby town you want to go to next. You’ll want to use your phone GPS to figure that out, and in case you get lost, but as soon as you know the general route, just let the signs guide you.

The Beginner’s Guide To Start Bike Touring: How To Travel With A Bicycle

The additional bonus is a bike that is still quite light yet strong. I’m sure it’s similar to your reviewed bike above but would be great to hear your thoughts. Ive just this minute seen that aluminium frames have a much lower life expectancy than steel due to the fact that they fatigue — is this true?

Europe is proud of its dedicated bike trails; they are wonderful, long-distance paths separated from traffic. Even when portions must share the road with cars, we found the French to be very respectful of bikers, often not passing unless they could safely pull out to the left lane. We understand being a tad uncertain about the whole adventure of a bike tour. However, we’re of the mind that if we can do it, so can you! We’ve learned there’s a big range of bike trips in Europe designed for all types of people and styles. You can find one of either variety that’s right for you.

Cycling In Europe Region By Region

Let’s hope this is a temporary measure for this otherwise legendary bike. Geometry has been tightened up, and gear shifters are now integrated with brake levers. This won’t please everyone, but will certainly please riders looking for a performance boost over the uncompromising durability often seen in the expedition bike niche. Back in 2012, when the jury was still out on disc brakes as a reliable choice for long-distance touring, Surly produced a disc-specific version of their legendary Long Haul Trucker , cunningly naming it the Disc Trucker. The ‘semi-integrated’ rear rack, which is held in position by the mudguard/fender, is admittedly a bit wacky. It is possible to use any bike for touring, as long as it’s about the right size.

We wanted to travel overland from Europe to Thailand across Iran, Pakistan, and India. Throughout history, there are many referrals to train travel in Europe on the Orient Express route. The route started in Paris, went across Vienna and ended in Istanbul. Once you leave Croatia, you still have 30 days on your Schengen visa to travel in the Schengen countries. You’ll encounter a wide range of terrain on this trip, from rolling hills and flat valleys to climbs and descents.

Other Tours You’ll Love

Plan accordingly – Plan your trip around Europe so you avoid doubling back. Transportation is a big expense so proper planning can save you a lot of money . Get a Rail Pass – Eurail Passes have saved me hundreds of dollars. If you are traveling far distances and through many countries, they are a great deal. If you want to save big money on meals, head to one of the markets, pick up some cheese, wine, bread, meats, or anything else, and go to the park for a picnic. (Or grab a sandwich for later!) You’ll find the locals doing the same thing, and it’s one of the cheaper ways to get a true taste of local food.

After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to explore on your own, using our included city information to guide your discoveries. This morning, join the picturesque Pusteria Valley bike path along the Rienza River and enjoy a beautiful ride though forests, tiny villages, and covered bridges. Start off your first day in Venice right by having a VBT representative greet you at the airport. A complimentary water taxi service will whisk you to your centrally located hotel.

Austria Is Breathtakingly Beautiful

Here’s one video showing someone using a car seat in a bike trailer. If you do choose to bike with a baby in the trailer, ensure that you get a really good one. I recommend the Thule Chariot Cross as it has suspension and the “roll cage” will do a good deal to prevent injury in the event of a tipover or accident.

If you travel overland, you still have to apply for a tourist visa at an Iranian embassy. It looks like an easy road on the map but it doesn’t come without any obstacles. This route is also not possible to travel by train. A lot of people dream of traveling overland from Europe to India.