The flexibility to select your own backdrop with a variety of cycle-friendly surfaces to be found across the globe is what self guided bike tours are famous for. Vineyards, hillsides, and coastlines in France; lakes mountains, and islands in Croatia; backwaters, villages, and temples in India; pick your route, slip through the gears and experience pure and simple cycling perfection.
Jumping out of the saddle, no matter where you plump for, offers an excellent means of combining work and play with cultural diversions and well-deserved R&R adding to a well-rounded itinerary to set your pulse racing as freely as your pedals. Here are some of the best places throughout Europe that you must explore while considering self-guided vacations.
France
Hillside chateaux in the Loire Valley, low-hanging vines in Burgundy and rolling waves of lavender in Provence, sometimes the toughest part of a self-guided cycling vacation in France is deciding which canvas you wish to paint first. Challenge yourself over the mountains of the Tour de France or live for the gastronomy amongst the rivers and medieval villages of the Dordogne, whatever you do, don't discount France.
Spain
Catalonia, especially, offers cyclists with a stunning choice of scenery as well as some tempting Pyrenean peaks from where to extend calf muscles. Amalgamating self-guided bike tours with the gastronomy and history of Spain is a wonderful idea with the sun-scorched Andalucian coastline offering just as much as northern regions such as La Rioja or the world-famous pilgrim trail Camino de Santiago, in Galicia.
Portugal
A fantastic location to put the 'vacation' into cycling is Portugal as from the forgiving hills and coastal tracks of the Algarve to the lone cork oak trees pin pricking the Alentejo region. Portugal has sun-kissed and stress-free stamped all over it. The UNESCO landscapes of Sintra are strewn with Moorish and Arabesque influence and make for a fascinating backstory whilst cycling amongst the mountain foothills.
Italy
The hills, sunflowers, and towns of Tuscany are obviously amazing but if you're adamant that the route between Pisa and Cinque Terre is all that's on offer then you really need to think again. Cilento to the Amalfi Coast, Matera to Puglia; Umbria, Piedmont, Venice; the list goes on and on, just like the ascents. Self-guided bike tours in Italy are always going to be the best route to la dolce vita.
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