European Biking Tours… My New Dream Vacation

After reading a depressing article yesterday in The Atlantic about overtourism, and how a mass glut of tourists are ruining the world’s most popular destinations… I had to pause.  The author made some interesting points, and if nothing else it gave me inspiration to find more unique vacation ideas that were outside the norm for my family.

Then I read a press release on a mind blowing vacation, which I did not even know existed.  Did you know you can purchase a European biking tour package to bike iconic routes in Italy, France, or Spain?  How fantastic would that be?!

These European Biking Tours are guided trips along some of the same routes that host international bike races, such as the Tour de France.  Granted, this would be a trip you’d need to be in decent shape for… but I’d much rather train for something like this, than a half marathon.  Running.  Yuk.  Plus, you can select from different difficulty levels.

Here’s the scoop on three amazing locations of the European Biking Tours offered by one company called Saddle Skedaddle.  (Note I haven’t worked with them, so am not familiar first hand.)

European Biking Tours – Italy

Saddle Skedaddle offers an 8-day Italian Alps guided road cycling.  Cycle in the stead of Giro d’Italia challengers — who tackled the Italian Alps and Dolomites before concluding in Verona — on some of the country’s toughest mountain road climbs.

Prefer a less-strenuous alternative? Follow the Giro’s path through Italy’s scenic Northern Lake District with the 8-day Lakes of Lombardia guided tour, stopping to enjoy a gelato al fresco in lakeside towns such as Bellagio, Sarnico, and Riva del Garda.

To celebrate the Giro D’Italia’s finish line, cyclists who book by June 30 can enjoy a five-percent discount using promo code GTFIVE or a free bike rental using promo code GTBIKE.

Italian Alps departs July 6, priced from $2,160 USD.
Lakes of Lombardia departs June 22, July 13, and Aug. 8, priced from $2,240 USD. 

European Biking Tours – France

How about touring the French countryside?  The Tour de France spends close to a month weaving through the mountain passes of the French Alps and Pyrenees, before coming to a close in Paris in this 100th anniversary edition of the renowned Yellow Jersey.

You can ride some of the Tour de France’s most famous stretches on the 8-day Raid Alpine guided road cycling trip, where you’ll conquer Cime de la Bonnette, the highest road in Europe, or take it slightly easier with the 8-day Haute Dordogne excursion, where you’ll take in the lush views — and perhaps some lush wine — of southwest France.

Book by June 30 to get a five percent discount using promo code GTFIVE or a free bike rental using promo code GTBIKE.

Raid Alpine departs July 21, priced from $2,280 USD.
Haute Dordogne departs June 29 and August 3, priced from $2,360 USD.

European Biking Tours – Spain

And the last of Saddle Skedaddle’s top Grand Tour picks for 2019… Spain!

The famous Vuelta a España, the finale of the Grand Tour season, takes place over three weeks in August and September as cyclists tackle the Pyrenees, the mountains that form the natural border between Spain and France, before ending in Madrid.

You can follow some of the race’s most iconic routes — including the wilderness areas of Somiedo (a UNESCO world heritage site), Fuentes Carriones, and the Picos de Europa National — with the 8-day Vuelta Classics. This is Saddle Skedaddle’s longest-running road cycling route!

Or soak up the seafood, cider, and spectacular views along the Cantabrian coast with the NEW – Road to Santiago guided cycling tour.

Vuelta Classics departs June 16 and July 28, priced at $1,970 USD.
NEW – Road to Santiago departs July 7 and September 15, priced at $2535 USD.

Saddle Skedaddle Cycling Adventures

With Saddle Skedaddle, the leading cycling adventure expert with nearly 25 years of experience, sink into a champion’s saddle as you ride the same iconic road passes that cycling legends tackle, soaking in the sweeping vistas, crisp alpine air, and physical challenges.

Saddle Skedaddle is the UK’s leading independent cycling vacation specialist that is all about doing something wonderful on two wheels.  Their team of experts have searched far and wide to bring you some of the world’s most incredible locations and enchanting cultures to enjoy at the speed of the bike.

It’s a chance to really meet a place and its people, that you’ll never want to forget.

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