Cycling, culture and clean air – why Alpine cycling tours are gaining popularity

The increased popularity of cycling tours among the over 50s is bringing a tourism boost to Alpine areas traditionally popular as stay-put ‘Lakes & Mountains’ destinations a generation ago. Cycling offers the ability to see much more of a destination at a leisurely pace, with the Alpine climate and fresh mountain air allowing for comfortable riding conditions along the way. Add to this high quality, value for money accommodation and it is clear to see why thrifty travellers are heading for Austria, Germany and Italy this summer.

As the older holiday market gravitates towards more active holidays and adopts a healthier lifestyle, the shift also adds credence to the Government’s Chief Medical Officer latest advice that regular cycling can help prevent or manage over 20 long-term conditions.

Here Freedom Treks has selected five of the best Alpine cycling tours in Europe.

10 Lakes – Sound of Music in Austria

Austria’s Lake District or ‘Salzkammergut’ is breathtakingly beautiful with blue lakes, imposing mountains, green meadows and forests and the landscape so instantly recognisable from the opening scenes of the iconic film ‘Sound of Music’. The tour starts along the River Salzach, where the Celts laid the foundations for the city’s future wealth with the trade of salt or ‘white gold’ along the river, before heading into Trumer lake country. From here it is a 31 mile cycle to Mondsee, where the Mondsee Cathedral has become one of the most photographed churches in the world, thanks to the wedding scene in the Sound of Music. A boat trip to Weyregg is followed by a ride through the picturesque valley of Aurachtal and on to Lake Traunsee. The tour includes a trip to the picturesque village of Hallstatt, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a route along Lake Wolfgang and through St Gilgen. And with the headquarters of energy drink Red Bull, located in the next village of Fuschl, it might just be worth stopping to recharge.

St. Moritz to Innsbruck from Switzerland to Austria

Better known as an exclusive ski resort, St Moritz in the Engadine Valley, is the starting point for this cycling tour with the final destination Innsbruck, the capital of the Austrian Tirol. Leading through outstanding countryside, the wide plateau of Upper Engadine merges into the large forests of the Swiss National Park with stops along the way in old mountain villages. After passing the border into Austria, the classic Inn Cycle Route winds its way through the Tirol province, from Landeck down to Innsbruck. Tracing the River Inn, along flat riverside trails, cyclists can appreciate how the river has shaped the valley’s topography and the varied alpine landscape. With cultural and culinary detours along the way this tour is an adventure for all your senses.

Mozart Cycle Path in Austria/Germany

Renowned for its beautiful natural setting, this 7 day tour starts in Salzburg, a city influenced by Italian architecture with great baroque buildings and large open squares and where Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born along the now-famous shopping street of Getreidegasse. This tour takes you on one of his many European journeys into Germany to the shores of Lake Chiemsee, stopping en-route at the famous chapel in Oberndorf where the popular Christmas carol Silent Night was composed. From Chiemsee a visit to the monastery of Seeon, where Mozart created some of his compositions, is followed by an overnight stop in Wasserburg. The following day takes a leisurely route down to Kufstein, accompanied all the way by the River Inn. Once in the Austrian Tirol, cycle further to Waidring and Lofer, two villages where Mozart stopped on his journeys to the South, before making the final journey back to Salzburg passing back through Germany and the spa town of Berchtesgaden.

Lakes of Southern Bavaria in Southern Germany

Taking in the best of Bavaria, this tour starts and finishes in the city of Munich, before exploring the landscape of quiet valleys, passing along fresh water lakes and the stunning turquoise waters of the unspoilt River Isar. Enjoy the city sights, before crossing the Forstenrieder Park to Lake Starnberger and through ancient Bavarian villages to Murnau and on to Lake Staffelsee. The following day moves on to Garmisch Partenkirchen, where you can take the cable car up to Germany’s highest mountain, the Zugspitze (2,962m) with wonderful views of the Alps. From Garmisch take the train to Scharnitz, to the source of the River Isar and from where you can cycle down through the sunny valley with views to the Karwendel and Wetterstein mountain ranges. After reaching Wallgau, cycle further through lovely rural countryside to Bad Tölz, with a branch off to the shores of Lake Tegernsee before continuing along the Isar cycle path back to the city of Munich. And with seven major breweries in the city a refreshing beer is well-deserved.

Dolomites to Trieste in Italy

Three countries in one week may sound like a challenge but this 7 night tour carefully selects the best of Italy, Austria and Slovenia’s unique mountain scenery, untouched natural landscapes and crystal clear lakes at a leisurely pace. Starting in Toblach ride along the River Drau through Italy’s South Tyrol with the impressive Dolomites lining the route before entering Austria’s East Tyrol and the town of Lienz. The following day is dedicated to comfortable cycling through the flat, wide and sheltered Gail Valley. After Feistritz the cycling route heads back into Italy before travelling on to Slovenia, past the famous ski area of Kranjska Gora, and reaching the shores of romantic Lake Bled. Head along the Soča Valley, a popular river for canoeists and historically the stage of major military operations during World War I. The final stage takes you through the Friuli wine growing region, where you will be rewarded with regional culinary delights accompanied by local wines. The Karst accompanies you on the final day before reaching the former Habsburg port of Trieste.

For more information call Freedom Treks on 01273 224066 or visit www.freedomtreks.co.uk  

Europe’s most exciting islands with Coastline

Coastline Villas has featured properties in Mallorca, Ibiza and Corsica for many years. Annually they are asked repeatedly for their top tips on festivals around the islands. Everyone enjoys a good festival and party atmosphere, so where are the best of these for 2013 and where is best to stay? Here are the answers:

1.     Nit de Foc, Palma de Mallorca, 23^rd June 2013

This is one of the biggest parties in the lively Mallorcan town of Palma with parties on the streets featuring bonfires and fireworks. This is classic late night Mediterranean partying with the event only kicking off at 10pm with the concert featuring the Jamaican born reggae artist Etana starting at midnight. The late night frivolity of the Nit de Foc means Coastline’s superb range of nannies will be much appreciated. Usually available for half and full days they can also look after the kids in the evening.

With Majorca being small and Coastline villas coming with air conditioned cars included any of the villas are suitable. C’an Mir www.coastline.co.uk/villas/Ca’n-Mir is new for 2013 and is a large property able to cater for up to 14, perfect for several families to holiday together. The mature, walled garden is a wonderful place to relax whilst inside it is traditional luxury with thick stone walls to create a haven from the midday sun, although there is of course a pool to cool off. Prices start at £810 per person including flights from London Gatwick, air conditioned car, welcome hamper and daily bread and newspaper.

2.     Tour de France Publicity Caravan www.letour.com, 29^th June to 1^st July

Everyone already knows about the Tour de France heading to Corsica this year but there is an aspect of the Tour that fascinating even for those with no interest in Lycra and two wheels. It’s the ‘publicity caravan’ that follows the race to every corner of France. It involves a 45 minute, 160 vehicle parade preceding the race start with innovative and extravagant floats by sponsors and free giveaways. 39% of race goers cite the publicity caravan as the reason for their attendance!

The first day of the Tour starts in Porto Vecchio so Coastline is in the perfect location for visiting the Grand Depart. The Bella Marina www.coastline.co.uk/villas/Bella-Marina overlooks the town and start point from a location 3.5 kilometres away. Sleeping 8 in traditional surroundings with a mature garden and a swimming pool jutting out from the hill this feels special, the views definitely are. Starting at £813 per person for an important 7 nights in Corsica’s year including flights from London Gatwick, air conditioned car, welcome hamper and daily bread and newspaper.

3.     Bastille Day, 14^th July 2013

A French classic, and despite Corsicans not being particularly patriotic to the Tricolore, the islanders are always up for a party. So the fireworks are prepared and the French national day is celebrated. Any town on the island is going to provide a night to remember but Bonifacio makes for one of the most beautiful. The marina is as pleasant as any Mediterranean harbour town and restaurants around the marina make for the ideal place to marvel at the fireworks that illuminate the area on Bastille Day.

The Stella Candente www.coastline.co.uk/villas/Stella-Cadente sleeps 6 and is a traditional Corsican villa with a swimming pool and its own grounds. Near the village of Sainte Lucie the villa may be the most simple of Coastline’s properties on the islands but the views and the terraces make up for the lack of panache inside. With Bastille Day on a Sunday, like the changeover days for Coastline, a fortnight is in order. Prices for 14 nights over the period start at £1,529 per person including flights from London Gatwick, air conditioned car, welcome hamper and daily bread and newspaper.

4.     Ibiza Rocks www.ibizarocks.com, June to September

One for the younger clientele or those teenagers that still appreciate a family holiday but expect some amount of independence. Ibiza Rocks has been growing each year This year’s line-up is better than ever with The Vaccines, Bastille, Example, Tinie Tempah and Ellie Goulding all on the bill over the summer.

With the events taking place in San Antonio the Son Y Luna www.coastline.co.uk/villas/Son-Y-Luna villa is in an ideal location, a cliff top sanctuary. It is ideally removed from the party area making for relaxing evenings for the older members of families and groups. The villa sleeps 10 and features a terrace the length of the building with a swimming pool and an imposing position on a cliff edge. Prices for a slice of luxury in Ibiza start at £695 per person including flights from London Gatwick, air conditioned car, welcome hamper and daily bread and newspaper.

5.     Fiesta Season, May to October

On any given week in the summer it is likely that Mallorca will be alive with the sights, sounds and flavours of a fiesta. In recognition of saints or local heroes such as the fishermen the fiestas make everyone feel good. Parades, markets, fairs and             concerts run alongside each other as a town or as a whole island it’s transformed. Visit www.seemallorca.com for a full diary of fiestas this season.

Coastline has chefs available that can be hired on an evening after shopping in a market accompanying a fiesta. For £70 per couple the chef will transform you fresh buys into a gourmet experience. The Ca’n Gat www.coastline.co.uk/villas/Ca’n-Gat on the island is a fantastic option, sleeping up to 9. A contemporary and statement villa it comes equipped with a large swimming pool, extensive gardens and a covered BBQ area. Inside the design features continue with a chill out area accessed by a spiral staircase. Prices start at £1,069 per person on the week of the event, this includes flights from London Gatwick, air conditioned car, welcome hamper and daily bread and newspaper.

Snow-Camp Switches Boards

When most of the snow has disappeared from the Alps, what does Snow-Camp do for fundraising? The answer to that question this summer is kitesurfing!

This September “The Big Charity Downwinder” hits the South Coast of England with Lewis Crathern, legendary professional kitesurfer leading the way. On the day, participants will join together to break a world record of the ‘largest parade of kitesurfers ever’. This requires over 250 participants for the record attempt on the course around Hayling Island in Hampshire. With this amount of people required to make the event a success, the charity is looking for plenty of people to sign up over the coming weeks through a form at: www.snowcamp.wufoo.com/forms/m7x3z9/

After the mass record attempt over the relatively short distance of one mile, it is then time to head along the South Coast. From the beginning in Hayling Island a downwinder all the way to Lancing will be attempted. A distance of 40 miles means this is not for everyone but the aim is to get as many as possible along the coast to finish the day in style. Dan Charlish from the charity tested the route with Lewis Crathern, so it can be done!

Such a feat is weather permitting hence why the event is scheduled for September rather than a specific day. Preparations will be set in motion on a Thursday if the coming weekend looks like it will have the right conditions. A final decision will be made on the Friday in light of the conditions with kitesurfers set to flock to the South Coast soon after.

As well as Snow-Camp benefitting from the day’s events the RNLI will also benefit from the money raised. A number of kitesurfing industry specialists are supporting the event as well with a full list on the website.

Follow the preparations for the big day @bigdownwinder or ‘Like’ the event at www.facebook.com/TheBigCharityDownwinder For more information, a link to the sign up form or to donate visit www.snow-camp.org.uk/events/big-charity-kitesurfing-downwinder

Spend the heights of summer in Verbier

Verbier is a haven of activity into the summer with the traditional alpine features mixing with exhilarating activities. This year is set to be another great season in the Verbier St-Bernard region with mountain biking, Via Ferrata and cultural events at the centre of proceedings. Exciting building projects reaffirm Verbier St-Bernard as a region of the Alps keen to improve year on year.

Here are key dates for the diary over the coming months:

The Verbier St-Bernard Trail Race will take place. Now in its 5^th year this event sees competitors run over 110km in a loop that takes in the five valleys and seven communes that make up Verbier St-Bernard. The event can be run as a two man relay with the first half from Verbier to La Fouly undertaken by one competitor with the second running from La Fouly back to Verbier www.trailvsb.com 6^th – 7^th July 2013

This year sees the 20^th anniversary of the Verbier Festival, a 17 day celebration of the best in international classical music. Over 50 concerts take place with a range of musical tastes catered from including jazz, orchestra and world music. 19^th July – 4^th August 2013

This year sees the creation of an exciting initiative aimed at 15-17 year olds, the Verbier Festival Music Camp. Also lasting three weeks, this programme is led by the conductor Daniel Harding with 60 places to be filled by promising musicians of the next generation www.verbierfestival.com

The back end of the summer season sees an invigorating camp centre around the Verbier La Tzoumaz Bike Park. Dakine pro team experts will be on hand to transform youngsters into the next big thing in mountain biking. The camp that runs over two days is a must for aspiring mountain bikers with fast progression expected www.verbierbikepark.ch  12^th – 13^th October 2013

Mountain biking is set for a big summer generally in the region that includes Verbier itself, Val de Bagnes, Pays du St-Bernard and La Tzoumaz. To encourage more holidaymakers to get on their bikes there is a 20% off offer on accommodation and mountain bike hire. This is applicable on stays over 2 nights with further information available at www.verbier.ch/booking

To aid mountain bikers and other mountain lovers the lift times are to be extended this summer on the cable car between Verbier and Les Ruinettes. These extended times will allow for the lift to operate on weekends in June and then every day between 6^th July and 27^th October (the end date is dependent on weather). Detailed timings can be found at www.verbierbooking.com

Other developments

There’s more to do on foot this coming summer with a couple of exciting developments up the mountain. The first of these is the new Via Ferrata in the Val de Bagnes. The 800m course with a gradient of 150m is from Madzeiria to Mauvoisin, free with the correct experience and equipment. Those less familiar with the adrenaline pursuit of Via Ferrata can find a guide at www.guideverbier.com

The second addition to the Verbier slopes is a new suspension bridge for pedestrians at the foot of the Corbassiere Glacier in the Val de Bagnes. Spanning from Cabane Brunet to Cabane Panossiere the bridge will provide both a useful link and an opportunity for stunning views to be taken in of the glacier.

The final addition is the resurrection of a feature of the mountain. The Bisse des Ravines in Bruson was last used back in 1942. After work commissioned by the Commune de Bagnes, the Bisse, that seemingly precariously hugs the side of the mountain to make for an exciting walk, will be open to tourists.

For further information on Verbier St-Bernard and a summer of events visit www.verbier.ch

Put the Hammer down cycling in Les Gets this summer

Cycling has hit the big time with the British population, with bike sales leaping into the stratosphere and a new phenomenon of Lycra clad individuals hitting the roads each weekend. This summer sees a new collaboration between cycling experts Hammer Sports (Hammer Sport) and chalet specialists VIP SKI. This results in a combination of luxury accommodation with training to improve cycling experience and skills.

Les Gets and the surrounding area, including Morzine and Avoriaz is the haunt of many alpine thrill seekers in the summer. From mountain biking to paragliding to white water activities, the resort has it all. Cycling too is well represented with Sportives taking place as well as the perfect suitability of roads and altitude for training.  

There is a choice of three weeks available with different goals and results from each one. The grand tour of these weeks is from the 21^st to the 28^th June, the week of the La Morzine Vallee d’Aulps Sportive event. A keen field will be present for the event vying for glory but with a large proportion behind looking to beat personal bests or simply complete the course. Hammer Sports will ensure preparation is ideal with an easy preparation ride and technical assistance on offer. After the event and recovery day rides to Chatel, Flaine and Megevette allow cyclists to climb some of the roads featured on the Tour de France with expert guides on hand to lead groups.

However if a competitive ride is not your thing quite yet and development is at the forefront of your current ambitions then there are two other weeks available. The first of these from the 14^th to 21^st June precedes the Sportive week and could be ideal for those looking for training and expert help. As well as the Sportive there are also La Marmotte and l’Etape du Tour to train for. The other week on offer from the 28^th to 5^th July is. During these weeks guided rides to surrounding high altitude villages allow riders to improve their stamina and hill climbing technique.

VIP SKI’s Altitude Lodge in Les Gets provides a great level of accommodation and service. A popular ski chalet the Altitude Lodge features a hot tub and sauna, ideal for after a full on day riding the mountain roads.

Trips can be arranged on a 4 night or 7 night basis with half board accommodation at the Altitude Lodge and cycle guiding. Prices start at £310 per person based on two sharing for 4 nights and £490 for seven nights. Entrance into the Morzine Sportive is €37. For more information visit www.vip-chalets.com or call 0844 557 3119