Five things you didn’t know you could do on a cycling holiday, with Freedom Treks
Cycling holidays aren’t just about miles in the saddle. Freedom Treks reveals five tours on which travellers can experience something a little different: from pink flamingos and smoking volcanoes to the eerie castle of Count Dracula, plus, they can even swap their bike for a Viking boat. What’s more, book a Freedom Treks holiday in January 2017 and save £50 pp off 50 tours, including the ones below.
Sail a Viking replica boat on Denmark’s Largest Island
Following flat, well-marked cycle paths along the coast and through the countryside, pedal around Denmark’s main island of Zealand. Not only will travellers experience beautiful beaches, quaint fishing villages and impressive castles on this new tour, but they also have the opportunity to swap their bike for a Viking replica boat and row or sail across the fjord next to the city of Roskilde. Other highlights include sleeping in a different historic town each night: from Korsør – famous for its freshly smoked fish – to Næstved – home to Gavnø Castle and a magnificent rose garden – and Køge – a characterful medieval municipality. A visit to the incredible Trelleborg Viking fortress, which is more than 1,000 years old, offers an incredible insight into the historical roots of the region too.
Level: Easy to Moderate
The seven-night Denmark’s Largest Island tour costs from £728 pp (two sharing) and includes B&B accommodation, luggage transportation, maps and route information (one set per room). Return flights, transfers, bike and helmet hire extra. Save £50 pp if booked in January 2017.
Admire the flamingos in Provence & Camargue, France
Tour through Provence, a region rich in Roman heritage, towards Western Europe’s largest river delta, the Camargue. The region’s natural landscape is home to more than 400 species of birds, and its shimmering salt flats provide one of the few European habitats for the greater flamingo. Admire these elegant animals, alongside the roaming herds of white horses, powerful black bulls and extensive flora on the trip, before continuing towards the medieval fortress of Aigues Mortes. Don’t leave the region without marvelling at Pont du Gard – the best preserved Roman aqueduct in Europe – cycling through the vineyards towards Châteauneuf-du-Pape and riding alongside the banks of the Rhone.
Level: Easy to Moderate
The seven-night Provence & Camargue tour costs from £655 pp (two sharing). The price includes B&B accommodation in two, three and four-star hotels, luggage transportation, maps and route information, welcome meeting, entrance to Pont du Gard and hotel taxes. Return flights, transfers, bike and helmet hire extra. Save £50 pp if booked in January 2017.
See a smoking volcano on Sicily’s Islands – Boat, Bike & Hike
Beginning and ending in Sicily, boat, bike and hike around the beautiful Aeolian Islands with their crystalline waters and dramatic geology, plus a smoking volcano on Stromboli. One of three active volcanoes in Italy, it has minor eruptions and is often visible from many points on the island and from the surrounding sea, hence its nickname “Lighthouse of the Mediterranean”. Cruise towards Panarea, the smallest and most exclusive island in the Aeolian, before hiking up to the Sciara del Fuoco viewpoint to admire Stromboli’s firework-like lava explosions. Other experiences include the healing power of the volcanic mud baths and exploring the alluring island villages and pretty ports. Finish the tour with a stunning coast-to-coast bike ride on Lipari island, which has white-sand beaches and a thriving historical town. Because this tour incorporates many hikes alongside the cycling, it’s ideal for those new to the saddle, or travelling with a partner who prefers multi-sport holidays.
Level: Easy to Moderate
The seven-night Sicily’s Islands – Boat, Bike & Hike trip costs from £1,163 pp (two sharing). The price includes full-board accommodation on a Turkish Caique, bike hire, English-speaking guide on board and on bike, and airport transfer. Return flights and bike hire extra. Save £50 pp if booked in January 2017.
Venture to Count Dracula’s castle in Transylvania
Pack some garlic cloves and follow Count Dracula to the ancient towns and magnificent manors of Transylvania, known as the last truly medieval landscape in Europe. Summon up the courage to visit Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle, and take in the views of the spectacular Bucegi Mountains. But Transylvania is not all about vampires; its outstanding scenery is home to wolves, lynx and Europe’s largest population of brown bears. Explore the dramatic landscape by bike, passing Saxon villages, fortified churches and horse-drawn carts loaded with hay. Stop in the old region of Biertan to see one of Transylvania’s most impressive castles, look at the Gothic sculptures at Hosman Castle, and when there, keep an eye out for the custodian climbing the clock tower.
Level: Moderate
The seven night Castles of Transylvania tour costs from £514 pp (two sharing). The price includes B&B accommodation in three and four-star hotels and guesthouses, luggage transportation, maps and route information, and transfers on day two and day four as part of the itinerary. Return flights, other transfers, bike and helmet hire extra. Save £50 pp if booked in January 2017.
Join in with a cookery class in Umbria, Italy
Head to Umbria, the green heart of Italy, for a tour that will delight cycle lovers and foodies alike. Beginning in the medieval town of Spello, pedal past rolling pastures, beautiful historic towns and sweeping vine-groomed slopes, stopping off for cookery classes with local chefs to learn how to make the region’s favourite dishes, before sampling them yourself. Learn the secrets behind whipping up antipasti, risotto and fresh pasta in Spoleto, and try many of Umbria’s delectable wines in Torgiano – a characterful historic commune. Complete the tour in the pilgrimage town of Assisi (best known for being the birth place of St Francis, Italy’s patron saint). Relax in the spectacular mountain setting admiring the pink marble buildings and the famous Basilica of St Francis. The rides are shorter to allow the cyclists plenty of time to enjoy the breath-taking scenery, interactive cooking classes and delicious food.
Level: Easy to Moderate
The seven-night Umbria – Gastronomic Tour costs from £925 pp (two sharing). The price includes B&B accommodation in three-star and four-star hotels, one tasting menu including wine, one cookery lesson, wine tasting, three dinners, one lunch, route notes and maps, welcome briefing, luggage transportation and cycle helmet. Flights, transfers and bike hire extra. Save £50 pp if booked in January 2017.
