Travelling with a seasoned expert and someone who knows the region intimately is one of the easiest ways to take all the stress out of your cycling holiday. It can be daunting for some to navigate the paths and countryside lanes of an unfamiliar country, making a guided cycling tour one of the best in Europe for this. Our expert guides will take care of all the navigation, and with over 35 years of experience, they’ll be sure to take you to all the hidden gems of the region. The best guided cycling tours in Europe are the ones where you discover those wonderful places no other travellers know how to find.
Solo travellers also benefit from our guided cycling tours, as you’ll be touring with a group of like-minded cyclists. Exploring a new region without the worry of getting lost when you’re by yourself is what makes these tours a great choice when travelling alone. On the best guided cycling tours in Europe, you’ll get the chance to explore the gorgeous wine regions of France and Italy, in stunning locations such as Provence, Tuscany, and the Loire Valley. Read on to find out which are the best guided cycling tours in Europe.
The Provençal Experience
This classic Softies destination is shone in a new light on The Provençal Experience guided cycling tour. One of our first cycling locations, our expert guides have extensive knowledge of the Provence region. This also means they know where the best food and wine is found. On this cycling tour, you’ll be taken through the gorgeous Luberon Valley, as you explore stunning hilltop villages. The Provençal lifestyle is famously slow-paced, and with a local expert guiding you around, you’ll feel just as worry-free as the locals.
Your first point of call is St-Remy-de-Provence where your cycle adventure begins on one of the best guided cycling tours in Europe. You’ll be guided out to the charming villages and towns that crown the valley. These include the mesmerising Fontvieille and Mausanne-les-Alpilles. However, the showstopper of the tour is the iconic Les-Baux-de-Provence. You’ve probably seen this famous hilltop town on postcards for the region as it’s truly spectacular to see. Other sights you’ll be guided to include the sparkling Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, where a glistening river spouts up from a freshwater spring and divides the town in half.
One of the reasons why guided cycling tours in Europe are the best is that your guide has a wealth of knowledge about the area and knows where all the best places to visit are. For example, the Fontaine-de-Vaucluse is not particularly well-known to travellers. That authentic feeling of discovery is truly felt when you visit a hidden gem like this, known only to the locals.
The Tuscan Experience
What makes The Tuscan Experience one of the best guided cycling tours in Europe? With your local expert leading you around the region, all you have to think about is what glass of wine you’ll have for dinner. Tuscany is famed for its wealth of beauty and its richness of food, not to mention the fabulous vintages you’ll taste here. If you’re worried about the famed hilliness of the region, then be heartened to know this is also an e-bike tour; a big reason why it’s one of the best guided cycling tours in Europe.
The local expert will guide you through the Chianti wine territory, with tastings and vineyard tours aplenty. You’ll also be taken to the fabulous Abbey of Sant’antimo to soak up some History. The past is laced through everything in the region, making it hard to take a step without finding an ancient monument or renaissance tale. Your guide will also take you to the best cafes in Tuscany, indulging in coffee the traditional Italian way in mid-morning stops.
On the tour, you’ll cycle to stunning towns such as San Quirico, Val d’Orcia, and much more. Each Tuscan town has its own charm and its own story. The ancient spa town of Bagno Vignoni, for example, was a well-known resting point on the Via Francigena; the medieval pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome. This makes The Tuscan Experience one of the best guided cycling tours in Europe for history lovers.
The Loire Valley Experience
Another Softies classic location, the Loire Valley is a fairy-tale. If you’re looking for wonderous chateaux and beautiful sights, then The Loire Valley Experience is one of the best guided cycling tours in Europe for you. The Châteaux of the Loire are varied and luxurious, with each hosting a tale of royals and tragedy. Your cycling guide will show you all the wonderous castles that have bloomed in this valley over the centuries.
Your local expert will also know which tourist traps to avoid in this famous and popular region. The cultural history of the Loire is long and rich, and your guide knows where’s best to learn all about it. On this cycle tour, you’ll be guided to such wonders as the Château de Villandry and the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau. Two of the most famous in the region, you’ll no doubt have seen their gardens and architecture replicated across the continent.
The region has a long and ancient history that you’ll be told all about on the tour. For a long time, the Loire was owned by the kings of England as part of the Angevin Empire of Henry II, Richard I, and John. As such, it truly was the playground of royalty as castles sprouted up through the centuries. This all makes The Loire Valley Experience one of the best guided cycling tours in Europe.
The Umbrian Experience
If you’re looking for a gourmet adventure, then The Umbrian Experience is one of the best guided cycling tours in Europe for that. Umbria boasts a beautiful countryside of rolling hills and gentle lanes scattered with the history of the Roman empire. The benefit of having an expert guide is the extensive local knowledge they bring, meaning you’ll return from your cycling adventure full of delicious food as well as knowledge.
On this tour, you’ll be guided through the Upper Tiber Valley as you gaze upon ancient castles and traditional Umbrian towns. Points of call include the medieval Montone, pretty Gubbio, as well as the second-largest theatre of the Roman Empire. There’s so much to see and your guide will make sure you experience the very best of the region.
One reason why it’s one of the best guided cycling tours in Europe is the food you’ll get to taste. Italian cuisine is famous for a reason, and Umbria has some delectable dishes. Truffles are a staple flavour in the region, giving the food a rich and luxurious taste that you just can’t beat. Your expert guide will know all the best restaurants and cafes only known to the locals, making your cycling adventure an unforgettable culinary experience.
For more recommendations on the best guided cycling tours in Europe, give us a call on 020 7471 7760.