Category Archives: Trip Planning

Each year, we take thousands of guests on our trips to show them the world by bike! This year, we want to share our five most popular trips in 2022. These bike tours have received the most bookings and rave reviews from our guests, and we highly recommend them to anyone looking to embark on a cycling vacation of a lifetime in the coming year.

5. Glacier National Park

This tour takes riders on a journey through Glacier National Park, a boat ride on the shores of Grinnell Lake and hiking through stunning alpine landscapes. The terrain and breathtaking views make this tour a must-do for any cyclist or nature lover. One of the highlights of our Glacier National Park bike tour is the opportunity to ride the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road, a Trek Travel Great Ride. This 40-mile stretch of road winds its way through the heart of the park, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains, glaciers, and lakes.

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4. Portugal

Experience the best of what Portugal has to offer on our bike tour of the Alentejo Wine Region. This trip features unique excursions such as visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Evora and Elvas and taking Jeep tour of a Cork Forest. One of the most memorable experiences of this trip is a private visit to a former 18th century quinta, where guests can participate in a cooking class and wine tasting. You’ll learn about Portuguese cuisine and wine in a beautiful and intimate setting. So, if you’re looking to explore the beauty and culture of a region on and off of the bike, this tour is a must-do!

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3. California Wine Country

Are you a wine lover looking for the ultimate cycling adventure? Look no further than our California Wine Country Bike Tour! Spend a week immersing yourself in the beauty and culture of Sonoma, all while enjoying luxurious accommodations and unparalleled adventures. You’ll understand why this is our third most popular trip as you pedal on roads surrounded by sun-drenched vineyards and pass through the famous Armstrong Redwoods. Visit local wineries, taste their favorite varietals, and indulge in the culinary culture of this foodie paradise. If you’re ready to indulge in the finer side of life in California Wine Country, don’t miss out on this amazing tour in 2023.

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2. Croatia

It’s no surprise that Croatia and the Dalmatian Coast is one of the most popular trips of the year. This luxury destination is beloved by Europeans and travelers from all over the world. The clear blue waters of the Adriatic Sea provide an ever-present and inspiring view, and our world-class, luxury accommodations and special excursions add to the indulgence. From a private chartered boat and private feasts, to a special walking tour to the unspoiled coastlines of Korcula, every moment of this tour will be a surprise. Add this once-in-a-lifetime cycling vacation to your travel plans!

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1. Tuscany

Tuscany is our most popular region of 2022, and for good reason — it is the ultimate Italian cycling experience. The quiet, rolling roads of the Tuscan countryside offer gorgeous terrain that’s a joy to pedal for cycling experts and novices alike. You’ll have the opportunity to sample a Chianti Classico in Radda and even perfect your cucina Italiana at a private pizza-making class. Along the way, you’ll discover the breathtaking scenery of the Val d’Orcia and the walled town of Montalcino, the birthplace of the revered Montalcino red wines. From riding along quiet roads lined with cypress trees in the beautiful Tuscan landscape to experiencing the rich history and culture of Italy, this tour has it all. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to experience the best of Tuscany in the new year!

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Traveling for your first cycling vacation can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Read on for some of our most common guest questions answered from, “What do I pack?” to our top tips for traveling abroad.

Are you itching to plan an amazing trip this year but having a hard time narrowing down to just one place to go? As travel restrictions continue lifting around the globe and people are getting back to travel, we asked our expert trip designers where they recommend treating yourself to your first trip back. Here are their top 5 picks.

Croatia

Views of the sparkling blue Adriatic are never far away as your ride along the Dalmatian Coast, explore islands and historic towns, and dine on local specialties. This trip is ideal for anyone looking to savor sunshine, beautiful water, luxurious accommodations, and fresh, sea air as you ride.

See our Croatia Trip

The Dolomites

While there are countless incredible destinations in Italy, the Dolomites are a true hidden gem, tucked in the northeast corner of the country. Here, you’ll be enchanted by a warm, inviting culture and awestruck by the jagged mountain peaks and lush alpine valleys. Ideal for riders who love to climb, this beautiful region of Italy is known by Giro d’Italia fans for climbs including Passo Sella, Stelvio, Mortirolo, and Gavia.

“If I could pick just one Trek Travel trip to experience this summer, I would most want to go to the Dolomites for either our Classic Climbs of the Dolomites or Discover Dolomites trip. The quiet of the mountains, the jaw dropping views, the perfect temperature, and the epic riding seem to be the ideal cure after a challenging year. Plus, I can’t think of a better way to start experiencing the world again than being in some of its most beautiful natural landscapes.
-Ioanna, Trip Designer

See Classic Climbs of the Dolomites

See Discover Dolomites

Vermont

There’s no denying that Vermont is spectacularly beautiful in the fall, but if you are looking for a stunning summer destination in North America, this is your spot. From the banks of Lake Champlain to the verdant forests of the Green Mountains, this New England getaway offers riding for all abilities, water sports like kayaking or paddle boarding, and a delicious farm-to-table food scene.

See Vermont Trips

Asheville

You don’t need to travel far to have it all. Settle in to this foodie town and enjoy their impressive craft beer scene after days spent riding the Blue Ridge Parkway and the Southern Appalachians. We love this trip because you get to experience the downtown vibe of Asheville and can still reconnect with nature during your rides.

See Asheville Trips

Provence

This quintessential region in France will transport you to another time, when the rhythm of life was relaxed and sweet. Soak in sweeping views of vineyards and poppy fields as you pedal our favorite local routes including the Gorges de la Nesque. Cap off beautiful rides with wine tastings to experience regional Rhône valley wines.

See Provence Trips

With our A La Carte experiences, you can book your own lodging and still have our team provide routes, bikes, guides, and more. If you are looking to arrange a private vacation rental to share with your travel companions, we’ve got a list of recommendations in some of our favorite destinations. Once you’ve settled on a place, our team can put together routes directly from your doorstep.

Learn about A La Carte

Vermont Vacation Rentals

Courtesy of AirBnB

Stowe Village

Sleeps: 2-4 Guests
This bright and modern space is cozy yet spacious enough for close friends or family to share. It is ideally located right in the village and in the heart of everything Stowe has to offer.

Courtesy of AirBnB

Stowe

Sleeps: 4-6 Guests
Just outside of Stowe Village and within walking distance to lots of shops and restaurants, this clean, modern, and spacious unit is ideal for a small group to enjoy together. Guests love the upstairs patio space with grill to cook after a day in the saddle.

Courtesy of AirBnB

Lake Champlain

Sleeps: 1-2 Guests
This cozy lakeside apartment is situated above the garage of French country home with lovely views of Lake Champlain. It includes access to a private beach that is shared with the main residence. Just a 12-minute drive from your stay, you’ll find quaint, downtown Vergennes.

Courtesy of AirBnB

Burlington

Sleeps: 2-4 Guests
This quaint little home is situated perfectly in the city, close to all Burlington amenities. It is fully furnished and offers a charming yard space to enjoy in the evenings after your days out riding.

Found your perfect vacation home? Now our team can help you with gear, guides, routes, and more to create your own cycling vacation!

People across the globe are itching to get out and explore the world. But what will travel look like in 2021? Our founder and president, Tania Burke, shares what she’s expecting to see in the travel industry this year and talks about how our team is preparing to show you the world by bike in 2021.

As I reflect on 2020, I want to thank our entire Trek Travel family of guests, guides, and team for their amazing support during challenging times. We were able to provide experiences of a lifetime to many of our guests. I want to thank you for traveling with us as we adapted and ran different but exceptional, safe trips. Looking forward to 2021, there are many reasons to be hopeful and plenty to get excited about. I thought I would share a few of my thoughts on what travel might look like in 2021.

What to expect in 2021

With the vaccine rollout, I am hopeful that more people will have the opportunity to travel again soon. As things improve, we will see a travel boom because of pent up demand. While I don’t know exactly when that is going to happen, I do know Trek Travel will be ready to welcome you when the time is right. We have been carefully following the news and studying industry trends to get a sense of what travel is going to look like in 2021. Here’s what I am anticipating:

Domestic travel will continue to be hugely popular. North American bookings are the best we have ever seen them as many travelers in 2021 feel most comfortable with a trip closer to home. That may mean driving distance for some or a short domestic flight for others. We saw this trend pick up in 2020, and it is continuing through 2021. As a result, we have added new dates and destinations to our North American trips, and have a few more in the works!

International travel is on the horizon. I am optimistic for travel in Europe starting late spring or early summer, depending on vaccinations and the regulations and requirements from each destination. Our guests are really excited to join us on our European trips, so we anticipate they will sell-out quickly, especially in late August through early October. I recommend that guests booking international trips stay flexible to changing their dates or destination if needed. Our cancellation policy offers the ultimate flexibility, so we can take care of our guests no matter how plans change.

Active travel and bike tours will be one of the most popular ways to travel. You may have heard that there is a “bike boom” happening. One of the unexpected results of the pandemic has been more people rediscovering the joy of outdoor adventures, including biking. I believe we’ll see an influx of new guests who are interested in a cycling vacation for the first time. I am excited to show people new to biking how much fun it is to see the world by bike. To accommodate the wide range of rider levels of these new guests, we have trips designed for every type of rider and offer e-bikes on almost all trips for those who want an extra boost. Wide open spaces, fresh air, and destinations off the beaten path will make active travel a hugely popular choice for 2021.

Travel in small groups or on private trips will surge. We saw an uptick in interest for our Private, Semi-Private, and Custom trips starting in 2020, and as more people start to travel in 2021, we have seen growth in small groups interested in private and semi-private trips. Other guests, who still want to enjoy the commraderie of our group trips, have appreciated that we limit the number of guests on our trips to 20 or fewer, and take an average group of 10 people on a typical trip. In 2021, we’re also seeing an interest in private accommodations and trips that stay at just one hotel. Guests have been particularly excited about our glamping trips, which feature private safari-style tents.

Preparing to Travel in 2021

When borders open again and travelers can move safely around the globe, we expect a travel boom. The pandemic has really shown us all the value of human connection and social interaction, so we know people are eager to get back out and connect with one another. We also expect the bike boom will turn into bike travel boom, too.

How Trek Travel is Preparing to Show You the World by Bike
Our team has been working diligently over the last year to monitor the latest recommendations on travel safety, so that we can run trips responsibly.

1. We have enhanced hygiene standards on all of our trips, which includes deep cleaning all equipment every day. Read more about our safety protocols»
2. We know that in uncertain times, plan A might not always work out, so we want to make it easy to switch dates or destinations if needed. Our cancellation policy has been upgraded to be more flexible than ever. Learn more»
3. We have always valued small group travel. Trek Travel trips average 10 guests per trip, with a max of 20. Small group travel allows ultimate flexibility for comfortable distance at meals, route and safety talks, and transports.

 
Tips for Travel in 2021

1. Book before the travel boom – To make sure you have the widest availability for dates and destinations, I’d encourage you to book your trip early. You’re also likely to enjoy better deals the earlier you book!
2. Get excited – Travel, maybe now more than ever, offers the chance to reset, refresh, and rejuvenate. I think we could all use a little of that after the past year. So get excited about your trip! When you join us on a Trek Travel trip in 2021, you will enjoy amazing rides, great guides, and unforgettable meals that will leave you with lifelong memories.
3. Travel smart – Before hopping in the car or heading to the airport, I’d suggest making sure you’re up to date on the latest recommended safety measures, so you can travel with peace of mind. Checking out the CDC’s COVID-19 travel information is a great place to start. If you have any questions, please give us a call, too!
4. Stay flexible – Remember that as the world continues changing, your travel plans might need to change too. I suggest carefully reading cancellation policies when booking any travel (flights, hotels, tours, etc.) in 2021, so that you are familiar with when you have to make a decision to change plans if necessary. It also doesn’t hurt to have a backup plan in place from the start. Maybe you plan a European trip but know exactly where you’re headed in the US if the European borders aren’t open by the time you’re looking to travel.

Thanks for reading! I hope to see you out there this year! And if you’re not ready to travel yet with us in 2021, contact our trip consultants to join our exclusive, early-access list for 2022 dates by emailing sales@trektravel.com.


Best,
Tania Burke

With more ways to travel with us than ever before, we’re here to help you decide which style is the best for you! Whether you want a classic guided experience or something totally custom, there’s a little something for everyone.

Guided trips are a great choice for you if…

• You like traveling with a group and meeting new people
• You feel most comfortable riding with the support of professional guides and a van
• You want to arrive at your trip and have all the details organized for you

Self-Guided trips are a great choice for you if…

• You love independence and private time during your vacations
• You’re the master of your schedule and prefer to have the flexibility to change plans as you go
• You feel comfortable changing a flat tire and you’re comfortable with self-navigating

Private, Custom, and À la Carte are great choices for you if…

• You want to travel exclusively with your own friends and family
• You have a specific destination in mind that isn’t part of our current offerings
• You want to incorporate additional elements into your trip, such as private boat rides, fishing excursions, or guided hiking experiences
• You want us to help with specific planning details, such as providing bikes and routes

Pro Race trips are a great choice for you if…

• You’re a cycling fan and love watching the pros battle it out in the big races
• You’re an avid cyclist who wants to experience what it’s like to ride like the pros
• You’re looking for a VIP experience, with behind the scenes access and premier viewing locations

Ride Camps are a great choice for you if…

• You love big days in the saddle
• You get more excited to ride than to go sight see
• You want to meet other avid riders from around the country

From exceptional gear and guides to added inclusions, we work hard to fill your trip with wowing moments from start to finish. We know that one piece of enjoying your trip a little extra is getting the best price available. That’s why we offer a range of travel styles to match different price points and why we include more ways to save.

1. Let us score you savings

Save on hotels…

There are a lot of great cost perks to traveling with an established tour operator like Trek Travel, rather than booking on your own. On all of our trips, we rely on years of relationship building with top-tier hotels to carefully negotiate and secure group rates for our rooms. We can leverage significant savings compared to booking on your own. Because of our continued partnership with many hotels, we also receive upgrades and personalized service that exceeds what a typical customer might expect.

Save on meals…

Just like scoring you extra perks on lodging, our restaurant partners go the extra mile to make sure your experience is memorable, without adding to the bill. We receive discounts from our dining partners to ensure that you can enjoy some of the best-rated restaurants in your destination at an unbeatable price. We also book space well in advance for preferred seating and reservation times.

Save on rentals…

When it comes to bike rentals, depending on the model, you can expect to pay around $150 per day for a carbon road bike that is comparable to the models we include on all of our trips. Rental cost is considered without any of the extras we always include, such as a Garmin with pre-loaded, curated routes, a WaveCel helmet, Flare R lights, and a personalized bike fit. Not to mention, on our classic guided trips, you’ll have a guide, who is also a trained mechanic, ready to help with any technical issues that may arise, whether you just need more air in your tires or you need to a flat changed on the side of a road. You will also enjoy van support should you need a break from riding and can count on private transfers between hotels.

Our trip designers research a region extensively as part of the planning process to ensure that we handpick the best cultural elements and activities to show you the unique flair of the region. We get local recommendations and insider info to help us determine routes, activities, meals, and more. Not only do our designers save you money, they save you significant time in planning the painstaking details of a trip.

2. Discover new 4-Day versions of your 6-Day classics

You can now opt for a 4-day version of some of our most popular 6-day guided trips. From the mountains in Asheville to the vineyards of California, join us in a range of cycling destinations across North America to take a short, price-conscious getaway. Our 4-day getaways include exceptional accommodations, guide support, some meals, Trek bikes, and everything else you’ve come to expect from our classic trips, but on average, you can save over $500 per person when you choose a 4-day trip instead of the similar 6-day option.

3. Make sure to explore our collection of value trips

Sometimes, our trip designers are able to lock in a particularly great rates for hotels, meals, and activities on a trip. That means you will experience the trip of a lifetime at the best price possible. These trips are added into our special collection of value trips. This collection also includes a variety of trip styles that always start at a lower price point, such as self-guided and ride camps.

4. Go with friends and family

If you want to travel with your friends or family, you can all enjoy savings together. For trips in 2020 or before June 1, 2021, you can make any trip private for no extra cost with six or more of your loved ones.

5. Design your own A la Carte Trip

If you have a set budget, we can build you a vacation package to work at your price. Whether you just need bikes and routes, or you want a guide and van support, we can put together exactly what elements will make up your dream trip.

We’ve made some of our most popular adventures even better with some extra-special additions, moments and features. Whether it’s wine, luxury or lavish itineraries, you’ll find more of what you love, and more magic in every moment.

Andalucia

If you’ve dreamed of Spain, you’ve dreamed of Andalucia. This is quintessential Spain. Andalucia is limestone peaks, white villages, spectacular views. It is exquisite tapas, rich olive oils, classic wines, warm hospitality and passionate music. This Andalucia is the birthplace of Spanish romance, where flamenco and a vibrant history combine to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Picasso called this place his home. You’ll call it amazing. Ernest Hemingway was enchanted with this region of Spain. You, too, will fall under its spell.

Blackberry Mountain

Framed by vast, panoramic vistas, Relais & Chateaux designated Blackberry Mountain is an immersive experience that seamlessly blends outdoor activity, wellness and thoughtful indulgence. Blackberry Mountain continues the Blackberry Farm legacy of world-renowned hospitality and unwavering appreciation for the land. With 2,800 acres of land in conservation, the Mountain preserves natural wonder and offers breathtaking views—each morning. From relaxing spa treatments to outdoor adventures, activities are vast on the Mountain and include hiking, yoga and meditation, mountain biking, craft classes and more. With 4- and 6-day options, Blackberry Mountain has something for every guest.

Cinque Terre

There is no place on Earth like the five villages of Cinque Terre. And no way to see them like this. Join us for this adventure and see for yourself. We’ll pedal a selection of rides from the dramatic mountains that dominate the Tuscan coast to the winding streets of the Italian Riviera to discover the stunning beauty of the Cinque Terre. This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to thousand-year-old villages perched on top of sheer rocky outcroppings, connected only by walking trails and a narrow-gauge 19th-century railway. Food is the showpiece of this special destination, and we’ll introduce you to some of the best and most exotic, including handmade focaccia, fresh anchovies, and the locally-sourced pesto. All at once, Cinque Terre is sure to seduce, charm and beguile you with its best.

Texas Ride Camp

Is it too bold to say that the Texas countryside was actually made for cycling? Well, then let’s be bold, because we think the meandering roads, gentle ascents and bike-friendly rural highways of this super-sized state are begging for two wheels. For decades, Fredericksburg and the surrounding hills have been a revered training ground by anyone that has put rubber to the road. The seemingly endless asphalt around Gillespie County is perfect for Texas-sized mileage, where even short rides can easily go long as way leads on to way. Here you will ride the many roads that pros use for offseason winter miles and good, old-fashioned Southern hospitality. Texas Ride Camp has 4- and 6-day options to suit any rider’s training needs.