The 10 best Cycling holidays
1SOAK UP THE SCENERY I N THE LAND OF LAVENDER
Head to Provence for some of Europe’s best cycling routes and the daunting climbs of Mont Ventoux. When you are out of the saddle, enjoy olive groves, cherry orchards and the vineyards of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Seven days costs from £1,379, exodus.co.uk
2 LUSH VALLEYS AND THE WONDERS OF WALES
Little can beat the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia for rugged and testing terrain. Ride along coastlines and through lush river valleys, passing old woollen mills and slate mines. Eight days from £1,865, the-carter-company.com
3A BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
Follow the cycle paths that hug the River Elbe and cross the border between the Czech Republic and Germany. From Prague to Dresden, you will meander past Bohemian vineyards and Renaissance palaces. Eight days from £1,325, chaptersholidays.co.uk
4BRAVE THE MOUNTAINS OF BAVARIA
Let bratwurst and beer be your fuel on this tour of south-east Germany, against the stunning backdrop of the Jura mountains. The tour starts and finishes in medieval Regensburg. Eight nights from £1,169, headwater.com
5A SPARKLING TIME I N CAVA COUNTRY
Enjoy great scenery and ancient lanes on a tour through Alt Penedes in Catalonia, with plenty of stops at wineries that produce cava. Six nights from £795, inntravel.co.uk
6SEE THE BEST OF THE BALKANS
Starting and ending in Dubrovnik, this Balkan Trilogy tour takes in lush countryside, the Dinaric Alps and the Dalmatian coast including a trip to the island of Korcula. The route crosses into Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro, with a ride around Lovcen National Park and the Bay of Kotor. Eight days from £995 (excluding flights), keadventure.com
7ON THE TRAIL OF THE KING OF THE MOUNTAINS
Fancy tackling some Tour de France climbs in the Pyrenees? Mountain passes here are generally not as high as those in the Alps, but if anything they are even more memorable. Take on legendary climbs such as the Col de
Peyresourde and Col du Tourmalet. Six days from £990, marmot-tours.co.uk
8GEMS ON THE EMERALD I SLE
Cycle along the rugged Atlantic coast on this tour of County Clare, including the extraordinary limestone landscape of the Burren and the famous Cliffs of Moher. Eight days from £618, irishcycletours.com
9PUT TUSCANY TO THE TEST
Follow an old pilgrims’ route through the Tuscan hills from San Gimignano to St Peter’s Square in Rome. Encounter rolling countryside studded with tall cypress trees and delightful hill towns. Nine days from £1,440, skedaddle.co.uk
10LOCHS, CASTLES AND WHISKY GALORE
A five or seven-night tour heads through the fabulous scenery of Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Saviour mountains, whisky distilleries and the castles of Doune, Menzies and Blair. From £399, hookedoncycling.co.uk