Cycling for Softies, a travel company specialising in luxury cycling tours to destinations renowned for their fantastic food, has picked out the perfect trips for foodie cyclists. On the menu are self-guided tours in Italy, France and the Cotswolds in England.
Self-guided cycling: A Taste of Italy
Famed for its gastronomy, where better to head for an appetising adventure than Italy’s Emilia Romagna region. Combine history, art and culture with locally-produced food and drink, all leisurely explored from the seat of a bicycle. By day, explore gastronomic history in Bologna, the elegant centre of Modena and visit an “acetaia” to discover how the deliciously sweet, rich vinegar is made. During the evenings, savour gourmet evening meals that include some of the finest traditional fayre in the world with delightful local dishes made according to Italian traditions. Each gourmet cycling tour includes behind-the-scenes visits to parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar producers, as well as ancient castles and UNESCO world heritage sites.
Four night tour available from £1,025 per person including stays at delightful 3 and 4-star hotels, delicious restaurant meals on four nights, high quality aluminium frame touring bikes, tour roadbook including maps, cultural information and lunch suggestions, luggage transfers between hotels and GPS navigation. See cycling-for-softies.co.uk
Self-guided cycling: Côtes Du Rhône Vineyards
One for the oenophiles, Provence is one of Europe’s most iconic destinations thanks to its mix of spectacular scenery, rich history, vibrant cultural identity and exquisite food and drink, especially wine. Meander by bike through some of the most famous vineyards in France on this languid self-guided cycling tour that allows plenty of time to stop off and savour the local produce, including the wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Explore the elegant water features at Pernes-les-Fontaines, glide through the plain of Comtat and of course, enjoy many a wine sampling.
Three-night luxury self-guided tours start from £1,035 per person including delightful 4 & 5-star hotels, bed & breakfast accommodation with four evening meals, fully serviced bikes with panniers, water bottle and repair kit, detailed route information through the Ride With GPS app, expert on-the-spot support, luggage transferred between hotels. (Tour only price, train travel available on request). See cycling-for-softies.co.uk
Self-guided cycling: Highlights of Puglia E-Bike Tour
Explore the heel of Italy from the northern to the southern tip, fuelled by delicious food and taking in the Apulian countryside, stopping off at the famous Trulli houses. With a rich history (having been governed by the Greeks, Romans and Spaniards over the centuries) the unique architecture and flavoursome cuisine all tied together by beautiful coastal scenery is the perfect escape for those tired of exploring their local routes, and seeking enriching food and luxury while enjoying life from two wheels. Cycle along quiet roads surrounded by olive trees, stopping in Alberobello – a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to 1,000 Trulli houses.
Seven-night tour from £1,535 per person. Includes delightful hand-picked hotels, evening meals on three nights, high-quality electric bikes, GPS navigation, personalised bike fitting and briefing and luggage transfers between hotels. See cycling-for-softies.co.uk
Self-guided E-bike: Grand Tour of the Cotswolds
Explore the Cotswolds with the added boost of an e-bike. Traversing this picturesque region from north to south, the route blends the historical charm of the region with some of its finest contemporary touches and culinary delights. Starting in the north, at Moreton-in-Marsh, there is an early opportunity to visit Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, before the route traverses the picture-perfect countryside to the south. On the way, stop off at a host of towns and villages that typify vernacular Cotswold style like Bourton-on-the-Water, Upper & Lower Slaughter and Bibury, all offering excellent English cuisine guaranteed to satisfy hungry tummies after a day’s leisurely cycling. In particular, stop off in Stroud to enjoy a delightful array of independent restaurants, cafes and pubs serving up fresh, local produce. Roll into the Roman spa town of Bath on the final day to spend the last night in one of England’s finest cities.
From £1,115 per person for four nights including four-star accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, fully serviced e-bikes with panniers, water bottle and repair kit, detailed route information via Ride with GPS app, and on the spot support. See cycling-for-softies.co.uk
For more details see cycling-for-softies.com