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Bicycle
tours in Europe
Easy Rider Tours
has specialized in bicycle tours in Europe, the Canadian Maritimes,
and New England. Over the past fifteen years, our bicycle tour programs
in Europe have grown to be the most extensive of any American adventure
tour outfitter!
We're proud to offer four unique biking itineraries in the west
of Ireland, and seven different bicycle tours in Portugal and Spain.
Each of our bicycle tours in Europe is carefully designed to emphasize
the people, traditions, and landscapes which make a place unique.
Each day's itinerary includes spectacular scenery, a history lesson
or two, and plenty of opportunities to soak up the local color.
A flamenco performance in Spanish Andalucía or a spirited music
seisiun in an Irish pub are all part of an Easy Rider vacation.
Bicycle
tour routes
Our
bicycle tours in Europe are off-the-beaten-path routes that will
lead you along back roads and byways you might never have discovered
on your own. Each road we pedal has been carefully chosen for its
regional "flavor," scenic beauty, and low traffic. Cycling days
average 35-40 miles, and most days offer a choice of longer options
as well. With our detailed maps and written directions, cyclists
are completely free to pedal at their own pace. Short riding days
or layover days are planned for those destinations where you'll
want extra time off your bicycle to explore.
Tour
accommodations
Our inns are
chosen not only for their number of stars or mentions in guidebooks,
but also because they capture the authenticity, history, and character
of the places we visit. Often we stay in one-of-a-kind manor houses,
castles, and country inns that are just large enough to accommodate
our group.
Whether you find yourself enjoying legendary Irish hospitality in
a cozy bed and breakfast or surrounded by Spanish splendor at the
magnificent Parador in Santiago, your day will always end with a
gracious combination of Old World charm and modern comfort.
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Our tour groups
A friendly ambiance and lots of laughter are the status quo on our
tours. We limit our groups to a friendly size of sixteen. Our trips
attract young-at-heart cyclists of all ages, with a congenial mix
of singles, couples, and occasionally families.
Tour
guides
We consider
our international team of tour guides from European, Canada and the
USA to be Easy Rider Tours' biggest asset! Their expertise, enthusiasm,
flexibility, and humor ensure that each tour moves smoothly, both
on and off the road. On European tours, we team an American with an
Irish, Portuguese, or Spanish guide, whose insight into local culture
and customs adds an invaluable dimension to your vacation experience.
Our guides are multilingual, trained in first aid for both people
and bicycles, and average six years of experience as Easy Rider leaders.
Tour
support
A support van accompanies each of our bicycle tours in Europe to carry
luggage and offer mechanical assistance, water, and snacks. Van support
means you're never pressured to ride or walk any more than you want-we're
always available to give you a lift.
Terrain
Our bicycle tours
in Europe are designed for people who enjoy active vacations. We hesitate
to assign ratings to our trips because we've watched "beginners" charge
up hills, and triathletes enjoy slowing down to smell the roses! Our
support van makes it possible for an energetic beginner to enjoy virtually
any of our cycling or walking tours. As a very general guide, we've
included a note about terrain at the beginning of each trip description.
For more details about the terrain on any tour, please call us at
(800) 488-8332.
Cuisine
Experienced
travelers know that one of the most enjoyable ways to get to know
a country is through its food on all our bicycle tours in Europe!
We celebrate each day's adventures with the very best of regional
cuisine, from freshly-caught Irish salmon to an Azorean cozido cooked
in a volcanic steam vent. Our restaurant selection includes an eclectic
mix of well-known establishments as well as a few of our own serendipitous
discoveries. You'll also enjoy home-cooked feasts at several of our
inns, gourmet picnic lunches, and substantial breakfasts each morning.
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