Moderate Self-Guided (w/GPS) Road Tour ideas for a couple?

Kurvenal
Kurvenal Posts: 29
edited March 2010 in Tour & expedition
My girlfriend and I are looking for a self-guided road touring holiday in Europe. Although she is fit she is fairly new to cycling, so we are not looking for anything too strenuous, say between 25 - 40 miles per day, although I am interested in trips that will help her gradually build up her endurance. The first holiday we want to book would be between 7 - 17 May 2010 in Europe, but am also looking for suggestions beyond that and farther afield. Here are some other criteria:

1) Accommodation in attractive hotels or B&B's with good food available either in the hotel or nearby.
2) Luggage transported by tour organizer between stops.
3) 100% on paved roads since we will both be riding road bikes only
4) GPS tracks already available since I want to avoid having to program the routes myself.
5) Ideally with at least some days with varying itinerary options so can choose to do longer or shorter distance depending on how we feel.

Any suggestions?

Comments

  • GeorgeShaw
    GeorgeShaw Posts: 764
    Sardinia. http://www.dolcevitabiketours.com/

    We did the SW route - self-guided but we latched on to a few others on a guided tour following a similar route for a couple of days. There's a couple of km of off-road on this route, but nothing difficult. Also a couple of bigger hills, but they'll provide transport from bottom to top if required. :D

    Beautiful countryside and seaside. Good hotels. Excellent food. Luggage transported. Outside of July/August the hotels are very empty. Roads almost deserted. You get a booklet describing the route - it's pretty easy to follow.

    Their tours are available through a lot of UK companies, but they're cheaper if you go direct. Very nice people too.
  • andymiller
    andymiller Posts: 2,856
    I can definitely recommend Skedaddle. But there are a number of others, Exodus, Explore, InnTravel, plus lots of smaller companies specialising in specific areas (eg Breton Bikes - IIRC). As well as Sardinia, I'd recommend Corsica (but for later trips - it's pretty hilly).

    Maybe the Loire Valley or Burgundy, or the Canal du Midi? Don't dismiss the possibility of riding in this country. Brittany is good too.
    Italy Cycling Guide
  • GeorgeShaw
    GeorgeShaw Posts: 764
    Brittany is great. We left the car in Weymouth and took the ferry to St Malo. Then organised a circular route between Logis de France, staying 2 nights in each, so doing a loop ride every other day - which gives you the possibility of a shorter or longer ride that day.
  • jc4lab
    jc4lab Posts: 554
    http://www.2wheeltreks.co.uk/cycling_germany.htm
    Thinking of doing either the Romantic Road or the Danuble Cycleway this year.Not sure if I am going to use this company but bike hire +having your accomadationn pre booked and baggage carried looks tempting cos their prices aint that bad.
    jc
  • Kurvenal
    Kurvenal Posts: 29
    Thanks to everyone for the tips. We have decided to do a fairly easy tour in Tuscany and Umbria (see http://www.viadelsole.it/biking/thebest.html) to get us started on our new bikes, then will look at the other suggestions for next time.

    The advice is much appreciated.
  • GeorgeShaw
    GeorgeShaw Posts: 764
    Hmmm, looks good. 30-40 miles per day, when you've got all day, is easy enough for even a relatively unfit person. You can split it up into 4 or 5 short rides, take your time, enjoy the countryside and the food and wine. :D

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