This self guided cycling adventure explores some of the most enchanting countryside in Provence. You will ride along fields of vibrant colour and through hidden hilltop villages with plenty of opportunity to stop and enjoy the cultural and gastronomic delights. Beginning in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, the 'Little Venice' of Provence, you cycle towards the foothills of Mont Ventoux, known as the 'giant of Provence' and famous for its role in the Tour de France. The base of Ventoux is dotted with some of the most picturesque villages in Provence; Venasque, Crillon le Brave to name a few. With the imposing silhouette of Mont Ventoux at your side, you will pedal your way through world renowned vineyards and wine-making towns before reaching the Roman capital of France, Vaison la Romaine, and its exceptional site of Roman ruins.

Mongolia remains a mysterious presence in the heart of Central Asia, a traditional country where visitors are still an unusual sight. Nomads wander the grasslands, setting up their white gers (tents) where the pasture is lush for their horses. The local people are warm and welcoming and we share their experience of life under a felt or canvas roof. The landscape is both beautiful and varied, as we follow good trails across wide, open steppe, into expansive mountain scenery, and through larch and pine forests. Camping wild under the wide skies adds an adventurous edge to what is certainly one of our most intrepid cycle tours. We end our riding at Mongolia's ancient capital Karakorum, once the centre of a vast empire and site of the largest monastery in the country.

This is a classic one-week ride through the beautiful peaceful scenery that links these two historic cities. Vienna requires little introduction, with a wealth of history, famous sites, entertainment and culture. The route passes numerous rural villages and takes in the famous 'Danube Bend', one of the most picturesque sections of this famous river. This section makes more use of the roads, which can be busy, and also moves away from the banks of the river more often, but follows cycle paths and good quality flat tracks for much of the time. There is one hilly day. After a few miles in Slovakia the route continues to Hungary. Riverside woodland gives way to farmland, avenues of walnut trees, wide flat landscapes and the shady hills towards the famous Danube Bend. The end point of the trip is the beautiful city of Budapest with time to soak up the wonderful atmosphere, enjoy the stunning architecture and visit Buda Castle and the Royal Palace.

We are pleased to present our Cycle Legs rides for 2013. Once again we have lived up to our reputation for being the ‘Pioneers with Ideas’ as we have put together rides that will introduce you to countries whose history and buildings date back to Biblical times. These tours take you to fascinating places through Turkey, Greece, Italy and France, fully supported by Phil & Susan with local tour guides. Leg 20 cycles from Istanbul, to ancient Troy, through the Gallipoli battlefields and across Greece to the beautiful island of Corfu. There is also a short ride option from Istanbul to Gallipoli. Book today or give us a call - we look forward to having a chat. Cycle Legs rides are designed not just as a bike tour to get from A to B, but a way to experience the cultures, people, environments and ways of life across the globe. These rides are not just a tour, but an achievement. We cycle mostly back-roads off the beaten track and through famous historic cities, past rivers, lakes and over mountains. You are beating a new path with AllTrails and you are part of the expedition. It is something that you can be proud of completing, yet it is within reach of most adventurous cyclists who are willing to commit to solid training, resulting in being able to cycle at 25kph on a flat road under normal conditions. This leg begins in the bustling, energetic, hip, traditional and modern mixture of a city that is Istanbul. After enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of this exciting city we ferry across the sea of Marmara and begin our ride through much quieter countryside, west towards Troy and Gallipoli. We have a wonderful opportunity to cycle through the Gallipoli battlefields which will leave you moved and humbled. Here is the end of our short ride option frrom Istanbul to Gallipoli, however for those lucky enought to be riding on to Greece, the second part of this trip offers some great cycling through the mountains, passing through exciting moden cities and tiny villages that still enjoy a way of life that has been the same for centuries. Taste the lovely home baked breads, tasty meats, olives and the natural home grown vegetables. Our last stop is the famous island of Corfu - one of the cliche Greek islands that you see on the postcards and in travel magazines. Leg 20 Highlights • Istanbul - an over-abundance of important historic buildings, exciting art galleries and museums. • Also known as the 'World's Hippest City' with trendy bars, cafe, clubs & modern culture. • Istanbul Bosporus cruise and dinner on waterway between Marmara and the Black Sea. • Ferry from Istanbul to Bandirma. • Wooden Horse of Troy and the historic underground cities now exposed. • Gallipoli fields whre thousands fought gallantly and many died for their countries. • Short ride option from Istanbul to Gallipoli for those short on time. • Greece / Turkey border. • Many thermal springs in hotels with spa and massage facilities. • Lunch at Feres, a lovely setting near the Evros River, which flows into the Mediterranean waters • Cycle the coast of the Aegean Sea, part of the Mediterranean Sea. • Xanthi - city of a thousand colours. • Rest day in Thessaloniki, Greece's cultural capital. • Meteora monasteries built on top of natural sandstone rock pillars, incredible UNESCO site. • Ride through the mountains, visiting tiny villages off the beaten track. • Taste lovely home baked breads, tasty meats, olives and the natural home grown vegetables. • Corfu, World Heritage island - once only for the elite, now a tourist desitination for the lucky. Wake up ready for another exciting day exploring worlds that most people never get the chance to even dream of experiencing. Enjoy a relaxed breakfast before mounting your treadlie and heading off with other cyclists ready for adventure. We have a designated meeting point up the road for morning tea, then again we will have a lunch stop allocated around midday before finishing the day's ride in early afternoon. We usually arrange the evening meal in our accommodation or close-by where our local guides direct us to the best culinary eateries. In the evenings you may relax in your room or socialise with some of the other riders and locals in the town or at our accommodation. In general most days on tour have a similar structure but a cycling holiday like this can throw up any number of exciting opportunities and challenges which can change our plans or approach to the day. This is a fully supported and guided bike tour where we look after you day and night. It truly is a cycling holiday like no other.

ietnam as a country has now become so much a part of Western culture. Originating from the war days, now so many people have a link to Vietnam through social contacts, work contacts or commercial trade for which this country of 80-something million people is well known. Those who have travelled here speak of a stunning and diverse geography of towering mountains, picturesque coastline and endless green rice fields. They speak of the naturally friendly people, of the delicious cuisine and of the intrigue at such a long culture of independence and national pride. Our bike trip is the best of all these aspects of Vietnam. We take a classic cycling route between the commercial hub of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and the capital of Hanoi. We then Grasshopper-ize it by traveling on the most charming back road and trails to see the real countryside and not just the highway countryside. With very minimal driving and maximum cycling, this is a truly unique cycling trip. We took months to map out our route, so that you can take just twelve days to see the coast of this amazing country. With many kilometres of stunning beaches and dramatic coastal roads as well as some of the freshest seafood going this trip is an indulgent experience. We are never far from a beach and stay in comfortable hotels to make this trip one of our most cushy adventure tours.

Cycle through three very different countries Visit the stunning city of Venice Follow the idyllic Istrian Peninsula. Following the northernmost tip of the Mediterranean, this unique ride takes you through stunning countryside, and encompasses three countries - all in one week! Starting in a city that needs little introduction, the beautiful and inspiring streets of Venice set the scene for the journey to come. From here the route heads eastwards, hugging the Adriatic coast, allowing the perfect opportunity to indulge in some of the long stretches of tempting golden beaches. Heading into the region of Friuli, you will pass sleepy fishing communes and the fascinating star-shaped city of Palmanova before turning south, drawn by the lure of the Istrian coast. Crossing the borders of Italy, Slovenia and Croatia, it is hard to find a more fascinating concentration of rich culture anywhere else along the Adriatic. Arriving into your destination of Porec, this historic town offers the perfect resting point for a truly memorable week. 

We ride along quiet lanes, roman roads by fields with fighting bulls, villages and towns like Segovia. We will pass historic monuments, castles and royal palaces. On the weekend, we will give cycling a rest, to visit some of Madrid museums and enjoy many of the fine “ tapas ” bars where we can taste the well known cured ham, sample the local wines or enjoy a refreshing glass of beer. Did you ever try to dance Flamenco? Here is your chance, you will have a lot of fun! You will get to see the most spectacular landscapes, the most interesting monuments and some of the most charming villages of Spain. Departure Dates: Starting 2012 on Mondays in March, May, June, September and October with a minimum of six participants

Visit numerous magnificent chateaux Relaxed cycling along quiet country lanes Excellent local food and wine. The Loire is the longest river in France, rising in the Massif Central and flowing over 1000km to the Atlantic Ocean. Along its lower reaches, the hunting grounds and lodges of kings and noblemen have grown into extraordinarily ornate chateaux. You will be transported into a fairytale land as soon as you arrive in this magical valley. Our starting point, the castle of Amboise overlooking the Loire river prepares us for the glorious architecture to come and also the beauty of this special area. From Amboise our ride will take in the famous Chateau of Chenonceau, built over the river Cher and the Chateau of Chambord. Both are architectural masterpieces, with perfectly coiffeured gardens and will transport you back in time. Our ride will guide us back to Amboise giving us time to visit the Clos Luce, the last home of Leonardo da Vinci. The Loire Valley offers us ideal relaxed cycling through quiet country lanes meandering back and forth from the Loire river. There is so much to see of interest that our cycling distances are short giving us ample opportunity to enjoy the magnificent chateaux, picnic in the picturesque countryside or enjoy a wine tasting in one of the world class vineyards, which thrive on the fertile soil around the river and its tributaries.Please note there is also a weekend version of this trip also available - see Loire Cycling Weekend (LSW) 

Rajasthan is the most colourful state in the north of India, with landscapes varying from green rolling hills to barren deserts. The whole state is dotted with dramatic fortresses, reminders of the Rajputs and their warrior past, while away from the desert the countryside is a patchwork of villages and small towns where we can see the timelessness of rural India. Cycling is the perfect way to explore, with some vehicle assistance to cover the longer distances. From Jodhpur our journey takes us first to the beautiful lakeside city of Udaipur, and on to the holy town of Pushkar. Leaving the desert scenery behind we ride to Jaipur, a town overlooked by the splendid hilltop Amber Palace. We also visit Sariska National Park, beautifully located and home to an abundance of wildlife, and finish with the magnificent Taj Mahal.

Contrasting beautiful lakes of Salda and Karagol with the historic temples at Ephesus. Turkey is more than just sun drenched beaches and turquoise waters. It is also a fantastic place to explore by bike, with towering peaks, glistening lakes and lush countryside offering a multitude of routes and terrains. What also marks out the country is its unrivalled cultural heritage, and our journey here offers an intriguing combination of these distinct aspects, as we focus on the Aegean Coast and its interior. We start our ride high in the mountains above the coastal town of Fethiye, and wind our way down to the coast. The days are varied and balanced, with plenty of flat riding and downhill stretches, as well as a few climbs, while vehicle assistance is on hand to transport everything we need. Dotting our route are some of Turkey's great lakes, magnificent ruins and quiet country villages. We also include a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage site at Pamukkale. The trip finishes with a boat trip to Dalyan on the south west coast, a pretty town known for its ancient Rock Tombs hewn from the river's sheer cliffs, and for Iztuzu beach, a protected breeding ground for loggerhead turtles.