ravel is all about pacing: Go too fast, and you’ll skip over the important details; move too slow, and you won’t cover enough ground. Exploring the world on two wheels is often just the right speed, especially in these six destinations where cycling gets you closer to nature and culture, not to mention some seriously toned quads.
The wilds of Patagonia (above) have lured adventurers for centuries—but even history’s greatest explorers would be challenged by Black Tomato’s intrepid 13-day Chilean hiking and biking voyage. The journey begins in the Lake District, with a week of racking up miles among ice-capped volcanoes, lush greenery, and lakeside villages. Then it’s on to Chilean Patagonia for another five days of hiking among lush landscapes and unimaginable peaks. Expect lunches with gauchos in a real estancia, up-close sightings of guanacos and Andean condors, and plenty of rest and relaxation at luxurious lodges surrounded by nothing but the glorious “Land of Giants.”
Japan is beloved for its history and culture, but few venture beyond the tourism hot spots, making Butterfield and Robinson’s eight-day cycling journey through the coastal and mountainous Toyama prefecture a rarefied adventure. Power up—and glide down—the jagged peaks of the Tateyama Mountain Range (known as the Northern Alps of Japan), visit the centuries-old gassho-style houses of ancient UNESCO villages, and zip alongside the pristine Toyama Bay on one of the country’s official scenic cycling routes. Out of the saddle, cyclists will explore ancient temples and Zen gardens, soak in onsen hot springs (a must for those sore muscles), and stay in classic ryokan accommodations. The guided journeys include the use of B & R’s custom flat-handlebar bikes, ideal for both road cycling and mountain biking.
The best part of cycling in Italy? Working up an appetite for all that mozzarella, mortadella, and Montepulciano. DuVine’s Puglia Chef on Wheels Bike Tour makes the challenge as sweet as the reward, with six days of scenic rides (from 16 to 36 miles per day, with both advanced and shorter options) followed by copious amounts of well-earned pasta, pizza, olive oil, and wine. Using a luxury villa as their home base, cyclists will explore a different attraction every day—the verdant Valle d’Itria, the trulli of Alberobello, the seaside Polignano a Mare—and enjoy a magnificent meal at each along the way, from secret trattorias to Michelin-starred restaurants and even a home-cooked meal by an Italian mamma.
For a more leisurely saddle sojourn, join Backroads on a six-day Gulf Islands journey that can be tailored for moderate to advanced cyclists. Choose the mileage and elevation gain that’s right for you (from 15 to 47 miles per day) and enjoy undulating, scenic rides from Salt Spring Island to the Cowichan Valley wine country. There’s no rush: Stops at local farms, cideries, art galleries, and produce stands are all part of the laid-back—and modifiable—itinerary. Two days of moderate hiking are also included, along with a private wildlife cruise offering chances to glimpse bald eagles, orcas, and porpoises.
Cycling among some of sub-Saharan Africa’s most magnificent creatures? It sounds like a dream—but it’s also practical: Swapping noisy vehicles for the silence of a bike doesn’t just bring you closer to wildlife; it brings them closer to you. Micato’s eight-day cycling journey begins in the serene Karura Forest, amid eucalyptus trees and cascading waterfalls, and continues through the stunning Chyulu Hills, where volcanic peaks and acacia woodlands are home to antelopes, zebras, and giraffes. Next, it’s on to the Loisaba Conservancy to traverse wildflower-covered hills in the shadows of Mount Kenya among elephants, gazelles, and painted dogs. Each destination is linked by a thrilling helicopter ride—and punctuated by a luxury safari lodge—and every mile is led by a local Samburu or Maasai guide who can share their own stories of crossing this storied land.
Stitch together Vietnam’s vibrant cities, ancient sites, and serene fishing villages the way locals do: on two wheels. Cycling culture is strong throughout the country, and Abercrombie & Kent shows travelers the best of it on a 12-day itinerary combining the frenetic scenes of Ho Chi Minh City—where zipping through the wide streets among throngs of cyclists and moped riders is a thrill never to be forgotten—with the slow-paced setting of Hoi An’s floating villages and Ha Long Bay’s dramatic karst landscapes. Royal palaces and sizzling street markets, hidden caves and secret grottoes, and emerald rice fields and tranquil pagodas await at every turn.
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