A biking tour is a great way to see some of Europe’s most beautiful regions. Of course, riding between restaurants and cellars can offset any necessary over-indulgence in wine and gourmet food too.
Here are five European food and wine biking tours, all bookable with Freedom Treks this summer.
Italy’s Umbria region
This tour is full of hands-on Umbrian cooking classes combined with rides through the local countryside. Starting from the medieval town of Spello, participants bike 28 miles to Spoleto where they have their first cooking lesson creating antipasti, pasta and risotto.
Later, in the town of Bevagna, the cooking focus turns to a mix of ‘Grandmother’s secrets’ and a take on modern cuisine. The tour makes a stop in the small town of Torgiano for a wine tasting evening.
This seven-night, 118-mile guided tour starts at about $1,500 per person with stays in three-star hotels, and includes four dinners, three cooking lessons and two wine tasting sessions, as well as luggage transport. The trip departs any day between April 1 and October 31, excluding June 28 through July 15.
Grade: Easy to moderate
Wines and spas in Slovenia
Slovenia is perhaps not the first country to spring to mind when thinking of good wine and gastronomy, but the country has a rich culinary history with influences from Viennese and Italian styles.
Starting in Maribor, just 10 miles from the Austrian border, the tour passes along the banks of the River Drava before stopping at the oldest town in Slovenia, Ptuj. Here, riders taste Traminec white wine from the nearby Haloze Hills.
Following a lunch stop at Ormož, bordering Croatia, the cycle route continues along the famous Ormož to Ljutomer wine road, one of the smallest yet most well known wine growing areas.
Many participants take the opportunity to sooth their aches and pains in Moravske Toplice’s thermal spas.
The tour continues on to Lenart before completing its circular route back on Maribor.
This seven-night, 124-mile self-guided tour starts at about $1,000 per person in two-or-three-star hotels and includes two dinners, luggage transport, maps and route information. Departs any Saturday between April 6 to October 5.
Grade: Moderate
Parma to Lucca by E-bike (Italy)
This tours starts in Parma and explores the attractive Emilia Romana region known for its famous ham and Parmesan cheese.
Following the Via Francigena, the old pilgrimage route to Rome, riders will criss-cross traditional Tuscany, passing its iconic castles, farms and vineyards.
This tour uses electric bikes – ensuring participants can dedicate more energy to exploring the area. The e-bike’s electric engine eases longer routes and steeper ascents.
This seven-night, 172-mile self-guided tour starts at about $1,000 per person in two-or-three-star hotels and includes two dinners, luggage transport, maps and route information. Departs any Saturday between April 6 to October 5.
Grade: Moderate
Burgundy
This tour delves into the heart of the region famed for its excellent wine. The tour starts in Dijon, passing countless vineyards and trundles through picturesque villages against a backdrop of colorful rolling countryside.
Stops include Beaune (known as the capital of Burgundy wine) and the vineyard of Montrachet, one of the most famous white wine vineyards in the world.
The relatively easy-going terrain makes this tour suitable for families with young children. A full range of child-friendly biking accessories is available including, trailers, tagalongs and small bikes.
This seven-night, 115-mile self-guided tour starts at about$980 per person and includes luggage transport, maps and route information. Departs any day between March and October.
Grade: Easy to moderate
Mosel Valley (Germany)
This tour explores one of the most varied and beautiful river valleys of Europe. Starting in Trier, it meanders through to Koblenz.
The Mosel Valley is famous for its Riesling and Müller-Thurgau. Wine lovers can indulge at the many cellars dotted along the way.
The gentle riding makes it easy to appreciate the stunning scenery.
This six-night, 126-mile self-guided tour starts at about $660 per person and includes luggage transport, maps and route information. Departs any day between April 16 and October 19.
Grade: Easy to moderate.
Written by insider city guide series Hg2 | A Hedonist’s guide to…
(Main image: Freedom Treks)
