Fort Collins, CO. January 13, 2025: For travelers interested in a cycling vacation but are new to this form of adventure travel and not sure where to start, ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours, a trailblazer in cycling vacations and leader in active travel, provides the perfect starting points with a variety of beginner-friendly cycling vacations and online tools and resources designed to help with to trip planning.
Beginner-friendly trips feature manageable daily distances, flat or gently rolling terrain, and exceptional support, including van assistance and GPS navigation or chalk arrows on classic tours, and local insights and tips from the ExperiencePlus! trip leaders themselves, who excel at creating memorable experiences from start to finish for every traveler.
“Since the start of our company in 1972, we’ve helped countless people discover the joy of bicycle touring,” says Maria Elena Price, co-owner of ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours, a company that was founded by her parents. “Our beginner-friendly trips are crafted with care to ensure our guests feel supported every step of the way, from selecting the right trip to savoring the journey itself.”
With a Level 1 rating, and an average daily distance of 24 miles (40 km), the new Bike and Barge: Bruges to Amsterdam tour is a perfect choice for anyone new to cycling trips (ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours).
To assist newcomers, or even people traveling as part of a group that includes members with different levels of experience, ExperiencePlus! offers a range of resources online.
This includes:
- A page detailing some of its Best Bike Tours for Beginner Riders;
- A Choosing the best bicycle tour for youpage that asks those considering a cycling trip six key questions: where you want to go, what time of year you want to travel, what level of cycling do you want or need, how long you want to cycle, what type of experience you are seeking, and if you are traveling with someone thinking about what their idea of a fun bicycle vacation is;
- A clear description about their various tour styles(classic, gravel, bike & boat, expedition, and self-guided);
- Explanations and definitions of tour levels(1-5);
- Details on what to expect on tour, with the ultimate goal of landing on a trip that is the best fit for each person/group; and
- Bike tour training programsspecifically designed for selected tour levels.
Taking a break from the bike to explore Venice’s canals (ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours).
Here are a few recommended trips for those new to cycling vacations:
Bicycling Venice to Florence: The company’s most popular trip for beginners, this classic journey features seven days of pedaling through the heart of Italian culture and cuisine. A level 2.5 tour with an average daily distance of 37 miles (60 km), the itinerary starts by exploring the canals of Venice, before venturing to the cycle-friendly streets of spectacular Ferrara (the bicycle capital of Italy), followed by Ravenna, the last capital of the Western Roman Empire and home to more early-Christian mosaics than any other city in Western Europe. Cyclists continue west, stopping at “the Hub” (the ExperiencePlus! headquarters) for a picnic lunch, before heading on to Faenza. This is followed by a day of exploring the Apennine Mountains, including the medieval village of Brisighella, where you can opt to challenge yourself on the climb to Ronta or simply hop on a nearby train. After a visit to the Etruscan city of Fiesole, the group will ride into beautiful Florence, the capital of Renaissance Italy. Priced from US$4,650 per person.
NEW! Bike and Barge: Bruges to Amsterdam: This eight-day adventure starts in Bruges and travels to Amsterdam, spending seven nights aboard a luxury barge that follows the cycling trip the entire way, meaning guests only unpack once. With a Level 1 rating, and an average daily distance of 24 miles (40 km), this tour is a perfect choice for anyone new to cycling trips. Its highlights include exploring Bruges’ historic city center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, cycling through the stunning Flemish landscape along the Ghent canal, visiting Ghent’s medieval center and its many architectural riches, a special stop at a 200-year-old family-run brewery, a guided tour of Rubens’ art while in Antwerp, cycling along the Wouwse Plantage forest trail to Tholen, visiting a Gouda cheese museum for a tasting, checking out the UNESCO World Heritage Kinderdijk Windmills, and much more. Priced from US$5,995.00 per person.
Bike Across Portugal: This eight-day classic tour explores Portugal’s south-central lands and stunning west coast, traveling from Elvas, in the interior, to the coast. A level 2.5 trip with an average daily distance of 38 miles (63 km), this tour offers a bit more of a challenge while still being very accessible to all levels of experience. Highlights of this trip include cycling through one of the country’s least populated regions to a town famed for its marble, a stay at the historic Pousada de Vila Vicosa, a chance to take in the stars in the castle town of Monsaraz (the skies above the nearby Alqueva reservoir are the first designated Starlight Tourism Destinations), two nights in the ancient town of Evora, and more. Priced from US$4,595.00 per person.
Enjoy leisurely rides along bike paths and quiet, country roads on the Bicycling the Danube Passau to Vienna itinerary (ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours).
Italy’s Alpine Valleys – While a cycling trip through the Dolomites might seem like something for experienced riders only, this eight-day adventure from Bolzano to Bassano del Grappa is a level 1 ride that travels along bike paths through one of Italy’s finest bike-friendly regions. With an average daily distance of 23 miles (37 km), it is a perfect option for couples or friends with varied cycling abilities. Guests pedal through lush meadows with views of Alpine peaks and glaciers in the distance, wheel past some of the best-preserved castles in the regions, take in vineyards and orchards, and arrive at historic cities with picturesque central plazas. Blending fascinating Austro-Italian history and the famous tranquility of Northern Italy’s mountains, lakes, and valleys, highlights of the itinerary also include three 2-night stays, Adige River riding, a stop in Merano and its chic thermal spa town center, a gondola ride and dinner in a traditional “maso” in a mountain valley, a guided visit of Trento, and so much more. Priced from US$4,895.00 per person.
Bicycling the Danube Passau to Vienna: On this seven-day, point-to-point itinerary, guests follow the Danube River, from Passau, Germany, to Vienna, Austria, enjoying leisurely rides along bike paths and quiet, country roads. With its level 2 rating, the average daily distance is 42 miles (67 km) with a total distance of 208 miles (335 km). Highlights of this trip include: riding through the heartland of Austria with its many impressive castles perched along the Danube; a visit to the town of Melk, home to the spectacular Melk Abbey (built at the start of the 12th century); exploring the medieval villages of the Wachau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; a chance to sample local white wines; and wrapping up in Vienna, one of Europe’s leading musical centers. Priced from US$4,495.00 per person.
Berlin to Copenhagen: A 14-day, level 1.5 classic itinerary, this popular northern European adventure starts in Germany’s vibrant capital city of Berlin and travels via some of the continent’s best bicycle infrastructure to Denmark’s innovative capital of Copenhagen. On the way, guests will explore some of Europe’s most well-preserved medieval towns, experience distinct regions and cultures within both countries, and savor renowned food and wine. An easier trip but with longer days, this itinerary travels a total of 400 miles (645 km), with an average daily distance of 37 miles (59 km). Some of the many highlights of this itinerary include a stop in Potsdam, former royal residence for Prussian kings, bird watching in the Elbe Valley, a guided harbor cruise of the Hamburg Port, an overnight stay in Lübeck, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a loop ride through the rolling countryside of northern Germany’s “Holstein Switzerland,” a stop at the famous Nysø Mansion, one of Denmark’s finest examples of Baroque architecture, lunch in Køge, a century old market town, and much more. Priced from US$7,850.00 per person.
For more information about any of the above tours, and for details on all ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours’ guided and self-guided cycling adventures in Europe, the Caribbean, and South America, visit ExperiencePlus.com.
