The freedom of travelling by bicycle makes this mode
of travel perfect for people who enjoy independent holidays. It's an
inexpensive way to travel, its excellent exercise, and cycling is unique in
that you can cover plenty of ground in a few days or a week, but at a pace that
allows you to enjoy your surroundings. This list of bicycle holiday
destinations was compiled with this in mind: four scenic places where
travelling by bike really helps you get the most out of your destination.
Get Ready for
the Trip of a Lifetime
Wherever you go in the world, there are a few things
that cyclists need to be aware of before setting out, especially if you're new
to this kind of trip. Essentials like researching local customs and emergency
services are a given for any kind of holiday, but when you're cycling there are
plenty of others: for example, the art of travelling light, while still
ensuring that you have every essential item you're likely to need while on the road. Another important
consideration is how to protect your assets: not
just your bike and related equipment, but any other items of value you take
with you, such as GPS, smart phone, camera, or tablet. Although travelling
light is of the essence when you're cycling, these are all items that are
fairly essential for many people these days, and chances are you're planning to
bring at least one or two of them along. So it definitely pays to make sure
they're covered by any insurance that you purchase for the trip.
Northern Ireland
With some of the world's most beautiful coastline
scenery, Northern Island is definitely one of the best places to enjoy a cycling holiday. The Antrim Coast,
for example, is widely considered one of the most stunning coastal routes in
the world, with spectacular scenery over the entire route. There are plenty of
scenic routes inland, too, including short routes such as the gorgeous
Derrytrasna Loop near Armagh, which includes some of the region's lakeside
trails. There's a great range of routes of all lengths and difficulty
levels, so even beginner cyclists can enjoy a cycling holiday here.
Tuscany
Fabulous food, incredible wine, and mile after mile of
blissfully beautiful scenery. There's nowhere else in the world quite like Tuscany, and few places are
more ideally suited to a cycling holiday. Most roads in the region are
well-tended yet lightly-traveled, and there are routes to suit cyclists of all
fitness levels, from beginner to professional. Picture yourself cycling down
quiet country lanes, through vineyards and farms, old Italian
villages, and over gently sloping hills. Tuscany is a particularly
enjoyable place for a cycling tour because it's a highly popular destination
for this kind of holiday, so there's lots of opportunity for meeting
like-minded people while on the road.
New Zealand
Starting in the 1980s thanks to world-famous
bungee-jumper AJ Hackett, New Zealand has become well-known as a fantastic
destination for adventure tourism. It's an incredible place for a cycling
holiday too, with scenic roadways, mountains, and national park areas that
provide perfect terrain for both road trips and mountain biking trails. There
are fantastic cycling routes and destinations all over the country, from the
scenic north and the Bay of Islands to the rugged mountains and central farming
country in the south, and a whole host of locations in between. There's a
well-mapped network of roads and trails throughout the islands, collectively
known as The New Zealand Cycle Trail, and with 22 separate legs of varying
difficulties, there's something for everyone, from novice to expert.
Belize
Belize is the perfect Central American location for
experienced travellers, with stunning sights and scenery in every direction.
Ancient ruins, vast jungles, tiny towns and villages, and bustling cities, the
craggy Maya Mountains, there's an amazing variety of things to see and do in
this fascinating country. And then there's the incredible beauty of the Hummingbird Highway, a 55-mile road that bisects the deep green jungles and softly perfumed
citrus plantations of central Belize. It should be noted that many of the
country's roads are challenging for cyclists, and as such it's a destination
that's more suitable for experienced cyclists travelling as a pair or group.
