Deb

I am interested in doing a biking trip but the prices I am finding for 6 night trip through Tuscany are what I would normally spend for two weeks in Europe. I am content with two or three star hotels and wondering if anyone knows of a budget way to go on an active trip. Thanks.

Sjoerd

We often go on biking holidays and have been touring many countries (Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, UK, Austria, Hungary) on bike. We always bring a tent which gives us compete freedom. We seldom pay more than 10 euro (9 US$) per night to put up our tent. Europe has wonderful campsites with all facilities you need. <BR>We also stay in hotels sometimes. We never book in advance and so far have not had a problem with finding small hotels or Bed and Breakfast places.

hiker

My guess is that you're referring to Backroads vacations and the like - which do tend to be expensive. I've done a few and they were worth it, I thought. I'm really not sure where you could find less expensive active vacation packages.<BR><BR>This may draw some fire, but I'm not sure that Fodor's is the best place to ask this question. The people who come here (IN GENERAL) do not strike me as being especially physicially active. I've been coming here for quite awhile, and I don't think I've seen many such questions raised. I have seen people being ridiculed for asking where local gyms are, people being questioned about why they would ever travel overseas for a marathon, and a lot of "we're going to be in this great ski area but we have no interest in even trying to ski."<BR>So you may be better off looking elsewhere - I just don't know where.<BR>

Patrick

There have been several posts on Fodors about different groups for package biking and hiking tours. You might try a search. I have found that it is not worth it to me. We have often stayed in some of the same charming more upscale hotels that Backroads uses and followed much of their routes. If you don't want to do the planning yourself and really need someone to rely on handling things for you then it is certainly worth it, but expect their services to about double the cost of doing a similar package on your own. Of course, the main advantage is that some of these groups will transport your luggage from point to point while you hike or bike, making it less cumbersome than doing it on your own. We drive from town to town and then need to either do a day hiking or biking loop, or put the bikes or us on a train to return to our starting point each day.<BR>Friends just did a one week hiking trip in Ireland and loved it, but admitted that it cost them more than double what we usually spend when we travel together on our own.

s

Deb!<BR><BR>Although I've never actually gone on one of these trips, I do have an extensive library of old catalogs from various cycling companies, etc. I have not done the trip because I prefer to base in one spot and take day-trips to surrounding areas -- I hate the thought of packing/unpacking and getting re-oriented several times during a trip. I have also hesitated to spend a lot of money to go to Europe and spend my time there with other Americans who are pretty much like me.<BR><BR>Anyway, I really really enjoyed going through my old files and researching this on the net. Hope some of this will help!<BR><BR>Randonnee Tours offer a self-guided package where they reserve your hotels (anything from basic to luxe) and provide maps & hints & baggage transfer. Their specialty is France, but they have a "partner tour" in Italy. A sample trip is seven nights in Tuscany for about $1800. Website at www.randonneetours.com<BR><BR>Mountain Travel-Sobek is an adventure travel company with most trips being true "hiking" or "treking." Sample trip is 11 nights in Italy for $3290. Website at www.mtsobek.com<BR><BR>Blue Marble also has bicycle trips -- sample trip of one week in Tuscany for $1500. Website at www.bluemarble.org<BR><BR>Gorp Travel -- huge list (87 in Italy alone!). Some samples: six-day self-guided walking tour of Italy is $600 & eight-day biking trip $2700. Website at www.gorptravel.gorp.com<BR><BR>You might also find the tourist office for Tuscany (or a major city there) and see if there are local companies that offer trips. For instance, the Swiss National Tourist Office website has several pages of bicycle trips (or inline skating!) in Switzerland.<BR><BR>Good luck!<BR><BR>s

Judy

Check:WWW.hfholidays.co.uk.I have never taken their trip, but the prices seem quite good.<BR>I have done quite a few walking trips on my own in Europe,with a little research,use public transportations, stay at B&B(but have very good meals),usually cost no more than $1000 for 10 days.

Maira

Deb (and hiker)--- I've read many fabulous posts from skiers, hikers, bicyclers, both posting on their experiences or looking for information. Of the many, two stand out in my mind that might interest you (which I will try to bring to the top for you); a couple in their 50's who did a fabulous biking trip in Northern Germany, including Sylt, and a guy and partner who were planning a biking trip along the Route of San James (pilgrimage route which ends in Santiago de Compostela, Spain).

Deb

Thanks to all for your great advice. I like the idea of going without a tour guide since I would never consider a tour group for other european travel but since I am a solo traveler that would be difficult. Perhaps on one of these sites I can find other informal groups or get some friends together. Thanks much!

rbw

I have looked into this type of trip myself, though have not taken one. A few of the budget companies are adventure center, gap (canadian co.) and exodus (british). They have lots of reasonable trips that look interesting.

Santa Chiara

One of the best vacations I have hqd was a bike trip in Burgandy. We biked 25 to 50 kilometers a day, ate in Michelin-rated restaurants, learned all about the wines of the region. It was a small group with a lot of personal attention. Check it out at www.duvine.com.

steve

I have done several bike trips in the past 30 years. It is much cheaper to do it yourself instead of going on a commercial tour. For one thing, the commercial tours stay at much fancier hotels than I want to stay at.<BR><BR>Since you are a single woman, you might want to consider joining a group. Try the CTC (Cycling Touring Club in England). I know they used to have inexpensive group tours.<BR><BR>If you go by yourself, consider staying in one town and making day trips from there. Much nicer cycling since you don't always have all your gear. My last two trips have been like that and have been much more enjoyable.<BR><BR>For a woman cycling alone in Italy, someone wrote into a cycling magazine years ago that the women cycling that looked like they were 'serious cyclists' did not seem to be hassled by the Italian drivers.<BR><BR>If you really want a splurge, former Tour of Italy winner Andy Hampsten has a tour company that offers tours of Tuscany.<BR><BR>Have a great time and report back to this forum

rita

I did a self-guided bike trip in the Dordogne in France during early September. The trip was with RandonnŽe Tours and it was wonderful. No groups, great for active and independant travellers. They met me and sized my bike, pre-booked all of my hotels, and transfered my luggage. Help was just a phone call away! It was a great way to travel and I would do it again in a heart beat (in fact I am planning to take my niece on one of their trips in Canada next summer). I think they have a few trips in Italy.<BR><BR>RandonnŽe has a very informative website www.randonneetours.com<BR><BR>I'd check it out!

rita

Aaaaargh Fodors . . . SHAME ON YOU FOR NOT ALLOWING FRENCH ACCENTS!<BR><BR>In my previous post the tour company's name is Randonnee Tours (e with an accent) but of course they are not allowing the accents on this site. Not typing the accent doesn't hinder access to their website.

Deb

Thanks to S. and Rita. I did go on and check Radonnee and it is very affordable and have already been out actively recruiting my friends to go on this one with me. As Steve suggested, I have never been hassled while traveling alone because I think most solo travelers are pretty competent but for a bike trip I think it would be more fun to have others along. <BR>As always, this board comes through for me!

annette

check out www.cycletours.com. They are much less expensive than most, have many self-guided and some group guiided tours.

bilboburgler

I have revived this old thread to ask about inline skating and because I'm bored of all the Korean stuff.

I know about Lake Constance as a possible inline skating route of reasonable distance (5 days or so travel). I'm looking for similar in Italy or Southern France. Any ideas?