Pure Adventures’ Self-Guided Cycling Tours Embrace Mediterranean Sun In Winter Spain, Portugal and Italy

Europe’s active travel leader, Pure Adventures, encourages savoring the Mediterranean sun this winter – on bicycles – when the crowds are gone, the air is crisp and off-season air fares are available.

“My Europe choices to escape the cold in the winter are Italy’s Puglia, Portugal’s Obidos and for end-of-year holidays festive Barcelonaand the Costa Brava,” said Loren Siekman, founder/director of Pure Adventures.

Winter & Holiday Cycling Getaway to Barcelona traversing Spain’s Catalonia is a seven-night self-guided cycling program from €969 per person double. Walking and biking tours of Barcelona that include Holiday and child-specific programs can be arranged for the first three days in this dynamic city. On day four a local guide meets guests who have transferred by train from Barcelona north to Girona, an historic town at the confluence of four rivers in the province of Girona that embraces the Costa Brava, an especially rugged and scenic slice of coastline on the Mediterranean. Here guests lodge at Hotel Historic in Old Town.

On day five a loop cycling tour from Girona includes an optional add-on visit to sample local wines, a taste of the Greenway (former railway line to the coast) and small local roads through scenic farm lands. On day six guests transfer to Madremanya, a small village with a delightful small inn. From here guests hike to Els Angels, a local mountain too steep for cycling, followed by a downhill ride into to Madremanya and a stay at Hotel La Plaça, positioned for a loop cycling tour that may include a cycle to Dali Castle Púbol or a cooking class as a possible supplement. The trip ends on day eight with transfers to Girona by train. The tour, available year round, is rated easy to moderate, averaging 35km cycling daily on the three days outside of Barcelona(longer distances can be arranged). See here.

Portugal - Heritage & Coastal Tour starts atthe medieval town of Obidos, the first of several historic towns explored on bikes along the coastline. Its castle, a national monument, is a perfect example of a medieval fortress. A walking day encompasses the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sintra. A hike up from the village through paths and stone steps surrounded by thick Mediterranean vegetation accesses an 8^th century Moorish castle. The Pena Palace is the most complete and remarkable example of the Romantic architecture in Portugal. Guests then cycle along the Sierra, visiting an old Capuchin Monk Monastery enroute to the westernmost point on the European mainland. The tour ends with a scenic ride along the coast going into Cascais, a beautiful city by the ocean.  See here.

This 7-day / 6-nght tour is from €1255 from November through March. The rate varies by season. The tour, available year round, is rated moderate in difficulty, averaging 45km of cycling daily (four days of cycling, one day of walking).

Cycling Italy’s Puglia introduces the Trulli (white limestone dwellings that resemble pointed witches hats) in a region along the Adriatic. Day one finds cyclists in Conversano, just inland from Polignano and a short distance from Bari, served by air and train. Day two is a cycle to the Valle d’Itria and the old town of Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a plethora of Trulli houses. Days three and four encompass Locorotondo (think a dry white spumante) and country roads into Puglia’s walled towns, including Ceglie Messapica and its Castle of the San Severino, famous for enogastronomic events that make it a global food and wine capital. A five-night tour is €1099 per person double. A seven-night program is also available. The five-night tour, available year round, is rated moderate+ in difficulty, averaging 40-50 km of cycling daily. See here.

Because these and other European routes are great demand in spring, summer and fall, Siekman advised that groups of six or more should book now to secure accommodations.” And as an incentive for the trip organizer, on groups of 10 or more, the 11^th goes free.

Self-guided tours in 2014 span Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland. New programs in the United States will be announced soon.