We already have a great reputation for cycling holidays in Europe and have run cycling tours in France for many years, mainly in the wine regions, which are still extremely popular. Now we can offer you even more original challenges, from Slovakia and Spain, to Ireland and Italy. For the curious visitor, even familiar destinations still contain hidden gems and surprises, slowly revealed by bicycle.

• Enjoy the backdrop of the Pyrenees as we journey down towards the Mediterranean along converted trails of disused railways known as the 'Vias Verdes' or 'Green Tracks'.
• Set off from Venice, around the lagoon to Padua and along the Bacchiglione Valley to Vicenza. All this in a few easy days, and still with ample time to soak up traditional Italian life - and cuisine. Famed for its towers, medieval San Gimignano makes for an amazing destination, as we slowly make our way ever closer through the hills of Tuscany.
• Head over to Italy's stunning island of Sardinia, a mixture of dramatic coastal views, crystalline waters and ancient ruins. It's a more challenging ride, but worth it!
• The Canal du Midi in Southern France also takes us through different regions and gives us all a feeling of achieving a real journey.
• Experience the classic route of the famous Danube cycle path in Austria. We move on each day, riding through Linz and Melk to arrive in Vienna, ravenous for pastries.

It's not just every day on a bike. Our cycling holidays offer the opportunity to get local, whether it be:

• Exploring remote bays and sleepy villages of Croatia's Dalmatian coast aboard a 100-year-old wooden sailing boat. We cruise to a different Adriatic island every day and cycle mostly in the afternoons - after an excellent local lunch, of course. Plus, after an hour or so cycling, the cooling effect of another sea swim combined with a chilled drink in a local 'konoba', sets us up for the next few kilometres.
• Uncovering the enduring heritage of emerging countries of Eastern Europe like Serbia, Hungary or the Czech Republic.

Plus our longer haul destinations offer the perfect combination of a cycling holiday but in exotic locations.

For a more adventurous cycling holiday, the idea of taking on the Chinese at cycling might be just too hard to resist. South-East Asia and the Southern Hemisphere are ideal destinations during our northern winters. And as with all our tours, you can be assured that we put as much of your money into the local economy as possible.

Cycling in Asia

This is where it feels really natural to be riding a bicycle and viewing the world at a slower pace.

• China is a country where the bicycle is still the preferred transport for most of the population. Cycling like a local up through the Guilin countryside...isn't it more magical than arriving by tour bus?
• Vietnam and Cambodia are best viewed from quiet backroads, as we gently glide through the everyday life of the countryside. With delicious food of the region, a reward for the day's exercise.
• India can be a whirlwind of activity 24 hours a day, yet Kerala and Rajasthan are actually more laid back and offer world class sites, tranquil settings, colour and charisma.
• Thailand - a favourite with Explore adventurers, with plenty of opportunity for positive local interaction, this new cycling holiday fits well with our experience in the north of the country, much of it still unspoilt by mass tourism.

Cycling in Africa

A real adventurer's choice for a cycling holiday, and a must for those who prefer wide open spaces.

• South Africa - Few places offer the sheer variety of experiences that our small intrepid groups will encounter. Rugged terrain, varied wildlife and high quality accommodation are all here in the Transvaal. The Kruger National Park has just recently allowed cycling inside the park, so we can embark on the cycle ride of a lifetime as we search out the Big Five. More sedate, but no less interesting, is the cycling holiday along one of the world's most dramatic coastlines - the Garden Route of the Western Cape. This is the tour that has it all - great cycle rides, magnificent scenery, famous sites, superb food and all the glory of the celebrated vinyards.
• Morocco - For an exotic and thrilling cycling holiday, this is the tour that will become more of an expedition with every retelling of the stories. Full support allows us to battle through the sandy tracks of the Sahara, climb over amazing Atlas mountain passes and explore the Kasbahs and souqs of the Jebel Sahro region.

Cycling in the Americas

The thrill of the new world can now be experienced at a slower pace as we look at some of the most rewarding countries of Latin America.

• Cuba - Cycling along at the slow pace of life, feels so natural that it's amazing we cover the distances that we do. Here more than anywhere, we can really make the best of our two wheels to search out the quiet villages and countryside that most other visitors miss completely. Limestone pinnacles, lush forests and shimmering lakes, slowly pass by as we make our way from one old colonial town to another. It's hard to choose a highlight, but the warmth of the locals and the stunning Caribbean coastline are high on the list.
• Mexico - Enjoy dramatic jungles and atmospheric ruins of the Yucatan peninsula, as our group cycles along ancient routes used for hundreds of years. We shall see as much of the life and colour of modern Mexico as we will of the fantastic Mayan temples and pyramids.
  

A typical day on an Explore cycling holiday is easy-paced and flexible, and, believe it or not, cycling can be a very relaxing form of travel.

Everyone else in the group will be just like you - uncertain that they are fit enough, and yet somehow, everyone manages to get through okay. Our expertise at designing these cycling tours ensures that everyone is catered for with the right balance of cycling hours, and plenty of time for relaxation and reflection.

How fit do I have to be?

If you are relatively active, then you should easily be able to cover the distances required by our cycle tours. Some tours need a certain distance to be ridden each day to complete a particular route, whilst others are more flexible. However, unless you are confident and fit enough to ride every day, ensure that there are suitable free days away from the bike.

To help you decide on your trip:

• Check the trip grading against your level of fitness.
• Dossiers offer detailed itineraries and description of terrain and daily distances.
• Decide whether you want a journey, a centre-based tour and how many days free from the bike.
• Trip maps and photos will give you an indication as to the terrain and any height to be climbed. Relate it to somewhere that you know.
• And don't forget, you can always give us a call for advice.

If in doubt, why not consider our centre-based trips? Being based in one place allows you to determine the amount of cycling you do. Not having to ride on to the next day's destination, also means that you can take the day off if you wish.

When is the best time to travel?

Cycle touring is best when it is not too hot nor too cold, and our departure dates reflect this. Around the Mediterranean and in central Europe, the 'shoulders' of the summer season are best - usually around the months of May and September.

Before your cycling holiday, some basic training in a gym or out on the roads or tracks is an excellent idea.

After a few days on a cycling holiday, hills and accumulated mileage can prove tiring, so allow plenty of time in advance to go out and 'get a few kilometres in the legs'. You'll definitely enjoy the holiday so much more, even if you only do a small amount of training beforehand, and you'll certainly end up fitter and healthier as a result.

Having the right kit is also important in your preparation. Your tour dossier will detail a list of suggested equipment that you should bring. Usually, this includes:

• Cycle helmet - an absolute necessity for every cyclist. Make sure it fits properly and get used to wearing it.
• Cycling shorts for both men and women are highly recommended. As these should be washed every day, two pairs are ideal.
• A proper cycling top has very useful rear pockets that are easy to access.
• Padded finger-less cycling mitts will protect your hands from a lot of the vibration.
• Training shoes are good enough, but light cycling boots are ideal. If your cycling shoes have special cleats and you wish to use them on the bike provided, remember to bring your own pedals too.

But there may also be other equipment for your individual tour. Take a look at your tour dossier for more information.