Cycling through Europe… if you think it sounds like an adventure reserved for college coeds… or people named Lance Armstrong… think again. The chance to grab a bike and navigate through the spectacularly scenic European countryside doesn’t have to be merely a “dream vacation,” it can be reality.
In fact, not only can it be a reality, I have found a travel company that is currently offering a package deal that will allow you to see a secluded Mediterranean island on two-wheels. Breakaway Adventures, a company that specializes in fully-supported independent walking and cycling tours, is giving you the chance to explore the island of Gozo on the back of a bike. Gozo? Yes, Gozo. Gozo is a fabulous little island that most Americans have never heard of. It offers picturesque scenery and mild weather all year long, which is why many consider it the “perfect winter getaway.”
If you have heard of Gozo, it is likely that you did so as a part of an entertainment piece. The quiet island has become a hot spot for filmmakers and celebrities, such as Sean Connery, Sharon Stone and Billy Connolly. The Breakaway Adventures cycling tour gives you the chance to stay at several four and five star hotels, including the Five-Star Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz where the cast of “Troy,” including Brad Pitt, stayed during filming on nearby Malta.
The Gozo Cycling Tour is offered from September 17, 2006 through May 27, 2007 and is designed for the traveler who craves adventures that spotlight natural wonders. On this particular tour you will take a helicopter or ferry boat to the remote island best known for its “azure window,” an archway which frames the crystal blue sea and sky. The natural formation is often used in movie shoots and was featured in “The Count of Monte Cristo,” “Clash of the Titans” and “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.” The cycling tour runs seven days and six nights and takes you past beaches, fishing harbors, small hilltop villages, windmills and Baroque churches throughout the island. If that sounds like a lot of pedaling, you can even schedule an appointment at the Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz Spa, one of Europe’s leading spas, for a little post-ride muscle massage.
The Gozo Cycling Tour is considered a “fully-supported independent tour,” which means you travel at your own pace without a guide, but with a local staff member always on call to assist with bike issues, deliver wine and move luggage from place to place. You meet at the beginning of the tour for a briefing and question and answer session where you will receive a detailed itinerary with maps and visual pointers to guide them. The cost of the trip ranges from $1598-$1927, depending on the date, and includes transportation from the airport, lodging, breakfast and dinner. Airfare is not included.
For more information or to book a tour, visit www.breakaway-adventures.com.