Top 10 cycling holidays in Europe

Pleasure cycling, Italy

If 5,000m of climbing sounds a bit much amid the post-Christmas fug, US company Ciclismo Classico offers high-end tours with an emphasis on enjoyment as well as slog. While the tours are mainly in Italy, the company also covers France, Ireland, Belgium, and even the Rockies in the US. The difficulty levels range from easy – no more than 35 flat miles a day – to advanced, with the option of family tours. To make life easier still, rental bikes are included in the price of every holiday (Italian-made Bianchi ones, of course). You can even request a tandem. If the enjoyment aspect of the trip wasn’t obvious enough, rides are sometimes arranged to take in museum trips and wine tastings. The accommodation and food are top-level – and this is reflected in the prices.
• From £2,300pp (for a week in Tuscany), including four- or five-star accommodation, most meals, bikes, guided riding, some activities and transfers, flights extra, +1 781 646 3377, ciclismoclassico.com

Tours in the Alps and Pyrenees, France

Bike-mad couple Robert and Laura Cartledge set up Le Domestique Tours in 2011, running a range of trips, mainly in the Alps and the Pyrenees. For the more gung-ho they also offer week-long King of the Mountains trips, taking in famous climbs from either the Tour de France or the Giro d’Italia. The former leads riders up such

Article source: https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2015/jan/08/top-10-cycling-holidays-europe-france-italy-spain