Intelligent Travel - The Blog About Authentic & Sustainable Travel

Tours of a Lifetime: For Families

June 6, 2008

In our May/June issue of Traveler, contributing editor Margaret Loftus introduced us to 50 amazing Tours of a Lifetime, splitting them up into three categories: Classic, Cultural, and Adventure. But lo and behold, there are subsets within the categories that we find equally interesting, so we've collected the most Family-friendly trips here for you.

ADVENTURE FAMILY TOURS:

Nordic Rambles

Like an ellipsis on the west coast of Arctic Norway, the Lofoten archipelago is a series of rocky mountains, sheltered inlets, and stretches of unspoiled seashore. Paddle and hike by day, returning ....

May/June 2008

Active Tours

Sardinia Cycle

The hardy islanders of Sardinia have preserved much of their folklore, language, and cuisine, making their island a living diorama of Mediterranean country life, which unfolds as you bike this ancient landscape.  Discover the nuraghi (prehistoric rock towers) built to protect villages; share lunch with local shepherds; learn how to make pane frattau, a dish made with traditional flatebrea; and swim off pristine beaches on this multipsport adventure.  Ciclismo Classico;  "Sardegna Multi-Sport Adventure Italy,&q ....

Everett Potter's TRAVEL REPORT

The Interview: Lauren Hefferon, Ciclismo Classico
December 5, 2007

If you were to ask me how you could see Italy on two wheels, I would tell you to check out Ciclismo Classico before you did anything else. The company has made its name as the leader in biking tours of Italy. Yes, they dip into Spain and France, and they do some hiking trips as well. But it's Italy and biking that they are best known for. That could be biking across Italy, a trip singled out as noteworthy by National Geographic Adventure. Biking along the Amalfi coast with a chef in tow, or exploring Sicily or Tuscany or Friuli from the vantage point of two wheels. I've know about Ciclismo for years but only met founder an ....

Today's Bed and Breakfast

Self Guided Bike Tours - Italy - Great Idea or Foolish?

December 26, 2007

Creating your own self guided bike tour to trek through most sections of Italy is possibly not that awkward of an idea. Italy is a country of cycrolls. Motorists are respectful of riders and lodgeiers are not amazed by their clients screening up on two wheels. So here’s a roll of all the great effects to think about, on why you might elect to idea your own Italian biking tour:

Money:
By creating your own idea it is workable to prevent significant dollars, if only because you can redirect your finances into your sections of priority. If your passion in treking is food you can puff the resources in this section and save on lodge accommodation. If museums and galleries are your like in life, than you can eat fewer and puff the border on access fees. underside line is that you a ....

Jetsettersblog

Fairytale Dwellings, Savory Cuisine and Hospitable People in Italy

November 16, 2007

ARLINGTON, MA— Cyclists looking to learn from some of the best chef’s in New England, and see the heart of Italy have come to the right place. Ciclismo Classico wants to take travelers on the ultimate cooking adventure filled with lots of biking, great food, wine, live music and breathtaking scenery. Chefs Andy Husbands and Ed Doyle can cook and ride! They will lead cyclists through the rolling hills of Basilicata and Puglia in the Trulli region of Italy. Spin by clusters of enormous olive and fig trees, sweet smelling herb and vegetable gardens. Spicy homemade orecchiette, bruschetta, and grilled calamari will savor the palates. Our chefs give guests the ultimate treat, hands on cooking lessons fill ....

gina’s blog

Self Guided Bike Tours - Italy - Great Idea Or Foolish?

December 28, 2007

Creating your own self guided bike tour to travel through most areas of Italy is probably not that difficult of an idea. Italy is a country of cyclists. Motorists are respectful of riders and hoteliers are not surprised by their clients showing up on two wheels. So here’s a list of all the great things to think about, on why you might choose to design your own Italian biking tour:Money: By creating your own plan it is possible to save significant dollars, if only because you can redirect your funds into your areas of priority. If your passion in traveling is food you can blow the budget in this area and economize on hotel accommodation. If museums and galleries are your love in life, than you can eat less and blow the bank on entrance fees. Bottom line is that you are in control and can spend entirely ba ....

Best Outfitters '08

Biking

Ciclismo Classico

Ciclismo Classico offers classic Mediterranean cycling in Spain and France but considers Italy---where it began--- the crown jewel of European biking. After a sunset spin past the olive groves between San Donato and Cortona, you'll agree. Signature Trip: "Bike Across Italy," 11 days, $4,495; ciclismoclassico.com ....

Adventure Guide:

The Dolomites

Cycling: Summer is cycling season in the Dolomites, and several outfitters offer seven-to ten-day tours from June through August; prices include accomodations (single rooms cast more) and most meals. The author rode with Carpenter/ Phinney Bike Camp (June 26-July3; $3,750; www.bikecamp.com), owned and operated by two of America's cycling legends. Ciclismo Classico has three trips led by Italian guides ($3895 for ten days; www.ciclismoclassico.com), and if you don't want to ship your bike you can pedal one of their Bianchi Via Nirone 7s. ....

Notebook

Riding the Dolomites

Falzarego Pass, Italy

By Abraham Streep

The Italian Dolomites are best know for luxe skiing, the legendary Giro d'Italia bike race, and World War I bloodbaths. But the 10,000-foot peaks along the Austrian border also feature world-class singletrack accessible only in the summer. At 7,000 feet, Falzarego Pass is one of the area's toughest climbs, a seven-mile haul at a 6 percent incline from the town of Cortina--by road. The unpaved, and much tougher, rout shown here climbs through woods meadows and across bone-rattling, and rock-hewn trails. "Nothing compares with the final ascent," says Piedmont native and guide Cristiano Bonino, "when the sun is on your back." Massachusetts-based Ciclismo Classico offers custom trips ($2,895 for a six day trip; cicilismoclassi ....