Mix cycling with culture, on these exciting tours, with Freedom Treks
With a number of exhilarating events taking place in 2019, including the Rugby World Cup in Japan, Opera Bregenz Festival in Austria and Umbria Jazz Festival in Italy, why not combine culture and cycling on a selection of sensational tours with Freedom Treks?
Specialising in self-guided and guided bike tours for all cycling levels, Freedom Treks believes there is no better way to get beneath the surface of a country than from the comfort of a saddle. Travelling by bike allows riders to engage with a new destination, discover a different culture, find hidden viewpoints, stop and try fresh produce and breathe in the fresh scents of nature – all at their own pace.
So, whether it is watching the Wales versus Fiji match then sinking into hot springs in Japan, listening to Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto and visiting the dramatic Rhine Falls or sampling smooth Riesling wine before following the Moselle River as it winds through Germany, take a look at the inspirational options detailed below.
20 September to 2 November 2019: Rugby World Cup 2019 – Kyushu Coast to Coast, Japan
Hosted once every four years, the Rugby World Cup is the Rugby Union’s centrepiece event. This year, the seven-week tournament will be held from 20 September to 2 November 2019 and will see 20 teams participating with a total of 48 matches being played. The destination for this third-largest sports event in the world (after the summer Olympics and the Football World Cup) is Japan. For those lucky enough to have tickets for the matches in Fukuoka, Oita or Kumamoto, why not convert the trip into an extra-special adventure and sign up to the brand-new Kyushu Coast to Coast cycle tour? Ideal for regular cyclists, with rides averaging 35 miles each day, visitors will ride from Fukuoka in the west to Kyushu in the east. Pedal along quiet roads and trails, combining culture, cuisine and nature before reaching Beppu, one of Japan’s best-known hot-spring resorts. Take a break from the saddle and admire Komzoyen-ji temple, famous for its Zen stone garden, visit Usa Shrine, dating back 1,200 years and dedicated to the Hachiman warrior god and stop at Tendai Temple beneath Mount Futago, it’s the oldest wooden structure in Kyushu having been built in the 11th century. Plus, look out for the picturesque Kurehashi Bridge with its amazing thatched roof. On arrival in Beppu, explore the ‘Hells of Beppu’ steaming sulphuric ponds and bubbling mud pools then soak in a well-deserved onsen bath. Stay at a range of hotels and unique ‘ryokan’ inns, many of which have their own hot springs; ideal for relaxing and recharging those leg muscles. And those keen to see some more matches en route, head to a local bar, order a Bīru (beer) and raise a toast to the players on television.
Level: Moderate
A five-night Kyushu Coast to Coast tour, departing 7 October 2019, costs from £1,709 pp (two sharing) and includes full-board accommodation in three-and-four-star hotels and inns, bike hire (choice of hybrid or road bike), a local English-speaking guide, support vehicle for assistance, transfers during the tour, luggage transportation and snacks and drinks when riding and airport drop off at the end of the tour. Return flights, airport transfer on arrival, visas, helmets and drinks extra.
Freedom Treks (01273 224 066, www.freedomtreks.co.uk)
12-21 July 2019: Umbria Jazz – Perugia – Leisurely Assisi to Spoleto, Italy
Fans of King Crimson, Paolo Conte and Diana Krall will love Umbria Jazz, the international jazz festival taking place in Perugia. Umbria’s capital is home to medieval paths, grand palaces, mighty castles and charming villages and the largest lake in central Italy, Lake Trasimeno. Make the most of this region and the top jazz musicians on the Umbria – Leisurely Assisi to Spoleto tour, that passes nearby. Frequently referred to as Italy’s green heart, discover the beautiful region of Umbria by bike. This leisurely trip follows quiet country lanes and cycle paths; riders can pedal at their own pace, taking in the bright green fields, vine-covered hills and bold yellow sunflowers. Starting in Assisi, which features famous basilicas, a fortress and Roman forum, explore the medieval city of Spello before continuing the four-day journey to Spoleto. Pedal to Graziani Baglioni Palace in Torgiano with its wine and olive museums, pause at the Piazza Silvestri in Bevagna and see the Duomo, Ponte delle Torri and other highlights in Spoleto. On the last night, relax by the pool or join a pizza-making class and learn how to make this authentic, much-loved dish. Guests can pick from a range of accommodation, from three or four-star hotels, plus stay at an ecological country house in Casco dell’Acqua. Situated by the emerald green waters of Clitunno river, sign up for a canoe trip or slide into the salt-water pool. At the beginning or end of the tour, jump on a train to Perugia (a short train ride away) and admire the catchy rhythms, cool tunes and impressive improvisation by the musicians at Umbria Jazz.
Level: Easy
A six-night Umbria – Leisurely Assisi to Spoleto self-guided tour, departing throughout July 2019, costs from £442 pp (two sharing a double or twin room in standard accommodation) or from £585 pp (two sharing a double or twin room in deluxe accommodation). Price includes breakfast every day, luggage transportation, maps and route information (GPS tracks available) and welcome meeting. Return flights, transfers, other meals and bike hire extra.
Freedom Treks (01273 224 066, www.freedomtreks.co.uk)
17 July to 18 August 2019: Bregenzer Fest Speile – Lake Constance & Rhine Falls, Austria
From 17 July to 18 August 2019, the renowned Opera Bregenz Festival will take place on the sparkling eastern shores of Lake Constance. Having run for more than 70 years, this year’s highlights include Giuseppe Verdi’s Rigoletto, Peter Tchaikovsky’s Libretto and Jules Massenet’s Don Quichotte. Mix this beautiful selection of music with a magical cycle tour that passes through Bregenz. Admire the natural beauty of Lake Constance, one of Europe’s largest freshwater lakes, plus take a boat and visit the cascading Rhine Falls, Central Europe’s largest waterfall, all at a laid-back pace. Starting and finishing in the German city of Constance, follow the glistening shoreline along a well signposted and car-free path into Austria and Switzerland. Marvel at the world’s largest collection of aviation exhibitions at the Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen, ride through a gorgeous nature reserve past the Rhine delta, see the sights of Romanshorn – the most important Swiss harbour on Lake Constance – and pedal along the Höri Peninsula, where the writer Hermann Hesse and the artist Otto Dix once lived. Plus, don a raincoat and travel to the foot of the powerful Rhine Falls by boat. Here, guests will be able to experience the sheer force and beauty of the falls up close.
Level: Easy
A seven-night Lake Constance & Rhine Falls self-guided tour, departing in July and August 2019, costs from £678 pp (two sharing) and includes B&B accommodation in two-and-three star hotels, luggage transportation, maps and route information (GPS tracks available), entrance to Rosgarten Museum in Constance with coffee and a boat trip to Rhine Falls Rock. Return flights, transfers, other meals, bike and helmet hire extra.
Freedom Treks (01273 224 066, www.freedomtreks.co.uk)
19-21 July 2019: Bled Days – Best of Slovenia – Lakes to the Coast, Slovenia
Imagine 15,000 egg shells, all with a candle, being launched into Lake Bled and causing the water to glow. Each candle is made by Andrej Vidic, a local who spends months collecting egg shells from the town’s cake shop and making them into mini-light holders. Other highlights of this diverse three-day festival include arts, crafts, music and a firework display, plus delicious traditional cuisine. The event is orientated towards sustainability and supports the Zero Waste movement. Continue helping the environment by exploring more of Slovenia, from Bled to Piran, by eco-friendly bike. Pause in the picturesque hillside village of Sorica, the birthplace of the impressionist painter, Ivan Grohar, arrive in the capital of Ljubljana and admire the stunning hilltop castle of this small city and take the time to appreciate the extensive collection of Tito’s cars in the Technical Museum in Bistra Castle. Leave the tourist trails and stop off in Rakov Škocjan nature reserve, a wonderfully wild karst valley, delve into the Postojna Caves, home to the world’s only flesh-coloured fish and buy a fresh ice cream in Muggia, Italy, before continuing on to the gorgeous city of Piran surrounded by the refreshing Adriatic Sea. None of the daily rides are longer than 30 miles and with e-bikes available, it’s an ideal tour for all levels of cyclist.
Level: Moderate
A 10-night Best of Slovenia – Lakes to the Coast self-guided tour, departing 22 July 2019, costs from £896 pp (two sharing) and includes B&B accommodation in three-and-four star hotels, luggage transportation, maps and route information (GPS tracks available), welcome meeting and transfer to Pokljuka high plateau. Return flights, transfers, other meals, bike and helmet hire extra.
Freedom Treks (01273 224 066, www.freedomtreks.co.uk)
22-26 August 2019: Cochem’s local wine festival – Moselle Cycle Path – Leisurely, Germany
Combining regional wine, food stalls, live music and vibrant fireworks, this free festival is a must for anyone travelling to Moselle, Germany. Aside from the two stages showcasing a series of performers, guests can sample a wide selection of smooth Riesling wines. Sunday is the day to be there: the grand parade starts to roll down the streets in the afternoon and a mesmerising firework display takes place at night, showering the sky with colour and light. Cycle to this authentic event alongside one of Germany’s most beautiful and romantic river valleys. Beginning in Trier, explore some of the eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, before following the Moselle River north, towards Cochem. En route, stop for a refreshing dip in Triolago Lake, where football golf, a toboggan run and miniature golf can also be enjoyed. Keep an eye out for colourful vineyards in Piesport, visit a bicycle museum or castle ruins in Traben-Trarbach and discover the fairy-tale Reichsburg Cochem, considered one of the most picture-perfect imperial castles in Germany. On reaching Cochem, wander the scenic streets of the old town and take a chairlift up to Pinner Kreuz lookout point to admire the scenic views, then join in with the friendly local wine festival.
Level: Easy
A six-night Moselle Cycle Path – Leisurely self-guided tour, departing 15 August 2019, costs from £537 pp (two sharing) and includes B&B accommodation in three-star hotels and family-run inns, luggage transportation, maps and route information (GPS tracks available) and welcome meeting. Return flights, transfers, other meals, bike and helmet hire extra.
Freedom Treks (01273 224 066, www.freedomtreks.co.uk)
To find out more about any of these tours visit www.freedomtreks.co.uk, call 01273 224 066 or follow Freedom Treks on Facebook (Freedom Treks).
