The benefits of a multigenerational cycle holiday, with Freedom Treks

In the last few years there has been a widespread increase in multi-generational holidays. According to this BBC article*, easyJet’s passenger survey suggests 73% have taken a multi-generational holiday and Ryanair says in the past five years, multi-generational bookings have risen by 52%.

With grandparents often living further afield from their children and grandchildren nowadays, this growing trend is no surprise, as these types of trips give extended families the opportunity to spend quality time together, make lifetime memories and form the strongest of bonds. Plus, with grandparents on hand, mum and dad can even enjoy a little alone time too, a win-win for everyone involved.

Freedom Treks, specialising in self-guided and guided bike tours in Europe and Asia, believes there is no better way for three generations to holiday together than on a cycling excursion. The company has a wide selection of tours to keep all ages happy, entertained and active. The planned routes follow dedicated cycle paths or very quiet roads, with daily distances manageable for the smallest of legs, and have plenty of interesting places to visit along the way to delight all. The relaxed nature of these tours means there is always time to stop for a cooling ice cream, pause at an inviting playground or just sit back and admire the spectacular scenery together.

The bikes available cover all bases too, from children’s bikes, adult bikes and adult e-bikes, to child seats, trailers, tag-along bikes, family tandem and FollowMe bikes.

Family Lake Constance
Spend a week exploring the upper and lower shores of sparkling Lake Constance on easy rides through Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Discover fairy-tale castles, pre-historic stilt houses, half-timbered buildings and inviting lidos, before finishing in the historic city of Constance. The easy terrain, well-marked paths and child-friendly attractions make this an ideal tour for families. Plus, the hotels have all been chosen because of their relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and native flair; parents and children can experience local life first hand. Highlights include visiting the Lake Dwelling Museum in Unteruhldingen, an open-air museum which features reconstructed stilt houses and prehistoric relics, looking around Langenargen’s Moorish-style Montfort castle (with a Sleeping Beauty style turret) and free entry to the Sea-Life Centre in the city of Constance, home to a wide variety of animals including manta rays, sharks and 10 playful gentoo penguins. Have a day’s break from the saddle and visit the Zeppelin Museum, which has the world’s largest aviation collection of airships, or the Ravensburger Spieleland amusement park in Germany, home to the biggest playroom in the world. The route follows easy terrain with well-marked paths, and as the longest cycle ride is just 25 miles; it’s ideal for kids (and big kids). A boat trip and many entrance fees are included in this tour too, so families can have plenty of breaks from the saddle.
Level: Easy
A seven-night Family Lake Constance self-guided tour, departing most days from 5 April to 25 October 2020, costs from £424 pp (for two adults and two children – age 6-13 – sharing a quad room). Price includes seven nights’ B&B accommodation in three-star hotels, luggage transportation, maps and route information (GPS tracks available), entrance to Rosgarten museum in Constance including a coffee, boat trip from Wallhausen to Überlingen (including bikes), entrance to Sea Life Centre in Constance, entrance to Lake Dwelling Museum in Unteruhldingen, entrance to Mainau Island, entrance to Ravensburger Spieleland Meckenbeuren-Liebenau, entrance to the Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen and cable car return ride to the Pfander (excluding bikes). Return flights, transfers and other meals and activities extra. Children’s bikes / trailers / Weehoo cost from £35 pp. Adult hybrid bikes cost from £71 pp and E-bikes cost from £171 pp. E-cargo bikes (with seats for two children) cost from £171 and a tandem costs from £140 total (for two adults).
Freedom Treks (01273 224 066, www.freedomtreks.co.uk)

Moselle Cycle Path – Leisurely
Relish a week of laidback cycling with short distances on easy paths that wind alongside the glistening Moselle river, past golden vineyards and through charming old villages. Beginning in Trier, explore some of the eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites – including the Porta Nigra gate, Roman amphitheatre and Germany’s oldest Gothic church – before following the Moselle north towards Cochem. Stop for a refreshing dip in Triolago Lake, where football-golf, a toboggan run and miniature golf can be enjoyed by all the family. Plus, don’t miss the outdoor pool with a giant slide near the city of Schweich, the fascinating toy museum in Trier or the fairy-tale Reichsburg Cochem, considered one of the most picture-perfect imperial castles in Germany. Kids will love the many different playgrounds while the adults can treat themselves to a wine tasting in Neumagen-Dhron, the oldest wine producing community in Germany. The easy bike rides make it perfect for kids on tag-alongs, in trailers or on follow-me bicycles and for the grandparents, who might not be as fit as they once were!
Level: Easy
A six-night Moselle Cycle Path – Leisurely self-guided tour, departing every day from 10 April to 20 October 2020, costs from £426 pp (triple room for two adults and one child age 6-11) 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. Children’s bikes / tag-alongs / trailers cost from £57 pp and FollowMe bikes (20-inch child bikes with a FollowMe attachment, meaning it can be connected to an adult bike as and when required) cost from £84 pp. Adult hybrid bikes cost from £71 pp or E-bikes cost from £158 pp.
Freedom Treks (01273 224 066, www.freedomtreks.co.uk)

Land of Lakes & Castles – Leisurely
Enjoy Stockholm’s colourful architecture, unspoiled nature and welcoming bakeries (filled with delicious cinnamon buns) before heading out of the city and cycling along quiet roads and through nature reserves on this family-orientated tour. Visit a 400-year-old fortress in Mariefred, lap up the beautiful shores of Lake Klämmingen and tuck into some delectable cakes at Taxinge Manor House.  Explore Sweden’s small, pretty towns, stopping along the way for relaxing picnics or, if feeling brave, a refreshing swim in the Baltic and the many crystal-clear lakes. For those seeking a bit more adventure and extra bonding time, swap the bike for a canoe for an afternoon and enjoy the endless isles from a different perspective. One of the highlights is cruising from Mariefred back to Stockholm across Lake Malaren on a steamer built in 1903. It is the perfect way to end this unique and memorable tour. With sections of the route along forest tracks, which can be undulating in parts; this tour is best suited for children 11 years and above who cycle regularly at home.
Level: Easy to Moderate
A five-night Land of Lakes & Castles – Leisurely self-guided tour, departing every Tuesday from 12 May to 15 September 2020, costs from £654 pp (triple room for two adults and one child age 11-18) and includes B&B accommodation in three-star hotels and family-run inns, luggage transportation, bike hire, 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)

Danube – Leisurely Linz to Vienna
Pedal from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Linz to the artistic Austrian capital Vienna on this seven-night tour. Ride through the Austrian Danube valley on the flat, paved cycle paths that are ideal for children and those new to cycling tours. Families will come across the many activities and attractions on route, from the replica Iron Age village in Linz and the water park in Ardagger, to the museum of ship building in Spitz and paddling on the renowned Danube. Other cultural highlights include cycling to the breath-taking Benedictine abbey of Melk, taking a tour of the wine cellars in Wachau Valley and riding Vienna’s Giant Ferris Wheel, one of the oldest operating Ferris wheels in the world. Throughout the journey, tuck into regional specialities such as Linzer torte, Weiner schnitzel and many traditional sweets. The self-guided nature of the holiday means kids (and big kids) can stop and rest their legs while having a snack, or a picnic, whenever wanted. Although the longest cycle ride is 30 miles, the routes are mostly flat and e-bikes, for adults, can be hired for that extra push. Plus, there is no cycling on day five, giving everyone time to explore the mesmerising World Heritage Wachau region and meaning parents and/or grandparents can treat themselves to a well-deserved glass of wine…
Level: Easy
A seven-night Danube – Leisurely Linz to Vienna self-guided tour, departing every day from 2 May to 17 October 2020, costs from £336 pp (quad room for two adults and two children age 9-11) and includes B&B accommodation in three and four-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. Children’s bikes / tag-alongs / trailers cost from £57 pp. Adult hybrid bikes cost £66 pp or E-bikes cost £149 pp.
Freedom Treks (01273 224 066, www.freedomtreks.co.uk)

* https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-49125440

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).