Breakaway Adventures

This dramatic area of the Algarve, is a wonderful secret, a far cry from the package tourist hotspots of the eastern Algarve region. Unspoiled wild coastlines take you on a trail back to a land that time has forgotten; pretty white villages intermingle with rich valleys and prett meadows. Cliff top views, forest tracks and fisherman's villages and a rich mix of vegetation lining the cycle routes make exploring by bike great fun. Temperatures here mean that winter is more akin to springtime in North America, and birdlife abounds with endemic and migratory species passing through from Africa and Northern europe.

Our new 6 night cycling holiday explores this little known region, where you'll cyclef rom the waterfront in the port of Sagres along empty, sun-kissed cycle tracks with stupendous sea views to the walled town of Lagos, full of interesting architecture. Country lanes lead through bird rich chestnut forest to Pedralva's hidden valley,where every house in the village is now a strikingly attractive hotel room. Next stop is Europe's most south westerly point at Cabo San Vicente - still a place of pilgrimage for many - before cycling back to Sagres for a ?nal dinner.

The Hotel La Bastiglia is mentioned in many important hotel guides, well known for it's gastronomic cuisine and beautiful setting at the foot of Mount Subasio, the enchanted mountain of Saint Francis. Originally an ancient mill the hotel has been lovingly restored and transformed into an unforgettable place to stay. There are 33 rooms divided into three categories, many overlooking the typical Umbrian landscape of cypress trees and olive groves. The restaurant, serves a mix of ancient recipes and modern creations using the freshest ingredients. On display inside the hotel there is a collection of ceramics, antique furniture and important paintings from the private collection of Schifano and Norberto.

The Leitnerbraeu Hotel, our base hotel for the cycling holiday, is one of the historic central hotels in the Mondsee High Street, right opposite the church used in 'The Sound of Music'. It could not be more central and is a 5 minute stroll from the lakeside where there are frequent summer shows and events.

A 30 room family run property, it is broad, modern and spacious inside while retaining the typical Tyrol architecture outside. Bedrooms upstairs are extremely spacious with queen size beds and pine furnishings. All rooms have modern bathrooms, direct dial phones, cable telvision (CNN, BBC), minibar and hairdryers.

The Château de Chissay is a 4 star château hotel steeped in history, set in 25 ha of parkland overlooking the Loire.

Lovingly restored back in 1986, it's said that both Charles VII and Louis XI stayed here. In the stately dining room, once the guard room, you'll be treated to delicious cuisine inspired by local produce and also a comprehensive wine list. The rooms have been tastefully decorated and their bathrooms each feature mosaic designs representing famous people from French history who marked the different periods in time.

This hotel was originally a maison bourgeoise until it was converted into a hotel by an ex-pâtissier! It has now been in Mme Ramise's family for over 45 years.

The hotel only provides breakfast, although à la carte room service is possible (very reasonably priced and a good selection of hot and cold dishes). However, it's fun to explore the lovely town of Auxerre and there are plenty of good restaurants in all price ranges within 5-15 minutes walk. There's a public swimming pool in the town and a sauna at the hotel (approx 7€). There is a secure closed garage behind the hotel (6.50€ per day) or free parking in front (ask at reception).

This independent cycling tour follows a loop around the broad Empordà plain, packed with stunning scenery and a wealth of fascinating historical and cultural discoveries that date back to Greek and Roman times.

Your holiday starts, and ends, at the pretty seafront town of Calella de Palafrugell. From here you head north along the coast - spectacular views across to the Iles Medes - until you reach the lush wine-growing area set beneath its stunning mountain backdrop. Your final stretch takes you on through the Empordà plain - peppered with peaceful medieval villages, historic castles, fortresses, church towers and sun-kissed squares, your only difficulty will be choosing where to stop for lunch!

Portugal's western coast north of Lisbon combines wild, beautiful Atlantic beaches with rich cultural treasures, and is perfect for exploring by bike.

Your night is spent inland, discovering verdant valleys of strawberries, palms and vines, before heading out past hilltop castles to the sea. Along the way, a clutch of dramatic UNESCO heritage sites provide fascinating insights into Portugal's golden era of expansion and exploration.

Your next four nights are spent by the ocean where your route heads south passing majestic breakers thundering onto empty gold-sand beaches just metres from lively tasca beach bars - hugely popular with locals and perfect for sun-kissed seafood lunches. It's a spectacularly unspoiled and laid-back stretch of coast. White fishing villages and windmills bask in the sun, and fade to dusky-pink as blazing scarlet sunsets...

The family team at the Hotel Garbi are certainly very friendly and will do everything they can to make your stay as comfortable as possible. The hotel itself is located just outside the town, in its own extensive gardens, shaded by pines. The hotel also has a car park- for anyone who would like to drive to this hotel. The hotel has 36 standard rooms, recently refurbished, with complete bathroom, hairdryer, telephone and satellite Television.

This 8-night cycling holiday explores the heart of Franche Comté between the Doubs valley at Besancon and the folded mountains of the high Jura close to the Swiss border. It's exhilarating cycling through sun-dappled oak forests, terraces of swaying vines and beside lazy meandering rivers to discover honey-colored villages interspersed with traditional farming communities continuing as they have for centuries. Away from the towns, there is very little traffic, and you're more likely to come across herons and wild deer than you are fellow cyclists!For an unknown region, it boasts a remarkably rich cultural heritage, and your route includes three UNESCO-listed sites: the magnificent Citadel in Besancon, the unique Saline Royale built by royal decree in 1773 in Arc-et-Senans, and the awesome C13 underground salt galleries in Salins-les-Bains...

It is almost wholly unspoiled, combining rural tranquillity with beautiful landscapes, and it hardly seems to have changed in centuries.

You'll see dozens of châteaux, and lovely churches, chapels and abbeys. The cycling is relaxed with rural routes taking you through vineyards, woodlands and up to pretty perched villages with the most amazing views. The summer sun is softened by breezes coming in from the Mediterranean and, everywhere, there's the scent of the garrigue to remind you you're in Provence.

This holiday starts and ends at our hotel in Le Thoronet. In between, you stay in a lovely family-run chambre d'hotes in Ponteves, and a beautifully converted C16 coaching inn in Tourtour. All hotels offer private outdoor swimming pools and there's a jacuzzi in Tourtour.