Headwater

Our popular 12 night cycling holiday in the Austrian Lakes is fantastically varied with something to suit travellers of all ages. It's a glorious mix of spectacular scenic views, gentle shoreline routes and swimming opportunities galore! The cycling is mainly 1-boot level but you can extend or shorten your routes on most days.

This 8-night cycling holiday explores the gentle upland plateau between the Doubs valley at Besancon and the folded mountains of the high Jura close to the Swiss border. It's a relaxed and leisurely loop, winding through sun-dappled oak forests, terraces of swaying vines and beside lazy meandering rivers to discover honey-coloured 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!

It's an area of great natural beauty, away from the tourist haunts, midway between the Mediterranean coast and Maritime Alps.There's varied cycling and not too much traffic; plenty of sunshine, yet cooling breezes; masses to see and do. You cycle through shady wooded hills, attractive Clochemerle-style villages, and discover 'perched villages' with sites and monuments going back 2,000 years.

Rich in medieval villages, highlights include prosperous Peratallada, peach-coloured Pals and fashionable Begur. The rocky coastline is dotted with pretty fishing villages, crystal clear waters and beautiful beaches which are perfect to explore.

This holiday is full of contrasts and variety and explores one of the most beautiful corners of Catalonia. It's gentle cycling too, occasionally off-road, through olive groves, peach orchards and pine forests, and along pretty coastal paths. The landscape is gently rolling for the most part, making this an easy cycle and a relaxing holiday. The changing seasons bring white blossom in spring, sunflower yellow in summer and warm gold at harvest time. Fabulous coastal views, beautiful beaches and aquamarine waters make this an inspirational area.

You stay in a variety of hotels, all with pools, which have been hand-picked for their charm and character. The family-run Hotel Garbi in the traditional fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell, is set on the hillside overlooking the sea. The stylish Hotel Sa Punta in Platja de Pals is set in attractive gardens and is within walking distance of the beach or you can cycle to nearby Begur. Two nights of the holiday are spent at the Hotel Castell d'Emporda, a magnificently restored 14th century castle perched proudly on its outcrop, just outside La Bisbal. The breathtaking views over the plain from its sun terrace are not to be missed.

Highlights

• Quiet country roads - perfect for first-timers or nervous cyclists
• Wide sandy beaches, beautiful bays, traditional fishing ports, sun-drenched villages off the tourist trail
• Excellent hotels, all with pools, including 14th century luxury castle
• Lovely sea breeze, perfect cycling conditions - never too hot, even in high season
• Pretty medieval villages to explore en route and on your rest days

Dramatic Mont Ventoux and the lacy silhouette of the Dentelles de Montmirail dominate the skyline on this Provence cycling holiday. You get the best of both worlds - breathtaking scenery all around combined with easy pedalling on plains and gentle foothills dotted with lavender, orchards and the famous Cotes du Rhone vineyards.The area is steeped in history. Originally Celtic, it was conquered by the Romans and is now rich in well-preserved Roman remains, especially at Orange and Vaison-la-Romaine where the large site is comparable to Pompeii.

The countryside is almost entirely untouched by tourism. The cycling is gentle, and takes you through ancient vineyards, cherry orchards and along hidden canal paths. En route you eat well, and stay with some of the friendliest people we've ever met - there's a specially warm welcomes at Valfrido and Angelina's farm hotel near Vicenza, and at the Ottolitri family's hotel just outside Galzignano.

If you have 10 days to spare, then this new cycling holiday explores the 'golden triangle' of Franche-Comte and offers a real in-depth voyage of discovery for connoisseurs of hidden France. This is France profonde, unchanged over the years, with charming village squares decked with pavement cafes, geranium-filled balconies and traffic-free country lanes.Your trip starts and ends in the historic old town of Besancon - one of France's most picturesque yet least touristy towns - built in a loop around the River Doubs, and surrounded by Jurassic-folded limestone hills, with their characteristic cirques and reculees. From here, you explore pretty stretches of the Loue and Doubs rivers, and the farming hamlets of the plateau, with their neat wood piles and onion-domed churches. As you pedal, you'll traverse high meadows, verdant woodland and open plateaux. There's a good chance of spotting wild deer in the forests as well as kestrels and eagles circling overhead.

You stay in the picturesque Austrian village of Strobl, on the eastern shore of Lake Wolfgang, and one of the prettiest spots in the region. During your time here we provide a wide selection of fully researched self-guided walking and cycling routes, typically with a level 1 activity rating. To ensure total flexibility, we give you a complimentary Headwater bike for your exclusive use throughout your stay. There's also excellent local bus, ferry and cable car services (payable locally) linking the local lakes and villages.

A full range of watersports can be booked and paid for locally, with tuition available for beginners. Alternatively, perhaps take a trip on one of the many hop on, hop off lake cruisers and soak up the views from the water. There's also a natural wide beach for sunbathing. Take time to visit Mozart's magical city of Salzburg: stroll through the Mirabell Gardens, lunch in an atmospheric cobbled square, then take the funicular to Hohensalzburg Fortress for the most amazing city views.

You will spend 7 nights at the family-run 3 star Hotel Kirchenwirt which sits on the shore of Lake Wolfgang and has its own bathing jetty with loungers. Guests can also use the wellness facilities at the neighbouring Zierhaus. Alternatively, upgrade to the recently renovated 4 star Hotel Bergrose, set back from the river, and less than five minutes' cycle from the lake.

Highlights

• Choice of hotels: family friendly 3 star lakeside property or upgrade to a luxury 4 star hotel with secluded gardens, exquisite cuisine and top-of-the-range wellness centre including indoor pool
• Postcard-pretty villages, lovely lakeside beaches, spectacular mountain views
• Fairytale city of Salzburg: Baroque palaces, Renaissance gardens, elegant Viennese coffee houses
• Masses of choice for active families: ice caves, watersports, boat trips and more

Nine centuries of bon viveur tradition, one world-famous wine area and three others to check out, are packed into this short non-strenuous holiday. You'll have plenty of opportunities for gastronomic pit-stops. And you'll be able to taste several renowned appellations.

This 10-night holiday has been carefully crafted to cleverly balance cultural highlights and historic treasures with natural beauty and scenically stunning cycling. It's a perfect choice too if you like the idea of combining timeless countryside cycling with using local transport to explore the eternal cities of Siena and Florence on foot.