Macs Adventure

This incredible journey combines cycling and cruising down the Saar and Moselle Rivers. Wind your way through enchanting countryside, world famous for wine making and where hill-top castles overlook medieval market squares. The quality of the cycle paths are second to none; mostly flat they meander through picturesque towns and villages, such as Trier, Zell on the Moselle and the fairy-tale hamlet of Beilstein. You’ll also enjoy the camaraderie on board the MS Patria with your fellow travellers.

Sailing and cycling through the enchanting winelands of Moselle and Saar.
Meeting local winegrowers and other cyclists from all over the world.
Discovering Art Nouveau Traben-Trarbach, a famous wine trade city.
Flexibility to cycle or relax on board the MS Patria.
Cycling past the steepest vineyard in the world, Bremmer Calmont.

Enjoy a relaxed cycling holiday through Germany’s most famous wine growing area on the Moselle Cycle Path. Journey along the Moselle River accompanied by with fabulous food, wine, castles and charming villages of medieval half-timbered houses. The Roman city of Trier, founded in 16BC, is arguably Germany’s oldest city and overflows with classical and historical sights, including the Imperial Thermal Baths. As you pedal north from Trier you are immersed in a landscape of forests, vineyard-covered hills and villages of medieval half-timbered houses. The Moselle Cycle Path takes you through the towns of Bernkastel Kues, Traben Tarbach, Cochem, Neumagen Dhron (the oldest German wine town) and Enkirch, a jewel of the regional medieval ‘Fachwerk’ (Tudor style) architecture. Perfectly suited to those that enjoy cycling on dedicated cycle paths with very few hills, riding the Moselle reveals a treasure trove of Germany's ancient history.

Spend each night in stylish comfort, including 2 nights in a lovingly restored trulli house, unique to Puglia. Deep in southern Italy, south of Bari, begin your exploration of Puglia from the coastal town of Monopoli. Ride through olive and almond groves to the medieval castle of Conversano. Pedal along the rugged Adriatic coastline to Greco-Roman hilltop city of Ostuni, and discover its maze of well preserved cobbled streets and whitewashed buildings. Ride across sleepy rural landscapes, peppered with white conical roofed houses to the 1500 trulli houses of Alberolbello. Here you have the option to visit Noci and Putignano by bike or relax and wander the ancient streets of Alberobello by foot. Explore its maze of streets and dine on locally produced creamy burrata cheese and chilled bianco wine.
 

In the company of Delta Cormorants and Great White Egrets, journey from the town of Tulcea to ’Mile 0’ where the Danube empties into the Black Sea. Exceeded only by the Great Barrier Reef and the Galapagos Archipelago, the Delta is the worlds third largest region of biodiversity and is a sanctuary for over 300 species of birdlife. Guided by a local wildlife expert, this journey will uncover the flora, fauna and Romanian folklore of this vast UNESCO wetland.

This bike & boat tour transports you from the historic city of Haarlem, to Keukenhof flower park, and to “Zaanse Schans” an open-air museum where you can see typical Dutch scenery of windmills, an authentic village, and a traditional cheesemaker. Combine time on your gorgeous boat (dining on delicious cuisine) with easy flat cycling through idyllic and traditional Dutch landscapes.

Starting out in the historic town of Killarney, a private transfer will take you to one of Ireland’s most westerly coastal towns, Cahersiveen. Begin with a loop ride through the colourful harbour villages of Valentia Island where you can sample fresh, local, Portmagee crab. Leaving Cahersiveen, cycle through the rolling Kerry countryside to the vast and pristine beach at Rossbeigh. Another roll inland heads along the northern shore of Lough Caragh and via Kilorglin before arriving into Killarney. Here, ride through the native woodland of Killarney National Park where you can visit the 15th century Ross Castle and famous Muckross House. In the evening, explore the pubs of Killarney and enjoy a bowl of Irish stew with a well earned pint of Guinness.

Spend each night in luxury Parador Hotels, lovingly restored medieval palaces, castles and convents. Extremadura, Land of Conquistador explorers, boasts a wealth of perfectly preserved medieval towns, taking you back in time to the region's 16th century heyday.

From the palace of Parador Oropesa, you’ll ride across rich agricultural lands and via sections of the ancient ’Ruta de la Plata’ to the 12th century walled market town and Moorish ruins of Plasencia. Cycling through the birdlife of Monfrague National Park, leads to the architectural splendours of Trujillo and UNESCO city of Caceres, home to explorer Francisco Pizarro. The exquisite Parador Caceres, a Renaissance palace in the heart of the old quarter is a stately end to this explorers adventure.

Cycle across the fertile plains, rivers and towns of the Po Valley as you follow the ancient Roman Road of ‘Via Emilia’ dating back to 187 B.C. Starting out in Parma, discover the renaissance artworks of Correggio and Mazzola and lunch on plates of prosciutto ham and parmesan cheese. Ride to the UNESCO listed Piazza Grande of Modena, and sample the local Balsamic vinegars. Pedal along the river Secchia to the terracotta porticoes of Bologna and into the Piazza Maggiore, the perfect place to end your journey. Dine on fresh beef ragu pasta and quaff generous glasses of Sangiovese wine, reflecting on your delicious week in the saddle.

Exciting and educational activities for youngsters and stunning Austrian scenery for big kids combine on one of Europe’s most popular cycle paths. Young cyclists will boost their confidence on two wheels and adults will love the ease of following the flat and traffic-free Danube Cycle Path. Ride through picture-perfect Austrian villages and flower-filled meadows as you follow the glistening Blue Danube to Vienna.

Kids will be entertained by the set of an Iron-Age village, a fascinating maritime museum, thrilling water parks and the magical castles which peek out from amongst lush forests. The vineyards of the beautiful Wachau Wine Valley make will delight older gourmet palates, and everyone will love the delightful family-friendly accommodation located in charming villages.

The Danube Cycle Tour is perfectly suited to families and beginners as the cycling is flat or gently downhill as you follow the Danube downstream. The route is well way marked, paved and traffic free. What more could you ask for on a cycling holiday? The Danube Family Cycling Adventure was featured in National Geographic Traveller (February 2014): "Completing this journey as a couple would have been wonderful, but as a family, it feels like an extraordinary experience."

Your Danube Family Cycling Adventure tour includes handpicked accommodation in charming 3* Austrian hotels and inns, 7 breakfasts, daily baggage transfer, return train from Vienna to Linz, a comprehensive information pack and emergency support. Good quality bike hire, including children’s bikes, is available as an option. You can read about our Danube Family Cycling adventure in UK Newspaper the Sunday Telegraph's article on pedalling the Blue Danube.

Cycle through blossom-filled orchards and alongside azure Mediterranean coastlines dotted with charming fishing villages and golden beaches. Besides superb cycling, indulge in Mallorca’s fantastic natural larder of fresh seafood, and explore its pristine natural habitats; salt pans, caves of stalactites, bird-filled wetlands and a myriad of tiny swimming coves all waiting to be discovered. With an average of nearly 2800 hours of sunshine each year, you can be sure of a healthy boost of vitamin D!