Santana Adventures

Less than 200 miles off the coast of Morocco is a volcanic archipelago that reminds many of Tahiti. And while Tahiti is decidedly French, the Canary Islands are an integral part of Spain. A 3-4 hour flight from London, Paris, or Barcelona, the Canary Islands are to Europe what Hawaii is to the United States.

With cheap flights, smooth roads, and a subtropical climate with great year-round weather, European cyclists have been arriving in the Islas Canarias for decades. Notoriety came after various Pro Cyclists, including Team Sky, realized a competitive advantage by selecting a high-altitude hotel to serve as an early-season encampment. Following in the tracks of their heroes, who loved their early season rides through an exotic paradise, over a quarter-million enthusiastic cyclists now flock to the Canary Islands each spring for a warm week of early season conditioning.

The world of cruising has changed. After decades of ever-larger ships, the newest and most innovative ships are distinctly smaller, and designed for travelers instead of tourists. By design, these yacht-size cruise ships are able to reach niche destinations that larger ships can’t enter. Perfect for a hand-tailored cycling experience.

In late 2020 we heard about a new cruise line being launched by a wizened group of cruise veterans from around the world. Synthesizing decades of experience on cruise ships with countless stays at stylish hotels, these worldly travelers created something entirely their own. Atlas Ocean Voyages has developed a new concept for cruise travel. They’ve taken the sophistication and luxury of a boutique resort hotel and transformed it into a marriage of modern and vintage in their new fleet of “luxe-adventure” cruise ships. We are proud to announce that we have chartered Atlas’ World Navigator for our 2026 Canary Islands Cycling Cruise!

Santana Adventures always dreamed of offering a British Isles adventure spanning all six kingdoms. In 2019, we chartered the Star Breeze for a cycling cruise of Northern Ireland and the Northern Coast of Scotland. The cycling was spectacular, but our vision was not yet fully realized. Our new Dublin to London itinerary is a culmination of over a dozen years of planning and scouting in order to offer you the ultimate British Isles cycling experience with rides in all six countries!

Santana has worked with Windstar since 2010. With this win-win relationship, Santana obtains the lowest pricing and best availability. Their yacht-sized fleet allows Santana’s charters to use small ports that are better suited for cycling.

Early booking discounts!

In addition to our daily pair of zero-mile options (remaining on the ship or taking our non-rider shuttle), every day has multiple cycling routes. Anyone who can ride 30 flat miles will be able to enjoy cycling in all six countries. If you prefer hills or want to spend additional hours in the saddle, we’ve got you covered.

Imagine if the Alps or the Rockies were at sea level. The southwest coast of Norway offers warm summer cycling on smooth gentle roads skirting fjords, inlets and islands. Sunny days without steep hills or bothersome traffic.

Many would guess that a Norwegian Cycling Tour might be too tough to be enjoyable—but Santana’s Norwegian Cycling Cruise traces the coast to provide a week of rides that are deceptively easy. Enthusiasts who want an epic challenge can turn inland and climb to reach unbelievable vistas. Each day has multiple cycling options, as well as our duo of non-cycling options.

What about the routes? Shortest routes will be around 35 flat miles, mid-length routes around 40-50 with some gentle hills, longer routes are 55+ with a few more hills. Non-cycling options? Our panoramic-window coach will arrive at the gangplank each morning to transport any who would prefer a non-pedaling break from cycling without missing the highlights enjoyed by those who ride. Easier still is to remain aboard for swimming, reading or relaxing.

Santana has chartered Windstar’s all-suite Star Pride for our Norway Cycling Cruise!

Optional 3-day Oslo PreTour that includes the 55 minute flight from Oslo’s OSL Airport to Bergen’s BGO Airport for our cruise embark. We’ll spend a few days exploring Oslo, where museums, art, and architecture celebrate the country’s viking heritage.

Santana has worked with Windstar since 2010. With this win-win relationship, Santana obtains the lowest pricing and best availability. Their yacht-sized fleet allows Santana’s charters to use small ports that are better suited for cycling.

Early booking discounts!

A look at our relief map will show you that the coastlines of all 5 countries (Guernsey is technically a country) we’ll be cycling are traced by remarkably gentle roads, the largest hills on most days will be the shoreline bluffs of less than 100 feet. In addition to our daily pair of zero-mile options (remaining on the ship or reaching prime attractions via Santana’s non-rider coach), every day has multiple cycling routes. Anyone who can ride 35 flat miles will be able to enjoy multiple days of easy. Longer routes are available, and typically allow 60 or more miles.

Corsica, French Riviera, Monaco, & Tour de France Finale.

We’ve chartered “The Beauty of the Oceans” for Santana’s Corsica & the French Riviera itinerary. A 103-meter (yacht-dimensioned) vessel specifically designed for boutique cruises in the Mediterranean, and outfitted with with advanced stabilization & ultra-green power plants. La Belle des Oceans’ petite size enables it dock within the small harbors that larger cruise ships can’t access.

Every day has multiple cycling routes. Anyone who can ride 30 flat miles will be able to enjoy multiple days of cycling. Longer routes are available, and often provide 60 or more miles.

Since 1905, the finale of the Tour de France has always been held on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. In 2024, the finish line will be only a few hundred yards from where La Belle des Océans will be docked in Nice.

Santana’s Columbia River Cycling Cruise is a luxurious 8-day / 7-night cruise on the American Empress. Owned by the American Queen Steamboat Company, the American Empress is the Pacific Northwest’s largest and most luxurious paddle-wheeler.

Every day has a range of options. Stronger riders will enjoy long climbs for great views. A selection of easier daily routes follow river valleys.
Anyone who can ride 35 flat miles will be able to enjoy all seven days of cycling. If you prefer hills or want to ride 60 (or more) miles a day, we’ve got you covered.

Join us for effortless miles on bike trails where you'll glide through a landscape famous for storybook villages and vivid displays of color. Holland at "Tulip Time," will be the perfect time and place to start next year's cycling season.

Dutch Tulips bloom in a two-month period that starts when the early April sun thaws frozen fields. We carefully timed our visit to occur in May, when full-size blooms coincide with days that are significantly warmer and drier. A few weeks later, the tulips are a colorful memory.

We start with a visit to the Keukenhof Tulip Festival!

Every day has multiple cycling routes. Anyone who can ride 35 flat miles will be able to enjoy multiple days of easy. Longer routes are available, and typically allow 60 or more miles.

Scandinavia is a very bike-friendly environment where instead of bike lanes, many roads actually have a parallel bike path.

Santana has chartered Windstar’s all-suite Star Legend for our Baltic Sea Cycling Cruise!

Optional PreTour, we’ll explore Copenhagen by bike—the fastest and most flexible way to explore this cycling-friendly capital where a tour that features whimsical art and architecture can pause at legendary bakeries and refresh at Copenhagen’s landmark brewery.

Tuscany, Italian Riviera, French Riviera, Monaco, Sardinia, the Balearic Isles, & Catalonia on board the MS World Navigator.

The world of cruising has changed. After decades of ever-larger ships, the newest and most innovative ships are distinctly smaller, and designed for travelers instead of tourists. By design, these yacht-size cruise ships are able to reach niche destinations that larger ships can’t enter. Perfect for a hand-tailored Florence to Barcelona Cycling Cruise.

Each day has multiple cycling choices. Shorter routes are flatter and follow the coast. Longer options loop inland to find great climbs and descents.

Highlights of the optional pretour include the Galleria dell’Accademia, home of the statue of David, Palazzo Vecchio, the Uffizi Gallery, Santa Croce, and (on the way to embark) a guided reveal of Pisa!

Santana has worked with Windstar since 2010. With this win-win relationship, Santana obtains the lowest pricing and best availability. Their yacht-sized fleet allows Santana’s charters to use small ports that are better suited for cycling.

Early booking discounts!

In addition to our daily pair of zero-mile options (remaining on the ship or exploring New Zealand via our panoramic-window coach), every day has multiple cycling routes. Anyone who can ride a gentle 35 miles will be able to enjoy cycling every day. If you prefer hills or want to spend additional hours in the saddle, we’ve got you covered.