VBT Bicycling Vacations

Marvel at the ruins of a Roman amphitheater and ancient aqueduct. Discover how the landscapes of Saint-Rémy inspired painter Vincent van Gogh, as you view them with a local historian. Explore the "City of Popes" Avignon, on a guided tour. And savor Provence's famous cuisine on picnics, a home-hosted meal and more. It's an itinerary that truly is a masterpiece!

Few places can rival the dramatic beauty of the Amalfi Coast, an enchanting region where soaring, rugged mountains plunge suddenly to meet the sparkling azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea.Join us as we hike ancient footpaths through terraced hillsides redolent with lemon trees - explore the fascinating ruins of Pompeii - and stroll through winding cobblestone streets on the famed isle of Capri. We'll also immerse ourselves in local culture, learning time-honored techniques for mozzarella-braiding and paper-making, and savoring fresh, flavorful cuisine at family-run trattorias. Delight in the sublime scenery of southern Italy on VBT's most popular walking vacation.

A rising tide of maritime traditions, close-knit communities, distinctive cuisine, and protected seashores, marshes, and coastal islands, all of which make for a spectacular trip biking the Eastern shore. The towns and villages of Maryland’s bay region have been home to generations of dedicated fishermen, craftspeople, and culinary artisans who provide a warm welcome to visitors. From the elegant 18th-century brick mansions to the weathered crab shacks by tidal ponds, you’ll experience the warm glow of daily life in a way only possible on bike and on foot. This active vacation features an exceptional bicycling landscape, delicious food, and warm and friendly people.

Tour Highlights
Sail the eastern shores with Captain Ed aboard the skipjack HM Krentz Feast on the region's famous seafood
Amble the wooden boardwalk at the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, a haven for more than 240 bird species
Travel on the country’s oldest privately owned ferry (since 1760), across the Tred-Avon River between Oxford and Bellevue
Cycle the quite country roads leading to the charming small towns of Oxford, St. Michaels, Rock Hall and Easton

Sweeping coastlines rise to Andean hills. The spectacular Route of the Sea leads to quaint fishing villages. And lush vineyards produce world-renowned wines. The snow-capped Andes preside over this magnificent itinerary, from the elegant estates of Zapallar and dramatic setting of seaside Valparaíso to the pastoral viniculture of the Casablanca Valley. From Pacific byways where penguins and sea lions reside, to inland foothills, you’ll discover the passionate Chilean spirit – in the warm hospitality you’ll experience as you set out to sea with a local fisherman, create your own wine blend with an expert sommelier, visit a fifth-generation winery and savor seaside spas, an historic wine hacienda and comfortable inns. This is a Chile bike tour like no other!

Tour Highlights
Marvel at Humboldt penguins and sea lions as they lounge on islands just offshore
Join a captain in his small boat and help him bring in the catch of the day
Admire the pride of Viña del Mar—the Reloj de Flores—a large clock made of flowers
Stroll the cobbled winding streets of hillside Valparaiso, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a local guide
Blend your own wine with a sommelier, then have it bottled and labelled to go

Our carefully curated bike routes follow untamed seacoast, valleys framed by towering peaks, and woodland trails through the breathtaking South Island. On foot, you’ll explore a wildlife sanctuary, a moving glacier, the winding shores of a glittering lake, and historic gold-mining sites. You’ll also touch Kiwi history in pioneer towns and spend a day at a wilderness resort, with opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and more. A home-cooked meal in a local town hall and exclusive visits to a working ranch and wine estate add a personal touch to this quintessential New Zealand bike and walk tour.

Tour Highlights
Prepare to be dazzled by the staggering beauty of the South Island’s glittering lakes, lush forests, fertile farmlands, and alpine peaks.
Hike up a valley carved by the retreating ice of Franz Josef Glacier.
Spend a day at a wilderness resort, enjoying kayaking, canoeing, hiking—and perhaps strolling to a colony of glowworms.
Experience life on a working ranch and savor a home-cooked meal during a visit to a sheep and cattle station.
Sample local vintages during a wine tasting at a local estate.

For seven nights, our private barge delivers us to remote corners of the Netherlands that are best explored by bike. We'll pedal into old fishing villages - medieval Hanze cities - and the undiscovered soul of Holland. For real Dutch treats, we'll savor a traditional pancake lunch with locals and share a picnic hosted by a local couple. Our barge, The Iris, affords us every comfort - including special meals prepared by our very own onboard chef.

Far more than a pleasant reel, our routes lead you to stone hamlets, charming lakeside villages, and historic cities where cherished traditions still thrive. Here, gentle roads hug villa-lined shores coveted even by ancient Romans. Corn fields and lush vineyards sway in the caress of warm breezes. And medieval cities with dreamy names - Borghetto, Castellaro Lagusello, Desenza, Sirmione - whisper of ages past. Join us in Italy's fertile, flat farmlands for a ride unlike any other.

The scenic and savory best of three countries is revealed on one VBT bike tour to Austria, Italy, and Slovenia! On easy bike routes—including the famous Alpe Adria Bike Path—you’ll absorb sweeping views of snowcapped peaks, pristine pasturelands, medieval settlements, deep wooded slopes, emerald lakes, and sunny cornfields. Take a spin around Wörthersee Lake and picture-perfect Lake Bled, and roll through tunnels opening onto spectacular vistas. Hop off the bike to savor tasty included meals and local wines, visit a farm, explore a cherished ski resort, and more. And end each exhilarating day in luxurious resorts and boutique hotels—including a celebrated lakeside hotel that has hosted royalty, celebrities, dignitaries, and writers for more than a century.

Tour Highlights:

• Experience three European cultures on a single adventure—and even on a single day
• Enjoy easy cycling as you admire alpine peaks, scenic valleys, medieval settlements, pasturelands, deep wooded slopes, and sunny cornfields
• Follow a section of the incredible Alpe Adria Bike Path, a lure to cyclists from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea
• Spend a day at storybook Lake Bled, perhaps boating or hiking as well as cycling
• Stay at exceptional accommodations, including one of the most luxurious and innovative hotels in the world

Cycle and sail with us as we explore the Île de France, the geographic and cultural heart of the nation. We begin and end in Paris, radiating out from the capital to meander along the Seine, Loing, and other historic waterways. Traveling by bike and barge affords a most intimate look at a land steeped in legend and tradition, with fairytale chateaux, humble farmlands, classic French cuisine, and creative artists' villages to delight us along the way.

VBT’s Charleston and Savannah bike tours guide you along the South’s best sea-side and land attractions. Trace the coastal islands of the Intracoastal Waterway, a 3,000-mile trail of bays, lagoons, inlets, and rivers. Watch the sunset over sailboats in history-rich harbors. On this journey, architecture takes center stage; admire “Rainbow Row,” a historic neighborhood of pastel-colored houses, and explore the antebellum mansions of Beaufort with a local guide. Cycle along the Spanish Moss Trail, where fantastical moss-draped neighborhoods, lush marshes, and coastal wildlife co-exist. At the Penn Center, unravel the powerful culture of the Gullah people who call the Carolina Sea Islands home. You’re sure to fall under the spell of the South during this captivating ride.

Tour Highlights
Cycle by the pastel-hued houses of Charleston, marveling at views of sailboats and historic Fort Sumter
Immerse yourself in the legacy of the Gullah people when you visit the Sea Island of St. Helena and the culture-rich Penn Center
Step back in time with a cycle through the famed Bonaventure Cemetery and a guided walking tour of the charming streets of Savannah
Ride beneath a magnificent avenue flanked by live oaks as you approach historic Wormsloe Plantation
Cycle beneath the live oaks of the Spanish Moss Trail to arrive among the antebellum architectural of Beaufort