Echelon, a new cycling tour company is offering luxury bike vacations in Spain and Portugal. With trips currently taking place in Valencia, Rioja, Alentejo and the Camino de Santiago, guests are treated to some of Spain and Portugal’s most prized hotels, famed for their luxury, designs and unmatched service. Complemented by unique experiences such as cooking classes, wine tasting and walking tours, as well as fantastic, Michelin starred food, Echelon trips provide the perfect balance of cycling, culture and relaxation.
Thoughtfully designed to cater to all levels, there’s a tour for everyone – from leisure riders to more competitive cyclists. With at least three guides on each trip, guests can choose to ride at their preferred pace and be accompanied all the way by Echelon owners. Dedicated to providing a personal touch and friendlier experience than larger operators, every Echelon tour is meticulously planned, full of memorable experiences and unexpected surprises.
Laura Colley, Founder & Director comments: “We’re passionate about cycling and truly believe it’s the best way to discover a new place. We’re also passionate about Spain and the areas we ride in. As locals we know the regions well and have an intimate knowledge of the winding back roads, best views and sunsets, and hidden gems that are so often overlooked. Once our tours our advertised, they’re confirmed, so why not come along?”
The 2016 dates are now available for tours in Alentejo, Portugal and Valencia, Rioja and Camino de Santiago Spain. Tours include luxury accommodations, excellent local cuisine, fine wines, and some much.
Alentejo, Portugal (April 3 – 9, October 9 – 15 2016)
Known as the country’s culinary and cultural capital, Alentejo offers some of Portugal’s finest food and wine as well as being home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites. The vast, unspoiled countryside and quiet routes make for peaceful pedalling and a relaxing vacation that’ll be remembered forever.
Start and End: Lisbon / Montemor o Novo
Region: South-Central Portugal
Start and End: Lisbon / Montemor o Novo
Duration: 7 Nights / 8 Days Cycling
Max Overall Distance: 156 miles (252km)
Avg Max Daily Distance: 26 miles (42km)
Price Starting at: $4,750 per person
Valencia, Spain (May 15 – 21, June 5 – 11, September 25 – October 1, 2016)
Journey from south to north following parts of the original route of the Camino del Cid. Cycle the south of Valencia Province with ancient, traditional Spanish architecture and culture, and experience the transition to modern Spain with the magnificent Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit and the port of Valencia, the venue for two Americas Cups. Over the course of this 8 day, 7 night tour you will enjoy a range of experiences starting in the south of Valencia Province with ancient traditional Spanish architecture and culture and ending in the city of Valencia, the capital of the medieval kingdom of Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar – El Cid, the 11th century knight often called the most famous Spaniard.
Start and End: Alicante / Valencia
Region: South East Spain
Duration: 7 Nights / 6 Days Cycling
Max Overall Distance: 141 miles (227km)
Avg Max Daily Distance: 23.5 miles (38km)
Price Starting at: $4,500 per person
Camino de Santiago (17 – 22 April, 19 – 24 June, August 14 – 19, 2016)
Travel the western section of the pilgrims’ journey, from León to Santiago de Compostela. Over this tour you will cycle through some of the most beautiful countryside in the world, not only with your fellow cyclists but also with some of the tens of thousands of modern day pilgrims who follow the trail each year. The Camino de Santiago offers some of Spain’s most appealing landscape, history and architecture and what better way than to travel it by bike.
Start and End: Leon / Santiago de Compostela
Region: North East Spain
Duration: 6 Nights / 7 Days
Max Overall Distance: 106 miles (170km)
Avg Max Daily Distance: 21 miles (34km)
Price Starting at: $4,300 per person
La Rioja (July 3 – 8, August 28 – September 2, 2016)
Cycle through medieval towns and rolling vineyards. Cycle along the Ebro river and through some of Spain’s most beautiful countryside. Rioja oozes quality, from the world renowned wines it produces, such as Marques de Riscal and Muga to the authentic food on offer and the stunning hotels which perfectly juxtapose the surrounding nature and the lingering Cantabrian mountains. Combined with great food and wine and luxury hotels, the Rioja tour will make for a memorable trip that you’ll never forget.
Start and End: Bilbao to Elcieg
Region: North East Spain
Duration: 6 Nights / 5 Days Cycling
Max Overall Distance: 143 miles (229km)
Avg Max Daily Distance: 29 miles (46km)
Price Starting at: $4500 per person
Book your Luxury Cycling Vacations with Echelon now via www.EchelonCyclingTours.com.
Suze - Luxury Columnist
This does sound like fun, I’d definitely be in the leisure and no hills category!
Suze | LuxuryColumnist
Carmen
As a person who doesn’t bike often I worry about having to ride 26 miles a day, but if they do it at a leisurely pace I should be o.k.