Award-winning tour operator Austin-Lehman Adventures, a leading active travel company offering adventure vacations in The Americas, Europe, Africa and now the Caribbean, has announced three brand-new European cycling tours for 2012, bringing to 19 the number of distinct opportunities for Europe adventure on two wheels. They are France’s Burgundy region, Spain’s La Rioja and a family program in the Danish isles.
An advantage to travelers booking Europe bike tours with Austin-Lehman is the fact that the Euro is significantly down off its spring 2011 highs. “Our 2012 rates reflect the prospect of a stronger dollar. Once prices are set, that’s what the consumer will pay regardless of unfavorable fluctuations later on in the Euro versus the dollar. This all means price security for the traveler and the best possible value in Europe,” noted Dan Austin, ALA founder and director.
With departures beginning in May of 2012, here’s what’s been added by ALA:
France – Burgundy Bike Tours begin in Dijon where living like the Dukes of Burgundy of yore is easy to do before embarking on two wheels through villages surrounded by vineyards and along the Route des Grand Crus enroute to Beaune and an elegant dinner of lobster ravioli, foie gras and homemade soufflé ice cream. Other alluring sips come with such esteemed labels as Meursault, Mercurey and Santenay, among others. The per person double rate is $3,198 ($680 single supplement) for May 6, June 10, July 15, September 2 and September 30 six day / five night departures. The host city for the journey is Dijon.
Spain – La Rioja Bike Tours wander into the foothills of the Pyrenees with a visit to historic Pamplona (think running of the bulls) en route along the ancient pilgrimage Camino de Santiago and the wine capital of the Navarra province, Olite. Also think hilltop towns, cruising cliffs overlooking the Rioja’s Cidacos Valley, the medieval town of Languardia and a typical meal of fresh artichokes, Piquillo peppers, cordero al Chilindrón (lamb) and bacalao ajo arriero (salted cod) washed down with wines of the region. The per person double rate is $3,498 ($780 single supplement) for April 21, May 26 and September 29 seven day /six night departures. The host city for the journey is Pamplona.
Denmark Family – Danish Isles is an island hopping exploration of the Vikings, inclusive, of course, of The Little Mermaid and more in Copenhagen before ferrying to Helsinger where Hamlet once roamed, pondering the ways of the Vikings on a tour of the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, reviewing a vintage car collection at Egeskov castle, a fleet of 750 bottled ships in Aeroskobing and a castle built on 12,000 wooden poles on the island of Funen. Open air markets supply picnic lunches and local seafood surfaces at dinners. The per person double rate is $3,998 ($880 single supplement); $3,198 to $3,598 for children for June 23 and July 28 eight day / seven night departures. The family-focused journey begins and ends in Copenhagen.
Austin-Lehman Adventures, 800-575-1540, info@austinlehman.com, www.austinlehman.com