Highlights from places we’ve been
Africa: the way we know it—magical, exotic, spectacular
Everyone had a window seat view on our privately guided tour that included: Arusha National Park, home to prolific bird populations; Lake Manyara National Park, with lush forest filled with baboons, alkaline lakes with pink flamingos, and one of the largest elephant populations; and Serengeti National Park, 5700 square miles of endless plains, and home to three million large animals living in total freedom. Also included in our itinerary was a visit to a Masai Village as well as Ngorongora Crater, a World Heritage Site and microcosm of wildlife surrounded by lush tropical scenery.
The second part of our adventure took us up Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895m / 19,340ft above sea level. Our summit began around midnight with the full moon illuminating impressive views of the mountain and glaciers. We climbed the Machame Route, traversing through five different eco systems with beautiful 360° views of the surrounding plains, including a trek to Uhuru Peak.
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Austria: Land of royalty and unspoiled nature
Austria tops the list as one of the best European countries for cycling with its spectacular mountain views, stunning lakes and bountiful bike trails. The bike trails took us along the Salzach and Saalach Rivers, and around Austria’s picturesque lake region, with a hiking trail to Krimml’s cascading waterfalls. Every night was spent in accommodations in beautiful mansions, castles, charming inns and four-star hotels. Read notes from our travel journal.
Bavaria: Disneyland for adults
Enjoying the wide array of attractions and endless natural beauty, we cycled and hiked through the most interesting and complex historical sites this region has to offer. Every revolution of the wheel took us closer to Mad King Ludwig’s fairy tale castles, Neuschwanstein, and Linderhof, and too-many-to-count baroque monasteries, surrounded by the beautiful Bavarian Alps.
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Colorado: our fun reaches new peaks
This spectacular state is home to the Colorado Rocky Mountains that include 54 peaks reaching altitudes of over 14,000 feet. On our excursion, we enjoyed majestic views, scenic divides and roaring waters. With the vast wooded forests teeming with wildlife, thousands of back-country hiking trails and miles of paved bike paths waiting, we were sure to keep our cameras nearby to capture the natural wonders Colorado has to offer. We chose the ultimate itinerary for this wild west adventure, including world class chefs, fabulous shopping, and extraordinary river walks all within a short distance from our first class accommodations.
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Croatia: the gem of the Mediterranean
True to Bikes, Boats & Boots’ style, we created an adventure that captured Croatia’s true Mediterranean charm. From the crystal clear blue Adriatic Sea, to the ancient fortresses overlooking the bay, and the most excellent food and friendly people, our Croatian experience was designed to please.
Always on the lookout for opportunities to enjoy the local fare, and willing to wander a bit off the beaten path, each day we cycled The Dalmatian Islands, returning each evening to our accommodations aboard a 42 passenger boat. We rafted the exciting Cetina River, and hiked the magnificent waterfalls of the Plitvice Lakes National Park. And finally, our trip ended in beautiful and historic Dubrovnik, considered one of the best medieval walled cities in the world.
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Hawaii: a tropical paradise set the stage for this active adventure
We chose Kona, Hawaii as our destination for this adventure in order to participate in the Lavaman Keauhou Triathlon, which is an Olympic distance event consisting of a 1.5k swim, followed by a 40k bike, and a 10k run. Well in advance of our trip, we provided training schedules that were structured to accommodate all ability levels. In addition to the triathlon event, this adventure included a 7-night itinerary filled with action-packed activities and ample time to relax.
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Hungary: connect with a 1000-year-old tradition
We begin and end this adventure in the ancient town of Budapest, Hungary, a beautiful city where history is evident at every turn. The Danube River splits the city in two with traditional Buda and stylish Pest on opposite banks. The Buda Hills make this cosmopolitan capital one of the most fascinating cities in Europe, earning it the honor for one of the top picks for therapeutic spas.
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Italy: a true renaissance experience
We began this adventure in the town of Brunico, then cycled to Dobbiaco and into Cortina d’Ampezzo. The modern and chic city of Cortina, once home to the 1956 Olympics, is now a beautiful resort area nestled below the dramatic spires and peaks of the Dolomite mountain range. We scheduled an extra day in Cortina to include an easy four-hour hike within their Tyrolean-esque mountains. Our bike tour then continued through the beautiful Prosecco hills, and ended in Venice. We finished this grand adventure in style with our last three days spent in Florence exploring this beautiful Tuscany region.
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Netherlands: a lively mix of traditions
With picturesque villages with over 1000 windmills, vibrant progressive cities, reclaimed land, and sandy beaches—this picturesque country is multicultural and multilingual, and very bicycle friendly. On this bike trip were able to explore the beautiful countryside of The Netherlands. The flat landscapes, a windfall for cyclists, allowed us to travel long distances with little difficulty.
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Pacific Northwest: an adventure from the emerald city
The Olympic Peninsula encompasses three distinctly different ecosystems: rugged glacier-capped mountains, over 60 miles of wild Pacific coastlines and magnificent stands of old-growth and temperate rain forest—all protected within the boundaries of the Olympic National Park. We chose an ideal itinerary for this Pacific Northwest adventure that included visiting some of these spectacular sites, with first-class accommodations waiting for us at the end of the day. We sampled a variety of local cuisine from locally owned and operated dining establishments, and had plenty of time left over for exploring and relaxing.
Read notes from our travel journal.