VBT Bicycling Vacations
Country Walkers
Williston, Vermont – Dec. 18, 2018 – From celebrating a birthday, anniversary or long-anticipated retirement to finding the perfect honeymoon destination, life’s big milestones all deserve special treatment. Transform 2019’s noteworthy occasions into unforgettable experiences with a VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacation to some of the year’s hottest destinations.
New Zealand: Bike & Walk the South Island
In 2019, Auckland will celebrate the 250th anniversary of Captain James Cook’s voyage that put New Zealand on the map, literally. VBT’s unique 12-day itinerary combines biking and walking on routes that showcase the country’s natural wonders at their best, from breathtaking snowcapped alpine peaks and glaciers to the stunning coast of the Tasman Sea. Delve into the country’s pioneer and goldmining history, meet welcoming Kiwis on a sheep and cattle ranch, sample New Zealand wines at a local vineyard, kayak through a pristine lagoon teeming with wildlife, savor home-cooked meals, and more. Travelers can opt to spend three additional nights in “The City of Sails” to experience Auckland’s cosmopolitan flair and rich cultural institutions. Tour prices in 2019 start at $6,195 per person, double occupancy (including airfare).
Cycling Scandinavia: Copenhagen to Stockholm
The secret is out: Copenhagen is hotter than herrings! There’s never a bad time to visit Denmark’s capital, but 2019 brings a host of compelling new reasons to plan a trip, with the opening of the groundbreaking Amager Bakke / Copenhill artificial ski slope and recreational hiking area, the reopening of the Museum of Copenhagen, and more. VBT’s itinerary includes an optional two-night, pre-trip extension in Copenhagen for those looking to spend time exploring one of Europe’s most modern-minded capitals. The remaining 10 days are spent cycling through Denmark and Sweden, along the coast and through small fishing villages, past castles, dairy farms and vineyards, with numerous opportunities to savor Swedish cuisine, enjoy games and beer, explore towns along the way, and more. Tour prices in 2019 start at $4,395 per person, double occupancy (including airfare).
California Wine Country & The Pacific Coast
After last year’s destructive wildfires, the Napa Valley is back and welcoming travelers with a spate of new hotels, wineries, and restaurants. VBT’s six-day tour includes plenty of time to bike, feast, and imbibe in a cinematic landscape so stunning it brings tears to the eyes, with stops at legendary vineyards to savor the local bounty. Other highlights including cycling along the Pacific Coast and through vineyards, enjoying farm to table cuisine among the Sequoias and redwoods, learning about the history of Gold Rush pioneers, exploring San Francisco and the contemporary arts and crafts scene in Healdsburg, and plenty of leisure time at the wineries. Tour prices in 2019 start at $2,695 per person, double occupancy.
Cycling the Canadian Rockies: Jasper, Lake Louise & Banff
It’s easy to see why the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly chose Canada as the destination for their honeymoon, with metropolises buzzing with culture to pristine landscapes of snow-covered summits, glistening lakes, rushing rivers, and dramatic cascades which unfold on VBT’s thrilling seven-day ride. Tour highlights include visiting Jasper and Banff national parks, cycling along the famed Icefields Parkway and Bow Valley Parkway, marveling at the massive Columbia Icefield, Athabasca Falls and the glassy surfaces of Maligne, Louise and Peyto Lakes, digging into traditional BBQ fare, hiking into Johnston Canyon, and more. Tour prices in 2019 start at $3,595 per person, double occupancy (including airfare).
Biking Southern Portugal: Alentejo to the Algarve
There’s even more to love of Portugal in 2019, including the charming city of Lisbon, the wineries of the Duoro Valley, the seaside town of Algarve, and Alentejo, where stylish Lisbonites go on holiday. On VBT’s 10-day tour, enjoy the region’s fresh seafood, deliciously affordable wines, and savory Mediterranean cuisine while exploring seaside villages, ancient cork forests, farmland, vineyards, and olive groves. Additional tour highlights include the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Evora and the Chapel of the Bones, the ancient town of Mertola, hilltop Monzaraz and its imposing castle, a river cruise bordering the Spanish Andalucia, and an optional two extra nights in Lisbon. Tour prices in 2019 start at $4,245 per person, double occupancy (including airfare).
For additional inspiration on how to celebrate milestone moments in 2019 with VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, visit www.vbt.com or call 1-800-245-3868.
About VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations
Founded in 1971, VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations offers over 50 deluxe, small group Bicycling, Walking and Waterways “bike & boat” vacations at unsurpassed value throughout the world. Each trip includes all accommodations, most meals, two local bilingual Trip Leaders, unique facilitated cultural experiences, and vehicle support. Unlike other companies, VBT also includes round-trip international airfare from over 30 U.S. cities and select Canadian cities for all international vacations. VBT has been rated among the “World’s Best Tour Operators” by the readers of Travel + Leisure for eight years. For more information on VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, visit vbt.com or call 800-245-3868.
Media Contact: Kathie Gonzalez / Percepture / [email protected]