VBT Bicycling Vacations
Country Walkers
Introduces 4 New Bicycling & Walking Vacations and 3 New Cross-Country Skiing Vacations in Europe and U.S.
BRISTOL, VT—VBT Bicycling & Walking Vacations has announced the debut of its 2013 catalog featuring more active vacations around the world than ever before, new cross-country skiing vacations, 2013 land-only prices lower than or equal to 2012’s prices, and new traveler benefits including custom air service and special Culinary and President’s Tour departures.
“We are strengthening our solid commitment to tremendous choice, value, and traveler benefits in 2013,” VBT president Gregg Marston said. “The land-only price for every one of our vacations is lower than or equal to the prices in 2012. We are determined—and delighted—to demonstrate to our travelers that our value is unbeatable, and that our included features and benefits are the best in the travel industry.”
Marston said that a new Custom Air Service will allow travelers to deviate before or after their tour in order to explore farther afield and travel to or from a different gateway city other than what is included to better suit their own travel plans. In addition, select 2013 departures will feature enhanced culinary events, such as cooking classes, food and wine tastings, market excursions, and more. And, three special departures will be President’s Tours with Marston and his wife, Caroline, joining travelers On VBT’s walking tour in Portugal and two new Cross-Country Skiing Vacations in Italy & Austria and Slovenia, Italy & Austria.
Marston added that VBT’s 2013 vacation itineraries have been evaluated start to finish by its travel experts around the world to create more daily route choices (with additional miles, if the traveler refers), refined biking and walking routes, new maps and directions, and fleet updates.
Most of VBT’s worldwide bicycle fleets in 2013 will feature custom-designed Fuji brand bicycles. All of the road and hybrid bikes are lighter-weight performance models with customized specifications that ensure a better fit for riders and improved performance thanks to better gear ratios.
“I’m also happy to announce that Caroline and I have decided to formalize our annual giving to charitable causes that are so close to our hearts,” Marston also said. “We’re announcing the Shake Hands with the World Foundation, dedicated to giving back to the places where we live, work, and travel in. This is an essential part of who we are.”
VBT’s new bicycling and walking vacations for 2013 are Sicily: Biking the Southern Coastal Villages, Heart of France Bike & Barge, Colorado: Biking the Rockies, and Walking the Italian Lakes.
Also for 2013, VBT has introduced a new line of cross-country skiing vacations, a wonderful way to bring together an active traveler’s love for the beautiful winter landscape with VBT’s trademark commitment to warm encounters with local people, fascinating cultural traditions, and superb accommodations around the world.
VBT’s three new cross-country skiing vacations are Italy & Austria: Cross-Country Skiing the Dolomites, Slovenia, Italy & Austria: Cross-Country Skiing the Alps, and Banff & Beyond: Cross-Country Skiing the Canadian Rockies.
Full itineraries for all of VBT’s 2013 vacations—36 biking, 7 walking, and 3 cross-country skiing—can be found at www.vbt.com. The vacations are set in 28 countries on 5 continents.
“The watchword for VBT’s travelers in 2013 is ‘community,’ ” Marston said. “We’re hosting VBT receptions all over the country in the months ahead, and we hope that our travelers—whether new or long-time—will come and meet old friends and make new ones, exchange travel tips, win prizes, and raise a toast to the next vacation.”
Between now and December, VBT Community Events are scheduled for Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Connecticut, and New Jersey.
A new feature of VBT’s redesigned and expanded website is dedicated to VBT travelers, providing them with the ability to write traveler reviews candidly and fully sharing their thoughts on all aspects of VBT’s vacations and offer travel tips and recommendations to others. A full 99 percent of VBT travelers say they will recommend the company to their friends.
“This year we’ll be working hard to keep the connections stronger than ever,” Marston said, “through more VBT gatherings, on our website and blog, through new programs, and, of course, with exciting new trips to the places our travelers love.”
Earlier this year, VBT was voted #3 in the Travel + Leisure annual readers’ poll, marking the third consecutive year that VBT has been ranked among the World’s Best in the Tour Operator category. VBT received a score of 95.36 out of 100 in this poll.
Founded in 1971 by a Middlebury College professor, VBT offers deluxe, small group bicycling, walking and cross-country skiing tours worldwide, including destinations in Europe, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Vietnam, Thailand, Peru, Argentina, Canada and the U.S.A. Each trip includes all accommodations, many meals, two expert local Trip Leaders, unique sightseeing and cultural activities, and full vehicle support. Unlike other companies, VBT also includes international airfare in its trip cost.
For reservations or more information, and to receive the most recent VBT catalog, call 1-800-245-3868 or visit our Request a Catalog page.