VBT Bicycling Vacations
Country Walkers
Featuring Off-the-Beaten-Path destinations in Italy, France and the U.S.
Bristol, Vermont- VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations will introduce four new destinations to their catalog of 2013 vacations including Sicily: Biking the Southern Coastal Villages, Walking the Italian Lakes, Heart of France Bike & Barge and Colorado: Biking the Rockies.
Travelers can explore Sicilian culture and cuisine on a biking tour along the Mediterranean Island’s southern coast on Sicily: Biking the Southern Coastal Villages. VBT’s Walking the Italian Lakes vacation gives guests a chance to explore the secluded shores of Northern Italy’s waterways. The Vermont travel company presents a unique way to explore the French countryside on their Heart of France Bike & Barge tour. And for discovery in the U.S., VBT will debut a biking vacation through Colorado’s valleys and rail trails on their Colorado: Biking the Rockies vacation.
VBT consistently responds to traveler demand when considering additions to their lineup of international deluxe bicycling and walking tours. Based upon customer feedback, the Bristol, Vermont-based company has added Sicily: Biking the Southern Coastal Villages to their 2013 catalog of active vacations.
“At VBT, we pride ourselves on the variety of quality, authentic travel experiences that we bring to the table,” said VBT President, Gregg Marston. “While we explore many different regions of Italy, we’ve continued to hear our travelers ask us to venture a bit further south to Sicily. And with good reason – it’s a beautiful setting with a unique culture, all its own. VBT has responded to that traveler feedback, and we’re thrilled to be offering our guests even more of what they’re looking for in 2013, including a tremendous opportunity for discovery in Sicily.”
In addition to their biking vacation in Sicily, VBT has also added an all-new walking vacation in Northern Italy, Walking the Italian Lakes.
“We’re all very excited about this new destination,” said Chris Skilling, Director of Worldwide Product at VBT. “Northern Italy’s Lakes region is such a stunning and interesting corner of the world. It’s tucked away enough that you can really lose yourself in the scenery, and yet it’s still situated so that you take a day trip to Switzerland’s lakeside villages,” Skilling explained. “Not only does Walking the Italian Lakes provide a great balance to our growing lineup of tours, but it provides our travelers a chance to slow down, and really take in the peacefulness of this lesser-traveled area of Europe.”
Also making its debut in 2013 is VBT’s Heart of France Bike & Barge vacation. Providing a great introduction to active vacations, VBT’s Bike & Barge tours allow travelers to unpack once, explore by bike as much or as little as they like and even to enjoy new experiences as they unwind on the deck of VBT’s private canal barge.
Travelers can expect 2 nights at a 4-star hotel in Paris and 7 days of biking and river cruising along the Seine and the Loing and perks like an in-home visit with a French artist as part of their exploration through France.
“If you haven’t taken a biking vacation before, or if you’re unsure about how many miles you’ll want to ride daily, Bike & Barge vacations are a great way to take things at your own pace,” said Marston. “The best part is – on your bike or our barge – you still get to see it all. Our latest Bike & Barge vacation through rivers and canals, really allows you to get a sense of the beating pulse of France. It’s really a wonderful opportunity to engage and connect with locals as they live their daily lives.”
Rounding out VBT’s newest editions to their 2013 Catalog of Biking and Walking vacations is a biking vacation in the U.S., Colorado: Biking the Rockies. Featuring rides along ridgelines, valley floors and numerous rail trails, VBT has assembled a biking vacation filled with Rocky Mountain views, without the climbs.
There will be time well-spent off our bikes, too. An included gondola ride gives travelers a bird’s-eye view of Aspen village from the summit of Aspen Mountain and a visit to Colorado’s natural springs will soothe invigorated muscles.
“Each year we set the bar a bit higher with our offerings,” said Marston. “It has always been our goal to provide our travelers with memorable biking and walking vacations, of the highest quality at an unsurpassed value. We’ve responded to our guests’ feedback, we’ve added some really great destinations to our lineup and we can’t be more excited about the coming year.”
Founded in 1971 by a Middlebury College professor, VBT offers deluxe, small group bicycling and walking tours worldwide, including destinations in Europe, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Vietnam, Thailand, Peru, Argentina 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.
Log on to the company’s website at www.vbt.com to view 2013 detailed itineraries and call 1-800-245-3868 to receive the latest full catalog of all of VBT’s active vacations.