Seeing a landscape while riding a bicycle offers unique rewards as it gives you time to notice small details—the scent of an orchard, the reflection off the water, the bends in the road. While you can traverse the land on your own, going with a bike tour offers comforts that you typically don’t enjoy on a solo ride, such as pre-planned meals, lodging, repair equipment and more. In general, a support vehicle follows your group, so you never have to worry about carrying your luggage or the great souvenir you bought, lingering at a site, or being able to keep up with the others. In addition, you don’t have to figure out how to load bikes onto your jet, unless you want to, as tour providers rent bicycles. Charter a private jet to one of these scenic bike destinations fit for different skill levels:
Beginner Bike Tours
Catalonia, Spain
Photo by Scott Wylie
Travel from Pyrénées to Costa Brava with Backroads for a combination of Catalonia’s peaks and beaches. The six-day tour begins in Barcelona, along scenic routes through mountain villages and valleys. Pass herds of sheep, sample cava, dine on Mediterranean dishes, and visit Salvador Dalí’s castle. At the end of the day, relax at upscale accommodations. This tour is ideal for cyclists of all levels, and routes range between 18 and 55 miles per day. The best time of year for this tour is between May and October.
Baltic States
Photo by Zaytsev Artem
Take a ride off the beaten path with a tour through Europe’s Baltic region—Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia—with Djoser. The nine-day excursion begins in Vilnius, Lithuania, and takes you through ancient cities, historic national parks, Jurmala’s forests and the distinctive dunes in the Curonian Spit. As you make your way to Tallinn, Estonia, you’ll witness striking coastlines, Alexander the Great’s summer palace and colonies of wildlife. The tour covers 12 to 34 miles per day on mostly easy terrain and offers breakfast daily. Participants dine wherever they choose for lunch and dinner. The best times of the year for a Baltic tour include May and August.
Intermediate Bike Tour
Kerala, India
Photo by tornado_twister
Cycle along tea and spice plantations and take in the tropical greenery along Kerala’s back roads during a 13-day tour by Spice Roads. The tour begins in the coastal town of Kochi (formerly Cochin) and takes you along rivers where elephants bathe, waterfalls, small villages, tiger sanctuaries and more. During the mid-trip break, you can go on a boat safari in Periyar National Park. Toward the end of the tour, you’ll spend the night in a houseboat before making your way back to Kochi. Rides range between 9 and 49 miles each day. The best times of year to enjoy the tour include August, November and December.
Advanced Bike Tour
Northeast Coast of Tasmania, Australia
Photo by Shane Lin
Green Island Tours takes you from St. Helens, through the winding coastal roaches, to Bichero. Along the way, you’ll visit charming fishing towns, sandy beaches, wineries and the mountains in Freycinet National Park. The 11-day tour averages 23 to 28 miles per day over rolling terrain. The best time of year to visit is in November, before the hot summer season arrives.