Looking for adventure on your next trip away? Why not saddle up discover some of the most beautiful corners of the world on two wheels. Cycling holidays are perfect not only for boosting mind, body and soul, but they also give you chance to discover new, diverse and often breathtakingly stunning lands at your own pace – as well as allowing you to unearth the true culture of your destination found hidden in between the more common tourist hotspots.
With VistaJet, nowhere in the world is out of reach, making us your perfect travel buddy for discovering the best cycling destinations found across the world. We’ve come up with a list of some of the top cycling destinations on the planet and, with the holidays on the horizon, added in a few of the best winter cycle touring destinations for good measure.
If it’s good enough for the pros…
Based around 60 miles north east of the Spanish second city, Barcelona, Girona offers road riders a perfect balance of a good year-round climate, mixed and challenging terrains and high-quality roads – making it the base of choice for many of Europe’s top cyclists, as west as one of the best winter cycle touring destinations.
A cycle holiday to Girona should start with a climb of the lauded Rocacorba mountain nearby, but sun and scenery lovers should also take in the picture-perfect Costa Brava that sits less than 20 miles away. Those are just two of many standout cycling routes available in an area that offers an equally wonderful off-the-bike experience. When you’re not riding, make sure to discover the history and culture found behind the city’s medieval walls, and you might even bump into a pro or two along the way.
It’s a big claim to say a certain location has the best views in Europe, but even with the famous Alps and Pyrenees mountain ranges not too far away, many regard the Dolomites of north-eastern Italy as the best in a very esteemed class. Of course, where there are beautiful mountains, there are some equally amazing cycling routes, and the Dolomites offer plenty across a near 200-mile span.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since August 2009, the Dolomites offer riders a theme park-like ride, with the jagged mountain line producing challenging climbs followed by long and rewarding downward slopes again and again. The Dolomite region is so big that you’ll probably want to plan more than one visit to enjoy the area in all its majesty.
Just like Europe has their pro base with Girona, we’ve got our very own cycling haven in the form of Boulder, CO. The headquarters of the American elite, the area hosts top-class professionals year-round who enjoy over 300 days of sunshine through the year that beats down on a variety of 9,000ft+ climbs sat on the doorstep of the town.
You’ll find an awesome cycling industry in the area, too, which makes it the go-to domestic hotspot for two-wheel fanatics. Just down the highway you’ll also find Aspen, a more upmarket town that offers its own cycling adventures but is better known for its world-class skiing and snowboarding.
The island of Corsica in France is no stranger to tourists hitting its shores in big numbers, however most visitors to this island don’t stray too far inland from the coastline. The interior of the Corsican landscape is largely untouched and unpopulated, which might make it less popular with the average holidaymaker but also makes it of much bigger appeal to road cyclists.
Featuring countless winding and scenic routes, Corsica is the perfect choice for cyclists looking to get away from the madness. However, don’t be fooled – it’s not all relaxation. Corsica’s climbs are plenty challenging, with the highest topping out at just under 9,000ft.
When we’re looking for the best winter cycle touring destinations, you have your obvious candidates like Girona and Boulder with their near year-round sun, but what about something a little more wet and wild in the Southern Hemisphere? Enter Rotorua in New Zealand, an area which hosted the 2006 Mountain Bike World Championships and offers over 60 miles of adventure trails, making it a must-visit for those passionate about mountain biking.
A change of pace from the other, more road-based locations mentioned, Rotorua offers a more rugged and muddy trip for those looking for thrill and exhilaration first and foremost.
We’ve named only five of the best cycling destinations in the world, and we can assure you there are many, many more. Wherever you’re travelling to begin your riding adventure, why not start the trip off right with the perfect journey?
At Vistajet, we offer unparalleled global reach that leaves no stone on the planet unturned. Whether it’s the thrilling trails of Rotorua, the stunning scenery of the Dolomites or another hidden cycling gem of the world, get there in ultimate luxury with the silver and red.
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