Brand new cycling tours revealed by Headwater Holidays (From Redditch Advertiser)

Brand new cycling tours revealed by Headwater Holidays

5:27pm Tuesday 19th March 2013 in Travel

CYCLING and walking holiday specialists Headwater Holidays have launched a raft of new cycling tours.

The new cycling tours feature undiscovered destinations, family-run four-star hotels and gourmet restaurants.

The California Vineyards cycling tour features 10 days of independent cycling from £3,298, including flights from London and most meals, next departing 7, 21 April and 5 May 2013.

Dave Holcroft at Headwater Holidays said: “This leisurely cycle transports wine lovers through the world-famous vineyards of Napa, Dry Creek and Alexander.

“With plenty of opportunities to stop by wineries for tastings, explorers can also pedal past the giant redwood trees and the ‘Old faithful’ Geyser before reaching the Pacific Ocean at Bodega Bay, as featured in Alfred Hitchcock's ‘The Birds’.”

The Raymond Blanc Bike Tour is again 10 days of independent cycling from £1,299 including flights from London, breakfasts and most evening meals, next departing 11, 13, 15 May 2013.

Mr Holcroft said: “Explore the ‘golden triangle’ of Franche-Comte , home to chef Raymond Blanc, on this gastronomic cycling tour through the villages and farming pastures of this little visited corner of France. Starting, and ending, in the historic university city of Besancon, the cycle route passes through Salin-les-Bains, Arbois and Poligny - the respective capitals of salt, wine and cheese – affording spectacular views of the Jura Mountains.”

If Italy tickles your fancy then the Classic Chianti cycling tour involves 11 days of independent cycling from £1,749 including flights from London, breakfasts and all evening meals, next departing 9, 11, 13, 15 May 2013.

Mr Holcroft said: “Classic Tuscan countryside meets wine and wonderful stays in some of Headwater’s premier properties on this luxury cycling tour.

“Staying at a restored Twelfth Century abbey, a renovated watermill and a traditional family-run boutique hotel overlooking San Gimignano, cyclists can linger by panoramic pools or enjoy long, lazy rides to see the mix of Etruscan, Roman, Renaissance and Mediaeval art and architecture.”

If a holiday in the Middle East is on your travel agenda then Highlights of Jordan is nine days of guided cycling from £1,799 including flights, next departing 13 April, 14 September and 16 November.

Mr Holcroft said: “Cycling from Amman to Aqaba, this guided tour takes in ancient mosaics, temples and traditional Bedouin villages. Highlights include floating in the Dead Sea, swimming in the Red Sea and riding through the Wadi Rum en route to the rose-red city of Petra.

“Accommodation throughout is in luxury hotels apart from one night which is spent in a traditional Bedouin desert chalet-camp.”

To book, call Headwater 0845 3224672 on or visit www.headwater.com.