Jetsettersblog

Austin-Lehman Adventures compiled its favorite pedal routes through Europe drawn from 38 years of experience of its European bike tours division, formerly Euro-Bike Tours, founded in 1974.

Euro-Bike Tours was sold to Austin-Lehman Adventures in 2008, and Ron Van Dijk, former owner of Euro-Bike Tours, is now ALA’s European cycling director. Van Dijk was in charge of selecting the Sensational Seven Cycling Routes of Europe.

“It was a fun challenge for me to go back through nearly four decades of cycling to pick my all-time favorite pedal routes of Europe,” said Van Dijk.

“I hope to inspire others to slow down, get on a bike and enjoy a Europe adventure on two wheels either on their own or with a small group tour such as those offered by ALA.”

Van Dijk’s “Sensational Seven” are as follows:

France — The Dordogne between Argentat and Beynac (110 miles). According to Van Dijk, it’s “a favorite for its authenticity, the peace, the great food, the old Romanesque churches, the castles and the history (such as the Hundred Years War between France and England). Make sure to divert from the valley every now and then to visit villages like St-Céré, Autoire, Loubressac, Rocamadour, as well as the lively town of Sarlat.”

Italy — South-Tyrol from Reschen Pass to Merano (50 miles).

From the top of the pass, Van Dijk said, “it’s all pretty much all downhill for about 50 miles on specially marked bike paths, and you’re always surrounded by some of the most majestic mountains of the Alps. Pass by villages, lakes, meadows, apple orchards and end your ride in the noble spa town of Merano.”

Spain — Rioja vineyards between Logroño and Haro (35 miles). Van Dijk suggests October when the leaves are turning, roads are peaceful and hospitality including tapas bars in Haro a blessing after tackling a few hills.

Germany — Mosel Valley from Trier to Koblenz (132 miles). This is a four-day stretch through steep vine-clad hills with stops at villages for sips of Rieslings. It’s is a gentle, downhill trip past Roman sites in Trier and castles and ruins around every bend of the Mosel.

Austria — Salzach Valley from Gerlos Pass/Krimml to Salzburg (115 miles). With the snowcapped Grossglockner, this is a highly scenic descent from Gerlos Pass to Salzburg.

Netherlands — Tulip, hyacinth and narcissus fields near Keukenhof (20 miles).

Denmark — Danish Riviera between Copenhagen and Helsingør (30 miles). Bike paths along Denmark’s “Gold Coast” reveal villas, fishing villages and museums such as the Karen Blixen Museum (author of “Out of Africa”), the Nivagaard art museum and the supreme Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in an incredible setting overlooking the Sound.

ALA’s cycling tour bookings were up 26 percent in 2011 over 2010. So far in 2012, they are up 10 percent. To accommodate the projected up trend, ALA added three new trips and additional departures representing a 15 percent increase in capacity from 2011 to 2012. The trips new for 2012 are France-Burgundy, Spain-Rioja and Denmark Family Adventure.

Austin-Lehman Adventures provides adventure vacations on five continents. The company specializes in adult and family multi-sport, hiking, biking vacations that emphasize history, culture and nature’s charms. Trips are limited to 12 guests (18 on family departures). For more information, call 800-575-1540.

TripAdvisor named the winners of its 2012 Travelers’ Choice Romance awards, honoring the most romantic hotels in Europe and the world. Unlike any other hotel honors, TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice winners are based on millions of reviews and opinions from travelers around the world.

The Greek island of Santorini performed extraordinarily well in the romance stakes, laying claim to Europe’s two most romantic hotels — the winner, Andronis Luxury Suites, and runner-up, Aspaki & Oia Castle. Santorini also claimed the seventh place hotel, Anastasis Apartments, which was named the world’s second-best hotel in the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Hotel awards in January.

Europe’s most romantic hotels include the Andronis Luxury Suites in Santorini; the Aspaki & Oia Castle, also in Santorini; the Seven Hotel Paris; the Tiara Yaktsa Cannes; the Boutique Hotel Villa Sostaga Lake Garda, Italy; the Castello Bevilacqua, Italy: the Anastasis Apartments in Santorini; the Villa Contessa in Bad Saarow, Germany; the Sogno di Giulietta inVerona, Italy; and the Chateau de Marcay in Chinon, France.

Hedonistic Hiking will offer a new gourmet guided walking holiday from Slovenia into Italy in 2012. The nine-day hiking tour starts in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana, which many liken to a mini Prague. It continues through the Julian Alps, crosses the border between the two countries into Friuli, Italy’s north eastern region, and finishes in Venice.

The hike includes Lake Bled with its castle and three nights beside Lake Bohinj encircled by the Julian Alps. Following the course of the Soca river leads to historic Kobarid, today the culinary capital of Slovenia with many fine restaurants. Crossing into Italy on foot brings clients to Friuli with an opportunity to visit the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Cividale and Aquileia, and sample the wines of the Collio region.

The package runs twice in the year from June 3 to 11 and Oct. 2 to 10. The walking groups are small (maximum 16 people) and the support vehicle enables clients to walk as much or as little as they please each day. The price for the Slovenia and Friuli Tour is 2,625 euros per person and is fully inclusive. For more information, call 011-61-(0)3-5755-2307.

Sicily-based Basula Tours’ 15-day Jewels of Southern Italy, designed for group bookings, explores Sicily, Calabria, Campania and Rome, including Catania, Taormina, Etna, Siracusa, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Selinunte, Marsala, Trapani, Erice, Palermo, Monreale, Cefalù, Messina, Reggio di Calabria, Scilla, Capo Vaticano, Tropea, Paestum, Costiera, Amalfitana, Amalfi and Roma. Prices begin at 1,050 euros per person and include half board, 14 nights in standard hotels, coach and winery visit with tasting. For more information, call 011 39 (0)95 8369275 or email booking@basula.com

General Tours World Traveler unveiled a new eight-day Small Group Journey to Italy, including Venice, Florence and Rome. One of the tours prominent features is its group size, which is limited to 16 people. The company’s objective in limiting group size is to be able to provide more attentive service from the company’s on-the-ground staff, more intimate engagement with their tour directors and more manageable groups on guided sightseeing trips. The package includes first class city-center hotels, private transportation, and high-speed Eurostar rail with complete transfer and luggage handling services.

The company also cites a strong selling point in its tour directors, which it calls trip leaders, and who are highly educated professionals based in the tour cities. They’re chosen for their qualifications of being well-versed in Italy’s history, architecture and art as well as having the insider’s perspective that can enhance clients’ appreciation of Italy’s cultural traditions. “Their knowledge and insight don’t come from a text book or a semester abroad,” said Bob Drumm, General Tours president. “As lifelong residents, they turn even ‘ordinary’ sightseeing like a gondola cruise or museum visit into meaningful cultural experiences that are more rewarding and enjoyable.” For more information, call 800-221-2216.

The seven-room Villa le Scale has just completed months of renovations. Now the gardens offer views of the Bay of Naples. Beginning May 1, the 19th century “Villa of the Steps” will reopen for its ninth season. Owner Anna Maria Coronato, a leading international antiquarian, personally selected the collection of museum-caliber statuary, paintings and objets d’art that distinguish each guestroom.

Guests checking into the Artist’s Room, for instance, will find a Marchigana Era bookcase in the bedroom and two 18th century marble basins in the bathroom. The Venetian Room is dominated by an 18th century bookcase that frames the entrance to the boudoir, while the Louis XV1 Room comes with boiserie panels and a terrace overlooking cetrella garden.

All the rooms come with air conditioning, personal safes, mini bars, plasma-screen television sets, surround sound and high-speed wireless Internet access. Most of the rooms have expansive views of the Bay of Naples and they all look out on or open on to private gardens almost three times the size of the villa itself — including a Secret Garden down a flight of flower-draped weathered stone steps.

Villa Le Scale offers its guests private dining (indoors and outdoors, never more than 14 guests at each meal), room service, turndown service, 24/7 concierge service, an eight-station gym with the latest gear, and a fully stocked wine cellar. The heated swimming pool is ringed with fountains, stone grottoes, a spacious sun terrace and masses of foliage and flowers to create an air of seclusion and privacy.

Rates range from 350 to 650 euros and include a la carte breakfast and taxes for individual bookings. Rates for exclusive rentals are on request. The season runs from May 1 to Sept. 30. When it’s time to reserve a room (and with only seven rooms to choose from, early reservations are recommended) bookings can be made by calling 800-783-6904.

In celebration of the launch of its new ships and new itineraries, Variety Cruises, the global small ship cruise company, announces 10 to 20% off fares and free land pre-and post-cruise tours (where noted) on 2012 itineraries for bookings made by February 29, 2012.

The company, which got its start in Greece and the Greek Islands, is positioned as a leader in a time when the cruise industry is at its most difficult. New 2012 itineraries include stops in buzzed-about hotspots such as Abu Dhabi, Dubrovnik and the fascinating island of Malta, in addition to its popular sails through Greece and the Mediterranean.

Please note: reservations must specify VC1-2012 Special Offer and cannot be combined with any existing or future offers. Port charges are excluded from these discounts and all reservations are on a first come first served basis.

For more information, please visit www.varietycruises.com  or call 1-800-319-7776 (US) and 1-866-944-8498 (Canada).

Deals on New 2012 Cruises

DODECANESE MOSAIC: Travel aboard the Panorama three-masted sail cruiser embarking from Rhodes or Aghios Nikolaos sailing through the beautiful ports of Bodrum, Santorini and the islands of Karpathos and Amorgos. Begins June 19, 2012.

• 10% reduction on cruise fares plus two nights FREE pre or post cruise stay at a four-star hotel in Rhodes or Aghios Nikolaos OR a 20% reduction on cruise fares

• Regular fares begin at $2,390 USD per person, per week

ROMANTIC RIVERAS: The French and Italian Rivieras come to life as the new 223-foot Variety Voyager mega yacht travels through chic hotspots such as Nice, St. Tropez, Portofino, Monte Carlo and more. Begins July 14, 2012.

• 20% reduction on cruise fares

• Regular fares begin at $2,990 USD per person, per week

TREASURES OF SOUTH ITALY AND MALTA: Crystal blue waters and ancient history await travelers aboard the new Variety Voyager mega yacht as it cruises around Sicily exploring Taormina, Syracuse, Agrigento and Cephalu, with stops on the islands of Capri, Malta and Lipari.

Begins September 15, 2012.

• 20% reduction on cruise fares

• Regular fares begin at $2,990 USD per person, per week

THE ADRIATIC ODYSSEY: Travel the Ionian and Adriatic Seas aboard the Harmony G setting sail from Dubrovnik or Corfu. Discover the hidden and historical treasures of Croatia, Albania and Montenegro.

Begins July 22, 2012.

• 10% reduction on cruise fares and two nights free pre or post cruise stay in a four-star hotel in Dubrovnik or Corfu or 20% reduction on cruise fares

• Regular fares begin at $2,690 USD per person, per week

ARABIAN JOURNEYS: Experience the wonders of the Arabian Gulf and the Omani Coast departing from Abu Dhabi to Muscat aboard the new Variety Voyager mega yacht.

Begins November 29, 2012.

• 20% reduction on cruise fares

• Regular fares begin at $2,790 USD per person, per week

Deals on 2012 Greek Cruises

ANTIQUITY TO BYZANTIUM: Discover the treasures of Ancient Greece aboard the Harmony G; the trip starts in Athens and includes visits to the tombs at Mycenae, Olympia and the spectacular Oracle Temple of Delphi.

Begins March 23, 2012.

• 10% reduction on all cruise fares and two night FREE pre or post cruise stay at a four-star hotel in Athens, OR 20% reduction on cruise fares

• Regular fares begin at $1,590 USD per person, per week

JEWEL OF THE CYCLADES: Board in Athens on the M/S Galileo, a classic steel motor sailer, en route to the Aegean Islands with stops in Santorini, Mykonos and off the beaten path islands such as Paros and Folegandros. Begins April 13, 2012.

• 10% reduction on all cruise fares and two night FREE pre or post cruise stay at a four-star hotel in Athens, OR 20% reduction on cruise fares

• Regular fares begin at $2,150 USD per person, per week.

CLASSICAL GREECE: Board the Harmony V mega yacht in Athens and explore stops in Mykonos, Santorini, Crete, the hidden-gem island of Kythira and more. Begins April 20, 2012.

• 10% reduction on all cruise fares and two night FREE pre or post cruise stay at a four-star hotel in Athens, OR 15% reduction on cruise fares

• Regular fares begin at $2,835 USD per person, per week

AEGEAN ODYSSEY: Cruise through the Aegean Islands and Turkey aboard the Panorama (spring/fall) or Panorama II (summer) experiencing the sights and sounds of the Mediterranean’s rich cultural heritage. Begins April 20, 2012.

• 10% reduction on all cruise fares and two nights FREE pre or post cruise stay at a four-star hotel in Athens OR 20% reduction on all cruise fares

 Regular fares begin at $2,655 USD for spring/fall cruises and $2,950 USD for summer cruises per person, per week

TURQUOISE COAST & ISLANDS OF THE EASTERN AEGEAN: The splendor of the Turquoise Coast of Turkey and Greek Islands awaits travelers aboard the Panorama II as it travels through Marmaris, Rhodes, Symi, Patmos and more. Begins April 27, 2012.

• Two nights FREE pre or post cruise stay at a four-star hotel in Istanbul and a 15% reduction on all cruise fares

• Regular fares begin at $1,990 USD per person, per week

Protect your cruise investment with Trip Cancellation Insurance from Seven Corners at www.sevencorners.com

Castello di Vicarello has designed an exclusive ‘Nest Close to paradise’ Package especially for groups.

Castello di Vicarello, in the Maremma region of Tuscany, is surrounded by rolling hills, vineyards and orchards with stunning views down to the sea, providing a wonderful setting for intimate getaways with your nearest and dearest. This 12th Century ultra-luxury retreat offers floral-filled gardens, striking scenery and cool sea breezes, as well as two secluded infinity pools and a spa.

Perfect for family and friend celebrations, such as milestone birthdays, the exclusive package allows intimacy in a gorgeous setting which will truly make you appreciate the things that truly matter in life. The Castello’s Villa Chiesina (Suite Chiesina, Deluxe Grotta) and Suite Sassi will be transformed into a private nest for 6 persons, and will include a dedicated butler, private breakfast, lunch & dinner (including room service), mini-bar drinks, private access to Villa Chiesina’s infinity pool and use of the sauna & hot tub. With your every need catered to, you can live in the lap of luxury with your nearest and dearest, without a care in the world.

The package is offered at €4,800 per night. Guests can also opt for a yoga version of this package for an additional €240 per day.

Hotel Club Daniela in Puglia is a new hotel for Essential Italy this year, and we are delighted to have found such fantastic family orientated accommodation in the area. The hotel is not too large, yet offers all the facilities you would expect from resort hotels. The beaches close by are beautiful and the local town of Otranto is lovely and very lively in the summer months with Italian tourists, and fabulous football tournaments open to all on the sand in the late afternoons.

Puglia is a wonderful destination with loads to see and do for all generations; beaches, ancient white cities, caves, theme parks and zoos, and fabulous shopping! Plus Essential Italy can organise bike hire for all ages at all its properties in Puglia.

Essential Italy is pleased to offer an introductory offer with this family plan rate:

2 adults and 2 children (up to 16 years old) in communicating rooms – 30% off the second room price for children.
Eg/ Based on travel June half term week:
The first double room is £910.00 per week, the children’s room would be £637.00 (30% off adult price)
for the week, on a half board basis.

Hotel Club Daniela http://www.essentialitaly.co.uk/puglia_hotels_hotel-club-daniela.php

Set on a super stretch of coastline, the Club Hotel Daniela offers a fantastic location for the perfect family beach holiday. Completely refurbished in 2010, the stylish contemporary design gives the hotel a very upbeat feel; creamy coloured local stone has been used throughout with careful lighting and modern furnishings making it a real find in the south of this beautiful region.

All 154 rooms have air conditioning, telephone, furnished terrace or balcony and en-suite shower rooms. The hotel offers a billiards room, a TV room, tennis courts, boules, table tennis, pedaloes, and various watersports. The two pools are positioned between the hotel and the pine woods that lead to the coastline and the two restaurants which are both buffet style offer a great choice food, so adults and children will have fun picking and choosing their menu each day.

The hotel beach is equipped with sun loungers, umbrellas and a beach bar and a train service ferries tired little ones to and from the beach!

For children there will be early morning gymnastics, beach games, pool sports, and evening entertainment in the hotel “theatre”.

Location: Otranto 13km, Lecce 35km, Maglie 30km, Ostuni 125km, Gallipoli 70km, Santa Maria di Leuca 65km, Brindisi 80km, Bari 190km

Price: From £65 per person per night on a half board basis in a double room.

In the 18th century, a rich and powerful Puglian nobleman had a daughter. As the daughter grew up she became very close to her father. But when she reached her early twenties, she fell in love with a local farmer. Although farming was the mainstay of life in Puglia, society was strictly segregated. The rich did not mix with the poor, let alone marry them. Her father forbade the union.

But the daughter’s heart was set. Love overcame the barriers of class and privilege. She married her lover. Her father was so angry he refused to speak to her ever again. But seeing her love was genuine, his heart softened. He decided to build his daughter a farmhouse. At least, he thought, she will have a comfortable home and the means to make a good living.

The masseria was named “Cupina” (meaning “not so black”) to reflect the bittersweet nature of the gift. By the mid 20th century, however, the farmhouse had been abandoned. In another fairy tale echo, the building became overgrown and derelict. It remained that way until 2004 when the masseria was rescued by its current owners and lavished with love once again.

Masseria Cupina (sleeps 6) Puglia – http://www.essentialitaly.co.uk/puglia_villas_masseria-cupina.php

Set in a quiet valley, this house is perfectly located between some of the most charming villages of Puglia. This masseria maintains many of the original features and yet incorporates a contemporary feel with modern comforts. The lovely pool makes this house a real find for a family holiday.

Location: Ceglie Messapica 8kms, Ostuni 10kms, Martina Franca 12kms, Brindisi 50kms, Bari 90kms

Price: £1220 – £2600 per week