7 cycling trips for beginners

Cycle along serene tree-lined waterways along the Canal du Midi, travelling from ancient Roman cities to the Mediterranean coast. We’ll ride on quiet paths through the picturesque Corbieres region and absorb the rich history, stopping to try the delicious regional cuisine and excellent local wines. 

Cycle through the South Tyrol’s glacial valleys, past the soaring Dolomites to beautiful Lake Garda. While the backdrops along this route are dramatic, the under-wheel terrain is gentle and largely flat. Nearly all of this route is along cycle paths away from the roads, making it ideal for your first cycling holiday.

A cycling trip through Cambodia and Vietnam is certainly an evocative one. Cycle past jungle-clad ancient temples (including Angkor Wat), lush rice paddies and across the mighty Mekong Delta. We’ll explore fascinating Old Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and Phnom Penh, but also experience everyday local life in the Delta and in traditional rural villages. This route is as flat as can be, and distances are relatively short – it's an excellent trip for beginners wanting to the destination.

A cycling holiday through Austria, Switzerland and Germany needn’t be as arduous as it sounds. Surrounded by mountains you'll find charming towns, villages and vineyards along the lake shore. Rides are mostly flat cycle paths and some quiet roads.  This self-guided trip takes in three countries in one week and, armed with your own map and route, you can take the trip entirely at your own pace, choosing to start each day’s cycling (and stop for breaks) when it suits you.