Travellers admiring the phenomenon of the Aurora Borealis in Iceland
You don’t need to have tons of time to tick destinations and experiences off your bucket list. We have a range of three and four-day tours for long weekends that are perfect for travellers short on time keen to pack in as much as possible, or travellers new to active holiday experiences who want to test the waters before committing to a longer walking or cycling trip.
Cycle in the Wachau Valley, where vineyards climb the slopes ©Richard Tulloch
1. Best short trip for romance & history: Cycle Linz to Vienna (5 days)
Recapture the romantic atmosphere of the ‘The Sound of Music’ as you follow the winding route of the mighty Danube, cycling past castles, Benedictine monasteries and ancestral vineyards en route to grand Vienna. This family friendly itinerary starts at Linz, where you can treat yourselves to a slice of Linzer torte, the oldest cake in the world – the first recipe dates from 1653! This self guided trip is ideal for those interested in romantic places and the history of the Austrian Empire and Habsburg times. With relatively short cycling days, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the vineyards & taverns, castles, ruins and abbeys along the way.
Everyone should witness the Northern Lights at least once in their life | Michael Goh
2. Best short trip for natural wonders: Iceland Northern Lights (3 days)
The Northern Lights are a spectacular solar phenomenon that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime. This short trip helps you optimise your Iceland winter experience by giving you the best chance to witness the colourful dancing lights of the Aurora Borealis and experience the natural wonders that contribute to Iceland having one of the most unique landscapes in the world. This new guided trip takes in the sights of the Golden Circle on the south coast of Iceland. Explore an ice cave, see geysers in action, marvel at waterfalls, glaciers and glacial lagoons, and master the art of walking with crampons on ice.
Cycling on the Via Francigena pilgrim route with San Gimignano in the distance
3. Best short trip for art and architecture: Cycle Florence to Siena (4 days)
This self-guided trip starts and ends in two of the most historically and culturally significant cities in Italy. As the Renaissance capital, Florence is home to countless masterpieces of art and architecture, while UNESCO World Heritage Site Siena has been likened to an open-air museum celebrating medieval architecture. Your journey will take you through the heart of the Chianti wine-producing region along the Via Francigena (the ‘Italian Camino’), affording you the opportunity to sample over 50 different local wines.
Sample first-class wines at cellar doors in Beaune, Burgundy's picturesque wine capital
4. Best short trip for wine buffs: Burgundy Highlights (4 days)
Whether you want to learn more about wine, consider yourself a bit of a wine connoisseur, or just enjoy drinking it, this trip explores the highlights of one of the most famous wine regions in France while covering so much ground that you don’t have to feel a pang of guilt. Based in Beaune, Burgundy’s charming wine capital, you will have countless dedicated cycle paths and routes right on your doorstep that take you through vineyards, grand estates and small hamlets overflowing with local produce. Discover the famous Côte de Nuits, known for its Grands Vins de Bourgogne and its red wines, including the most expensive wine of the region, Romanée Conti. Visit the Hautes-Côtes-de-Beaune and the prestigious Côte de Beaune vineyards, with an optional special wine tasting lunch for cyclists at Puligny-Montrachet.
Discover Holland in the springtime and view the fields of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in bloom
5. Best short trip for green thumbs: Tulip Tour - Premium (5 days)
For avid gardeners, springtime in Holland represents a dream come true. In the Dutch countryside, the soil in the polders is continuously drained, creating optimal growing conditions for tulip bulbs. Travel by barge from Amsterdam with a small group, and cycle through vast seas of blooming flowers to visit the famous Keukenhof flower farm, the historic open air museum of Zaanse Schans to see the old tradition of making wooden clogs, a local cheese farm and the world’s biggest flower auction in Aalsmer. Because Holland is a famously flat country, and the longest cycling day will see you cycle 30km, this trip is ideal for beginners.
Assessing the next day's ascent on the Mount Olympus Guided Walk
This trip is graded ‘moderate to challenging’, and is ideal for people who want to take their hiking skills to the next level with the help of an experienced guide, or experienced mountain climbers who want to tick off an iconic peak on a small group holiday. Staying in small but friendly refuges that afford superb alpine views, you will have the opportunity to ascend Mount Olympus’ highest peak, Mytikas (the ‘throne of Zeus’, 2,917m), or Skala (2,882m) and across a narrow ridge to the summit of Skolio (2,911m). This trip is also popular with bird watchers, with many species of birds such as the peregrine falcon calling the mountain home.
If you are interested in one of our longer trips but cannot commit to the full tour, we way be able to tailor a tour to meet your needs and time-frames.
Contact us today to discuss your unique requirements.