For culture buffs, Europe is a paradise of museums and art galleries just waiting to be explored. And what better way to see Europe's best museums than with an equally captivating cycling tour?
Here we describe six of Europe's finest museums and fantastic bike holidays to accompany them.
1. Louvre, Paris
The museum: A
Paris landmark, the Louvre is the world’s most visited art museum, welcoming more than eight million visitors annually.
Go beyond: There are many different ways to experience Paris, but how often do you get the opportunity to explore the ‘City of Light’ from your very own floating ‘boatel’? While the trip concentrates on taking you along quiet roads that follow the course of the Seine and Oise rivers, a full day is also set aside to sample the sights of the French capital.
2. Acropolis Museum, Athens
The museum: Opened in 2009, the emblematic museum houses findings of the nearby archaeological site of the Acropolis of Athens.
Go beyond: A week of ‘live’ Greek history lessons that will have you ticking off some of the country’s most famous must-sees. Joining in Athens, the so-called’ cradle of Western Civilisation’, your trip continues to the Oracle of Delphi, before spending two nights under the virtually inaccessible peaks of Meteora.
3. Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence
The museum: The country’s most visited museum is renowned for its Italian Renaissance collection.
Go beyond: Travel back in time on a cycle journey through the ‘green heart’ of Italy, from the timeless city of Florence to the nation’s capital Rome. Along the way, you will visit Assisi, the birthplace of Saint Francis; Perugia, where great Renaissance artist Raphael produced five paintings; and Spoleto, home to the famous ‘Festival dei Due Mondi’.
4. Museu Picasso, Barcelona
The museum: One of the most extensive collections by the celebrated Spanish artist, with more than 4,000 artworks on display.
Go beyond: Spin your pedals around the foothills of the Pyrenees, then all the way to the coast for a swim in the Mediterranean: the interior of Catalonia is a distinct region of green mountains, quiet byways, sleepy villages and picturesque coastal destinations. The last two nights of the trip are spent in Barcelona, Catalonia’s world famous capital.
5. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
The museum: The largest art museum in The Netherlands, Rijksmuseum has on display 8,000 objects of art and history
Go beyond: This new ride is perfect for families looking for their first self-guided cycling holiday. The trip represents the quintessential Dutch cycling experience, combining all-time favourite cities, from capital Amsterdam to Haarlem, Leiden, Delft and Gouda, each one of them brimming with typical old world Dutch character.
6. Belvedere, Vienna
The museum: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Belvedere houses the greatest collection of Austrian art from the Middle Ages to date
Go beyond: Follow the winding route of the Danube and discover the lively history of one of Europe’s most important rivers. Cross the fertile plains of the Wachau Valley and wind past castle before reaching the capital of Austria, where you can take in a performance of the ‘Blue Danube’ waltz, the melody that evokes Vienna the world over.
Which of these famous museums have you been to? Let us know in the comment section below.