Great Explorations catalogue

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GREAT Explorations Great Bike Journeys of the World


Ireland 1 County Clare, Aran Islands & Connemara

truth be told I have a confession to make. Before starting Great Explorations, I spent 18 years guiding trips for the company that invented luxury cycling and walking trips in Europe. For the most part, I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, but over time, as the company pushed the envelope of extravagance, the clientele subtly changed. On one of my last trips, a client chose to ride behind us in a stretch limousine, bragging about the comfort of ‘his ride’. It dawned on me then that my favourite guests weren’t returning, and I had an inkling why. So I started Great Explorations - seeking to establish a different kind of company for a different kind of guest. Someone younger in spirit, a little more adventurous, and perhaps more easy-going. I designed our trips around the absolute best cycling

routes, choosing what I believed to be the most unique and desirable hotels and restaurants, where the welcome is always warm. If this describes you, and the kind of travel experience you’d like, we invite you to consider a company eager to have you sample our style of travel. We hope you’ll choose an adventure travel company in the same way you’d choose a restaurant for a truly special occasion. Not the largest one, or the one that’s been around the longest. But one where the owner greets you at the door and where the experience is local and the bill is fair. We will do our best to create an authentic and memorable experience. One you can’t wait to tell your best friends about.

Canada 1 The Gulf Islands 2 Canadian Rockies 3 Nova Scotia 4 Quebec

Great Explorations promises small group sizes, guaranteed departures for most of our trips, and a cadre of guides that our guests tell us are the best on the planet. We hope you’ll come explore the planet with us.

France 1 Provence South 2 Provence Classic 3 Normandy 4 Brittany 5 Burgundy 6 Loire Valley 7 Tour with the Pros-France 8 Dordogne

Czech Repblic & Austria 1 Prague to Vienna

BURMA 1 Bespoke

Spain 1 Camino de Santiago 2 Andalucia USA 1 Napa Valley 2 Tour with the Pros-California 3 Oregon 4 Utah

Robbin Mckinney President & Owner Great Explorations

Thailand & Laos 1 Chiang Mai to Luang Probang Vietnam & Cambodia 1 Hanoi to Saigon Italy 1 Tuscany 2 Umbria 3 Puglia 4 Piemonte

Costa Rica 1 Lake Arenal, Cloudforest & the Coast Morocco 1 The Sahara, Atlas Mountains, Essaouira & Marrakech

Turkey 1 Turquoise Coast Croatia 1 Dubrovnik & the Dalmatian Islands


TOURS AT A GLANCE Biking Tours

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feb mar apr may

France Provence South Provence Normandy Brittany Burgundy Loire Valley Tour with the Pros-France Dordogne Spain Camino de Santiago Andalucia Italy Tuscany Umbria Puglia Piemonte Czech Republic & Austria Prague to Vienna Ireland County Clare, Aran Islands & Connemara Turkey Turquoise Coast Croatia Dubrovnik & the Dalmatian Islands Morocco The Sahara, Atlas Mountains, Essaouira & Marrakech Thailand & Laos Chiang Mai to Luang Probang

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activity level

walking tours

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feb mar apr may

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activity level

France Provence Burgundy The French Riviera Chemin St. Jacques Dordogne Spain Andalucia Italy Tuscany Cinque Terre Canada The Gulf Islands Canadian Rockies Quebec

Multisport TOURS France Provence Classic Dordogne Canada The Gulf Islands Canadian Rockies

Vietnam & Cambodia Hanoi to Saigon Costa Rica Lake Arenal, Cloudforest & the Coast USA Napa Valley Tour with the Pros-California Oregon Utah Canada The Gulf Islands Canadian Rockies Nova Scotia Quebec

Great Explorations adventure tours depart throughout the year and offer multiple activity levels. You will always find a trip that suits your needs.

Easygoing Typically 40-60 km/25-35 miles of cycling per day. Relatively flat terrain with perhaps a few minor hills.

Moderate Typically 40-70 km/25-45 miles of cycling per day. Gently rolling terrain with occasional climbs to viewpoints that are well worth the effort.

Challenging Typically 60-80+/40-50+ miles of cycling per day. Fast, undulating terrain with invigorating climbs to spectacular viewpoints or compelling places of interest.


Thomas W . Jean-Raphael L.

Comfortable speaking the local language and knowing all of the off-the-beaten track secrets, our guides ensure you’ll have the journey of a lifetime. Our website features detailed bios on some of the more than sixty guides who lead trips for us worldwide.

Inga L.

travel regions, having either lived or traveled there extensively.

Taryn M.

Sarah-Jane Celine G.

our guides

L.

Here at Great Explorations, we are tremendously proud of our guides. A diverse group of passionate and charismatic professionals, they have the local know-how and expertise to make your vacation incredibly rewarding. Whether it’s fitting your bike, arranging a one-ofa-kind activity or being your personal interpreter, our guides wear many hats with ease. They are intimately familiar with their

Chris H.

Our guests tell us time and time again that our guides are what set us apart from other companies. Caring, knowledgeable, athletic, articulate and fun-loving, each one is a natural leader…


Active Travel

Smaller Group Size

Flexibility

Imagine the vacation of a lifetime. Imagine meeting interesting people and making new friendships with spirited people who share your enthusiasm for active travel. Imagine immersing yourself in a breathtaking landscape and exciting culture.

We strongly believe that cycling and walking are the most rewarding and fulfilling ways to travel, allowing you to fully explore a region and interact with its people. We offer a range of easygoing, moderate and challenging trips to suit all levels. Our trips are designed with customization and flexibility in mind; van-supported trips ensure you can always travel at your own pace, and a lift is available if desired.

We limit our group sizes to 12-16 people, ensuring you get the freedom and flexibility to travel the way you want. This attracts a great mix of like-minded adventurous travellers. Smaller groups also means accessing the absolute best in lodging and restaurants.

Small groups and responsive guides provide the ultimate in trip flexibility. Ride or walk at the pace that suits you. Pamper yourself with a day by the pool or massage on the beach if that is what you crave. Challenge yourself with a longer cycling route one day (or every day). By planning alternate routes and layover days, we make it happen.

Great Explorations creates and leads cycling, walking and multisport tours worldwide. We use our years of experience in active travel to seek out the best destinations, distinctive and luxurious accommodations, charming and unpretentious restaurants, and the most incredible guides to make your journey unforgettable.

Tuscany, Italy

Vacation of a Lifetime

Puglia, Italy

what to expect


BEST. TRIP. EVER. PUGLIA, ITALY OK, so what, you might wonder, is going to be so ‘great’ about my ‘exploration’? Here are some notes from a guest’s Italian trip diary to fire up your imagination. DAY ONE 1:00 pm: Arrive at our beachside hotel, the 4-star Torre Egnazia. Great Exploration’s friendly guides welcome us with a buffet lunch and give us the beta on what to expect. Each guest has a great-looking Cannondale bike (with our name on it) waiting! Our first ride is along the coast to Egnazia, where an expert in Roman civilization describes the ancient city that once thrived here. We pedal on narrow country pathways lined with olive groves and centuries-old stone walls. Sublime. 4:30 pm: Back at the hotel, we gather for drinks while overlooking the Adriatic. Wow, six more days of this!

DAY TWO 8:00 am: The guides describe the day’s rides—short, medium, or long? I pick “medium,” and my husband decides to join me. (Wise move: he must have remembered that it’s our anniversary.) 11:30 am: A fabulous ride through Monopoli to Polignano al Mare, where we stop at a café overlooking the sea. 3:30 pm: A leisurely downhill cruise through more olive groves and masserias, with a bit of beach time for good measure. Post-ride, my husband has a bottle of wine sent up to our room and wishes me a happy anniversary. That’s amore!

DAY THREE 12:00 am: Enroute to Alberobello, (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) we cycle past oddly-shaped conical stone buildings that the Italians call trulli. When we arrive, we’re treated to a personal tour of the village. 4:00 pm: We arrive at the Cummerse in Locorotondo, set along a cobblestone street in the town’s historic center. No chain hotels here- our room is incredible! Then, it’s off to a wine tasting and dinner in another fabulous restaurant, U Curdum where Great Explorations are welcomed as friends—we give the chef a standing ovation after dinner (he hugs us each on departure). Unforgettable!

DAY FOUR 10:00 am: We sleep in today and stop for a mid-morning coffee and some shopping in Martina Franca. I found some pottery, gifts for the kids and a pair of shoes that I couldn’t resist. The guides had a van waiting to carry our shopping bags. They think of everything. 8:00 pm: Something a bit different tonight—a cooking course, where we learn to make pasta by hand from animated Italian chefs.

DAY FIVE 9:00: The guides have our bikes waiting with water bottles filled and chocolate treats in each handlebar bag. Fortified, we depart Ostuni, bound for the coast. 12:30 pm: The guides lead us to a secluded beach for the most incredible picnic ever. Just our group, an endless beach and a scrumptious buffet of local delicacies. 4:30 pm: Arrived at our hotel, Masseria Bandino, located just outside town, where we relax by the fabulous swimming pool and I enjoy a massage. We join another couple at a restaurant the guides suggested in Otranto. My, how these Italians love their food!

DAY SIX 7:30 am: My husband is excited to do the century ride (100 km) to the southern tip and back. Arrividerci, darling! Several of us ‘lesser mortals’ ride at an easy pace down the coast. Friends informed us that Great Explorations saves the ‘best for the last.’ Today’s ride certainly delivered on that promise. 10:00 pm: I was mistaken... tonight’s dinner was what they meant by ‘saving the best for last!’ After a wine tasting with a renowned local sommelier and then dinner, a pizzica band (arranged by the guides, of course) arrives. The dancing and festivities last till midnight. Our children won’t believe THAT.

DAY SEVEN 8:30 am: Over breakfast, we exchange addresses and promise to travel together with others in the group on another trip—perhaps to Turkey or Vietnam. I send Great Explorations office a quick email with 3 words: ‘Best. Trip. Ever.’


No country celebrates bicycling quite like France. Great Explorations covers all of the famous travel regions of the country: Normandy, Brittany, Burgundy, the Loire Valley, Dordogne, and of course, Provence. Smell the tangy salt air as you ride along the beaches of Normandy. In Burgundy, our guests will be invited into wine cellars and intimate restaurants that welcome newcomers like long-lost relatives. Enjoy dedicated cycling paths in the Loire Valley that take riders past luxurious castles and pastoral farmland. The Dordogne Valley offers history, foie gras and Renaissance chateaux around every corner. Stray a bit more off the beaten path and discover the charms of Brittany.

Our most popular trip? Provence, which boasts superb cycling, a Mediterranean climate, outstanding cuisine and, of course, world-famous wines. For avid cyclists, we even offer a trip each July that follows the Tour de France, with the opportunity to ride the same routes that the pros ride, just hours before the peloton. Whether you are looking for a relaxing trip or the ultimate challenge, our trips in France offer something for everyone.

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Biking trips offered in France

france

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Provence South & Classic

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Brittany

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Dordogne

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Burgundy 7

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Normandy

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Loire Valley

Tour with the Pros

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For anyone interested in history, art and culture, Spain offers obvious appeal. Very few places in the world offer as much diversity and contrast within a single country. Add in remarkable cuisine (paella, tapas, anyone?) and rich wine terroir and you have all of the ingredients for a rewarding vacation.

Michener has called it “one of the three great journeys of the world.” The pilgrimage to Santiago has existed for over a thousand years and we think the famous author of the bestselling Iberia would agree: the Camino de Santiago has the potential to transform your life.

spain

Begin in either Pamplona or Leon—the trail crosses northern Spain through stunning scenery. Overnight in welcoming villages with their charming hotels and paradors.

Spring in southern Spain is a time of celebration and fall is equally appealing with pleasant weather that continues well into October. Dreamy days of endless sunshine give way to flamenco nights. The Moorish architecture is legendary, with white hilltop villages festooned with fragrant orange blossoms. Cycling between the whitewashed villages ofAndalucia while staying in 4-star luxury is an utterly sublime travel experience.

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Biking trips offered in Spain 1

Camino de Santiago

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Andulacia


Italy

Italy offers the cycle tourist an almost dream-like combination of culture and natural majesty. From towering cypresses and Tuscan hill-towns to the pastoral landscapes and medieval piazzas of Umbria; from Piedmont—home to the Slow Food movement— to the dramatic coastline and enigmatic trullis of Puglia, Italy is bellissima. Tuscany inspired the artists of the Renaissance, and offers modern-day visitors an experience that renders mere adjectives meaningless. Your Great Explorations tour commences in Sienna and continues to the stunning, sundrenched villages of Castellina, Sovicille, Asciano, and Pienza. Frommers guidebook describes the hill towns of Umbria as the most charming in Italy, and our Great Explorations team would agree. Our tour starts in Torgiano, renowned for its wineries, and in just one day of cycling visits Assisi, Spello and Bevagna—each an architectural gem. Puglia is a recent discovery of ours that has all the makings

of a classic tour. Dramatic seaside cycle routes, UNESCO World Heritage sites, some of the very best olive oil and wine in Italy (and that’s saying something!) and an array of distinctive overnight accommodations await. Our newest tour explores Piedmont—a destination that offers the very best of Italy, with velvety Barolos, tranquil, bike-friendly country roads and outstanding gourmet meals, prepared slowly and with great passion.

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Biking trips offered in Italy 1

Tuscany

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Umbria

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Puglia

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Piemonte


Here at Great Explorations, we organize a lot of amazing tours, but the western coast of Ireland is a favourite. Sheep and cows far outnumber tourists, as we cycle on winding ribbons of road amidst a landscape coloured in multiple shades of green. Warm your body and soul in pubs and restaurants where strangers are warmly welcomed over a pint of dark ale. Inhale the briny sea air from atop glorious cliffs and roadside lookouts, and tour centuries’ old farmer’s villages and historic sights. Our tour starts with an exploration of the megalithic tombs and stone forts in magical Burren. In Doolin, we’ll listen to traditional fiddle music (you can dance if you want!). In Inishmore in the Aran Islands, the locals get around on bikes or

Ireland

horsedrawn carriages. Ride on rural roads past the ruins of old monasteries to Clifden, under the watchful eye of the Twelve Bens mountain range. Erin go braugh, indeed.

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Biking trips offered in Ireland 1

County Clare, Aran Islands & Connemara


TURKEY

A true multi-sport adventure! Explore the Turkish Riviera by yacht and bicycle. Discover Ottoman Empire monuments, secluded beaches and coves, and delight in the sights, smells, and cuisine of a truly exotic country. Great Explorations’ Turkish odyssey commences in the coastal resort town of Bodrum, where charming markets and cafés (Turkish coffee packs a real punch!) await. Ride, relax, or sail on a gulet. Cross the Aegean Sea to the Datça Peninsula by ferry and cycle through cooling pine forests and along rugged, cliff studded coastlines. After a tranquil stay near Hisaronu Bay, cycle to the Lycian tombs and monuments at Caunos, explore the archaeological site at Dalyan, and learn about loggerhead sea turtles at Itzuzu beach with our expert naturalist.

Board a private yacht and spend days cruising to beautiful coastal towns like Kalkan and Kas. Each port of call offers excellent cycling and outdoor adventures: snorkeling, diving or hiking, castles, sunken cities and the eternal flames at Olympos. End your journey in Antalya with a relaxing soak at the local hammam, an ancient Turkish bath.

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Biking trips offered in Turkey 1

Turquoise Coast


croatia

Imagine the Mediterranean the way it used to be — in Croatia. Cycle on quiet and scenic roads, enjoying an abundance of exotic sights and sounds which await around every bend. Revel in the splendour of your surroundings each day, and luxuriate in the comforts of distinctive hotels at night. Order off the menu at restaurants you won’t find in guidebooks. The historical walled centre of Dubrovnik, now an UNESCO World Heritage Site, marks the beginning of your adventure. Cruise through the Dalmatian Islands, peacefully exploring each beautiful Mediterranean island at your own pace—it is a

cyclist’s paradise. Witness the dazzling white karst-covered islands of Mljet, Korcula, Hvar and Brac. Natural wonders like saltwater lakes and secluded beaches are complemented by historic monuments like the medieval Benedictine monastery on Mljet and the immaculately preserved Venetian architecture found in Hvar Town. Great Explorations Croatian odyssey truly offers active travel at its best!

Biking trips offered in Croatia 1

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Dubrovnik & the Dalmatian Islands


Exotic and alluring, Great Explorations’ Moroccan tours offer an unforgettable adventure in a rich variety of mountain/sea landscapes. Shop in bustling markets, visit Old World landmarks, and immerse yourself in the mystery that is Morocco.

morocco

Start your journey from Ouarzazate and tour the best that Morocco has to offer. Continue through the Drâa Valley, passing ancient kasbahs, discovering lush palmeries, orchards and olive groves. Trading our bikes for camels, we’ll be led by Berber escorts over sand dunes to our private tent camp. Visit the famous UNESCO World Heritage Site at Ait-Ben-Haddou and then cross the High Atlas Mountains

to the lush Ouirgane Valley. A refreshing seaside ride ends in the hip resort town of Essaouira with its sandy beaches and consistent surf. Then, finally, the grand entrance to Marrakech; where entrancing and enchanting festivities and entertainment await. Throughout your tour, luxuriate in high-end hotels and resorts, relax in hammams and spas, and celebrate with fine dining.

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Biking trips offered in Morocco 1

The Sahara, Atlas Mountains, Essaouira & Marrakech


Thailand provides some of the best cycling Southeast Asia has to offer. An unbeatable combination of fabulous cuisine, friendly locals and stunning natural scenery make this truly a one-of-a-kind adventure. Pedal peacefully through northern Thailand, where monasteries, temples and ruins from ancient kingdoms stand guard as you ride by. This is a trip where there are literally ‘many rivers to cross’, including the mighty Mekong. Pass by orange groves, lush valleys with tumbling waterfalls and interact with locals from traditional hill tribe villages.

THAILAND & LAOS

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From exotic destinations like Chiang Mai, Tha Ton, and Chiang Rai to the scenic Chiang Saen Lake District, Thailand is a two-wheeled treat for travellers. Rest and unwind at sumptuous resorts with spectacular swimming pools and treat yourself to a Thai massage. Those who want to see more of this enchanting region should take advantage of a post-trip extension to Laos.

Biking trips offered in Thailand & Laos 1

Chiang Mai to Luang Probang


VIETNAM & CAMBODIA

Experience the lush countryside, rice paddies, ancient trails, bamboo forests, beaches and floating markets of Vietnam with an immediacy only a bicycle can provide. Trip highlights include exploring the markets and monuments of Hanoi with a local guide, seeing the caves of the Marble Mountains, boating the Perfume River to ancient temples, and cycling to the Long Son Pagoda and its Sitting Buddha in Nha Trang. Every day of cycling will bring you astonishing views and enchanting landscapes, from pine forests and rushing

waterfalls to the turquoise waters of the South China Sea. Every stop will thrill you with gastronomic delights, friendly people, colourful villages and opulent hotels. We recommend a pre-trip extension to sail aboard a traditional Chinese junk in dreamlike Ha Long Bay, and a post-trip extension to Saigon, and Angkor Wat, Cambodia.

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Biking trips offered in Vietnam & Cambodia 1

Hanoi to Saigon


COSTA RICA

Bicycling, zip-lining, rainforest trekking, whitewater rafting, kayaking, and horseback riding—where else in the world could you be but in the adventure paradise that is Costa Rica? Renowned as the world’s capital for ecologically-sustainable tourism, Great Explorations Costa Rican odyssey literally takes you from the seashore into the clouds. From stunning, postcard perfect beaches to the riotous cacophony of howler monkeys and birdlife cavorting in the jungle canopy, this vibrant country will invigorate your spirit and thrill your senses. We first visited this region a decade ago, attracted by a combination of stunning scenery and ecological diversity. With the development of ecofriendly boutique hotels and the recent paving of formerly dirt roads, Costa Rica is now more appealing than ever. Pedal past dormant volcanoes, lush, fragrant rainforests and rushing waterfalls. Explore the

Cloud Forest by zip-line or on secure sky-ladder walkways. Take a relaxing boat cruise through a rare mangrove swamp. Whale watching, “birding,” and nature observation in all of its forms – whether on the bike, on foot, or in a boat – is always an option. Never pass up the opportunity to pull out your camera and take that perfect travel pic. Contact the Great Explorations office for possible trip extensions and a ‘luxe option’

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Biking trips offered in Costa Rica 1

Lake Arenal, Cloudforest & the Coast


American industrialist Henry Ford might have invented the motor car, but another courageous countryman, Lance Armstrong, won the Tour de France bike race a record number of seven times. And while cars and trucks fly non-stop across the country on the Interstate Highway system, America also boasts an enormous network of secondary roads which are perfect for bike touring.

united states

In California, pedal through the famous vineyards of the Napa and Sonoma Valleys; or travel in May when the exciting Tour of California criss-crosses the state. In Oregon, cycle a route from Astoria – at the mouth of the mighty Columbia River - to the California border. This ocean/ cliff odyssey has been rated by Bicycling magazine as one of the 25 best tours on the planet. Our Utah itinerary presents American southwest scenery at its finest –gigantic canyons carved out by rushing rivers, and a red rock landscape mystically alive with towers and mesas. It’s like

pedaling through the set of an old-time Western movie as you cycle past soaring arches and teetering spires, while taking the time to explore hidden valleys that were once home to wild mustangs.

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Biking trips offered in USA 1

Napa Valley & Tour with the Pros

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Oregon

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Utah


Canada

Biking trips offered in Canada 1 2 3 4

The Gulf Islands Canadian Rockies Quebec Nova Scotia

From coast to coast, our national anthem’s first two words say it best, “Oh Canada…” Welcome to the serenity and wide-open spaces of Canada, where the natural wonders will captivate your imagination. On British Columbia’s Gulf Islands, cycle beneath towering old growth cedars and kayak into hidden coves. In the Okanagan, pedal across skyhigh railroad trestles and feast on fresh, sun-warmed peaches. Alberta’s Icefields Parkway offers mind-blowing mountain scenery around every bend. Over in eastern Canada, explore Quebec’s bucolic villages and covered bridges. Taste flaky, melt in your mouth tortière,

and see how much high school French you actually remember (not to worry, our guides are bilingual). In Nova Scotia, ride rolling hills along the rocky shore of the mighty Atlantic, where fishing boats bob and pods of whales frolic on ocean swells. At Great Explorations, Canada is our “home”. Let us show you the best our country has to offer.

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Best in Lodging

Best in Dining

Travelling by bike or on foot doesn’t preclude luxuriating at the best hotels and inns. Great Explorations hand-picks the highest rated and most distinctive accommodations in each region we visit, to ensure you have the most memorable vacation possible. We also list every hotel on our website because we are proud of the choices we’ve made. Each hotel is selected with your comfort in mind.

When travelling, we know you want to experience excellent cuisine and local specialties with every meal, and to have choice when it comes to dining. With this in mind, we have established close and personal relationships with countless great restaurants on all our tours, where we are always welcomed as friends. Whether it is an elaborate off-menu meal prepared just for our group or a simple lunch at a neighbourhood bistro, Great Explorations assures that you will sample the very best flavours of each region we visit. Hotel Si C omo No, C osta Rica

Hotel Feral, Croatia

hotels & restaurants


Custom tours & WALKING TOURS Personalize your trip Consider a custom trip if you want all the highlights of a Great Explorations tour but want to personalize it for a group of friends or family. We can organize custom guided trips for as few as two people or a group up to sixteen and adjust the daily cycling distances and levels to make it more moderate or more challenging for your group. You can choose between Classic and Luxe accommodations and we can schedule stops at events of particular interest to you, or set up special activities along the route. Share your dreams and let us take care of the logistics!

Additionally, many of our tours are offered self-guided through our partner company, Randonnee Tours. Visit www.randonneetours.com for info and pricing.

Explore your world on foot Great Explorations has created exciting and rewarding trips for both avid hikers and more moderate walkers. These routes are designed to allow you to experience the best of a region in an up close and personal way. Enjoy the sights and smells of the landscape as you travel at your own pace. Relax at charming country inns or distinctive mountain lodges.

Please contact us: Call 1.800.242.1825 or email info@great-explorations.com Visit www.great-explorations.com.

Savour the exceptional cuisine at our hand-picked restaurants and bistros. With exhilarating guided and custom trips available, Great Explorations can offer any active traveller the trip of a lifetime. While new trips are being added each year, the current list of available walking trips includes:

Canada: Gulf Islands, Canadian Rockies & Quebec France: Burgundy, Provence Classic, French Riviera, Dordogne & Chemin St. Jacques

Italy: Cinque Terre, Tuscany & Amalfi Coast Spain: Andalucia-Grenada & the Alpujarras

We’ve been on several bike trips but loved this one, as the roads were really quiet and your itinerary offered a more varied tour than others we considered. What a truly spectacular country and what fun on a bicycle! Where will you tempt us next? Daryl and Wilma M. - New York, NY

Ireland

The whole experience was unbelievable. From the guides, to the people on the trip, the people you met along the way and the ride itself. Denise C. - San Jose, CA

Camino de Santiago, Spain We really enjoyed seeing this part of California by bicycle. The hotels and meals were outstanding and we loved the extras and little surprises that you spoiled us with throughout the trip. We’re contemplating your Burgundy, France trip next. Bob & Cindy W. - Denver, CO

Napay Valley, California

Thank you for a memorable vacation. Highlights? The kids loved the goat cheese maker and spotting orcas off-shore from Georgina Point. We loved the hobbit houses, the island charm and the vineyard tour and wine tasting. We’ve been to the San Juans but the Gulf Islands were much better for cycling and exploring. Thank you.

Overall, this trip exceeded my expectations on all fronts…thanks for a fantastic vacation- looking forward to future trips with Great Explorations.

Teresa & Jim D. - Los Angeles, CA

The trip was one of the more awesome vacations I have ever taken. The hotels were charming, the cycling routes gorgeous, and the meals were incredible. The guides did an outstanding job. We chose Great Explorations over some other companies largely on the recommendations of friends who had done a trip with you. I certainly was not disappointed. On a scale of 1-10, this trip gets a 12 in my book! I hope I have a chance to do another trip with you in the future. Many thanks for an incredible week of bicycling in France.

Gulf Islands, Canada

We found the people we met made the trip so special. Several of us have already been talking about which trip to go on next year. Kay & Jim D, Burlington, VT

Even better than I expected. Thank you for all the fabulous memories! The region was absolutely gorgeous everywhere I looked was a picture postcard.

Morocco We had a wonderful time! This trip will be fondly remembered for many years. This was our best trip ever.

Kathryn C. - New York, NY

Sheila & Bob K. - Edmonton, AB

Croatia

Vietnam

Kathy G. - Madison, WI

Thailand

Larry Sams - Raleigh, NC

France


#203-1338 West 6th Avenue Vancouver, BC Canada V6H 1A7 Tel: 604.730.1247 | Toll Free: 1.800.242.1825 Email: info@great-explorations.com Visit: www.great-explorations.com


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