VBT Bicycling Vacations, Country Walkers Announce 2024 Itineraries

New Tours in Italy, Croatia Complement Robust Offering of More than 125 Itineraries to More than 40 Countries

WILLISTON, Vt., Aug. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- VBT Bicycling Vacations (recently named a 2023 world's best tour operator by Travel + Leisure) and Country Walkers today unveiled an exciting lineup of tours and itineraries for 2024, now available for booking. New offerings include a VBT Bicycling Vacations guided tour of Italy: Tuscany, Chianti & Marina di Castagneto and a Country Walkers guided tour of Croatia: Brač, Korčula & Mljet National Park.

"After years of canceled vacations, a huge wave of pent-up demand continues to sweep the industry, with consumers prioritizing travel and in-person experiences and downgrading their spending elsewhere. But concerns over the economy along with higher travel prices may lead some to believe they need to cut back on their travel spend," said Timo Shaw, President of Country Walkers and VBT Bicycling Vacations. "At VBT Bicycling Vacations and Country Walkers, we have decades of experience securing the best rates and making sure rising costs aren't passed on to our customers. And, considering it takes on average 10-20 hours to research and book a vacation, the benefits of booking a tour cannot be underestimated in terms of saving both time and money."

Country Walkers and VBT Bicycling Vacations have been leaders in active vacations for more than 40 years, offering the perfect blend of active adventures that go deep in a specific region for guests to explore at their pace and truly experience the local culture. Travelers can choose from five active travel styles: Guided and Self-Guided (Country Walkers) and Guided Biking, Self-Guided Biking and Guided Bike & Boat (VBT Bicycling Vacations). All itineraries include bilingual expert guides and leaders, local restaurants, and small, family-owned accommodations. E-bikes are also available on most VBT Bicycling Vacations tours.

Highlights for 2024 include:

Tours for drink lovers: Sip your way around the world with biking and walking tours that include ample time for sampling local beer, hard cider, wine and non-alcoholic options along with tours of world-famous wineries and wine regions.

• Country Walkers Vermont: Fall Foliage: Spend a few nights at the Norwich Inn with its own brewery, enjoy lunch at the famed Von Trapp Brewing Bierhall, and sample a variety of Vermont craft beer, hard cider and wines at the Alchemist and Cold Hollow Cider Mill.
• Country Walkers Scotland: The Highlands: Enjoy memorable meals complemented by a wide range of ales, malts and whiskeys. A tasting tour of the Blair Althol Distillery offers a look at how the distinctive honeyed richness of the distillery's signature single-malt whiskey is created.
• VBT Bicycling Vacations Italy: Tuscany, Chianti & Marina di Castagneto: Indulge in a sublime bike tour of Tuscany's wine regions, with visits to a 13th-century castle-turned-winery and haven for bees, where vineyards, olive groves, and other gardens are cultivated with sustainable methods; and Bolgheri, one of the most prestigious wine regions in the country.
• VBT Bicycling Vacations France, Germany & Luxembourg: Mosel River Valley: Ride through the Middle Mosel, a stunning tapestry of breathtaking scenery, lush vineyards and quaint wine villages; explore Traben-Trarbach, once the world's second-largest wine-trading center, and Zell, one of the largest wine-producing communities on the Mosel River; and enjoy a private wine tasting at a family-owned estate.

Tours for foodies: From authentic meals prepared at family-owned estates to elegant fine dining experiences in fairytale castles, local cuisine featuring the freshest ingredients showcases the best a destination has to offer.

• VBT France: Vineyards of Beaujolais: Dine at a 17th-century chBteau wine estate surrounded by 200 acres of vineyards, enjoy a special dinner by Michelin-starred chef Georges Blanc at a 13th-century manor house, and sample the famed beef bourguignon, coq au vin and quenelles de brochet in their birthplace.
• Country Walkers Greece: Athens, Delphi & Meteora: Savor Greece's contemporary cuisine during a visit with a local chef at his restaurant in Kalavrita and dine on Greek specialities including tzatziki, melitzanosalata, fresh seafood, local trout, onion pie with mizithra cheese, saganaki planiteros, and much more.
• VBT Maryland: Eastern Shore & Chesapeake Bay: Bask in Southern warmth and hospitality while being treated like family as you feast on the region's famous seafood (crabcakes!) and learn about oysters while they are hauled out of the ocean onboard a working skipjack.
• Country Walkers Italy: Tuscany & Umbria: Savor an unforgettable meal of traditional cuisine while peering through a restaurant's glass floor in Assisi atop excavated Roman ruins; enjoy a sumptuous home-cooked lunch at an old Tuscan farmhouse featuring an assortment of local pecorino, cold cuts, salads, frittatas, and pickled vegetables; and dine daily on bruschetta, grilled meats, veggies, strangozzi, local wine and olive oil.

Tours for art and history buffs: Hike and bike epic settings, ancient ruins, impressive theaters and forums, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and more while learning about local traditions, arts and crafts.

• VBT France: Normandy & Brittany: Explore scenic Bayeux, renowned for its tapestry depicting the Norman Conquest. Take a private guided tour with a local historian of D-Day World War II sites including Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery. Visit UNESCO World Heritage site Mont Saint-Michel, the medieval island-village crowned by its well-preserved Benedictine abbey.
• VBT Danube Bike & River Cruise: Budapest to Prague: Follow the entire length of the fabled Danube River while exploring four iconic capitals in Europe including the medieval city of Regensburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore Melk's Benedictine Abbey, one of Europe's largest Baroque monasteries, enjoy a private Viennese concert, and visit museums and art galleries in Budapest and Prague.
• Country Walkers Peru: Cusco, Machu Picchu & the Sacred Valley: Visit the Larco Museum featuring the largest collection of Ancient Peruvian art and the Cuyuni Village in the Andean Highlands to learn about weaving, hear about the history of Machu Picchu and the Inca people on a guided tour, and explore Cusco while learning about the Temple of the Sun and Cusco Cathedral.
• VBT Spain & Portugal: Coastal Camino de Santiago: Cycle the coastal portion of the Camino de Santiago from north to south on this historic route that includes a stay at an ancient monastery next to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Tour the Hostal dos Reis CatSlicos and the splendidly ornate cathedral, the city's revered pilgrimage site. Explore vineyards and gardens of the 18th-century Pazo de Rubianes and overnight in Baiona, the first port town in Europe to learn of the discovery of America when Columbus' ship the Pinta arrived on its shores after its overseas voyage.

Tours for challenge seekers: Moderate and challenging biking and walking routes lead to rewarding scenery and hearty meals.

• Country Walkers France, Italy & Switzerland: The Mont Blanc Circuit: Conquer one of the world's classic walking routes as you hike Mont Blanc from Italy into Switzerland and back to France, enjoying an insider perspective brought to life by exceptional mountaineer guides and breathtaking panoramas.
• VBT Italy: Sicily, the Noto Valley & Syracuse: Enjoy exhilarating rides through olive groves, past Roman mosaics and into ancient villages that capture the spirit of Sicily's past. This tour offers longer options for guests to skip the shuttle and continue biking, with hills along the way. An extra challenge: keeping up with an abundance of food!
• VBT Utah: Bryce Canyon & Zion National Park: Cycle among the dramatic red sandstone landscapes of Snow Canyon, ride to Bryce Canyon City along the Red Canyon Bicycle Trail, explore the unique geological formations of Bryce Canyon by foot on a half-day hike, and pedal along the Pa'rus Trail. Two flexible days in Zion National Park allow guests to add an extra day of hiking or riding Zion Canyon Road.

Tours for non-bikers/walkers: Ample free time for relaxation and non-riding and walking activities are included on these tours, perfect for travelers who prefer a more relaxed biking or walking experience.

• VBT Vietnam: Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An & Saigon: Enjoy many non-riding activities each day on this tour: become immersed in Vietnamese culture while exploring local markets in Cau Ngoi Thanh Toa and Hoi An, learn to cook a traditional Vietnamese meal, view the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh in the Imperial City, and ride a colorful dragon boat on the Perfume River.
• Country Walkers Lithuania & Latvia: Vilnius to Riga: A variety of cultural inclusions include a visit to an amber museum and workshop, tours of various castles, a day to explore lake resort Trakai along with its shops, ample time for independent exploration and relaxation, and surprising culinary inclusions such as a traditional cooking class that teaches participants how to make kibinai, a local specialty resembling an empanada.
• VBT Italy: Lake Como & the Italian Lake District: Explore Lake Como's serene waters by boat, discover a 13th century castle and hamlet, walk the vineyards of the Italian Champagne region while sampling sparkling wines, observe glaciers through a dome-windowed car of the legendary UNESCO-listed Bernina Express en route to Switzerland's St. Moritz and marvel at breathtaking scenery.

Tours for coast lovers: From quaint fishing harbors to scenic shorelines, living the salt life while on a walking and biking tour is possible on a variety of VBT and Country Walkers itineraries.

• Country Walkers Croatia: Brač, Korčula & Mljet National Park: Go island-hopping (and hiking!) along Croatia's Dalmatian Coast with walks on Braă, Hvar, Korăula and Mljet. The primary mode of transportation on this tour – a large catamaran – keeps guests immersed in the region's spectacular island and coastal scenery. Every step of the way the coastal scenery remains front and center, with meals in local seaside konobas and stays in comfortable seaside hotels.
• VBT Chile: Coastal Vistas & Vineyards: This unique Chilean cycling vacation includes a region most bike tours miss - the coast. As you spin along sunny Chilean shores, you'll discover a wealth of South American marine life during a boating excursion with a local fisherman. Visit the colorful coastal city of Valparaiso with its brightly-painted buildings and vibrant street art. Spin through the Valle de Casablanca, famous for its fine white wines, and enjoy a tasting at the innovative Kingston Family Winery.

For additional details and travel inspiration, visit www.vbt.com (or call 800-245-3868) or www.countrywalkers.com (or call 800-234-6900).

About Country Walkers and VBT Bicycling Vacations

For over 40 years, Country Walkers and VBT Bicycling Vacations have been providing active, experiential, and stunning travel experiences throughout the world. From their shared location in Williston, VT, the companies' unique adventures and insider access bring the beating heart of a destination to life with well-crafted itineraries for walking and biking vacations. A range of guided and self-guided options highlight local cuisine, authentic accommodations, and immersive cultural experiences. Country Walkers and VBT are recognized as leading providers of active vacations worldwide, having garnered countless awards including National Geographic Traveler's "50 Tours of a Lifetime," AFAR's "Traveler's Choice" Awards, and Travel + Leisure's "World's Best" Awards. For more information, visit vbt.com and countrywalkers.com.

Media Contact

Kathie Gonzalez, VBT Bicycling Vacations, 1 7203204304, [email protected], https://www.vbt.com/

SOURCE VBT Bicycling Vacations