Top 10 bike tours for families

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ExperiencePlus! has led every possible combination of grandparent, parent, child, uncle, sister in-law, and friend group on a vast array of private, custom and regularly published departures in Europe and South America since 1972. As a result, we know that not every tour is right for every family; but, any family or group can find the right tour for them.

How? We’ve put together a simple flow chart to help you identify the guided tour styles and levels that we think are a great starting place for your family or group to consider. Then, go to our tour finder, set filters for style and level, and generate departures that fit those criteria. If you know your family’s abilities and interests, you might start at the tour finder and begin browsing options, especially if you have a destination in mind.

We also recommend consulting our What’s your tour level? matrix so you can see how your rider type maps onto each tour level.

A few things to keep about our tours as you contemplate traveling together as a family or group:

• Our trusty chalk arrow navigation systems helps everyone ride at their own pace.

• Our selection of bicycles gives riders of all abilities the freedom to travel together like never before. E-bikes can level the playing field, but we don’t recommend committing to one without previous experience.

• We can customize most of our existing itineraries to meet your group’s abilities, interests, and budget by adding or reducing total days, mileage, and difficulty.

• Our pre-tour traveler services, which are included in all but our Gravel Explorer tours, will save you time and aggravation trying to make arrangements for everyone. Once you’re on tour, ExperiencePlus! handles all logistics so you can spend a carefree day riding and exploring.

• If there’s not enough space on an existing departure to accommodate your group, we can organize a private departure.

• The sooner you organize your group and the more people you gather, the more you will each save on the final cost of the tour. We recommend starting at least one year to 18 months out from your desired departure date.

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  Don’t forget to consider our self-guided touring options in Italy. Self-guided tours are an excellent choice for adventurous families and groups who are comfortable navigating with GPS and wish to completely set their own daily schedule.

Whether one or more in your family or group of friends is new to bicycle touring, or you’ve all been around the block and feel undaunted, we’re here to help you think through your best options and point you in the best direction. Want some ideas to get you started? The following list of Level 1 to Level 3 guided tours are just a few examples that come highly rated by families and groups, as well as our tour leaders.

The following tours are best for multi-generational families and groups new to touring. Options abound for rest days off the bike with 2-night stays. Non-riders have more flexibility on bike and barge tours than any other style. Self-guided itineraries come daily ride options that appeal to cyclists with differing appetites for miles.

Cycling Italy’s Alpine Valleys

• Level 1.0
• Stress-free and safe route mostly follows bike paths through gorgeous river valleys surrounding the Dolomites
• 12-day itinerary
• Also available as a self-guided tour

Bike and Barge: Bruges to Amsterdam

• Level 1.0
• Unpack just once
• UNESCO World Heritage sites, Flemish architecture, medieval Bruges

Emilia Romagna’s Culinary Delights Plus!

• Level 1.5
• Behind-the-scenes visits to parmesan cheese factory, balsamic vinegar distiller, and wine makers; ancient castles and World Heritage UNESCO sites
• 8-day itinerary
• Also available as a self-guided tour

Best for energetic families, experienced multi-generational families, and families and groups looking for adventure

Bicycling Brittany and Normandy

• Level 2.0
• Coastal riding, Mont Saint-Michel, Dinan – one of Brittany’s best-preserved medieval towns, and 13th-century Château de la Hunaudaye
• 11-day itinerary features Bayeux and D-Day beaches

Cycling the Lakes of Austria and Slovenia

• Level 2.0
• Fairy tale landscape, bike paths with no traffic, overnight on the Lake Faak island in Austria
• 11 day itinerary includes Lake Bled & Ljubljana

Bicycling the Best of Provence

• Level 2.5
• Quiet country roads, the famed Mount Ventoux (it’s optional!), the impressive Pont du Gard
• Great tour for friends and family where some folks like to ride more than others
• 11-day tour option

Bike Across Italy: Venice to Pisa 

• Level 2.5
• The quintessential Italy and ExperiencePlus! tour enjoyed by families of all abilities, interests, and ages
• Bypass the hardest day over the Apennines by jumping on a train
• 8-day tour option from Venice to Florence

Gravel Explorer: Coastal Croatia

• Level 3.0 – Part pavement, part gravel/dirt road/trail
• Cycle dirt sections of the Parenzana “rails to trails” route between Trieste and and Porec
• Beaches, truffles, Roman ruins, UNESCO world heritage site, medieval hilltop towns and striking scenery
• 8 days, with two 2-night stays

Bike & Boat: Cycling Croatia’s Islands 

• Level 3.0
• Get away from it all on a lovely yacht in the Adriatic one of our most popular group/friend tours
• Minimum of 10
• 8-days only

Bicycling Patagonia’s Lakes District Plus! the Island of Chiloé

• Level 3.5
• Pedal across the Andes from Argentina to Chile
• Stunning scenery, penguins, volcanoes, thermal springs, local guides
• 8-day itinerary