colby
06-15-2009, 11:03 PM
I've seen a few people here comment about doing Tuscany or other Italian tours, self-guided or otherwise. Anyone have a good recommendation?
My husband and I celebrated our 10th anniversary this year, but it's in May and with Ironman in June, that just doesn't work for a vacation. I'm looking more at the mid-September timeframe now. We're probably looking to do 4-7 days, 20-40 miles/day, some climbing, not super hilly or super long (I would like to stay married - he might go for the century ride if I promise beer ;)).
I'm not dead set on Italy, maybe France, maybe Germany, maybe Spain? (Somehow I don't see France and Germany going very well with "vegetarian" though ;)) Price-wise, I'd rather be comfortable and relatively well-supported than compromise on price.
A couple of people I work with have done Backroads vacations and switched (upgraded?) to Butterfield & Robinson for their last several biking tours. They haven't done any tours of Italy, though, mostly France (though they did Prague-Vienna). B&R (and Backroads) are relatively expensive, but these people have always enjoyed their well-supported tours and quality hotels/food. I have a little "back of the head" concern that either outfitter might attract a crowd a little older and a little more pretentious than ourselves - we have the money, but it's more about saving for it than it is "mad money" (something you'd do on a whim). We did do an REI weekend vacation last year that we enjoyed, but I don't think I'd want to camp for 7 days while riding. ;)
Anyway... opinions welcome. It's possible opinions of any European outfitter might be relevant. :)
My husband and I celebrated our 10th anniversary this year, but it's in May and with Ironman in June, that just doesn't work for a vacation. I'm looking more at the mid-September timeframe now. We're probably looking to do 4-7 days, 20-40 miles/day, some climbing, not super hilly or super long (I would like to stay married - he might go for the century ride if I promise beer ;)).
I'm not dead set on Italy, maybe France, maybe Germany, maybe Spain? (Somehow I don't see France and Germany going very well with "vegetarian" though ;)) Price-wise, I'd rather be comfortable and relatively well-supported than compromise on price.
A couple of people I work with have done Backroads vacations and switched (upgraded?) to Butterfield & Robinson for their last several biking tours. They haven't done any tours of Italy, though, mostly France (though they did Prague-Vienna). B&R (and Backroads) are relatively expensive, but these people have always enjoyed their well-supported tours and quality hotels/food. I have a little "back of the head" concern that either outfitter might attract a crowd a little older and a little more pretentious than ourselves - we have the money, but it's more about saving for it than it is "mad money" (something you'd do on a whim). We did do an REI weekend vacation last year that we enjoyed, but I don't think I'd want to camp for 7 days while riding. ;)
Anyway... opinions welcome. It's possible opinions of any European outfitter might be relevant. :)