If you are in love with nature and love discovering new places pedaling your bike, it is essential that you know about bike tourism. This practice is part of sustainable tourism, in fact, cycling is an ecological and healthy means of transport that allows you to experience travel in an alternative and more authentic way.

A bike trip between Europe and Italy is the perfect opportunity to experience with your own eyes the culture and history that characterizes this beautiful continent, breathing in the scents of nature and tasting local food and wines. Indeed, cycling tourism is part of a broader interest in sustainable travel, a movement that is increasingly shaping the way we decide to travel.

What is bike tourism or cycle tourism?

When we talk about bike tourism we are referring to a type of vacation that sees the bicycle as the primary means of transport for traveling and getting to know a destination. In this case, the bicycle is a tool that allows you to slow down and experience places in a different way from the traditional tourist experience.

There are different types of cycling tourism: from the simple day trip or weekend getaway by bike, to the real bike touring or cycle touring, in which you travel for several weeks by bike, staying in different accommodations and carrying everything you need in backpacks or bike bags called panniers. Then there is bike packing, which combines the lightness of ultralight camping with the freedom of cycling: in this case you use a bicycle to carry everything you need and camp wherever you want.

What characterizes cycling tourism is the possibility of discovering authentic places and living an experience that is more immersive than conventional tourism, in which you move quickly from one place to another, often missing the discovery of local realities and missing the opportunity to savor the true essence of travel.

Why choose cycling tourism?

The reasons to choose bike tourism are many and varied. First of all, cycling is an ecological means of transport, as it does not produce emissions that pollute the atmosphere. Using the bike means actively contributing to reducing your carbon footprint and respecting the environment in which we live.

But the benefits of cycling tourism don't stop there. Cycling is also healthy for our body, as it allows us to exercise and train during a vacation, without the feeling of being "forced" to exercise. During a bike trip, physical activity is the consequence of the pleasure of cycling and discovering new places, not an obligatory gym session. The combination of physical activity and outdoor time contributes to improving mood and mental health.

Finally, cycling tourism allows you to experience places in an authentic and immersive way: when you travel slowly, you have the opportunity to interact with local people, to pause and observe without rushing, to taste food specialties and to understand the history and culture of the places you visit.

Cycling tourism in Italy and Europe

Italy is a perfect destination for cycling tourism, especially for the variety of landscapes, from the Dolomites to the Mediterranean coast, from the Tuscan hills to the Puglia region. The mild climate and the presence of numerous secondary roads allow you to enjoy the pedal even in the "low season".

In Europe, cycling tourism is a consolidated reality: the countries that have developed the most in this sense are the Netherlands, with the numerous and safe cycle paths, Germany and Austria, with the famous danube cycle path which is one of the most traveled routes in Europe. But also in France, Switzerland, Spain and in Central and Eastern Europe there are wonderful routes to discover by bike.

Planning a bike trip: what to consider

When you decide to leave for a cycling vacation, it is important to plan well. Here are a few simple tips to organize your trip:

• Choose a route based on your physical level and the time you have available: if it's your first bike trip, start with short daily distances;

• Think about what type of accommodation you want: hotels, rooms in farms, campsites or completely wild camping;

• Plan the stages: if it's a long-distance trip, it's important to plan the daily distances and know where you can find water, food and shelter;

• Check the weather and pack appropriate clothing;

• Make sure your bike is suitable for the route: a road bike for road routes, a mountain bike or gravel bike for more adventurous routes;

• Remember that cycling tourism also includes cycling with children: in this case, plan shorter daily distances and stages that allow them to enjoy the trip.

Ready to pedal? On Cyclando you will find over 800 cycling routes to choose from and plan your bike trip. With Cyclando, planning your next cycling vacation has never been easier!