Penguin Travel

Join us on this amazing cycling trip in the heart of the mystic Rhodope Mountains - home of the legendary singer Orpheus. The Rhodope Mountains are situated in the oldest part of the Balkans and boast some of the loveliest evergreen woods in the region. The landscape is gentle and rounded, consisting of high ridges and deep river valleys. During the tour, we will reach a height of around 2,000m (6561 ft.). Most of the mileage is done on mountain roads, with relatively little traffic. Along the way, we will have the chance to experience the legendary hospitality of the local people, learn more about their lifestyle and indulge in the idyllic rural atmosphere.

Highlights:

• Velingrad - a prominent SPA resort in Bulgaria, famous for its healing hot mineral waters.
• Yagodina cave - one of the longest caves in Bulgaria (more than 10 000m mapped so far)with its outstanding stalactites, stalagmites, columns, ponds and cave pearls in them.
• Shiroka Luka - an architectural, ethnographic and folklore reserve.
• The Miraculous Bridges - a unique natural rock formation, consisting of two 40-meter-high arches.
• Bachkovo Monastery - the second largest Bulgarian monastery

We use mainly isolated village asphalt roads with little traffic, road conditions are relatively good with some exceptions (bumpy sections, potholes, rough asphalt), we do not go off road. The traffic might be a little bit heavier at some sections but only for a short while.

Enjoy a great cycling trip combining mountain and seashore cycling in charming Bulgaria and sunny Greece. This cycling tour will take you on a memorable adventure in the lands of the Rodopi mountains in Bulgaria, the central parts of Northern Greece and Halkidiki peninsula (Sithonia and Athon). You will bike among pristine landscapes of old coniferous forests, gorges, caves, big dams and beautiful meadows in the mythical Rodopi mountains Then you cross the border with Greece and start exploring the lands of Drama prefecture typical for their karst relief housing 2 of the most beautiful caves in Greece Aggitis and Alistrati. The tour ends with three days of exciting cycling in the middle peninsula of Halkidiki - Sithonia full with sun, numerous secluded beaches, stunning cliffs, rich island vegetation, olive gardens, palms and peaceful small villages and towns. This tour will show you the changing of the landscape, culture and architecture going from North to South to the Augean sea while you cycle, experience the local village life, swim in the crystal clear sea waters and flavor your senses with local traditional food.

Highlights:

• Rodopi Mountains - are the oldest mountains on the Balkan Peninsula, housing 2 of the most beautiful caves in Bulgaria - Devil's throat and Yagodina cave.
• Ognyanovo - famous spa resort with thermal mineral water and numerous swimming pools.
• Alistrati cave - with its length of 3000m is one of the most beautiful and biggest caves in Greece with rare cave formations and fauna. Nearby is the stunning canyon of Aggitis river.
• Athos Holy mountain - set in an area of outstanding natural beauty it is the centre of Eastern Christian Orthodox Monasticism with more then 20 monasteries. It is also an Unesco World heritage site
• Sithonia – it is the middle part of Halkidiki peninsula known for its pristine nature and beautiful sandy beaches. It was named after Sithonas, son of Poseidon (god of the sea in the Greek mythology).

Travel from Tallinn, Estonia, in the north, through Latvia and on to Lithuania in the south, enjoy a great variety of towns, villages and landscapes, and get an excellent feel for the different characters of these distinctive countries. This trip is a half-guided tour ie during the whole trip, except Jurmala and the Curonian Spit, our driver with a minibus and bike trailer is with you and you can take part in city tours (Tallinn, Riga) lead by professional guides. Our driver will transport your luggage every day to the next hotel. If you have a breakdown, then our driver will take care of everything for you.

Highlights:

• Tallinn and Riga - with their old towns designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites.
• The National Park Lahemaa - one of the last unspoiled regions of the Baltic coast,
• Otepää Lakeland - the so-called “Estonian Switzerland”
• The beautiful Gauja River valleys

Croatia is a land of picturesque islands, rich history, Mediterranean vegetation and mild climate and the best way to explore it is, without doubt, by bike. This guided cycling tour in Dalmatia starts in Rogoznica and ends in Primošten. During your tour you will explore amazing coastlines, old villages and picturesque bays. Highlights include visiting nice beaches, vineyards, pine woods and cycling on the historic islands.

Highlights:

• Split - a monumental city under UNESCO protection
• Vodice - an attractive tourist destination due to its proximity to the Kornati archipelago and river Krka canyon with beautiful waterfalls, as well as its nice beaches and parks
• Krka National Park - the park covers an area of more than 14 000 acres on the central and lower part of the river Krka, whose seven waterfalls will leave visitors breathles

Enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Krk, Rab and Cres islands on the bike and lying on the sun chair on the deck of the ship. We go on land with the bikes on different harbors and towns and while we cycle enjoying wonderful views the ship sails to the next harbor. After the cycling we go on pleasant walks in the towns and visit restaurants with local traditional Mediterranean cuisine. You can skip the cycling and choose to explore the variety and natural world of the islands at your pace.

Highlights:

• Opatija - a popular summer and winter resort, surrounded by beautiful woods, known for its symbol - the statue Maiden with seagull
• Krk Island - the largest island in The Adriatic sea and the most populous, popular destination due to its proximity to Slovenia
• Cres Town - a town with narrow streets, where cars are not allowed and where one can buy homemade olive oil and wine

Cruise combined with light cycling and hiking in beautiful Croatia! Enjoy the serenity of the Kvarner Bay and surrounding islands with their numerous trails and paths where nature and tradition along with astonishing views of the islands form a unique experience for all your senses. Cycle and hike/walk (with a local professional guide) across the island where the ship waits to pick you up and to take you to the next island for you to explore on foot and by bike!

Highlights:

• Opatija - a popular summer and winter resort, surrounded by beautiful woods, known for its symbol - the statue Maiden with seagull
• Krk Island - the largest island in The Adriatic sea and the most populous, popular destination due to its proximity to Slovenia
• Cres Town - a town with narrow streets, where cars are not allowed and where one can buy homemade olive oil and wine

Penguins new Albanian cycling adventure takes you to one of Europe's secret treasures. As recently as 1991 Albania opened up to the outside world after years of isolation. Tourism is still in its infancy and Albanians give visitors a warm welcome. 70% of the country is mountainous with spectacular landscapes and pristine coastline along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. There are many national parks and several World Heritage Sites. Albania offers exciting and relatively unchartered cycling routes and temperate weather conditions, with a Mediterranean climate in the lowlands and is second only to Spain in annual sunshine quotas. Whilst journeying through unparalleled natural panoramas you'll enjoy traditional Albanian hospitality, wonderful cuisine, a colourful blend of eastern and western influences, and have opportunities to discover the country's rich history and culture. Albania is fast growing in popularity as a cycling destination. Take the opportunity to visit now.

Our 8-day Albania itinerary begins in the vibrant capital Tirana. We transfer to Lake Ohrid and begin cycling from Pogradec up into the mountains, heading southwards to Korçë. We stop at the hot springs in Benje and reach majestic Gjirokaster. Crossing countryside and more mountains to the Ionian coastline we then follow the Albanian Riviera to Himare where our cycling ends.

This tour is for active bikers. For those bikers who are willing to explore something new and with preserved nature out of the city life, but still in Europe. Here comes the real new land, “terra incognita” for the biker soul. A landscape full of isolated mountains, seemingly fallen from another time. Biking through Kosova and Albania’s mountains -probably one of the last adventures of Europe. Thats impressive hospitality, archaic villages and mountainous land of strong beauty, without cable cars, asphalt roads or holiday resorts. Instead shepherds and their flock, friendly encounters in no man’s land, and the feeling of true pioneering. On single tracks (approx. 50%) and wild gravel roads were on tour in alpine and semialpine areas up to 7200ft, biking through remote valleys and past mysterious hamlets. During a whole week, from Kosova to Albania, until we finally reach the Adriatic sea. From mountains to sea – that’s a story to tell back home!

Highlights:

• Developed and guided by British/Swiss bike expert living in Albania
• Min. 50% single tracks, from alpine terrain on 7000ft down to the sea
• Small, safe & beautiful, max. 8x guests in a group
• Backup-van for luggage transport and emergencies

Classical Slovene bike trekking trip takes you along the most known Slovene historical attractions and many natural points of interest – natural parks, cave formations, as well as villages, with an air filled with aromas.

Highlights:

• Ljubljana - the capital and largest city of Slovenia
• Postojna cave formation - a 20-km long karst cave system, a web of underground passages, galleries and chambers
• Štanjel - the jewel of the Karst region

Join this unconventional cycling tour combined with sailing on a yacht around the Dalmatian archipelago! Enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Brac, Hvar, Mijet islands and Peljeseac Peninsula on the bike and lying on the sun chair on the deck of the ship. We go on land with the bikes on different harbors and towns and while we cycle enjoying wonderful views the ship sails to the next harbor. After the cycling we go on pleasant walks in the towns and visit restaurants with local traditional Mediterranean cuisine. You can skip the cycling and choose to explore the variety and natural world of the islands at your pace.

Highlights:

• Brac island - famous for its mountainous relief, untouched nature, rich vegetation and flora, typical Adriatic villages and towns with rich history
• Hvar island - the 3-rd biggest island in The Adriatic sea well-known for its rich vegetation and peaceful coves and islets filled with a multitude of pleasant scents
• Korcula town - the administrative center and historic heart of Korcula island which, together with Venice, proclaims to be the birth place of Marco Polo
• Mljet island - a national park and one of most beautiful Adriatic islands