Classic Adventures

This tour was a natural progression for us since we have been running bike tours along the Erie Canal for the last 20 years. Understanding the challenges of a ride that is ALL on bike path is imperative. We love all that this destination has to offer, and we think you will too!

The Great Allegheny Passage meanders nearly 150 miles, connecting Pittsburgh, PA to Cumberland, MD. There are small towns every 10 miles or so, that provide essential cycling comforts. The surface and grade are ideal for hybrid and touring bikes, as most of the trail is converted from abandoned rail beds, which makes for a nearly level riding surface with the average grade of less than 1%. The steepest eastbound grade 0.8%, and the high point of the trail, is where it crosses the Eastern Continental Divide near Deal (2,375 feet above sea level). From the Eastern Continental Divide heading toward C&O Canal, the trail drops 1,754 feet in 24 miles to reach Cumberland. For 2020 we offer an itinerary that takes in 100% of the GAP and 100% downhill. We will transfer guests on day 2 from Pittsburgh to Meyersdale, where you enjoy a long downhill into Cumberland. On day 3 we will transfer back to Meyersdale and pedal downhill all the way back to Pittsburgh.

We cordially invite you to experience the natural beauty of this rail trail. We've carefully broken up the rides so that you'll have ample time to relax, take in the sights, and enjoy! We encourage you to add on a visit to Pittsburgh, PA, our starting and end point.

White marble columns, gnarled olive trees, turquoise blue skies, and radiant sunsets are reflections of Greece. Archaeological monuments reflect Greece's glorious past. Donkeys, sheep, and goats remind us of a simpler age that cherishes village life and generous hospitality.

The Greek people, culture, and climate are all excellent reasons for joining this tour; in addition, our former participants have been especially intrigued with Greece's history, archaeology, and modern culture. If experience counts, Classic Adventures cannot be surpassed in terms of experience in Greece. Classic Adventures founder Dale Hart, has guided excursions to Greece since 1973. Greece continues to be a central part of our tour menu.

Our route avoids the difficult mountains and Athens traffic. Many rides follow the coast. Beginning cyclists in good physical shape can negotiate this tour.

(For those who want more challenge, we always offer a few optional climbs.)

The beautiful Island of Zakinthos with its lovely beaches, intricate network of roads, and friendly people, is a highlight of this tour.

Highlights

• Archeological sites of Mycenae and Nemea
• Pan Hellenic Games
• Theater at Epidauros
• Acrocorinth
• Poseidon Palace
• Island of Zakinthos
• The Zakinthos shipwreck
• Keri sea caves
• Hotel Europa
• Alphios River
• Ancient Olympic Stadium
• Museum at Olympia
• Nauplion

Both flat and rolling sections. (A few challenging options are offered.) This ride is open to all abilities and is fully supported by tour van.

Through Alpine Meadows to the city of Mozart and the Sound of Music.

Experience hidden waterfalls, pristine mountain lakes, exquisite alpine lodging, and warm Austrian hospitality. Our route captures the essence of Austria by bike: a gentle journey along bike paths and country roads to the World Heritage City of Salzburg.

Our Austria program includes ground transportation from and back to Munich. Our routes feature EASY CYCLING through two river valleys with no major climbs. You'll actually lose 1,500 vertical feet by the time we reach Salzburg! Reasonable daily distances of 25 - 45 miles allow you to truly appreciate this magical region. Over 85% of the route follows along traffic-free bike paths.

Lodging in authentic Austrian chalets is surely a highlight! We'll experience just three different hotels over seven nights. (You won't have to pack and unpack each day.) Hotels include the four-star Krimmlerfaelle, Alpin Sport and the luxurious Gruenauerhof.

We hope you'll join us for what will be an unforgettable journey with breathtaking cycling and scenery.

Highlights

• Alpine valleys
• Krimml waterfalls
• Austrian Alps
• Baroque architecture
• Spa facilities
• Idyllic bike paths
• Hearty Austrian cuisine
• Private walking tour of Salzburg with local guide
• Plenty of time to explore World Heritage City of Salzburg
• Highlights of the Sound of Music story with local guide

Mostly flat, with few short rolling sections, moderate daily distances along traffic free & scenic bike paths.

Work on the Erie Canal ceremoniously began in 1817. The Canal opened in 1825, and at that time was considered one of the greatest engineering feats of the era. The canal was important in that it connected the Atlantic Ocean with the Great Lakes. Even though we have developed better methods for transporting goods and people, the canal (albeit with many modifications) is still used for some commercial, but mostly leisure transport. While the glory years of the canal have passed, it is easy to relive its rich history on a bike tour with Classic Adventures. Since this tour is literally in our backyard, we invite you to join us for a drink on our porch to celebrate!

One 19th century old-timer reminiscing about his early days traveling the Erie Canal noted, They ain't no races like they was in the old passenger packet days boats would skim from Albany to Buffalo in less than six days. That was goin' it some, eh? While that was goin' it some back in the 19th century, our trip will cover a good portion of the Erie Canal at a very leisurely pace, and for good reasons.

Highlights include historic canal villages, wonderful educational attractions, including The Morgan Manning House, a flat terrain, and moderate daily distances, with much of the riding on safe canal paths separate from road traffic.

Classic Adventures enjoys the distinction of being the first tour operator to offer full service bicycling departures along the Erie Canal. With the Erie Canal in our back yard, experience really does count. Join us, we think you will agree.

If you're looking for a ride that offers super cycling, educational stops, and historic points of interest, our Hudson Valley bicycle tour fits the bill.

Here you'll find scenic winding roads through quaint villages, arriving at nationally recognized homes of America's artists, inventors, and leaders. Close to our headquarters, this new destination is a natural choice. It is one of the most beautiful river valleys in the world, inspiring generations of artists and writers. Perhaps you will want to pack your sketchbook or finally read James Fenimore Cooper's Last of the Mohicans; we invite you to join us on what is sure to be a memorable vacation!

Highlights

• Frederic Church's Olana, state historic site
• Clermont, state historic site, Home of the Steamboat
• City of Hudson
• Walkway over the Hudson River
• Rhinebeck
• Springwood, FDR's home
• Vanderbilt Mansion
• Val Kill, Eleanor Roosevelt's retreat

Easy to moderate, with some rolling hills, but never mountainous.

Renowned French cuisine at sidewalk cafes, dramatic cliff top vistas of the Saint Lawrence River, and evening strolls along the romantic Dufferin Terrace are a few of Quebec City's highlights.

This tour, in its 35th season, introduces the finest of Quebec. Cycle through charming countryside and visit major historical landmarks around Quebec City. A tour of Ile d'Orleans takes you past traditional 18th century architecture and roadside stands that abound with maple products, fruit, fresh homemade bread, and unique woven crafts. The tour starts on the Ile d'Orleans and continues along the Saint Lawrence southern shoreline, finally returning for a luxurious two-night stay in Quebec City.

The lodging and dining for our Quebec tour is simply exquisite. The Auberge La Goeliche (4-star), a peaceful country inn located on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, will be our home for two nights. In Montmagny, we will lodge at L'Oiseliere (4-star) a modern spa hotel with several swimming pools and massage services. We spend our last two nights in the heart of Old Quebec City at the renowned (5-star) Chateau Frontenac, a Norman-styled structure with green copper roofs that has dominated the area since the late 1800's. (If you're in Quebec, there's no place else to consider!)

For more than 30 years we have been refining our tour of this island paradise, with two optional hikes. Majestic mountains sweep down to emerald-blue seas. Lyrical sheep bells and the aromas of wild oregano and thyme add to the Mediterranean magic. Delight in feta cheese, thick homemade yogurt, honey-soaked walnuts, and grilled seafood.

We explore Venetian ruins of Heraklion and visit the Archaeological Museum with its fabulous Minoan pottery and jewelry. A guided tour brings to light the reign of King Minos. Relive stories of the bull jumpers and Theseus daring descent into the labyrinth to slay the Minotaur.

Highlights include the Lassithi Plateau where donkeys and old windmills echo a bygone era. Mountain vistas surround the village of Spili, noted for spring water. The famous Samarian Gorge (the most natural wonder of Western Europe) provides a spectacular hike essentially downhill! Six nights of lodging are on or near the beach.

Crete's magic also lies in its vestiges of the past. Our guides unfold rich layers of history for you. Our stories bring to life the real Crete, where Zeus was born and Europa was loved.

Ask about cycling options for 2017 - we still offer Extreme Crete rides for couples with different riding levels - choose either Crete trip: Land of Zorba or Extreme Crete.

Highlights

• Lassithi Plateau
• Folklore Museum
• Minoan site of Karphi
• Potami River Valley
• Libyan Sea
• Plain of Messara
• Amari Valley
• Palm Beach
• Preveli Monastery
• Souda Bay
• Omolos Plateau
• Samarian Gorge
• Harbor at Chania

Rolling to hilly with several challenging grades on a daily basis. If you are an intermediate rider, this is the tour for you.

Lyrical bells of grazing sheep and the aromas of wild herbs add to the Mediterranean magic. With its unique history, friendly people, and natural beauty, Crete is indeed a land of legends and an ideal cycling destination.

We explore the old city of Heraklion with its Venetian remains and visit the Archeological Museum to see fabulous Minoan pottery jewelry. Here we will relive the reign of King Minos.

The Extreme Crete tour differs from the Land of Zorba tour in intensity and challenge. Extreme applies to challenging rides, as well as the extreme exhilaration and exuberance one may experience. Climbs take riders to a new level of beauty with sparkling seas. The rugged island interior offers a unique appreciation for unspoiled regions. We take you to remote places the average tourist does not visit.

Highlights

• Lassithi Plateau
• Heraklion
• Archeological Museum
• Mountain village of Spili
• Cycling the southern shore
• Rethymnon
• Beach village of Matala

Extreme Crete is not for the faint of heart. Distances average 60 miles with climbs of 4,500 - 7,000 feet on a daily basis. Rides are on paved roads. The tour can be negotiated with either a road or hybrid bicycle.

Lake Constance, truly a classic bicycling region bordering this famed lake, will take you through Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

With its stunning turquoise shore shared by all three countries, Lake Constance is a jewel in the crown of central Europe. It is a perfect location for a bicycle tour with comfortable inns, hotels and excellent cuisine.

Our route follows almost 150 miles of well marked bicycle paths. You'll marvel at the attractive surrounding countryside and neatly groomed villages. Lakeside paths meander from country to country taking in flower-strewn meadows, Bavarian vineyards, and picturesque marinas.

Brimming with a rich layered history, each day includes stops at cultural highlights and fairy tale castles. We've designed our route so that you'll have ample time to explore the flower decked palaces in Konstanz and numerous village squares. This is EASY cycling with most rides along pleasant bicycle paths. We invite you to join us on what will surely be a memorable vacation.

Magnolia trees and moss-draped oaks add a charming flavor to quiet country roads. Classic Adventures enjoys the distinction of being the original: the first bicycle touring company to offer the Natchez Trace tour. In its 33rd consecutive season, this tour offers incredible, unmatched value, in terms of lodging, dining, itinerary, experienced guides, and customer service. Dale Hart set out in 1985 to research this exciting new destination. Today we rank it among one of our best offerings.

We invite you to call for a detailed price comparison and description of our lodging and restaurants. If experience counts, then our guides 30 years of expertise and historical knowledge cannot be surpassed.

Not only will we visit many classic mansions, we'll lodge in several. Our lodging accents Southern splendors at Old Capitol Inn (Jackson), Anchuca Mansion or Baer House Mansion (Vicksburg), and the acclaimed Natchez Grand Hotel situated on the banks of the Mississippi (Natchez), truly a showpiece of the South.

Gourmet specialties such as sweet potato pie, Cajun catfish, and mint juleps offer sweet rewards at day's end. A tour of Longwood Mansion and poignant accounts of the Civil War give pause to appreciate our nation's heritage.

Much of our cycling winds along the Natchez Trace Parkway, a gentle, park-like route which abounds in cultural and scenic delights. Enjoy a short walk on the old sunken trace, the footpath where travelers journeyed north toward home. Visit Mount Locust, an old tavern/inn that provided simple lodging for weary Trace travelers in the 1800's. Off the parkway, gentle country roads include stops at Windsor Ruins, Rocky Springs, and the mysterious Emerald Mound (Indian burial ground).