Top 10 bike tours for families

Start a new tradition

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 tour styles and levels that are best suited to your family or group. You can 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.

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

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

• Our selection of non-assist and e-bikes gives riders of all abilities the freedom to travel together like never before. If a tour’s difficulty level keeps one or more of your group from taking the plunge, consider renting them an e-bike. This option might also allow your group to bump up the tour difficulty by a half or full level.

• 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 Explorer tours, will save you time and headache trying to make arrangements for everyone. Then on tour, ExperiencePlus! handles all the preparation and daily logistics so you can spend a carefree day riding and exploring.

• If there’s not enough space on 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.

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 tours – rated Level 1 – 3 are just a few examples that come highly rated by families and groups, as well as our tour leaders. As is often quoted from rock mockumentary Spinal Tap, this list actually “goes to 11.”

Best for multi-generational families and 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.

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

Bike and Barge: Amsterdam to Bruges

• Level 1.0

• Unpack just once

• 12-day itinerary

Emilia Romagna’s Culinary Delights Plus!

• Level 1.5

• Behind-the-scenes visits of parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar, and wine makers, as well as ancient castles and world heritage UNESCO sites

• Features three 2-night stays

• 8-day itinerary

Best for energetic families, experienced multi-generational families, and families and groups interested in gravel

Bicycling Brittany and Normandy

• Level 2.0

• This tour features some of France’s most famed and iconic destinations, from Mont Saint-Michel to the D-Day beaches

• 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

Explorer: Croatia Blue & Green

• Level 2.5 – 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 only 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

Cycling the Portuguese Camino: Coimbra to Santiago de Compostela

• Level 3.0
• Culture, history, religion, and environment unite on this much-loved journey from Portugal into Spain
• 8-day itinerary

Cycling Italy’s Lakes District Plus!

• Level 3.5
• Visit Lakes Maggiore, Lugano, Como, d’Iseo, and Garda
• Four 2-night stays allow groups with mixed abilities to pursue their passions on and off the bike
• 8-day itinerary