Chattanooga, Tenn. (PRWEB) November 5, 2008
BikeToursDirect has expanded its roster of more than 200 weeklong tours in 32 European countries for 2009 with new programs in emerging cycling settings such as Croatia, Cyprus, Albania, Romania and Montenegro. The tours complement programs in more traditional bicycling destinations like Tuscany, Ireland, Provence, Holland, the Loire Valley, Bavaria and the Danube.
Highlighted weeklong tours for 2009 include a bike and boat tour from Venice to Mantua, Italy, for $1,050, an island tour of Cyprus for $850, and "Castles of Transylvania" for $700. "Wine and Bike in Hungary's Balaton Uplands," which includes seven nights' lodging, two ride-along guides, support van, all meals and unlimited wine consumption at dinner is perhaps one of the season's best values at less than $1,000.
Rather than offer its own tours, BikeToursDirect represents more than 40 European bike tour operators, which often offer weekly and daily departures and very reasonable prices, according to Jim Johnson, BikeToursDirect's president and founder. About half of the tours cost less than $1,000.
For example, the company's most popular tour, a one-week program along Austria's Danube Bicycle Path, costs less than $800 per person, double occupancy, including seven nights' lodging in three-star hotels, daily breakfasts, luggage transfers, bicycle rentals, detailed route information, and a service hotline.
BikeToursDirect's web site, http://www.biketoursdirect.com, helps travelers find tours that match their preferences. The site's "TourFinder" lets visitors specify destinations, interests, dates and level of difficulty and presents detailed information on matching tours. Advice and support are also offered by telephone at (877) 462-2423.
Clients book online and the company handles all aspects of the process: reservations, payments and contact with the tour companies. The site offers extensive reference information such as packing lists, fitness tips, links to related sites and a message board for clients to share trip experiences and offer tips.
Rates are based on 2009 exchange rates as of early November 2008 and do not include airfare.
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