With Tour De France just around the corner, some 184 elite cyclists will participate in the annual 21 day-long stages over a 23-day competition.
Starting in Barcelona on July 4 and ending in Paris on July 26, this year’s tour will showcase some spectacular scenery in Spain and France – from sprints along the Mediterranean coast, long rides in the lush countryside and brutal ascent in the Jura and Vosges Mountains, Pyrenees and Alps.
Cycling can be an extraordinary way to see a destination in the name of ‘slow travel’ – the opposite of ticking lots of highlights off a list – wellbeing, and to gain a real sense of achievement at the end of each day.
From France to Uzbekistan, here are some of the ways to explore on two wheels.
1. Sri Lanka
For tourists who want a mix of culture, nature and beaches while pedalling through lush scenery from coconut plantations to rice paddies, Sri Lanka ticks all the boxes.
Intrepid’s 14-day tour starts from Negombo, a coastal city with a bustling fish market, the tour includes stops at Lion’s Rock in Sigiriya, an imposing 200-metre-high ancient rock fortress, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Anuradhapura, home to the oldest-known human-planted tree in the world.
After cycling through cities, national parks and historic wonders, the tour takes you to the palm tree-lined sandy beaches of Sri Lanka’s south coast, the perfect spot to recuperate after days of cycling.
How to book: Intrepid’s Cycle Sri Lanka tour runs every month except May. Prices start at £1,372 per person for a 14-day trip (intrepidtravel.com).
2. South Africa
While many explore South Africa’s spectacular Garden Route – which stretches 125 miles along the southern coastline – by car, an even better way to experience it might be with the wind in your hair.
That’s the thinking behind Exodus Adventure Travel’s 14-day cycling trip, beginning in Cape Town and ending in the charming coastal town of Knysna. Along the way, travellers can sip award-winning wine in the Cape Winelands, admire dramatic mountain passes and venture into the Little Karoo desert.
Designed with Tarryn Povey, one of South Africa’s top marathon mountain bikers, the trip also includes a quirky excursion to Oudtshoorn, the ostrich capital of the world.
How to book: Prices for Exodus Adventure Travel’s Cycling South Africa’s Garden Route start at £4,849 per person. Departures are available from October to December 2026 and January to November 2027 (exodus.co.uk)
3. France
The ultimate homage to the Tour De France is riding through the very country that birthed the race.
Headwater’s five-day cycling tour takes you from the cobbled streets of Blois to the artsy Nantes via the famed Loire à Vélo route. Between the two cities, travellers can wander the timbered, historic town of Tours, marvel at Chaumont’s fairytale château and soak in the tranquil atmosphere of the French countryside.
Of course, a trip to France wouldn’t be complete without sampling one of its finest local delicacies: red wine. So, the self-guided tour also includes a stop at the medieval town of Chinon, where acclaimed rich red wine flows.
How to book: Headwater’s five-night self-guided Tour de France – Loire holiday is from £1,319 per person. Departures available until October 2026 and from April to October 2027 (headwater.com).
4. Croatia – Montenegro – Albania
The Balkans are booming in popularity at the moment, and cycling is a unique way to take in this pocket of the world. This multi-country cycling adventure with Explore Worldwide can also be done on e-bikes, making it more accessible.
Riders start in the historic city of Dubrovnik and combine coasting roads and mountain climbs and descents through Montenegro and into Albania – with plenty of cultural pit stops.
The trip takes in the Bay of Kotor, the Lustica Peninsula, Lake Skadar National Park and a final ride through the Albanian lowlands before finishing in Tirana, all with an experienced tour leader, transport and luggage support – so there’s no need to carry much. A total of 144.8 miles, it’s aimed at those with moderate fitness.
How to book: Cycle the Balkans – Croatia to Albania, 8 days from £1,420pp, excluding flights, Explore Worldwide (explore.co.uk)
5. Uzbekistan
The central Asian country of Uzbekistan has been emerging as an exciting destination for some time. It offers true off-the-beaten track adventures through Silk Road cities, Islamic empires, Soviet heritage and unique architecture.
A trip with World Expeditions showcases a contrast of desert and mountain landscapes over 15 days. In Bukhara, the group will be guided through an ancient maze of mud-walled homes, mosques and stone bazaars, before seeing the blue-tiled Registan in Samarkand and the traditional way of life in the Nuratau Mountains.
Rated moderate, there are eight days of cycling within the two-week timeframe, two nights in a traditional homestay, and one night in a yurt camp.
How to book: World Expeditions From £3,850pp, departures 16 Sept 2026, 9 May and 19 Sept 2027 (worldexpeditions.com).
