Adventures on Two Wheels

Imagine a vacation where you can meander slowly through some of France’s most picturesque wine regions, enjoy a private wine tasting at a prestigious château, join an exciting truffle hunt, and indulge your senses in culinary delights such as coq au vin, boeuf bourguignon, Jambon Persillé, and duck confit. Now imagine that you can do all this on a bike.

This kind of specialty adventure is the forte of DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co., a small-group luxury bike touring company based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. “We like to say that the DuVine travel style transcends tourism,” says Mia Liefeld, DuVine’s Director of Marketing and Communications, “and this is thanks in large part to our local guides and trip designers.”

DuVine’s fascination with, and commitment to, local character and culture has resulted in unique tours led by guides who speak the language and know the roads and regions exceptionally well. “Because they have deep roots where they guide—often where they were born or have lived for decades—they share their personal network with our guests,” says Liefeld. “It could be a picnic lunch at a family member’s winery, opening doors to the studio of an artisan in the community, or simply knowing a cycling road that’s well off the beaten path.”

Liefeld explains that DuVine trips are developed, designed, scouted, and re-assessed annually by local trip designers who live and work in the area. “They’re accustomed to knocking on doors and making those discoveries and connections that just don’t emerge when you drop in as an outsider,” she says. “We marry must-see sites and lesser-known roads, pepper in character-rich experiences with charming personalities, and limit departures to 14 guests so you can experience everything intimately.”

DuVine is selective in launching new itineraries because they want to ensure a high-touch, luxury experience from end to end in any new destination. This means the roads must be scenic, traffic-free, and well-maintained. Hotels have to showcase the character of the area while also having exceptional amenities and service, and the region itself should have a distinctive culinary and/or viticultural identity.

Trips such as the Tuscany Harvest Tour, the Dolomites and Lake Garda Chef on Wheels Bike Tour, or the Hudson Valley’s Farm-to-Table Weekend Retreat speak to the gourmand who is moved by culinary experiences like cooking classes, hands-on harvests, exclusive tastings, or one-on-one visits with winemakers. “We’re obsessed with food and wine because we believe every region is revealed through its cuisine,” says Liefeld. “To know a place, you must really experience the culinary culture firsthand—how the coffee is prepared, what fruit trees line our cycling routes, which Bordeaux wine best amplifies the flavor of Arcachon oysters.” She believes that these facets of a DuVine specialty tour will be wholly satisfying to the appetite of a true foodie.

Everything is taken care of for the cycling guest. “There’s no detail too small, no surprise too extraordinary, and no nuance too subtle when we set the stage for your memories, “says Liefeld. The price of a DuVine bike tour includes deluxe boutique accommodations, gourmet meals with wonderful local wines, après velo cocktails, full van support, excellent bikes, and entrance fees to historic sites. “We believe that cycling is for everyone, so our itineraries are designed to accommodate all types of riders—from cycling newcomers to avid riders and everyone in between.”

There are tours at varying levels of cycling difficulty, and daily routes offer longer and shorter ride options. If you’re a dedicated cyclist, guides are happy to take you out for some extra miles. Alternatively, less advanced riders can rely on a support van along the route or even choose electric assist cycles to quicken their pace. In addition, any scheduled tour can be made private to accommodate your own group and dates.

With journeys across the globe, in the Americas, Europe, and Africa, DuVine truly has something for everyone. Their tour collections include family-focused, adventure-plus, challenge level experiences, and even cycle and sailing options.

Eco-conscious travelers can also relax knowing that DuVine takes its commitment to sustainability very seriously. “The year 2022 is the first year DuVine will be completely carbon neutral,” says Liefeld. “We’ve always believed that bicycling is the best way to experience the world, but an essential part of celebrating and exploring the planet is to ensure it endures. We strive to set an example for a greener future and hope it inspires our peers in the travel industry to do the same.”

So if you are ready to jump on a bike, go off the beaten path, and taste the world, DuVine is ready to guide you to places you may never have found on your own.