CHARLOTTE, February 6, 2013 – Enterprising travelers who savor the exhilaration of cycling their way through another country now have two new tour programs in 2013.

Arizona-based Pure Adventures has been offering high quality, self-guided cycling tours through Europe since 2004 with itineraries that allow travelers the chance to immerse themselves into local lifestyles and culture.

Cycling enthusiasts can experience the best of two worlds from June 9 – 15 with a unique guided tour that includes tracking the popular Tour de Suisse cycling race while allowing individual cycling options as well.

As the final major warm-up before the Tour de France, Loren Siekman, founder of Pure Adventures, says the Tour de Suisse is “more accessible and equally exciting” than its more frenzied big sister.

The program begins in Interlaken with its stunning location on the shores of two lakes: Thun and Brienz. Tour participants are introduced to a trial by fire from the outset with a challenging ascent from Interlaken to Grosse Scheidegg en route to Meirengen. Here, Pure Adventures travelers will have access to the VIP tent to watch riders as they cross the finish line.

Sherlock Holmes fans may recall that the famed detective engaged his arch enemy Moriarty atop Reichenbach Falls just outside of Meiringen.

Day three of the itinerary includes an hour-long boat ride across one of Interlaken’s lakes to the tiny hamlet of Brienz. From the quaint woodcarver’s village guests then travel through the Brunig Pass with its stunning array of lush forests, pristine lakes and alpine vistas to the popular resort of Lucerne.

Nestled on the Lake of Lucerne which spills into the River Reuss, Lucerne, with its landmark Chapel Bridge, has long been a favorite destination for visitors from around the world.

The following day is reserved for roadside spectatorship as guests watch contenders cycle their way over the hills between Lucerne and Leuggern.

Then it’s back to business for a 55-mile ride on car-free bike paths to Mellen to witness the finish and to participate in the closing festivities.

Pure Adventures guarantees easy access to team buses, mechanic stations and several local cycling celebrities. The tour also promises climbing of category 1 and HC category routes with an average of approximately 55-miles of cycling over four hours each day.

Rates in U.S. dollars are about $3,480 (per person, double occupancy) including six nights accommodations, all breakfast and lunches, five dinners, cell phones, GPS, maps, professional Swiss guides, luggage transfers, van support, train and bicycle transfers during the Tour de Suisse program and exclusive VIP pass and access benefits. Space is limited to a maximum of 20 participants. Additional details can be found at:  (http://pure-adventures.com/tours/tour-de-suisse.php)

The second Pure Adventures’ tour is an eight-day self-guided cycling program between Geneva and Interlaken (http://pure-adventures.com/tours/cycling-switzerland.php)

Itineraries run from May through October with an emphasis on many famous Swiss national cycling routes. Participants will be fitted with late-model BMC hybrids and road bikes in Geneva before embarking through the rolling countryside and farmland of Switzerland. Among the highlights is a boat trip on the Lake of Geneva to the hillside city of Lausanne.

Lausanne is home for the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Museum overlooking the shores of the lake is a must-see venue. Not only are visitors able to re-live the spirit and history of the Olympic movement, they are also treated to stunning art that embodies the physical attributes of the athletes.

Though not well-known outside the country, Switzerland has excellent wines and the Lake Geneva region is literally covered with mile upon mile of vineyards that climb their way from the shores of the lake high into the hills. Either selfishly or wisely, or both, the superb wines go largely unrecognized because the Swiss do not export the product, choosing to drink it themselves instead.

Other destinations along the route are Montreux, with its famed Castle of Chillon, yet another not-to-miss site, the popular Swiss cheese making village of Gruyeres and Gstaad, the famous Swiss resort that is a favorite hideaway for the rich and famous.

The per person double occupancy rate of about $1,950 includes seven nights accommodations, all breakfasts, one dinner, orientation, bike set-up, GPS navigation, route book with maps, cue sheets with notes and recommendations en route, bike rental return by train from Interlaken, emergency support and all luggage transfers between hotels.

For those who prefer to move at their own pace according to their own whims and fancies this is an ideal travel opportunity. Switzerland is arguably the easiest, most efficient country in Europe for visitors. Since the country itself is quadri-lingual, English is readily spoken throughout making the language barrier for self-guided travelers practically non-existent.

If ever there was an opportunity to immerse yourself in a country, cycling through Switzerland’s breathtaking scenery is difficult to match. After all, it’s Pure Adventure.

Contact Bob at  <ahref=”https://plus.google.com/#110562793209908234170/?rel=author”>Google+</a>

Peabod is Bob Taylor, owner of Taylored Media Services in Charlotte, NC. Taylor is founder of The Magellan Travel Club, which creates, and escorts customized tours to Switzerland, France and Italy for groups of 12 or more.

Inquiries for groups can be made at Peabod@aol.com Taylored Media has produced marketing videos for British Rail, Rail Europe, Switzerland Tourism, the Swedish Travel & Tourism Council, the Finnish Tourist Board, the Swiss Travel System and Japan Railways Group among others.

As author of The Century Club book, Peabod is now attempting to travel to 100 countries or more during his lifetime. To date he has visited 71 countries. Suggest someplace new for Bob to visit; if you want to know where he has been, check his list on Facebook. Bob plans to write a sequel to his book when he reaches his goal of 100 countries. He also played professional baseball for four years and was a sportscaster for 14 years at WBTV, the CBS affiliate in Charlotte.

 

 

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