Are you ready to embark on exclusive adventures that blend natural wonders, cultural richness, and culinary delights? Look no further! We’ve scoured the globe to bring you four incredible adventure tours that promise once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Whether you’re an avid adventurer or simply seeking inspiration for your next trip, these tours will ignite your wanderlust and leave you yearning for more.
1. Witness a Total Solar Eclipse in Death Valley by Bike
On October 14th, 2023, a celestial event of epic proportions will grace the skies—the rare total solar eclipse. And where better to witness this cosmic spectacle than in the expansive deserts of Death Valley National Park?
Why Death Valley?
- Prime Viewing Spot: Location is everything regarding a solar eclipse, and Death Valley offers one of the best vantage points.
- Low Light Pollution: The remote location and low light pollution enhance the celestial experience, immersing you in the show.
What to Expect:
- Biking Adventure: Embark on a 5-day bikepacking tour through the heart of the Mojave Desert.
- Highlights: Explore historic sites, scenic trails, and breathtaking vistas, including Spicer Ranch Trails, Titus Canyon, and more.
- Seamless Experience: Escape Adventures ensures your journey is hassle-free, from cycling to camping and delicious homemade meals.
“Imagine pedaling through surreal desert landscapes and conquering rugged terrains, only to witness the cosmos align in a breathtaking solar eclipse,” said Escape Adventures Director Jared Fisher. “To top it all off, you don’t worry about a single detail of planning this multi-day excursion.”
Escape Adventures Director Jared Fisher
Full Itinerary:
Day 1-2: Ride the new Spicer Ranch Trails and finish with a cowboy dinner. The next day, descend epic Titus Canyon into Death Valley—layover in beautiful Monarch Canyon.
Day 3-4: Climb to the top of Chloride Cliffs, explore ancient mining ruins, hike down Monarch Canyon to the portal view of Death Valley, visit massive sand dunes and Stovepipe Wells, and stop at the National Park Visitor Center. The next day, shuttle to Red Rock Canyon and ride to Bonnie Springs, Old Nevada.
Day 5: Ride Cottonwood Valley’s fabulous trail network, nestled below the cliffs of Red Rock Canyon. Shuttle back to Las Vegas.
Pricing: Prices total $1,699 per person and include all internal land expenses and services. Electric mountain bikes are available upon request.
Imagine pedaling through surreal desert landscapes and then, beneath the open sky, witnessing the dramatic dance between the moon and the sun. As darkness envelopes the desert, you’ll have a front-row seat to this cosmic spectacle.
*Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity! Learn more about the Death Valley Bikepacking Tour here.
2. Discover the Gastronomic Wonders of Piedmont
For food and wine enthusiasts, Piedmont is a gourmand’s paradise. This hiking tour, scheduled for October 9-15, 2023, will take you deep into the heart of this culinary wonderland.
Why Piedmont?
- Truffle Heaven: Famous for its truffles, the region offers an unmatched gastronomic experience.
- UNESCO Heritage: Langa and Roero regions are UNESCO World Heritage sites known for their vineyards.
What to Expect:
- Hiking Amidst Vineyards: Traverse rolling hills covered in endless vineyards, past ancient castles, and hidden hilltop hamlets.
- Cultural Immersion: Explore charming towns like Pollenzo, La Morra, and Alba, each offering a taste of the region’s culinary treasures.
Highlights:
- Two important wine regions, Langa and Roero
- UNESCO World Heritage Site (vineyards landscape)
- Villages of Barolo and Barbaresco, the namesakes of two world-famous red wines
- Visit the Slow Food promoted “wine bank”
- Stunning hiking along rolling hills covered with vineyards and quaint medieval villages
- Castle-topped villages, which lend a historic and romantic feel to the area
- Some of the best regional food in Italy, including truffles, cheese, and hazelnut Gianduja chocolates
- Dinner at two Michelin Star restaurants
Pricing: Piedmont Culinary + Hiking Tour prices start at per person. For detailed pricing and availability, visit the tour page.
“The wine region of Piedmont could very well be the ultimate destination for casual hikers who are also food and wine lovers,” says Beppe Salerno, co-founder of Tourissimo.
Beppe Salerno, co-founder of Tourissimo
*Indulge in wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, and dinners at two Michelin-starred restaurants. You can learn more about the Piedmont Culinary + Hiking Tour here.
3. Sicily: Where History, Cuisine, and Nature Converge
Sicily, the largest island in the Mediterranean, is a treasure trove of history, culture, and natural beauty. Tourissimo invites you on an 8-day culinary cycling tour through this captivating region.
Why Sicily?
- Cultural Diversity: Sicily’s cuisine reflects its rich history and cultural influences.
- Stunning Landscapes: From rolling hills to aquamarine coastlines, Sicily’s beauty is unmatched.
What to Expect:
- Exploration and Adventure: Visit Palermo, Selinunte ruins, and swim in the Mediterranean waters.
- Culinary Delights: Savor regional specialties, cooking demonstrations, and Sicilian wine production.
Highlights:
• Palermo and its Arab-Norman architecture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Corleone
• Selinunte ruins
• Swimming in the blue Mediterranean waters
• Saline (salt farms) near Trapani
• Ghost towns of Gibellina and Poggioreale
• A lesser-traveled, bucolic Sicily
• Seafood and Slow Food dishes and specialties
• Cooking demonstration
• Sicilian wine production
• Overnight stay at a stunning countryside abbey
Pricing: Prices for the Culinary Cycling Tour of Western Sicily start at $5,795 per person. This includes guides, accommodation in 4-star hotels, most meals, wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, all activities, and bike rentals.
“Sicily has lured conquerors and visitors for centuries,” says Tourissimo founder Beppe Salerno. “We’ll steep ourselves in the sights, scents, and flavors of the western part of Sicily. We’ll swim in pristine waters, sample the island’s finest wines at a local producer, and learn about the Greek heritage of Selinunte.”
*Experience the charm of Sicily and its rich heritage. You can learn more about the Culinary Cycling Tour of Western Sicily here.
4. Napa Valley: Redwoods, Vineyards, and the Pacific Coast
Just north of San Francisco, a breathtaking landscape awaits. Escape Adventure’s 6-day Napa Valley cycling tour is a mesmerizing journey through redwoods, vineyards, and the Pacific coastline.
Why Napa Valley?
- Natural Beauty: Explore old-growth redwoods, fruitful vineyards, and picturesque gardens.
- Richness of the Region: Sample distinctive flavors at family vineyards and farms.
What to Expect:
- Scenic Cycling: Pedal through orchard-covered hills, giant redwood forests, and charming towns.
- Culinary Delights: Savor farm-to-table cuisine and locally caught seafood.
Pricing: Tours are offered March-November and start at $4,499 per person double. E-bikes can be added for an extra charge. Weekend tours are also offered.
Unwind at old-world-style hotels and spas, and let the rugged coastline and pristine landscapes leave you in awe.
Full Itinerary:
Day 1-2: Meet in Santa Rosa, 55 miles north of San Francisco, the wine country’s urban hub. Cycle through graceful Napa Valley Park amidst mixed chaparral and woodlands that shade Lake Hennessey and its adjacent Redwood preserve. Sweeping past numerous picturesque vineyards and wineries, the Silverado Trail shadows a stagecoach route built in 1852 to service nearby cinnabar mines.
Then, retire to a thoughtfully preserved vision of early wine country culture, Calistoga, where guests are welcomed by its famous hot springs. The following day, mount up for Healdsburg, with a stop to marvel—or spritz—at California’s Old Faithful geyser. Reaching Healdsburg, continually cited as one of America’s top ten small towns, explore Pine Flat Road. Exquisitely scenic, Pine Flat reaches into the Mayacamas, a sub-range of the Northern Inner Coast Mountains, a high point in this rich riparian area.
Day 3-4: From Healdsburg, shoot west from the lowlands alongside the Russian River into northern Sonoma County. Ride along Lake Sonoma and choose to test your lungs on the optional out-and-back ride up Rock Creek Road with a stunning view of the extensive, green-gold landscape.
Leaving Healdsburg, cycle on the famous West Side Road to Guerneville. En route, dismount to stroll the most inviting vineyards and cross a historic bridge. Dismounting in Guerneville, tread into the nearby 805-acre Armstrong Redwoods Reserve. Hiking amongst/marveling at the giants who reign over this temperate rainforest, meet the tallest, 310-ft tall Parson Jones. Then, pay respects to the elder statesman, 1400-year-old Colonel Armstrong.
Day 5-6: Drop toward the enormous, raucous Pacific from Guerneville. A brisk, exhilarating wind, the ocean’s churning, plus a chorus of barking seals lend the ride a high-spirited ambiance. From upland marine prairie layered above coastal bluffs and terraces, revel in near coast sea stacks. Wrapping up in frothy, romantic Bodega Bay, enjoy the best farm-to-table cuisine and locally caught or harvested seafood/shellfish. Wake up to crashing ocean waves before ascending Bay Hill.
Set along the rugged, rolling Sonoma Coast and rich grey whale habitat, we roll into Bodega: the location for Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds.” After visiting the legendary “Birds” house, gently finish the tour in Freestone, a 19th-century stone quarry and logging town. Enjoy some of the best home-baked bread anywhere in the town’s handsome historic district. Shuttle back to Santa Rosa.
*Discover the enchanting Napa Valley. Learn more about the Napa Valley Wine Tour here.
Which Exclusive Adventure Will You Choose?
These extraordinary adventure tours offer a blend of nature, culture, and cuisine that promises to awaken your inner explorer. Whether you’re chasing eclipses, savoring truffles, diving into history, or cycling through stunning landscapes, these adventures will leave an indelible mark on your travel memories.
So, which adventure calls to you?