| Europe, with its rich culture and heritage, has been the | | | | activity that generally forms, part of a guided vacation. |
| Mecca for travelers since the earliest of times. With | | | | Whether riders chose to cycle through Europe, on their |
| cities that offer mild weather and picturesque charm to | | | | own or as part of a package vacation, planning is |
| the snowy Alpine slopes and immortal Mediterranean | | | | essential. Details such as the budget, the duration of |
| shores, Europe is an explorer?s delight. | | | | the trip, the countries and regions all have to be |
| The first bicycles were invented and used in Europe, | | | | charted out carefully. Riders need to acquaint |
| as early as 1818 and with European colonization, the | | | | themselves with the general topography, of each |
| ingenious machine became popular around the world. | | | | region as well as the local climate, and the best |
| People went around the entire continent on bicycles, | | | | season, to visit a particular place. It is highly |
| exploring the diversity of the land even before the | | | | recommended that riders map out a route, and take |
| term 'bicycle tours' was invented. The practice | | | | note of all motels, lodges and B&B?s along it, to |
| became popular as an inexpensive and exciting | | | | ensure that they have a place to stay, every time they |
| alternative to road and rail travel. After nearly two | | | | wish to rest. |
| centuries, the bicycle remains one of the most popular | | | | One of the biggest impediments to a smooth |
| means of transport and recreation in Europe. | | | | European bicycle tour, are the large language |
| When people think of European bicycle tours, the first | | | | variations within the region. The best way to |
| thing that they think of is the Tour de France, an | | | | overcome this problem is to learn a few phrases in the |
| amazing cycling race that transverses the entire | | | | most popular languages, and carry an ample supply of |
| French landscape. However, the Tour is a competitive | | | | dictionaries, maps and guidebooks. |
| sporting event, whereas a 'bicycle tour' is a leisure | | | | |