Fado is traditional folk music popular in the Lisbon area of Portugal. Melancholy by nature, the music includes instruments like guitars and mandolins with one Fadista singing poetic lyrics related to darker elements of love, death and sadness. The music may, however, occasionally include some humor. If your late season travel includes Portugal, be sure sure...Read More
Souvenirs from France – Dordogne Gastronomy Located between the beautiful Loire Valley and the towering Pyrenees Mountains, the French department of Dordogne offers all the charm and ambiance visitors could expect from this elegant country. In fact, there are over 1,500 castles in Dordogne alone as well as breathtakingly beautiful countryside and quaint,...Read More
Portugal, located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula, is the westernmost country of mainland Europe. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west and south and by Spain to the north and east, it is a lush and picturesque country best experienced on a self guided holiday, either on foot or by bike, where...Read More
Normandy Foodie Highlights What do you get when you combine miles of breathtaking coastline, fascinating historical landmarks, lush farmland and lively market towns? The Normandy region of France boasts all of these features and so much more. But aside from the picturesque landscapes, friendly locals and cultural discovery, Normandy is also home to some gastronomical...Read More
Pure Adventures helped Deb and John, two cyclists from North Carolina, book a self guided cycling trip to the Istrian Peninsula earlier this year. While they were worried that spending a few days in Venice on either side of their trip to Croatia would add complications to their holidays, our travel planners helped make their self...Read More
Did you know that Paella and other rice dishes used to be considered a poor man’s food? Since rice was widely available and relatively cheap, farmers and peasants took what litte food and rice they had, then threw everything they had in the pot or “paella” – sometimes even snails! Although Spain’s most famous dish originated in...Read More
3 Prehistoric Sites to See in Dordogne The region of Dordogne is as beautiful as it is charming, with a picturesque countryside complete with a landscape dotted with ancient castles and foreboding fortresses. Delightfully rural and refreshingly unblemished by touristy crowds, a visit to Dordogne offers a truly authentic French experience. Perhaps what...Read More
Have you ever looked at a self guided vacation itinerary and think “that looks perfect, but I wish we could start elsewhere?”. For Deb and John, North Carolina residents who wanted to spend time in Venice before and after their Croatian holiday, they knew they could trust Pure Adventures Self Guided Travel to help them...Read More
Hill training is most often associated with road bike racing and not with self-guided cycling tours. After all, don’t most cyclists want a flat and leisurely route to ride on during their European bike tour? As with all our tours, we strongly suggest plenty of time in the saddle – and yes, hill training – for...Read More
Cycling tours make up a significant volume of adventure holidays. For years, the only known option for most people was a guided trip. The description is obvious, but to summarize, this historic trip was a package a traveler booked with a tour operator offering a bicycle vacation with a specific departure date and a minimum...Read More
