After four years of saving, planning, training and research, Steve and Steve, two U.S. cyclists, embarked on a trip of a lifetime: an 8 night self-guided bike tour to Tuscany, Italy. It was their first overseas cycling vacation, so they wanted to take their time and pick a tour operator that would give bike support...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
Risotto is a classic Italian dish of rice cooked in broth until it has reached a rich and creamy consistency. We are huge fans of risotto and listed it as one of the 5 Foods to Try in Italy (and with Italian cooking as varied as it is delicious, you know we are serious about...Read More
Antonello Losito is a worldly and well-travelled native of Puglia, Southern Italy, and former professional cyclist. His passion in life is to guide other travelers through the food, landscape and culture of his home region and he does so splendidly when meeting self-guided cyclists on their Pure Adventures bike tours in Puglia. Antontello took a break...Read More
Forget breakfast in bed as a Mother’s Day gift you have a mom in your life who loves to ride – chances are she’s out cycling on the roads or trails long before her children are out of bed! With Mother’s Day around the corner, Pure Adventures Self Guided Tours has rounded up the best...Read More
Puglia (Apulia): you may have heard of it, but where is it? This region of Italy is found in the “boot heel” area of Italy and on your self-guided tour of this region you will more or less follow the coast from the inland town of Conversano and go to Otranto. The routes along the...Read More
Europe’s self-guided, active travel leader, Pure Adventures, designs game plans for adventurous cycling vacations throughout Europe and the UK, suggests that one way to get into the heart of a country is to drop into a local festival. In the case of Italy, it might be a culinary feast, or, this summer in Ireland, a...Read More
Tiny Pienza is packed with history. Widely regarded as the “ideal” city of the Renaissance, Pope Pius II transformed the Italian village he was born in, into his vision of a perfect city. The Pope used his influence and affluence (assisted by architect Bernardo il Rossellino and humanist Leon Battista Alberti) to build a group...Read More
Struffoli – An Italian Holiday Favorite! You don’t have to be in Italy to enjoy a tradition Christmas dessert; although I know we all would like to be there. Struffoli is a Neapolitan dish made of deep fried balls of dough about the size of marbles. It is also a favorite gastronomic treat following Christmas...Read More
Rooted in history, Tuscany is one our most popular destinations for its food, sun, lifestyle, wine and relaxation – even Olympic road cycling medalist Kristin Armstrong names Tuscany as one of her favorite vacation spots. But for travelers looking to make their cycling vacation truly unique, we encourage you to step off the beaten track...Read More
