The Loire Valley: A UNESCO World Heritage Gem

The Loire Valley, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famed for its rolling countryside, vineyard-laden hills, and majestic châteaux. As you pedal through the region, you’ll encounter iconic landmarks like Château de Chambord, a masterpiece of French Renaissance architecture, and Château de Chenonceau, a breathtaking structure that spans the River Cher. Each château tells its own story, adding a layer of historical wonder to your cycling journey.

A Feast for the Senses

Cycling through the Loire Valley is not only a visual delight but also an exploration of the region’s gastronomic wonders. The area is renowned for its exquisite wines, with vineyards producing crisp whites like Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, as well as velvety reds and elegant rosés. Don’t miss the chance to sample sparkling Crémant de Loire, a regional rival to Champagne, and artisanal ciders that reflect the area’s rich agricultural heritage.

Pair these beverages with the Loire Valley’s culinary treasures—goat cheese from Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, flaky tarte Tatin (an upside-down caramelized apple tart), and creamy rillettes, a type of pâté perfect for spreading on baguettes. Local markets overflow with fresh produce, charcuterie, and other delicacies, making it easy to indulge in a gourmet picnic during your ride.

Why Choose a Self-Guided Bike Tour?

A self-guided France bike tour offers the ultimate freedom to explore at your own pace. The Loire Valley’s well-maintained, flat to lightly hilly cycling routes are ideal for those who enjoy leisurely rides. Families with teens will appreciate the manageable distances and the mix of engaging activities along the way, from kayaking on serene rivers to visiting interactive museums. This style of touring allows you to set your own schedule while having the peace of mind that comes with pre-planned routes and accommodations.

Embrace Nature and Relaxation

One of the Loire Valley’s greatest gifts is its connection to nature. Cycling along the Loire à Vélo, a dedicated network of cycling paths, you’ll be surrounded by vibrant landscapes, serene rivers, and lush forests. It’s the kind of adventure that rejuvenates the soul, offering moments of tranquility as well as cultural discovery.

A Family-Friendly Adventure

For families—especially those with teenagers and older members who share a passion for cycling—this tour offers an ideal blend of adventure, relaxation, and cultural discovery. Teens will love the freedom of cycling independently while exploring fascinating historical sites and picturesque villages. Parents will appreciate the ease of navigation and the opportunity to share meaningful experiences with their children. It’s an adventure that brings generations together, creating memories to last a lifetime. A France Royal Loire Valley bike tour can’t be missed!

Plan Your Perfect Getaway

Whether you’re drawn to the Loire Valley for its stunning châteaux, its culinary treasures, or its peaceful landscapes, a self-guided bike tour is the ideal way to immerse yourself in the heart of France. It’s an experience that combines leisure, culture, and the simple joy of exploration. So why not start planning your next adventure? The Loire Valley is calling, and it’s ready to enchant you, one pedal stroke at a time.

This tour is perfect for those looking to enjoy a more relaxed pace of travel, taking in all the wonders of the Loire Valley without feeling rushed. Gather your loved ones, hop on a bike, and prepare to create a journey filled with beauty and discovery. Adventure awaits in the Garden of France!

A France Royal Loire Valley self guided bike tour can’t be missed! Click Here to Plan Your Self-Guided Loire Bike Tour!

Learn more from our blog! Why a Self-Guided Bike Tour in France Should Be Your Next Adventure

The post Discover the Charm of the Loire Valley: A Perfect Self-Guided France Bike Tour appeared first on Pure Adventures.

So, getting to the Galapagos was high on my priority list, but I wanted it to be a family experience. I thought I would probably only go once, and I wanted to wait to take my kids when they would be of an age to appreciate and remember. Last year, 2019, was the year. Spring break, with a 14 and 16 year old to accompany us, Mar and I took off to Quito, capital city of Ecuador!

For all of us, this was our first trip to Ecuador. We were making a trip to include the Amazon and volcano country of mainland Ecuador in combination with Ecuador’s treasured Galapagos Islands. It was everything I had imagined but even better! It wasn’t without a few hiccups to start. I found out my oldest doesn’t handle quick altitude changes very well. Quito sits at 9000ft asl, and we just went up from there to Cotopaxi National Park where we hiked at 15,000 ft asl, over mostly flat terrain, but still!

From Cotopaxi, we ventured further south to the adventure town of Baños. What an incredible place! A beautiful setting at the foot of another volcano, usually shrouded in clouds and where water and rivers converge, the views were magical. Along with our fearless teens, we zip-lined over gorges and hiked alongside raging waterfalls, observed plants and animals that were all different from the familiar. We rode bikes in the cloud forest and enjoyed amazing local produce and dishes. Our lodging was a simple, quiet and incredibly beautiful ‘casa’ on the outskirts of Baños; it was simply sublime and Mar wanted to stay there for a week.

The adventure continued as we traveled on to the Amazon, a small portion of that incredible planet-enriching rain forest that lies in Ecuador. So, what do you think of when you think Amazon rain forest?? Thick and heavy jungle, warm, steamy air, wildlife in abundance, and water – right? Exactly. We did a family canyoneering trip with some nice rappels and easy bouldering in water of the perfect temperature. Wet the whole time and never cold; no wet suit needed! We made chocolate fondue with Kichwa natives who receive and host tourists and show off some of their special traditions. The lodging was very rustic, a little like glamping, but it was so much fun for a night, and not without Amazonian creatures! The boys said this was one of their favorite parts of the trip. The next day was a thrilling white water raft trip that was not just a couple bumps; an exhilarating adventure that went on for a few hours. All of this, and we still hadn’t gotten to the Galapagos!

Then come the islands, the Galapagos archipelego that sits about 1000km off the mainland of Ecuador. A commercial flight is the only way to get there and that was 3 hours. However, upon arrival it was both everything I hoped for and much I didn’t expect! Of course, the islands are known as the lab and study of Charles Darwin who was inspired to write his theory of evolution based on his work there. The wildlife, especially those unique endemic species, is a big draw to visit. This was expected, and it was such a delight to see how well everything is preserved. The Ecuadorians in particular, the native Galapagueños, are very serious about the preservation and conservation of the islands and their unique species. (We could learn a lot from them.) You can look at the wildlife, but not too close. However, you do not just get glimpses of the wildlife, it is literally everywhere and always on display. Native guides are a requirement and their knowledge is invaluable. (Guiding is actually one of the most highly coveted jobs on the islands; they go through extensive training and a very exclusive selection process.) Snorkeling, diving, kayaking, SUPing, biking, and more is possible – but always in the right way and in small numbers. This was everything I hope for!

The unexpected? Ease of transportation, choice of food, quality of lodging, and yes – the serious preservation of the place and the overwhelming abundance of wildlife. But, then there are the stories! The islands have some stories to tell and some secrets too! From pirates and whalers to runaway romances and murder mysteries! Intrigue, deception, and a little bit of craziness by the first Europeans who came here. Check out Galapagos Affair: Satan Came to Eden!

In short, it was a trip of a lifetime and never in my wildest of dreams could I have imagined anything close to what we experienced. We will treasure these adventures and memories that we created together as a family, always, and I hope that when the boys are grown and have their own children, that they will remember this trip and think about how to teach their kids about wildlife & nature, conservation, and create their own family memories together.

If you’re interested in recreating some of these same vacation experiences, take a look at our different Ecuador & Galapagos Tours that we created based on our travels!

The post A first visit to Ecuador and the Galapagos appeared first on Pure Adventures.

Many of you have probably never heard of the Roaring Fork Valley. To be honest, until I moved here 12 years ago, neither had I. I can remember the exact moment I arrived in the valley. I’d been living in Denver and was familiar with the many nearby ski areas such as Breck, Vail, A-Basin, etc.; these are all located off of the beast of a highway known as I-70. When I turned off that highway and started winding my way up towards Aspen, it was then that I had a real Aha moment. So these are the mountains, I thought to myself. I was in complete awe; I may have even been drooling. I watched the sparkling Roaring Fork River as it followed me through canyons and valleys until I finally arrived at the small town of Aspen. It was June 21, 2008, and summer was in full swing. Everything was bright green, with rainbow-colored wildflowers blooming everywhere I looked, snow-capped mountains greeting me in the distance, and all of this was set against the perfect backdrop of a typical Colorado “bluebird sky.”

Twelve years later and I’m still here. I’ll admit, I’m completely hooked. We have a saying here: “You come for the winters but you stay for the summers.” This couldn’t be more spot on. The activities are endless, and I’ve grown to love them all. Hiking and mountain biking on miles of trails, road biking, the Rio Grande bike path, kayaking, SUP’ing, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, camping, wildflowers, golden fall leaves, fly fishing, diverse wildlife – bear, moose & elk, free Snowmass concerts, rodeos, culture & arts…it’s endless! Not to mention, the weather in summer is perfectly divine. Imagine summer temperatures where the hottest day is 88 degrees, but most days you’re sitting in the low to mid-80’s. Evening temperatures are typically in the 50’s and 60’s. The air is dry, not humid, so you won’t find mosquitoes up here. And by up, I mean the fact that we sit at an altitude: of 8,000+ ft. For those of you looking to do a little high-altitude cycling training, you’ve come to the right place. There’s a reason that Lance Armstrong and so many other athletes choose to make this place their home.

And sure, Aspen is known for its celebrities, glam, and swankiness, but that’s not what this area really is. For us locals, it’s the Roaring Fork Valley. It’s two perfect playgrounds consisting of two adjacent villages: Aspen and Snowmass Village. Here, you have access to nature at its finest, located conveniently outside your doorstep. Here, the evening skies sparkle with stars that only when you leave the valley, do you take for granted. Here, nature offers you everything.

So as I share this with you, things are slowly beginning to open and COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted. I would like to personally invite you to escape to the Roaring Fork Valley this summer/fall. Take a look at our Aspen Snowmass self-guided bike tour, family-friendly multi-sport tour, hut to hut hiking tour, or even a guided bike tour. Summer through fall is the perfect time to be out here. With the most amazing resources at hand and our local expertise, we can design the perfect Aspen Snowmass getaway for you. Getting away this summer or fall might still seem like a dream but maybe, just maybe, it can become a reality. Let us hope!

Local Resources:  https://www.gosnowmass.com/

https://www.aspenchamber.org/

https://www.rfta.com/trail-information/ – trail info and free transit info

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