Emerging Bicycle Tour Territories

Latest bicycle tours for seniors and others explore Northwest Argentina, Sicity and Puglia in Italy, the Silk Road and Central Europe

Avid bicycle tourists like myself are always on the lookout for new, emerging, unusual places that travel companies have chosen for new bike tours. So sound the trumpets, please, for Sicily and Puglia in Italy, Argentina and the Silk Road -- destinations that are attracting growing interest from the loyal followers of Butterfield and Robinson. From Backroads, meanwhile, comes equally exciting new bicycle riding territory: Hungary, Slovakia and Poland.

Since we geezers-in-age-only have lived through dark days when some of these places were off-limits for political or other reasons, these announcements are especially welcome.

Northwest Argentina

Next month Paola Sartori will guide a group of B&R bicycle riders through the northwest corner of Argentina. I've enjoyed walking the streets of Buenos Aires, and I think this trip sounds absolutely sensational. The region Paola has scouted and planned riding through is her own backyard, called the Portenos. Among the highlights are high altitude wineries, the remarkable ancient ruins of Quilmes and some incredible rock formations -- plus a hotel and spa called Patios de Cafayate.

Hungary, Slovakia and Poland

Starting in June, the first Backroads group will be pedaling through old-world Europe, starting in Budapest and ending in Krakow. The itinerary includes the 14th-century Niedzica Castle as well as the rolling, forested hills of the Spis region of eastern Slovakia, which the Backroads advance guard said reminded them of the Cascades. It sounds like a great way to discover authentic, lightly-touristed villages and spectacular Alpine scenery.

What I have found is that when the newest trips appear in a tour operator's catalog, some of B&R's and Backroads' most interesting regulars are the first to sign up. Nobody can guarantee you'll meet simpatico folks, but your chances are pretty darn good.