Family Biking and Multi-Sport Trips

Our clients typically realize early on that planning a biking or multi-sport trip requires our professional expertise. For example, safety should be paramount. We can match the age and skill level of every member of the family with the right tour operator and destination. Biking in urban environments or on rugged, rural trails is far different than biking on quiet suburban streets or paved trails through your hometown. Other factors might include high elevations or adverse weather conditions in certain seasons; one of our favorite pro tips is to book clients at mountain lodges with oxygen bars to quickly alleviate altitude sickness while biking or hiking.

Our top-notch suppliers are also happy to arrange shuttle transportation service to the next stop if any family members are having trouble keeping up or want to take it easy on a particular day. If parents crave a full day of biking sans children, we can arrange alternative kid-friendly activities, like horseback riding or fishing lessons, so that the youngest family members can still have their own fun adventures. E-bikes are also a possibility in many markets, significantly easing the physical endurance that biking trips require. And kid-friendly guides know just when to make an unplanned stop at a local playground or ice cream stand.

Want to camp along the way to make the experience extra-rugged and adventurous? Don’t worry about what to pack or even the hassle of setting up and taking down the campsite each day. Our onsite vendors will supply comfortable tents and all the gear you need to overnight in beautiful locations on your chosen route, and you’ll arrive from a long day of fun with everything ready and waiting for you. You’re bound to be starving, so you’ll love the indulgence of a private chef who can serve up a gourmet campfire dinners each evening and will happily pack up a picnic lunch each morning for you to take. Talk about luxurious dining to fuel you for all that physical activity!

Some of our favorite destinations for family biking and multi-sport trips include:

France

Even younger children will enjoy biking from castle to castle in the Loire Valley, which looks and feels like a fairytale. Older teens or college-age students enjoy tackling portions of some of the famous Tour de France cycling stages. We can also arrange standalone biking experiences, like tours around the spectacular grounds of Versailles or from landmark to landmark in Paris.

Germany

Families love biking through Germany because of the chance to sprinkle cultural outings into the mix, like historical landmarks, timber-frame villages, cafes for apple strudel sampling and vineyards for wine tasting. The Mosel Valley region is a tried-and-true family favorite, as even school-age children can handle its relatively flat terrain. The Danube River in the Czech Republic offers similarly fun cultural immersion experiences.

Croatia

For families seeking variety on their multi-sport trip, Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast fits the bill. By morning you’re biking with the sparkling blue water in view, by midday you’re cooling off with a quick swim, and by evening you’re feasting on the freshest of seafood after a hike to a local restaurant, all with the scent of lavender filling the air.

Italy

Great food and art are two of the biggest draws for Italy. But have you experienced its sporty side? Our clients have loved mountain climbing in the Dolomites, hiking the Cinque Terre and biking from farm to farm in Puglia. If you just want to add a taste of activity into a bigger trip, consider a half or full day of biking or horseback riding in Tuscany. We know the best vendors to get your family off the dangerous, narrow roads and onto flat, peaceful trails.

U.S. National Parks

For some families, traveling around the world for a biking or multi-sport trip doesn’t make sense. They’d rather spend less time on a plane and more time enjoying themselves. Parks like Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Zion, Bryce Canyon and Crater Lake are all proven Ciao Bambino favorites for activities like biking, horseback riding, chuckwagon dinners, fly-fishing lessons and guided hikes with kid-friendly naturalists.

California

There are endless options for trip routes in California. Biking from vineyard to vineyard in Northern California is fun and relaxing. Families also love taking advantage of easy flights into San Francisco and then biking, hiking and camping amid the nearby redwood forests. For water lovers, the Central Coast offers options like surfing and kayaking.

Costa Rica

This Central American country is a sure bet for a kid-friendly multi-sport trip, especially for those families with various ages and interests to accommodate. Walk on hanging bridges through the jungle, raft or float on the scenic rivers and hike through various ecosystems with trained nature guides. Even days dedicated to hanging out on the beach can be sporty when you add on surf lessons, Jet Ski rides or snorkeling.

New Zealand

To Americans, New Zealand seems like the end of the earth (or maybe we’ve just watched too many Lord of the Rings movies) — but a vacation here practically demands outdoor adventure. Imagine biking from sheep farm to sheep farm; kayaking and rafting experiences are also quite popular.

If lying on the beach day after day is not your family’s preferred vacation style, or you’re simply looking for a unique way to travel, we’re here to help plan your ideal biking or multi-sport trip. The sky is literally the limit, as families can bike above the clouds in the Alps or hike around a tropical cloud forest. Let us help you narrow down the options and find the destination and structure that are right for your family.