Are you intimidated by the prospect of booking a trip with a bicycling travel company because you believe you aren’t a strong cyclist? In most cases, ride leaders will break up riders into groups based on rider strength to address the fears of individual cyclists. The problem with that scenario is that you still have to cover the same ground and finish at the same place as the other riders in the same amount of time.
What if you could book a cycling trip based on your skills as a cyclist? You could ride as fast or slow as you wanted and really enjoy every aspect of your trip. That is what ExperiencePlus! offers to any cyclist and without the intimidation.
Who is ExperiencePlus and What Makes it Unique?
The company was founded in 1972 by Rick and Paolo Malpezi-Price out of their love for European travel. When the company was first launched, it focused exclusively on travel through Italy.
Today ExperiencePlus! has trips all over the European continent. The company is also overseen by the Price’s two daughters, Maria Elena and Monica. They grew up under the tutelage of their parents and learned the benefits of cycling trips first-hand by leading tours at a very early age.
ExperiencePlus! is headquartered in Fort Collins, CO with offices in Emilia Romagna, Italy. The company’s unique goal, according to its website, is “to help travelers slow down and experience the world at their own pace by providing extraordinary guided cycling vacations that feature curated routes, quality bicycles, local experiences, and engaging travel companions.“
Destinations ExperiencePlus! Visits
ExperiencePlus! has a small staff but numerous ride leaders and other support staff, 65 employees altogether. This allows them, of course, to host trips in various areas of the world with a focus on Europe.
The company also has trips in South America (Argentina and Chile), Cuba, and the Caribbean, although no specific area is listed for that region of the world. Here is their full (and current) list. Click here to explore the trips in these areas.
- Austria
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Switzerland
- United Kingdom
ExperiencePlus! Tour Styles and Tour Level
ExperiencePlus! offers cyclists the ability to build their trip based on their skill levels. That means it is a company that values inclusivity so everyone who has the desire to see the world by bike can do so.
With that in mind, it offers “tour styles,” which are as follows.
Classic. This type of trip is for the cyclist who wants to explore a destination via a “point-to-point” route that includes classic destinations with the ability to visit “hidden gems,” as it says, that only locals know about.
Explorer. Back roads are accessed not only via paved roads but dirt and hard-packed gravel.
Bike & Boat. The company says this is its classic touring experience that offers cyclists the ability to ride inland coastal roads. The roads are accessed via boat, so travelers only need to unpack once.
Expedition. These types of trips are probably geared toward more of the seasoned, hard-core roadies who love to travel continents and relish in the unexpected as well as long rides.
ExperiencePlus! Tour Levels
The styles of cycling mentioned above will help cyclists determine the type of tour they want to do. If that doesn’t help with a trip decision, then cyclists can also design their trips by “tour levels.” In other words, a trip can be chosen based on experience and fitness. ExperiencePlus! offers five levels.
Level 1 – 1.5. This level is for the casual bike rider, easy rides with limited to no climbing involved.
Level 2-2.5. The next level is a decent jump as these trips are geared toward riders who like the challenge of hills along with some steep climbs.
Level 3-3.5. Lots of hills and longer miles, more for the serious roadie.
Level 4-4.5. If you like doing multiple climbs and long days in the saddle, pick one of these to satisfy your craving for challenge.
Level 5-5.5. These tours last weeks instead of 7 to 8 days and offer cyclists the chance to ride in various countries and across continents.
Each trip ExperiencePlus! includes different options but usually all meals, trip transfers, accommodations, and a rental bike if you decide not to bring your own. The bike will be optimized for the type of riding and terrain you might encounter. Check out the company’s destinations page for details and costs for each trip it offers.
Last Thoughts
ExperiencePlus! focuses on letting you, as the cyclist, design the type of tour you want to do (and that you feel you can do). The large number of destinations where it hosts trips makes that possible. And if there is a location you have been aching to visit in Europe, the company has you covered not just by land but also by boat.
Whether you like long, challenging rides or something more casual and relaxed, ExperiencePlus! can help you arrange that. That makes the company an excellent choice to start your bicycle travel journey to see if this kind of trip is right for you.
Have a great weekend everyone!
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