Get fit this summer with a cycling holiday in the Alps - along the lake shores rather than up and down mountain passes, naturally.
Cycling specialist UTracks has launched a new, family-friendly ‛Alpine Rhine Cycle' adventure. This eight-day self-guided biking trip takes you from Constance in Germany into Switzerland's Grisons region - renowned for the resorts of St Moritz and Klosters as well as a multitude of lakes, valleys and snow-capped mountains. From there you'll travel alongside the Rhine and the shores of Lake Constance through Liechtenstein and Austria before returning to Constance itself.
The relaxed itinerary offers the flexibility to explore at your own pace, with breaks for walks, wine-tasting, visits to old castles and, of course, plenty of ice cream. Accommodation along the way is in comfortable three- and four-star hotels with regional cuisine at each stop.
Prices start from £780 per adult and £624 per child, based on twin-share accommodation with breakfast and dinner included throughout. Bike trailers are available for two to four year olds and trail-a-bikes for older children. Daily departures are available, starting from April 25 and running until October 4, 2009. Visit www.utracks.com.
For more travel information, click here
Question: We'd like holiday somewhere overseas but not too hot, for two families, with a budget of under £500 a head. Any suggestions?
Answer: Slovenia, one of Europe's best-kept secrets, is beautiful, accessible and affordable and specialist tour operator, Just Slovenia, has just started to promote Breda House, a large traditional property with pretty fretwork balconies offering stunning views across the plains from its elevated position in a small hamlet north of Ljubljana.
With accommodation for up to eight guests, Breda House is perfect for groups and families looking for an active summer holiday amidst beautiful scenery. Local activities include hiking, mountain biking and paragliding, taking a cable car up to Velika Planina to flower-filled summer pastures, and visiting the outdoor pools and spa facilities at the nearby resort of Snovik.
Prices start from £399 per person based on four people, and from £370pp based on six, and include flights from Stansted, car hire and seven nights' self-catering accommodation in July. For further details visit www.justslovenia.co.uk.
