PHOTO: Cycling in Quebec. (Photo via Butterfield & Robinson on Facebook)

There’s nothing quite like riding a bike while on vacation. Your perspective changes as you become more immediately engaged with the environment and community around you. You’re able to go at your own pace, and stop as you please to explore the world around you.

And while some travellers may still erroneously equate a cycling vacation with backpacks and “roughing it,” the reality is that many professional travel companies offer ultra-luxe bike getaways that combine deluxe hotels and exclusive dining with some of the destination’s most scenic pathways and avenues.

And there’s no better time than May, which just happens to be National Bike Month, to start thinking about your next cycling getaway. Need some inspiration? Here are a few cycling adventures that are sure to have you calling your travel agent for more information.

Belgium Beer Bike Tour
Sure scenic landscapes are important when selecting the ideal biking journey. But when planning for your post-cycle activities, a pretty good bet would be to visit a country with more than 1,100 locally brewed beers. When choosing the Bike Across Belgium journey from Ciclismo Classico, you’ll you’re your choice of wheat beers, brown ales, red beers, golden ales and traditional saison beers based on old farmhouse recipes.

But don’t drink too much, because by day you’ll be cycling your way through Luxembourg, Belgium and parts of the Netherlands. The itinerary includes stops at three local breweries as well as a pedal along some of the “muurs” (walls) found along the charming Tour of Flanders cycling route. The eight-night journey starts from $5,295 per person.

Bustling Morocco
Sure, Morocco might have been the setting for one of the greatest love stories at all time, but don’t expect Rick’s Café and moody moments in a smoke-filled piano bar when you get here. The city is a bustling hub of colour, energy and culture. With Duvine’s Morocco Bike Tour, you’ll spend your days cycling along the foothills of the Atlas Mountains and through sleepy Berber villages. Expect to find total tranquility and out-of-this world beauty, while enjoying some of Africa’s finest meals and accommodations. The five-night tour starts from $7,996 per person.

Extreme St. Lucia
Take your cycling to a new level with The Body Holiday’s Adventure Program, where you’ll experience extreme mountain biking alongside hiking, kayaking, abseiling and cave diving. The boutique, oceanfront property, among St. Lucia’s premiere wellness resorts, provides an outdoorsy getaway for adventure-enthusiasts. At day’s end guests can wind down with an inclusive spa treatment and if there’s time left in the day, the resort also offers Spoga (spinning + yoga) in its glass Tree House spin studio as well as Tai-Chi, Pilates, golf, water sports and archery.

The Flavours of Quebec
if you’re looking to stay close to home this summer, there’s no need to leave North America to get a quasi European experience. With Butterfield & Robinson’s Quebec Biking, you’ll tour Canada’s most European province as you sample the cheese and wines for which the region is so famous. Start in cosmopolitan Montréal, which is knee-deep in preparations for its 375th anniversary next year. Spend an extra day or two exploring the city’s contemporary eateries, historic quarter and lively waterfront before you start your journey to history-rich Québec City.

Along the way, you’ll pass through cyclist paradise, the Eastern Townships. The region is home to nearly 200 miles of Route Verte (green route) cycling paths and the town charter protects the area’s natural beauty, preserving its tranquil woodlands. As you cycle through Quebec, you’ll also pass by sparkling lakes, ancestral homes of ancient settlers, covered bridges and historic churches and chapels. The five-night journey starts from $4,995 per person.

Oregon’s Columbia Gorge
Oregon’s Columbia Gorge, hailed as one of the state’s Seven Wonders, is known for its famed waterfalls, forest landscapes and rugged mountain peaks. While many casual visitors opt to drive the Columbia Gorge Loop, the area is best seen from the seat of a bicycle. Bicycle Adventures’ six-day Columbia Gorge Classic Bike Tour offers an itinerary that partially follows in the footsteps of Lewis & Clark. There’s plenty of biking, hiking and stops at local haunts along the way. The tour starts from $3,210 per person.

Remote Vietnam
To really getaway from it all, head the remote Ha Giang region in North Eastern Vietnam with Ride & Seek Bicycle Adventures. For many years, this region has been off limits to visitors, so expect a cycling experience through a land nearly untouched by modern development. Pass by scenic rice paddies and through primary forests as you cycle your way up and down the area’s steep—and truly scenic—mountain passes. The nine-night adventure starts from $2,970 per person, but custom trips are also available.

Scottish Adventure
Somehow, haggis, whisky and freshly prepared fish & chips just seem to taste better after completing an invigorating bike ride. With Duvine’s Scotland Bike Tour, you’ll explore coastal villages, rural farmlands and the serene landscapes of the Scottish Highlands. Along the way, you’ll enjoy tastings at some of Scotland’s finest whisky distilleries and dine on local favorites like seafood, highland beef, lowland cheeses and, of course, haggis. The five-night journey starts from $4,795 per person.

Southern Iceland
Cycle your way through this year’s hottest destination with Exodus Travels’ Cycle Southern Iceland itinerary. Depart from the geothermal area of Krisuvik to ride along Iceland’s rugged Reykjanes peninsula as you head for the volcanic black sand beaches of Selfoss. Trip highlights include a stop at the infamous Eyjafjallajokull volcano (which snarled air traffic throughout Northern Europe in 2010) as well as the stunning Skogafoss waterfall and Thingvellir National Park where you can rejuvenate with a deep soak at the thermal pools in Laugardalur.

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