Whether you’re a cycling enthusiast, an eco-warrior, or just looking to find new ways to explore and experience new places, traveling on a bike can be a fun and rewarding way to do just that. You can make your cycling holiday as leisurely or as challenging as you want. To mark World Bicycle Day on Tuesday, June 3, Agoda, one of the world’s largest online travel agents, shares six beautiful cities that different types of travelers should check out on two wheels.
For the city explorers
1. Beijing, China
Cycling around Beijing (Photo by Zhang Kaiyv sourced by Agoda)
For an affordable and convenient way to get around, hop on a bicycle from one of the bike-sharing operators in Beijing. Simply scan a bike with your mobile phone to unlock and lock it when you reach your destination. First-timers to Beijing can follow a 16-km bike route to cover some of Beijing’s highlights like the Forbidden City, The Egg, and the Bird’s Nest stadium.
Check-in at The Imperial Mansion, Beijing Marriott Executive Apartments and start your tour from Tiananmen Square just 940m away.
2. Paris, France
For a different view of the City of Love, pedal through the Parc Rives de Seine, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, extending along the sides of the Seine River. The area was specially converted from an expressway into a promenade for cyclists and pedestrians to hang out at. For a pitstop, consider one of the restaurants or taking part in the many events happening throughout the day.
Rent a bicycle from Hotel de la Porte Doree and ride off to the Seine within ten minutes.
For the culture and history buffs
3. Hoi An, Vietnam
If rustic old towns, beautiful rice field landscapes, and picturesque farms excite you, book a cycling tour to truly experience Hoi An in four hours. Get to know Hoi An’s past and present, immerse in local culture with opportunities to interact with families, and try your hand at their crafts.
If you want to continue exploring Hoi An on bicycle, stay near the Old Town at Allegro Hoi An, where they provide free use of their bicycles.
4. Florence, Italy
If pedaling for hours isn’t your kind of thing, try exploring Florence on an electric bike tour without getting out of breath. Check out the famous terrace of Piazzale Michelangelo and experience the Renaissance magnificence at The Duomo, while stopping along the way to get a taste of delectable Tuscan wine and food.
A stay at the stylish Hotel Spadai located in the heart of Florence will get you well-rested for your Florence excursions.
For the adventurers
5. Melbourne, Australia
There’s a keen outdoor and cycling culture in Melbourne. Live as the locals do and explore the Victoria state on bike. For a short trip, consider the Yarra River trails where the region is known for its vast wineries. If you have a couple more days, take a trip out to Warrnambool to cycle down the famous Great Ocean Road. Don’t forget to look out for the Twelve Apostles and some of the most spectacular views in Australia.
For longer cycling trips, plan your rest stops and choose from over 10,000 properties in Victoria to stay the night.
6. California, USA
The Golden State has some of the most beautiful mountains, beaches, and deserts—perfect for seasoned cyclists looking for an adventure. Pick an area like Santa Barbara and take the Gibraltar Road route for a good climb to get breathtaking ocean views and vistas. Head back downtown to Handlebar Coffee Roasters for a cycling-themed coffee break.
Pick from over 200 properties in the Santa Barbara region to recuperate from all that pedaling.
—
About Agoda
Agoda is one of the world’s fastest growing online travel booking platforms. From its beginnings as an e-commerce start-up based in Singapore in 2005, Agoda has grown to offer a global network of 2 million properties in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, offering travelers easy access to a wide choice of luxury and budget hotels, apartments, homes and villas to suit all budgets and travel occasions.
Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG) and employs more than 4,000 staff in more than 30 countries. Agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app are available in 38 languages.
