My friend Suzie goes to Paris almost every summer. She swears the best way to see this amazing city is by bike. After visiting Paris last year, I saw her point. The traffic is crazy, the roads are in no discernible pattern, and parking is expensive. A bike allows you to see the area at a slower pace and without the hassles of a car.
This is true for many travel destinations. When I was in Bavaria, I wished I had the time to bike through the hills. Here traffic is heavy in the tourist towns; between them, the streets are sparsely traveled, in great condition, and have a country feel. I live a few hours from Moab, and biking takes on a different take there. It's not just for a leisurely tour but for a physical challenge. So whatever your purpose for travel, consider renting a bike.
Most cities and tourist sites have travel brochures you can request by website or phone, which will include local bike rental information.
Here are a few websites to get you started:
1. http://www.en.velib.paris.fr/comment_ca_marche - Velib is an ingenious idea. You subscribe to this rental system for 1 day, 7 days, or more and then have access to bikes that are parked literally all over the city. The first 30 minutes are free. There are details on this site. I saw these bikes when I was in Paris, but didn't know how it worked and missed out. Wish I had known before I went. Why walk the 20 minutes from the hotel to the museum, when you can bike for free! (This site http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/articles/paris-bike-rentals.htm has details about this bike program as well.)
2. http://www.zioncycles.com/ - See a breathtaking national park, Zion National Park, at a pace to enjoy the details.
3. http://www.bikerentalsplus.com/index.php?id=49 - This company was started by an American family over 30 years ago and has expanded to Europe. When I was in the Loire Valley in France, I saw many bicyclers and wished I had the time to join them because this area is a GEM. Bike Rentals rents on a daily basis at several locations in France, as well as Italy and Costa Rica. They also do tours. Check it out.
4. http://www.detours-in-france.com/bourg-rando.php
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I love to travel and I love to plan new tripping adventures. Here are a few things I have learned along the way that might be useful. (These are tips, not guaranteed information. Please use them as such.) Bon Voyage!
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1 comment:
Hi, Teresa. I just found your blog from my Jennefer's blog page - those she's following. I thought, "What a coincidence -- I know a Teresa and a Paul, too!" Then I realized you'd also be related, too, so thought it might be you.
I like your above tip. I wish I had thought of it on our first trip to Paris. We had about 36 hours there and no car and were running everywhere we could to get it all in. Good thing I was much younger.
--Alice
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