10 Tours that Get Better Beyond Busy Season

Life in the Algarve—Portugal’s southernmost region—is notably more laid-back in spring, when coastal villages like Tavira and Cacela Velha are outside of peak season. Storks seem to outnumber visitors at this time of year and the thick, maquis scrub that lines the roads is at its most vibrant—lush, fragrant, and punctuated by swathes of sunny yellow lupins and creamy rock roses. “It’s lovely to ride through the Algarve’s orange orchards and avocado groves in spring,” says Joāo, our Portugal Trip Designer. “It’s just you and the bike, cruising past cork oak forests or along the Guadiana River, surrounded by this bright, exhilarating green.”

Spring arrives early in Sicily, enchanting cyclists with all the sweetness and beauty of an Italian primavera in full bloom. “You get entire fields carpeted in brilliant red poppies and scented broom,” says Tom, our Italy Trip Designer. “The summit of Mount Etna is still covered in snow, so there’s this incredible contrast between the snowy peak and then the snowy white almond trees in flower on the coastal plain near Noto.” It’s also when macco di fave—a seasonal soup made from fava beans and fennel—appears on every menu, with all the bright, fresh flavors of spring.

In the northern hemisphere, spring signals the start of the wine-growing season. Dormant vines awaken, exploding with tiny, chartreuse shoots. Across California wine country, bud break follows the mustard bloom, leaving both Napa and Sonoma awash in an eye-popping palette of gold and green. The region’s renowned farm-to-fork culture celebrates the season’s early harvest—think snappy asparagus, tender baby greens, and succulent spring lamb. It’s also the perfect time to savor Bodega Bay’s uber-fresh oysters—sipping a Zialena Geyserville Sauvignon Blanc makes a sublime spring pairing.

The balmy Balearic island of Mallorca is a cyclist’s paradise year-round—just ask the pros who flock there to train—but it’s positively idyllic at the start of cycling season. “Expect perfect 75-degree weather with a gentle sea breeze,” says Harvey, our Spain Trip Designer. In spring, bicycles own the roads, especially the MA-10 coastal route winding from Pollença to Port d’Andratx through the Serra de Tramuntana mountains. Visiting early still comes with peak-season pleasures—days are often warm enough for a post-ride swim—but the buzzy villages of Sóller and Deià which pulse with energy in summertime feel more relaxed and real this time of year.

Spring in the Douro Valley revives the endless rows of neat vines, which rise from the Douro River and ripple across hillsides in a tapestry of green. Warm days coax winemakers to their vineyards as they prepare for growing season, which means a better opportunity to see this region as locals do. Evenings remain cool, so hearty regional fare is still on the menu and evenings end with a cozy glass of vintage port by the fireside. “You may not see grapes,” says João, “but the landscape is lush by late May and the cherry trees are full of fruit, which we often pick for a sweet, mid-ride snack.”

Spain’s Catalonian coast shines in May and June as its colorful seaside towns bustle back to life in anticipation of an early summer. Long, warm days bring a profusion of scarlet poppies and golden canola. “Throughout the Costa Brava, everything in is blooming, and like the flowers, the locals are opening up again,” says Harvey. The cycling, too, feels tranquil. Cool mornings mean more endurance for riding along the Mediterranean coastline or through the wide-open Empordà wine region, making it one of the best times for cycling in northern Spain.

Burgundy’s long summer days seem to stretch endlessly, with more daylight hours for cycling amidst fields of sunflowers and verdant, Grand Crus vineyards. Plump bunches of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir hang on the vines and the wine flows more freely as vignerons ready their cellars for the coming vintage. “Summer is when Burgundy stands on the cusp of harvest,” says Radka, our France Trip Designer. It’s truly a time for pleasure that invites long rides, leisurely lunches, and one last glass of Premier Cru in the evenings—when twilight lasts until well after 9 p.m.

Rocky shores, nautical fishing harbors, and lobster rolls washed down with hoppy local beer: if you’ve never experienced summer in New England, this micro-season in mid-coast Maine will forever change your brain chemistry. Ocean kayaks start reappearing, blueberries are ripe for the picking, and icy platters of just-shucked North Haven oysters taste better in the sunshine. Endless wholesome activities make you feel like a kid again: swim in a quarry, hike through lavender fields in Camden, or cruise on your bike to a hidden beach in Isleboro.

In October, Tuscany hums with the harvest, its vineyard-clad hillsides a patchwork of red and gold. Quiet villages suddenly come to life as families roll up their sleeves for la raccolta (the olive harvest) and la vendemmia (the grape harvest), and they’re eager to celebrate the hard work and success of the season. “It’s a timeless, heartwarming scene and it’s fun to be a part of it,” says Tom. We’ll join in—picking olives, hunting truffles, foraging for porcini mushrooms—then savor the bounty with wild boar ragu, heaping plates of truffle pasta, spicy green olive oil, and plentiful pours of Brunello and Chianti Classico.

As the grape harvest draws to a close, the crisp autumn air in Bordeaux and the Dordogne fills with earthy aromas of fermentation. The sun casts a golden-hour glow across the landscape while vineyards turn autumnal in color. On the bike, you feel the cool air on your face, the flush in your cheeks, and you end with an appetite for hearty fare—duck confit, foie gras, and lamproie à la Bordelaise—along with seasonal treats like walnut cakes and vin de noix. Radka says it best: “like the region’s Sauternes, which requires extra time on the vines, the region becomes sweeter the longer you wait.”