From Leprechauns to beautiful scenery and great food, Ireland has a lot to offer to any vacationer. Being somewhat more in the north of Europe, weather is moderate to mild in summer and vast, lush, green sceneries make Ireland the ideal spot for vacations of any kind. Not being known as the biggest bicycling country in the world, Ireland actually has a lot to offer to any bicyclist.
Ireland offers anything from fully inclusive cycling holidays over guided city tours to major and minor trails throughout Ireland; there is something for any level of cyclist. Whether it is a fun family cycling tour to see the sights on a bicycle or a fully professional several hundred miles long cycling tour, Ireland can make it a beautiful and refreshing trip for you.
Guided city tours are the new healthy way for you and for the environment to explore such cities as Belfast and their surroundings. Older cities like Belfast are built in such a manner that using a bike often times makes it easier to get through the city without getting stuck in a traffic jam and the parking of a bike can be done almost anywhere and is basically free. Choosing a guided city tour will also give you the advantage of having a guide tell you about the major sights in and around the city you are touring with your cycle and you will most likely not get lost. The guides are very familiar with their tours and know any and all short cuts to the places you want to visit as well as all the beautiful and most astonishing sights the city offers.
If you are a professional bicyclist or somebody who rides the bike often, you can see most places in Ireland a nice cycling tour. Ireland is not one of the biggest islands, but it offers great trails all over the island. Four major trails and cycling networks exist besides the local trails and are the perfect vacation or training site for any bicyclist. These four belong to the National Cycling Network and are fully equipped with signs and cycling maps to lead the way for self guided tours.
The minor trails in Ireland are also high quality trails with maps and signs. Any of the minor trails are within a day’s reach of cycling and can also be taken from hotel to hotel. An over night stay is always available and there is something for every pocket in Ireland.
One thing that is important to know before taking a bicycling tour in Ireland is the fact that the Irish drive on the left side of the road, just like the British. Coming from other European countries or the United States to Ireland, this means some getting used to this difference in traffic pattern to prevent major accidents. A guided tour in Ireland has the advantage that your guide knows all the rules and following him will be easy enough that even a “right side” driver is in good hands.
You can either plan your own trail and tour or book it with one of the many travel agencies or specialized bicycling agencies. When booking your own tour and self-guided route, pages on the Internet as well as a call to a local Tourist information center can be of big help. Many informational web pages offer preplanned routes or the maps to certain parts of the country, while others even offer the possibility to book a hotel, hostel or inn in advance. Whichever kind of cycling vacation you choose, Ireland and its beautiful countryside will surely take your breath away and deliver an unforgettable vacation on the bicycle.