SpiceRoads Cycle Tours Launches 3 Bike Tours in Emerging Balkan Destinations

Bangkok, Thailand, February 21, 2013 --(PR.com)-- SpiceRoads Cycle Tours, the leading bicycle tour operator in Asia for more than a decade, is again pioneering bike tours in destinations that are just emerging as tourist destinations, this time in the Balkan nations of Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro.

SpiceRoads has a history of being the first to offer bike tours in countries that are just opening up to tourists, such as Cambodia and Sri Lanka following their internal wars, and is doing so again in three small but rebuilding Balkan nations.

The mountainous countries of Albania, Macedonia and Montenegro not only offer perfect terrain for biking, they also provide the other key ingredients needed for a successful SpiceRoads bike tour - stunning scenery, historic sites, friendly locals, comfortable accommodation and excellent food.

Off-road mountain biking tours are being offered in landlocked Macedonia and along the Balkan Riviera in Montenegro. Riding on paved roads in Albania allows for the exploration of three UNESCO World Heritage sites as cyclists ride a loop from the capital Tirana inland and then along the coast.

Albania Heritage by Bicycle
Considered a classic bike tour in that all the riding is on paved roads, the Albania Heritage by Bicycle tour is for moderate riders who are interested in history as we visit the natural and cultural heritage of Pogradec on the shores of Lake Ohrid, the architectural ruins of Butrint, and the "Town of a Thousand Windows,” also known as Berat. This 10-day tour covers 475 kilometres and there are departures scheduled for May, June and September. The tour cost is US$1,995.

Macedonia Mountain Bike Odyssey
Catering to mountain bikers looking for a challenge, this off -road mountain bike tour has daily climbs and exhilarating descents. There is limited support due to the remote terrain of the biking trails. On this 10-day tour bikers will ride 380 km in 7 days, but will also climb a total of 9,750 metres. The tour starts and ends in the capital of Skopje and there is one rest day along the shores of scenic Lake Ohrid. Four departures are set for June through to September and the tour cost is US$1,695.

Mountain Biking Montenegro
A moderate mountain bike tour on jeep-width dirt roads that were built by the Austro-Hungarian military, this tour also involves crossing the Bay of Kotor and Lake Skadar by boat. On the Adriatric Sea, two nights are spent at beachfront Budva before heading inland. The route passes castles, fortress walls, quaint fishing villages, tucked between orchards and the sea, combining for a picturesque cycling expedition. This 8-day tour costs US$1,395 and there is a departure each in May, June. September and October.

To introduce these tours SpiceRoads is offering a US$150 discount off any of the inaugural tours: Albania – May 19, Macedonia – June 2, Montenegro – May 26. Just enter BALKANS to receive the discount when booking. (This cannot be used in conjunction with any other discounts)

About SpiceRoads
SpiceRoads is a specialist bicycle tour operator based in Bangkok offering a range of two-wheel tours throughout Asia and beyond. SpiceRoads tours cater for every level of cyclist and range from day-trips to complete country explorations. Participants are invited to join tours with fixed date departures scheduled throughout the year, while private or tailor-made tours can be arranged for groups or individuals on request. The professional operations set-up includes a fleet of well-maintained mountain and road bikes and support vehicles. All tours are led by experienced cycle guides.