Fun and Fitness

Adventure Travel Comparison Quiz

Fitness travel is a hot trend and with good reason. People are fed up with the high stress and excess that has dominated the vacation industry for years.

Standing in long lines to experience three minute rides and dining on over-priced fast food menus with blaring loudspeakers in the background isn't considered the "quality" family time it once was. On the other side of the spectrum, lavish floating buffets that hold you hostage for days on end only to leave you bloated and broke are becoming less appealing than ever.

It's no surprise adventure travel has a growing reputation among those seeking more out of life. Imagine biking through some of the most spectacular locations on earth while spending quality time with friends or family, stopping to eat and sleep in the lap of luxury, taking time to meditate or stretch in a morning yoga session and enjoying the health benefits of sun, fresh air and moderate exercise.

Of course, here at DuVine we might be a little biased so we invite you to take our Adventure Travel Comparison Quiz to see how your other "choices" measure up.

1. My idea of adventure includes:

a) Riding over-sized tea cups that rapidly spin in circles leaving me so dizzy I can barely make it to the nearest bench when the ride ends.

b) Spending a week lounging beside a pool that is smaller than the one in my own back yard while watching the same stark horizon for days on end.

c) Biking through New Zealand, Switzerland, Spain or other beautiful destinations while stopping to wine and dine in world class accommodations.

2. When seeking to challenge myself during travel I prefer to:

a) Compete for parking and bathroom stalls with thousands of other visitors.

b) Expand my waist at the 24 hour buffet while reducing my savings at the casino.

c) Take a bike tour through France on the same roads that legends Lance Armstrong, Lemond, Pantani and others have ridden through.

3. My idea of rest and relaxation includes:

a) Falling asleep during films that last more than three minutes.

b) Falling asleep on deck and waking to a second degree sunburn.

c) Dining on succulent local cuisine then falling asleep in a deluxe hotel and waking to breathtaking vistas.

Balanced Living

There is a quote attributed to John Lennon that says "Life is what happens while you are making other plans". Sadly, this is often the case in modern society. In the rush to excel at work while juggling family life, more and more people find they have little time to enjoy.

DuVine understands your need for balanced living. Our bicycle and yoga tour is the perfect way to invigorate your spirit while relaxing your mind. Yoga bike retreats are designed for all ages and skill levels with a healthy blend of meditation, biking, stretching and sightseeing. Get in touch with yourself while simultaneously immersing your senses in the delights of travel, gourmet cuisine, fresh air and invigorating bike rides through spectacular vistas.

Still not sure a yoga adventure travel package is right for you? Stop for a moment and take stock:

1. Decide what truly matters to you. Health? Relationships? Faith? Personal Growth?

2. Prioritize those needs. There is a reason bicycle tours are one of the fastest growing and popular vacation trends of recent years. Unlike traditional vacations that often lead to more stress or excess - bike tours emphasize a balanced approach to living and leisure.

3. Start. The perfect way to begin is simply to start doing it. Allow yourself to enjoy the process and commit the time, energy and resources necessary to begin leading a balance life.

Relax, revitalize and renew your interests with a DuVine yoga bike tour. It's an experience that will last a lifetime.

Bicycle Tour Tips

Planning a bicycle tour for fun and adventure? Combine it with your love of nature, zest for life and hunger for adventure to discover more than memories. Use these quick tips to learn more about yourself and the world around you.

1. Bird watching. Pick up a pair of binoculars and a bird identification book while you experience the beauty of birds far beyond your own backyard.

2. Culinary. Sample the variety of native cuisine and culinary delights as you travel through time and culture.

3. Gardens. From lush vegetation to pristine gardens be sure to pack a camera to record the history and beauty of the fauna and flora.

4. Photography & Film. Express yourself while making your own art.

5. History. Trace the steps of ancient cultures and civilizations while touring museums, castles and more.

Bike Tours: Self Guided versus Guided

As bike tours become more popular it suddenly seems everyone is "in the business" but before you book a bike tour there are a few things to consider. One of the most important is whether or not to select a guided tour or a self-guided tour. Use our handy checklist to determine which choice is right for you.

1. Do you know enough of the language to get by on your own?

2. Can you read a map and follow foreign road signs?

3. Do you need a flexible schedule?

4. Are you seeking a budget friendly bike tour option?

DuVine offers self-guided tours or fully guided bike tours with as much or as little assistance as needed. Customize your own bike tour to meet your specific instructions then leave the planning and preparation to us. All accommodations, logistical support, safety and other needs will be meticulously detailed allowing you to focus on the pure enjoyment of the trip.

Compare Bicycling and Yoga Tours

A bicycling and yoga tour can be as casual, relaxing and elegant as you desire. If the idea of a bike tour fills your head with mental images of grueling endurance races, blistered feet and complete exhaustion at the end of each day then you haven't contacted DuVine.

DuVine bicycling and yoga tours can be as challenging as you desire but the typical trip is designed with luxury and relaxation in mind.

Dare to Compare! Use our quick glance comparison chart to determine if you are up to the challenge of full relaxation, meditation and luxury accommodations with the DuVine yoga tour.

DuVine Others

Deluxe Rooms w/Private Bath Sleep in a Heap

Baggage Transport Back pack

Relentless Customer Service Emergency Care if Needed

Exceptional Cuisine Eat on the go

Bicycle Guides Don't stop until you drop

Recognized yoga experts 10 minutes of pre-cycling warm-up

Compromise or Compliment

After the honeymoon almost any vacation becomes a negotiation process. He wants adventure and excitement. She wants luxury and relaxation. Is it possible to please both parties without compromise?

Relax. DuVine has the perfect vacation with just the right mix of adventure, excitement, luxury and relaxation to compliment - not compromise - your best travel plans.

Adventure and Excitement: For the thrill seeker who needs to break away from the 9-5 grind there are daily bike trips that travel through the French countryside where you will encounter Roman ruins and rustic stone churches on your way to Les Baux de Provence. Natural cliffs and lush greenery lead to a ruined fortified castle and spectacular views. To fuel your appetite for adventure you will enjoy homemade pain au chocolate, croissants and beignets for breakfast, private picnics and world class dining throughout the journey.

Luxury and Relaxation. Unwind and relax while sipping wine, participating in morning meditation and refreshing body and mind at the end of each day with guided Yoga sessions conducted by Amy Leydon. Relax by the pool or grove of olive trees at the Hameau des Baux and lunch in a shopper's paradise. At the end of each day relax in deluxe accommodations with a private bath, terrace and garden to make you feel right at home.

With a DuVine bicycle and yoga vacation you don't need to compromise what makes you each unique - instead, complement one another and rediscover why opposites attract!

Preparing for Your Yoga Bike Retreat

A yoga bike retreat is a special type of adventure travel that is as much about self exploration as external exploration. DuVine handles each and every aspect related to the external - from equipment to travel arrangements - allowing you to focus on the internal preparation needed to reconnect with self.

1. Mentally Prepare. In our fast paced world it can be difficult to "disconnect". Allow yourself to leave it all behind once the trip begins.

2. Emotionally Prepare. Record your thoughts in a journal with special emphasis on what you hope to experience along the way.

3. Physically Prepare. Don't worry - this isn't difficult. Drink plenty of fluids and get back into a routine of stretching in preparation for travel.

4. Spiritually Prepare. Spend a little additional time meditating in order to clear your mind and focus on relaxation and enjoyment.