Cycle Holidays

Few of us get enough exercise so why not be more active on your next holiday and take a bike tour? It's a cheap, eco-friendly way to travel and you don't even need your own equipment as many travel companies rent out bikes and some will even guide you and carry all your supplies.

The Camino de Santiago is a legendary bike ride that stretches 560kms from Burgos to Santiago in northern Spain. Trod for centuries by foot-sore pilgrims, the route takes about eight days to cycle.

You can buy a map and go it alone, stopping off at hostels or paradores en route, in which case check out easyjet.com for cheap flights from the UK to Bilbao, from where it's an easy train ride to Burgos.

Alternatively, book a tour with Bravo Bike Tours (www.bravobike.com) which will guide you and provide accommodation and most of your meals along the way.

Anyone who can tackle some steep runs should head to the French Alps where the dramatic scenery should help to take your mind off the thigh-burning climbs and heart stopping rapid descents.

The lakeside town of Annecy, close to Geneva airport, is a great place to use as a base from where you can tackle some of the mighty passes of the Alps covered by the Tour de France.

Skedaddle (www.skedaddle.co.uk) organises guided tours with vehicle support. Try EasyJet for cheap flights to Geneva.

The Caribbean island of Cuba was made for cycling as the landscape is mainly flat yet varied. Starting at the capital Havana and cycling along the north coast to Santiago in the east you'll pass through colonial cities, tobacco plantations, beach resorts, fields and jungles.

Exodus (www.exodus.co.uk) organises packages including flights, accommodation, most meals and excursions. Bike hire can be arranged in Cuba.

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