Tours: Austin-Lehman Adventures - Explore Europe with Family-Friendly Cycling Itineraries. 
Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA) features active family vacation programs to Europe with four family-friendly cycling trips exploring France, Holland, Germany, and Austria.
Here's the scoop. If you are considering a family vacation in Europe and you want it to be fun and easy take a look at the new tour/adventures created by Austin-Lehman Adventures. For me it would be difficult to decide among them because each itinerary has cool stuff meant to be shared. I love Holland and know from experience that biking with kids is easy and loads of fun but who can resist afternoon of glacier skiing in Austria or a forest hike to fairytale Berg Eltz Castle and France is never disappointing. According to Dan Austin, Director (the Austin part of Austin Lehman), the routes have been carefully assessed both for cycling ease and inclusion of those sites and scenes that will be of most interest to children as well as their parents. Really what he means is that everyone will have fun sharing really cool experiences in very neat places.
As a point of distinction that sets ALA apart from other cycle tour operators, Austin explains, “Instead of focusing on the most prestigious lodgings with paths that get us there, we first choose the best pedaling paths, most scenic routes and least trafficked byways and then target the most charming, authentic lodgings to serve as our way stations along our family-friendly routes.”
The European cycling trips embrace ALA’s six guests to one guide ratio that has set a high industry standard. ALA manages all of the arrangements for its selected destinations that include iconic regions of North, Central and South America as well as southern Africa and now Europe. Small groups are limited to 12 guests (18 on family departures). Rates include first-class accommodations, most meals and beverages, expert guides, park entry fees, multisport activities such as hiking, biking, rafting, horseback riding and more, ground transportation and luggage service. Not included is round trip travel to the host city. Family programs, such as those in Europe, are suitable for ages 7 and older.
ALA is one of the most trusted names in all-inclusive, active and culturally rewarding vacations, widely recognized for their unique family travel programs. And now they have added biking in Europe for all ages including families by acquiring Euro-Bike and Walking Tours.
In late 2008 Dan Austin and Paul Lehman, ALA founders and partners, acquired the time-tested cycling tours veteran, Euro-Bike and Walking Tours with a 34-year track record of successfully providing active and adventurous vacations throughout Europe. ALA now has bases of operation on four continents: Europe, Africa, North and South America. Ron van Dijk, formerly Director of Operations for Euro-Bike, has joined the ALA team, bringing 34 years of experience in small group European cycle touring to the table. The ALA forte is to give guests a comprehensive and authentic insider’s view of regions visited. The new European programs will remain primarily cycling and cultural.
“Our programs are about the luxury of learning, stimulating activity and the tender loving care we lavish on our guests,” says Lehman.
Holland Family: Bike Paths, Windmills & Pancakes. This biking trip itinerary includes exploration of a 17th century working windmill in Schermer and a breeding center for giant storks.
Germany Family: Mosel Magic. This biking trip itinerary includes a forest hike to fairytale Berg Eltz Castle and a visit to the doll museum in Neef.
Austria Family: Fun in the Alps. This biking adventure tour includes a toboggan ride in the hills of Hochkönig, scenic ride on a cable car, optional tandem paraglide or an afternoon of glacier skiing and a swoosh down the giant slide at the entrance to the Hallein salt mines.
Make it happen. For a copy of the 2011 catalog as well as information on ALA’s 66 unique itineraries for active adult and family travel, please call toll-free 1-800-575-1540, or to review current trips, schedules and itineraries you can log onto
www.austinlehman.com
Content and images provided by Austin Lehman Adventures; comments by Nancy Nelson-Duac. Copyright 2011.
