ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours' Sister Company, BikeRentalsPlus! Reports Strong Demand for Self-Guided Italy / France Tours

Self-guided tours offer flexibility over regularly scheduled small group departures and they cost on average up to 60 percent less per person. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) April 07, 2011 - FORT COLLINS, CO - BikeRentalsPlus! (www.bikerentalsplus.com), an ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours brand, announces an increase in interest for self-guided bike tours in Italy and France this summer http://www.bikerentalsplus.com/self-guided.html.

"There's been a 50 percent increase annually over the past two years in requests for self-guided programs," said Maria Elena Price, ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours Co-Owner and Manager.

Self-guided tours offer flexibility over regularly scheduled small group departures and they cost on average up to 60 percent less per person, noted Price. A six-day /five-night self-guided program starts at €950 per person, double occupancy in France. In Italy a seven day/six night tour starts at €1200 per person, double occupancy.

"The same meticulous planning as regards routes, sightseeing, dining and lodging go into BikeRentalsPlus! self-guided tours as in ExperiencePlus! fully guided programs," said Price. She added that self-guided clients are usually younger, prefer more independence and are more budget conscious on typical six to 10-day arrangements.

"Of course, traveling outside a group means you need to fix your own flats, but many people think that is part of the challenge and fun," added Price.

The cost of a self-guided itinerary includes lodging, breakfast, routes (with detailed route notes or GPS tracks on some itineraries), suggestions each day for lunch and dinner spots and cultural insights for each day as well as luggage transfer from one hotel to the next. On-route emergency contacts, including local bike shops and taxi service, are included in each itinerary.

For the seriously independent, do-it-yourself bicycle travelers, BikeRentalsPlus! can do rental bikes without support. Price said that since the company began renting bicycles in 2005 there's been a 30 percent annual growth in rentals from people who just want to do their own thing.

"We have found we best serve the group of friends/family who are going on their own bike tour or maybe they are renting a villa in France or Italy and want good quality bicycles for some nice riding during their week or more stay," she said. A list of rental locations can be found at http://www.bikerentalsplus.com/bike_rentals/our_bikes/europe-map-of-bike-rental.html. The company also has villas they can recommend and offer pre-scouted routes for day trips for anyone interested in a villa-based cycling vacation.

About ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours
No North American company has been running European cycling tours longer than ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours (http://www.experienceplus.com/). Launched in Italy in 1972 the Colorado-based company now offers global cycling tours immersed in local character to 20 countries on five continents. Throughout the years as the business and industry has evolved ExperiencePlus! roots as a family business have remained strong. Authentic, experienced, self-paced and engaging were the ethos of parents Rick and Paola Malpezzi Price which have now been passed down to their daughters and current directors Monica and Maria Elena Price.

Standing behind their beliefs, ExperiencePlus! is the only adventure cycling company that issues a 10-point Customer's Bill of Rights outlining what clients can and should expect while pedaling on a company tour. Their cultural cycling programs engage tour leaders who are expert cyclists and trained cultural interpreters, guiding guests on innovative routes and immersing them in off-the-beaten-path experiences. Tours in 2011 go to Argentina, Australia, Austria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, France, Greece, Hungary, India, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA and Vietnam.

ExperiencePlus! pays it forward each year with donations to select charities and social initiatives. In 2011 the company will donate a portion of client trip fees to the Adventure Cycling Association for their work on the United States Bicycle Route System and the Federazione Italian Amici dell Bicicletta that influences the Italian government on promoting bicycle safety in Italy.

The Brand, BikeRentalsPlus!, a partnership with BikesPlus! SAS in Italy offers bicycle rentals in over 100 locations in Italy and France along with competitively priced self-guided tours and customized options for a variety of cycling vacations.

ExperiencePlus! is a 2010 recipient of National Geographic Traveler magazine's 50 Tours of a Lifetime for its Cycling the Camino de Santiago: Roncesvalles to Santiago adventure. Recognized for her visionary work within the industry, Monica Price has been named to the Adventure Travel Trade Association Advisory Committee for the 2011 Adventure Travel World Summit to be held October 17-20 in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico.

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Tour Company Contact:
Maria Elena Price
ExperiencePlus! Bicycle Tours
Tel: (800) 685-4565 or (970) 484-8489
Email: mariaelena ( @ ) experienceplus dot com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/experienceplusbicycletours
Twitter: http://twitter.com/explusbicycling

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