Seven Wonders of the World by Bike

We've all heard of the original Seven Wonders of the World. However, a quick on-line search brings up lots of alternatives and variations: Seven Modern Wonders, Seven Natural Wonders, Seven Medieval Wonders and so on. Although each list is in itself unique, all named entries tend to be famous landmarks or prized monuments.

Leading cycling and walking tour provider, Headwater, is always on the lookout for the lesser-known gems - the tiny treasures from around the world that still pack a punch, so to celebrate their 25 years of providing unique cycle and walking holidays, they have come up with the Seven Wonders of the Headwater Cycling World – the best places in the world to see via bike.

Vaison-la-Romaine, Provence, France - Home to France's most extensive Roman site (2,300BC) where remains include a 6000-seat theatre, baths, houses and streets.

Pech Merle, Lot Valley, France - Unknown until they were rediscovered in 1922, the 2km-long prehistoric galleried caves at Pech Merle contain not only striking rock formations, but also over a hundred perfectly preserved wall-paintings dating from 20,000-40,000 years ago - bison, mammoth, dappled ponies, hand and footprints.

Sables d'Or-Les-Pins, Brittany, France - The stunning poppy-fringed beaches here are among the finest in Europe: soft white sands, clear turquoise seas and deserted sheltered coves - reminiscent of the French Caribbean yet just a short distance from the UK.

Alberobello (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Puglia, Italy - Alberobello features Trullo houses: conical-roofed limestone dwellings, which are the architectural symbol of the region which also offers historic wine towns, colourful fishing villages and tiny white hamlets overlooking the emerald seas of the Adriatic.

Spoleto, Umbria, Italy - The fascinating city of Spoleto is crammed with exciting Roman remains including Emperor Vespian's former house, 10th Century church, 12th Century Duomo, fascinating atrium, original baths and mosaics. The castle here used to be a prison, but is now an impressive art museum.

Retz, Austria - Austria's beautiful pastel-coloured walled town of Retz is also a significant wine metropolis. Venture below ground and take a tour of its huge multi-level network of wine cellars - at 21km long and 30m deep, these are by far the largest in the country!

Schloss Laufen, Lake Constance, Austria - Tiny Schloss (Castle) Laufen perches precariously above the tumbling Rhine waterfalls - at 25m tall and 150m wide, it's the largest water fountain in Western Europe -

About Headwater

Headwater specialises in independent walking and cycling tours in Europe. Their holidays are all about getting under the skin of the place you’re visiting and, by walking or cycling through the countryside at your own pace, you’ll discover more about the people, customs, history, culture and natural beauty than you ever could on an ordinary holiday.

Each of the above Seven Cycling Wonders of the World can be experienced on one of the Headwater cycle tours, which range from a Gastronomic Cycling tour in Provence, to an Emerald Coast cycling holiday in Brittany to a Contrasts of Puglia tour along the Adriatic.

For more information on Headwater walking and cycling tours contact Adventure World on 0800 899 111 or visit www.adventureworld.co.nz.