Orient Express Bike Tour: From Paris to Istanbul

The Toronto-based adventure biking firm Tour d'Afrique has assembled the first Orient Express Bicycle Tour which follows the train's 3,690-kilometre route from the City of Light to the historic city on the Bosphorus. Over eight magical weeks, on a trip designed to capture the spirit of the original Orient Express route, the Tour will cover 3,690 km, biking from Paris to Istanbul. The journey combines genuine physical challenge -- Europe has a couple of hills that could be regarded as steep -- with exciting cultural and memorable culinary experiences, to stimulate all of the senses.

The final celebratory dinner will be held at the Pera Palas Hotel, which welcomed the original Orient Express train travellers.

Like the Tour d'Afrique, this is a supported tour. A support crew with trucks will collect cyclists luggage each day and deliver it to the next destination. On biking days, breakfast and dinner will be served and a lunch will be provided at the day's halfway point. On days off, there is time to explore and partake in adventures of your choice: culinary, athletic, sensual or touristy.

Riders can choose a number of options and can bike the entire route or any section. The most convenient sectional legs will be Paris to Vienna, Vienna to Bucharest, and Bucharest to Istanbul. Riders can also join the tour at any point -- and leave the tour -- at any spot that suits them.

Canadian Henry Gold created the Orient Express Bicycle Tour as part of his quest to create new, innovative adventures on bicycles and to foster a more bicycle and people-oriented society. For more information: Orient Express Bicycle Tour Tel: 416 364-8255 Toll Free: 1-888-761-9991 Fax: 416 364-8255