To truly get away from it all, head to the Scottish Highlands — the bewitching, rugged landscape holds some of Europe’s most pristine wilderness areas, with vast mountains, secret coves, lochs and white-sand beaches. Luxury bike vacation specialist the Carter Company has launched its Scottish Highlands Tour, traversing a southwest route from Nairn to Port Appin. The week-long, 130-mile journey winds through mountain ranges (including Ben Nevis and the volcanic peaks of Glencoe) but avoids extreme climbs and extensive daily distances, so cyclists of all abilities can participate. Highlights include exploring the Loch Ness shoreline, the Caledonian Canal through the Great Glen, Culloden Battlefield (the site of the last full-scale battle on British soil) and Cawdor Castle (which Shakespeare used as his setting for Macbeth). All accommodations are charming boutique hotels for weary cyclists to rest up.
From $4,700 per person for seven nights. Contact Simon Eckett, operations consultant, simon@the-carter-company.com, +44 129 663 1671, the-carter-company.com
