Food, Wine, and Fitness! Tours for all interests and budgets.
If you would like some exercise with your food and wine, there are a number of companies offering cycling tours in Mediterranean countries - Cinghiale (http://www.cinghiale.com/) and La Corsa (http://www.lacorsa.com/) are just two possibilities. Cinghiale tours are designed for recreational bike riders who maintain a decent level of fitness, and are able to ride an average of 30 to 50 miles a day. La Corsa tours appear to be for more serious cyclists, though both websites do emphasize a "go at your own pace" approach.
Then, of course, there is Butterfield and Robinson -- http://www.butterfield.com - probably the best known organizer of luxury walking and cycling "adventure" tours. These tours are not cheap, but many of them look fascinating, and there are many tours that take place in Mediterranean countries. The site clearly states the "activity level" required for each cycling or walking tour, so travelers can choose trips that match any level of physical stamina.
If you are searching for any sort of "adventure travel," I just discovered an excellent index at http://www.spectrav.com - Specialty Travel Index Online. It is an extensive collection of links to tour operators, and there are a number of search options. The "interest/activity" index includes everything from Art History to Zoology, and is a great starting point if you are looking for a trip with a specific hobby or interest in mind.
There are a lot of language study tours out there - far too many to list here! Many of them are offered as study-abroad programs in association with North American or British universities, so if you can't find what you are looking for online, check with the foreign language departments at your local college or university.
One more place I would like to mention, which doesn't fit into any of the above categories, is Villa Horizonte, at http://www.villa-horizonte.com - this "cultural center" in Pelion, Greece, offers a variety of activities including hiking, mythology seminars, music and art workshops, language study and health-related seminars. The Swedish/German hosts of the villa are Ingrid and Wolf, and they can be easily contacted by email through the website. The prices are very affordable, and children are welcome. This looks like a wonderful place for a retreat, a study tour, or just a mellow family vacation! They are also planning a "Women 2001" festival that looks interesting - email Ingrid for more information.
So, good luck finding a tour that will stimulate
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