The promise of the open road, the thrill of a new climb, the perfect post-ride coffee in a sun-drenched town square - these are the moments that define the perfect bike touring adventure. It's certainly what gets us excited enough to check flights and start planning our next getaway. If you’re mapping out this summer's cycling holidays, start with these five proven destinations, all tried and tested by the team at Buxumbox. Every aluminium bike box we sell has followed us through check-in at Palma, Girona, and Denver, so the advice below is rooted in real first-hand mileage.
Mallorca, Spain
The largest Balearic island remains Europe’s winter-sun gold standard, and its popularity is only growing, with local authorities actively promoting the island as a top-tier cycling destination to extend the tourist season. This investment is matched by local government plans to refresh and resurface many of the island's roads, including the iconic Ma-10, and local businesses joining the two-wheeled enthusiasm with many cafés featuring bike racks.
The ride: Early flights land you in Palma before lunch. A quick, sub-five-minute wheel-off pack-out from your Ventoux Road bike box and you can be warming up on the rolling roads to Campanet or tackling the famous switchbacks of the Coll de Femenia before the rental cars appear. For a true challenge, the iconic Sa Calobra climb, with its 26 hairpin bends, is a must-do.
Pro tip: As you may have guessed, the island is geared for cyclists. Most hotels offer secure bike storage and laundry services. Book your accommodation and bike-friendly airport transfer well in advance, especially for peak season.
Girona, Catalonia
Home to pro and amateur cyclists alike, Girona's reputation precedes it. The attraction is the sheer variety of terrain, promoted heavily by the regional tourist board. With bike-friendly apartments, luggage-forwarding services, and the ability to take a boxed bike on the Barcelona–Girona express train, which is free if you select the mandatory "Bicycle Add-on" when booking (as special luggage), the logistics are painless.
Pro tip: Choose a bike box that rolls easily over the cobbled streets of the Barri Vell. The robust, smooth-rolling wheels on all our bike boes let you skip the taxi queue and make your own way to your accommodation with ease. 
Colorado High Country, USA
If altitude is your training partner of choice, a self-planned loop linking the historic towns of Breckenridge, Leadville, and Salida is unbeatable. Expect leg-searing passes like the famous Independence Pass, which tops out at 3,687m, and rides framed by vibrant Aspen groves and an artisan-coffee culture.
Airline nuances: With so many carriers in the US, always check their specific policies before flying. Our Ventoux MTB bike box keeps a carbon hardtail plus helmet and shoes within sporting baggage allowances, saving you from punitive excess baggage fees.
Pro tip: Acclimatise properly - Colorado has some serious altitude. Spend a day or two at (relatively) lower reaches like Denver or Boulder before heading into the mountains to reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
DoGa Route, Italian Dolomites
Launched only a few seasons ago, the 110 km DoGa trail is a masterpiece of cycling infrastructure, stitching together gravel river paths, spruce forest roads, and the jagged drama of the Brenta Dolomites. The Trentino region actively supports cyclists, and local hotels now offer early-breakfast sittings for riders.
The ride: The route connects the Adige Valley with the shores of Lake Garda, involving around 2,800 metres of climbing. It’s a true test, but has some breathtaking views as your reward.
Atlas Mountains, Morocco
The legendary Atlas Mountain Race has firmly placed Morocco on the map for adventurous tourers. The prime months of February and March bring crisp, dry days perfect for long distances. You'll find welcoming villages with water sources fairly regularly spaced along the route, and some incredible bivvy spots come as standard. For more travel information, check the official tourism site.
The ride: This is where your equipment choices really matter. Rough baggage handling at Casablanca and roof-rack-mounted taxi rides from Marrakesh will test every lid, latch, and component! A hard shell bike box isn't a luxury here; it's essential protection for your investment and your cycling holiday.
Pro tip: Carry a spare derailleur hanger. Local bike-shop inventory is thin once you leave the tarmac of the major cities. 
Packing notes for your cycling holidays
Using the Ventoux Road as our example box, it packs in under five minutes with minimal disassembly: remove the wheels, loosen the stem bolts, rotate your bars 101 degrees and drop the seat‑post. The aluminium shell and its internal brackets and anti-crush bars absorb shocks, so you can skip bubble‑wrap or extra foam entirely.
Current clearances let most road and gravel bikes travel with their brake rotors still fitted, and our included wheel bags keep things scratch-free, saving workshop time at either end (even moreso with our bike box workstands that can make on-site maintenance and assembly a breeze). All our boxes have TSA approved locks, allowing airport screeners to inspect easily and provides good visibility, which cuts the risk of repack errors compared with suitcase‑style designs. Plus, there’s still space inside for a helmet bag, shoe bag, and other extras too. All our boxes are built in the UK from tough yet lightweight 6061‑T6 aluminium, assembled by hand in our Devon workshop and meticulously inspected before they leave the workshop. That engineering insight is backed by over ten years of product iteration and thousands of air miles.
Pre‑flight bike touring checklist
- Confirm airline policy: Check your carrier’s specific bike-box rules. Even within airline groups, policies can differ.
- Book smart transfers: Ensure your pre-booked transfers can accept a bike box. Think estate cars in Mallorca and pickup trucks in Marrakesh!
- Check your insurance: Verify that your travel insurance covers cycling activities and your equipment to its full value.
- Cache your maps: Mobile data can be patchy. Download maps for offline use from services like Komoot.
- Service your bike: Get a full service two weeks before you fly. This leaves a buffer for any necessary parts orders and avoids last-minute workshop panic.
Choose the destination that fires your imagination, trust a bike box built to survive baggage belts all over the world... and then go. Your only job then is to ride and enjoy!
Image credits
Header image: Mauro Grazzi on Unsplash
Colorado image: Ben Guernsey on Unsplash