Travel in 2013: Holidays for the active

Cycling holidays are ideal for the active traveller

You'll need proper pedal power to take part in the first Women Only Week organised by Alpine cycling holiday specialist Velo Vercors (00 33 4 75 71 35 50; velovercors.com) from 4-11 May.

Join either the serious or the more sedate group for this cycling tour, which travels through the hills of the Drôme in France. From £650pp, based on two sharing, including transfers from Valence TGV station, B&B hotels, some other meals, and two accompanied rides. Return rail fares from London to Valence cost from £119 with Rail Europe (0844 848 4078; raileurope.co.uk).

Limber up for a European City Marathon Walk Weekend, a new initiative from Discover Adventure (01722 718444; discoveradventure.com). Four new 26-mile one-day walks will take place between April and August in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Paris (left below) and Edinburgh. Walkers get a map to follow, designed to take in established and lesser-known sights in just one day, with back-up offered by the roaming Discover Adventure team. The second day is spent as you please. The trips include two nights' B&B, plus lunch, water and snacks during the trek. From £299pp in Edinburgh, £399pp for the rest, with Eurostar travel from London to Paris and Amsterdam included. Flights extra to Barcelona.

Trekking the Inca Trail is just one active aspect of the new Peru Multisport tour being offered by G Adventures (0844 272 2060; gadventures.com). The 15-day group trip also takes in mountain biking in the Sacred Valley and kayaking on Lake Titicaca, with optional extras of horse riding and white-water rafting if you still have energy to burn. The price of £1,669pp includes accommodation, transport, a tour leader, specified activities and some meals, but not international flights. Trips depart every month.