Nary a woman doesn’t love a vacation free of dietary restrictions. Top that with the potential to actually lose weight on a trip, and you have the formula for a fabulous time away. Bike tours, ladies. Biking through beautiful countryside while spending time with your girlfriends and a glass of wine? That’s a vacation! I recommend choosing a destination rich in tradition, history and gourmet treasures. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Europe, Baby!

Switzerland from June to September is perfect for pedaling through medieval villages, enjoying art galleries, touring castles, resting at coffeehouses or taking a refreshing dip in one of the many lakes and rivers nestled throughout the greenways. Lake Constance, with its well-maintained bike paths, is tops because the 150-mile ride leads you on a three-country tour through Switzerland, Austria and Germany. Site-seeing highlights include the island of Mainau with its manicured flower gardens; the island of Lindau with its spectacular lighthouse views; the Austrian town Bregenz, which holds an annual performing arts festival each July and August; and Stein am Rhein, the 1,000-year-old Swiss town famous for its baroque façades.

South Africa: a Winter Retreat Escape

Nashville’s rainy November and December with a bicycle tour of beautiful South Africa. Bikers can tour the 120-mile stretch of coastline, which features some of the world’s most spectacular beaches, mountains and rivers. For an amped up view of the landscape, try a mountain bike tour. Ride to the top of world-famous Table Mountain, and bike your way down the trails for the adventure of a lifetime. Grab a picture at Cape Point, the southern-most tip of the African continent where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet in a rumbling oceanic swirl ... an amazing site!

For more leisurely South African bicycling, venture to Stellenbosch, part of the country’s pristine winelands. You you can rent a bicycle for the day and tour some of the more than 100 vineyards in the area. The landscape provides a beautiful backdrop for a laid back afternoon of bicycling and wine tasting.

There’s Nothing Like Napa

For an adventure closer to home, visit California’s famous Napa Valley, about an hour north of San Francisco. Whether you choose a one-day bicycle ride or a longer tour, Napa has miles of well-paved roads. Rent a bike in Napa, St. Helena or Calistoga for a self-guided tour, or join a group tour through Getaway Adventures (getawayadventures.com) or Napa Valley Bike Tours (napavalleybiketours.com).

Women wanting to learn to mountain-bike are finding a personal touch at Sweet Betty’s (bettygetaways.com), operated by a husband-wife team in the Napa area. On the first day of the two-day adventure, bikers learn the basics, ending the evening with a wine tasting. The second day puts bikers’ new skills to the test and rewards them with a relaxing spa treatment to complete the adventure.

Whatever the destination, cycling with your favorite gal pals across picturesque landscapes is a priceless experience. So, rally the girls and relish the memories. The options are endless!