COVID Entry Requirements by Country

Posted on July 28, 2021September 15, 2021 by Sarah Acton

With borders opening up, international travel is firmly back on the agenda for many of us. While there are still many questions as to what the ‘new normal’ will look like, it is already very clear that being fully vaccinated will make travel a lot easier. Below is a summary of the current entry requirements for the 10 countries we visit on our upcoming European Epic Bike Tours.

The information is split between those travelling to Europe from the US & Canada, and those travelling from the UK. It is worth noting that most countries require the vaccination or test to be recognised in the EU, and some will require a paper copy of the Covid vaccination certificate or test result, rather than a digital copy.

Our primary information sources are listed below whilst the bibliography at the bottom covers all the sources we referenced from:

– USA : COVID-19 Country Specific Information (US State Deparment)
– United Kingdom : Foreign Office Travel Advice
– Canada : COVID-19: Travel, testing, quarantine and borders (Canada Government)

General COVID Guidelines

– CDC (Center for Disease Control)
– World Health Organisation

Information updated 31 August 21

Travelling from the USA & Canada

Albania

– Proof of completed vaccination more than 2 weeks before entry; or negative test result within 72 hours of entry; or negative rapid antigen test result within 48 hours of entry; or proof of having recovered from Covid-19.

Belgium

– Complete the Passenger Locator Form at least 48 hours before arriving (https://www.info-coronavirus.be/en/plf/).
– Provide a vaccination certificate; or a certificate of recovery no older than 180 days prior to entry; or a negative PCR test within 72 hours of entry.

Croatia (Part 1)

Passengers coming directly from the European Union and/or regions of the Schengen area, regardless of their citizenship

– Complete form prior to entry (https://entercroatia.mup.hr/)
– EU Digital COVID Certificate; or negative PCR test within 72 hours of entry; or a negative EU-recognised Rapid Antigen Test within 24 hours of entry; or certificate of two doses of vaccine used in the EU Member States (Pfizer, Moderna, AstaZeneca, Gamaleya, Sinopharm) within 270 days; or a certificate of one dose of the vaccine if the vaccine is administered in a single dose (Janssen/Johnson&Johnson) within 270 days, provided that 14 days have passed since receiving the single dose; or certificate of the first dose of the Pfizer, Moderna or Gamaleya vaccine, on the basis of which you can enter the Republic of Croatia in the period of 22 to 42 days from receiving the vaccine, or 22 to 84 days from receiving the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine; or a certificate of having recovered from COVID-19 and one dose of vaccine within six months from contracting the disease, provided that the vaccine was administered less than 270 days from arrival at the border crossing point; or a positive PCR test result or (EU recognised) Rapid Antigen Test confirming that the holder recovered from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, which was performed in the previous 270 days and which is older than 11 days from the date of arrival at the border crossing point; or a medical certificate of recovery.

Croatia (Part 2)

Passengers arriving from outside the countries and/or regions of the European Union & Schengen area
– Certificate of paid accommodation in a hotel, camp, private renter or rented vessel and other form of tourist accommodation.
– Complete form prior to entry (https://entercroatia.mup.hr/)
– Negative PCR test within 72 hours of entry; or a negative EU-recognised Rapid Antigen Test within 24 hours of entry; or certificate of two doses of vaccine used in the EU Member States (Pfizer, Moderna, AstaZeneca, Gamaleya, Sinopharm) within 270 days; or a certificate of one dose of the vaccine if the vaccine is administered in a single dose (Janssen/Johnson&Johnson) within 270 days, provided that 14 days have passed since receiving the single dose; or certificate of the first dose of the Pfizer, Moderna or Gamaleya vaccine, on the basis of which you can enter the Republic of Croatia in the period of 22 to 42 days from receiving the vaccine, or 22 to 84 days from receiving the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine; or a certificate of having recovered from COVID-19 and one dose of vaccine within six months from contracting the disease, provided that the vaccine was administered less than 270 days from arrival at the border crossing point; or a positive PCR test result or (EU recognised) Rapid Antigen Test confirming that the holder recovered from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, which was performed in the previous 270 days and which is older than 11 days from the date of arrival at the border crossing point; or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 issued by a physician.

England

– If fully-vaccinated within the USA more than 14 days prior to arrival there is no longer a need to quarantine or take a test on day 8. A pre-arrival test and test on day 2 still apply. (This exemption does not apply to those vaccinated in Canada.)
– Proof of negative Covid test no more than 3 days prior to arrival.
– Proof of having booked and paid for day 2 and day 8 Covid tests to be taken after arrival in England (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-for-people-travelling-to-england).
– Completed online passenger locator form (https://www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk).
– On arrival quarantine at home or in the place you are staying for 10 days, and take Covid test on day 2 and on day 8. (https://www.gov.uk/find-travel-test-provider)

France

– Complete Attestation de Deplacement form (https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Certificate-of-international-travel).
– Proof of vaccination (completed at least 14-days before entry for double-shot vaccination, at least 28 days prior to entry for single-shot vaccines, and at least 7 days before entry for those only needing one shot due to previous positive test); or a negative PCR or antigenic test taken less than 72 hours before entry; or a certificate of recovery dated more than 11 days and less than 6 months prior to the date of arrival.

Greece

– Complete online Passenger Locator Form 48 hours before entry (https://travel.gov.gr/#/).
– Proof of full vaccination completed at least 14 days before entry; or a negative PCR test performed within 72 hours before entry to Greece; or a negative antigen (rapid) test result performed up to 48 hours before entry.

Italy

– Complete online form prior to travel (https://app.euplf.eu/),
– Provide a ‘Green Pass – the vaccine certificates issued in the UK, Canada and US are now accepted as an equivalent to the Green Pass)
– A negative molecular PCR or rapid antigen test result carried out within 72 hours prior to entry into Italy.
– (Nb. Persons who stayed in or transited through the United Kingdom in the 14 days preceding their entry to Italy shall be required to take the PCR test within 48 hours prior to entry, and show a vaccination certificate. If unvaccinated they will need to also self-isolate for a 5-day period and then repeat the test at the end of the self-isolation period.)

Montenegro

– A negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before travel; or a negative EU-recognised rapid antigen test within 48 hours before travel; or a positive serology test on IgG antibodies not older than 30 days from a registered laboratory; or proof of being fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to arrival.

San Marino

– Proof of full vaccination or antibody test taken no later than 1^st April; or recovery certificate dated within the last 6 months
– Negative antigenic or molecular test taken within 48 hours of entry.

Switzerland

– Proof of vaccination; or proof of having recovered from Covid in the 6 months prior to entry.
– If you do not have these you must report your arrival, and isolate for 10 days.

Travelling from the UK

Albania

Belgium

– Complete Passenger Locator Form at least 48 hours before arrival (https://www.info-coronavirus.be/en/plf/).
– Provide an EU-recognised vaccination certificate.
– Get tested on day 1 or 2 after arrival in Belgium.
– Quarantine until the negative result of your test on day 1 or 2.

Croatia (Part 1)

Passengers coming directly from the European Union and/or regions of the Schengen area, regardless of their citizenship

– Complete form prior to entry (https://entercroatia.mup.hr/)
– EU Digital COVID Certificate; or PCR test within 72 hours of entry; or an EU-recognised Rapid Antigen Test within 24 hours of entry; or certificate that they have received two doses of vaccine used in the EU Member States (Pfizer, Moderna, AstaZeneca, Gamaleya, Sinopharm) within 270 days; or a certificate that they have received one dose of the vaccine if the vaccine is administered in a single dose (Janssen/Johnson&Johnson) within 270 days, provided that 14 days have passed since they received the single dose; or certificate showing that they have received the first dose of the Pfizer, Moderna or Gamaleya vaccine, on the basis of which they can enter the Republic of Croatia in the period of 22 to 42 days from receiving the vaccine, or 22 to 84 days from receiving the first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine; or a certificate showing that they have recovered from COVID-19 and have received one dose of vaccine within six months from contracting the disease, provided that the vaccine was administered less than 270 days from their arrival at the border crossing point; or a positive PCR test result or (EU recognised) Rapid Antigen Test confirming that the holder recovered from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, which was performed in the previous 270 days and which is older than 11 days from the date of arrival at the border crossing point; or a medical certificate of recovery.

Croatia (Part 2)

Passengers arriving from outside the countries and/or regions of the European Union & Schengen area

– Certificate of paid accommodation in a hotel, camp, private renter or rented vessel and other form of tourist accommodation.
– Complete form prior to entry (https://entercroatia.mup.hr/)
– Negative PCR test result within 72 hours from the moment of testing, or an EU recognised Rapid Antigen Test within 48 hours from the moment of testing to the moment of arrival at the border crossing point; or a certificate that they have received two doses of vaccine used in the EU Member States within 270 days, provided that 14 days have passed since they received the second dose; or a certificate that they have received one dose of the vaccine, within 270 days, if the vaccine is administered in a single dose (Janssen/Johnson&Johnson), provided that 14 days have passed since they received the single dose; or a certificate showing that they have recovered from COVID-19 and have received one dose of vaccine within six months from contracting the virus, provided that the vaccine was administered less than 270 days ago; or a positive PCR or an EU recognised Rapid Antigen Test result, confirming that the holder recovered from the SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, which was performed in the previous 270 days, and which is older than 11 days from the date of arrival at the border crossing point; or a certificate of recovery from COVID-19 issued by a physician.

France

– Completed Attestation de Deplacement form (https://www.interieur.gouv.fr/Actualites/L-actu-du-Ministere/Certificate-of-international-travel).
– Proof of vaccination (completed at least 14-days before entry for double-shot vaccination, at least 28 days prior to entry for single-shot vaccines, and at least 7 days before entry for those only needing one shot due to previous positive test).
– If not vaccinated travel from UK is not allowed unless for a ‘compelling reason’ – would then need to complete ‘Attestation de Deplacement’; and provide proof of negative PCR or antigenic test taken less than 24 hours prior to departure; and self-isolate for 7 days on arrival.

Greece

– Complete online Passenger Locator Form 48 hours before entry (https://travel.gov.gr/#/).
– A negative PCR test performed within 72 hours before entry to Greece; or a negative antigen (rapid) test result performed up to 48 hours before entry; or proof of full vaccination completed at least 14 days before entry.

Italy

– Complete online locator form prior to travel (https://app.euplf.eu/).
– Provide a ‘Green Pass’ – the vaccine certificates issued in the UK, Canada and US are now accepted as an equivalent to the Green Pass. (If unvaccinated you will also need to self-isolate for a 5-day period; and then repeat an antigen test at the end of the self-isolation period).
– A negative PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to entry. (This applies to anyone who has stayed in or transited through the United Kingdom in the 14 days preceding their entry to Italy.)

Montenegro

– A negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of travel; or a negative EU-recognised rapid antigen test within 48 hours before travel; or a positive serology test on IgG antibodies not older than 30 days from a registered laboratory; or proof of being fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to arrival.

San Marino

– Proof of full vaccination; or antibody test taken no later than 1^st April; or recovery certificate dated within the last 6 months.
– And negative antigenic or molecular test taken within 48 hours of entry.

Switzerland

– Proof of vaccination; or proof of having recovered from Covid in the 6 months prior to entry.
– If you do not have these you must report your arrival, and isolate for 10 days.

Official sources of Covid entry requirements by country

As the rules and requirements are constantly evolving we will do our best to keep this page up to date, but the links below will take you to the most up-to-date official information for each of the countries we visit on our European bike tours.

Travel to Albania from all destinations – https://punetejashtme.gov.al/en/services-and-opportunities/the-covid-19/protocol-to-be-followed-by-visitors-entering-the-territory-of-albania-during-the-covid-19-pandemics-2021&page=1

Travel to Belgium from all destinations – https://www.info-coronavirus.be/en/travels/

Travel to Croatia from all destinations – https://mup.gov.hr/uzg-covid/english/286212

Travel to England from USA & Canada – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england

Travel to France from all destinations – https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/coming-to-france/coronavirus-advice-for-foreign-nationals-in-france/

Travel to Greece from all destinations – https://travel.gov.gr/#/

Travel to Italy from all destinations – https://www.esteri.it/mae/en/ministero/normativaonline/decreto-iorestoacasa-domande-frequenti/focus-cittadini-italiani-in-rientro-dall-estero-e-cittadini-stranieri-in-italia.html

Travel to Montenegro from US & Canada – https://me.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information/

Travel to Montenegro from UK – https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/montenegro/entry-requirements#entry-rules-in-response-to-coronavirus-covid-19

Travel to San Marino from all destinations – https://www.visitsanmarino.com/en/visitnews/Informazioni-utili-COVID-19.html

Travel to Switzerland from all destinations – https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/en/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/empfehlungen-fuer-reisende/quarantaene-einreisende.html#1558231594

Our Updated On-Tour Health and Safety Protocol for COVID-19

Posted on April 26, 2021July 9, 2021 by rideandseek

Overview

In these unprecedented times, keeping our guests safe and minimising the risk of illness on-tour has become even more important. Travel as we know it has changed and in turn, we have embraced new ways of working. Rules for social distancing differ by country and knowledge of local rules is imperative to ensure we abide by these in each country we travel. We have consulted both the in-country tourism regulations for the regions we travel to in conjunction with WHO and CDC recommendations in establishing our protocols.

Cycling on the Sardinian coast — Social distancing in Corsica

Many of these protocols were trialed and honed when we ran tours in September 2020 and we feel have set us in good stead for the upcoming tour program. The core focus was on establishing a ‘bubble’ around the tour group and adhering to a series of rules in order to mitigate risk.

Through our previous experience, consultation with our medical liaison officer, and governing body regulations, we have a framework for how we will operate on tour for our 2021 tours and beyond. We don’t want to take out the fun from being on tour, so we are aiming to set some basic expectations so we can get on with riding our bikes in beautiful places.

Pre-tour

> We ask that you arrive on tour in good health.

> We strongly recommend that you are vaccinated prior to travel. If that is not possible, we ask that you obtain a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of your departure. This will help to give you and your fellow guests some peace of mind. These measures also apply to our trip specialists and guides.

Marco Polo in Dubrovnik in September 2020

> During travel to the start point of the tour, we ask that you wear a mask, wash your hands regularly and follow the International Air Transport Association recommendations for travellers. In many countries, wearing a mask is mandatory on public transport and in closed spaces.

On Tour- General

> The combination of smaller group size and so much of our day spent outside lend our tours to travel in the current climate. In response to the present situation, we have reduced our maximum group size to 24 on our epic cycling tours and 14 for local tours.

> We ask that you arrive on tour with face masks to wear when social distancing is not possible and in enclosed spaces. The use of face masks will be determined based on local rules and regulations.

> Our team will take responsibility for sanitising equipment used by the group including bike pumps and bike tools.

> We ask that any COVID-19 symptoms be reported immediately to a member of our team. Symptoms including shortness of breath and/or cough, and/or a sore throat, and/or fever, and/or runny nose/sneezing and/or an abrupt loss of taste and smell. A medical opinion and if necessary a test will be sought for any guest displaying symptoms to ensure they and the group remain safe.

On Tour- Travel

> Enhanced vehicle cleaning will be conducted each day by the team to ensure a high level of cleanliness on commonly touched surfaces.

> Masks are recommended whilst travelling in the van and ventilation will be used where possible.

> We are liaising with all tour hotels to ensure thorough cleaning protocols are in place. Our hotels are hand-picked and our strong relationships enable us to communicate our expectations.

> Hand sanitiser will continue to be available as per our previous guidelines and we encourage regular handwashing where possible during your day on the bike.

On Tour- Food and Picnics

> For group dinner, we are looking to reduce group size by arranging smaller group tables. Where possible we will also arrange to dine outdoors.

> Many hotels are no longer providing breakfast buffets. As such we have liaised with hotels to ensure measures are put in place to reduce groups sizes or find alternative breakfast options for guests.

> Picnic lunches will be prepared by a staff member observing our enhanced food safety protocols.

Please note that we will aim to update our protocol as and when local guidelines change (guidelines correct as of April 26th, 2021). Whilst we are providing a framework to reduce risk during travel, it does not replace personal responsibility for adherence to WHO recommendations including regular hand washing and maintaining social distancing. This protocol is meant to complement the in-country rules and regulations on tourism and as such additional measures may be adapted depending on the region we are travelling in.

Bibliography

“EU Guidance for the progressive resumption of tourism services and for health protocols in hospitality establishments – COVID-19” Official Journal of the European Union: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52020XC0515(03)

“Physical distancing, face masks, and eye protection to prevent person-to-person transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis” Chu, D et al, The Lancet, June 2020, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31142-9

Updated EU travel advisories: https://reopen.europa.eu/en https://ec.europa.eu/info/live-work-travel-eu/coronavirus-response/travel-during-coronavirus-pandemic_en

CDC Covid-19: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html#travel-1

Australian travel Advice: https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/COVID-19-australian-travellers

WHO Travel Advice: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/travel-advice

Ned Kelly – An Australian Icon

Posted on December 13, 2020December 14, 2020 by Dylan Reynolds

Our Australian Cycling Tour has the explorer Sir Paul Edmund de Strzelecki at its core but it would seem amiss to overlook arguably Australia’s most (in)famous cultural icon – Ned Kelly. We love the messaging that Sarina from Cycology has presented for the upcoming tour with the life of Ned Kelly providing plenty of cycling inspiration.

The life of Ned Kelly provides a novel metaphor for the joys of cycling

Whilst the story of Ned Kelly is well known to most Australian’s the notorious bushranger is not as well known around the world. We thought we’d provide a bit more background about him and look at some of the myths that have built up around Australia’s folk hero

Edward (Ned) Kelly (1855-1880)

The infamous bushranger, was born in June 1855 at Beveridge, Victoria, the eldest son of John (Red) Kelly and his wife Ellen. His father was born in Tipperary, Ireland, in 1820 and sentenced in 1841 to seven years’ transportation for stealing two pigs.

He arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) in 1842. When his sentence expired in 1848 he went to the Port Phillip District, where on 18 November 1850 he married Ellen, the eighteen-year-old daughter of James and Mary Quinn; they had five daughters and three sons. Ned was the eldest son.

After earning his freedom, Kelly’s father settled in the state of Victoria and married his employer’s daughter. Ned Kelly was the third son of this union. The Kellys were a selector family, meaning they had traveled to Victoria to claim land given to them by the Crown.

Ned Kelly’s childhood home in Beveridge, Victoria

However, by the 1850s, much of large tracts of land in many parts of Australia had already been claimed by squatters — settlers who had reached the land earlier and had made large profits off of the land they claimed.

The conflict between these two groups would define much of Australia’s social problems for the ensuing decades.

In Victoria, the Kelly family were heavily targeted by the police due to Ned’s father’s past, as well as their status as selectors.

Ned Kelly’s father was given six months of hard labor in 1866 for unlawful possession of a bullock hide and drank himself to death shortly after he was released. After his father’s death, Kelly became the breadwinner of his family and quickly turned to a life of crime to support them.

Ned Kelly – The Making of a Bushranger (Gabe Paoletti)

When Ned Kelly was 16, he became the accomplice Harry Power, an already infamous bushranger and outlaw of the Australian bush. Under Power’s tutelage, Kelly learned how to be an accomplished bushranger. However, he was eventually arrested with Powers and served a short stint in prison. When Kelly was released, he went back to his old ways of crime.

He was finally forced to go on the run after he and his brother shot a police officer who had come to their house to arrest them for horse theft. The two of them retreated into the hills around his family homestead in Victoria. While the brothers hid in the bush, the police searched for the outlaws but were unable to find them due to their superior knowledge of the region.

Three officers were ambushed by the brothers while searching for them in the dense forest. When one of the officers reached for his gun, Kelly shot him.

The brothers took one police officer hostage and happened upon another two, that they killed when they would not surrender. Though, their hostage grabbed the horse of his fallen comrades and was able to flee the outlaw brothers.

To some, he was a folk hero but to others, he was a vicious and remorseless cop killer – to this day, Ned Kelly divides opinion in Australia. The quote from his Jerilderie letter though gives an idea of why he has been embraced by many in Australia for standing up to perceived inequality though.

5 Quick Facts About Ned Kelly (History Revealed)

SACRED SASH

When Kelly was a boy, he risked his life to save a friend from drowning in a creek near his home in Victoria. The boy’s family were so grateful, they gave him a green sash as a present. Kelly treasured the humble gift his whole life – he was wearing it during his final battle with police just before he was arrested in June 1880.

IRON-CLAD OUTLAW

While on the run, Kelly and the other members of his gang built themselves bulletproof armour. Thick plates of iron – almost a centimetre thick – protected their bodies and shoulders, while helmets with narrow eye slits kept their heads safe. Each set of armour weighed around 44kg. Some of the police officers who faced Kelly clad in his armour later said they were terrified that he was a ghost.

FOLK HERO

Kelly’s reputation as a hero grew after newspapers published what is known as the ‘Jerilderie letter’. The 8,000-word letter, which Kelly dictated in early 1879, justifies the actions of the gang and attacks the police for unfair treatment and persecution of people all over Australia. The diatribe gained Kelly many sympathisers who came to see the bushranger as embodying a spirit of independence and anti-imperial rebelliousness that they admired.

FINAL MOMENTS

The day before his execution, Kelly asked for his photograph to be taken. The images (one of which you can see above) were then given to his family, as they didn’t have any other image of Kelly. In a full-body shot, Kelly is seen standing against a wall looking calm, despite the heavy shackles visible on his legs. His calm demeanor lasted right up until he was led to the gallows when he was told of the time of his execution, he allegedly replied: “Such is lif

KELLY’S BODY

In 2009, a skeleton believed to be Kelly’s was exhumed from a mass grave near where the jail stood. It was confirmed to be his and the Kelly family reburied it in 2013. The skeleton, however, was missing the skull, the location of which is still a matter of speculation. Some reports say it was kept in a police station for a few years and used as a paperweight!

Was Marco Polo Croatian?

Posted on September 28, 2020June 19, 2021 by Dylan Reynolds

The fact that Marco Polo was Venetian is widely accepted, indeed both the Wikipedia and Encyclopaedia Britannica entries cite Venice as his birthplace. So why is there a small house in Korčula, Croatia, claiming to be where Marco Polo was born?

With its dramatic tower overlooking the roofs of Korčula old town and the sparkling Pelješac Channel, this charming house would certainly make a fitting start to a remarkable life. But is it really Marco Polo’s birthplace, and if so would that make him Croatian rather than Italian?

The house in question was once owned by the Depolo family, and it is claimed that Depolo, a Dalmatian name, is a variant of Polo. Other records also show that Marco’s father Nicolo Pilic (another variant of Polo) was from Sibenik in Dalmatia, and later moved to Venice. If Marco had been born on the Island, which was under Venetian rule at the time, his nationality would indeed have been recorded as Venetian, even though he wasn’t actually born in Venice.

Sadly we have very few facts about Marco’s childhood, but we do know that his father, along with his uncle Maffeo, were successful merchants, trading silk and jewels along the Silk Road through Asia. We also know that his father and uncle only met Marco for the first time at the age of around 15 when they returned to Venice from their travels in Asia, having left when his mother was pregnant. In theory it seems feasible that Marco’s mother gave birth in Korčula and moved with her son to Venice during the 15 years in between, but there is simply no evidence.

The issue has long been debated, and hit the news in 2011 when a museum dedicated to Marco Polo in Yangzhou, China, was opened by the former president of Croatia, Stjepan Mesić, rather than an Italian dignitary. Controversially, during the ceremony, he publicly claimed Marco Polo to be Dalmatian, and a Croatian. A flurry of headlines ensued with an Italian journalist writing an article cheekily accusing ‘Zagreb’ of ‘kidnapping’ Il Milione, (Marco’s Italian nickname). The journalist argues that even if Polo was born on the island of Korčula, he was born a Venetian, and trying to reclaim his birth as Croatian would be an ‘historical extravagance’ .

It seems his birthplace will remain a mystery for now, and while his nationality may be susceptible to the various changes in politics and national boundaries over the centuries, we’re fortunate Marco Polo didn’t let these man-made borders stand in his way during his lifetime.

The story of the folk hero James McKenzie & his dog Friday

Posted on July 22, 2020April 4, 2021 by Dylan Reynolds

Born in Scotland around 1820 McKenzie emigrated to Australia in 1849. He bought himself some bullocks and started to earn a living carrying goods to the gold-digging sites. His plan obviously worked as he was able to save up enough money to get himself to New Zealand, disembarking at Nelson. His aim was to acquire some land to call his own. He worked his way south, buying more bullocks along the way, eventually applying for a land grant in the Mataura District.

It was rumoured that he would travel north to ‘obtain’ stock, and in March 1855 some 1,000 sheep were found to be missing from Levels Station, South Canterbury – they were tracked over the low passes and on to the plains, now known as Mackenzie Country. His pursuers, reportedly a Mr J.H.C. Sidebottom and his two Maori companions, caught up with him on the 4th March, but McKenzie somehow managed to escape. He fled and covered the 100 miles to Lyttelton, before the law caught up with him and he was arrested. In April 1855 he was sentenced to 5 years hard labour, but proved difficult to contain, managing to escape twice, in May and June that year, each time being recaptured within a few days. After another failed escape attempt in September he was placed in irons and monitored closely.

But all was not lost. It is said the Sheriff of Lyttelton, H.J. Tancred, believed there had been a miscarriage of justice, and closer inspection showed significant flaws in the investigation and trial. There was a talk of an ‘unknown man’ who employed James to drive the sheep from Canterbury to Otago. He was eventually pardoned in January 1856 after spending only 9 months in prison. He didn’t stick around and the last we know of his movements are that he paid passage and sailed from Lyttelton to Australia that very month.

Over the years Mckenzie’s story became surrounded by mystery and legend and he became a local hero. He was subject of myths and stories, many of which included his dog, and he was even immortalised in a folk ballad, Mckenzie Song by Mike Harding. More recently, he was the inspiration for the 2008 novel Chandler’s Run, by Denise Muir – a sweeping romantic epic set in New Zealand’s southern mountains, in which the heroine is torn between her dependable consumptive husband, and the swarthy Scottish drover, James McKenzie, and his faithful dog Friday.

The Mackenzie Basin, the area of New Zealand’s South Island that still bears his name, sits between the sprawling plains of Canterbury and the Southern Alps, and is home to beautiful glacial lakes and Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Hannibal: The inspiration for our original Epic Adventure

Posted on January 9, 2020April 7, 2020 by rideandseek

In 218 BC Hannibal started his march with one hundred thousand soldiers and nearly forty elephants. On the Ride and Seek Hannibal cycle tour, our aim is to follow Hannibal’s path along the coast of Spain, through France, over the Alps, down to Rome. We consider the tour to be one of our best epic cycle tours on the roster.

In the Second Punic War against Rome, after Carthage’s defeat in the First, Hannibal’s aim was to teach the Romans a lesson and restore Carthage’s pride and power. After showing his intentions and taking Saguntum an ally of Rome in a bloody 9-month siege, Rome sent ambassadors to Carthage who dramatically demanded Hannibal be delivered as a war criminal. The Roman diplomat clutched a fold in his toga and said: ‘Here we bring you war and peace. Take whichever you please!’ (Livy 21. 18). The Carthaginians opted for war, kicking off what Livy describes as “the most memorable war in history” (Livy 21. 1). The fall of Saguntum is considered the catalyst for the Second Punic War.

Of course, the background to the Second Punic War is more complicated and includes Rome’s harsh treatment of Carthage after winning the First. The terms of the peace treaty took Sicily from Carthage, effectively ending its eastern Mediterranean dominance. And what really angered Hannibal’s father, Hamilcar, and also Hannibal, would have been Rome’s arrogant seizure of Sardinia on top of that, which was outside the terms of the treaty, but Carthage was then too weak to do anything about it.

On our Hannibal tour, we cross Hannibal’s first major natural obstacle – the Rhone river. Where exactly he crossed isn’t known, but Polybius says it was four days march north of the mouth of the river. This is difficult to judge due to changes in the coastline over 2000 years, but it was most likely somewhere north of Arles. Some scholars even put it further north than Avignon.

What we do know with more certainty is that his crossing was opposed by the Volcae – an aggressive local Gallic tribe. Hannibal’s strategy was to send his nephew Hanno with a detachment of troops north. He was to cross the river upstream and surprise the Volcae.

Hannibal bought up all the local boats, canoes and anything that would get his huge army and baggage train across the fast-flowing river. The Rhone is no longer a wild river – the only peril today seems to be massive transport barges which speed downstream. In Hannibal’s time, it would have been a dangerous obstacle and he seemed to be very diligent in his preparations.

Once Hanno had sent a smoke signal to notify his uncle he was in position, Hannibal embarked with his main force. When he landed on the opposite bank Hanno sprung his ambush. The Volcae’s raucous howling turned to panic as they were caught in a classic pincer movement. Luckily we don’t face the Volcae as we cross the Rhone and the locals give us a much warmer welcome these days.

Once Hannibal had set up his beachhead on the east bank of the Rhone he began the extensive operation of getting the rest of his troops across the river. Smaller boats crossed in the lee of larger vessels so they didn’t bear the full brunt of the current. The cavalry swam with their rides but the elephants needed more persuasion.

Polybius says that Hannibal built rafts, covered them with soil and urged a female elephant onto these floating islands and the rest of the herd followed. However, once the rafts were detached from the bank, the elephants panicked and were forced to make their own way across to the other side – Polybius believes the elephants walked across the bottom of the river using their trunks as snorkels!

Livy, our other main ancient source, writes that the elephants swam from the beginning following the lead male, who was driven to rage by his driver. This brave man then jumped into the river himself, with the elephant herd following the lead male who, in turn, was intent on catching the driver – who would have swum desperately fast to the other side!

Once Hannibal’s army was across the Rhone he sent three hundred of his crack Numidian cavalry to reconnoitre the surrounding areas. The Roman Consul Cornelius Scipio, who had just landed in Massilia (modern Marseille) did the same and sent some of his scouts north. Scipio was at the mouth of the Rhone and on his way to Spain to intercept Hannibal. It was a surprise to both cavalry forces when they met in a fierce but brief engagement. This was the first clash between Rome and Carthage in the Second Punic War and the Romans had the better of the skirmish, losing fewer troops and forcing the Numidians to flee back to camp.

Once Hannibal learned of the proximity of the Roman army he had a decision to make: stay and fight or speed on to Italy. With so much to gain from making war in Italy, he chose the latter and headed north away from Scipio and towards the Alps. Scipio, realising his intention but unable to cut him off, headed back to Italy to prepare for war on Roman soil.

Hannibal and his army were closing in on their goal but had their greatest obstacle to come: the Alps. This was an enormous challenge for an army, let alone for cyclists like us!

Ride with us into history for some of the best epic cycling of your life!- Hannibal tour.