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隆Vamos chando! 鈥淎fter the triumph of the Cuban Revolution鈥︹�� says Rainer, 鈥渕any excellent roads were constructed. Unfortunately, today we ride this one.

隆Cuba, si! There are many good reasons to visit Cuba. I mean aside from the obvious: It is a laidback Caribbean island with music in its heart, poetry on its mind and a cigar in its mouth.

Germany鈥檚 second-largest city, Hamburg, is awash with history 鈥� and played especially key roles in the stories of 19th-century emigration, the Second World War and the Beatles.

Over long distances, our group spreads out along the road according to each person鈥檚 natural rhythms, by which I mean leg cramps, neck pain and aversion to developing terrible piles.

TURRIALBA, Costa Rica It was 6:01 a.m. when we heard them barking, an insistent 鈥渉uh-huh-huh-huh鈥� floating through the rain forest canopy and over Pacuare Lodge. 鈥淗owler monkeys,鈥� said Steve, squinting at his watch.

Spain is not Italy, which is my delicate way of suggesting that if you go for the food, don鈥檛. In busy big cities and tourist zones, food is expensive and not particularly amazing.

Today is the day I wonder about dying. To be clear, while catching my breath on the side of the road, I consider how death might be preferable to the shaking in my hands and legs, the out-of-control sweating and the nausea.

You can blame my Norwegian heritage, but I鈥檓 not so hot on the Swedish countryside. Even so, you can鈥檛 say you鈥檝e seen Sweden if you鈥檝e only been to Stockholm.

Our very first ride is a wee 15-kilometre tour of Seville on locally rented bikes.

It may lack the Botticellis, Guccis, and touristic icons of Venice, Florence, or Rome, but Sicily still packs a punch.