I like all of the above posts, and I used to love solo touring (still do). However now my fave is touring with my wife.

It's the only time we don't have anyone else about, and we can just be with each other. We find we don't argue or get upset, and the sharing of experiences on a tour is fantastic.

I think cycling is a very cathartic exercise. I know I cope better with my stressful job when I'm cycling, and I have a photograph of myself sitting beside a road near Appeldoorn in Holland, on a sunny day with the bikes standing against a tree behind me - I look at that photograph and can honestly say that is the happiest moment of my life so far. I was perfectly happy and contented. It was my first tour with my wife and that day was beautiful.