Cycling or walking holidays – at your own pace. There are many ways to travel the globe in pursuit of adventure, and those familiar with Exodus will know that we have long advocated a small group style of travel that offers leader expertise, a balance of activities, camaraderie and excellent value. As specialists in walking and trekking and cycling holidays, we have also tapped into feedback from our customers to develop a range of independent “self-guided” trips offering the freedom and flexibility to go your own way – on foot or two wheels. When it comes to hiking or biking, groups or self-guided – the choice is now yours! These trips are proving so popular that back in 2013 we doubled our range of cycling trips and launched a whole new section of self-guided walking itineraries. You are free to set the pace of your adventure, lingering where you like or getting off the beaten track, while we take care of all the logistics. It’s this appeal of an active holiday and striking the right balance between independent travel and hassle-free arrangements that also suits families down to the ground – your family holiday your way. If you are considering going your own way on an Exodus self-guided adventure, what exactly can you expect?
Specialist Knowledge & Expertise
Exodus is a global leader in active holidays and our heritage in adventure travel is second to none. Everything we do is informed by the collective knowledge and expertise we’ve developed over the years so you can be confident we have researched your trip thoroughly and taken care of all the details. Many of our self-guided cycling trips are the least demanding in the Exodus range, and therefore perfect for first-time travellers who like their independence. We have a choice of gentle to challenging self-guided walking itineraries, from the enchanting chateaux of the Loire to the rugged peaks of the Mont Blanc Circuit. You may also notice that unlike our small group adventures, Exodus self-guided holidays are advertised with Land Only pricing. With the best of Europe’s cycling and walking on offer you can reach the start point by car, train or flight and trips usually “depart” frequently – several times per week or every day in some cases! We are more than happy to assist with your travel arrangements, whether they are flights or train fares.
Route Notes & Maps
On each of our self-guided trips we provide comprehensive route notes and detailed maps of the local area – all regularly checked and updated by us. You can choose to follow the route, or decide which detours pique your interest. The route notes ensure you can reach your destination for the day easily and only get lost if you decide to! They are designed to give you all the information needed for exploring, and are crammed full of hints and information so you don’t miss any local highlights – the best cafes and restaurants, the finest chateaux and most interesting museums, and a language section to help you with the basics such as everyday greetings, directions and ordering food and drinks.
Accommodation
Our accommodation in Assisi
We know how important it is to get a good night’s sleep, especially after a day in the saddle or striding through the countryside. We have hand-picked all the places where you will stay on your trip, with accommodation ranging from cosy family-run hotels to charming inns and farmhouses. All have en suite facilities, and some feature outdoor swimming pools, perfect for relaxing at the end of the day. Most of our itineraries keep you moving from point to point each day, while others offer a more relaxing pace with 2 nights between hotel moves so you can explore the local area or are centre-based where you step out from the same hotel each day (e.g. The Italian Dolomites). If you are craving more epicurean delights, look for our Premium Adventures. These tend to be leisurely with less mileage to cover and a firm focus on food, wine and relaxation! You will also enjoy spending your nights in outstanding accommodation such as a luxurious French chateau or 14th Century castle in Catalunya.
Luggage Transportation
Don’t worry about being weighed down with heavy panniers or backpacks. This is, after all, your holiday. Luggage transfers are included and we organise for your luggage to get to each hotel. You simply pack your bags in the morning, leave them at reception and look forward to meeting up again at the end of the day while you travel light with a daypack or pannier (included on all adult bikes).
Support
On self-guided holidays, you are your own guide, but in the unlikely event that you run into any problems along the way we provide a local 24-hour contact number so help and advice are just a phone call away. On cycling trips you can also hire good quality hybrid or touring bikes, which are supplied with a pump and puncture repair kit.
