2022 Photo Competition Winner Revealed

We always struggle to pick a winner, but this year it was even more difficult to pick a top 10, such was the quality of entries, and we had to enlist the help of our sister ski holiday company Ski Safari to make the final selection. We loved seeing all the photos of people, places and pedalling as they came in throughout the year, and we hope you loved seeing them too as we shared every entry on our Facebook and Instagram pages!

Without further ado, it's time to announce our winner - who received £500 off their next Freedom Treks holidays - as well as our runners up who received £150 and £100 respectively. We're delighted that all of our top 3 are already planning their 2023 trips!

Judges' verdict: When we see this photo, we think 'ahhhhhh'. It immediately conjures the feeling of finding the perfect spot to take a break from the cycling. The colours and shadows suggest late afternoon so that beer must have been well-earned. With scenes like this, it's no wonder Puglia is one of our most popular tours. This was Cressida, Jon and James's 12th tour with Freedom Treks so they've had plenty of practice capturing the perfect snap!

Cressida said: "A chilled day of cycling from Gallipoli to Santa Maria di Leuca, past many seaside/beach towns. As it was April, right at the start of the season, a few places were still closed. However, this bar on a lovely stretch of beach was open. The friendly owners, late afternoon beer and gelato for our teenager made for a happy stop. From here it was a short ride to capture a family selfie at the southernmost point of mainland Italy."

Judges' verdict: A classic shot of the Danube, probably the best river for cycling in the world. Our 6 Countries Boat & Bike tour takes in a huge chunk of it, with ever-changing scenery around every bend. This photo is taken in a quaint village in the particularly picturesque Wachau Valley and shows that even the few sections on roads are smooth and quiet!

Louise said: "Idyllic memories of our Freedom Treks Boat & Bike tour. Loved all of the cycling & felt pampered when on board our boat. What a perfect way to explore Europe! This photo was taken in the picturesque Wachau valley. My husband & I thoroughly enjoyed our holiday, so the £100 credit is something to look forward to."

Judges' verdict: It can be hard to stop on the downhill sections, but when you come across views like this you kind of have to! One of our favourite things about travelling by bike is the al alfresco lunches in some of the world's most scenic spots, and Slovenia offers up more than its fair share.

Richard said: "My wife and I absolutely loved our 2022 Lakes to Coast tour of Slovenia with Freedom Treks. We captured this picture during a picnic stop at Rakov Skocjan nature reserve on our way to Postojna. Winning a prize in the photo competition brings back wonderful memories of a great trip that revealed so many different beautiful Slovenian landscapes and lovely stopovers. We can’t wait for our next Freedom Treks holiday!"

We'd like to say a big thank you to each and every one of our customers who entered our photo competition in 2022.

Don't despair if your photo didn't win, there's always next time - our 2023 Photo Competition is now live!

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram to see our customers' photos as they come in.