Looking Back on 2024

... but not before I remind you that our Freedom Treks digital gift cards make the perfect last-minute gift for any cycling aficionados in your life!

Or if you want to treat yourself to a 2025 tour, our team would be delighted to help. Call +44 (0)1273 224066 or enquire online. We’re in the office until 3:30pm (UK time) on Christmas Eve and then back on Friday 27 December.

By Catherine Gray, Head of Freedom Treks

Every year the Freedom Treks team heads out around the world to try as many tours as possible so that we can provide you with better advice based on first-hand experience.

This year, we cycled over 2,500 kilometres across eight countries (plus well over 10,000 kilometres on our bikes in the UK too!) and we're not done yet. Saul and are about to embark on a Thailand's Coasts - Bangkok to Khao Lak Bike Tour. Make sure you're following our journey on Facebook and Instagram!

Here are our highlights from another exciting year.

Senior Operations Coordinator Darryl considers himself to be an experienced cyclist with a good level of fitness. With this in mind, we sent him out to Albania to find out how challenging the Highlights of Albania Guided Bike Tour actually is.

Darryl said: "Over ten glorious days in and out of the saddle, the two of us were guided through three UNESCO World Heritage Sites and past glistening Albanian beaches whilst experiencing the satisfaction of conquering quite literally breathtaking ascents." Read Darryl's Highlights of Albania trip report.

In July, Freedom Treks Chairman Richard kicked off a series of back-to-back team trips, taking his family on the ever-popular Istrian Coast - Trieste to Pula Bike Tour. Richard claims his highlights were cycling through nature reserves and along harbour walls, but we think he enjoyed sampling the delicious local food and wine just as much!

Richard said: "Cycling from Trieste to Pula along the Istrian Coast proved to be a massive hit with its 'two holidays in one' style. The daily distances, at an average of about 42km, were easily done in about three hours each day - leaving plenty of time for less active holiday pursuits." Read Richard's Trieste to Pula trip report.

Financial Controller Maggie had an exceedingly busy July, starting with a Lake Garda Bike Tour From One Hotel Tour with her husband. Over the course of six days, she enjoyed stunning views of the iconic lake, luscious green vineyards, and the Roman Arena in Verona before meeting several members of the Freedom Treks team in Venice for back-to-back trips!

Maggie said: "Day 3 of our Lake Garda tour was a treat - Verona is a city I have always wanted to visit and it didn’t disappoint. We sat in the Roman Arena imagining gladiators below and then visited the Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s house) and I stood on the famous balcony. Sadly Romeo didn’t appear..."

Following Maggie's tour of Lake Garda, she met up with Content Specialist Beccy, Sales Consultant Ellie and Operations Coordinator Toni to try our popular Mantua to Venice Boat & Bike Tour in reverse. Instead of starting in Mantua, the team began their tour in Venice.

Beccy said: "Northern Italy is a surprising gem for cycling, with island beaches, countryside stretches, marshy nature reserves, characterful towns and amazing local food. My fondness for Italy has grown tenfold since experiencing this tour, and I hands-down recommend it to anyone!" Read Beccy's Venice to Mantua trip report.

July was jam-packed with cycling and the fourth trip to tell you about was mine! I travelled to Austria with Saul and our son James to try out the shortened, family-friendly version of our Alpe Adria Bike Tour, cycling from the beautiful town of Villach to Grado in Italy.

The cycle routes were so amazing; leisurely cycling along dedicated paths, gravel tracks and traffic-free country lanes all with stunning scenery from the mountains to the sea. The best decision of the trip was staying on in Grado for more beach days in the sunshine!

The final team tour of 2024 (for now!) saw Darryl and Sales Consultant Evan jet off to Portugal for a slice of sunshine and cycling while we endured wind and rain back here in the UK. The Porto to Lisbon Bike Tour has proved particularly popular since we added it to our programme for 2024, so we had to try it out for ourselves!

Evan said: "Darryl and I had a blast on our Porto to Lisbon cycle trip back in October. We enjoyed a week of lovely sunny weather and the combination of great cycle routes, interesting sights, and lovely food, make it a tour I would certainly recommend. This will definitely be a popular tour in 2025!"

Our customers have spent a lot of time in the saddle this year, cycling upwards of 308,700 kilometres across 30 countries spanning Europe and Asia.

But which of tours and destinations were the most popular?

It's yet another year at the top for tours along Europe's second-longest river as our three best-selling tours were all on the Danube! With one of the world's best cycle paths, routes to iconic capital cities and a mix of magnificent scenery, is it any wonder that Danube tours are the most booked by our customers for the third consecutive year?

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "Cycling from Vienna to Budapest ranks as one of our favourite holidays. My wife and I are moderately competent cyclists, so we found the route relatively easy. However, this did not lessen the enjoyment as the location was beautiful and the cycling was relaxing. The warm weather also helped. The navigation app was a breeze to use, and the stops along the route were ideal for exploring and enjoying local culture." - Stewart Randall, July 2024 (Danube - Vienna to Budapest Bike Tour)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "An amazing cycling experience for my wife and I. Starting in Passau and finishing in Vienna with wonderful sights and towns in between. The accommodations were perfect for the end of the day shower and dinner and the breakfasts made you feel powered up for the next day." - Stephen Brownley, September 2024 (Danube - Passau to Vienna Bike Tour)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A fantastic combination of cycling and sightseeing. When we booked I thought we would have preferred all 6 days cycling but actually, it was a lovely break to have days off cycling to see both Vienna and Budapest - and cycle rides were available as an option on these days if preferred! - We had a wonderful family holiday." - Elisabeth Wain, July 2024 (Danube River - Passau to Budapest Boat & Bike Tour)

Running all year round and an especially popular tour for getting a spot of winter sun, the Algarve Bike Tour only marginally missed out on being our most popular tour of 2024.

The sea air, popular resort towns and laidback beaches are many of the reasons why this tour has proved a hit amongst Freedom Trekkers this year. 

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "A great trip across the Algarve, the route was clear with the sat nav provided and bags were dropped off at some great hotels. All with pools which were essential, especially for our grown children, after coming in hot and dusty! We saw storks, flamingos and various other waders. Pick up was slick at the end at Cabo de Saint Vincente. A great family holiday!" - Duncan Gray, June 2024

It's not only Richard who enjoyed the Istrian Coast this year, it's a firm favourite for our customers too. The Istrian Coast - Trieste to Pula Bike Tour is a great way to see multiple countries, cycling along the Istrian peninsula's western coastline from Italy into Slovenia and ending in Croatia.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The perfect holiday for me. I like to be active, but I also like visiting interesting places. The morning cycle through amazing countryside set the day up perfectly. We arrived in the next town or city around lunchtime - just in time for a refreshing drink and snack before taking the opportunity to visit some of the spectacular historic sites. We ended most days relaxing with a sundowner looking out over the water and marvelling over all that the Istrian Peninsula has to offer." - Helen Keeler, June 2024

Dubrovnik to Split Boat & Bike Tour came out on top of our many popular Croatia Boat & Bike tours this year. Starting and finishing in UNESCO cities, this tour truly has it all. Plus, if you want to island hop in style with a more luxurious boat and e-bikes, there's the option to upgrade to a Dubrovnik to Split Deluxe Boat & E-Bike Tour.

Either option will see you set sail to enjoy the beautiful islands of Mljet, Korčula, Hvar and Brač, with some moderately challenging rides along the way.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "We would like to say a huge thank you to Srđan and Luka and all the crew of the Romantica for a fantastic week. It was a fabulous tour from boarding the boat at Dubrovnik to leaving in Split. Nothing was too much trouble, everyone was helped to have a wonderful week. The accommodation and food excellent. Our guides extremely knowledgeable and friendly. The captain and crew very hard working. We loved the cycling. Superb rides and views. Loved the swimming off the boat. Can’t recommend this trip highly enough." - Alison Gash, June 2024

With world-class cycling paths which are easy to navigate, well-maintained and mostly flat, the Netherlands is a cycling mecca. This is why it comes as no surprise that the Amsterdam to Bruges Bike Tour rounds off our most popular tours and destinations.

Customers enjoyed cycling between Holland and Belgium’s most fascinating towns, including the fortified town of Willemstad and riverside Dordrecht. But the highlight for most is pedalling past 19 spectacular windmills in the UNESCO World Heritage site at Kinderdijk. In 2025, it will also be possible to do this tour in reverse by starting in Bruge and finishing in Amsterdam.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "The Amsterdam to Bruges tour exceeded our expectations. The routes were scenic and varied, providing a wonderful opportunity to experience the Netherlands and Belgium from a different perspective. We particularly enjoyed cycling through UNESCO World Heritage Site Kinderdijk, and the final day cycling along the coastal route to Belgium was fantastic. Such a relaxing and enjoyable trip, thank you Freedom Treks! Top tip: Plan your days out so that you get to enjoy maximum time in the places with the most to see, such as Gouda." - Katharine Thorley, August 2024

Whether you want to try a customer or team favourite from 2024, all the tours above are on sale for 2025.

Visit the tour pages for dates, prices and to book, or for personal advice, call our friendly, knowledgeable team on +44 (0)1273 224066 or contact us online.

We have some exciting announcements to make over the next few weeks, so make sure you're signed up to our mailing list and following us on Facebook and Instagram to be the first to hear the news!