Freedom Treks FAQs

This depends on the holiday you choose. We grade our tours so you know what to expect. At a gentle pace of 7-8 miles per hour you can expect to cover 25-30 miles comfortably in four hours. This leaves plenty of time for sightseeing, picnics, visiting castles or churches, stopping for morning coffee or whatever you want to do. You have all day to get to your next stopover, so you can relax and enjoy the scenery.

Absolutely! Cycling can make an ideal family holiday, provided you choose the right distances for the younger members of the party. We would suggest calling us to discuss the most suitable tours for your children or view our Family Cycling Tours. In most places we are able to offer children’s bikes and child seats if you have toddlers or babies.

We strongly recommended that you and all members of your group wear a helmet on all Freedom Treks holidays.  Note that it is a legal requirement for cyclists in some countries. 

Please bring your own helmets.  Helmets may be available to hire on some tours but we cannot guarantee availability or that helmets provided will be of the same standard as those available in the UK.

You do not need to worry about this, as you can hire a suitable bike on all our tours. If you would prefer to bring your own bike then it must be in good working order as you will be responsible for any repairs. We recommend either a hybrid or a mountain bike fitted with road tyres. If you do bring your own bike, you should insure it separately.

You can rest assured that help is on hand should you need it. Most of our local operators can be contacted between 9.00am and 6.00pm on the number provided. If you have brought your own bike and you are unable to fix it, we will endeavour to find you a replacement for the rest of your holiday, for which you will be charged the full hire rate.

Yes. We have the resources to extend a tour to your requirements, adding extra nights before or after the tour and incorporating rest days if desired, taking in places that are of interest to you. Give us a call and we will try to accommodate your wishes. The only constraints may be the availability of the accommodation and the flexibility of luggage transfers.

Many of our tours are perfect for solo cyclists, if you want a social holiday then choose a guided tour. As we base our prices on double-occupancy, there is a single person supplement for most of the holidays. For some of our tours the luggage transfer is based on a minimum of two people so there may also be a solo supplement. See our Solo Cycling Holidays to find out which tours cater for solo cyclists.

On our guided holidays you will be cycling in a group with others on your trip. Usually you will have a mix of different nationalities on your tour which adds to the cultural enjoyment. On a self-guided holiday you will most likely be on your own. If others have decided on the same route and start date, then you may be staying at the same hotels or guest-houses as others. Every customer is provided with route details, so you ride at your own pace, stop whenever you want and decide where to go and eat in the evening. Your path might cross with other cyclists from time to time, giving you opportunities to compare notes.

Departure dates are shown for all tours. Please be aware that the holidays are very dependent on the availability of the selected accommodation. These have been chosen carefully to match with the cycle routes and daily itineraries. During busy periods this is not always available, so we advise that you should book as early as possible to avoid disappointment. A number of the Cruise and Cycle holidays have limits on the group size imposed by the size of the ship/barge used, so again it is a good idea to book as early as possible.

We do not want to be held responsible for any marital discord! But we can achieve a happy balance. Boat & Bike holidays are ideal - you can cycle all day while your other half can stay aboard enjoying a good book while cruising. When the boat reaches its destination there is the opportunity for some leisurely sightseeing.

The accommodation on our tours ranges from castles and chateaux to small hotels and good quality B&Bs. Hotels on Hotel & Bike tours are often close to safe cycle routes to work well with daily distances and have secure bike storage. On Boat & Bike holidays the accommodation is mainly in cabins with twin, double or bunk beds.

Your luggage is transported for you every day so bring what you need to make your holiday relaxing and comfortable. Please try and limit it to one item of luggage per person and that it is clearly labelled. On some tours you are limited to one bag or there may be a weight limit per item.

Take a look at our guide for what to pack for a cycling holiday! If you have cycling clothes, you will probably want to bring them with you. Padded shorts are essential and a rainproof top would be advisable.

Guides are provided on our guided cycling holidays. Their primary role is to ensure that you do not get lost but they will point out places of interest. However, do not expect them to be as knowledgeable as a qualified tour guide. They will also have some first aid skills and a knowledge of bike maintenance to help if you have a problem.

Flights are not included in the holidays abroad. In this age of cheap flights available on the Internet you can save money by booking direct. However we can help to point you in the right direction. Please wait until your tour booking is confirmed before you book any flights.

Generally, yes. All the holidays include a hearty breakfast each day. Some also include lunch and an evening meal. Where they are not included, you are free to choose where and when to eat. Most people like the freedom of stopping at the place of their choice to experience the local cuisine. Some routes have been designed to incorporate gastronomic delights and will include an evening meal. Details are given with each individual tour.

Please visit our Pre-Departure Important Information page for information about visas.

If you decide to drive to your destination, in most cases you can leave your car for the duration of your holiday in the car park of your first hotel. Where parking is not available at the first hotel, you will be advised of an alternative arrangement.