Self guided bicycling or hiking?! What is self-guided you ask?? If you are new to this concept of travel, you are not alone! In fact, 2 major cycling publications have never really understood this well enough to give it proper mention. A few years ago one of these major magazines published as story that described “self-contained” touring as self-guided, and another bicycle touring magazine left their readers to believe you had two choices when it comes to bicycle travel: group guided tours or the self-contained individually planned program. You are to here to find out there is an alternative! This concept applies to bicycle touring as well as walking tours, and certainly any other activity. Self guided travel is a growing trend due to the flexibility to start and the extraordinary price. It offers support and independence, and customers don't have to do any work to put it together! Look for more information in popular travel magazines as this concept takes off!

To be sure, there are variations in what you might find under this heading with other companies, but Discover France wrote this article, and we are speaking of what you can find in our tours. For comparison sake, you may need to note differences with other companies.

Self guided biking and walking can be characterized by the following benefits:

Flexible – durations can be modified to meet a clients time available, hotels are available for many budgets, often in combination, no minimum participation so no threat of cancellation by the operator,

Affordable – prices are amazing by comparison to the group guided option, yet worth the extra it might cost over doing it all yourself in a self-contained concept

Supported – most operators proposing this program do also provide baggage transfers, emergency support, orientations, transfers, and add on services. Often, these support services are extremely beneficial because they are founded on expert knowledge of the region, and therefore a very reliable source for finding and offering unique properties, routes, and visits.

Off the beaten path – many of the tours follow themes, and are created with a vacation experience in mind. Routes are well chosen and occasionally on very small routes and naturally provide for lots of interaction with the locals.

The all-important question for many people might be “how much is this going to cost?” Well, this can vary based upon your level of accommodations and duration of trip. Self-guided travel can average in the $1000-1500 range per person for a 7-night trip. This might compare to a guided trip average of $3800 or as cheap as you can go self-contained at $350 and a good tent!

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Like all other travel there are a number of questions you have to ask yourself before deciding what you are going to do and what you are capable of doing. We believe that any person of any ability and the means to take a vacation can find something to suit them. Ask yourself if you are fit enough to accomplish the requirements of the trip you are contemplating. Cycling or walking tours require some minimum level of fitness, but in this case you would have to contact local support contacts to get help if you can’t finish the stage. Can you get by in a language that is not your primary language? This doesn’t mean you have to speak a second language, just simply get by. For example, if someone doesn’t speak your language can you get by with phrasebook pronunciations and charades? If this causes you to panic, it may not be for you. On the other hand, very many good experiences result from these kinds of cultural encounters! Can you read a map and follow road signs? This should be really easy, but if you are not comfortable interpreting these things, it may not be for you. Lets face it too, reading and interpreting directions is subjective. What one person believes is self-evident another may see differently. Therefore, if you miss a turn are you capable of backtracking to get back on track? Just about any trip is going to have this little adventure side built into it, so count on it with any tour. At Discover France, we have clients who have never been abroad take these trips, and we have those who have been many times guided and now are ready to go self-guided. It’s an individual case each time, and we will be glad to help you decide.
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In case you’re not clear, lets draw distinctions between this concept and the famous alternatives. It should be obvious when it comes to group guided travel. There is of course a fixed date that you must fit into your schedule, a group of potentially new friends that you will not know in advance, and a huge difference in price. The additional support required can explain some of that cost. With the self-contained trip, you can essentially plan everything from roads to carrying your gear with you every step of the way. In addition, the following is a table that may help you determine what is important to you and how you can see what a self-guided tour brings to you in advantages and disadvantages:

So, what about those Europeans? It is true that this is one of the most common ways that Europeans like to take their vacations. This might only matter to non-Europeans in that it is not a new concept. The routes, the organization and logistics, as well as services have been in place and operating for many years. The program is not new, but if it is new to you, then good! Hopefully you can now make an informed decision to join the many who have gone before you and continue to go self-guided touring year after year!