Pioneers of self-guided cycling vacations, Pure Adventures (http://pure-adventures.com/tours/self-guided-tours.php), offers travelers real peace of mind when booking a trip with them. With no minimum number of participants to reach on a trip, this company will never cancel a self-guided departure once booked.
This is one selling point to consider along with a recommendation to look at their “off-peak” spring and early summer
cycling and hiking programs in Europe this year.
Fewer crowds, weather accommodating active vacations, lavender and poppy fields abloom, lower air fares and the strength of the dollar in Europe become value-added rationales for spring travel, said Loren Siekman, Pure Adventures founder/owner.
“We can accommodate 11th hour reservations for our guaranteed-departure self-guided bicycle trips,” he added. These trips allow one or several family members and friends traveling together the peace of mind that travel plans are in hand before they begin their trip. Flexible start dates for departure mean that clients can travel according to their own schedules; itineraries can also be modified on an as-needs basis.
“You pick who you travel with, a spouse, a child, a friend. You are not lumped together with a group of strangers on self-guided plans,” he said.
Because there’s no minimum number of guests required for a self-guided departure (you can even do it solo if you wish), this translates to no disappointments because of canceled or delayed departures. The staff can even help bail out folks whose trip was cancelled by another tour operator that couldn’t meet required minimums.
He cited an example of a client, Eric of Rockport, ME, whose trip with another company in Spain was canceled on March 29 for travel this spring. The couple had already booked air and pre and post-trip extensions in a particular region.
“They just needed a new trip in between. They didn't have a lot of time to find a new trip that could work for those exact dates but we accommodated them. On April 13 they booked a self-guided bicycle tour in Spain with us and are traveling May 26 to June 1,” reports Siekman. See the trip they booked: http://pure-adventures.com/show-tour/73/Cordoba+to+Granada+Moorish+Spain+Cycling”
Clients can choose varied itinerary options in the dozen or more countries in Europe where Pure Adventures has bicycling and trekking programs. For example, in Spain are, among others, a wine and food focused 'Gastronomic Catalonia Cycling Tour' that has been a best seller for 10 years; or a seven-night cycle through the white villages of Andalusia. If people prefer walking, Pure Adventures offers a section of the famous Camino de Santiago de Compostela route that cuts across the La Rioja wine region.
Moving from Spainto Italybrings more opportunities for self guided options both on bicycles and on foot. Great for last-minute planners are self-guided hiking tours of four highly desired regions of Italy: Cinque Terre, the Amalfi Coast, Tuscany and Lake Como. Throughout Italy are options for self-guided bicycle tours as well offered by Pure Adventures.
The self-guided concept emphasizes the freedom to choose travel dates, departures and even “days off” as well as flexibility of pace, duration, start times and dates and special requests. These trips are more affordable than guided trips without sacrificing quality hotels, meals, routes, luggage transfers, orientation and more that the company organizes. Behind the tour is the company’s support through onsite personal orientation, in country bilingual support and transfers.
In addition to self-guided programs, Pure Adventures offers other ways to organize bicycling and hiking vacations: Guided vs Self-Guided vs Supported, Self-Directed, See: http://pure-adventures.com/blog/2014/06/23/how-to-choose-the-perfect-bicycle-vacation/#.VUk4UvlVhHw