What is a Self Guided Cycling Holiday?

A self-guided cycling holiday is the perfect way to explore a destination or region. You’ll cycle independently, with your friends and family, at a pace that suits you. Our carefully crafted routes allow a full sensory immersion into your chosen destination in a way that simply isn’t possible by car or coach, and you’ll see so much more than you would on foot.

Softies cycling holidays are at a leisurely pace, so are ideal for those looking for an introduction to more active holidays or those wanting to meander, experience the local charm of their destination and appreciate the finer things in life. We provide high-quality leisure bikes and easy to follow, GPS-style routes, we handpick the best accommodation and transport your luggage each time you move to the next hotel. What’s more our friendly team will give you a full welcome meeting and are always nearby for any support you need along the way. From the initial quote to travelling home, everything is taken care of so you can relax, pedal at your own pace, enjoy our charming regions, stop when you want for as long as you want and enjoy the sumptuous food and drink on offer.  

We have over 40 years’ experience in creating unforgettable cycling holidays. We’ve tried and tested them so we know where all the hidden gems and best experiences can be found. Our team are also happy to share their secrets and can recommend the best local restaurants and eateries. 

Curious? Call our cycle experts today to find out more about a Cycling for Softies holiday.

All of our cycle tour packages are ABTA and ATOL protected. Contact our experts and book one of our cycling holidays today.

Why Book With Us?

  • 40 years’ creating tailor-made holidays
  • Crafted by experts who love cycling
  • Boutique hotels and gourmet dining
  • Local support in destination
  • Luggage transferred between your hotels
  • Fully serviced hybrid and e-bikes
  • ABTA & ATOL protected
Feefo Gold Trusted Service Award 2025

How Our Holidays Work

Speak with our experts and book with ease

Speak with our experts and book with ease

Our cycle experts will help you find the perfect tour for your holiday needs. You can either complete our easy enquiry form, pop a question into our live chat, effortlessly book online, or simply give our experts a call. Our team will talk through your options and send over a detailed quote. We can even sort transport to and from your holiday, as well as e-bike and hotel upgrades. Once you’ve decided your ideal tour, our team will take care of the logistics, so you don’t have to sweat the small stuff.

What is the cycling like?

What is the cycling like?

We have a variety of holidays with differing ease of tours, meaning there’s a perfect cycle itinerary for you and your abilities. On a typical Softies holiday, you’ll be cycling around 25km a day, but on some tours this can be longer or shorter. Each holiday has an easy to understand grading, so you know exactly the kind of cycling to look forward to. Easy, Leisurely, Moderate, and Active, these gradings help you choose the right holiday for you. Fancy a more leisurely experience? E-bikes are fantastic option for beginner cyclist or those who want that extra boost, so any hill is a breeze.

I’ve booked! What is next?

I’ve booked! What is next?

Once you have booked, we will send you a booking confirmation along with details on how to download our RideWithGPS App. Other than sorting out the holiday essentials like sun cream, sunglasses and all your other travel bits and bobs, it’s time to sit back and start getting excited about your holiday, knowing everything is being sorted out for you. If you’ve booked travel with us, we’ll send over all the details in advance, meticulously arranged by our team.

Your holiday begins

Your holiday begins! It’s time to head to your first hotel

When the day comes for your holiday to begin, simply make your way to the first hotel on the tour. Our dedicated team on the ground will greet you with a welcome meeting, setting you all up with your bikes so you’re ready to begin cycling the next day. Always just a phone call away, our Destination Managers are there if you need any assistance throughout your holiday. We’ll also give you an emergency contact number if needed so you are supported at all times.

Pedal off, luggage free

Pedal off, luggage free

In the morning, after a delicious breakfast, you’ll head off on your first route and onwards to your next boutique hotel. Leave your luggage with our team and we’ll transfer it to your next stay, so you can pedal at leisure. This also means you have room in your pannier to pick up any goods you find in the beautiful towns and villages you’ll visit. We handcraft each route to ensure peaceful pedalling, gorgeous sights, and vibrant experiences along the way. Self guided, go at your own pace with easy to use GPS route maps, for turn-by-turn instructions. We also offer single centre cycling holidays, where you stay in one gorgeous hotel throughout your holiday, exploring the area by bike each day or lounging by the pool and spas.

Unwind in style after a day’s cycling

Unwind in style after a day’s cycling

After a delightful day of cycling, arrive at your hotel and unwind in style. Many of our handpicked accommodation boasts an all too inviting pool, so don’t forget to pack swimwear. A refreshing dip is one of our favourite things to do post-pedalling, ready for sunset drinks and a gourmet experience showcasing the delicious and authentic local cuisine. You have the choice to either include dinners in your holiday booking or explore the town and discover your own hidden gems. Offering half board or bed and breakfast options, we have something for everyone.

Cycling for Softies Experts: Steven

Steven

Head of Cycling
What our experts say

We’re there with you at every step, from the first call to arriving home. A Softies self guided holiday is all about taking it easy, so all you have to decide is what wine to pair with your meal.

FAQs

If you’re looking to include flights and transfers to and from your holiday, our cycle experts are more than happy to sort this out for you as well. We’re a fully bonded ABTA and ATOL tour operator, so have peace of mind that your booking is secure.

Our cycling experts will be able to suggest the right tour for you. For beginner cyclists, we recommend you pick our easiest tours and opt for an e-bike. If you’re new to cycling, it can be daunting at first but our tours are designed with leisure in mind. Often a quick bike ride back home is a great way to build confidence. For the cyclists with more cycling experience, we have a range of moderate cycling tours which will be perfect for you. Call our cycle experts if you’re unsure, they’d love to help advise you on the best holiday for your needs.

For first time cyclists, the Loire Valley is a great option. The terrain is almost completely flat with dedicated cycle paths throughout the region. Our most leisurely tours can be found here. It’s worth looking at our single centre cycling holidays where you can cycle as much or as little as you like.

At your welcome meeting, you’ll be given a puncture kit and shown how to use it. You’ll also only be a phone call away from our team on the ground who are ready to support you.

Currently, we only offer guided experiences on our bike & boat tours. Cycling in a group, each day you’ll travel by boat to a new destination, where you’ll set off on an adventure on two wheels.

All of our tours are suited to solo travellers but you may need to pay a single supplement at many of the hotels you stay at. Our bike & boat holidays are likely the best option for you, as you’ll also be cycling with like-minded people and there’s no supplement to pay.

Popular Cycling Tours

We Can Tailor-make
a Holiday to Suit You…

We have a team of experts on hand to help you choose the perfect holiday. From a luxury cycling holiday weekend in Tuscany to a big adventure in through the Loire Valley, we’re whatever you want your holiday to be.