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Self-Guided Cycling Tours Of England’s Lake District / Scottish Highlands At Rates Hovering Around $1,000 per Person

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Pure Adventures

For Immediate Release

Pure Adventures Announces Self-Guided Cycling Tours
Of England’s Lake District / Scottish Highlands
At Rates Hovering Around $1,000 per Person for 8 Days


SCOTTSDALE, AZ, April 25, 2013 – Europe’s active travel leader, Pure Adventures http://pure-adventures.com, that designs game plans for adventurous cycling vacations throughout Europe and the UK, announces new May-through-September, eight-day, self-guided cycling tours in Scotland and through England’s Lake District for just over $1,000 per person double.

Included in both itineraries are, among others, guest house and inn lodging with ensuite bathrooms, hearty breakfasts, daily luggage transfer between inns, emergency support throughout all ride days, arrival orientation, bike set up and bike (rental of hybrid bikes not included in fee), complete route book with maps, cue sheets, and suggestions for visiting, dining and sight seeing.

heartrateThe rate for Scotland Cycling – Lochs, National Parks, and Distilleries is $1,220 per person. This Scottish Highlands adventure begins and ends in Glasgow. The route encompasses lochs and glens, stopping for tastings at Dewars World of Whiskey, touring medieval sites including Blair Atholl Castle, a journey on a century-old steamship and a Victorian spa town. The lore of folk hero Rob Roy comes to life in this romantic countryside. See: http://pure-adventures.com/tours/scotland-cycling.php

The rate for Lake District Cycling – England is $1,055 per person (exclusive of a seasonal supplement in July and August).  The tour focus is on Lake District National Park, a mountainous region in northwest England. The trip begins and ends in Carlisle, founded by the Romans, and goes on toward the seaside, passing through the park and then later on to 17th century towns and the ruins of Hadrian’s Wall. The majority of the riding is on cycling paths, well marked and making up part of the national cycling network. See: http://pure-adventures.com/tours/cycling-tour-england.php

Self-guided tours mean guests aren’t paying for daily guide services and they can select their own restaurants according to budgets. They also enjoy maximum flexibility, traveling at their own pace. See: http://pure-adventures.com/tours/self-guided-tours.php

Self-guided tours – and surprises – are offered in 2013 in over a dozen countries including Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, and Switzerland.

About Pure Adventures
Pure Adventures (http://pure-adventures.com) emerged in 2004 from Discover France Adventures (founded in 1994 by Loren Siekman) to meet North American client requests for high-quality, self-guided cycling tours beyond just France. Pure Adventures leverages and utilizes local expertise for route development, sites to see, people to meet, where to eat, shop and experience life as a local would. Pure Adventures award-winning tours are competitively priced and meticulously planned with substantial behind-the-scene support creating a unique combination that makes a Europe adventure more easily accessible to today’s active traveler.

The company adheres to eco-friendly living and low-to-no-impact travel. Vehicles and other energy consuming resources are not used to support self-guided tours. Electronic communications, cloud storage systems and document sharing help diminish paper printing and storage. Through annual donations the company supports sustainable travel and carbon offsets. Contact them by phone: 800-960-2221 or 480-905-1235, Email: info@pure-adventures.com, or visit online: http://pure-adventures.com.

# # #

Sample Tweet:  8 days self-cycling #England or #Scotland for around $1,000 with @PureAdvTours - http://tinyurl.com/ba2mmmm

Contest Alert: Pure Adventures believes in serendipity that creates postcard moments. A Spain cycling tour for two is the grand prize for the winner of a photo/video contest open to Pure Adventures’ clients. For more details see: https://www.facebook.com/PureAdventuresTours/app_202991206406825

Follow Pure Adventures:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PureAdventuresTours
Twitter: @PureAdvTour
Blog: http://pure-adventures.com/blog/

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4 great gift ideas for moms who love cycling

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Pure Adventures

cycling trips for women to Puglia

Forget breakfast in bed as a Mother’s Day gift you have a mom in your life who loves to ride – chances are she’s out cycling on the roads or trails long before her children are out of bed! With Mother’s Day around the corner, Pure Adventures Self Guided Tours has rounded up the best gift ideas for the special moms in your life – plus sweet memories from the Pure Adventures staff on what they love most about sharing their love of cycling with their moms.

Gifts for moms who spin

“My mom sticks to spin bikes. She never really makes it onto the road, so I love going to spin class with her when I visit her,” says Pure Adventure’s Marketing Coordinator Ryan. If your mom prefers the great indoors versus road cycling, the Hincapie Performer Spin Short will be a welcome gift. The chamois is designed with the extra bulk a traditional bike short has so that your can focus on the workout, not a bunched up chamois. Reviewers on Bicycling.com rave about the flattering fit – and we think your mom would agree.

Bicycling gift ideas for new moms

The Cheetah-2 bicycle trailer by Chariot is a great gift for the new mom who is eager to share her love of cycling with her children. The lightweight aluminum roll cage frame and 5-point child safety harness keep children safe, padded seats and shoulder straps keep them comfortable and the aerodynamic design keeps mom rolling. She’ll love all the extra storage space for snacks and bicycle repair tools.

Gifts for moms who bicycle with their families

While Magali, Pure Adventures’ Operations Manager, never rode with her mom as a child, a Mother’s Day pedal is a tradition she and her two young daughters have adopted. “We enjoy riding along the canal and seeing the cows and spotting rabbits since it’s so quiet there are a lot. My favorite part is my tea when we sit down as a family when we get back and everyone is in a good mood and not in a rush to do anything.” If this sounds like something you would enjoy doing with your children, Pure Adventures suggests the Axiom Barkeep DLX handlebar bag.  Tuck a thermos of tea or coffee into the semi-insulated compartment, load a map of a new destination into your GPS or smart phone (the DLX has an innovative touch-compatible GPS sleeve) and you’re ready to explore a new trail.

Gifts that brings back childhood memories

So your mother has all the bicycling gear they need? How about a gift that brings back happy memories? “My family went on a vacation to Ireland and one day we went riding on the Aran Islands,” Ryan shares with us. “We rode leisurely enjoying each other’s company and the scenery – great bonding!” she added. Maybe planning a return trip to a childhood vacation spot is something you could surprise her with? If your family can trace their heritage back to Scotland, Italy or Spain, a self-guided cycling tour that gives you ample time to trace your family tree is a truly unique gift idea.

What would you like for Mother’s Day?

 

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The best road and off-road cycling in Scotland

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Pure Adventures
Pine martens and how to view wildlife while on cycle tour in Scotland

Active year-round, Pine Martens are nocturnal hunters that can be spotted bounding through the wilds of Scotland. Photo courtesy of Wild Scotland

Guest post contributed by Caroline Warburton, Wild Scotland

Scotland is a land of myths, legends and historic tales, but Scotland is also a land of breathtaking scenery, great hospitality and some fantastic road and off-road cycling.

Wild Scotland is only a stone’s throw from the main cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, and once beyond the cities’ boundaries, the roads are quiet. In fact, once you’re off the beaten track you may have the road to yourself, except for a few sheep.

The beauty of Scotland is in its contrasts and shaped by water. The majestic mountains are punctuated with lochs and rivers, the forests are alive with birdsong and the coastline combines rugged cliffs, golden beaches, picturesque villages and historic castles.

Scotland’s nature influences all aspects of Scottish life too. Whether it’s the water to make the whisky, the wool to make the tweed, the salmon and the venison for the table or the lyrics of a traditional song in a local pub, you’ll fall in love with the country.

Click here to learn more about our self-guided bicycle tours in Scotland.

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5 palate pleasers in Puglia

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Pure Adventures

Puglia (Apulia), you may have heard of it, but where is it? This region of Italy is found in the ‘boot heel’ area of Italy and on your self-guided tour of this region you will more or less follow the coast from the inland town of Conversano and go to Otranto. The routes along the rolling hills of Puglia are no longer than 50KM per day, which means that you can work up an appetite to enjoy all the gastronomic delicacies that Italy is known for. Here are five of our favorites, guaranteed to please the palate of any cyclist.

oven baked Italian pasta with meatballs

Maccheroni al forno

This pasta speciality consists of pasta mixed with meatballs, hard-boiled eggs and all manner of other ingredients then topped with a pie crust and baked in the oven. With sheep being the major livestock, chances are that the meatballs will be made with fresh, local mutton and the pasta is likely to be orecchiette, the tiny ear-shaped pasta that originated in Puglia. Rich and delicious is how this dish is described.

Olive Oil

With more than 50 million olive trees, olive oil production is one of Puglia’s oldest industries and contributes to over 70% of Italy’s total Olive Oil production and 15% of the worlds production.  Extra virgin oil from Puglia, depending on the orchard where it was produced displays different characteristics, from rich and fruity EVOO for grilling to light and golden for uncooked dishes. Did you know that it is the  percentage of free oleic acid which determines the degree of acidity of the oil? Based on the degree of acidity and taste the only names used are as follows: extra virgin olive oil, virgin olive oil, olive oil and olive pomace oil. An olive oil orchard tour and tasting can be adding to your self-guided tour.

Burrata di Andria

Burrata, ricotta, mozzarella – the cheeses of Puglia are known throughout the world, with most are made from the milk from local sheep. While mozzarella is certainly one of the regions must popular cheeses, it is the one-of-a-kind burrata di Andria that travellers must sample while they are vacationing in Puglia. First made in the early 1900′s with fresh cow’s milk, rennet and cream, what makes this cheese truly unique is that it must be eaten within 24 hours of being made, or else it is considered past its prime.

Purcedduzzi

With almonds being an important crop in Puglia, it is not unusual to have many desserts based on this mild nut and Purcedduzzi is a local favourite. Gnocchi, naturally made with durum wheat grown in Puglia, are fried and then topped with toasted almonds, honey and a fruity liqueur. Or if you choose to add an extra night to your self guided tour, you will cycle to Lecce, known as the Florence of the South. There you MUST try Pasticciotto Leccese, a pastry filled with yummy custard cream.

Wines

Puglia produces more wine than any region of Italy and competes with Sicily for the highest amount of grapes produced. According to WineCountry.It, Puglia counts 25 regionally certified wines, including the Primitivo di Manduria, a red named after the grape with the same DNA as the American Zinfandel!

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6 ways to make your European cycling vacation eco-friendly

Posted on April 18, 2013 by Pure Adventures

At Pure Adventures, we are proud to say that we’ve been “green” before it was considered trendy. At our head office, we opt for e-mail over snail-mail, use cloud storage and electronic document sharing to help diminish paper printing and storage. In 1997, we went to an E-brochure only presentation method in 1997 (our detailed website at www.pureadventures.com) then eliminated paper brochures and mailings in 2002.  Over the years we have contributed more than $10,000US to wind farm projects and other sustainable energy projects.  We hire remotely and allow people to work from home no matter where they live – which in the past has been global locations. Best of all, self-guided cycling tours are the ultimate eco-friendly vacation and have low-t0-no-impact on the planet.

eco friendly vacation planning ideas

To celebrate Earth Day on April 22, we offer up these ideas and products to make your European cycling vacation even more earth friendly.

Buy carbon offsets to reduce the environmental impact of your flight

Did you know that a flight of up to 100,000 miles has a 19 tonne carbon footprint? Purchasing carbon offsets help organizations invest in green initiatives which offset the impact of your flight’s carbon use. At carbonfund.org, the purchase of a carbon offset is invested in reforestation, renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

Wear gear made from recycled materials

The Grind bike jersey manufactured by Atayne is made from 100% recycled polyester mesh fabric. Form fitting and lightweight, this jersey wicks moisture and dries quickly and best of all, looks great.

Use biodegradable soaps

What’s better than a biodegradable soap made with all-natural ingredients? How about one that is made using pedal power! Just Soap is a US-based company that blends all of their soaps by pedalling a bicycle. The idea was dreamed up by environmentalist and cyclist Frederick Breeden who has extended the product line to include lip balms – a must for cyclists.

Sleep at ecologically responsible hotels

We are proud to include Hostal Empuries among the hotels travellers will stay in while on the Catalonia Wine and Wheels tour. Hostal Empuries is the first hotel is all of Europe with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. They produce approximately 1/3 of the energy they consume, 100% of their energy is sourced from renewable resources and they are dedicated to identifying products which may be biodegradable or reusable.

We are looking to partner with more “TRUE” eco friendly hotels like the Hostal Empuries and welcome recommendations from customers from their travel experiences.

Be careful what souvenirs you buy

Just because a product is for sale in a market, doesn’t mean that it is legal to bring home. According to the World Wildlife Fund, more than 170 nations have signed the CITES treaty to protect endangered species and the import of products made from them, meaning that coral necklace should be left on the shelf.

Send e-postcards

Instead of buying and mailing a paper postcard, send an e-postcard to your family and friends. Travellerspoint.com has scenic e-photographs from Italy and with a click, can be in your family’s mailbox instantly. Better yet, send us your Postcard Moment and be entered for a chance to win your next trip to Spain for free!

What are your best tips for eco-friendly vacation planning?

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Win a European cycling trip for two from Pure Adventures!

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Pure Adventures

photo and video contest to win a cycling trip for two to Europe

Share your Postcard Moment and you could Win a Cycling Trip for Two!

Some of the best travel experiences seem to just happen. They are not planed, not on the itinerary or talked about in the brochure. They happen when we allow ourselves to let go and become immersed in our surroundings. Only then does the true character of a place reveal itself and only then can we stop visiting a destination and start living it.

Pure Adventures lives and breathes this philosophy. That’s why we specialize in self guided travel. We want to give you the ability to travel by the pulse of the destination. To not miss out because the bus is leaving. To have freedom.

Share with us your memorable, awe inspiring or unexpected travel moment. Show us your experience of letting go of your itinerary and traveling free.

 

The Prize

Grand Prize (1 winner): Spain Cycling Tour for 2*
Secondary Prizes (4 winners): Pure Adventures Jersey

Winner Selection

The photo or video that receives the most votes from each of the 15 categories / destinations will be entered into a juried selection process to choose the winner of the grand prize of a cycling trip for two. Among the final contestants, video contestants will be judged higher for effort than standard photo entries.

Submission Guidelines

Video:
Upload an edited video from a recent trip you’ve taken with Pure Adventures. Must be between 1 to 4 minutes long.
Photos:
Submit a series of 5 photos that document your trip. Photos should show people experiencing the trip.

Photo Tips: More images, and more creativity in presentation will help in considering your submittal. Make it personal, and tell your story as best you can with still images. Be sure to include people – you and your spouse/friends; we have plenty of images of sites, we want to see you, our travellers!

Video Tips: The end result is a 1-3 minute video that shows us your traveling party members enjoying some of the high points of your tour. Commentary, interviews, acting, or whatever you do best is all welcome, but be sure to show people in action, riding, visiting, enjoying a meal/experience, trying to communicate in the local language, etc.
Video submittals will carry more weight in the final judging. All submittals are welcome, but as video requires more time to finalize, these presentations will carry more value in the contest.

COMPLETE CONTEST RULES 

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Trip timing tips and the benefits of self-guided travel

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Pure Adventures

Europe’s self-guided, active travel leader, Pure Adventures, designs game plans for adventurous cycling vacations throughout Europe and the UK, suggests that one way to get into the heart of a country is to drop into a local festival. In the case of Italy, it might be a culinary feast, or, this summer in Ireland, a return to emerald roots at the summer-long event dubbed, The Gathering.

“Because you’re on your own wheels and your own time, you can linger – or not – as you wish at these events that draw on a region’s history and culture. The only consideration then becomes the seasonal time frame in which Pure Adventures offers programs to a region,” said Loren Siekman, founder.

Time your self-guided cycling trip to take part in Italy's Cavalcata Festival

Time your self-guided cycling trip to take part in Italy’s Cavalcata Festival.

Italy’s Puglia is a relatively new region offered to Pure Adventures clients seeking self-guided tours of six nights. In addition to the trulli (white limestone dwellings that resemble pointed witches hats), this region bordering the Adriatic is one of Italy’s wilder sides, with ample urban-stress-relief cycling through agricultural vistas and national parks. Here, as elsewhere in Italy, there are year-round calendar of events for nearly every village. These events celebrate patron saints, the Virgin Mary and, of course, Carnivale. This website offers a sampling of events in Puglia.

Medieval festivals in towns around Florence begin cropping up in May, competing for attention with multitudes of food and wine happenings on four- and six-night self-guided tours. See the Discover Tuscany website to find more events. In Umbria, onion and tulip festivals mix with Medieval music and dance, and if cycling guests plan accordingly, they can take in a happening on a six-night tour.

Another part of Italy that Pure Adventures offers over six nights is Maremma in western Tuscany. Here in May guests can stumble on a crossbow competition in a Middle Ages city and explore the secrets of the prized Prugnolo mushroom.

Hopping over to Ireland, this country’s 2013 cause célèbre is The Gathering, billed as an island-wide festival of events meant to draw in people seeking to connect with their Irish roots. On seven- and four-night Ireland self-guided tours cyclists can plan to tuck in more than one musical event along with pub visits. The tours focus on Connemara and on Galway and the Aran Isles.

 

Posted in 5 Reasons to Cycle, Culture, General, Ireland, Italy, Traveling Tips | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

5 ways Budapest satisfies your senses

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Pure Adventures

After seven days of cycling along the Danube in our Hungary tour, you’ll have the luxury of overnighting in Budapest on the final tour date. Whether you prefer the quiet sophistication of classical music and museums or a raucous night on the town, Budapest will satisfy all of your senses.

 Sight

Dramatic architecture in Hungary

Housing central Europe’s second largest collection of Egyptian art, Budapest’s Museum of Fine Arts is a must see for art aficionados. The 100,000 piece collection of fine art includes not only Egyptian art, but also sculptures and modern paintings. Budapest is also home to the Hungarian National Museum, the country’s largest at nearly 8,000 square feet. It’s no wonder Budapest is named Europe’s most beautiful city, with sculpture gardens, architecture, the historic castle district, all set against the Danube. Make sure your camera battery is charged!

Sound

Folk, jazz, classical or rock – music lovers visiting Budapest can be assured that they will have the opportunity to experience live music in their favorite genres. The Sziget, held each August, attracts more than 400,000 spectators and 1,000 musicians and is one of Europe’s largest music festivals. The Budapest Spring Festival is a perennial favourite among classical and opera music fans. In 2013, the musician line up included Patricia Petibon, Marc Minkowski and Christoph Prégardien. Not to be left out is Budapest’s reputation for a hot nightlife. Outdoor entertainment takes over the evenings in the warmer months and nightclubs thrum with party goers in the cooler seasons.

Smell

Though we could list Budapest’s coffee houses under taste, it will be the aroma of ground beans and brewed coffee that will draw you in for a cup of java. Budapest’s coffee houses have a unique history, with most of them destroyed or shut down during the wars and Communist rule. The Communists believed the coffee houses served as meeting spaces for underground criminal activity and even as late as 1950, the most popular ones were shuttered. Thankfully today you can relax in coffee houses as old as the Ruszwurm, built in 1827 or as upscale as the Zsolnay Cafe (described as snooty by locals, with the distinctive porcelain cups only reinforcing this reputation).

Taste

Honey, paprika, liqueurs, pickles, salami, pate, preserves and of course wine will satisfy all gourmands. Known throughout the world for these delicacies, most notably goose liver pate and szaloncukor, a chocolate covered candy only available at Christmas time. Shop at any farmer’s market for the freshest food and be sure to buy acacia honey, a local favourite.

Feel

Indulge and relax at the famous Szechnyi spa in Budapest, Hungary

Is there a better reward for finishing your cycling adventure than time spent in one of Budapest’s many Turkish baths? The Szechenyi Bath, Budapest’s most famous due to its architecture, has 15 pools and an indulgent spa adjacent to the pools. Kiraly Bath is Budapest’s oldest, having been built in 1565. Spring water in the baths (with one pool as warm as 40C) contain calcium, magnesium, hydrogen-carbonate, sulphate, sodium and fluoride ions – perfect for soothing your muscles post-ride.

 

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From flamenco to food fights: 5 fun Spanish festivals

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Pure Adventures

Spain is a magnificent and large country with much to discover. At the heart of Spanish culture is a passion for food and dance. Here is a list our 5 favourite festivals that can easily be incorporated into your Pure Adventures self-guided cycling vacation in Spain.

Screen Shot 2013-03-25 at 2.11.55 PM

Jerez Festival

Each February, Jerez de la Frontera comes to life with the sounds of clicking castanets and rhythmic stomping iconic of flamenco dancing.  The Jerez Festival is famous for not only the world-class Spanish dancers, singers and guitarists, but also the fun dance courses festival goers can participate in.

Las Fallas

Valencia’s grandest annual festival, Las Fallas, is an amazing and unforgettable experience. This high spirited, 5 day long party  epitomizes everything that fiestas are famous for – fireworks, concerts, parades, bull fights and of course Las Fallas, full-scale paper mache monuments. Nearly 1000 works of art of displayed throughout Valencia, and then on the final day, set ablaze (save for one that is spared via popular vote).

San Fermín

The most renowned of all Spanish festivals, San Fermin attracts more than one million people to the week long fiesta. Centuries old, San Fermin’s most famous event is the encierro, or the running of the bulls. Daily events include bull fights, fireworks and parades and single day events, such as El Struendo and the Saint Fermin procession, make attending San Fermin an experience you will remember for the rest of your life.

Tomatina Tomato Fight

The origins of the Tomatina Tomato Fight are murky, but when you’re taking part in the world’s largest food fight, how La Tomatina started are of little importance. Do you have what it takes to fend for yourself during 60 fun-fuelled minutes of food flinging with 40,000 other aficionado of the humble tomate?

La Vendimia Riojana

It is impossible to visit Spain without savouring its famous wines. Lucky for travellers, there are many festivals throughout the country toasting vino. The most famous wine festival is La Vendimia Riojana, where the new harvest of grapes destined for Spanish wineries is offered to the patron saint of La Rioja, Our Lady of Valvanera. This week long festival is marked by parades, bull fights, concerts and naturally – gastronomic tastings.

Spain is a magnificent and large country with much to discover. In our bicycle vacations in Spain we offer tours in the Catalonia region. Catalonia is northeast Spain along the Mediterranean area and bordered by southern France and includes Barcelona. The key city is the cycling hot spot of Girona, and the picturesque countryside known as the Costa Brava. From Girona, a known cyclist haven, you can discover the region’s culture and countryside in area that is preserved by parks and natural beauty. We offer both moderate level of difficulty and challenging tours that follow the training rides of pro cyclists. See all of our Spanish tours here.

Posted in 5 Reasons to Cycle, Food, Main, Self-guided vacations, Spain, Wine | Leave a comment

5 great things about self guided cycling vacations

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Pure Adventures

self guided cycling vacations and tours in europe are 50% cheaper than fully guided vacations

Bicycle tours and hiking tours in Europe in our unique self guided format is what we do! It is our mission to provide exceptional self guided cycling and hiking tour services that allow our clients to experience their destination in their own unique way. Of all of the great reasons to enjoy a self guided cycling vacation in Europe, here are the five reasons why travelers choose Pure Adventures.

5: Support

The support Pure Adventures offers is second to none,from a orientation and bike fitting in English on the first day of your vacation to precise road maps inclusive of off-the-beaten track and scenic local routes.

4: Convenience

The convenience of having in-country experts plan in advance a personally tailored itinerary complete with lodging reservations and dining and sightseeing recommendations, as well as the convenience of having luggage transported from one accommodation to the next in advance of guest arrival.

3: Privacy

Adventures are shared among self-selected companions — not strangers brought into the mix as is the case with most pre-set, guided tours.

2: Flexibility

Surprising flexibility is a top reason cyclists choose Pure Adventures for their self guided European cycling vacations. Guests can travel on dates of their choice within a given service season, which means the period of time that the company can logistically support an itinerary; and while on a trip guests are in charge of their own time, free to linger at a museum or to bike on to the next dining adventure.

1. Cost savings

Did you know that self-guided vacationers can save on average 50 percent by opting for this mode of travel rather than guide-led excursions?

“Factor out the costs of a guide who’s normally on duty for 24 hours over a seven-day trip and the savings are substantial – without sacrificing any trip quality,” said Loren Siekman, founder of Pure Adventures. “Another consideration is the fact that lodgings can be arranged according to budget.”

Note, not all self guided tours are created equal!

This concept has become a popular offering recently by tour operators in Europe and North America.   As with anything, be sure to read ‘what is included’ in every offer to know how each operator defines support, and if they include any meals, and so on.  Pure Adventures adheres to a higher standard for hotels and support services.  Getting the lowest price is not our objective, but getting the best trip for the money is what we strive to achieve.  Anyone traveling to Europe is going to spend an important sum just to fly, we don’t believe in adding on miscellaneous services for extra euros  or cutting a few euros for a cheaper hotel.  The savings of 100 to 200 euros usually isn’t worth it!   Taking a self guided trip versus a guided trip that can save 1000-1500 euros or more per person – now that we think is worth it when comfort and service are the same!

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