Self-guided active holidays in the UK and Europe
Macs Adventure specialises in self guided walking and active holidays in the UK and Europe as we firmly believe that the very best way to experience the landscape, history, food and culture of our fabulous destinations is under your own steam.
Cycling in Catalonia
Tour Operator: Macs Adventure
Spain
8 days (Bike: 5 days)
177 km (~35km per day)
Moderate
Self-Guided
Semi-Supported
Prices from
Self-Guided
£ 760
Overview
Tour Operator Macs Adventure
Uncover the wild and beautiful landscape of Catalonia on this cycling holiday in North East Spain.
Follow traffic free roads and open countryside as you cycle through idyllic villages surrounded by olive groves and orchards. Relax and unwind as you pass fields of yellow sunflowers and meander through nature reserves teeming with bird-life. Take time to savour the local cuisine at the village markets and discover local tradition and culture in this hidden area of Catalonia. After a transfer from Girona, your cycle starts in Palau Saverdera which is a charming Catalan farming village, only 5km from the sea. You will be based here for the first few nights as you explore the surrounding villages and sights on your wheels, including a wonderful circular route to Peralada (famous for its winemaking). You then head south to Sant Pere Pescador your base for the rest of the holiday. En route you pass through Aiguamolls Nature Reserve where there is an abundance of birdlife and head on down to the coast for some fantastic views across to the Pyrenees. Plenty of relaxed cycling and stunning scenery make this a wonderful holiday to unwind and recharge your batteries. The pace of life, stimulating culture and dramatic seascapes of this largely undiscovered and unspoilt part of Spain will refresh and reinvigorate you. Macs Adventure’s cycling holidays allow you to see so much more of the countryside away from the crowds and give you a real sense of freedom.
Danube Cycle Path: Passau to Budapest
Tour Operator: Macs Adventure
Austria, Germany, Hungary & Slovakia
14 days (Bike: 12 days)
582 km (~49km per day)
Easy
Self-Guided
Semi-Supported
Prices from
Self-Guided
£ 875
Overview
Tour Operator Macs Adventure
Travel through four fascinating countries on this glorious cycling adventure.
Following the delightfully scenic River Danube Cycle Path, you’ll discover a wealth of gems including historical attractions, cultural treasures and fine wines. Starting out from the colourful Bavarian city of Passau, flat, easy going cycle paths lead you through to the famous Schlögener Loop, the charming city of Linz and mouth-watering sweet pastries of Vienna. From Vienna, rolling countryside brings cyclist to the enchanting Slovakian capital of Bratislava. Continuing to roll with the bends of the Blue Danube, fairy-tale castles pepper the riverbanks as you pedal to Budapest, the city where Eastern meets Western Europe. Famed for its abundance of spa’s and steam rooms it’s the perfect pamper to end your Danube adventure.
Cycle Brittany's Canals & Coast to Mont St Michel
Tour Operator: Macs Adventure
France
6 days (Bike: 5 days)
198 km (~40km per day)
Moderate
Self-Guided
Semi-Supported
Prices from
Self-Guided
£ 935
Overview
Tour Operator Macs Adventure
Easy-going cycling from Rennes to the UNESCO listed Mont St Michel - Pedal and picnic along the Canal d'Ill et Rance - Discover the charming medieval town of Dinan - Enjoy a beachfront lunch of fresh oysters at Cancale - Explore the harbours and relax on the beaches of Dinard and St Malo
Discover the cities, villages and coastal towns of Brittany on this easy going cycling holiday, finishing with a day to explore the magnificent UNESCO listed island of Mont St Michel. Cycle from the vibrant centre of Rennes along the easy going Canal d'Ille-et-Rance to the colourful half-timbered buildings of medieval Dinan. Ride northwards along the Rance estuary, where you can take a day out of the saddle to explore the chic coastal towns and beaches of Dinard and St Malo. Rolling eastwards, pedal to the charming seaside town of Cancale and enjoy a lunch of freshly shucked oysters before arriving at the gateway town of St Mont Michel, Pontsoron for two nights. From Pontsoron, it’s just a short ride to the iconic UNESCO landmark which is worthy of a full days exploration including sampling many of the delicious variety of crepes on offer.
Cycle Parma to Bologna
Tour Operator: Macs Adventure
Italy
8 days
198 mi (~25mi per day)
Moderate
Self-Guided
Semi-Supported
Prices from
Self-Guided
£ 1220
Overview
Tour Operator Macs Adventure
Discover the signature dishes and medieval towns of Emilia Romagna on this food lovers cycling tour from Parma to Bologna, spending each night in atmospheric, historic 4* hotels.
Cycle across the fertile plains, rivers and towns of the Po Valley as you follow the ancient Roman Road of ‘Via Emilia’ dating back to 187 B.C. Starting out in Parma, discover the renaissance artworks of Correggio and Mazzola and lunch on plates of prosciutto ham and parmesan cheese. Ride to the UNESCO listed Piazza Grande of Modena, and sample the local Balsamic vinegars. Pedal along the river Secchia to the terracotta porticoes of Bologna and into the Piazza Maggiore, the perfect place to end your journey. Dine on fresh beef ragu pasta and quaff generous glasses of Sangiovese wine, reflecting on your delicious week in the saddle.
Holland Bike & Boat: Southern Circuit
Tour Operator: Macs Adventure
Belgium & Netherlands
8 days (Bike: 5 days)
288 km (~58km per day)
Easy
Self-Guided
Semi-Supported
Prices from
Self-Guided
£ 720
Overview
Tour Operator Macs Adventure
Combine bike and boat to journey through the contrasts of Southern Holland.
Easy going cycle paths link the futuristic city of Rotterdam with traditional craft towns of Delft, Gouda, and Schoonhoven. South of Amsterdam, the River Vecht flows to the imposing Dom Tower of Utrecht. From here you’ll cycle and sail Holland’s ancient river paths through Europe’s busiest port, Rotterdam to the gin town of Schiedam.
Along the way, you’ll encounter the traditional potters of Delft, discover the cheese craft of Gouda and lose count of the perfectly preserved UNESCO windmills of Kinderdijk. Returning each evening to the comfort and calm of your boat makes for a very hassle-free adventure.
Luxury Loire Cycling
Tour Operator: Macs Adventure
France
6 days (Bike: 4 days)
145 km (~36km per day)
Easy
Self-Guided
Semi-Supported
Prices from
Self-Guided
£ 1395
Overview
Tour Operator Macs Adventure
Cycle the historic Loire Valley in luxury and overnight in lovingly converted châteaux and former homes of nobility.
Discover the fairy-tale châteaux and natural beauty of the Loire Valley from tranquil riverside cycle paths and forested lanes. From Amboise, pedal to the impressive Château Chenoceau and visit the house of Leonardo da Vinci, Clos du Luce. Further east, ride along the River L’Indre towards the ornate château of Azay le Rideau. Overnight in style in converted château where you can relax and recharge poolside before a evening of gourmet cuisine.
Algarve Cycling Short Break
Tour Operator: Macs Adventure
Portugal
5 days (Bike: 3 days)
132 km (~44km per day)
Moderate
Self-Guided
Semi-Supported
Prices from
Self-Guided
£ 565
Overview
Tour Operator Macs Adventure
Cycling to Cape St Vicente, the southwestern-most point of continental Europe - Pedalling past the limestone cliffs of Ponta da Piedade - Wandering through the Moorish town of Slives - Taking a refreshing dip in the azure Atlantic Ocean or in your hotel's pool - Immersion in the wild nature and hidden inland villages of the 'real' Algarve - Enjoy an evening at the waterfront marina in the cosmopolitan town of Lagos
This short break cycling tour takes you from Alte, in the rolling hills of inland Algarve, to Sagres at the southwestern tip of Portugal. Pass through the “real” Algarve and explore hidden inland villages, before riding along the rugged cliffs from Lagos to Cape Sao Vicente. On this exciting cycling trip there is something for everyone; great inland and coastal scenery, the traditional town of Silves, immersion in Portuguese culture and cycle routes following ancient roads through cork-tree valleys. This is the true Algarve, where the beach crowds are non-existent and where you can cycle through wonderful natural spectacles and relax in gorgeous hotels at the end of your day’s exertions.
Great Glen Cycleway
Tour Operator: Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
5 days (Bike: 3 days)
129 km (~43km per day)
Moderate/Advanced
Self-Guided
Semi-Supported
Prices from
Self-Guided
£ 465
Overview
Tour Operator Macs Adventure
The Great Glen is an amazing geographical fault line that splits Scotland in two, forming dramatic lochs and glens and one of the most famous bodies of water in the world; Loch Ness.
Biking along the banks of loch after loch, travelling from coast to coast is an amazing experience that immerses you in the iconic scenery of the Great Glen. From relaxing canal-side riding to flying down neat singletrack, the Great Glen Cycleway is a beautiful, challenging way to spend a couple of days.
Your trip begins in the shadow of Ben Nevis, at Fort William. From there you ease into the journey by following the Caledonian Canal, passing the man-made phenomenon of Neptune’s Staircase. You will soon be cycling on singletrack and fire road alongside the first of a series of lochs, Loch Lochy then Loch Oich. Reach Fort Augustus, the gateway to Loch Ness which dominates the rest of your trip.
With challenging climbs to reveal magnificent views and stunning, high speed downhills, the trip really does have a little bit of everything. Stay at hand-picked B&B’s, guesthouses and small country hotels, and enjoy the convenience of daily baggage transfer on this wonderful mountain biking holiday in Scotland.
Cycle Carcassonne & The Best of the Canal du Midi
Tour Operator: Macs Adventure
France
6 days (Bike: 4 days)
165 km (~41km per day)
Easy/Moderate
Self-Guided
Semi-Supported
Prices from
Self-Guided
£ 660
Overview
Tour Operator Macs Adventure
Pedal along the UNESCO listed Canal du Midi and Canal du Robine on this relaxed cycling tour from Carcassonne to Narbonne.
Deep in Languedoc-Roussillon, southern France, your tour begins in the exquisitely preserved town of Carcassonne. Explore the 11th century Cathar Castle in the heart of the ‘Old Cite’ before cycling east along the Canal du Midi to the former wine port of Homps. Spending two nights here, ride up to the dramatic village of Minerve, nestled amongst the vineyards of Gorge du Cesse. From Homps, head along countryside lanes to join the Canal du Robine as it winds its way into the heart of Narbonne. From here you can choose to take a day trip to the ancient Roman town of Beziers or round off your journey with a day exploring the lagoons and beaches of Narbonne Plage and a fresh seafood lunch!
Danube Bike & Boat: Passau to Vienna
Tour Operator: Macs Adventure
Austria & Germany
8 days (Bike: 5 days)
181 km (~36km per day)
Easy
Self-Guided
Prices from
Self-Guided
£ 675
Overview
Tour Operator Macs Adventure
Cycle and sail down the world-famous Danube in Austria, taking in some of the most exciting sections of one of Europe’s great waterways.
Your boat becomes your home for the week, while you get to discover sleepy valleys, historic castles, and wine-growing towns and villages. There is a treasure trove of attractions on this trip, with visits to Vienna and the Wachau Valley being the main highlights. Sample the local cuisine, and listen to the sounds of Vienna at one of the opera palaces. Cycling along the easy pathways is the best way to experience the Danube region, where every day is different from the last. You have a knowledgeable tour guide on board who will brief you on each day's cycle and will be able to tell you where the secret sights and eateries are on each day.