France

 

Self-guided what?!  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 more recently 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.  Definitions vary by individual cyclists and by the companies that provide "self guided" tours.  In addition, if you partake in other activities such as walking or hiking tours you will find the definitions can be different.  Here is our view.   

 

What Is Self-Guided Touring?

 

So what have the Europeans known for so long that seems to have escaped North America?  Here is a narrative picture:  what if you could go on an inexpensive tour and didn’t have plan any of the routes?  Where all the lodging was taken care of and you had a choice of hotels, where meals were taken care of, and most important you didn’t have to carry your luggage from place to place.  On top of that, what if you could go any date you wanted – a date that worked for your schedule and family?  What if you didn’t want to be part of a group of strangers with different abilities and interests than your own – wouldn’t that be even better still?   Guess what, this alternative does exist as the definition of self-guided travel!   

 

To be sure, there are variations in what you might find under this heading, but for the purpose of this article we are speaking of what you can find in our tours.  It may be what you are looking for, but we understand that there are other combinations of services offered. 

 

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 $800 range per person for a 7-night trip.  This might compare to a guided trip average of $2500 or as cheap as you can go self-contained at $350 and a good tent! 

 

Are you ready for self-guided touring?

 

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. 

 

The Obvious Differences:

 

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:

 

Advantages vs. Disadvantages

  

	Guided Tours	Self-Guided Tours	Self-Contained Tours
Departure dates Open	N	Y	Y
Full time guide	Y	N	N
Guide/Local contact support	Y	Y	N
Personalized groups	N	Y	N
Professionally planned routes	Y	Y	N (individual work)
Baggage transfer	Y	Y	N
Meals included	Y – varies	Y- varies	N
Transfers included	Y – varies	Y – varies	N
Any group size allowed	N	Y	N/A
Guaranteed departure	N – varies	Y	Y
Emergency Help (not totally alone)	Y	Y	N
Professional Travel Services available for add-ons, etc.	Y – varies	Y-varies	N
Typical prices:  $-$$$$ Inexpensive to Very Expensive	$$$-$$$$	$-$$$	$-$$

 

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!

 

Discover France – Biking & Getaways
By Loren Siekman

 

Loren Siekman is the General Manager of cycling and hiking tour companies Pure Adventures, Discover France, and Cycling Classics.  All focus on self-guided cycling and hiking.  Siekman has been promoting self-guided vacations for 13 years.