How to choose a self-guided walking holiday company
We create and run these holidays ourselves. Whoever you book with, these are the questions worth asking first.
By Cassie ·
Before you book
A self-guided walking holiday depends on the people behind it: the routes, the hotels and the help you get on the way. Here are the questions worth asking any company, and how we answer each one.
1. Who walked the routes?
Our answer: Every route was created by our family, and walked or cycled by our family and friends.
2. Who runs the holiday on the ground?
Our answer: We do. We book every hotel, arrange your luggage moves and look after you during your holiday, and if you book directly with us, Cassie will usually meet up with you, for example in Sarlat.
3. What’s included?
Our answer: Hotels, breakfast every day and dinner on most evenings, your luggage moved, our route notes, maps and GPX files, and our support. Our What’s included page has the details, holiday by holiday.
4. How is the luggage handled?
Our answer: Your bags are moved on for you whenever you change hotel, so you walk with just a daypack. One bag per person, up to 20 kg, ready at reception by 9am.
5. Do you get GPX files and route notes?
Our answer: Yes: detailed route notes and maps, and a GPX file for every day by email, with simple instructions for using it on your phone.
6. What support will you have?
Our answer: Our phone number and WhatsApp throughout your holiday, on hand from 9am to 7pm, UK or French time. We reply within 24 hours, usually much sooner.
7. What are the single and solo supplements?
Our answer: Travelling solo, there’s a supplement on top of the per-person price; a single room supplement applies when someone in a group would like a room of their own. Every price is on each holiday page, and our guide to solo holidays lists the solo prices.
8. Are there longer versions?
Our answer: Several of our holidays come in longer versions, up to 11 days, and every itinerary can be shaped around you.
9. Who actually runs the holiday?
Our answer: We do. We created every one of our routes and we run every holiday ourselves: we plan the routes, choose the hotels and look after you on the ground. Book with us and you deal directly with the people who run your holiday.
More to read
Talk to Cassie
Tell us which holiday you’re thinking of and your dates. We reply within 24 hours, usually much sooner.