Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
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Global adventures start with a local perspective – that's our philosophy. Whether abroad, or just as importantly at home, the start point is the same; how to get the most enjoyable vacation for our customers while benefiting the local people, economy and respecting the environment.
Our approach looks to: Minimise the impact of our tours on local societies and cultures while enabling our customers to connect with the fantastic local cultures and communities; Maximise the benefits to local people economically in the places we visit; Manage our footprint to limit our environmental impact.
Cycling is a great way to explore the countryside, traveling at a speed that enables you to take in the surroundings without damaging the environment. In selecting accommodation in small villages, small hotels or Guest Houses which employ local people, we make sure that the local people benefit, whilst assuring quality for our guests. By collaborating with locally based people and buying local products from small producers, (organic if possible) we contribute to the regional economy.
We provide travelers with Travelers Codes that encourage the reduction of water usage, systems for collecting, recycling or safe disposal of litter and relevant suggestions to minimise damage to the environment, wildlife and marine ecosystems. All our vacations have a maximum group size of 12 to 15 people minimising both the social and environmental impact. Being able to participate and connect with the local culture provides a richer vacation experience.
We have a partnership with Sustrans, a leading UK sustainable transport charity, where we do a variety of things including providing them with vacations to use in fundraising activities. We also provide them with 0.5p for every mile one of our customers cycles on the National Cycle Network - 12,000 miles of signed cycling and walking routes covering the length and breadth of the UK. We also allow our customers the opportunity to donate to Sustrans.
We provide all our staff with access to a bicycle to encourage them to cycle to work, and in our office, we recycle paper and plastics and use recycled stationery.
We were voted one of the Best Tour Operators in two categories in the Guardian / Observer Travel Awards 2010, and in February 2010, The Guardian newspaper's list of experts voted us one of the top 75 outstanding green travel companies in the Guardian Green Travel List 2010.
Winner of the Guardian Observer Award for Best Small Short Break Tour Operator, runner up in the Online Booking Award and Best Small Tour Operator Award 2011.
Having stayed in touch since primary school, Andy and Paul decided to cycle around South America in 1994. Andy was a keen cyclist but Paul hadn’t been on a bike since doing his paper round. They didn’t have an itinerary and used military maps to navigate through the desert. They had so much fun and met such amazing people that they agreed to set up a cycling tour company together. Andy says their trips create a flexible and intimate way to travel and absorb the local culture and, whats more, you never forget how to cycle – it’s just like riding a bike!
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
