The Danube Explorer Bike & Barge tour is one of Europe's finest. It visits several great cities, including Passau, Vienna and Bratislava, before ending in majestic Budapest.

 

Watch this insightful film and discover what it's like on board the MS Vivienne and what the daily itinerary involves. Meet the hospitable crew and learn about all tour inclusions, particularly the barge features, and then be sure to secure your cabin as these popular tours inevitably sell out.

 

 

>> Danube Explorer to Budapest

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From the cobblestone streets of charming Passau to the Austrian capital of Vienna and the majestic city of Budapest, this journey by comfortable river boat and bike offers the opportunity to experience life on the Danube and the surrounding countryside at your own pace. 

With a comfortable river boat as your base, enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the legendary Wachau, Bratislava, the Slovakian capital at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains and the icon studded cities of Vienna and Budapest.
 

 

Danube Bike & Barge Tours

 

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The Camino Portuguese is one of the most popular pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela, second only to the Camino Francés. This route begins in Lisbon or Porto and winds its way through scenic landscapes, historic towns, and charming villages in Portugal before crossing into Spain and reaching Santiago de Compostela.

Tim Charody, the award-winning filmmaker, has captured the essence of experiencing the Camino Portuguese on a self-guided walking tour with UTracks. Watch this short film to discover what it’s like to walk the Camino Portuguese and enjoy the many benefits of a tour, including a user-friendly navigation app, comfortable accommodations, daily luggage transfers, and more.

 

 

>> Camino Portuguese Walking Tours

>> Camino Portuguese Cycling Tours

 

 

 

Walking or cycling the Portuguese Camino is an incredibly rewarding and meaningful experience. Whether you choose to walk the Camino Portuguese or cycle the Camino Portuguese, you will have an unforgettable tour all the way to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

The Camino Portuguese is considered the more spiritually connected of all of the Camino routes to Santiago because Portugal is where the apostle St James, whose tomb is at Santiago Cathedral, first preached. Many believe that his final journey to Santiago was via Portugal when his bones were brought back from Jerusalem after he was beheaded.

The Camino Portuguese provides walkers and cyclists with a quieter, and flatter, experience. However, do not mistake the absence of travellers for a lack of interesting sights. The traditional Camino Portuguese route, the Portuguese Way, is beautiful and packed with history, taking you through World Heritage-listed Coimbra, Portugal’s early medieval capital famous for its 13th century university, and rural regions that you may otherwise never experience on a tour of Portugal.

There are various Camino Portuguese stages you can explore on a UTracks tour. On a cycling trip of the Portuguese Way, you can choose to cycle the stages from Lisbon to Porto; from Porto to Santiago; or cycle the full Portuguese Way route from Lisbon to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

If you choose to do a self guided walking tour of the Portuguese Way, also known as the Portuguese Road, you can walk the stages from Lisbon to Coimbra; from Coimbra to Porto; from Porto to Tui; from Tui to Santiago; or the full Portuguese Camino from Lisbon to Santiago in Spain.

Another option is the even quieter Portuguese Coastal Way. This stunning alternative to the Portuguese Way takes you along the wild Atlantic coast of northern Portugal, past charming seaside villages and picturesque beaches, before meeting up with the traditional route in Spain to the end point in Santiago de Compostela.

There is also the popular Best of the Portuguese Camino trip, which is an affordable small group guided walking tour that takes in the most iconic stage of the Camino Portuguese and includes accommodation in Portugal's famous parador hotels.
 

Find your Camino Portuguese

 

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Tim Charody, the award-winning filmmaker, has captured what it's like to experience an active holiday in the Cotswolds with UTracks. Whether you're walking the iconic Cotswold Way, cycling in the Cotswolds, or taking one of our exploratory walking itineraries, you're sure to have a brilliant time in this part of England.

 

Watch this inspiring short film to discover what it's like to become immersed in the Cotswolds.

 

 

 

About the Cotswolds

We chose the Cotswold Walk and can't recommend it highly enough. The beautiful scenery and gorgeous villages along the way made it pretty special. The accommodation was great and breakfast at each destination kept us going through the day. The instructions were fantastic, very detailed and made it a lot easier to find where we were going. Also no issues with the luggage arriving at our accommodation each night. Highly recommend them and can't wait until our next adventure. M. Whitney.

Find your active tour in the Cotswolds

>> View the Cotswold Way Walk

>> View the Cotswolds by Bike

>> View all Cotswolds active tours

 

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The award-winning filmmaker, Tim Charody, has captured what it's like to experience exploring the Great Glen Way on a bike and barge tour with UTracks. 

 

Watch this short movie to discover what it's like to spend a week cycling this gorgeous trail by day, then relaxing on board your comfortable barge at night.

 

 

 

About the Great Glen Bike and Barge Tour

This trip experience was magical! It is the most intimate way to experience the land, water, weather and people who call the Scottish Highlands home. Traveling with a small group of like-minded travelers from around the globe added to the magic. I feel I have brought home a piece of Scotland in my heart. L. DenBleyker.

More Great Glen Barge Tour Films

There are more Great Glen barge tour itineraries that feature other activities, including walking, slower-paced rambler and multi activity trips.

  

Great Glen Way Multi Activity Barge Tour

 

Great Glen Way Walk and Barge Tour

Find your Great Glen Way tour

>> View the Great Glen Way Bike and Barge Tour

>> View the Great Glen Multi Activity Barge

>> View all Great Glen tours

 

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Tim Charody, the award-winning filmmaker, has captured what it's like to experience exploring the Great Glen Way on a hike and barge tour with UTracks. There are two itineraries: a classic walking itinerary and a slower-paced rambler version, ideal for those who like to smell the roses en route.

 

Watch this short movie to discover what it's like to spend a week walking this beautiful trail by day, then relaxing on board your comfortable barge at night.

 

 

 

About the Great Glen Walk and Barge Tour

The crew (skipper, bosan, guide,cook) were all professional and fun and ensured all the guests were safe, enjoying themselves and extremely well fed. Each evening the following days barge trip was outlined as were the walking options. As the barge had to negotiate many locks there were many hop on/hop off points for those not wanting to walk the entire Great Glen. 

The scenery both from the barge and the well maintained walking tracks was so spectacular that the light rain each day of our trip seemed insignificant. The facilities on the barge were very comfortable and it was fun having meals all together around one large table. The cabins were comfortable and the showers functioned exceptionally well with good pressure and warmth. J. Muir.

 

More Great Glen Barge Tour Films

There are more Great Glen barge tour itineraries that feature other activities, including cycling and multi activity trips.

  

Great Glen Way Multi Activity Barge Tour

 

Great Glen Way Bike and Barge Tour

Find your Great Glen Way tour

>> View the Great Glen Way Bike and Barge Tour

>> View the Great Glen Multi Activity Barge

>> View all Great Glen tours

 

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Decisions, decisions. Scotland's Great Glen Way is a marvellous trail to explore, but to experience it by walking or cycling? With the Multi Activity tour, you can do both! Plus your accommodation is a very comfortable and cosy barge that will keep you constantly immersed in your surroundings.

 

Tim Charody, the award-winning filmmaker, has captured what it's like to experience the Great Glen Way Multi Activity Barge with UTracks. Watch this short movie to discover what it's like to spend a week cycling, walking, sailing and enjoying the beauty of Scotland.

 

 

Scotland's Great Glen Way walking trail stretches 75 miles from Fort William to the capital of the highlands, Inverness. 

 

Based on board a comfortable barge at night, this multi activity holiday incorporates hiking, cycling and canoeing in one of Scotland's most picturesque regions. The cruise offers the flexibility to walk, cycle or canoe sections of the route at an easy pace from one coast of Scotland to the other. 

 

 

The choice of how much activity to incorporate into the week long trip is up to you. The barge stops are planned to suit the active stages, breaking them into manageable walks, cycles and paddles. Guided by an experienced escort, who will point out places of interest along the way, there is no shortage of highlights. 

 

 

From impressive views of the mystical Loch Ness to glimpses of Scotland's highest peak, Ben Nevis, this relaxed pace active holiday will immerse you in the Scottish Highlands. In the evening, share stories of your day with like minded travellers and relish in the accomplishment of walking the breadth of Scotland.

 

 

 

 

 

>> View the Great Glen Way Walk and Barge Tour

>> View the Great Glen Way Walk and Barge Rambler Tour

 

 

Great Glen Way Bike and Barge Tour

Find your Great Glen Way tour

>> View the Great Glen Way Bike and Barge Tour

>> View the Great Glen Multi Activity Barge

>> View all Great Glen tours

 

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The Camino Norte, or Northen Camino, is the second-most popular trail in Spain after the Camino Frances. The route starts in San Sebastian and travels along the coast, through the Spanish regions of Asturias and Cantabria, before turning inland and reaching Santiago de Compostela.

 

Tim Charody, the award-winning filmmaker, has captured what it's like to experience the Camino Norte on a self-guided walking tour with UTracks. Watch this short movie to learn more about walking the Camino Norte and the great benefits from going on a tour with a helpful navigation app, comfortable accommodation, daily luggage transfers and more.

 

 

>> Camino Norte Walking Tours

>> Camino Norte Cycling Tours

 

 

 

Pilgrims traveling along Spain's northern coast often follow a route now known as the Camino del Norte, or the Northern Way.

While pilgrimages traditionally began at one’s doorstep, attracting pilgrims from across Europe, many converged on this coastal path after reaching Spain. The Camino del Norte offered not only a safer route in the early days of pilgrimage but also breathtaking scenery and the opportunity to experience a less traveled path compared to the bustling Camino Francés.

Although less popular than its inland counterpart, the Camino del Norte draws pilgrims seeking a quieter, more introspective journey. Approximately 6-8% of Camino pilgrims choose this route, which meanders through charming seaside towns and rugged coastal landscapes, offering a unique perspective on the pilgrimage to Santiago.

Starting points vary, but many modern pilgrims begin their journey in cities such as San Sebastián, Bilbao, or Santander, allowing them to experience a section of the route within a week or two. Others take on the full challenge of the Camino del Norte, beginning near the French border in Irún and traversing over 800 kilometers to Santiago de Compostela.

The Camino del Norte is well-marked and provides adequate infrastructure for pilgrims, including albergues, restaurants, and rest stops, though not as extensive as the Camino Francés. This lends it a more intimate and less commercialized atmosphere.

The route offers an unparalleled blend of coastal and mountain scenery, from the dramatic cliffs of the Cantabrian coast to lush green hills and occasional glimpses of the Picos de Europa. Along the way, pilgrims pass through vibrant cities like Bilbao, home to the Guggenheim Museum, and Gijón, as well as smaller, picturesque villages steeped in history.

The Camino del Norte invites those who seek a more tranquil pilgrimage, steeped in natural beauty and cultural richness, making it a rewarding and memorable path to Santiago.

Find your Camino Norte

 

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The travel writer Daniel Scott and a friend went on UTracks' Walking in the Picos de Europa self-guided walking tour. 

 

He calls it 'the hidden mountain paradise' because the Picos de Europa probably isn't the first destination that springs to mind when you think of an active holiday in Spain; the Pyrenees, or the Canary Islands, or the iconic Camino de Santiago are more well-known. 

 

However, as you'll read in Daniel's great article in Explore, these northern regions of Spain are well worth checking out. From the fascinating culture of the Basque country through to Cantabria and the Asturias, there's great local cuisine, jaw-dropping views and a refreshing lack of crowds.

 

Walking in the Picos de Europa Tour Reviews

"This was our first self-guided trip, and first experience with UTracks. In this world of "anything goes", we were a bit worried things may not go quite as planned. We expected sometimes having to remind people to pick us up, or be unsatisfied with accommodations, etc. but this was one of the best trips we've had: people were on time, hotels were totally decent. Great staff and reliable. As for the trip itself, well... come on: the Picos de Europa is an incredible, hidden gem!! Looking forward to our next adventure with UTracks!" J. Le Clerc.

View active tours in the Picos de Europa region

 

The travel writer Kirstie Bedford 'pedalled for pasta' on her cycling holiday on the Italian island of Sardinia. She writes about her experiences in Australian Geographic.

Cycling in Sardinia Tour Reviews

"Biking in Sardinia was awesome - glad we had our e-bikes with the headwinds. Diverse scenery and terrain and great accommodation along the way. GPS maps that were provided made things easy and we loved every minute. It's very quiet in Sardinia in April - which made things relaxing touring round." M. Courtney.

View active tours in Sardinia

 

Deborah Brinkhoff & Lara Hilton travelled to France and explored Provence's back roads by bike. They shared some of their amazing photos which capture the beauty of Provence: from artistic lanterns to foliage-covered streets to historic monuments; all made even more spectacular with the changing of the seasons.

 

Get a glimpse of Provence through their images and be sure to check out the Provence Backroads Cycle - it's one of the most popular ways to experience France.

 

 

 

 

"We thoroughly enjoyed our bike riding trip! We opted for e-bikes which was great for us given that we weren't both regular bike riders. The itinerary of each day was very flexible, giving you the chance to have a late or early start with still plenty of time in the day to enjoy the village for your overnight stay. We often opted for an early start, arriving around lunchtime at our destination. We particularly loved the two-night stay (with a rest day) at Saint Remy de Provence. It gave us more time for some sight seeing and enjoying the bigger village. The GPS navigation was also super easy to follow and as English-speakers, we didn't find any issues making our way around. We would highly recommend this experience to others looking to 'get off the beaten track' and explore some hidden gems in the Provence region." C. Naughtin

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The very best way to experience the back roads and villages of Provence. Perfectly located accommodation in places we might never experienced had we not been cycling. Sleeping under the city ruins of Beaux de Provence and enjoying the first class hospitality of the hotel owners was an experience we will never forget. Moderation was put behind us! Easy track notes to follow and lots of opportunity and places to do your own exploring in the towns." M. Sprague"

 

 

   

 

 

"This was a fabulous trip. The organisation was seamless and it was exactly as described in the information provided. We are both in our 60s and the level was perfect for our fitness levels." S. Rabach

 

 

 

 

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A big merci to Deborah and Lara for sharing their photos. We love to see them!

 

>> View the Provence Backroads Cycle

>> View all Provence active holidays