Training & Preparing for your Active Tour

Find quality advice from our walking and cycling experts and travel community

It's best to ensure you are well prepared before you embark on a walking, cycling, Camino, or bike and boat tour in Europe. Below you will find a variety of helpful advice, including information on how to train for a multi-day active holiday, top tips from past travellers, and recommended gear for your hiking or sailing tour.

If you need further information, don't hesitate to reach out to our helpful team of travel experts. Our staff can offer great insight because we all are big active travel enthusiasts. Or if you would like to contribute some advice we'd love to hear it! Email [email protected] and share your travel knowledge.

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>> Walking Tour Training & Preparation

>> Cycling Tour Training & Preparation

>> Camino Tour Training & Preparation

>> Bike & Boat Tour Training & Preparation


Walking Tour Training & Preparation

John Above Buttermere, Cumbria UK How a UK Self Guided Walking Tour Works

A hiker stopping to appreciate where they've just come from | <i>Allie Peden</i> Tour du Mont Blanc Hiking Tips

Hiking on the GR20 in Corsica | <i>Gesine Cheung</i> How to prevent blisters and protect your feet


A walker in Cappadocia | <i>Erin Williams</i> Ken's Top 10 Tips for Walking Europe

Pilgrims hiking through rural villages along the Camino Frances in Spain | <i>Gesine Cheung</i> Advice for Walking the Camino

Beautiful mountain views from this alpine accommodation in France | <i>Vincent Lamy</i> Alpine Accommodation: What to Expect


Hikers on the Camino in Spain | <i>@timcharody</i> Ultimate Camino Packing Guide

Aurora Borealis lights the sky above northern Finland | <i>Roberto Colombi</i> How to Photograph the Northern Lights

Above Swaledale, walking in England Advice for walking England's Coast to Coast


Rest stop with an impromptu foot soak in the Alps | <i>Vincent Lamy</i> How to recover after a long walk

Hiker at the Spitznack viewpoint on the Rheinsteig Trail Walking Quiz: How much do you know?

Taking in the view from Cape Gelidonia on the Lycian Way in Turkey | <i>Lilly Donkers</i> Walking tour FAQ


Cycling Tour Training & Preparation

Cyclists outside Chateau de Losse | <i>Rob Mills</i> Effective ways to recover after a long cycle

Biking around the Dolomites, Italy Our useful guide to prepare you for a cycling tour

Cycling along the Volga Bike maintenance tips from a pro

Scenic cycling through pine forests in Lithuania | <i>Andrew Bain</i> How does a self guided bike trip in Europe work?

On the way to Nova Bystrice | <i>Els van Veelen</i> How I prepared for my first ever bike tour

Enjoying the scenery en-route to Asolo | <i>Rob Mills</i> 8 benefits of an electric bike


Slovenia offers beautiful cycling opportunities | <i>Tomo Jesenicnik</i> Different types of bikes explained

An electric bike is very useful if you are nervous about your fitness | <i>Pat Rochon</i> Everything you need to know about electric bikes

Travel the Dutch countryside the way the locals do | <i>NBTC</i> Dutch cycling secrets


Cycling along the seafront at Vrsar Cycling FAQ

Admiring the Esztergom Basilica | <i>Lilly Donkers</i> Traveller cycling stories and photos 

Cycling near the Three Peaks of Lavaredo in the Dolomites | <i>Rob Mills</i> Cycling Quiz: How much do you know about cycling in Europe?


Camino Tour Training & Preparation

Pilgrims making their way to Roncesvalles | <i>Gesine Cheung</i> Effective ways to recover after a long walk or cycle

Camino signpost on the Way | <i>Dana Garofani</i> 11 Essential Training Tips for the Camino 

Pilgrims hiking through rural villages along the Camino Frances in Spain | <i>Gesine Cheung</i> Understand the Camino: Glossary


Walking along the Camino de Santiago trail in Galicia | <i>@timcharody</i> Discover Galicia: the region of the Way of St James

Pilgrims on the Compostela Trail Top tips to walk like a pilgrim

Hikers on the Camino in Spain | <i>@timcharody</i> Ultimate Camino packing guide


William Counsell walking the Camino Frances | <i>William Counsell</i> How to prevent blisters and protect your feet on the Camino

Arriving in the beautiful city of Santiago de Compostela after completing the Camino Trail | <i>Edwina Parsons</i> The Jacobean Holy Year Explained

Pilgrims on the Camino del Norte, Spain | <i>Andreas Holland</i> Understand Spain's Camino routes


A Quick Reference Guide to the Camino de Santiago Free eBook: Guide to the Camino

At the 100km marker on the Camino de Santiago | <i>Rachel Goodman</i> Camino traveller stories and photos 

Local sign post along the Camino Trail | <i>Scott Kirchner</i> Camino Quiz: how much do you know?


Bike & Boat Tour Training & Preparation

The Atlantis with full sails, making its way by wind power along the coast of Tuscany Get to know your boat

Equipment used on our Croatia Bike and Sail trip | <i>Rob Keating</i> How to get the most out of 1 week in Croatia

Beautiful Bruges at sunset A brief history of Bruges, a bike and barge favourite destination


Electric bikes are available on most Cycle & Sail trips in Greece and Croatia What to expect on a Croatia bike & sail trip

The famous canals of Amsterdam | <i>Nick Kostos</i> Bike and boat FAQ

Cycling the Danube River in Bratislava, Slovakia | <i>Pat Rochon</i> Bike & boat traveller stories

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