England

This VBT tour through the Cotswolds was a little hillier than I expected, and I was so glad to have an E-Bike! The routes were good to bike on, except for a few times on very narrow roads where you would have to get off the road to let cars or trucks pass.The routes along the canals and through forests were very enjoyable. The leaders Will and Dan were very good with helping out with some difficult traffic crossings. They were also helpful in suggesting apres biking activities (food and drink). Blenheim Palace was a very good stop on the route. Both pre and post biking cities of Oxford and Bath were wonderful with many things to do. One suggestion would be to have more local/cultural experiences as are offered on other VBT trips.

Everything about this trip was what I expected --magnificent countryside, small picturesque villages, nice bike lanes/paths with almost no traffic. The group that we were with was very compatible and most were strong bikers and very adventurous. The guides were perfect, which has been our experience with each of out 13 VBT trips. The lodging was lovely, but kind of warm since the weather was warmer than normal this June. I am a landscape designer so I particularly appreciated seeing Hidcote Manor Garden. And exploring Bath was a highlight

Self-Guided tour with my friend, it was amazing, Ride-with-GPS was perfect, did not get lost anywhere. Ride Inn to Inn, picturesque villages, stone houses, just like Downtown Abbey. Felt very safe every day, Pubs and food were delicious. We had no problem with our bikes, it was a perfect trip! Note there was no leaders on this Self-Guided tour but the VBT local host that set up our bikes and make sure our luggage was delivered at every Inn was great, very helpful and friendly.

My friends and I just returned from the self-guided tour of the Cotswolds, UK. The scenery is fairytale beautiful and the local people were very kind and hospitable. Overall, I would recommend this trip to others, with a few reservations. We were on the second week of a newly operating Self-guided tour and there were some kinks to work out. There were seven cyclists total within this tour group and three of us had bag racks mounted improperly as to drag upon the back tire rendering the bike inoperable. We called for support at the beginning of the ride one mile from the Oxford hotel and waited for three hours for a support person who did not fix the problem. Due to the long delay, we had to forfeit our purchased tour of Blenheim Castle. The last 1 1/2 mile my ebike died due to increased resistance on the bike due to the poorly installed rack. We were riding approx. 10 hours that day. My bike and others wre fixed the following evening by VBT, but our party missed out on essentially two of the five days of the bike tour. Other suggestions would be to eliminate the narrow, hazardous pedestrian path along the canal leaving Oxford. It was an obstacle course of unleashed dogs, kids, fishermen, and other cyclists riding far to fast. I was clipped by one such rider and ended up in a nettle patch...better than the canal to the other side. Suggestions for safety would be that all bikes be equiped with mirrors and working tail lights (three of the seven did not have working lights). Would change the Burford hotel due to dinky room size, no AC, and difficulty carrying luggage up and down a very old, narrow staircase.

Amazing views, great guides but so glad we went with e-bikes this trip😅

Well planned tour. The guides were exceptional, warm, knowledgeable and patient. Trip hotels were thoughtfully chosen. I liked that most of the rides started or ended right at the hotel we were staying in.

My husband and I did this self-guided tour in early September and absolutely loved it. Country Walkers did an impeccable job taking care of every detail--booking hotels, moving our suitcases between hotels, and, best of all, the "route notes" book was so detailed and had everything we needed from step-by-step directions and restaurant suggestions to history and ideas for things to do. It felt like a wonderful adventure following the famous paths through sheep pastures and little forest thickets, past gardens and ancient churches, and climbing over or around all the different gates. It was often overcast and misty in the mornings, but the mid-day sun burned it all away. Our highlights are choosing to stop for an hour to check out the Hailes Abbey Museum and rubbing elbows with some locals at the only pub in a tiny village. So many great memories! We liked the intimate experience of doing a self-guided trip and the independence (without the planning!) that it provided. We spent some extra days in London at the end of our trip...that was just icing on the cake.

What a fantastic trip this was. This was my 6th time going to England, but my first for the Cotswold region and what an extraordinary time it was. The food was fantastic, everywhere you looked the views were spectacular. It was fantastic trip which I would do again in a heart beat.

The experience of being outside everyday, walking in this beautiful part of England, and retiring to super comfy and well-located accommodation each evening, made this a Top 3 trip for me. I especially valued waking-up each morning knowing that the day's schedule was mine. Country Walkers had great recommendations for eating and visiting. The customized guidebook had all the information that I needed in one place. All details were taken care of. Thanks for making it so easy. A truly remarkable vacation, in a charming and welcoming part of the world.

In the company of my sister, who believed I could accomplish the walk, we embarked on what turned out to be a beautiful experience. We did it all. We had lovely landscapes, villages, walks, wonderful places to stay, food and most of all the English people. I want to do another trip very soon. June 2022

We have just returned from our trip to Cornwall, one of the most beautiful and unique world sites. We are a couple aged 87 and 80. We wish we would have hiked the area earlier but still so glad we did it. CW provided fabulous itinerary and hotels. We took the option of driving with our luggage to each site. We will also admit to shortening the hikes. But, no doubt, this is an exceptional trip and we loved it.

This was a wonderful experience. To be outside enjoying the beautiful Cornwall coast, having the perfect CW guidebook in your hand, returning to your lovely hotel and a great meal. So much thought has gone into making this tour just right. I didn't do all the walks due to a foot problem (not blisters-I had great hiking boots) but did get to enjoy just walking around the villages, eating fish every day, chatting with the locals. Be sure to try a Cornish pasty! This is a self-guided tour and I hiked alone, which I prefer.