Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There were lots. Just being on a bike in beautiful surroundings. Rounding a bend and to see yet another spectacular view. Making that last push before lunch and being rewarded with a delicious meal eaten outside on lovely terrace in an out-of-the-way trattoria. Swimming at a hotel's own beach at the end of long day's cycling. Climbing the steps up to Ravello and seeing Amalfi below us. Eating breakfast on the terrace above Amalfi's town square with the church's bells pealing. Being able to wander around classic ruins in Paestum without crowds or tour guides.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter was an absolutely fantastic group leader. From the moment he picked the group up at the airport to seeing us off very early on our day of our departure Peter really looked after us all. He was kind, knowledgeable and interesting. He paced the rides just right for everyone's ability and factored in plenty of coffee and ice cream stops. Peter knew some great places to eat and to swim and had obviously planned and researched the rides really thoroughly - he made sure that we all got the very most out of the holiday, without rushing us and was always good humoured.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you like having your stuff with you, consider taking along a panier or handlebar bag  - the bikes we were supplied with had a rack for this purpose. The support vehicle was always close so people, if they wanted, could put stuff in it and get to it pretty frequently. Water was available both from the van and from fountains in villages we stopped at along the way. Padded cycling shorts are worth taking along  - even if you're a regular cyclist.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling the Amalfi coast road particularly as the sun was setting behind us and the lights of Positano were appearing and twinkling.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter is a superb leader who balanced the responsibilities of leadership really well. He is very knowledgable and informative about the history, geography and culture of the area plus able to find and negotiate tradional food at unbelieveably good prices.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring your swimming costume.If coming in the summer months expect it to be HOT. Even in late Sept the hill climbs were pretty hot and it was a relief to jump into the sea or pool at the end of the day.

Most Inspirational Moment

Quite eyeopening to share the narrow windy roads with some rather skillful drivers who were actually quite friendly despite my previous impression of mad Italian drivers. Also findig out that our super fit cycling guide Lieven is a professional archaeologist who turned out to be our guide to the ancient Greek Temples at Paestum and our volunteered walking tour guide on our free day! 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely fantastic - knowledgeable and responsible. He looked after us in all aspects in great detail -interpreter, menu translator, mechanics, navigator, road marker, shopper, tour guide for historic sights, gardens and even trekking guide for free.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Accept there are ups and downs and that is the price to pay for beautiful scenery. Worth bringing your own snacks as you may not get what you are used to but no shortage of nice coffee and smooth icecream of you are fine with those. The bike condition is good so it is not a big deal if you dont bring your own saddle or pedal but worth doing so to give you the extra comfort. Waterproof is important as weather around hills and coast is unpredictable.

Most Inspirational Moment

The coast ride from Amalfi and seeing Positano after a climb was amazing. If you love long fast descent, then the descent into Maiori is something that will you will not forget.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lieven is highly organised and easy going. He always managed to get us to great cafe stops (and I love those nice Italian Expresso); great little village lunch stops (which he will guide us on little walks round those pretty, narrow steep streets) and his archaelogy training really came to its own when he guided us round Paestum. He even spent the free day with us on a walk from Ravello down to Amalfi and visited the most perfect Italian Gardens which was most memorable. He is also a great cyclist and can outclimb all of us!

Advice for Potential Travellers

We had great weather in June but did have an occasional shower so don't forget your waterproof (that the van can carry for you and you may not need to use at all). The bikes are good and modern but I like having my own SPD pedals and saddles which are very quick to fit. Oh - and don't forget that right hand brake lever operate the rear brakes rather than the front brakes (as in the UK).

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling from Salerno into Amalfi - not a long ride but one that certainly made me take a deep breath and thank my lucky stars. On our last cycling day we pedalled the beautiful stretch from Amalfi to Positano with cosummate ease, legs and butts well adjusted and the quiet look of satisfaction on everyone's faces was priceless.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were very lucky to have Peter Hoogstaden as our group leader. He has lived in Italy for 15 odd years and with his fluent Italian, extensive local knowledge and enthusiastic attitude we all enjoyed a great week. We were taken to local spots and restaurants that were off the beaten track with a highlight being a boat ride to a simple beach restaurant for a lovely final dinner, rounded off with some seriously potent home-made liqueurs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The weather took us all by surprise with a cold and wet start so please pack a weatherproof jacket. There is no need to bring your own bike as the supplied bikes were perfectly adequate and the back up good.

Most Inspirational Moment

That would be when one of the group arrived at the top of a hill on the last day after really struggling with the cycling for the first few days. It was great to see his improved fitness and high spirits - there is no beach in the world that could do that.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter was great, shhhhimply couldn't wish for more.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you're a cycling holiday virgin like I was, just give it a go!

Most Inspirational Moment

The ride along the Amalfi Coast towards Positano was one of the most spectacular stretches of road that I have ever ridden on with plenty of photo opportunities along the way. There were plenty of short climbs but the views helped to take my mind off this, particularly looking across to the island of Capri.One evening we took a boat from Amalfi to an isolated beach restaurant. The food was excellent and the whole thing was a unique experience which rounded off the week nicely.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter was excellent. He was very friendly and helpful and quickly became part of the group. He had excellent local knowledge having lived in the area for 17 years and he took the opportunity to show us a few of his favourite little secrets along the way. These were a very pleasant surprise.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We had one very wet day which was a surprise at this time of year, so don't forget a lightweight waterproof jacket. That said, the rest of the week had fantastic weather and was an ideal temperature for cycling.Try and find the energy for the optional extra climbs, as the scenery is excellent from these and it felt rewarding to complete them.

Most Inspirational Moment

-

Thoughts on Group Leader

Peter Hoogstaden was fantastic.