FAQs
Is my payment safe?
As legally required by the EU Tour Operators Package Travel Regulations, we have financial protection which ensures that any money you pay to us is protected in the unlikely event of our insolvency.
Why should I choose Discovery Travel?
As enthusiastic walkers and cyclists ourselves we know what turns a mediocre trip into a fantastic holiday to remember and we put all our effort into making sure you get the holiday you deserve! The number of repeat bookings we received for our 2009-10 season has reached almost 40% and with over 90% of past customers ratings our service as ‘excellent’, you know that you are in safe hands when you book with Discovery Travel. We have been organising walking & cycling holidays for fifteen years and we still get excited about discussing our holidays with you – just give us a call and find out!
What sort of distances am I likely to cover?
Most of our seven night holidays average less than 30 miles of cycling per day, which will allow you ample time to enjoy the sights, the pubs and the tea shops along the way. Remember, a moderately fit cyclist will average about 10 mph so you should find our daily distances within your capabilities. If you have any doubts, ring us first. All our routes follow quiet country lanes and traffic-free cycle paths, avoiding busy roads.
What kind of accommodation should I expect?
We make every effort to ensure the high quality of all the accommodation we use and our reputation depends on this. In mainland Europe and Madeira the majority of our holidays use small family run hotels with private facilities. In Britain we use mainly B&Bs and inns or similar standard accommodation, and whilst we cannot guarantee private facilities due to it not being available in some small villages, this will be the norm. However, the absence of private facilities in some locations in no way detracts from the overall quality of the accommodation we use.
Do I need to be really fit?
Our holidays are aimed at people who are reasonably fit, but they are intended to be enjoyed rather than endured. If you are not walking or cycling regularly, don’t worry, but it is a good idea to do some preparatory exercise. However, you do not need to be super-fit. We grade all our walks and rides to give you a good indication of what is involved. Please call us if you need more advice.
I want to travel alone, is this possible?
Most of our holidays are suitable for single people walking or cycling alone. We cannot guarantee that you will be joining other people except on guided walks. Unfortunately, we have to charge a single supplement as single accommodation is invariably more expensive, but we keep this to a minimum.
How do I get there and back?
As our customers come from all over the world, travel to your first night’s accommodation is not included in the holiday. However, if you are travelling from the UK we can advise on trains and flights. Also if you are coming to Britain from abroad we can advise and book train and coach tickets for travel in Britain as required for a small fee.
Do you transfer my luggage for me?
We will transfer your luggage door to door every day on which you are walking or cycling, except on one or two holidays that include an overnight stay in a mountain hut. You can bring one bag per person, but recent Health and Safety legislation means that no bag should weigh more than 20 Kg. If you need us to transfer more than one bag, please contact us to discuss this and we will do our best to accommodate your requirements.
Do I need holiday insurance?
We strongly recommend that you take out holiday insurance for your peace of mind.
Do I start walking/cycling the day I arrive?
No, on Day One all you need do is arrive at your first accommodation. Walking/cycling will begin the next morning.
How much do extra nights cost?
Should you wish to stay an extra night at any point during your holiday (many people like to have an extra night at the end of their holiday for sight-seeing) the additional cost for Britain is £45 per person per night (plus £15 single supplement if required) and £55-£60 per person per night for most European destinations.
Can I bring my dog?
Unfortunately we are unable to provide pet friendly accommodation
Will you charge me to pay by credit card?
No, there are no hidden charges, price you are quoted is the price you pay.
Can I walk/cycle just part of the trip and how much would that cost?
Yes, it is possible to shorten most of the trips we offer. The price of course varies from holiday to holiday, but a general rule would be that if a holiday is 7 nights long and you only wish to do 5 nights, divide the total price by 7 and multiply by 5 to get the price you would pay. Or if you wanted to do 12 nights of a 15 night holiday divide the total price by 15 and multiply by 12. Eg. £445 / 7 x 5 = £318
We like the look of one of your holidays but it isn’t exactly right – can you tailor make it for us?
Yes. We want you to have the best holiday possible so if you want to change something let us know and we will do our best to incorporate it into your holiday.
What form of currency will we need on our holiday?
Britain – Great British Pound (GBP) France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Germany, Portugal, Slovenia, Montenegro – Euro (EUR) Hungary – The Forint (HUF) Switzerland – Swiss Franc (CHF) Croatia – Kuna (HRK)
Why do we need to book our flights separately?
The vast majority of our destinations are covered by budget airline carriers and you get the best possible price by booking with them directly. However, should you require assistance finding the flight you need then we are more than happy to help.
Are transfers included in the price?
Luggage transfers are included on all trips, but generally transfers to the start and from the finish are not included. Exceptions being our Spanish walking holidays, The Alpujaras, Moorish Trails of Valencia, Way of St James and Catalonia The Wild Coast
What meals are included in the price?
All of our holidays include breakfast, but please look at the individual pages on our website for holidays that also offer half and full board.
We want to do one of your cycling holidays – are the bikes included?
Yes, for all holidays except those in Britain. Whenever you book a cycling holiday with us you will get a high quality bicycle included in the price. Should you wish to bring your own bike we will deduct £35 from the price of your holiday. If you need to hire a bike for a British cycling holiday we can advise on local cycle hire providers.
Do you organise group holidays?
We are happy to cater for groups, but do not offer specific group trips as this would impinge on our ability to be flexible and offer holidays starting on any date.
Can we get packed lunches during our walking or cycling holiday?
Yes. In the vast majority of cases your accommodation will be happy to prepare a packed lunch for a small charge. We also provide information of where you can find cafes, inns etc along the route where you can eat.
Can you give advice on safety when on holiday abroad?
The E111 form is no longer valid. You now need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for reimbursement of certain medical costs. You can get more medical advice from your post office or visit the Department of Health website. No compulsory vaccinations are required for the holidays we provide. The Foreign Office can also give you travel advice on 0207 008 1500
What is Discovery Travel Health & Safety Policy?
All our holidays including accommodation, equipment, suppliers, etc are subject to risk assessments & regular revue by our staff or local representatives to ensure they comply with statutory regulations as well as our own stringent standards. A copy of Discovery Travel Health & Safety Policy and individual risk assessments are available on request.