Sam
A self-guided touring holiday is a holiday without a guide. It’s a planned itinerary that you follow at your own pace and on your own terms. Nowadays, you will find many ideas for self-touring holidays online. But if you prefer something out of the ordinary, here are the top five unique self-touring holidays.
Camping & Caravanning
Camping and caravanning are some of the most exciting ways to explore nature and go on adventures. A self-touring caravanning trip gives you the freedom to explore your dream locations on your own, which makes for fun and thrilling adventures. However, utmost preparation is needed to ensure a hassle-free and enjoyable trip.
It’s essential to have a route planned out. If this is your first time, research the destinations you want to visit on your caravanning trip and plan out how to reach these places. Make a checklist of your itinerary to ensure you have all the essentials before leaving for your trip. Decide on the non-negotiable destinations you need to visit and plan a loose itinerary including them. You do not need to be too rigid. Allow flexibility in your itinerary since you will never know what you could discover after talking to some locals you meet along the way.
Research the caravan parks and outback stations where you can park your van and spend the night. Don’t forget to pack a camping kit for when you need to live somewhere remote. But when packing stuff, consider your van’s legal weight limit and ensure you stick to it.
Canal Boat Holidays
If you love boating, you should go for a self-touring canal boat holiday. It’s a great way to discover the canals and rivers that make up the inland waterways while also enjoying the outdoors and breathing fresh air. Canal boating has become hugely popular, especially in the UK, as the country has an extensive network of canals.
Wales is a popular destination for canal boating in the UK. Most of the canal boat holidays in Wales will begin at the Llangollen canal, meandering its way towards the Berwyn Mountains, before taking you to the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and into the ancient town of Llangollen. You can also choose to rent a boat, explore on your own, and visit places at your own pace.
When canal boating on your own, you must abide by canal etiquette. Stick to the maximum speed limit. Remember, a canal boat holiday is about relaxing and discovering places, so take your time. Maintain a speed of 4mph, and you need to go slower when passing moored boats. If you go fast around moored boats, it will cause them to move around and bump other moored boats, possibly causing damage to the boat and items inside the boat. It’s also important to slow down when approaching bridges and in areas where people are kayaking or canoeing.
Staycation Road Trips
You do not need to travel to faraway places if you’re itching for a road trip. Why don’t you use your own car and travel to beautiful places in your country? It’s cheaper since you do not need to spend on plane tickets and pay for car rentals. Thus, it’s ideal for those who want to go on adventures but have limited travel budgets.
But before you get excited to hit the road, make sure you have a plan. Start by finding the places you’re hoping to visit on a map and linking them together to plan the most rational route. You can rely on Google Maps for this. Consider the driving times, the condition of the roads, and where you need to stop for a break or sleep overnight. If you’re going for a multi-day trip, book your accommodations ahead. You can also consider staying on campsites but make a reservation earlier since they get booked up fast, especially during summer.
Before you drive off, conduct a thorough check of your vehicle. Consider taking your car for a service appointment to check that the tires, oil, fluids, and air filters are in great shape. Ensure that the blinkers and lights function well and that your spare tire and jack are in good condition.
Self-Drive Tours
A self-guided driving tour is one where a tour company will arrange the route, accommodations, and other amenities for your driving holiday. However, you will be on your own and be responsible for getting between point A to point B. You will not have a guide, although you can choose to arrange one if you want a guide.
There are many destinations where you can enjoy a self-drive tour. For instance, if you want to explore the best of France at your own pace, you can book a self-guided driving tour of France. It’s a convenient way to discover the French countryside since they will arrange everything for you. You can also choose various route options. One of the most popular routes is the one that goes to the picturesque city of Bordeaux, which lies along the banks of the Garonne River.
You can also go for a self-drive tour around France to get a real taste of the way of life in the French countryside. In the Loire, you will enjoy delectable local cuisines paired with local wine, making this journey unforgettable.
Motorbike Touring
If you love the thrill of riding a motorbike, you should go for a self-guided motorbike touring adventure. Motorbike touring is an adventure that involves driving a motorbike that could include at least one overnight stop. It doesn’t matter how long the tour is. Others go for a weekend, while some set off for several days and weeks!
When planning your motorbike adventure, start by figuring out where you want to explore and see if it’s realistic in the time you have allotted for your tour. Decide if you want to go to the mountains or prefer driving on flat surfaces.
Make sure to include stops where you can eat and have a break. If you’re going for a multi-day motorbike tour, book your accommodations ahead whether you’re staying at Airbnb, hotels, or campsites.
