England

This trip was so beautiful. As it was the first trip I have taken with VBT I did not know what to expect. It was above my expectations. Jago and Carolina were helpful and were always there for us. I would recommend VBT and the Northern England and Scotland trip.

great way to see the country- hiking too slow, car too fast. As Pirsig said, being in a car is like watching a movie, being on a bike is like being in the movie.

Every detail of this trip was well thought out, perfectly planned and expertly, as well as thoughtfully led by Dan and Hattie, who live in the area. Their connection to the Cotswolds personalized this trip in ways that would not have been possible without their guidance. VBT organizes their trips with an emphasis on interesting, varied and challenging routes, as well as as focusing on the cultural traditions and history of the area. Ending this trip in Bath, with its 2000+ years of Roman history was incredible, and was the perfect contrast to the English countryside. The accommodations, as well as the dining experiences, were first rate in every location we stayed, charming and indicative of the history of the area and people who live there. This trip exceeded every expectation I had. Dan and Hattie were skilled, knowledgeable and most of all genuine in their concern for each of us in the group and making this trip a lifetime memory. Again, thanks to them both for their sharing their home with us in so many meaningful ways.

Monica and I had one of our best, if not the best vacation we ever had. Our greatest delight was how our tour group bonded. We started to believe we were riding with friends. Our Tour guides, Tony and Mick, helped to bring this about with their thoughtfulness, courtesy and hard work. They both went out of their way to keep us safe and to get to know each and every one of us. Bath & the Cotswolds were extraordinarily beautiful, and that beauty was enhanced by being on a bicycle and riding in weather conducive to cycling. (Cool, cloudy and dry for the most part). Many of the English people along the way exuded friendly cheerfulness. I saw many people working very hard to make sure we were fed well and properly taken care of in the hotels. Each hotel had many charms, with my favorites being The Francis, (elegant) and Oxford Spires (beautiful property layout). The bicycle provided seemed sturdy and fairly new. It just happened to have the exact same derailleur as the one I have at home! Many of our companions had taken several trips with VBT, and I hope I can do so in the future!

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.