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The way we travel is changing. Gone are the days when holidays were only about lying on a beach or sitting by a pool for a week. More and more people are choosing active holidays, trips that combine relaxation with movement, adventure and deeper experiences. Cycling, hiking, kayaking and other outdoor activities are now top choices for travellers who want their time away to feel enriching as well as restorative.
Among these options, cycling holidays stand out as one of the fastest-growing trends. But what’s driving this shift towards active travel?
One of the biggest reasons active holidays are on the rise is the global focus on health and wellbeing. People are increasingly prioritising fitness, mindfulness and outdoor time over sedentary pursuits. Rather than taking a break from healthy habits, travellers want to maintain, or even improve, their lifestyle while on holiday.
Cycling holidays, in particular, allow you to stay active every day while still enjoying local cuisine, culture and relaxation. It’s the perfect blend of exercise and exploration.
Active travel naturally immerses you in your surroundings. When you cycle rather than drive, you experience landscapes up close, the scent of pine forests, the sound of waves, the change in terrain under your wheels. It also slows the pace, giving you time to take in the details of a destination.
Many travellers report that their memories of cycling trips feel more vivid than those of traditional holidays because of the sensory experiences along the way.
Active holidays offer a sense of freedom that package tours or resort stays rarely provide. On a bike, you can stop wherever you like, take photos, chat with locals or discover hidden cafés and beaches. You’re not tied to bus timetables or fixed itineraries, and you can tailor your distances to your own comfort level.
This flexibility is especially appealing to couples, friends or families with mixed abilities. With the rise of e-bikes and support vehicles, even hills or longer stages are no longer barriers.
As awareness of climate change grows, travellers are looking for ways to reduce their environmental footprint. Cycling and other active holidays have a much lower impact compared to flights, cruises or driving-heavy itineraries. They also support local economies more directly, since travellers are more likely to spend money in small towns, markets and family-run businesses along the route.
This makes active holidays appealing to people who want their travel choices to reflect their values.
The pandemic heightened appreciation for outdoor activities, space and self-guided experiences. Travellers are now more inclined to avoid crowded buses or large-group tours, instead opting for open-air adventures where they can control their pace and environment. Cycling holidays tick all those boxes.
“Slow travel” — spending more time in fewer places and travelling at a gentler pace — is another trend that dovetails with active holidays. Cycling perfectly embodies this philosophy. Pedalling between towns or regions lets you see how a landscape changes gradually, interact with locals and discover places that never appear in guidebooks.
Cycling holidays aren’t just for the super fit. With e-bikes, luggage transfers and carefully planned routes, they’ve become accessible to a much wider audience. Families, older travellers and beginners can now enjoy the benefits of active travel without feeling daunted by the physical challenge.
This inclusivity is a big factor in the growing popularity of cycling as a holiday activity.
Active holidays give you a sense of accomplishment at the end of each day. Whether it’s reaching a scenic viewpoint by bike or hiking up to a castle, that physical achievement adds a layer of satisfaction to the experience. And because you’re burning calories, you can enjoy local food and wine without guilt — another reason cycling holidays resonate with travellers who love to eat well.
All signs point to continued growth in active travel. Tour operators are expanding their offerings, infrastructure is improving (from bike-friendly hotels to better cycle paths), and destinations are recognising the economic and environmental benefits of hosting cyclists.
As a result, travellers can expect more options for self-guided and guided tours, more availability of e-bikes, and creative combinations like bike-and-boat holidays or multi-sport adventures.
Active holidays like cycling are no longer a niche trend, they’re becoming mainstream. They offer a healthier, more sustainable and more meaningful way to travel, allowing you to experience destinations with all your senses and at your own pace.
Whether you’re exploring a sunlit coastal path, winding through mountain passes or cycling between medieval towns, an active holiday transforms travel from passive sightseeing into an immersive, life-affirming adventure.
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