Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between guided, self-guided and independent tours?
While Breakaway Adventures specializes in fully-supported independent tours, they also offer both self-guided and guided tours. On a guided tour, guests travel in a group with a guide throughout their tour. On self-guided and independent tours, guests travel on their own without a guide and instead are provided with a detailed itinerary with maps and route notes to guide them. This unique experience allows guests to travel at their own pace, stopping to immerse themselves in local culture at cafes, stores and more as desired along the way, but with a local staff member always on call to assist as needed. (top)

2. What is the difference between inn-to-inn and center-based tours?
On inn-to-inn tours, guests travel to a new location typically every day or every other day, whereas with center-based tours, you stay overnight in one central location and travel from there each day, returning each night. (top)

3. What is the difference between walking and trekking tours?
Trekking tours take you into Europe's highest mountains, always with a guide, and may be a bit more challenging. Walking tours range in levels of difficulty and may be group guided tours, self-guided tours or independent tours with full support from an on-call staff member. (top)

4. What is barging?
Barging, perfect for those who are looking for group travel, allows guests to visit Europe's towns and countryside via canals and rivers aboard a private, luxurious boat with a dedicated chef, captain and crew. While popular with Europeans, barging has largely remained an undiscovered way to travel by Americans. (top)

5. What does Breakaway Adventures consider when planning the itineraries?
In business for nearly 10 years, the owners of Breakaway Adventures, true travel aficionados themselves, select tours that provide authentic, yet enjoyable cultural experiences that are off the tourist path. The owners believe that walking, cycling and barging tours are the best way to travel and are unmatched in their ability to expose the real beauty and culture of a country. (top)

6. What are the most popular tours?
Some of our most popular walking tours include those in Tuscany, around Mont Blanc (the highest mountain in Western Europe), France's Emerald Coast and Heart of Brittany and Southern Corsica. Popular cycling tours include Secrets of Siena, Tuscany Cycling, Dordogne Gastronomic Cycling and those through the Catalan and La Rioja regions of Spain. Our two most popular barging tours are La Belle Epoque and L'Art de Vivre -- both through the Burgundy region of France. (top)

7. What is included in the cost of each tour?
While it varies depending on the tour, most include all overnight accommodations, a daily continental breakfast, dinner each evening, luggage transportation to each location and a staff person on call to assist guests as needed. Airfare and any transportation by rail is not included. (top)

8. What is the quality of the hotels?
Overnight accommodations are chosen for their character (a converted nunnery, for example) and charm and range from manor houses and villas to family-run hotels and even castles. (top)

9. What type of food can I expect?
Meals are an important part of the cultural experience. A continental breakfast is always provided, whereas guests choose their lunch -- a picnic along the road from goods purchased at the local market or perhaps a quiet café. For evening meals, guests dine on gourmet regional cuisine at the hotel or from an area restaurant. (top)

10. Do I have to carry everything with me as I walk or cycle?
Absolutely not. To remove the burden of carrying a heavy pack, a tour employee moves luggage from inn to inn, allowing guests to carry only what they need for the day's trip. (top)

11. How do I know if I am fit enough to go on a Breakaway Adventures tour?
Breakaway Adventures offers a range of options, including challenging cycling and trekking trips for the more athletic traveler to shorter, easier walking and cycling adventures for those looking for a more relaxed pace. While tours are ranked by level of difficulty, staff are happy to talk with guests about their fitness level and help them find a trip to meet their needs. (top)

12. What if I get lost?
Guests always have access to a staff member dedicated to their tour who is available to answer questions and attend to their needs with just a quick call. (top)

13. What do I need to bring with me?
As far as attire, you don’t need anything special other than a good pair of walking boots (we don't recommend sneakers or running shoes) that are worn in and have good ankle support. We do advise guests on cycling tours to bring cycling helmets (Note: They are a legal requirement in Spain). You'll also need your passport and driver's license. (top)

14. Will I be traveling with a group?
Self-guided tours allow guests to travel on their own instead of at the pace of a group; however, because others may be touring on the same dates, guests may be as social as they desire. (top)

15. How do I get to the first hotel?
Staff will pick you up at the airport or rail station and bring you to the first hotel. (top)

16. Can I include my tour as part of a longer vacation?
Yes. Breakaway Adventures staff is happy to recommend additional locations and sites that you may choose to add on to your tour. Many travelers choose to book two or more trips with a stopover in between. (top)

17. Can children go on Breakaway Adventures' tours?
Children are welcome on all of our tours; however, parents should consider the levels of difficulty when selecting a tour with children. Parents can carry babies and young children in a backpack on walking tours. To walk unassisted, however, Breakaway Adventures recommend children be 10 or older.

For cycling tours, children up to age 4 can ride in a rear seat carrier, and kids 10 and older can ride their own mountain bike. While cycling tours are generally not recommended for children between 4 and 10, the company can accommodate "tag-a-longs" that attach to an adult's bicycle. (top)

18. Can pets go on Breakaway Adventures' tours?
Breakaway Adventures does offer three walking tours through France where owners may bring their dog along. These include the High Alps Tour, the Dordogne Gastronomic Walk and Jura Vineyards Walk. Travelers are advised to bring their own dog food, and in most instances, pets are allowed to stay in the same rooms with their owners. Owners are also required to supply a health certificate from their veterinarian, and pets must meet certain vaccination and identification requirements to pass French customs. (top)