by Winning tip: very good vélo, Brittany and Normandy
I enjoyed a beautiful circular tour of four to five days using ferries and bicycles. We took the Brittany Ferries overnight sailing from Portsmouth-St Malo, and then cycled along La Véloscénie [signposted cycle route] passing Mont Saint-Michel. At Domfront we took La Vélo Francette to Ouistreham and then the ferry back to Portsmouth. At least three-quarters of the journey is off-road along former railway tracks which are well-maintained cycleways. There is plenty of accommodation available. With the exception of a few hilly miles around Flers, it’s all very easy and with the prevailing wind. The last 40 miles from the Viaduc de Clécy are impressively downhill, passing over the Pegasus Bridge.
Keith Perry
Tips from Guardian Travel readers
Every week we ask our readers for recommendations from their travels. A selection of tips will appear online and may be printed. To enter the latest competition visit the readers’ tips homepage
–
No wheels, Hydra, Greece
I had such a lovely slow holiday with my family, including two young children, on the Greek island of Hydra off the eastern Peloponnese, quite close to Athens. The island does not allow cars or any other wheeled transport, so we spent our days walking from one village to another or from our accommodation to the beach. Everything was accessible on foot or by donkey – the owner of our Airbnb sometimes took the kids for a ride. We really enjoyed spending time together, chatting, playing cards, reading and watching the stray cats. It is still one of our fondest memories as a family. We chose one of the cheapest houses on the island, with the bare minimum, but that was definitely enough.
Elodie
Pinnacles and pints in the Peak District
For me, the point of slow travel is to really get to know a place – not just visit the often overcrowded highlights. For the past year I have been doing just that in the Peak District. Ethel’s Challenge creation lists all 95 peaks in the national park with summits higher than 400 metres. Slowly working my way through the challenge I have great views on clear head walks, especially the windswept heath of Kinder Scouts, Thor’s Cave, and Lud’s mossy chasm Church. And, of course, there were plenty of great pubs along the way.
Eternal
Gambling in Southwold, Suffolk
Our favorite slow break in our 1979 Volkswagen is to the municipal campsite at Southwold (pitches from £36.50 per night). Like the town, it appears to have changed little since the 1950s. Our old campervan is tilted just as soon as I pulled onto the handrail and we’ve put the roof up. We then settle down with chilled wine and canapes from our mini fridge before taking the dog for a leisurely walk. There are half a dozen pubs within about 30 minutes’ walk, where a leisurely meal and a relaxing evening await to be enjoyed.
Dave Richards
Pedaling around the islands of the United Kingdom
My perfect slow adventure is visiting the UK islands by bike. Cycling feels in harmony with the lives of people in remote places and provides time to savor everything we see, meandering slowly between the coast and the countryside. The ferry timetables add to the slow pace, as everything in sight needs to be tasted before waiting for the next hop. Word of the coming cyclists spreads quickly and we are given the most amazing hospitality by the locals, always happy that we are using local businesses (bed and breakfasts, cabins and restaurants) instead of camping which is pre-loaded with supplies. We had wonderful holidays in the Isles of Scilly, Orkney, Shetland, Outer Hebrides, Skye and Inner Hebrides. Can’t wait to visit more.
Angel
Curiosity-hopping centre, Glasgow
During my recent visit to Glasgow, I studied the art of “curiosity hopping”. As a native of Manchester who was more inclined to hail an Uber than to stroll, he found it inefficient to walk long distances. That first night, I spent an hour mapping out hidden gems along planned routes, gleaned from local web pages and forums. Notable finds included a Victorian medal in a staircase and an art installation from the 1980s under a bridge. In my active pursuit of curiosity I came to a cafe without accepting Anthony Bourdain in search of a picture of a rat on a curb. This serendipitous encounter led to a special memory, a story that is now being shared with other food enthusiasts – a great approach to savoring a mini break at a leisurely pace.
Amanda Gardner
Beauty of Bute, Argyll
A visit to the Isle of Bute, 40 miles west of Glasgow, is a great way to relieve a busy mind. Cycling is the best way to see the island. We started in Kilchatton Bay in the south, where we saw amazing waders like the pinnipeds, then wandered the beach, looking at sea glass among countless beautiful shells and pebbles. We cycled on empty roads to the remains of St Blane’s church, which dates back to AD500. There were wonderful views here to the mountainous island of Arran. At Ettrick Bay, with its wide sandy beach, we sat alone with the gallows for company. We finished with a stop at Helmi’s cafe in Ballybute before the ferry back to the mainland, refreshed after a great trip.
Hosin
