The Slow Cyclist Reviews 90

The Slow Cyclist team were fabulous! From planning beforehand and throughout the trip. The team were well organized and extremely knowledgeable about the ancient and current history, politics, and all that has made Transylvania (and Romania) what it is today. Amazing countryside, gorgeous Saxon villages, charming lodging and excellent food... and all at a reasonable price. I Highly recommend this trip!
Dan Maynard

Basque Country May 2025

Initially a little trepidation at the cost since we are good travel planners and well versed in international travel, we took the plunge and signed up for a trip to the basque country with The Slow Cyclist. On a basic level, it's nice not to worry about logistics AT ALL. Your vacation is your vacation time only. But more importantly, it's about the experience, community building, connection to others that is the intangible and defines a different way of traveling that transcends a normal vacation. I wanted to buy a stone house in Basque country by the end. The evening conversations over dinner with quality, thoughtful people. Our guides were colorful and funny and gave lovely cultural insights into their community. The food, oh the food -- just go. The biking was doable by people at multiple fitness levels given that you could turn on e-assistance at any time or push yourself when you wanted to.

Bottom line: It almost felt like a posh summer camp for adventurous adults where the bonds formed lingered even after returning home. This is not a trip that you could create on your own even if you followed the same itinerary.

We have just back from a magical trip to the Taurus Mountains with the Slow Cyclist. We were a group of 12, and the team of Minna, Deniz, Gürcan and Morris looked after us beautifully. Nothing was too much trouble and they were really nice. The scenery was fantastic, with spectacular rides and walks in the mountains. It was sometimes a little tougher than I had anticipated, but well worth the effort. The food was much better than I had anticipated, and the wonderful locals went to huge efforts to make sure we were well looked after. Highly recommend this trip and the Slow Cyclist.

Wonderfully organised and a dream week in a beautiful part of Turkey, like stepping back in time. The guides could not have been more helpful. Amazing roads to bike on and stunning walks too. We enjoyed the ruined cities, almost to ourselves. The tented camp was brilliant and in such an idyllic spot. We had the best night’s sleep of the week there! Three cheers for The Slow Cyclist.

Everyone should go on this holiday. I cannot think of anyone who would not enjoy it! Interesting and funny guides, beautiful views and settings, delicious food, cold beer and no decisions. Absolutely Brilliant holiday, thank you Slow Cyclist. J Dunne

I can't really praise Slow Cyclist enough....I arrived in Greece with a bad back but thanks to SC had a wonderful time, nonetheless...the Zagori region was so beautiful and dramatic, our guesthouses invariably roomy and comfortable with great views and our picnics and meals so delicious and varied and in wonderful locations, the activities fun and original, tour of Ioannina and church with extraordinary host of saints frescoed on its walls, butter churning, weaving, discovering the healing properties of buckthorn, wine tasting, dancing to the strains of Josh and Yanni's exciting music... Josh is a remarkable person, fluent speaker of Greek, guide, poet, translator, musician, dancer...we were entranced by him! I cannot thank Kate, Josh, Mimis and Orestes who took such care of us...Kate was so thoughtful, resourceful, upbeat and fun...immensely capable and practical too...it was apparently her first season with SC...very impressive! I couldn't join in a lot of the hiking and cycling but she made sure I enjoyed the routes and the activities, looking after me while the others were out cycling or walking...as did kind Mimis and Orestes..the whole trip was very well thought out and planned....a triumph!

If I could leave a SIX star review I would - this is the most perfect holiday. Every day was different, with fresh surprises and welcome little touches..... but always with wonderful food, atmospheric and charming accommodation, real insights into a very different way of life and history, and a LOT of fun. The guides were just exceptional, and it is hard to think how we could have had a more memorable trip.

One of the best things I’ve ever done! Thank you Slow Cyclist. Truly amazing.

From the meeting of the team who were to look after us until we left it was all faultless. The accommodation was much more comfortable that I had possible expected. I think was one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. The cycling was excellent with very little main road riding. The Electric bicycles were fantastic and worked most of the time and certainly allowed a speedy ascent of the hills. The food was moderate as to be expected but lots of wine and really interesting places to eat both in the evening and at lunch. I loved the way that the local community were involved in our holiday. It felt like a win-win for everyone. everything was included when when we arrived in Transylvania which was a bonus.

Our trip to Zagori was fabulous. The Slow Cyclist organised everything beautifully and their reps looked after our every need. The Greek guides were brilliantly knowledgable and really nice to spend time with. The region of Zagori is so beautiful and the routes chosen were fabulous (if sometimes quite challenging in the heat). All in all we cant wait to do another trip.

Fantastic holiday in Zagori with well-informed guides and fabulous hosts. Perfect mix of cycling and hiking in stunning scenery. We had delicious food and gorgeous guesthouses. This is our second holiday with The Slow Cyclist and we will be back again for another trip - cannot recommend more highly!

What a great way to travel - very much off the beaten track, impeccably done and with an enthusiastic, knowledgeable team who put everyone at their ease. Zagori was spectacular, especially from the vantage points that Tasos and Giannis got us to, and the combination of (e-)cycling and walking allowed us to induldge in the authentic food and drink... Highly recommended.

Cannot recommend highly enough. Excellent staff during the trip and obviously a huge amount of research has gone into the routes , lunch spots and overnight stays. Zagori is a stunning place to visits and this is the way to do it.

Magic time spent in stunning countryside. Lots of laughter, delicious food, wine and beer and even an ultra helpful electric bike that made it all feel easy! Marco, Lori and Adam looked after us magnificently - even laughing at our jokes!!
From weaving, wine tasting and bee keeping we loved it all. Would highly recommend and hope to pedal again soon with the Slow Cyclist.

Just brilliant in every way. Wonderful scenery. Fabulous wild flowers. Fascinating village's and churches. Staff lovely, helpful and knowledgeable.

I was with a group that went with the Slow Cyclist to Transylvania, which proved to be one of the best holidays.
Combining e-cycling and culture was a winning combination and a great way to see the country and experience good food and wine. the guides' knowledge was second to none. I have no hesitation in saying just get a group of friends together and book a trip with the Slow Cyclist. You wont regret it

Ben Harwood

Happy to report that we had a truly memorable and brilliantly organised trip to Transylvania with The Slow Cyclist. Their guides and support team on the ground were superb, friendly, efficient and great fun. The itinerary which included a balance of walking and cycling was well extremely well thought through to allow us to manage the distances between the various accommodation each night. We loved the fact that every lunch and dinner was prepared by a different cook in a different venue - introducing us to local cuisine and wines! The guides were incredibly knowledgeable and their command of English was impressive. We learnt a huge amount about Romania and the Saxon culture of Transylvania and the walks and cycle rides took us through some breathtaking landscape. Nothing appeared to be too much trouble and the guides remained flexible throughout the trip. We would highly recommend the Slow Cyclist for any visit to Transylvania.

Our five days in Transylvania have been epic! Our two wonderful guides and host looked after us faultlessly. Great accommodation and lunch spots testing out the Romanian cuisine and wines. We loved the little surprises each day…. The Slow Cyclist’s attention to detail in a measured way is first class. Go on one of their trips, you won’t regret it.

Our recent trip to Zagori is our 4th holiday with The Slow Cyclist, which speaks for itself. The exceptionally high standards were maintained and the home team wonderfully attentive. Well done Oli and all the team, we will be back next year. Ric and Caroline

Riding through the wildflower meadows and woods of Transylvania by e-bike with The Slow Cyclist was a spectacular revelation and it was a pleasure and privilege to be led by two outstandingly informative and knowledgeable guides.
Everything was carefully and thoughtfully organised and prepared in advance for our comfort and convenience by our travelling host and nothing was too much trouble.
Our local Transylvanian hosts/hostesses gave us the most delicious local, home-grown food and were always hospitable and friendly.
We would thoroughly recommend this experience and way of seeing this unspoilt gem of Eastern Europe.