Winning tip: a very good vélo, Brittany and Normandy
I enjoyed a nice circular journey of four to five days using ferries and bicycles. We took Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth-St Malo overnight, then cycled across La Véloscénie. [signposted cycle route] We pass Mont Saint-Michel. At Domfront we took La Vélo Francette to Ouistreham and then back to Portsmouth by ferry. At least three-quarters of the journey is off-road along well-maintained old railway line cycle paths. There is plenty of accommodation available. Apart from a few kilometers of hilly terrain around Flers, everything is very easy and there is prevailing wind. After the impressive Viaduc de Clécy, the last 65 kilometers are all downhill, crossing the Pegasus Bridge.
Keith Perry
Tips from Guardian Travel readers
Every week we ask our readers for travel recommendations. Various tips will be posted online and may be available in print. To enter the latest contest, visit the reader tips homepage
–
No wheels, Hydra, Greece
I had a lovely, quiet holiday with my family, including my two young children, on the Greek island of Hydra, in the east of the Peloponnese, quite close to Athens. Since cars or any wheeled transportation were not allowed on the island, we spent our days walking from one village to another or from where we stayed to the beach. Everything could be reached on foot or by donkey; The owner of our Airbnb sometimes took the kids out for a ride. It made us appreciate spending time together, chatting, playing cards, reading books and watching stray cats. It is still one of our fondest memories as a family. We chose one of the cheapest houses on the island, with a minimum price, but it was definitely enough.
Elodie
Peaks and beers in the Peak District
For me, the purpose of slow travel is to really get to know a place; not just visiting overcrowded places. I was doing just that in the Peak District last year. The creation of the Ethel Challenge lists all 95 peaks in the national park with peaks over 400 metres. Gradually overcoming this challenge has exposed me to some stunning views on mind-clearing walks; especially the windswept moors of Kinder Scout, Thor’s Cave and the mossy cliff of Lud’s Church. And of course there were lots of great pubs along the way.
Always
Promotion in Southwold, Suffolk
Our favorite slow break in our 1979 Volkswagen is the council campground in Southwold (from £36.50 per night). Like the town, it appears to have changed little since the 1950s. As soon as we pulled the handbrake, our old camper opened and we opened the roof. We then relax with chilled wine and canapés from our small fridge before taking our dog for a gentle walk. About a 30-minute walk away, there are half a dozen pubs waiting to enjoy a relaxing meal and a pleasant evening.
Dave Richards
I’m pedaling around the UK islands
Visiting the UK islands by bike is my perfect slow adventure. Cycling feels in tune with the lives of people in remote areas and offers time to enjoy everything we see as we meander slowly between coastlines and rolling countryside. Ferry schedules add to the slow pace as it is necessary to enjoy everything there is to see before waiting for the next short hop. Word spreads quickly that the cyclists have arrived and the locals offered us the most wonderful hospitality; We’ve always been happy to use local businesses (hostels, cabins, and restaurants) rather than zipping through with a pre-loaded camper. We had delightful holidays in the Isles of Scilly, Orkney, Shetland, the Outer Hebrides, Skye and the Inner Hebrides. I can’t wait to visit more.
Angela
A ‘curiosity hopping’ spot, Glasgow
During my recent visit to Glasgow I explored the art of “curiosity jumping”. As a Manchester native, he found it useless to walk long distances as he was more likely to hail an Uber rather than wander around. That first night, I spent an hour mapping hidden gems on planned routes sourced from local web pages and forums. Notable finds included a Victorian coin on a staircase and a 1980s art installation under a bridge. An active search for curiosity led me to an unassuming coffee shop frequented by Anthony Bourdain while searching for a picture of a mouse on the sidewalk. This chance encounter gave birth to a unique memory; A story now shared with food lovers; It’s the perfect approach to enjoy a little break at a slow pace.
Amanda Gardner
The beauty of Bute, Argyll
Visiting the Isle of Bute, 40 miles west of Glasgow, is the perfect way to relax a busy mind. The best way to see the island is by bike. We started south at Kilchattan Bay, where we watched amazing birds like oystercatchers, then wandered along the beach and saw sea glass among the countless beautiful shells and pebbles. We cycled along empty roads towards the ruins of St Blane’s chapel, which dates back to 500 AD. Here there were magnificent views of the more mountainous Isle of Arran. At Ettrick Bay, with its wide sandy beach, we sat with sandpipers just for company. Refreshed after a great trip, we stopped at Helmi’s Cafe in Rothesay before catching the ferry back to the mainland.
Hussein