Self-guided travel is a style of travel where you’re in control – you choose the pace, the dates, and how you explore. It’s about freedom, flexibility, and discovery on your own terms. There’s no tour guide, no fixed group, and no rigid schedule - just the open road, a well-planned route, and the joy of exploring at your own pace.

If you’ve never tried a self-guided walking or self-guided cycling holiday, here’s what you need to know about how it works, and who it’s best for.

Why choose self-guided travel?

• Pre-Planned Itineraries: Enjoy the freedom of independent travel without the stress of planning. Self-guided trips come with thoughtfully designed routes, daily stages, and recommended stops.
• Set Your Own Pace: Take it fast or take it slow - this is your adventure. Whether you’re an early riser ready to hit the trail or prefer leisurely days with scenic coffee stops, you choose how each day unfolds.
• Explore Independently: Self-guided travel puts you in control. Follow well-marked routes or maps at your own rhythm and enjoy the freedom to pause, wander, and discover on your terms.
• No Groups or Guides: Travel solo or with your chosen companions - no fixed groups, no guides and no awkward small talk.
• On-Trip Support: Even though you’re travelling from A to B independently, you’ll still have support from your tour operator if anything unexpected comes up.

Explore more benefits of self-guided travel >

Self-Guided Travel With Macs Adventure

We make it easy. You choose where to go, when to go, and who to go with. We’ll take care of all the logistics - accommodation, route planning, luggage transfers, and navigation tools - so you can focus on enjoying the experience. Want to linger in a charming village or take a scenic shortcut? It’s completely up to you.

Who Should Do Self-Guided Travel?

Self-guided travel is ideal for:

• Independent spirits who love freedom and flexibility
• Couples, friends, and families seeking shared adventures
• Walkers and cyclists wanting a balance of structure and spontaneity
• Travellers looking to explore beyond the tourist trail, with support in the background

Still unsure? Head to our Who Should Do Self-Guided Travel page to find out more.

What Type of Self-Guided Trips Can I Do?

At Macs, we focus on walking, hiking, and cycling from town to town, drive and hike road trips to hike in gorgeous places, and rail and hike trips so you can cover more ground on public transportation.

Our trip types include:

Classic Routes: From Ireland’s Dingle Way to the Mountains & Lakes of Slovenia’s Julian Alps, our classic routes highlight some of the world’s most beloved journeys.

Slower Adventures: Our Slower Adventures maximise your time to explore. You’ll enjoy shorter distances each day, so you have more free time to visit museums, vineyards, cafes, or even learn how to make cheese in a Swiss Alpine village.

Pilgrimages: Across the world, pilgrimages are often rooted in ancient tradition, and offer incredible opportunities for growth, relaxation, and meeting other travellers. These trips are some of our longest, ranging from a few days to nearly two months. Our routes include the ever-popular Camino de Santiago in Spain and the lesser-known (and underrated) Via Francigena, from the Swiss Alps to Rome.

In Style: If you’re looking for something truly special, In Style trips are built to impress. We’ve scouted the most stylish boutique hotels and other unique accommodations across the world. These trips may include extras such as dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant.

Discovery: Our Discovery trips give you freedom to cover more ground with easy to moderate walking, such as taking two weeks to drive the entire coast of Iceland. You can choose between Drive & Hike, Rail & Hike tours, or Self Drive road trips, all of which come with suggestions for gorgeous trails, scenic detours, and personal recommendations for how to spend your days. And of course, we’ll handle all your accommodations.

Start Your Self-Guided Journey Today

Self-guided adventure combines all the best elements of solo exploration and DIY travel. Get started by exploring our destinations to find your perfect adventure - booked by us, led by you.