European adventures: Cycling from Marseille to Barcelona

Our tour leader, Peter, was as organised as can be on a cycling trip. We really valued this as we were navigating lots of different towns and cities - I wouldn't have known where to go had I been on my own! Peter was one step ahead of us and knew how to adjust plans if necessary.

There was one really windy day, so Peter arranged an alternative section of the route instead. Aside from cycling, he also led us on interesting walking tours and shared his knowledge of the destinations with us.

One of my favourite cycling routes was in France. We were cycling through the protected wetlands of the Camargue, far removed from any traffic and surrounded by nature. We saw lots of flamingos, too - it felt very magical! 

We also cycled along a stretch of the Canal du Midi, where I loved watching the boats pass through the locks.

The cycling grade for this trip is described as Moderate, which meant there were medium-length rides that included occasional energetic climbs, undulating roads and quiet trails.

But the routes were split up quite well, with rest stops and picturesque towns to check out throughout. It was well-paced, though, and we slept well each night!

As we were on the move every day, we stayed in a range of accommodation. Everywhere we stayed was comfortable, and they usually had a restaurant, bar, garden or swimming pool. We stayed in smaller, family-run hotels so not only did we feel very welcome, but it also made our time in France and Spain a more authentic experience.