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The choice of accommodations for the Iron Donkey tours is based
on the premise that they have a vital role to play in your enjoyment
of the overall tour experience. A bicycle tour is not just  about
the riding - well chosen accommodations can greatly enhance a tour,
while unsatisfactory ones one can spoil an otherwise great itinerary.
The major factors we take into account when selecting accommodations
for the Iron Donkey tours are:
- Hosts
Those whose job it is to look after you bear the greatest responsibility
for making your stay a great experience! A warm welcome from hosts
who are genuinely pleased to see you, who are concerned for your
comfort, who take a real pride in their establishment and who
do everything in their power to ensure that your stay with them
is a pleasure can go a long way to make your tour a very special
experience. Additionally, your hosts are mines of useful information
on the locality – they are the ones to ask about the best
places to eat, the best pubs and the local attractions and the
entertainment options.
- Atmosphere
The décor, the architecture, the location, the staff, the
furniture, the food…many different elements contribute to
the overall atmosphere of a guesthouse, hotel or B & B. It
is difficult to pinpoint the importance of each element, but you
instinctively know when you feel relaxed and comfortable! Feedback
plays a very important part in this – and we pay close attention
to comments from Iron Donkey riders about the accommodations.
- Facilities
Your room will have its own en suite bathroom facilities. Hotels
and larger guesthouses generally have a bar, a restaurant and
one or more guest lounges. B & B’s have a lounge and
a television room for the use of guests. In almost all cases your
accommodation will also be able to provide secure overnight storage
for your bicycle.
- Location and surroundings
Location is another very important consideration in selecting
accommodations. We ensure that you get a good night’s
sleep by avoiding those where there is a lot of passing traffic
or street noise. We select accommodations that are within easy
walking distance of restaurants, pubs and shops so that you can
put your bicycle away for the day once you arrive at your destination.
- Food
A good breakfast is the best way to prepare for a day in the saddle,
and you will not be disappointed in this regard. Where accommodations
offer the option of an evening meal, we can guarantee that you
will enjoy an excellent dinner!
For Self- Guided Tours we choose smaller, family-run
bed & breakfasts, guesthouses inns and small country hotels,
endeavoring to find those that have that special something that
sets them apart from the ordinary. Generally, we have two or three
accommodation options in each town or village. We cannot guarantee
to accommodate you in specific premises, but the examples below
will give you a good idea of what to expect on your self-guided
tour
Everybody is different, and we understand that there are those
who prefer the more impersonal atmosphere and the wider range of
facilities offered by the larger hotels. Again, if you are planning
your honeymoon trip or celebrating a special anniversary, you may
like to spend a night or two in a very special hotel. We can always
offer alternatives to our selected accommodations – just ask
and we will advise you of the options!
For Guided Group Tours we choose medium-sized
hotels and guest houses. Wherever possible these are family run
establishments
since these offer guests the personal touch –they are more
welcoming, friendly and relaxed than the larger chain hotels. We
hope that the accommodations will give you an insight into the people
of the area. Since in most instances the hotels also provide your
evening meal, the quality of the food is also a prime consideration
– we can promise that you will not be disappointed! To view
the hotels that provide the accommodations for a particular guided
tour, go to the tour description and clink on the hotel links.
For a Custom Tour we can arrange any type of accommodation
that you stipulate – from campgrounds and youth hostels through
to exclusive 5 star hotels. When we are investigating the possibilities
for your custom tour, we will advise you of all the accommodation
options that are available together with an idea of what each will
cost – the final decision rests with you!
To make your Iron Donkey tour even more memorable, you can choose
to spend a night or two in a particularly outstanding hotel or guesthouse.
Below is a list of some unique accommodations that we recommend
- either for custom tours, or simply as upgrade options for one
or more nights on self-guided tours. Please fell free to ask about
accommodation upgrade options for any of our tours.
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