Gutsy Girls - Brighton

Join Gutsy Girls for a six-day paddleboarding and hiking adventure in Slovenia, where emerald rivers, glacier-fed lakes, and the Julian Alps set the stage for your summer escape.

This trip is designed for beginners – no SUP experience needed – ready to master paddleboarding while exploring one of Europe's most stunning and underrated destinations. Off the water, you'll hike to hidden waterfalls, feast on incredible local cuisine, sip wines in ancient cellars, and even hop over to Italy for a Mediterranean paddle, all while building lasting friendships with an active group of like-minded women and wine.

Why Slovenia for Beginners Paddleboarding?

• Learn from the best – Expert SUP instructors will teach you the fundamentals on picture-perfect Lake Bled, then build your skills across rivers and coastal waters.
• Epic variety – Paddle across iconic alpine lakes, navigate emerald canyons on the Soča River, and glide along the Mediterranean coast in Trieste, Italy.
• More than just SUP – Hike through the Julian Alps to panoramic viewpoints, discover hidden waterfalls, and explore three diverse regions, plus a bonus trip across the border to Italy.
• Wine and dine – Slovenia was crowned European Region of Gastronomy 2021. Expect farm-to-table meals, lakeside dinners, and a wine tasting experience in Vipava Valley.

Highlights

• Six days of guided adventures: Four SUP sessions on lakes, rivers, and the sea, plus two stunning hikes through alpine terrain and lush valleys.
• Lake Bled and Lake Bohinj: Master the basics on glassy alpine waters with postcard-perfect backdrops - castle views and mountain peaks included.
• Soča Valley paddling: Navigate the emerald-green Soča and Idrijca Rivers and swim in crystal-clear pools.
• Italian coastal SUP: Cross the border for a Mediterranean paddle in Trieste, exploring limestone cliffs, harbours, and Austro-Hungarian architecture.
• Hike the Julian Alps: Trek to Vogar viewpoint overlooking Lake Bohinj and discover hidden waterfalls tucked away from the tourist trail.
• Wine tasting: Visit a local wine cellar in Vipava Valley and sample unique regional varieties paired with exceptional Slovenian cuisine.
• Agroturismo farm stay: Three nights at a rustic family-run tourist farm with organic meals, stunning views, and outdoor pool.

🔥 Difficulty Level
This trip is rated moderate. It's perfect for active women new to paddleboarding who are ready to embrace adventure. No SUP experience is required. Our expert instructors will teach you everything you need to know. Expect 4-6 hours of movement each day, covering 5-9 km paddling distances and hikes up to 8 km with ascents of 550m. You'll need solid fitness, determination, and a love of being outdoors across five consecutive days of back-to-back activities.

If you're ready to try something new and discover what you're capable of, this is your moment. Picture yourself gliding across Lake Bled, navigating the emerald Soča River, and paddling Italy's dramatic coastline. You'll challenge yourself, connect with incredible landscapes, and leave with skills and friendships that last.

📍 Location
Over six days, we'll explore three diverse regions of Slovenia (and one bonus country!) From the soaring peaks of Triglav National Park to the emerald valleys of the Soča River and the vineyard-covered hills of Vipava Valley, every day promises breathtaking landscapes. We'll venture off the usual tourist track with expert local guides who know the hidden gems, the waterfalls, swimming spots, and trails that most visitors never find.

🛏️ Accommodation
Stay in two beautiful locations that perfectly complement the adventure. We begin with two nights at a charming three star hotel in Ribčev Laz, packed with local character and lakeside views. Then we move to a stunning Agroturismo farm in the Soča Valley for three nights, where you'll enjoy warm hospitality, breathtaking mountain views, farm-to-table organic meals, and an outdoor pool, the perfect spot to unwind after days on the water and trails.

Price
All other dates
Twin room £1950 (approx. €2225 / $2620)
Private room £2350 (approx. €2695 / $3135)
Private room with shared bathroom £2300 (approx. €2630 / $3025)

July & August
Twin room £2050 (approx. €2345/ $2735)
Private room £2475 (approx. €2830 / $3300)
Private room with shared bathroom £2425 (approx. €2780 / $3250)

What's Included

• Five nights' accommodation
  (Two nights: three star hotel + three nights farm stay with pool)
• All meals from arrival lunch to departure dinner
• Six days guided paddleboarding and hiking with expert instructors
• SUP equipment (board, paddle, PFD, safety gear, dry bag, wetsuit if needed)
• A wine tasting experience
• Local guide and Gutsy Girls host
• Single-timed airport transfer

Join Gutsy Girls for a five night Hiking Holiday in the Spanish Pyrenees, a mountain escape where UNESCO-protected wilderness, glacier-carved canyons and dramatic peaks set the stage for your ultimate hiking challenge.

This trip is for women of all levels, whether you're new to mountain hiking or ready to push your endurance further. You'll trek along ancient shepherd paths, climb to glacial lakes and navigate exposed ridges with expert mountain guides. Off the trails you'll share traditional Pyrenean cuisine, laughs over local wine, and spa sessions with an active group of likeminded women, making this adventure as rewarding socially as it is physically.

Why the Spanish Pyrenees for hiking?

• Underrated wilderness - Trek ancient trails with far fewer crowds than the French Alps, exploring dramatic canyons that you’ll have mostly to yourself.
• Serious mountain challenges - Four consecutive days covering 12-18km, with up to 750m elevation gains across rocky, exposed terrain.
• Alpine skills training - Learn pole technique, map reading, and moving confidently on exposed ground, all led by qualified mountain guides.
• Four-star recovery base - Return each evening to a spa hotel in Biescas village with indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, and a peaceful garden.

Highlights

• Four days of guided mountain hiking: Daily treks through remote landscapes with qualified mountain leaders teaching alpine skills as you go.
• Ordesa National Park: Explore Spain's oldest national park, a kilometre-deep canyon framed by towering cliffs and 3,000-metre peaks including Monte Perdido.
• Glacial lake hikes: Trek to Ibon de Piedrafita and other high-altitude lakes formed 12,000 years ago with mountain reflections and alpine scenery.
• Summit views: Climb Punta del Pacino for 360-degree panoramas across dozens of peaks stretching in every direction.
• 4x4 canyon adventure: Take a bouncy taxi ride to the rim of Ordesa Valley, then walk canyon edges to breathtaking viewpoints.
• Traditional mountain cuisine: Hearty breakfasts, packed lunches on the trail and authentic Pyrenean dinners at carefully chosen local restaurants.

🔥 Difficulty Level
This trip is rated moderate to challenging. You'll hike up to seven hours daily, covering 12-18km across rocky mountain trails with climbs up to 750m. Four days of back-to-back activity means you’ll need good fitness, strong legs for uphill sections, and stamina to keep going. Mountain weather can also change quickly from sun to rain.

No prior mountain experience needed, but remember to pack a positive attitude and a head for heights. Regular cardio and weekend hikes will prepare you well. If you're ready to tackle serious trails, learn new skills, and push yourself in the mountains, this is for you.

📍 Location
The Spanish Pyrenees stretch nearly 500km between Spain and France, but the Spanish side gets way less attention. While everyone heads to the French Alps, you'll have these dramatic trails largely to yourselves. Base yourself in Biescas, a village with authentic Aragonese character, family-run restaurants, and thermal springs bubbling up from the ground.

🛏️ Accommodation
Stay in a four-star hotel with everything you need for post-hike recovery between mountain days - indoor and outdoor pools, a sauna, peaceful gardens and modern, comfortable rooms for a decent night’s sleep.

Price:
Private Room Ensuite £1895 (approx. €2170 / $2560)
Twin Room Ensuite £1675 (approx. €1920 / $2265)

What's Included

• 5 nights in a 4-star hotel
• All meals: buffet breakfasts, packed lunches, dinners at local restaurants
• 4 days of guided hiking with qualified mountain leader
• Hike transfers, including 4x4 taxi in Ordesa
• Fixed-time group airport and train station transfers
• Gutsy Girls host

Join Gutsy Girls for a four-night eBiking Adventure in North Macedonia, where dramatic views, glacial lakes and mountain passes become your playground whilst on two wheels.

This is a perfect trip for those relatively new to mountain biking or experienced cyclists who want to know what all the eBike buzz is about.. You'll ride through epic wilderness, past remote villages and across pine forests with experienced guides. Off the bikes you'll share hearty Balkan feasts, spa sessions with mountain views, and laughs with an active group of like-minded women.

Why North Macedonia for eBiking?

• Off-the-beaten-track - Explore one of Europe's secret gems before everyone else does, with untouched trails and authentic mountain culture
• eBike freedom - High-spec eMountain bikes give you the power to tackle demanding terrain and cover serious distances without the full grind
• National Park access - Visit two stunning National Parks, Mavrovo and Sharr, with sweeping mountains, wildlife and views for days
• Culture and cuisine - Get to the heart of North Macedonia through homemade meals, BBQ cook-outs, fresh cheese and local wines

Highlights:

• Three days of guided eBiking - Daily rides covering 30-45km through varied terrain with experienced mountain guides
• Experience Skopje - Spend a day exploring eclectic Skopje, North Macedonia’s quirky capital city
• Spa hotel base - Spend three nights with spa facilities, swimming pool and mountain views
• Authentic Balkan food - Farm-to-table dinners, BBQ nights, organic cheese and rich taverna flavours

🔥 Difficulty Level
This trip is rated moderate to difficult. You'll be eBiking up to 45km a day for three consecutive days on gravel paths with ascents, descents and some steeper sections. While eBikes make cycling easier, you still need to pedal and maneuver your bike across rocky, uneven terrain. A good level of fitness is essential, along with confidence cycling on varied, sometimes exposed paths.

No extensive mountain biking experience needed, but a love of cycling and the outdoors is a must. If you're ready to discover what all the eBike buzz is about while exploring stunning landscapes, this is for you.

📍 Location
North Macedonia is one of Europe's best-kept secrets, tucked away in the Balkans with awe-inspiring scenery, ancient villages and a rapidly booming adventure scene. From dramatic National Parks to crystal blue lakes, this is the perfect location for adrenaline with a hefty side helping of culture. You'll start in Skopje, the vibrant capital, before heading to Popova Shapka in the Shara Mountains for your mountain base.

🛏️ Accommodation
Stay in two hotels with Balkan charm. Night one is in a boutique hotel in the heart of Skopje, then three nights in Popova Shapka with spa facilities, swimming pool and serious mountain views for post-ride recovery.

Price
Twin Room: £1249 (approx. €1440 / $1675)
Private Room: £1449 (approx. €1670 / $1945)

What's Included

• 4 nights accommodation in hotels
• 4 days of guided eBiking (including warm-up ride on arrival evening)
• Premium eMountain bike and helmet hire
• All meals: buffet breakfasts, packed lunches, dinners at local restaurants and hotel
• 3 nights spa access
• Fixed-time group airport transfers
• Experienced mountain guide
• Gutsy Girls host

Join Gutsy Girls for a six night Island-Hopping SUP Adventure in Croatia's Zadar Archipelago, a coastal escape where turquoise waters, hidden beaches and secluded islands set the stage for your ultimate paddling experience.

This trip is for women of all levels, whether you're stepping on a board for the first time or you're a seasoned paddler ready to refine your skills. You'll explore remote islands, paddle between secret bays, kayak to cold war submarine tunnels, and discover coastlines only accessible from the water. Off the water you'll share traditional Croatian meals, laughs over local wine, and sunset hikes with an active group of likeminded women, making this adventure as rewarding socially as it is physically.

Why Croatia for a SUP adventure?

• Island-hopping paradise - Paddle between some of the archipelago’s 300 islands in the Adriatic, exploring hidden coves and beaches far from tourist hotspots.
• All levels welcome - There’s expert coaching for beginners to build confidence, and technique refinement for experienced paddlers to master new skills.
• Multi-activity adventure - Swap boards for kayaks, cycle the length of the island and hike to viewpoints with panoramas that will make you glad you’ve got your camera
• Authentic local experience -Stay in family-owned apartments on Molat island (population 240) and enjoy home-cooked traditional meals, supporting responsible tourism.

Highlights:

• Six days of guided water adventures: three and a half days of paddleboarding and two days of sea kayaking with professional instruction throughout.
• Island exploration: Paddle to secluded beaches, explore Cold War submarine tunnels, and discover islands where fishing boats outnumber cars.
• "Triathlon" day: Cycle 9km across Molat, paddle to Ist island, hike up to Snow Lady Chapel for archipelago views, then reverse the journey.
• Sunset hike: Trek up Straža Peak for local history and panoramic views, then toast the sunset with Croatian wine.
• Traditional cuisine: Home-cooked Croatian dinners featuring fresh fish, incredible salads, and local specialties like 'peka' (food cooked under a bell).
• Skills coaching: Learn efficient paddling, smooth turns, and water confidence—or master advanced moves like cross-bow and step-back turns.

🔥 Difficulty Level
This trip is rated moderate and perfect for active women keen to spend full days on the water. You'll be paddling or kayaking 5-6 hours daily, with multi-sport days combining cycling (9km with hills), paddling, and hiking (6km with 200m ascent). Five consecutive days of back-to-back activities make this action-packed and demanding, especially in the summer heat. Good fitness is essential; regular cardio and weekend activity will set you up well.

No prior paddleboarding or kayaking experience needed, but come ready to get stuck in. You'll be outdoors all day with substantial sun exposure and sleeping in simple apartments with fans (not all bedrooms have air conditioning) during warm summer nights.

If you're fit, active, and want to learn something new while exploring the Adriatic from a whole new perspective, this is the adventure for you.

📍 Location
The Zadar Archipelago is made up of 300 small islands in the Adriatic. We'll stay on Molat, a charming island with just 240 residents. Traffic-free, chilled-out, and the perfect base for island-hopping adventures.

🛏️ Accommodation
Stay in comfortable, family-owned apartments across the village. Simple, clean, and authentically Croatian. All meals provided, with breakfast and dinner in a local family-run dining room and picnic lunches on whatever island beach we discover that day.

Price
Twin Room
£1699 (approx. €1945 / $2265)
Private Room
£1799 - £1979 (approx. €2060 / $2265)
Private Apartment
£1859 - £1949 (approx. €2125 / $2480)

What's Included

• 6 nights' accommodation in family-owned apartments
• All meals: 6 breakfasts, 5 packed lunches, 6 dinners (including wine or non-alcoholic drinks)
• 6 days guided activities: 3.5 days paddleboarding, 2 days kayaking
• Professional SUP and kayaking instruction and guiding
• Guided hikes and cycling excursions
• Full equipment hire: SUP boards, kayaks, paddles, bikes, helmets, snorkeling gear, safety equipment, 20l dry bags
• Gutsy Girls host