Bike & Hotel Tour Reviews page 9
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- ★★★★★ Nico Gillis
A great way to start exploring Europe by bike!
Prague to Dresden Along the Vltava & Elbe Rivers
This trip was great! The route we followed was very doable for everyone in the group, with mostly paved trails and followed well-posted rivers. Our hotels were each unique, charming and comfortable. Every city we stayed in had things so see on a short walk and all the meals were great! Our guides were knowledgeable, kind, and great company. Every day felt unique and the group got closer with every ride and shared dinner together. This trip was definitely a great memory that I will cherish for years to come.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 31st - September 5th
- How many tours have you completed?
- First time!
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens, Families with young kids
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Czech Republic, Germany
- ★★★★★ Jenni L.
Very fun way to experience a deeper part of Spain
Albarracín to Valencia Along Spain's Longest Greenway
We are two women and we chose this self-guided tour on e-bikes as it was in the location that worked for our traveling schedules and we liked that it would take us from the mountains to the sea. E-bikes for us were the way to go as it gave it ease when we wanted it and challenge if we wished to work a little harder. Almost all the biking is through scenic areas with low to no traffic (along the greenways) and from higher elevations with beautiful green forests and valleys, to the lower lands with olives, truffles and oranges. We really enjoyed the variety of scenery even within a single ride, and loved stopping along the way in villages or at little restaurants to sit and enjoy. All the accommodations were better than expected so we were pleasantly surprised by this along with delicious buffet breakfasts at every location. The only part of the trip that was less enjoyable was getting into Canet you have to ride through some pretty industrial parts (though on a well marked bike path) but on the main road which was different; and again riding through the streets (again an incredible network of bike paths!) in Valencia. In Rubielos de Mora the hotel was especially awesome and they had an excellent Spa that we took full advantage of (for an extra fee). Albarracin is an amazing old city that we also thoroughly enjoyed. The local company was excellent as well with logistics and routes. All in all it was a super fun adventure and I can highly recommend it!
TIPS:
Download the Ride with GPS App and learn how to use it before your trip so you can receive and use the gpx files that give you the routes. Make sure to download the routes each day for OFFLINE use.
Bring biking gloves
Once you have the routes is super easy to find your way.
They give you a paneer and a bike kit but only one bike was fitted with the phone holder ~ maybe request one for each bike so you all have access to the route and easy access to a camera. We took a lot of photos but it was hard to access the second camera as the paneers have no outside pocket.
We needed a lot of sunscreen and layered clothing.
In Canet call ahead of time and ask for a room with a sea view.
If you are sensitive to traffic noise ~ in Valencia ask for a room high up and away from the main street or better yet maybe they can book you an accommodation in the Old City: Same for Teruel. The other towns are small and quieter.
You are responsible for your bikes during the trip so make sure they are always in a safe location.Take your time and enjoy!
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Spain
- ★★★★★ JS May
Great bike ride
Berlin – Copenhagen
Good way to experience Germany and Denmark. Bike was a bit funky. Route was fabulous. With a Garmin, navigating was easy. Without would have been difficult.
- ★★★★★ Dan Q.
First trip to Portugal, won’t be the last!
Gravel Biking from Alentejo to the Algarve
The local tour company was amazing! Checked in with us every day since we self guided. Bikes were great as were the hotels. We would highly recommend this tour for mountain bikers who who want less challenge or road bikers who want more.
- ★★★★★ Guðrún Hreins
My first time in Italy
Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
We had a wonderful days in Italy biking from Toblach to Mestre. The bikes was very fine and the hotels too. When we had a rainy days and came very wet to our hotels there where lack of places where we could dry our things. All the hotels where very good with nice staff, good rooms and bed and breakfast and save place for our bikes. Everything from Bike tours was 100 % and we will definitely find another trip with them. Thank you.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 27
- How many tours have you completed?
- 10
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
- ★★★★★ Kim H.
Beauty on the Bicycle
UNESCO Sites of Albania
From start to finish, our guides Tani and Tani made it a memorable worry free vacation! We tried so many ethnic foods and the 3 meals were substantial and delicious each day. The e-biking was breathtaking with beauty and maybe some cows, donkeys or sheep around a corner.
Riding through the countryside was like stepping back in time with children saying hello from their front yards and the farmers working in their fields.
The UNESCO sites were interesting and informational.
Each turn was a new view with valleys, mountains and beautiful blue water. The routes were safe with our guides letting us know when traffic would be busier on roads. I was happy to have an e-bike with the elevation and knowing I could make this trip as easy or hard as I wanted.
Lodging was very nice with one of my favorite days was staying at a farm in the countryside. If you are thinking about this trip, book it.
The journey through Albania is the reward!- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Albania
- ★★★★★ Stuart Burns
Great experience
Rhine Bike Path: Mainz to Cologne
They say cycling is the ideal pace of travel, fast enough that the scene is always changing but slow enough that you can take much of it in. While the App is at time challenging to give accurate information when you need it on the whole it was a huge plus over using paper maps and probably better than Google Maps.
The accommodation was of mixed standards, some of it in less ideal locations and/or looking tired on the outside but internally the rooms were all clean, comfortable and with excellent showers.
We were lucky with the weather but if you got a good soaking every day you may struggle to dry kit, but the bag moving service worked impeccably, sometimes the bags were even waiting in our rooms rather than the lobby.
The question is would we do it again and would we use bike tours and the answer to both is yes. The support was very good and the experience was memorable, hugely enjoyable and a little bit of an adventure.- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Germany
- ★★★★★ Heather
Classic River bike ride
Danube Bike Path 7 Nights (Classic)
Hotels exceeded expectations…except 1 palace.
Pedalo app was excellent….a few small errors.
Unable to get a proper fitting helmet. One size does not fit all. Ended up buying a large helmet.
- ★★★★★ Peter Hitchen
Enjoyed very much. Well organised.
Rhine Bike Path: Mainz to Cologne
I felt that we were safe and in good hands should something have gone wrong - which it didn’t.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 20265
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Germany
- ★★★★★ Nancy Gillespie
Sixteen riders is too many to keep corralled
Grand Châteaux & Gardens of the Loire Valley
This trip could have been excellent, if only the number was smaller. Sixteen riders and two guides were way too many riders to keep together. We should have been divided into two groups.
The countryside was beautiful, and I enjoyed the stops at the many chateaus that dotted our route. The accommodations were very good. Chinon was probably my favorite, having a balcony overlooking the village square. Dinners were all good, one exceptional and the Salt and Pepper in Blois just okay.
The guides were nice, perhaps too nice; they did not take control of the group. There was no instruction on how to ride in a group and consequently, some riders were dangerous. Some stopped without warning and stopped whenever and wherever they pleased. As a result, of the sixteen riders, twelve fell at one point in the ride. Most of the problem was the inexperienced riders stopping without warning. An orientation from the guides on day 1 could have helped. Geez, even our four hour bike tour in Paris started with bicycle etiquette. And no guide advised the cyclist sucking on a lollipop and carrying a selfie stick the length of a golf club that she was a hazard.
The difference in fitness and skill level of the riders demanded two groups of cyclists, not one group of sixteen riders.
I’m an experienced cyclists with many tour companies around the world, thus I was extremely frustrated by the danger the inexperienced cyclists posed. Because of my competence and therefore invisibility, on day six, when I asked a guide if he knew my name, he replied incorrectly. Great reward for fitness and competence.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- Too many to count throughout the world: Vietnam twice, Portugal, Spain, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Patagonia, New Zealand
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Much easier
- Do you recommend this tour?
- No
- Countries included in this tour?
- France
- ★★★★★ Ann from Bend, OR
delightful part of Germany to explore
Munich & the Bavarian Lakes
We did a self-guided tour of Munich and the Bavarian Lakes in late August 2025. The trip was well-organized with on-point cue sheets and GPS and map for directions. The hotels were fantastic--large rooms, good breakfasts and great staff. The scenery was beautiful and the towns we stayed in had tons of Bavarian charm. Baggage delivery was well-managed and always arrived before the stated time.
Downsides were poor guidance at our introductory appointment. The coordinator--Jose-- miscommunicated the time of our intro and when we did work out a time to meet he was not very helpful. He didn't go over the routes and didn't help us with the bikes except when we insisted. We wanted to change out our pedals and he resisted helping us. He finally gave us a tool to help. My bike was too large for me even though I had given my height when I reserved. He didn't want to replace it with a bike that fit me and told me it might cost more to get a bit to fit me! I told him it was unacceptable to ride a bike that was too big for me as I could injure myself if I had to jump off. He finally agreed to get me a bike that fit. He gave us a pump that was broken and then didn't explain that the valves on the tires are set up to allow pumping at gas stations. Fortunately, at our first night's stop there was a Eurobike office next door to the hotel and we talked to Thomas-- managing that office. He was fantastic. Spent an hour with us explaining the bikes and giving us tips about the rest of the route and what to see and do.
The other downside which isn't a fault of the tour operator, but should be explained to Americans--is that about 1/3 of the regional cycle trails are gravel. Some are not well-maintained. Most of the rode biking in the US is done on paved roads so we were unprepared for so much gravel and I felt nervous going up and down the hills when it was hard to control the bike.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 8
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Germany
- ★★★★★ David H.
Awesome introduction to France
Grand Châteaux & Gardens of the Loire Valley
I have done many cycling tours over the years, many with BikeTours.com. We have never used Chain Gang Cycling as a tour operator before and I know our group, which is an older group and not all the strongest riders, is probably more "needy" than the typical Chain Gang tour but they did a fantastic job of providing for all our needs. Our guides were excellent, we never got anyone lost.
BikeTours.com set up an excellent tour through a very beautiful and picturesque part of France. The average daily mileages were good for our group and the sights we saw along the way were amazing. Beautiful small country towns, rolling hills of farmland and forests, and incredible chateaus with magnificent gardens, lots of photo opportunities. We set up a few lovely picnic lunches on several of the ride days with the wonderful French baguettes and ham and cheese.
Our intrepid group of 16 riders managed the routes with a few hills with no real issues besides a couple of falls and a few bumps and bruises. Just part of cycling. We had lovely weather with the exception of one day where we got some rain. Lots of nice memories and new friends were made on this trip and we're already eagerly looking forward to our next BikeTours.com cycling trip in Poland in 2026!
- What was the date of your tour?
- Late August 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 10
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- France
- ★★★★★ Nancy r
Spectacular!!!
Grand Châteaux & Gardens of the Loire Valley
My first trip to Europe and it far exceeded my expectations. The guides made the entire experience a dream come true. Everything was perfectly orchestrated-From the beautiful landscapes, castles and great food. Highly recommended-don’t miss it.
- Countries included in this tour?
- France
- ★★★★★ Krista A
Perfect!!
Grand Châteaux & Gardens of the Loire Valley
I loved seeing France this way! So much fun! The hotels and food were amazing! Our guides were the best!!!
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2025
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- France
- ★★★★★ Chris M.
Amazing Trip
Amsterdam to Bruges: Cycling through South Holland and Zeeland
Really amazing trip, as the paths in the Netherlands and Belgium are first-rate and a biker's haven. Pieter from our tour company was awesome. First-rate bikes and the GPS on this trip were flawless, which is the first time after completing six tours that I could say that. Additionally, we appreciated the selection of hotels on this tour. Definitely looking forward to another bike trip in Holland.
- ★★★★★ Gabby
Not as expected.
Venice to Florence: From Rialto Across the Sea to Ponte Vecchio
The route wasn’t as exciting as expected.
The basic bike offered is AWFUL, not suitable for these kind of trips. You have to pay for the “upgrade” one.
Customer service wasn’t good. They couldn’t accommodate any changes, even when requested 48 hours in advance.
Most hotels were disappointing although well located, with the exception of the first one in Mestre. It was in the middle of nowhere, it doesn’t make sense to start the trip from that place.
Not the best trip we’ve done for sure.- How many tours have you completed?
- 10 +
- Do you recommend this tour?
- No
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
- ★★★★★ mgkibben
Amazing opportunity
Along the Rhône River from Geneva to Lyon
This was a terrific way to see a beautiful part of Europe. Traveling by bike is always rewarding, but having all the logistics arranged made it that much more enjoyable.
The bike: I opted for the Trek FX 2 (hybrid, non-electric). This was a reasonable bike for some of the less groomed roads (I'd been disappointed not to have a road bike but I'm not sure a road frame would have handled some of the routes). Overall a decent ride.
The route: The GPS routing was good, but a bit outdated. Some of the trails selected had been washed out in the previous months and while there were detours on the paths, the GPS took a while to catch up once the trail was rejoined. There were a few times when the ViaRhona had a route sign but the GPS took an adjacent "sportier" route - which included a few two-tracks and steep grades. The day-to-day information on the route was helpful - especially when warning about significant climbs approaching the hotels.
The lodging: two of the three hotels were nothing short of lovely. Beautiful rooms, great amenities (restaurants, sitting areas), amazing location with beautiful views. The other three hotels were either good for location, but the rooms were just adequate.
Support: Pick up/drop off: Bruno was there at the time planned with all the information needed. Drop off couldn't have been simpler - just store it in the room the hotel had set aside. Communication leading up to the tour was consistent and responsive. There was a delay in receiving some of the more timely material. It came through WhatsApp on the day of travel and it would have been helpful to have had it sooner.
Overall, a great experience!
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- Several (with different companies)
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- France, Switzerland
- ★★★★★ Jim Grosd
Romantic Danube
Danube Bike Path 8 Nights (Upscale Lodging)
This was our fourth time riding this trip. One can never tire riding this beautiful cycle path, the beautiful countryside, small town’s and villages, farms, orchards, city centers and buildings that are hundreds of years old, castles, etc. We prefer to go with the “Upscale Version “, perhaps a reflection of our age. The hotels and locations were excellent.
We select the upgraded bikes and they were in perfect condition. We combined the “Tauren Krimml to Passau “ cycle route on this trip and enjoyed the ride immensely.
I have worked with “Bike Tours.com” for many years now and really appreciate the excellent customer service and support!- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2025
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens, Families with young kids
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Austria, Germany
BikeTours.com staff reply from Jan
Thanks for your business over the years, Jim. And great pics! Have a wonderful rest of your summer.
- ★★★★★ Joe M.
Off the beaten track.
Prague to Vienna via Cesky Krumlov
Great rural scenery, uncrowded roads, quaint historic towns. Nice itenerary.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Austria, Czech Republic
