Bike & Hotel Tour Reviews page 81
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★★★★★ MAC
Pretty Area
Alsace Wine Country
The vendor with whom you contracted has room for improvement. The documentation supplied by was inadequate. Using street names as a frame of reference in the towns we visited was the first issue. Street names are few and far between. It was not unusual to see other "green bags" (the color of the panier and handlebar bags used by this vendor) riding around in various directions looking for the same route as our group.
The two hotel rooms they booked for us in Kayserberg were not air conditioned! That day, the high was in the mid 80's and the route had multiple climbs. Riders need to be able to get their core temperature down for comfortable sleep.
Navigation out of town from the hotel and into the end town hotel was particularly poor. Luckily, We had programmed the addresses of each hotel into our contacts and relied on Siri most afternoons to find our hotel.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 30
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- France
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★★★★★ Michael Drake
Baltic immersion!
Baltic Capitals: Historic Cities of Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn
What a fun way to experience the Baltics! We thoroughly enjoyed our trip, getting a taste of each country and its capital. We normally do self guided tours, but in this case, the guided option was the way to go. Not only did we get non biking guided walking tours of each capital, the bike guides were always there to fill in the history and background of sites and scenes along the way. They were very, very well informed and helpful. There are a LOT of bus transfer segments on this ride, but being able to bike ride the 'gem' segments, and have a bit more time (due to the bus) to enjoy the towns and cities, was a good trade off. The quality and proximity to town of the hotels exceeded our expectations. We gave ourselves an extra day at the end to really experience Tallinn. Another could have been made good use of. Our day in Riga there was the option to ride out to the beach, or just keep walking the town after our tour guide was finished with us. There is so much there, we elected to just spend the day exploring the town (no regrets). If there was any downside to this trip, it was the group size was a bit large. Again, perhaps because we normally do self guided we were sensitive to that. Although we did enjoy the diverse company (NZ, Australian, Canadian, Irish, US), the bigger group did make getting going and stopping, and riding, a bit more of a herding cats feel at times.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 5 for one of us 7 for the other
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
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★★★★★ Robert Civiak
Baltic
Baltic Capitals: Historic Cities of Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn
Trip was to the Baltic countries for biking and walking tours. I went on the trip.
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★★★★★ Russell Fillmore
Each view better than the previous
Munich & the Bavarian Lakes
I toured solo but with the provided itinerary. It was such a comfort knowing my fresh clothes and a soft bed were awaiting my arrival at each stop. Every town was wonderful. I spent a bit longer in Garmisch, just because I loved it so. I’m a 58 year old healthy guy, but didn’t train at all for this trip. Next time, I would opt for an eBike. Extra cost but I think I could have had more energy and time to explore more.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Germany
-
★★★★★ Timothy Mulligan
Amazingly good trip
Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps
This trip covers a lot of ground and a variety of spectacular scenery! My 4th bike trip and easily my favorite. We spent the extra day in Bled, which turned out to be a good decision and was a nice break after 3 days on the bikes.
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★★★★★ (Nancy) Bart Hemmerich
Quaint Swiss Villages Among Majestic Alps
Lake Constance to Lake Maggiore
After having just completed the Romantic Roads Tour, this tour was a perfect contrast - more focus on geography including huge glacial lakes, wide river basins, steep hillside farms and villages, and jagged Alp peaks with snow fields. This was a more challenging tour with added factors like very high temperatures a few days and very strong headwinds. Some of the gravel sections, particularly between Chur and Disentis were very tough for touring bikes so we have already suggested a road option. Hotels, restaurants and overall route were outstanding.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 6 organized tours, many self-supported
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Switzerland
-
★★★★★ Robin Walton
Most scenic bike tour
Tauern Bike Path (Salzburg-Salzburg)
This was our 4th European bike tour and definitely the most scenic! The ride was a little more hilly than mentioned in the website, but fortunately I had an e-bike which made it no problem. My husband did not have an e bike and had no problem.
Each day was a very different route and made it exciting for what the next day would be. Beautiful Alps, waterfalls, villages with so much charm. We opted to upgrade to the deluxe tour and was well worth the money. Wish we would have stayed an extra day in Kaprun as there was much to see there. Would definitely recommend this tour.- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- 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?
- Austria
-
★★★★★ Francisco Castro
Trip of my dreams, will never forget this extraordinary experience!!
Danube Bike Path 5-nights (Active)
The best way to travel around Europe!! This tour is one of the most beautiful we have done, the places, towns, museums, are simply like getting into a dream like no one could ever imagine!!
The people are very friendly, the organization is excellent, we never had any problems and when we had to go to the organizers, they responded diligently. This tour is highly recommended, I recommend that if you have booked dinner, arrive early or ask if there is a maximum time for dinner, because on several occasions we had problems with the time we got to eat. Otherwise, highly recommended!!
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★★★★★ AMY Nathan
Great trip!
Camino de Santiago: From Porto to Santiago de Compostela
Loved this trip along the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage trail. We did the self guided tour.The terrain was not exactly what we expected, but enjoyed the challenge- harder than we expected because of the terrain. Along the coast for the first two days, boardwalks, sand dunes, cobblestones, bike paths, trails in the woods, boulders, dirt paths and roads. The App to follow was wonderful and accurate. They gave us restaurant suggestions for both along the way and once we reached our daily destination-all spot on. I recommend the 4 star hotel option and maybe splurge for one 5 star. Parador Hotel in Baiona was fantastic.
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★★★★★ Richard Robblee
Lovely rural trail and ancient towns; variable quality accommodations.
Romantic Road from Würzburg to Donauwörth
The tour itself was fun and varied. We enjoyed every day, and every day was different from the one before. Some days were virtually all in rural settings; others followed lightly-traveled roads in flat farming country which allowed us a close-up view of life in the area. The route-finding at times was tricky, having to work with a German language map book, an English translation booklet, and Komoot. We usually just followed the small bike trail signs but on a couple of occasions got thrown off as the same sign is used for various other trails. We should have paid strict attention to the English translated booklet when approaching towns instead of relying on the signs. So there was some back-tracking but nothing too serious. As to the bikes, our two bikes did not come with a repair kit or pump, and none were delivered until the end of the third day of our six day trip (when we reached the tour company they offered to send help at their expense to us on the trail if needed but for whatever reason could not get us the repair kit/pump promptly). Our trip was delayed on the fifth day by a loose screw that secured the rear fender to the frame, which meant that the retaining clip rubbed against the rear tire. The bikes themselves were on the heavy/sturdy side but worked well. Baggage transfers were reliable. Accommodations were spotty: the GHotel in Würzberg was a characterless commercial hotel; surely there are local hotels in the old town that could have been selected. The Hotel Bronnbacher in Wertheim was among our favorites - the remarkably helpful proprietor, Kai, deserves special praise. The Ringhotel Bundschu in Bad Mergentheim, despite its luxurious room and common areas, was a disappointment; the proprietor was terse and came across to us as unwelcoming, and the room was impossible to ventilate. No fan was made available in this fanciest of all six hotels. The Hotel Gerberhaus in Rothenburg was wonderful in all ways. The Hotel Piazza in Dinkelsbühl was satisfactory but otherwise unremarkable. The only utterly unsatisfactory hotel was the Hotel Wengers Brettl in Nördlingen. The staff that greeted us spoke virtually no English; no fan was available; the smoke alarm was missing from its placement in the ceiling, and the breakfast service was comparatively scant with the only employee spending most of his time reading the newspaper at the counter. Finally, the Hotel Donau was one of our favorites; set up well for bicyclists and with helpful staff. All meals with the exception of the Hotel Wengers Brettl were excellent.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 7
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Germany
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★★★★★ Joseph Braun
Scenic journey but you better know how to read a map
Royal Zealand and Copenhagen
The bikes were excellent and the company representative was helpful, knowledgeable and more than willing make sure we had a good trip. The hotel in Copenhagen was an average room but noisy and poor ventilation. Other hotel rooms were mostly average. Breakfast was excellent at all the hotels. Directions were average but confusing. It would be helpful to include city maps with the information so tourists can find street names instead of following the directions. Also, be warned that several routes are on gravel paths, not paved.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Denmark
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★★★★★ John Matthew Schley
Fun and intellectually stimulating
Baltic Capitals: Historic Cities of Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn
Great bike trails. Great group of people to travel with. Really excellent guide. Searching out restaurants you can find excellent food. Dinners provide by tour were mediocre at best.
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★★★★★ Jodie Lawlor
Fantastic Adventure!!
Lake Constance Bicycle Path
This was our first bike tour-and we chose the self guided tour so we could take our time. It was fantastic-bikes were great, book with our route and all the details was a huge help, hotels were great and we had great weather. The towns and scenery were amazing. Highly recommend and would do again!
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- 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?
- Austria, Germany, Switzerland
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★★★★★ Edward Baker
Could Have Been Amazing
Royal Zealand and Copenhagen
The routes took us through some very interesting landscapes and towns. It would have been so much better if our daily information included more specifics about the areas where we traveled. Knowing more about the trails would also have been helpful. At one point, the directions were extremely confusing and led us onto an impassable trail. We understood that in some towns where we stayed the accommodations would be limited and might not have all of the amenities to which we are accustomed. With that we were fine. However, it was disappointing to see better accommodations that were available. Even worse was when the directions sent us to the better hotels only to be told that our reservation was not there and when we arrived at the hotel that was reserved, it was of a much lesser quality. This happened to us twice. At the very least, the route directions should list the correct destination hotel. We should not have to consult two different documents to find our hotel for the night. In our case, we had specifically explained that we would pay more, but wanted to have the best accommodations in each location. This did not happen, although we did pay a higher rate. Fortunately the staff at all of the hotels were exceptionally helpful, friendly, and professional. We were given very limited orientation before beginning the ride and felt that this company was unresponsive and left a lot for the rider to figure out alone. No helmets were provided which wasn't significant for us because we brought our own, but there was no communication indicating that helmets would not be provided. Having notes in the daily plan that noted restaurants along the way and at the destination each day would have been most helpful. In addition, it would have been nice to have known that in serveral locations, the only dining option would be at the hotel. We had a very enjoyable experience, but feel that it could have been far better with more information provided by the organization.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 6
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- No
- Countries included in this tour?
- Denmark
-
★★★★★ Vincent Pouliot
Superbe Belgique !
Highlights of Flanders: Belgium’s History, Art, Nature & Cuisine
Très belle façon de découvrir la Belgique et ses petits trésors de jours en jours sur deux roues !
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★★★★★ Anthony Ladson
Wonderful trip
Innsbruck to Lake Garda Across the Southern Slopes of the Alps
I greatly enjoyed this ride and highly recommend it. The recommended routes were scenic and you could explore more if you wanted. The hotels were excellent and my gear was picked and moved every day without issue. I also loved the bike that was provided.
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★★★★★ Liliane
great family experience
Royal Zealand and Copenhagen
We had a great family time. Following the tour was easy - one followed the map, the other the instructions - it was worth following the proposed route and not google maps.
On the 65km day, we arrived late at our destination and one of the highlights was already closed. Including a bit of info of the main cultural attractions would be helpful. Have Pellerines ready in your bile box - the weather changes quickly. Tanja was of great help and very responsive! Thank you!- Countries included in this tour?
- Denmark
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★★★★★ Erik Coats
Great place to cycle
Lake Constance Bicycle Path (Upscale Lodging)
Lake Constance is beautiful and the cycling is great. 80% of the trip is on paved hike/bike paths, with about 10% on unpaved paths and 10% on regular roads (shared with cars). You should pay for the GPS aps on your phone to navigate as the maps and written directions are often insufficient. Most of the hotels were in lovely cities, but the spacing out was inconsistent, leading to some very short days of cycling and some very long days. Most days were short enough to give you time to explore the cities you're passing through and staying in. We had a couple issue and were able to reach the tour company for support, which is appreciated.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2023
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Austria, Germany, Switzerland
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★★★★★ John Maxfield
Beautiful Irish coast and fabulous cycling roads
Highlights of the Highlands: Donegal by E-bike
This was an outstanding tour! The coast of County Donegal was breathtaking, and the roads / routes well chosen, with clear directions using both maps and GPS. I would suggest adding a longer mileage option for the circuit ride (Day 4) from Glenties; I did part of the circuit twice to get in a full day of cycling while my wife enjoyed the beach, waiting for the tide to go out for our walk to the island.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2023
- 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?
- Ireland
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★★★★★ Jenny Hager
Great trip for young teens and adults!
Danube Bike Path 7 Nights (Classic)
Our group of six, ranging in age from 13 to mid-thirties to mid-sixties, had a great time doing the Danube Classic in August 2023.
Throughout the planning process, BikeTours staff was helpful, courteous, and prompt - even when I kept making changes to our hotel and bike requirements.
Although the local tour operator - Radius Tours or Radreisefreunde - failed to show up for our scheduled bike fitting on the day before we starting riding, they provided good bikes and fabulous support van service. I would use them again.
We ordered support van service for the week. Our driver, Ernst, transported our luggage each day, followed us along the route as closely as he could, and provided suggestions on routes and places to stop. When the weather turned rainy or when we encountered the very rare hill that was too much of a challenge for a couple of us, he was there to give us a lift and put our bikes on the trailer. He arrived on time every morning no matter if we planned to start early or late and made sure we made it to our destination at the end of each day. His English was limited so it helped that one member of our group spoke some German. But we think we would have been able to communicate well-enough even if none of us spoke German. He was kind, cheerful, and courteous.
Riding along the Danube is easy - except on the very rare occasion when you have to get up a hill to reach a couple of the hotels. We ordered e-bikes for my thirteen year old nephew and for the adults who didn’t have a chance to get in shape before the trip, but two of us had traditional bikes. Those on e-bikes had no trouble reaching those hotels, but those of us with traditional bikes had to get off and walk - or be rescued by our driver.
Riding along the Danube is also very safe and lovely. Most of the time, you ride on a paved dedicated bike paths and quiet roads through towns and countryside. Sometimes the dedicated bike path runs next to busy roads but we felt safe. Sometimes you have to navigate through light traffic. The route is very well marked with signs. There are bridges and cute bike ferries that enable you to cross from one side of the river to another.
We chose the upgraded (Category A) hotels. They were all quite different, but all were clean and comfortable. All of them served breakfast. Some do not serve dinner, and it is important to know that before you finish riding for the day so that you can make arrangements - especially if your hotel is slightly out of town or up a hill. Based on other reviews, we did not choose the included dinner option at those hotels that offered it, so we were able to order from the menus.
We ordered twin beds for everyone on our trip. In Austria that seems to mean that you get a king-size mattress but two twin-size duvets. This arrangement worked fine for our group but might feel awkward if you’re not expecting it or if you are rooming with someone you don’t know well. SHOW MORE
