Bike Tour Reviews Cycling The West Balkan Triangle (page 2)
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★★★★★ Pamela Lydon 9 months agoLife Changing!
This trip will change how we vacation in the future!
There were 6 of us in our group, 5 on e-bikes, and 1 on a rode bike. We joined another group of 6 upon our arrival. Our guide Alex (Juro) provided us with a daily overview of the places we would be visiting and the terrain we would be covering. Our other guide was also Alex who followed behind the group in a van with our luggage and snacks. Together they helped to make the trip. They took our safety very seriously and shares some stories along the way of the places we were visiting. They were both engaging and worked hard to enhance our experience.
The ride covered all different types of terrain. We went on main roads, back quiet streets, flat roads, and covered grades as a steep as 12%. On an e-bike you took the hills at your own pace going both up and down. Juro would help guide the group, so we stayed together, and regrouped as needed. The important thing we all learned was to take time to enjoy the journey.
We stayed in lots of amazing places ranging from larger hotels to quaint 7 room hotels. The food and wine were wonderful everywhere we went, and the locals were so friendly. Lots of people spoke English and those who didn’t, Juro or Alex help as our interpreter.
The views were stunning. The pictures can’t begin to capture the breathtaking views of the mountains or along the sea. We were able to stop along the ride to take picture and Juro helped to make recommendations on where to stop for the best pictures.
The trip left us all wanting more. We agreed this trip changed how we want to vacation and explore other countries. We are already planning our next trip. Thank you to Juro, Alex, and BikeTours.com for a life changing experience.
- What was the date of your tour?
- October 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was my first bike tour
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Much easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ JBR 2 months ago
Excellent Tour
This was a great trip. We've previously done all tours DIY. I enjoyed not having to think about navigation, most of the meals, etc. Our guide was very knowledgeable. I enjoyed stopping for sites of historical significance, a winery, an olive farm, an others. I liked that we had a variety of scenery including the coast, mountains, along lakes. Some of it felt wonderfully remote.
I consider myself a moderate rider (50-70 miles per week, elevation gain 3000-4000 ft per week) and did it on a non-ebike. Some parts pushed me but not to the extreme. We had a inexperienced rider who completed it on an e-bike with some effort, the rest of the group were experienced and did it on e-bikes without problems
I would say that a small portion of it was on a busy road. If you are not experienced with sharing the road during those times it might be intimidating but I felt comfortable. You have the option of sitting out ANY portion you are not comfortable with.
Breaks are frequent, at least 2 per day, usually 3 per day so it is manageable. Our guide did a good job of letting us go at our own pace which varied significantly. The SAG person was great about attending to any concerns about water, snacks, etc. needed along the way.
All of the lodging was comfortable and clean but not necessarily luxurious if that is important to you. Some of the lodging was 1-2 km from sites of interest in the evening (say old town) but it was walkable. Also, there were always options very close for evening dining if chose to stay close.
I have no regrets, was a good experience and would recommend it. -
★★★★★ Giuseppe B. 2 months ago
It met my expectations.
The chosen route was well designed, and both the guide and the support driver did a great job leading the group, clearly explaining the route in advance every day and prioritizing the group’s safety and comfort. The route's duration and difficulty level are suitable for well-trained road cyclists, though there is always the option to ride with an e-bike.
The organization should pay closer attention to the standard of the hotels. While some exceeded expectations in terms of accommodations and service—such as Hotel Perla—others should be removed from the hotel offering, such as Hotel Marija 2.- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ bobeh1 October 22, 2019
Wonder-Filled
The tour was an amazing way to explore the history and cultures of the Balkan Countries.
Though the mountains were a challenge to climb (especially for those of us who chose standard hybrid bikes), our guide would encourage us with "I believe in you". We learned to then believe in ourselves.- What was the date of your tour?
- Oct. 5-12
- How many tours have you completed?
- one before this
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Candida August 16, 2017
Tough riding but worth it!
My husband and I really enjoyed this tour of the Balkan triangle. There was some amazing scenery and our climbs were always rewarded with incredible ocean and valley views. Tomi was a great guide, and kept us moving along. You could tell he really appreciates the beauty of his country and is happy to show it off. We couldn't have had a better van driver than Darco, who was always ready and willing to help, close by enough to support us with water, food and the occasional lift. The roads are narrow in these countries, which is a bit nerve wracking at the beginning, until you realize that everyone is used to passing in close quarters and you just get used to the narrowness of the roads. Much of the trip is on paths or quiet roads though. We loved the food and the accommodations on this tour as well.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 15 to 22, 2107
- How many tours have you completed?
- 6
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Cyclemom April 28, 2018
Great Experience!
First I have to mention our great guide and support Mario and Darco. They helped make this such an incredible trip. They were accommodating, flexible, funny and full of history about the area. I know my daughter loved talking with them about their life growing up in Croatia and the incredible history of the area. We fell in love with Croatia and Bosnia Hertsagovina. I know I just spelled that incorrectly I apologize.
My husband and I used the electric bikes which had multiple settings so we had great workouts everyday while not holding back our daughter from getting a great workout on her regular bike up with the guide. Electric bikes are genius and really the way to go especially if the people you are traveling with may be in a little better shape. Their bikes were excellent.
I loved the lunch breaks on the side of the road each day and as soon as Darco realized the type of food we liked while exercising he added it the next day (oranges never tasted so good!) together with his own favorites it was perfect.
We again can not say enough about Mario. His sweet disposition and willingness to do whatever he could to make our trip memorable was greatly appreciated.
The mileage each day was not bad but the climbs gave us such a great
workout!- What was the date of your tour?
- April 13-
- How many tours have you completed?
- Second tour
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ Jim n Anne June 30, 2018
Breathtaking Scenery
The views on this trip are amazing! True, there are a few climbs, but the views and the downhills more than make up for them. Our guide Mario was attentive, capable, enjoyable, responsive. We enjoyed the fresh, seasonal, healthy meals, and the accommodations were first rate! The rental bikes were comfortable and well suited to the road conditions. It was fascinating to experience the different countries and cultures in such a compact space; so different from the U.S. The only improvement I would recommend would be for printed maps or cue sheets to follow, even though we had a guide. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone with an interest in beautiful scenery, complex history and cultures, and a fun bike tour!
- What was the date of your tour?
- May 2018
- How many tours have you completed?
- Several dozen
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ matis October 5, 2018
- What was the date of your tour?
- 15.09 -22.09.2018
- How many tours have you completed?
- Three if I include this one
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
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★★★★★ olistef October 7, 2018
Top quality tour with top quality guides.
Our guide, Mario, was great. He is a kind man and knows lot about the routes and the history. Dinko drove our luggage and gave us lunch in welcomed shadows, knew so much about the land and history.
- What was the date of your tour?
- 16-21 september
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Björg October 8, 2018
If not on the bucket list - put it there
The tour was amazing, the diverseness of the route was a pleasure experience every day. Beautiful landscape, uphill’s and downhills, flat surface, cent of herbs, harvest time – a feast for all senses. Some of the routes were more difficult than other and to conquer it was a victory, after a hill is a downhill that makes it all worth it. Mario and Dinko are the perfect and flawless guides, always a pleasure to have them around with such a good presence and very well informed and willing to share their knowledge about thousands of questions they got from the group. I give this tour my best recommendation.
- What was the date of your tour?
- 16th of Sept to 22nd of Sept
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Rósa October 28, 2018
Amazing Experience!
Our tour was just amazing and each day was like a new adventure. The cycling routes were diverse through beautiful landscape. Uphill’s and downhills, sometime difficult but always very enjoyable. Our guide Mario and Dinko were great and played a huge part in making this trip so incredible. I can highly recommend this tour.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2018
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Melani July 18, 2019
Most epic trip!!
This vacation/bike tour was one for the books! We wouldn’t change a thing and would like to take the tour again. The 6 day bike ride was no easy feat but it was manageable (especially with 2 14-year old boys). Our bike guide, Igor was very knowledgeable of the history and sights/cities we visited. Mario was an amazing SAG driver and prepared quite a lovely daily lunch spread!! Loved all the rest stops and hotels we stayed at. Can’t wait to take another tour with BikeTours!!
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 27 - July 4, 2019
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Dadd September 29, 2019
- What was the date of your tour?
- sept. 13-18, 2019
- How many tours have you completed?
- lots, almost all on our own
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Much harder
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ J.Miller October 23, 2023
"Bucket-list" bike trip
New and interesting touring this beautiful part of Croatia (the Balkan countries). The guides were experienced, personable, and trustworthy....aways leaving us feeling safe and informed. Accommodations and meals provided were enjoyable and comfortable. The pace of the trip was comfortable and well-informed.
- What was the date of your tour?
- October, 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- Two
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Joseph Bohonos May 10, 2023
Balkans Introduction
This trip was our introduction to supported touring. The cost was reasonable, hotels were charming, the guides were top notch. There were some areas that were not bike friendly---our guide did a remarkable job keeping us safe. The rented bicycles were high quality--no worries there. May/June, September/October are the times to go, summer is too hot.
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★★★★★ Lucretia Germick June 21, 2023
Balkans Coast & Mountains
BEAUTIFUL scenery along coasts & mountains. Some challenging climbs mixed with coastal flats. Comfortable accommodations with character. Lunches were delicious & introduced us to some local foods. Alex & Igor provided excellent leadership & support while keeping us laughing with their antics! Always felt safe so could relax & enjoy the views. Would suggest stocking small, medium & large helmets and adding bells on bikes to alert pedestrians.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 10-17, 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4 European tours & 20 US tours
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Suzy Clapp September 22, 2023
Fabulous trip cycling in Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro.
The cycling was harder than we thought and it was good that we did some training before hand. This made it more enjoyable. The group was large for one guide and mixed fitness levels with different bikes caused a big gap. Hotels were lovely and generally food good but not sure the type of food at lunch is really what you want in the baking hot sunshine cycling 60km. Gluten Free options
were poor and not explained to the guide. Guides both knowledgeable and the weather and views were superb. Loved being on a guided one and them taking the luggage. Really helped experience seeing all the different countries and a great way to do it. Would definitely like to do another one.- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2023
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Suzy Clapp September 23, 2023
Fabulous trip cycling in Croatia, Bosnia and Montenegro.
The cycling was harder than we thought and it was good that we did some training before hand. This made it more enjoyable. The group was large for one guide and mixed fitness levels with different bikes caused a big gap. Hotels were lovely and generally food good but not sure the type of food at lunch is really what you want in the baking hot sunshine cycling 60km. Gluten Free options
were poor and not explained to the guide. Guides both knowledgeable and the weather and views were superb. Loved being on a guided one and them taking the luggage. Really helped experience seeing all the different countries and a great way to do it. Would definitely like to do another one.- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2023
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
-
★★★★★ Roxana Miranda September 30, 2023
Amazing 3 country bike tour
The routes were great and the scenery first class; a fabulous way to explore those areas that are not that touristy and interior roads with absolutely no cars though Montenegro is a different story; recommend e-bike to stop and enjoy your surroundings because some of the days were very challenging for regular bikes including for some fit bike riders, most specially in the hot sun; the company can do much better on lunch options which were absolutely not good for the rides; the hotels were very good, some of them real gems; felt very good exploring Bosnia and cute little villages close to Dubrovnik; Montenegro coast is paradise.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 9, 2023
- 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
-
★★★★★ Kirsty leighton October 11, 2023
Excellent bike tour
Awesome food ! Awesome guide ! Excellent all around ! Lovely scenery ! Thanks
- What was the date of your tour?
- Oct2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- First bike tour
- 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
