Dolomites Bike Tour Reviews (page 4)
-
★★★★★ Garry August 17, 2017A wonderful trip
· Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
This is a wonderful trip. The scenery is breath taking, the hotels are friendly and well run and there is great food to be enjoyed. The organization was first rate, both at Biketours in the US and through their affiliate in Italy. I'd do it again and invite friends to join us. But I'd do it in late spring rather than summer - it does get hot and humid in July. I'd also try to schedule some rest days in cities like Belluno and Trieste that would be fun to explore more of.
We got lost several times despite the excellent tour documentation. Do keep an eye out for the trail markers and ensure your mobile is charged. Thank goodness for Google Maps!
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 9, 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Anne52 October 2, 2017
A gorgeous and adventurous trip!
· Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
This tour took us through stunning scenery on bike paths and small, very quiet roads where we were often out of sight of other bikers. The hotels we stayed at along the way were comfortable, often in beautiful settings and all had fantastic breakfasts. We loved the small towns and off the beaten track places that we were led to. Despite some lack of stickers where they were needed, we generally found the directions and maps to be fairly good. We opted for 7 gear bikes but we would highly recommend the 21 gear bikes. There were more uphills than we had expected and we had to push our bikes at times as 7 gears weren't adequate. Overall, we had a most enjoyable experience.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Sept 6 - 13, 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- One other
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ CyclesInRoswell April 5, 2019
Wonderful Anniversary Trip!
· Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
We did this tour in June 2016 and I neglected to write a review. Wonderful scenery, great little side trips if you want to add miles, and wonderful service and accommodations. We had a great time on our rented tandem (affectionately nicknamed "The Whale") and would do this tour again. BikeTours Direct service was excellent, and the tour company did a great job. A romantic way to spend our 25th anniversary.
- What was the date of your tour?
- 6/2016
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- 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
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Eliz July 9, 2019
beautiful trip
· Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
A very nice way to view this part of Italy - nice scenery all around, the selected roads were great and away from main ones, easily described and marked to follow
All good- What was the date of your tour?
- 6/19 - 6.25
- How many tours have you completed?
- 8
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Sandy89 July 18, 2019
Unbelievable Scenery!
· Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
Our first time to the Dolomites - we will be back! The scenery was breathtaking. Everywhere you looked there was a photo opportunity. The hotels were quaint and the food was excellent although we would have liked more recommendations of food and sight seeing along the way (we were self guided). Totally recommend getting the GPS for one of the bikes if you self guide due to some tricky routing. Overall, loved this trip and would recommend it to our friends!
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2019
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
BikeTours.com staff reply from Chloe July 19, 2019
We couldn't agree more; the scenery on this tour is amazing!
-
★★★★★ j59fj2046r July 28, 2019
· Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
Great cycling and and absolute best way to see the Dolomites. The routes are great, with a little bit of climbing and some fun downhill sections each day. I commute to work and found the riding matched my ability, leaving enough time to stop here and there, and explore the city at the end of each stage.
TIP: The routes are mostly intuitive and easy to follow, but there are some challenges and confusing areas. If you ride this tour, skip wrestling with the paper map and use a GPS. I set aside some time before each ride to plot my route using the Komoot cycling app on my phone - I found I made fewer wrong turns and had more confidence to have fun with the ride and take in the scenery.
- What was the date of your tour?
- 2019
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Natalie Synhavsky August 5, 2022
Loved it!
· Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
The scenery on this trip is truly amazing. The first two days were mostly on gravel paths before getting to paved connected trails and roads. The hotels weren't anything special, but we loved the biking route and would absolutely recommend this trip!
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- 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?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Dewey Forward August 31, 2022
Spectacular if very challenging
· Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
It was certainly the most dramatic trip I’ve ever taken. By the end of the trip I was complexly familiar on how the app works and appreciated the care that went into all of the planning.
The hotels were all interesting being uniquely Italian and well placed in the towns we stayed in. All and all a lifetime memory of joy. Harder than a 1 difficulty which was advertised.- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2022
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Much harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Russ Gibfried November 7, 2022
Great locations, trip pace and places to stay
· Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
Perfect way to see Bavaria, Tyrol, the Dolomites and into Venice. Old train tracks have been converted to bike trails, so you see towns and places that you would miss in a car. The mobile app keeps you on track. I'm convinced this is the best way to see a country and all my future trips will include a one week bike tour (if possible)
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Rob Russell 10 months ago
Fantastic bike trip - downhill all the way!
· Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
I did this trip with my daughter who had never been to Italy. The folks at ''Fun Active Tours" were exceptional. They let us have the bikes a day early, call our hotels to make sure we had two beds as some of the hotels thought 'double' ment one bed! They let my daughter ride with the luggage transfer guy in the middle of the tour as her U-?-What was sore ;). Hotels were great and the route was unbelievable. Frendly Italians and some of the best food we've ever had. Go for it!
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 15
- 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
-
★★★★★ Garry Wyndham 8 months ago
Extraordinary experience
· Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
Marvelous variety of views and experiences, geology and wonderful food. This was our second time and we had a blast. Despite one hiccup with the wrong hotel, Biketours looked after us well. Highly recommended
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- 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?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Garry Wyndham 8 months ago
Extraordinarily varied and wonderful scenery.
· Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
This was one of our favorite ever vacations for the scenery, the food and the physical challenge. BikeTours is a great company and the tour is super value.
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Nancy 6 months ago
Stunning vistas
· Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
Beginning in the Dolomites, our cycle experience included amazing scenery on very nice e-bikes. The interesting accommodations added to the history and charm of the area. Some of the apparently newly paved roads had little or no traffic and we glided effortlessly downhill toward the final destination of Mestre. One day, we encountered free roaming cows, each with a cowbell and walking calmly along the side of the path and paying us no attention.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Retired Teacher September 28, 2016Great Scenery, but... poor bikes
· Bicycle Paths of the Dolomites (based in one hotel)
The rental bikes were NOT up to standards. One bike had defective derailluer and and to be substituted. Pedals and seats were hard to replace with ours, mechanic had to return next day with WD430 and oversized wrenches to get pedals off.
The hotel was very cute and nice, but across plaza from 2 churches that ran LOUD bells. Hotel room had no AC and no screens on windows and we spend time killing flies! The breakfast was good, dinner was good except for one night...do not get venison (2 of 4 of us could not cut with serrated knife!) There was an alternate choice most nights had we know that is better choice.
This is NOT traditional Italian food. Villabassa and Toblach are in the German speaking section of Sud Tyrol. It is an interesting combination of Austrian and Italian 'fusion' food. White table cloths and waiters. Lots of local wines to choose from.
The bike routes were VERY Scenic and for the most part enjoyable. We got lucky and only had rain at night, but bring your rain gear just in case! There is some
gravel surface that gave some of the group tour we bumped into a little trouble, but we had no problems. Most of the rides do not take most of the day, so stop and take all the photos you want. The weather in Dolomites is about 10-15 degrees cooler than Lake Garda because it is about 4000 feet. We started with layers and soon got down to short sleeves on most days in late September.- What was the date of your tour?
- Mid-Late September
- How many tours have you completed?
- Lots
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Slick October 9, 2017
Wonderful scenery
· Bicycle Paths of the Dolomites (based in one hotel)
Some directions going through the towns were difficult to follow. Also some of the starting points of the bike route were difficult to find and our driver was vague.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Sept 22 to Sept 29
- How many tours have you completed?
- 6
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Much easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
BikeTours.com staff reply from Brittany October 10, 2017
Thanks for letting us know about the directions. We'll work with our local partner on the maps for future clients!
-
★★★★★ Catherine Cram 11 months ago
Convenient Way to Explore!
· Bicycle Paths of the Dolomites (based in one hotel)
We enjoyed our self-guided bike trip in the Dolomites, with great support from BikeTours.com. We appreciated the detailed route information and app support. My only complaint is that I would liked to have had a better bike to ride instead of the heavy, upright positioned bike provided. The bike didn't make the hills easy and it would have been more enjoyable to be on a lighter, more responsive bike.
- What was the date of your tour?
- May 31st-June 6th, 2023.
- How many tours have you completed?
- One
- 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?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Boris August 10, 2016Great trip
· Bolzano – Verona – Venice
It was a part of my overall trip to Italy and definitely was a highlight. The only thing I would have done differently is to do a little more research in advance myself. There are so many things to see along the way one simply cannot get them all. So I could have been more selective and that would have give me more time at the sights that more interesting to me. For example, I was interested in a little wine testing and there were opportunities along the way, but because I found out about them just a bit too late, I had no time to stop.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 25 - Aug 2
- How many tours have you completed?
- First with this company
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Yeenie September 27, 2016
Bolzano to Mestre, Italy bike trip
· Bolzano – Verona – Venice
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 11th -- 17th, 2016
- How many tours have you completed?
- Nine
- 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
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Dan1 September 19, 2018
With the Dolomites as your splendid background, ride through ancient towns until you reach the unique watery world of Venice.
· Bolzano – Verona – Venice
Highly recommend getting to Bolzano early so you have time to spend a day visiting the Italian Alps. The Dolomite Highway is awe-inspiring.
The bike trails were great. Mostly paved, and when they weren't, the majority were well packed. The tour route goes through picturesque countryside. The daily destinations are beautiful and historical.
The tour includes a 5+ hour ferry ride on Lake Garda. It is a gorgeous ride with the ferry zigzagging down the 35 mile length of the lake. Feels like you are in a National Geographic special. A couple of other recommended "must do's" - visit the Scrovegni Chapel in Padova and take in an opera at the Roman Arena in Verona.
Girolibero was our tour company. They provide great tour book of entire area and towns on route. However, they give it to you (along with bikes) the morning that the tour starts which allows little or no time to really utilize the great information. It would be much better if they provided a month earlier so you have time to research in advance. Should also provide bikes the prior evening so you can get up and leave earlier in the morning.
Some of the directions along the route could have been marked better. We followed other tour companies' markers more often because Girolibero's were fewer and far between. The bikes were excellent. In great shape and mechanically solid with smooth shifting.
We paid for the upgraded hotels. However, a few of them were in sketchy areas; like near train stations.
I don't mean to sound negative. Overall, it was a great trip and very glad we did it. Only offering suggestions to make the tour even better for future riders.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 26-31
- How many tours have you completed?
- Two
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ None99 July 20, 2019
Great tour of Northern Italy
· Bolzano – Verona – Venice
Unfortunately the guide had never done the tour before!!! Why wouldn’t he be an assistant guide once then lead the tour???
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 6-13
- How many tours have you completed?
- 8
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
BikeTours.com staff reply from Chloe July 21, 2019
So glad you enjoyed the Bolzano - Verona - Venice tour. Thanks for letting us know about the novice guide experience. We'll pass that feedback onto the tour operator so that they may improve their operations.
