First Timers Bike Tour Reviews
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★★★★★ Klaud 2 days agoDanubio
· Danube Bike Path 7 Nights (Classic)
Tudo muito bom. Hotéis bons. A reunião de apresentação foi mal planejada. As 20h a portaria do hotel já estava fechada e o representante da bicicleta ficou do lado de fora.
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★★★★★ Bob Civiak 3 days agoWonderful
· · Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Fluvius (and reverse)
I love the bike/boat mode of travel. The biking and the App were great. The food was excellant. My one complaint was that it was billed as an English language tour, but more than half the group was German speaking. There was a head guide and an assistant and the head was much better, but spent the majority of his time with the German speakers.
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★★★★★ Keith M. 1 week agoA Beautiful Ride Through Austria
· Salzburg to Vienna, Lakes Option
This was a very well organized and well thought out way to experience the beautiful countryside between Salzburg and Vienna. When we entered the hotel in Salzburg to pick up our rented bicycles for our first day of riding we were greeted by a representative from the bicycle rental company. With our bicycles he provided us with a tire patch kit, basic tool kit, and hand pump but no tire levers. At my request he provided me with a spare inner tube which came in handy on the last day of our tour. The bicycles provided were well maintained and well suited for this tour. My wife used an e-bike whereas I used a 24 speed hybrid bicycle with a triple crankset giving me a wide range of gearing just in case it got hilly. The bicycles also came with a set of panniers and a small handlebar bag on one to carry the tour guidebooks. The guidebooks were customized for our specific tour providing good information on the sights to see along the way as well as maps to the specific hotels we were to stay at. Accommodations were good, mostly family owned and run with the exception of the hotels in Salzburg, Linz, and Vienna which were part of different hotel chains, e.g. Marriott. The hotels we stayed at provided good European breakfasts and excellent Austrian coffee. Our luggage was always available at the hotel when we arrived. I am 70 years old and have toured by bicycle extensively throughout the United Staes since my teenage years but I found this tour far more enjoyable since the route we took was mostly on paved or crushed stone bicycle paths without auto traffic to deal with (in the United States I have bicycled through many beautiful national and state parks but have always had to deal with automobile traffic making it more difficult to enjoy the natural splendor). However, there were times where we did need to ride with auto traffic in and near the cities. We also rode on some backroads and roads through neighborhoods that have very little auto traffic. Good bicycle path signage is present along Austria’s cycle paths, however, the provided bicycle tour guide books did not take advantage of this. I believe the guide books should have referred to this bike path signage (e.g., R2 or R4 or R6 or R15) and mention which to follow from one city or town to the next. Another challenge was that the bicycle rental company did not provide handle bar mounts for our smart phones meaning anytime we needed to check a GPS track we had to stop and pull out our phones from our pockets or bags. This became especially frustrating on rainy days. Please note I did attempt to purchase smart phone handlebar mounts at a couple of bike shops along the way but neither of them carried what I was looking for; next time I will be sure to be prepared and bring my own. Although we found the GPS tracks very useful, on some occasions there were times that the GPS tracks did not perfectly match with the bicycle path signage which led to a little confusion but this was easily resolved after checking Google Maps. However, we found the eight km stretch GPS track from Grein to the Schatz.Kammer Burg Kreuzen hotel to be grossly inadequate. Although the paved parts of this path were manageable, we ended up on some very steep and poorly maintained dirt and gravel roads that would have been manageable with a decent mountain bike with wide tires but not the bicycles we were using. A shuttle from Grein to the hotel was offered and that may have been the better option for this part of the ride. Another point about Schatz.Kammer Burg Kreuzen hotel is the available buffet dinner. The cost is about 25 euros per person and is cash only. It would have been nice to know that they did not accept credit cards for the buffet dinner and it what it cost. Fortunately I had enough cash in my wallet to cover this expense. On the last day of riding we past a Canadian couple we had chatted with at dinner a couple of nights before. They had a flat tire and did not know how to repair it nor did they have the necessary tools and spare inner tube to do so. They had called the bicycle tour company to ask for assistance but since it was a Sunday they were told they would have to find their own way to the next town for assistance. Fortunately I did have a spare inner tube and had brought my own set of bicycle tools (including tire levers) from home; the basic tools provided by the bicycle tour company would have been inadequate to facilitate this simple repair. I was able to replace the inner tube and get them back on their way toward Vienna. I mention this not so much as a negative but to remind those interested in such a tour to come prepared to manage such inconveniences. Overall, the experience was most enjoyable and the scenery amazing. I strongly recommend this tour for anyone that enjoys bicycle touring through very scenic mountain valleys and historic towns and along scenic lakes and rivers. I am thankful that biketours.com has vetted this tour and made it easy and affordable to experience. The personnel at biketours.com were very helpful with the booking of this tour and patiently answered all of my questions. I will definitely book future European bicycle tours through biketours.com. SHOW MORE
- What was the date of your tour?
- October 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- Dozens
- 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?
- Austria
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BikeTours.com staff reply from bozena_kusovac October 13, 2025
Keith,
Thank you so much for both of your thoughtful reviews and for your kind words about our service! We truly appreciate the time you took to share your detailed experience and your continued trust in BikeTours.com. It’s a pleasure to know you enjoyed the tour, and we look forward to helping you plan more amazing rides in the future!
Bozena
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★★★★★ Doug Z. 1 week agoPolder Farms & Towns Up Close
· · Holland by Bike and Boat, Northern Tour
The trip was very well organized, and the bikes were high quality. Great cycling through the polders of Holland.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- this was my first
- 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?
- Holland
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★★★★★ Doug N. 2 weeks agoBeautiful bike rides and local towns
· Danube Bike Path 8 Nights (Upscale Lodging)
The hotels were all very nice. The app for the bike routes was very easy to use and accurate. The luggage transfers were flawless and the bikes were very nice.
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★★★★★ Jeff H 2 weeks ago
Bucket list experience!
· · Holland by Bike and Boat, Northern Tour
The staff and crew were top notch and our guides were superb. The bikes were comfortable and we were well-prepared each day for our semi self-guided rides. The guides were always available along the route to help with directions or point out must-see sites. What a great way to see the Netherlands in an intimate way. We experienced the beauty of Holland in a way that could not happen in a car. I will be back to the Netherlands and I will also use boat/bike format for other tour destinations in the future.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2025
- 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
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Holland
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★★★★★ Robin L. 2 weeks agoBodensee Views & Sights
· Lake Constance Bicycle Path
We had a bit of a slow start with the bicycle company & the bicycles. They were not as prepared as the former bike tour/company we biked with the week before.
The majority of the trails were great! Some gravel, but not bad.
The tour itself was fantastic! The cities and things and places we saw were amazing! The hotels and breakfasts were top notch!!
Convenience of WC was great!
Would highly recommend this bike tour!- What was the date of your tour?
- September 23-28, 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1 other before this one
- 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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★★★★★ Marcie B 2 weeks agoWorth the return to complete additional Dolomites adventures
· Bicycle Paths of the Dolomites (based in one hotel)
It's often said that one cannot return and expect the same or better results. On our second self-guided tour, we accomplished at least three new activities we didn't have time for last year. We took the Toblach/Dobbiaco public bus to Lago de Braies and hiked around the lake (about 2 hours); we rode our bikes from Bruneck/Brunico to Sand in Taufers; and we parked our bikes near the Sol Paradiso Hotel in San Candido and hiked to the Jora Refugio for a delightful lunch and killer views. The Hotel Laurin (again our second stay) was just as lovely, the weather was cooperative (only one rainy day), but the schedule we received had incorrect dates and confusion resulted. In Lienz, we were waiting at the designated place with two other German couples, but no shuttle. After 20 minutes of waiting, one of the Germans called the office and was told the shuttle was on its way. We waited . . . no shuttle. He called again, and we were told we were in the wrong place (all six of us, really)?? We pedaled back to the taxi stand at the Lienz Train statin, where a private taxi with a bike trailer was waiting. The driver didn't even know where we were going (fortunately we were all going back to Toblach). Not sure what happened, but the transfers were either non existent, late or we were told to take the train back (we did this from Bruneck). Not a good look. Made some suggestions for future self-guided tours with transfers with the TO's office.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- A dozen, at least.
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- 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
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★★★★★ Jodi Welch 2 weeks ago
Great biking paths through scenic countryside
· · Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Fluvius (and reverse)
Well mapped routes available on phone app that wound through picturesque countryside and villages. Boat was comfortable and staff was great!
- What was the date of your tour?
- Sept 2025
- 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, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Belgium, Holland
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★★★★★ Jodi Welch 2 weeks ago
Great biking paths through scenic countryside
· · Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Fluvius (and reverse)
Well mapped routes available on phone app that wound through picturesque countryside and villages. Boat was comfortable and staff was great!
- What was the date of your tour?
- Sept 2025
- 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, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Belgium, Holland
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★★★★★ F. M. 2 weeks ago
Do this trip - you won't regret it
· Bicycle Paths of the Dolomites (based in one hotel)
Loved the hotel and the area. The hotel, the food, the spa - was a highlight. The bike tour group ( manages the bikes and the routes, the shuttles ) is separate from the hotel. The hotel helps with info and also does different guided bike tours ( their bike tours looked more rugged and guided hikes. We took a day off from the planned rides and did a hike - and a bus ride - it was so worth it. Heads up - Make sure you read all the forms and plans from the Biking company. There are the 5 days of rides planned. Two days you are on your own - out and back. One day, the bike company will shuttle you to the start ( the highest point). The other days, they could pick you up at the end of the ride -or you could train in. They decide which day is which and it could change. This was not my first organized bike vacation. I loved being at one hotel, their dinner plan. We got to know the area, the buses, trains to have options. E bikes also made this much easier.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Sept 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 6
- 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
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★★★★★ Tony Shubart 3 weeks ago
Enjoyable biking tours
· Danube Bike Path 8 Nights (Upscale Lodging)
Overall good experience. Had some hiccup pre-departure as the operator made a mistake on our one way transfer from Vienna to Passau and had to find our own transport last min, which we managed. Bikes were good quality and map app was easy to follow with a little help with Google map to get to the hotel sometime. The luggage forwarding was seamless. Some hotels are better than the others. We had a reasonable expectation of the upscale four stars so didn’t anticipate any luxury. They are good clean hotels that covers the basics and most of them are in good location except one due to book-out of the normal one they use.
We feel certain things can be improved but overall is a lovely experience even two days were raining.Overall we feel it was
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★★★★★ Jerry Seidell 3 weeks ago
Beautiful ride along the Danube
· Danube Bike Path 8 Nights (Upscale Lodging)
A perfect way to see Austria and do it at our own pace. Lodging was outstanding, equipment was better than expected and a very memorable trip! I was disappointed in the bike fitting (cancelled by tour company) and we had concerns and little support for adjustments. The trip did not get off on a good note - otherwise would have been a 5 rating.
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★★★★★ Zinta Harrington 3 weeks agoSurpassed expectations
· Best of Holland South: Canals, Windmills & Historic Towns
I had a few days off prior to a conference. What a perfect way to see the countryside, get over a long haul flight and jet lag. I chose the tour mostly for convenience but loved (almost every) minute of it! The bike, the route, the countryside , tbe towns, the windmills, the sand dunes, the hotels were so delightful I smiled like a child at Christmas for most of the trip. The hour or so cycling through the garden areas are not interesting out of season but that was a minor detraction on what was a fabulous reviver of a trip. Thank you to Pieter for his support and kind attention. Highly recommended.
- 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?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens, Families with young kids
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Holland
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★★★★★ Luc en Lea 3 weeks agoVery intresting and entertaining as well
· Bilbao Central E-Bike Tour
Many thanks to our guide. Goed gedaan en hatelijk bedankt. We hebben veel over Bilbao geleerd. One of the rare people in Bilbao speaking understandable Englisch for us.
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★★★★★ Greg & Dawn 3 weeks ago
Fantastic trip!
· Danube Bike Path 8 Nights (Upscale Lodging)
This was our 3rd ride with Biketours. It was a fantastic and enjoyable as the previous 2. The local tour company did a great job with the app and book for navigation. The upscale lodging was just that. All fantastic and of course the European breakfast can't be beat. The Danube path was mostly flat, well-marked, and full of highlights—Passau’s charm, the Wachau Valley, Melk Abbey, and Vienna’s grandeur. Daily luggage transfers made travel easy, and we enjoyed the freedom to stop for coffee, pastries, or wine tastings whenever we wanted. Comfortable inns, great food, and stunning scenery made each day memorable. Arriving in Vienna by bike felt like a real accomplishment. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a scenic, flexible, and stress-free cycling vacation.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Sept 25
- 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, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Austria, Germany
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★★★★★ Anne-Marie S 3 weeks ago
So Great That I Came for Seconds
· Bicycle Paths of the Dolomites (based in one hotel)
We did this trip a few years back and the rides, the sights and the accomodations were all so wonderful that we signed up a second time, this time with our best biking buddies.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
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BikeTours.com staff reply from bozena_kusovac September 26, 2025
Anne-Marie,
So glad you loved it enough to come back - and even better that you brought friends along this time! That really makes our day.
Bozena
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★★★★★ Jeffrey 4 weeks ago
Boat bike 3
· · Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Fluvius (and reverse)
Enjoyed city walking tours and biking during the day. Boat was comfortable and food was good. Staying on the boat is much easier than packing each morning and finding the hotel for the next night. Local beer selection was nice. I was unaware of cash only policy on board. This caused concern, but final bill was manageable with the cash I had.
I have met with friends to tell them how good a boat and bike tour is to travel. They are planning for next year.
