First Timers Bike Tour Reviews (page 4)
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★★★★★ john thell 4 months ago
Wonderful Danube
· Danube Bike Path 7 Nights (Classic)
We loved the trip along the Danube. Great scenery, great accommodations, wonderful food. Unfortunately we had several days of rain but we found some cafes and Gasthof’s along the way
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★★★★★ Alan Burnet 4 months ago
Great circular cycling route
· Lake Constance Bicycle Path
Really enjoyed our cycle tour of lake Konstanz. The luggage pickup and drop offs were very efficient and the hotels provided secure locations to lockup our bikes. All the hotels had great breakfast buffets and mostly great rooms. The standout hotel was probably in Lindau as it was the only one with a pool and spa. We appreciated having daily recommendations for stops and sightseeing which we could plan the day before and it was fun to find random lake swim spots.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2024
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Countries included in this tour?
- Austria, Germany, Switzerland
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★★★★★ Julia W. 4 months ago
A beautiful ride!
· Lake Constance Bicycle Path
This was my 4th bike tour with BikeTours. This was the best in terms of beautiful scenery and ease of riding. We were a group of 8 seniors, most on e-bikes. There were a few stretches of hills, but they were short and manageable with e-bikes. From past experience, we expected to get lost a few times, or miss the bike signs, but that was just part of the experience. The hotels and breakfasts were excellent. Working with Biketours was seamless, as usual. Luggage transport was flawless. We broke up the long ride from Uberlingen to Lindau, and stayed a night in Friedrichshafen. There, we got to see the Zeppelin Museum. We also stayed an extra night in Lindau, a beautiful town, which gave us time to visit Bergenz and take the tram for a mountaintop view of Lake Konstanz.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- 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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★★★★★ Robin Reams 4 months ago
My Solo Trip Down The Danube
· Danube Bike Path 7 Nights (Classic)
The trip took place with a few glitches, but overall went well. It rained the first day, but was clear the rest of the week. The trail is generally in good condition, but signage is poor in some areas. The scenery is very beautiful in places and monotonous in others, which tends to be typical of all bike trails. For the most part, I was quite happy as I covered the distance from Passau to Vienna. My favorite stop was Tulln, which is of reasonable size and significant beauty, and where I stayed in a comfortable hotel and had dinner at an excellent restaurant. If I could do the trip over I would ride to Vienna and back to Tulln the last day and end the ride there.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- Not sure. Numerous over 40 years of cycling.
- 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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★★★★★ Janet Fraser 4 months ago
How a tour guide can ruin what could have been a great experience
· · Provence by Bike and Boat
While the cycling was good, scenery lovely, other passengers and crew delightful, the irritatingly arrogant sexist and intrusive behaviours by our tour guide (Heim) who claimed to have built the company, put a huge damper on the trip for many of us. Although we enjoyed the bikes, the meal times were chaos due to too many passengers in too small a space. Also the general condition of the boat, Caprice, needs improvement.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Aug, Sept 2024
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- No
- Countries included in this tour?
- France
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★★★★★ Flavia 4 months ago
Great experience!
· Amsterdam to Bruges: Cycling through South Holland and Zeeland
We did not expect to get to know the places in such a calm and relaxing way. We specially enjoyed cycling along the canals and the seaside. The plan was flexible enough to organize some small detours and to stop along the way any time we especially liked a place.
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★★★★★ Kimberly Silva 4 months ago
Not as Expected
· Lake Constance Bicycle Path
This was the first trip I took with Bike Tours and I did not think the bike path matched what was described on the website. There were many more parts of the paths that were unpaved and a bit treacherous than described. There was also a lot more street riding in traffic than anticipated. I would not recommend this trip for any riders under the age of 16. The hotels and services were outstanding however.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2024
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Austria, Germany, Switzerland
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★★★★★ Sara P 4 months ago
Pleasant bike tour along the Danube
· Danube Bike Path 7 Nights (Classic)
A pleasant bike tour for a week in Austria. A mix of fair to great scenery.
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★★★★★ Susan Parker 4 months ago
Loved it!
· Danube Bike Path 8 Nights (Upscale Lodging)
We did the self guided trip and had a great time! The Wachau region was the most beautiful with quaint towns and rolling vineyards. The navigation app worked beautifully to the end of each day and then we switched to google maps to find some of the hotels, especially in Linz and Ardagger. Hotels were great along with their restaurants , and especially enjoyed Schloss Dürnstein with its beautiful warm pools. Picture perfect setting! One of our bikes was perfect, the other needed derailleur adjustment since the gears were hard to shift and then kept slipping. Tried to find an open bike as shop but most were closed or too busy for service so we just had to deal with it. Hopefully the bikes will be checked out better in the future in Passau. We had excellent weather the whole trip which made it a wonderful experience. We will definitely look into doing other bike tours.com trips!
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★★★★★ Betty Ngan 4 months ago
Great support from local team, but room for improvement
· Lake Constance Bicycle Path
The tour was unfortunately shortened for me by an illness, which lasted 5 days, so I only rode 2 days. I can say that the trails were very well marked and the scenery stunning. I was able to see how well the local coordinators worked to help me move my bicycle around to accommodate my recovery. The emergency contact Benjamin was very understanding and patient as he rearranged hotel accommodations and bicycle locations. I relied on public transportation to move from hotel to hotel, since Bike Tours said it was was not insured to transport me.
Most of the hotel staff were helpful, especially the front desk manager at Hotel Rheingold, who went out of her way to give me directions to get to the next hotel. Even the front desk at Hotel Wilder Mann in Deemsburg called a taxi for me even though I was not a guest. Unfortunately, a staff member of the Hotel Alta Poste refused to call a taxi for me because I had checked out a day earlier, even though my tour group was due back at the hotel in 5 days. The young German staffer said she recognized me, but I had checked out, so she could only give me numbers which didn’t work on my phone. The staff at Alta Poste need more training in showing hospitality to bike tour group members.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Aug. 31, 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- 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?
- Austria, Germany, Switzerland
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★★★★★ Donald Adler 4 months ago
Smooth
· · Holland by Bike and Boat, Northern Tour
Well organized, quality people, cycling, scenery.
The boat was clean, comfortable and an ideal way to see other parts of this region- Countries included in this tour?
- Holland
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★★★★★ Steve McCann 4 months ago
Danube river ride
· Danube Bike Path 7 Nights (Classic)
Very pleased with everything Ride was great paths were good. Weather was great although hot. Just wondering if I receive credit for my standard bike deposit because I upgraded to a while. Thanks Steve
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★★★★★ Sterling Speirn 4 months ago
Outstanding Bike Path & Landscape
· Lake Constance Bicycle Path
In most location there were separate bike paths and no possible danger from automobiles. Only challenge were the directions. Just not clear for a first timer on this trip. Scenery was magnificent: bucolic countryside dotted with charming old villages. Hotels varied. Delivery of forwarded luggage excellent and timely. Most hotel breakfasts were fresh and first class.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2024
- 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, Switzerland
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★★★★★ ShopTherapy 4 months ago
Stunning Views
· Bicycle Paths of the Dolomites (based in one hotel)
This was our first biking trip and we thoroughly enjoyed it. No problems with the ebikes although we were concerned that tools and a flat repair kit were not included. Appreciated the pannier to carry our stuff. App worked well at guiding us, just a few wrong turns. The packet with maps and history of sites was great. The Hotel Hubertushof was charming. It was about a mile from the center of town. Staff was friendly and efficient, and the multi-course dinners were a nice ending to each day. Highly recommend this trip.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
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★★★★★ Allan Starr 4 months ago
Enjoyed staying in one hotel for the week
· Bicycle Paths of the Dolomites (based in one hotel)
Since we are all paying the same price for the tour, I was disappointed that we all didn’t get the route package as there was only one per room. I shared a room with a friend and we both didn’t ride at the same time and the same speed and there were times when we were separated and missed the correct trail directions because of lack of route information. The local tour company would not supply emergency repair tools if there was a flat tire while we were in an area that was not accessible to contact anyone for help. Since we had ebike’s we asked to coverer the digital display and phone, but they didn’t supply a phone holder for the bike.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 5
- 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?
- Italy
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★★★★★ Susan Roberts 4 months ago
Terrific!
· Bicycle Paths of the Dolomites (based in one hotel)
The hotel was very convenient except for not having an elevator. Breakfast bar and 5 course dinners were excellent. All 5 bike routes and surfaces were good to excellent. Fun Active transportation was excellent. The weather was perfect and the mountain scenery was spectacular!
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
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★★★★★ Susan Roberts 4 months ago
Terrific!
· Bicycle Paths of the Dolomites (based in one hotel)
The hotel was very convenient except for not having an elevator. Breakfast bar and 5 course dinners were excellent. All 5 bike routes and surfaces were good to excellent. Transportation was excellent. The weather was perfect and the mountain scenery was spectacular!
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
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★★★★★ Penny Miller Miller 5 months ago
Great time on the Danube
· · Danube Delights: Cycling and Cruising in the Footsteps of Royalty
We had a wonderful time in Austria, and sailing down the Danube on the Swiss Crown. There were some many beautiful sites to see when walking or riding a bike through the different cities. The Swiss Crown is a beautiful ship, with a great staff.
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★★★★★ Ingrid Mahoney 5 months ago
Solo and Sublime
· Lake Constance Bicycle Path
My first longer bike trip and I was a solo 59 year old woman in Europe. I loved it. The scenery, physical activity and options for exploring all the wonderful cultural aspects Europe has to offer was a perfect balance for me. The hotels were all nice and more than 1/2 were really excellent. The bike was well equipped and in top shape. I had only one day of rain but the public transportation is so amazing and bringing your bike is not a problem I had no worries. I would recommend this trip to all my friends. If they are not very active I would recommend the electric bike it is a perfect option.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- Excellent
- 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?
- Austria, Germany, Switzerland
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★★★★★ Paula Renwick 5 months ago
Just stunning scenery and a great bike adventure
· Romantic Road and Bavarian Lakes
Just loved cycling the romantic road. Acconodation were good, the scenery was spectacular. There was only one place are stayed with air conditioning. It was very hot at night so had trouble sleeping. Ask the breakfasts were great. The APP was amazing, made it very easy to find your way. So much to see and do just a brilliant time had but us. Bikes were comfortable and the panniers were fabulous for sorting extra gear. Briefing was good, however my bike didn't have some issues even before we started and Thomas had no tool kit with him and couldn't adjust our bikes. Bags picked to and delivered waiting for when we arrived.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 5 plus
- 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?
- Germany