Italy Bike Tour Reviews
-
★★★★★ bridget Harron 1 month agoSelf-guided Northern Italy
· Bolzano – Verona – Venice
Great ride, E Bikes, 3 adults in their 70's and 80's.
We had a wonderful self-guided ride about 220 miles on mostly- paved wide bike paths using the GPS tracks which we had previously downloaded and riding on our Girolibero bikes (which were in perfect shape). The travel guide emailed to us by Bike Tours was excellent, giving cultural information as well as the daily mileage requirement and tips on how to shorten our day using the local trains which we never found to be desired or necessary. The guide also included all the necessary vouchers for our hotels, ferry ride and free ice cream as well as travel info on getting to Bolzano. The ride itself was spectacularly beautiful, especially starting near the Dolomites and following the River Adige with mountains on the other side all the way down to Lake Garda.
There was a detour programmed into our GPS tracks and also a surprise one which was not. We navigated that short detour pretty well for not speaking Italian thanks to the very helpful/understandable signage. We had selected three star hotels which we might change to four star for our next ride. The first three days the hotels and the breakfasts were top notch but after that got progressively more like 2 star hotels ending in Venice/Mestre where we were escorted to a refurbished garage behind the main hotel, not what we had hoped for on our last and only night in Italy. In terms of the bike route itself we found the 4 hour ferry ride on Lake Garda unfortunate as there is a bike path around the lake which we would have preferred. The ferry ride was totally fogged in so we could not enjoy the beautiful sights and there was no food or drink available on board -a long 4 hours to think about a glass of wine. On the whole, we loved the trip and would do it again- the mountains, the exercise, the cuisine, the history, the people. Getting to Bolzano when our flights landed in Venice was our biggest problem - we had trouble trying to decipher the train system. But then the Bolzano funicula ride and the adventure on the ridge line overlooking the city and the Dolomites in the distance made up for getting bogged down catching trains. Looking forward to our next self-guided E-bike adventure.- What was the date of your tour?
- October 5-12, 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- me two, my family10+
- 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
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Elizabeth Blanchford 2 months agoPerfect Trip and Exactly what I was looking for!
· Cycling in the Heart of Puglia
This trip was perfect in so many ways. The logistics were amazing from the great hotels to the perfect mileage on the bike each day. I appreciated the level of support that was just enough and not too much given I wanted the time to myself without too much engagement with the company. The bike was wonderful and the routes were full of beauty and adventure. I also really loved the time of year at the end of the season when things were quiet..including the roads! The team at biketours.com made the planning easy and they listened to exactly what I wanted out of the trip...interesting hotels and experiences. I can't say enough positive things about the experience. I will definitely be back for another trip!
- What was the date of your tour?
- October 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 0
- 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
-
★★★★★ Kenneth Waldhauser 2 months ago
Amazing cycling in Puglia
· Cycling in the Heart of Puglia
We enjoyed the six days of cycling through the heart of Puglia. The local cycling group took great care of us. Our e-bikes were perfect: comfortable and easily powerful enough for this trip. We had great weather which made our travel very enjoyable. Accommodation was excellent. Great rooms and breakfasts. The ability to stop along the many rural paths and explore other towns in route was great. The nav app was good for points of interest, restaurants and the route was definitely off the beaten path and safe. The additional organic wine tasting ( exceptional), tuk tuk tour in Ostuni and olive oil tasting were fun and informative. Only small drawbacks were the nav device with satellite lagged inside the high ways of the old cities. The device worked great on my phone so we used both. Sometimes we saw trash on the roadside of some of the trails but mostly we just soaked in the amazing harvest of the olives, the groves, stone walls and in areas the vast vineyards and amazing stone farm houses including Trulli. The Trulli homes were actually better outside of the tourist areas. The app info of the route, elevation gain/loss was really helpful as you knew what was coming ahead. We swam in both the Adriatic and Ionian seas. App showed us which beaches- helpful. Also fun meeting other cyclists at hotels along the way and getting great info on other cycling adventures. This was our first but won’t be our last! Also recommend renting a pannier each- helps for extra gear. Our bikes had suspension which was essential and worked great on our bikes. This route overall great towns, countryside and we thought six days was perfect length. Ending in Lecce was great and we added another day to rest and explore,
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Marc Lieber 2 months ago
Great tour
· Tuscany Getaway: 4 Nights in Siena, Montalcino & Pienza
Despite two days of intermittent fog/clouds/rain, we loved this tour. The bikes and equipment were perfect. The tour operator, Cicloposse, was efficient, responsive, flexible. The hotels were quite good including lovely breakfasts. The routes were wonderful, so many interesting and beautiful places to see, and even though we were on roads, we felt safe.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Maureen Langan 2 months agoBest Sister Trip EVER!!!!!
· · Venice to Mantua by Bike and Boat (and reverse)
Well for starters both our guides were amazing! I loved the knowledge both Mr & Mrs shared throughout the week! Very approachable guides, crew and captain! They sure had team down to an exact science!
- What was the date of your tour?
- October 10, 2024
- 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
-
★★★★★ Kimberley Doudna 3 months agoEasy and safe
· Milan Hidden Treasures Bike Tour
Our guide Maya was so well informed about Milan’s history. She made it such an enjoyable and interesting ride. I was concerned about cycling through Milan because the city is so busy but we took back roads or stayed safely in bike lanes. My husband and I have been on numerous bike tours around the world and this was one of our favorites. Highly recommend.
-
-
★★★★★ Daniel Dupont 3 months ago
Amazing trip through Tuscany
· Tuscany Getaway: 4 Nights in Siena, Montalcino & Pienza
What a great trip we had! Biking through Tuscany was truly the experience of a lifetime. Although the weather wasn’t great, the accommodations that were provided, along with the bikes and equipment were 5-stars.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Daniel Dupont 3 months ago
Amazing trip through Tuscany
· Tuscany Getaway: 4 Nights in Siena, Montalcino & Pienza
What a great trip we had! Biking through Tuscany was truly the experience of a lifetime. Although the weather wasn’t great, the accommodations that were provided, along with the bikes and equipment were 5-stars.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Kathleen Cook 3 months ago
Wonderful Trip
· · Venice to Mantua by Bike and Boat (and reverse)
Everything was great: the guides, food, barge accommodations, crew, bike route, daily itinerary with interesting stops.
- What was the date of your tour?
- October 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 8
- 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
-
★★★★★ William Loewe 3 months ago
Italian jaunt
· Bolzano – Verona – Venice
Great way to see northern Italy. Accommodations were fine, except for the last, where the room was difficult to access and the bathroom downright dangerous. Disappointing end to an otherwise lovely ride.
- What was the date of your tour?
- October 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 6
- 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
-
★★★★★ Deb Glazer 3 months agoGreat trip all around
· Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
Great itinerary. The hotels were mostly great. The local app was sluggish. Google maps
Would be better.
The food was good. More
Dairy free options please. Hard in Italy I know! More protein options.- 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?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Veljko 3 months agoA good opportunity to try local food at the best spots!
· Street Food Bike Tour Palermo
You get to taste iconic local dishes like panelle and sfincione, something typical for Palermo solely, while exploring bustling markets and hidden food stalls. The guide shares interesting stories about the food's history and local traditions, making it both a delicious and educational experience. It's perfect for food lovers who want to experience Palermo's culinary scene up close. Highly recommended!
-
-
★★★★★ Bozena 3 months agoGreat local guide on a mission to uncover the history of his hometown
· Palermo Old Town Bike Tour
The bike tour in Palermo is a fantastic way to explore the city's rich history and vibrant culture. Riding through charming streets, you'll visit iconic landmarks like the Palermo Cathedral and Quattro Canti, while enjoying the lively atmosphere of local markets. Fabio was a knowledgeable guide, who provided fascinating insights into Palermo's history, and the pace is relaxed, making it suitable for all fitness levels. It's a unique, fun way to see the city’s hidden gems and experience its authentic charm up close. Nice touch at the tour's last stop is a homemade almond cookie they gave to all of us.
-
-
★★★★★ Susan Mielcarek 3 months agoAnti-Mafia tour
· Palermo Antimafia Bike Tour
Thank you so much to Francesco for showing us Palermo and telling us of it's rich history. We had an amazing time!
-
★★★★★ Steven Coventry 3 months ago
Well organized, fantastic trip
· Florence to Rome
We really enjoyed this self guided bike tour. The trip was very well organized, and the support was excellent. The app is a great way to easily stay on the correct route. The biking was great - scenic, and the right amount of miles/elevation per day to make it seem like a good solid bike ride while leaving enough energy to explore the really interesting towns along the way.
- What was the date of your tour?
- October 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Bruce Muir 3 months agoCycling in heaven
· Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps
Totally awesome riding with great navigation aids, awesome scenery and diversity of terrain, countryside, culture and cuisine
-
★★★★★ Joseph Rinaudo 3 months ago
Beautiful scenery, very enjoyable trip
· Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps
Excellent accomodation and breakfasts. Very responsive to sms. Excellent new bikes. Great staff. Marco and Neva went out of their way to ensure we had a great day when we transferred one wet day. No criticisms. Five stars in all areas. Thank you Bike Tours.
-
★★★★★ Marcie B. 3 months agoDazzling Dolomites and so much more!
· Bicycle Paths of the Dolomites (based in one hotel)
An excellent introduction to the Sud Tirol region via out-and-back bicycle day tours. Returning to our beautiful nest at the Hotel Laurin every evening was exceptional and we enjoyed a feast for the senses every single dinner. We had a reserved table for our entire stay (breakfast buffet and gourmet multiple course dinners) and the reception and wait staff were friendly, efficient and very customer service oriented. We selected e-bikes and are glad we did (we are 80 and 79 years of age and love E-bikes)! The itinerary had slightly changed from the original program, but it was easy to adjust our expectations based on shuttle availability. The routes were well marked and the app's instructions were clear. We knew there wouldn't be a handlebar phone mount, so brought one. Also we upgraded our T-Mobile coverage for 5G coverage for the month we were abroad.
We also appreciated the brand new pair of panniers and the handlebar bag (one per room).
The only day we encountered an unpaved route was the Cortina d'Ampezzo former rail to trail route. The drop off shuttle pointed in the general direction of the bicycle path, but it took the SIX of us to figure out it wasn't immediately visible. We had to pedal past the bobsled shed/track and push the bikes up a relatively steep embankment to access the then well-marked and mostly packed gravel trail into Cortina.
Fall weather can be fickle, but we biked every day in a different direction without issue. Raingear was indispensable on two of the five cycling days.
The ride to Lago di Braies can involve some traffic the closer one gets, but cyclists don't have to pay for parking and it's well worth the long climb.
All in all, we would rate this tour company, the hotel facilities and the quality of the instructions to all the bike destinations highly.- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 10+
- 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
-
★★★★★ Julie van Soeren 3 months ago
A wonderful experience
· Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
Our tour was self guided but we were fortunate to meet two other couples with similar biking abilities on the same tour. We had mixed weather so we missed some of the beautiful vistas in the mountains. The accommodations were great for the most part and the breakfasts were amazing! Everything from bacon and eggs to croissants, meats, cheeses, fruit, cereal and all sorts of sweet treats. The navigation was not always straightforward as the signal was poor in many places. Only one of our group experienced a flat tire, which was temporarily fixed and the tube replaced the next day. Our bikes were comfortable and easy to operate. All in all a fantastic experience.
- What was the date of your tour?
- October 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was our first organized 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
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
