Italy Bike Tour Reviews page 15
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★★★★★ Joe F
One of our best tours ever!
Biking Through the Heel of Italy from Puglia to Salento
We have taken 11 bike tours over the years and we believe that this may have been the best so far.
The bikes were great, the navigation was spot on, the support was excellent, and the trip was well thought out.All of the inns and hotels were clean and perfectly located, and the staff was always friendly and helpful. They all had easily accessible places to store and charge the e-bikes. The breakfasts were well stocked and enjoyable. One inn had dinner included and it was top notch.
The rides were all very well planned out and took us through olive groves, vineyards, farms, and some of the most beautiful coastal views we have ever seen. Routes were mostly on very quiet roads or bike paths. Getting in and out of some of the bigger towns required riding on city streets but that was expected and did not last long.
The trip included a few excursions that were also very enjoyable. Wine tasting, olive oil tasting, city tour, and even a boat cruise.
Every night we ate at one of the suggested restaurants, and they were all wonderful--away from the crowded touristy spots, but still nearby.
We arrived for Day One of our tour on a Sunday, so it worked out that we passed through some of the smaller towns on the weekend when everything was open even in pre-season (our trip was in April).
We also made some extra stops and detours along the way to enjoy more sites and scenery. Be sure to read the points of interest in the materials provided, take it slow, and enjoy the journey.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
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★★★★★ Joseph Rinaudo
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.
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★★★★★ John
Nice route, good bikes, great hotels, flakey FunActive app
Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps
Very nice route. The instructions at times were too terse so that we did not know that we had a private ride at one point and thought it to be public transport. The exit from Bled went very smoothly but again we did not know quite what was planned beforehand. Initial pickup of the bikes and documents also was not clear and we had to go to the FunActive office to arrange that.
The final leg to Trieste could be improved, we took both the recommended and our improved route so know this to be so (I can supply the GPX if wanted).
The FunActive App is comprehensive but often stops functioning and uses a lot of battery. It would be better if it had less functionality but always worked.
Bikes were great. The front-box supplied did not fit the guidebook supplied!
Hotels and their meals were all great.
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★★★★★ Jon
Save some energy
Florence to Rome
It’s not that hills are so big, it is that the grade of some of them is intense. We didn’t upgrade the bike and did ok but a lighter bike would have been nice on this trip. Save some energy for the end of each day when cultural treasures will call out to be explored. The hotels were each unique. We highly recommend the tour.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
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★★★★★ Robin Jones
What a beautiful trip!
Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps
Seeing the Dolomites was always something I had wanted to experience. Starting the trip in Dobbiacco Toblach allowed us to be close up and witness the beauty of this mountain range. The couple who provided us with our bikes the first day suggested riding to Cortina since the weather was perfectly sunny that day. We rode and were able to see the 3 Sisters and it was amazing! The first day of the trip which allowed us to see the Dolomites was sunny and warm despite earlier weather reports calling for rain. It could not have been a more perfect day for a ride.
We had rain for most of the following days but because it was the beginning day of the season we didn't go in expecting sunshine the entire time. Someone once told me, there are no bad days only bad gear. We had come prepared and did not regret it. Each village we stayed in was nice and the people we came in contact with were friendly and accommodating. The hotels, although many were quite simple, were comfortable and clean. The food in all establishments was good and exactly what we needed. We opted for e-bikes because of the hilly terrain and felt the bikes provided were good quality.
All in all, even in the rain it was a wonderful trip that was well planned out. We did not use the route maps the tour company provided rather we built our own in Strava. However, the people on the same tour who were using the app seemed quite happy. I'm so happy we chose this tour and look forward to many more.
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★★★★★ Joshua Klein
Best way to see the region
A Taste of Italy: Emilia-Romagna
This trip was amazing and everything we hoped it would be. The bikes and the hotels were great and everything was very smooth. Having the loop days being optional was great as we were able to choose to explore the different cities those days when we needed a day off from riding.
We did the optional dinner package and while the food was good the restaurants themselves seemed a bit confused and unprepared, if we were to change one thing we did it would be to not include that and just find dinner ourselves.
- What was the date of your tour?
- May 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- 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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★★★★★ Linda london
Amazing adventure
Bicycle Paths of the Dolomites (based in one hotel)
This trip far exceeded my expectations. The bike tour staff was available and helpful prior to the trip. The hotel Lauren where we stayed was immaculate and the meals were those of a Michelin star restaurant. We hadn’t expected dinner to be included so that was a really nice surprise. The app for our phone was very useful and the routes we rode were each unique and allowed us to explore different parts of the dolomites. We rode E. bikes and were appreciative of the assist. The bikes arrived at our hotel in perfect, well maintained condition. I have recommended this trip to our friends who ride. I can’t imagine how it could have been improved.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
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★★★★★ Linda london
Amazing adventure
Bicycle Paths of the Dolomites (based in one hotel)
This trip far exceeded my expectations. The bike tour staff was available and helpful prior to the trip. The hotel Lauren where we stayed was immaculate and the meals were those of a Michelin star restaurant. We hadn’t expected dinner to be included so that was a really nice surprise. The app for our phone was very useful and the routes we rode were each unique and allowed us to explore different parts of the dolomites. We rode E. bikes and were appreciative of the assist. The bikes arrived at our hotel in perfect, well maintained condition. I have recommended this trip to our friends who ride. I can’t imagine how it could have been improved.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
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★★★★★ Lisa Samson-Fang
Had a great time!
Sardinia: A Mine of Memories
Great week in Sardinia biking. Everything planned for us on a self-guided tour. Great accommodations. Great routes. Beautiful. I would consider upgrading bike to lighter bike next time (e.g. gravel bike). Otherwise, wouldn't change a thing,it was perfect.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
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★★★★★ Lisa C
Bicycle path of the Dolomites based in 1 hotel
Bicycle Paths of the Dolomites (based in one hotel)
Beautiful scenery with challenging, yet manageable routes through amazing scenery. We cycled with our two teenage daughters (14, 16) who loved every minute of it. Being based in one hotel was very nice, and each day proved to be an entirely different experience. We were grateful to have this beautiful opportunity
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 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?
- Italy
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★★★★★ Lisa C
Bicycle paths of the Dolomites
Bicycle Paths of the Dolomites (based in one hotel)
This was a great trip for our family of four to explore a beautiful area. The hotel was very comfortable and the included food was excellent. The local tour company was very helpful, although it was a little confusing to follow their paperwork so make sure to meet with them directly before you starts to confirm routes and days for transfers. It would also be helpful to check with the bike company to see if there are any route closures or events that may interfere with your trip. We had a large bike race which closed one of our trails one day which we didn’t know about and had to ride on the road and another day had a partial path closure of unknown reason. This could hav easily been avoided if the bike company had shared this information. The bikes were great but you may have to be proactive/assertive to determine details of route changes. All in all we really enjoyed our trip.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
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★★★★★ Lisa Schmitz
Beautiful scenery every minute
Innsbruck to Lake Garda Across the Southern Slopes of the Alps
Great trip, but an e-bike would have been a better choice. Beginning days were very challenging, especially with heavy touring bikes. The downhills, though, were exhilarating. We relied on Google maps because the route maps were not up to date and less efficient.
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★★★★★ Lisa LeRoy
Great way to start with self-guide cycling trips
Bicycle Paths of the Dolomites (based in one hotel)
The Hotel Laurin in Toblach-Dobbiaco was a truly wonderful base from which to explore the Tres Clims area of the Dolomites. The hotel was beautiful, new and clean with great views from the balconies. The food was spectacular. Every meal was a work of art. The hotel staff were kind and helpful. The pool, saunas and spa were relaxing. The cycling paths are bike/pedestrian only paths and mostly well marked. The scenery is fantastic on all of the rides. Each town has something special about it. The bicycles are pretty good. The maps were fairly good and the GPS program that is provided is also pretty good. The navigation could be a little better. I'd recommend communicating with the local tour company in advance of starting the trip to get an orientation to ride packet and the GPS program. There are bus and train transfers needed which we didn't realize and did not have one for each person in our group - the hotel provided them when we asked. The tour company was unclear on how many people were in our group and that led to extra clarification that was important. The packets did not include all of the same materials.
Tour Operator is located near the hotel but they have a call center that is elsewhere and depending what language you speak, you might need staff members in one or the other location. The order of the daily rides may change depending on availability of vans for days when transfers to or from a ride start/end are needed. We didn't realize this before setting off on our first day. We also wished we had known that there was an Austrian holiday the day we went to Cortina because everything was closed and we could not visit the museum or other attractions. More communication with the local company would have helped us with better planning. It was rainy and cold the week of our trip and we had to buy extra waterproof gear which is easy in Dobbiacco because there are several sporting goods shops.We were a friend group of 4 women -- all experienced cyclists and intrepid travelers. This trip is perfect for that type of group.- What was the date of your tour?
- May 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 8
- 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
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★★★★★ Lisa H.
Exceeded Expectations!
A Taste of Italy: Emilia-Romagna
This was a fabulous tour to introduce non-touring family members to the joys of traveling by bicycle. The route was lovely using a combination of bike paths and country roads. The Balsamic vinegar and Parmesan cheese tours were definite highlights. The towns we stayed in were charming and the food was amazing. We added on a private cooking class in Bologna and loved it.
- What was the date of your tour?
- May 24, 2026
- How many tours have you completed?
- 9+ for two and this was 1st for other two (1st with bike tours.com)
- 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
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BikeTours.com staff reply from Staff member
Lisa,
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're so happy to hear the tour was such a hit with your family and that you enjoyed it all. We loved your photos as well - they really captured the spirit of the trip. Hope to see you on another adventure soon!
Bozena
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★★★★★ Llewellyn F.
Fabulous Views and Vistas
Innsbruck to Lake Garda Across the Southern Slopes of the Alps
It was a great trip! Just amazing views of the mountains through Austria and then Italy. Was generally flat or downhill so not difficult. Allowed us to enjoy the cycling and then enjoy the towns we stayed in.
Mainly separate bike paths that were perfectly maintained. Best I've seen. Signage for our route was very good. Easy to find coffee/strudel/beer stops along the way. Only issue was that instead of a GPS we were given an app. While the app explained the route, it just had a picture map with a purple line that sort of followed the route. We had to use Google Maps to figure out exactly where we were related to the map. Not very easy to do. I've been on tours with a GPS and it was perfect. Note that when approaching Lake Garda on the last day, the map showed us going off the bike route to a road that looked dangerous along the mountain. We stayed on the bike path that led us to amazing views down to Lake Garda and the route that all other cyclists were going.
There was a little issue with the timing of the shuttle on the way back to Innsbruck. Very thankful for Stephano (the local tour operator) who stepped in and personally picked up another client, so that we could leave earlier and reach Innsbruck by noon to catch a bus to the Munich airport. Next time will try not to have immediate plans after the tour. Can't say enough about Stephano and his team. One thing to consider, is for the local tour operators to be accessible via WhatsApp. Not all of us had voice access on our phones, only data.
Hotels were very nice except one in Mals...more like a two-star. Elevator had no light. Shower had little water pressure. Breakfast very limited. The one in Lake Garda was perfectly located with amazing views. All were easy to get to from the main bike path.
Some sights worth doing: just past the Italy border at Lago di Resia Reschensee stay on the right side of the lake on a beautiful bike path with picnic tables to stop and take in the view (brings snacks and drinks), Mendel Cable Car/Funicular (cool on top, there's a little town there), Wiengut Waldthaler wine tasting in Ora (Clemens was amazing and joined us for pizza where we ordered his wine), most towns have nice parks and areas to walk before/after dinner.
I've done several bike tours and this one was one of the best in terms of route, paths and scenery.
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★★★★★ OR bikers
Couldn't ask for a better 1st bike tour experience
Venice to Trieste and Istria
We did the self guided tour with another couple friend of ours. We all had ebikes which made it very enjoyable and easy to do the distances and the hills on the last 2 days. The stickers on street poles pointing the way along the routes were really helpful. The scenery along the routes were so pretty, many red poppy fields. The towns we passed through were fun to explore. We really enjoyed the routes along the water (sea, river, canals), which were many. We had one and a half days of rain, and there were some muddy dirt road we had to go through. We enjoyed the towns we stayed in overnight, pleased with the accommodations and the bountiful breakfast buffets. I would recommend staying an extra night in Porec (end of tour), just to get a little more time to explore, enjoy and relax before heading back to Venice on the early ferry
- What was the date of your tour?
- May 25-June 1, 2019
- How many tours have you completed?
- this is our first one
- 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?
- Croatia, Italy, Slovenia
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★★★★★ Claudia Lutke
The best way to have an immersive experience in Tuscany
Tuscan Wine Classic: Pienza to Castellina via Siena
The route, the bikes, the hotels. All received an A+ grade. Except the part of arriving in Pienza and leaving Castellina. The topic “How to get there”, part of a e-mail sent by you should be improved. The option TAXI from Chiusi train station doesn’t exist. No taxis there. There is only one bus/day to Pienza that departures in the morning. And we arrived in the afternoon. After asking four different people we realized that the only way available would be to take a bus - a city bus, not prepared for the transport of passengers + luggage - to Montepulciano and then find a way to arrive in Pienza. We thought that we could take a taxi there. But no taxis either. Fortunately, cel phones were charged and with internet access, so we contacted the local operator, explained the situation and they went to “rescue us”.
The same uncertainty happened by the time we left Castellina. We had 4 bags (it was a 20 days vacation trip, with different activities, including a meeting in between - with a “social” dressing code). It would require a considerable effort to carry the luggage until the bus stop, to take another city bus until Siena and then find a way to go to Florence (the place where we would continue the trip). The lovely cities that we visited in Tuscany are in fact villages. There are no taxi services overthere.
Again, the tour operator helped us passing the contact of a private driver who led us from Castellina to Florence.
My suggestion: include the transfer to the starting point and from the finish point in the “to do list” for the local operators when cities have such a limited options of transportation.- What was the date of your tour?
- Oct/Nov 2025
- 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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★★★★★ debor
Dolomite to Trieste was varied and interesting
Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps
I thought the design of the route was excellent. We spent much of the first 2 days on bike paths. I loved the small towns we stayed in. The range of hotels was quite broad-from very family run and quaint, to lavish. I quite liked the variety-that someone else chose them for me. I appreciated the list of recommended restaurants-we never went wrong using their recommendations, and frequently did when we used our own. I should have chosen to spend an extra day in Bled. We arrived in a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening, and early the next morning we had to bike to catch the train-so I don't think I really got to experience any of Bled. I loved staying in the old city in Cividale. There was quite a bit of detailed route finding on the last two days, that kept you watching the map, but we succeeded fine. The last day we chose to take the short route along the Adriatic to Trieste and the traffic was not nearly as bad as I thought it might be-the tunnels can be negotiated by walking your bike along the pedestrian way which keeps you completely out of the traffic.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 8, 2019
- How many tours have you completed?
- none
- 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, Slovenia, Austria
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★★★★★ Marissa
Really great first trip
Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps
Highlights:
- Handy navigation app that usually seemed to work well.
- Really neat variety of hotels with absolutely ridiculous breakfast spreads. Dinners at the hotels were also incredible.
- Staff were very helpful when they could be - this includes rental shop, phone contact, and transfer assistant staff.
- I'd estimate about 60-70% of the route was on dedicated bike trails that were wonderful to bike on, especially compared to terrible US bike infrastructure.
Lowlights:
- We did not use navigation features on the app, just used it as a reference map. As a compulsive mapper, an easy way to export GPX/route info from the provided app would have been appreciated. I was able to download GPXs several weeks in advance, but the routes on a couple of days ended up extremely incorrect and misleading.
- It would have been helpful to have general guidance or resources on alternatives in the event of bad weather. We got fairly lucky on the timing of some heavy rain, but it definitely caused some anxiety.
- Nova Gorica and Trieste were kind of awful and hectic to navigate, but I don't know how you'd avoid them.The route was gorgeous and mostly easy. I'd recommend taking the long and hilly routes to Bled and Trieste if you're physically up for it. As an enthusiastic cyclist, it was hard to adjust to the heavy and clunky rental bikes (obvious solution: bring your own bike) and I can't say we'd have tackled any mountain passes, but they were comfortable and well maintained. I felt like we definitely got value for what we paid and I'd recommend this trip to anyone who wanted an intro to easy touring!
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★★★★★ Elizabeth Frisbie
One of my best trips
Cycling and Cooking in Tuscany
This was the best way to see the beautiful countryside of Tuscany, Our two guides, Panos and Tom, were AMAZING. This is one of the best bike trips I have been on. The terrain was very doable with Ebikes. The accommodations and food were fabulous. Everything was very well organized. I would highly recommened this trip.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 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?
- Italy
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