Italy Bike Tour Reviews page 7
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★★★★★ bill petrick
great trip
Tuscany's Legendary Gravel Routes
Good food, spectacular hotels, and beautiful scenery. They're based near Pienza. Juliana and Marko from the tour operator, in addition to booking the hotels, provided first class bikes, good routes, excellent navigation, and attentive service.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
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★★★★★ Kenneth Waldhauser
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
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★★★★★ Elizabeth Blanchford
Perfect 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
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★★★★★ TG
Lovely time in Puglia
Cycling in the Heart of Puglia
The bike tour was wonderful. The scenery spectacular. Most of the accommodations better than expected.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was my firdt
- 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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★★★★★ Nils Sellgren
Most interesting tour through Puglia's historic towns, olive groves and vineyards
Cycling in the Heart of Puglia
We cycled through the heel of Italy, from northeast to southwest, and experienced a different Italy than in the north. Charming stays in small and ancient towns, where the hosts were very hospitable. Wine and olive oil tastings were very interesting. The experience with "Trulli" houses was very special. In general, it was easy cycling, on local country roads.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
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★★★★★ Richard M
Well-organized and beautiful
Cycling in the Heart of Puglia
I had some concerns about doing a self-guided tour, but the instructions and support from the local tour operator were excellent. The riding was not terribly challenging for someone who rides regularly. My trip companions are people who do not ride regularly, but they did fine on e-bikes.
Most of the roads were lightly traveled, though a few were a bit rough. (I probably wouldn’t want to do it on a road bike.)
Overall, it was one of the best trips ever!- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
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★★★★★ S.Jonsdottir
Wonderful trip in beautiful Puglia
Exploring Italy's Sunny Salento by Bike
We loved this tour. The scenery along the coast is so beautiful and all the villages to visit along the way are very charming. Everywhere you find restaurants with good italian cuisine.
The hotels were all 4 stars and matched our expectations with maybe one exception. The best one was in Otranto.
The route is easy to bike even though we chose rode bikes without electricity but then we cycle a lot all year round but the route is not hilly at all except from Leuca to Otranto.
All communication with bike tours and the local guide were excellent.
We really fell in love with Puglia and definitely hope to come back some day.- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
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★★★★★ Janet Waterstradt
I loved every mile of it!
Exploring Italy's Sunny Salento by Bike
This tour was awesome! We loved riding along the spectacular coasts of the Ionian and Adriatic Seas. Another day we rode narrow farm roads through olive orchards and vineyards. The routes were well planned, and the gps was easy to use. We enjoyed the variety of accommodations—from centuries old B&B’s to modern and luxurious hotels. Each place provided us with a nice breakfast of fresh fruit, pastries, juice, and coffee. We enjoyed conversing with the Italian people and dining on their delicious food and wine along the way. I can find nothing to complain about. Thank you for the wonderful experience.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September/October 2026
- How many tours have you completed?
- Too many to count
- 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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★★★★★ Susan
Bike
Exploring Italy's Sunny Salento by Bike
It was a good experience. The routes were nice, taking advantage of low-traffic roads and bike trails when possible. Spectacular views along the ocean. Hotels were very nice with clean rooms and friendly staff. There was plenty of covered area for bike parking and multiple electrical outlets to charge up e-bikes. Cycling company was very responsive to any inquiries we sent along the route. Would not hesitate to use them again.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
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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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★★★★★ John D.
Fantastic trip
Biking Through the Heel of Italy from Puglia to Salento
We have done over a dozen bike tours, both guided and self guided. This trip was self guided and we had a fantastic trip. The tour hit all the marks. The local bike company was organized, friendly, available, and provided high quality bikes (we rented E-bikes). They provided a phone to use for GPS directions and the system worked great! Very accurate and almost foolproof. The routes were along stone wall lined secondary roads amongst century old olive groves or along the coast (1/3 inland, 2/3 coastal). Most of our accommodations were inside pedestrian only medieval walled cities with lots of options for exploring and eating. Accommodations were surprisingly good considering they were in century old buildings. We used the restaurant recommendations from the bike company and found them to be excellent. The terrain is not that hilly but we were glad to have E-bikes with the coastal wind. It looked like the area gets very busy with tourists in the summer, but was nice and quiet in mid May. We did not encounter any other American tourists. The Italians were universally friendly, and the language barrier was not a big issue.
- What was the date of your tour?
- Mid April 2026
- How many tours have you completed?
- 18
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
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★★★★★ Jon B.
Exploring Milan’s Best by Bike – A Must-Do Tour
Highlights of Milan Bike Tour
The Highlights of Milan Bike Tour is the perfect way to see the city’s top sights in just a few hours. Our friendly guide shared fascinating history while leading us through charming streets, vibrant piazzas, and past iconic landmarks like the Duomo. The small group size made the ride relaxed and enjoyable, with plenty of photo stops. Highly recommended for anyone wanting an active, fun, and insightful introduction to Milan.
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★★★★★ Liz W
Fabulous Trip
Sicily's Aeolian Islands by E-Bike & Boat
Such an adventure. The boat, Sundial, was very comfortable and the crew were very professional and friendly. The food was amazing and our guide, Vera, was very knowledgeable and lots of fun. The bike rides were relatively easy (thanks to the e-bikes) and the hikes required a medium level of fitness. Overall I would highly recommend this tour.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2026
- 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
-
★★★★★ Nancy71
Far exceeded our hopes!
Innsbruck to Lake Garda Across the Southern Slopes of the Alps
The bike ride was a dream through beautiful orchards and vineyards! The bike paths were excellent and we had a trip to remember! We rented e-bikes, and we were very glad we did. The extra "boost" from time to time made the trip more enjoyable and didn't leave us exhausted at the end of the day - yet we got plenty of excercise. We did have 2 bikes run out of battery on the first day which was
disappointing. This particular bike tour is WONDERFUL!- What was the date of your tour?
- 6/16 - 6/23, 2018
- How many tours have you completed?
- one
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Families with young kids, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Austria, Italy
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★★★★★ Laird
Breathtaking Scenery and Gorgeous Destinations!
Innsbruck to Lake Garda Across the Southern Slopes of the Alps
We had the BEST cycling trip ever! The daily routes were a perfect combination of historic sites, excellent paved cycling paths, stunning scenery and achievable level 2 terrain! The bike tour operators information was accurate and sufficient for easy navigation. We never lost our way and the hotels were easy to find.
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★★★★★ AmyandBruce
Pretty amazing
Innsbruck to Lake Garda Across the Southern Slopes of the Alps
We especially enjoyed the changing scenery, climate, culture and architecture as we traveled from Innsbruck to Lake Garda. This tour is extremely beautiful. The accommodations were consistently clean and comfortable, a very good value for the price of the tour. The breakfast buffets are nothing like what you get at motels in the United States. They are way, way nicer.
Most of the tour involved low stress biking along well maintained and predominately paved bike paths. Some was along quiet roads or narrow city streets. Twice we had to deal with heavy volume and no shoulder. Once was biking around 3 km uphill to our hotel in Imst, Austria (such a pleasure when we finally arrived), and once on approach to Auer in Italy. Also be aware that the bike paths are more heavily used in Austria and Italy. This is generally not a problem, but there are a number of "sport cyclists" who come up on you quickly and silently, so no automobile traffic does not mean that you don't have to pay attention. Also be aware that while much of the route is flat (or more accurately a gentle uphill or downhill as it follows a river), there are sections that are rolling or even hilly.
In addition, we encountered head winds around 80% of the time. Of course, in other weather conditions, it might have been a tail wind! But the wind does blow through these steep sided, canyon like valleys. Also be aware that it does rain quite a bit in the Austrian Alps, and can get hot as you proceed southward. For the most part, though, we had very nice weather.
The material provided by the local tour company was useful and included sightseeing information. We branched out a bit and did our own research. We found an amazing waterfall in Parcines (near Moreno) that was a bit off the beaten path and a few miles from the bike route.
The bicycles we rented were different from what I'm used to even though they are hybrids and I ride a hybrid for transportation. Much more upright, and I was unable to adjust the handlebar height or change the height of the seat without impacting the position of my legs, which was perfect. So it took a couple of days for my arms to get used to the (what was for me) unusual position. The seat was more comfortable than I feared it would be. I had no problem with that. The partner, EuroBikes, provides a high quality water proof panier and handlebar bag. Also lights (the rear ones had run out of batteries and didn't work well for me or at all for my husband, but the front lights were fine) and an odometer. You also get tools, a pump, and a spare tube. Your riding will be during the day, but I like to use lights when it rains.
The tour company was very prompt and accurate with transporting our luggage, so that was never a problem.
Our only real problem was with directions, and that was mainly due to a communication snafu. Most of the cyclists on this route are German speakers, so the lady that gave the orientation needed to speak to the different groups in different languages, which made it a bit awkward. My husband speaks a little German, but I didn't speak any before this tour. English was not her first language. We are used to more detailed cue sheets or route markings on pavement. The cue sheets are not at all detailed. However, the tour company affixes small stickers to poles at intersections, and this takes care of the problem. All the tour companies do this so you just have to look for your company's sticker. Although we were given an orientation and the material does show the symbol for the company, no one explained that they were tiny stickers on poles. I'm guessing the cyclists in Europe know this, but we didn't. We eventually met another group of cyclists from England and Scotland who explained this to us. After that, it was obvious. So if you take this tour, please be aware of these stickers. It will make life ever so much easier for you and you will not make the wrong turns and add the extra miles that we did. SHOW MORE
All in all, this was not a difficult tour. Most people with at least some cycling experience should be fine with it. But because there are some hills and head winds, do yourself a favor and do a little bit of training if you do not bicycle regularly.
But absolutely take this tour. All things considered (especially if you keep those stickers in mind), it was an incredible experience. I would not hesitate to recommend it to others.
SHOW LESS- What was the date of your tour?
- July 6 to July 13, 2019
- How many tours have you completed?
- around 15
- 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?
- Austria, Italy
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BikeTours.com staff reply from Chloe
Thanks kindly for taking the time to share this detailed review. We love it and are sure other future travelers will, too. We love the sticker navigation method, it's super helpful. We're so glad you figured it out, despite the communication snafu. Again, many thanks for the in-depth review. Our fingers are crossed for tailwinds on your next tour!
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★★★★★ Laird
Best trip ever!
Innsbruck to Lake Garda Across the Southern Slopes of the Alps
We loved every aspect of this trip! The scenery was stunning. The bike path was paved and easy to follow. The directions were so clear and mentioned the easy two hills we encountered.
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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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★★★★★ Mike Brinkley
Spectacular
Innsbruck to Lake Garda Across the Southern Slopes of the Alps
Spectacular scenery with an excellent local bike company who was very organized and helpful. Maps were good and the bike paths well marked in almost every place. The hotels were good and mostly in locations easy to find. Excellent trip.
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