Italy Bike Tour Reviews page 25
- Albania
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bosnia and H…
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- England
- Estonia
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Holland
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Mexico
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Scotland
- Serbia
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- Turkey
- United States
- Vietnam
-
★★★★★ Mary Eaman
Everything was Perfect!
Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps
The itinerary was varied and beautiful, the hotels were charming and clean, the bikes were great, the support both pre trip and during the trip was fabulous. One of the best vacations ever. Thank you!
-
★★★★★ Marcie Bushnelll
So many amazing places, so little time . . .
Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps
Equipped with e-bikes, two panniers, one handlebar bag, a bike lock and a repair kit, we were ready to leave Toblach and head east. We had previously biked from Toblach to Lienz, so decided to take the train from San Candido to Lienz to save some mileage. The train in San Candido had steep narrow steps which we had to muscle the heavy e-bikes over, but in Lienz, the entry/departure is flat with the quais. From there is was a very pleasant ride to Oberdrauburg. Dinner at the Hotel Post was good (we were no longer on the dinner included plan) and bike storage was always in a covered area with outlets to charge the e-bikes (we carried the chargers in our panniers). The next morning we took a local bus (at the Oberdrauburg train/bus station) to the summit of the Gailberg Pass. From the bus window, I was glad we avoided the 7 km (4.2 miles) steep hairpin turn highway as it snaked it way to the summit. Arrived at Feistritz an der Gail at another Post Hotel where we enjoyed dinner and a good rest.
The next day we entered Slovenia and were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the bike paths, signage and bike refreshment places along the path. Again we opted to take the train from Jesenice to Bled to avoid some steep ascents, BUT the Slovenian regional trains are a sight to behold. Heavily graffitied and "vintage," we were thankful a young German exchange student helped us muscle the two e-bikes into an empty compartment at the back of the three wagon train. We purchased tickets for the ebikes on board (believe me when I say the trains may be old, but the ticket collectors are there for every single kilometer to collect bike fees, etc). Easier to get the bikes off than on, so when we arrived at Bled Jezero, we were relieved.
Cannot say enough good things about the Hotel Park and Bled. We opted for TWO nights and I would highly recommend consideration of same. Bled is just too beautiful to spend one short night. We reserved a wine tasting at a local restaurant (a ten minute walk from Hotel Park) and had reserved spots for the Vintgar Gorge the next morning. Easy to take the bikes to the entrance of Vintgar Gorge (again free parking). The 1 ½ hour hike in the Gorge is breath taking, but the 2 hour steep hike out (we didn't take a shuttle this time), was challenging.
Plans change and the train transfer turned into local partner taking the bikes/panniers/handlebar bag on a bike trailer and giving us tickets to a regional bus with instructions to get off at another train station 1+ hours away. Fortunately the train conductor was on the bus and assured us which station it was (everybody got off). Another couple got off two stops before us and a local rep made sure we gave him our luggage at that point. We got off at Kanal ob Soci for our ride into Gradisca d'Isonzo. We were high above the canal and it's a very industrialized zone. Perhaps the least scenic of all the days so far. At one point there was a ! sign with steps!! What? Yes, just around the corner was a series of steps and ramps to ascend a steep part of the trail. Figured out walk assist and managed to get the bikes up and over. That was a surprise.
There was some kind of HUGE market/celebration in progress with street blockages, tents, supply vans, etc. choking the streets of Gorizia. We counted ourselves lucky to have found our way out of this rather large metro area. Spent the night at Hotel Franz in Gradisca d'Isonzo and enjoyed a lovely meal at the hotel (seemed to be a local favorite).
Last day from Gradisca d'Isonzo was along the Coast highway. Had read reviews about traffic and such, but the bike lane was wide and the drivers respectful of cyclists. As we neared Trieste, more cars would be parked in the bike lanes, but we managed without incident. Upon arrival at the Trieste Centrale train station, we returned our bikes to a nearby partner location, emptied our panniers/handlebar bag into our backpacks and walked to our hotel near Trieste's pedestrian zone. Such a lively place come 7 p.m. Dined in a terrace cafe, had gelato, did some shopping and called it a successful tour. Thank you, Biketours.com for a great experience. SHOW MORE
-
-
★★★★★ 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.
-
★★★★★ Bruce Muir
Cycling 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
-
★★★★★ Angelica C
Most Beautiful Landscape Ever
Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps
Our October 2024 (9th biking tour) tour began in Dobbiaco, taking us through some of the most stunning bike trails we have ever encountered. The support provided by the tour company was exceptional, featuring a dedicated app and constant availability via WhatsApp.
The bikes we used were top-notch and impeccably maintained—I even found myself wanting to purchase the same brand for personal use at home. Our accommodations were charming, with the usual mix of lovely stays and the occasional less-than-perfect hotel.
Please consider arriving in Dobbiaco a full day before. There are lakes and hikes you can do before your trip. I wish we had done that :-)
-
★★★★★ Wilhelm Dannheimer
Well planned, supported and scenic trip
Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps
Gave the perfect balance between small towns, beautiful landscapes and technical terrain. A very well planned and supported tour. Thank you!
-
★★★★★ Katy Mason
Love those Dolomites!
Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps
We had a wonderful experience on this trip. The guide was easy to work with and very helpful. There was one route that was closed and not easy to navigate. I would say that is our only criticism - the GPS should have been updated. It made for a long day. Overall, it was just an incredible route.
-
★★★★★ Garth Lewis
Beautiful biking across 3 countries!
Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps
A gorgeous trek through the Dolomites and the Julian Alps. Charming hotels, a well-designed route, and beautiful scenery, combined to make this a terrific trip. We improvised several times (e.g. choosing to ride instead of taking the transfer) and the tour company accommodated us without a problem. We had a couple of issues along the way (luggage handle broke off, e-bike fender needed adjustment at a bike shop) but otherwise the trip went off without a hitch. We took an extra day at Lake Bled which was well worth it. Overall, quite pleased with the bikes, the route, and the Hotels.
-
★★★★★ Neil Bowles and Adele Hogg
Stunning beauty- enjoyed the best way...on electric bikes!
Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps
The whole trip was absolutely wonderful! The tranquil, majestic scenery, lovely bike roads, freedom to cycle at our own pace, and meticulous organization of the whole trip were all perfect!
-
★★★★★ 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. -
★★★★★ David Haukur Unnsteinsson
Excellent trip bathed in beautiful nature in all directions
Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps
What a perfect way to travel through the beautiful countryside of Italy, Austria and Slovenia's followed with the alps on the side.
Every part of the journey was without any troubles at all. The navigation app was flawless and very easy to use.
We are very satisfied with BikeTours and Fun active Tours, simply because everything was after the plan.
We would 100% recommend them and are already begin to plan the next tour.- What was the date of your tour?
- August september 2026
- How many tours have you completed?
- None
- 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, Slovenia, Austria
-
★★★★★ Maggie Stapleton
Fabulous trip full of variety!
Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps
We chose this trip partially due to the high star rating (and quantity) of the reviews, and I'm happy to report it lived up to the hype.
We began in the picturesque, mountainous town of Dobbiaco in the Dolomites and booked an extra night at the beginning of the trip in order to take a bus to do the Tre Cime Hike before starting the bike tour. Once the biking began, we rode our way through beautiful valleys (2 almost entirely flat days in Austria!) with stunning views all around. Getting into Slovenia was hillier, but rewarding. us with some of the most beautiful water in Slovenia. We did the 1-night Bled stay, and maximized our activities by booking a 3:20pm entry into the Vintgar Gorge, which was easy to get to directly from our bike route. After we left Slovenia, we were in Italy for the remainder of the trip and enjoyed more great variety of scenery (farmlands) with moderate elevation gain and took the coastal route into Trieste, enjoying the views of the Adriatic as we concluded the trip.
Main positive notes:
1) Overall, the FunActive App worked very well for navigation and the FunActive support phone number came in very handy when 2 people in my group got flat tires. I called and they immediately sent Google Map pins to the closest bike shops on our route, and offered reimbursement up to 35 euros for the repairs.
2) The hotels varied in quality and character, but were all very comfortable/hospitable with kind staff and provided excellent breakfasts.
3) Most people in my group requested (in advance) to rent gravel bikes and we found it to be well worth the extra charge, as the route does have some gravel sections. The bikes handled very well on the road and off. This tour is well-suited for intermediate cyclists to do on non-e-bikes, and seemed great for less-experienced cyclists to do on e-bikes.
4) The scenery was rarely less than stunning, even when the weather was cloudy!
A few cautionary points:
1) The amount of information (documents, info in the app, personal itinerary) sent to us prior to the tour was a little overwhelming and had some conflicting information (e.g. # of bags allowed per person for the daily luggage transfer, day/time for transfer points). Be sure to read everything carefully and ask questions to your BikeTours.com representative to clarify any discrepancies.
2) The FunActive staff was satisfactory when we picked up the bikes to help us get set up, but they did not go above and beyond with additional requests (e.g. to install SPD pedals that we brought; swap out saddles more comfortable ones).
3) This was my first time doing a tour which included transfers over mountain passes (Oberdrauberg Pass on Day 1, and from Bled to Most na Soci on Day 4). These were much appreciated to save energy and prevent some potentially dangerous riding, but it did require extra attention to our timing and schedule to make sure we were not late for the shuttles. SHOW MORE
- 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, Slovenia, Austria
-
★★★★★ Rebecca
Gorgeous scenery
Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps
My friends and I had a great time on this tour. The scenery was wonderful and the route was interesting. We especially enjoyed our time in Slovenia. The weather in mid-September was very good. Overall the tour logistics went smoothly, with just a few small issues (one area where navigation was confusing, one delayed bus/train transfer, and one delayed luggage transfer). The hotels were generally good, with very good breakfasts. We arrived a day early to hike Tre Cime di Lavaredo, which I would recommend. We also hiked the Vintgar Gorge near Bled. The "long route" via Udine was worth the extra miles. On the last day we took the coastal route, which did have some traffic but I found that it was worth it for the views and the stop at Miramare Castle.
-
★★★★★ Karen C
A wonderful introduction to the Dolomites region
Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps
Before this trip, I didn’t realize you could cross national borders of Italy, Austria, Slovenia with no hassle by bike. It was pretty awesome to be in and out of 3 countries in one day of this tour. To whoever rated the scenery of this trip as 3 out of 5, they need to get their goggles checked because it was stunning when we went mid September. The weather was a bit chilly and foggy in the morning when we started our trip in the mountains, but by the time we ended up closer to Trieste, it was closer to summery.
If you fly into VCE, make sure you arrive before 2pm to be able to make the one Cortina express bus that will go to Dobbiaco each day! I made the mistake of a cheaper flight that arrived later at 7pm and got stuck paying extra money to stay in Venice overnight and paid for the extra night in Dobbiaco for nothing and couldn’t get a refund because it was a double occupancy and my roommate would be using the room.
My only complaint was with the “upgraded” gravel bike and pannier provided by the local tour company Fun Active Tours. I was not present upon pickup day to contest this with the company, so my group member got my bike on my behalf. The seatpost literally had to be cut to accommodate my 5’2” stature, so it was lucky that her bike seatpost was also too tall for her and she caught the issue on my bike by proxy.
Once I was present to see my “upgraded” gravel bike, there were a couple issues off the bat:
1. the two bottle cages were setup in the wrong bolt holes so that if you had a bottle in one cage, it would negate the other cage. Total rookie bike shop mistake that should have been spotted right away.
2. the rear rack pannier bag clips were setup in a very specific position that was not correct for the rack on my bike. Another bike shop mistake that should have been corrected for pickup.
3. The air pressure on the bike was way below the recommended amount listed on the sidewall of the tires 50 PSI and was discovered after a cursory hand squeeze - this is literally bike ABC’s and also should have been topped off for pickup. Thank god Fun Active had a place in Dobbiaco to go for air because after that there was no bike pump at any of the hotels to check on the air pressure until day 6 in Gradisca d’Isonzo / Hotel Franz which was a legit bike hotel with a repair tool stand and tool setup.
4. There was a klick fix front bag mounted to the handle bars that completely crimped the front cabling underneath
-
★★★★★ Maria B.
Beautiful scenery, excellent cycling, great diversity in terrain
Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps
Absolutely loved this trip. A true From-the-mountains-to-the-sea adventure with a wonderful mix of scenery and cycling terrain. First two days were mostly along riverside cycle routes through lovely Austrian countryside with mountains as a constant companion. Next two days were a mix of roads and paths from Austria to Slovenia and back to Italy. These were the two more physically challenging days but the landscape was just enchanting. Last two days through Italy had some gravel riding through vineyards and a breathtaking road along the Adriatic into Trieste. I'm glad we just did the one night in Lake Bled. The lake itself is beautiful but the town is very touristy. I much preferred having time in Cividale del Friuli, which was very charming!
I'm middle aged and in decent shape. I normally ride an e-bike back home for commuting but opted for a non e-bike for this trip. I was worried that the inclines and distances would be too difficult but I managed to do all the riding (except for one or two steep sections) without a problem, just the right amount of challenging.
The hotels were comfortable, some more than others, but all were in a good location and had excellent breakfasts. One day our luggage arrived quite late, around 6:30pm, but usually the luggage was there when we arrived.
The app did use battery quickly as others said. Bring a power bank and/or plan to share navigating duties. Besides that, the app worked decently well. Sometimes the map was off but it was easy enough to figure out what was supposed to happen.
This trip has two transfers, one by van over a challenging mountain pass after Day 1, and another by train in Slovenia. For both transfers, the timing was actually different than what the app stated. We were informed of the change with a slip of paper, which would've been easy to misplace or not catch.
I got a flat on the last day. After "patching" the tube with the tire foam they provided, they directed us to a bike shop to have the tube properly replaced, and then I was reimbursed for that expense. The bike shop was a bit out of the way and I probably would've preferred just replacing the tube myself. Perhaps bring a spare tube with you in case this happens.
Looking forward to my next bike tour!
-
★★★★★ artnscience
Spectacular experience with the most scenic and variable terrains, villages and accommodations
Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
I feel I have experienced the soul of Italy through the pedals of my bicycle as we passed from Niederdorf through the Dolomites, into beautiful towns and cities to Venice. Since we paired this tour with one starting in Venice two days after our arrival we had more time to explore it and it's out islands. I prepared a Google+ album with captions for the 306 photos from both tours. You may use any of these images with captions as you see fit. The four of us, two Anderson and two Abeles call ourselves the Four 'A's because we sally forth on adventures together. https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOVdH6klghY5LXY0xRnJXgs3V22UOQqIrSTQtIZk-iBfOPD-HVh2ajAjWPV0rspkQ/photo/AF1QipMkVq17mKGDNdacKckMZOIwFVFSf3ZEwQI7lm8?key=MEQzNXNiWEVwM2MwSV8ycVExcWg4ZmFUU2kzM3h3
- How many tours have you completed?
- 14 European, 1 Canadian, 7 USA
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with teens, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ Pedalann
A Spectacular Ride from the Austrian Border to Venice
Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
This tour allowed us to experience the changing face of Italy from the quite Austrian north down though many medieval towns and into the coastal plain around Venice. The introduction and orientation by a representative from FunActive Tours was complete and included detailed maps, cue sheets and information about the areas and towns we would be traveling through. We enjoyed each day's ride and learned so much about the history of this part of the country as we went along. We were on the "self-guided" tour and were easily able to follow the route with our maps cue sheets and the route markers posted along the way. We missed our turns only a couple of times and quickly found our way again. The routes were mostly bikeways or very low traffic roads which made the ride especially enjoyable.
- How many tours have you completed?
- 25+
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat easier
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with teens, Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
-
★★★★★ JimG
Northern Italy
Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
I just finished riding the Dolomites to Venice tour. It's a marvelous tour. The tour company "Fun Active" are exceptional. I was all stressed out worrying about getting lost. They learned about my concern, contacted me at the starting hotel, and delivered, installed, and instructed me on a GPS which I rented.
The tour went seamlessly. Highly recommend this tour.- What was the date of your tour?
- August 1, 2016
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- 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
-
★★★★★ Julie
Loving Italy!
Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
We just finished this tour and it was amazing! My husband and I rode it with our two teenage daughters. It was the perfect level for all of us- not too difficult, but had some challenges. We loved the quaint Italian mountain towns. We rode on roads that the Giro d'Italia had done the week before. We bought cherries from an orchard that was right on our route. we had cappuccinos and gelato everyday! It was truly a wonderful experience!
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- 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
-
★★★★★ Garry
A wonderful trip
Dolomites to Venice Along the Old Dolomites Railway Track
This is a wonderful trip. The scenery is breath taking, the hotels are friendly and well run and there is great food to be enjoyed. The organization was first rate, both at Biketours in the US and through their affiliate in Italy. I'd do it again and invite friends to join us. But I'd do it in late spring rather than summer - it does get hot and humid in July. I'd also try to schedule some rest days in cities like Belluno and Trieste that would be fun to explore more of.
We got lost several times despite the excellent tour documentation. Do keep an eye out for the trail markers and ensure your mobile is charged. Thank goodness for Google Maps!
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 9, 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- 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
Email
Mailing Address
Office Hours