Bike Tour Reviews  page 43

  • Holland Bike & Boat Southern Tour
    (5/5) Cindy 8 months ago

    Great place for bike lovers

    · · Holland by Bike and Boat, Southern Tour

    The biking was outstanding. The bike paths in the cities were crowded with some aggressive riders. I’n most places motor scooters are allowed on the bike paths. Bring a side/rear view mirror. Although not luxurious, the ship was clean and comfortable. The crew was friendly and helpful, especially the three biking guides. The breakfast buffet was plentiful but it was not set up efficiently so the lines were long. We asked for a carafe of hot water to be placed on our table at breakfast because there were 5 tea drinkers at our table. We were told this was not possible but there were carafes of hot water when tea and coffee was served in the afternoon. When the cookies and cakes in the afternoon were eaten, they were not replaced even though there was often another hour left to this snack time. We did not care for the dinners but most people at our table did like the dinners.

    Countries included in this tour?
    Holland
  • Stockholm & Sörmland
    (5/5) Cheryl Shanaghan August 9, 2024

    Sweden

    · Stockholm and Sörmland

    Dieter and McKaela were fantastic. They ensured a flawless week. From bag service to roadside picnics to history lessons, they absolutely knocked it out of the park.
    My only suggestion is we had fish and small potatoes 4 mights in a row. It was disappointing not being able to select our entree at dinner. Even 2-3 choices would've been acceptable and we could've provided this in advance.
    We cannot say enough good things about the trip...absolutely fantastic!!

    What was the date of your tour?
    July/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, Solo travelers, Families with teens
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    Sweden
    • 5/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Ease of navigation
    • 5/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
    • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
  • Mosel Bike Path
    (5/5) Clair Robbins July 22, 2024

    A great trip through Germany!

    · Mosel Bike Path: Dreamy Mosel Valley from Trier to Koblenz

    The tour was beautiful, great scenery and easily bike able! We used the luxury package and were very impressed with the accommodations. Four out of the five hotels exceeded our expectations. Overall we had a great time biking, trying wine, and visiting castles. We found the pacing to be good. A nice amount of biking each day with time to explore along the way. Only a few pieces were stress. It was difficult to navigate the final city due to ongoing construction. And our last day involved a boat trip and it was difficult to coordinate getting the tickets for the boat. That being said, it was an amazing trip and we would go again!

    What was the date of your tour?
    July 2024
    How many tours have you completed?
    This was the first one
    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?
    Germany
    • 5/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 4/5 Ease of navigation
    • 4/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
  • Soak up Southern hospitality in Savannah
    (5/5) Christine Langley August 4, 2024

    Fun tour biking through Savannah!

    · Savannah City Bike Tour

    Great tour! Learned a lot about Savannah and was given a list of favorite places/restaurants to check out as well.

  • Tuscany and Umbria
    (5/5) CCandPC July 3, 2018

    Gorgeous scenery and perfect weather!

    · Tuscany and Umbria: Cycling in the Heart of Italy

    My partner and I did this trip, self-guided, and it was great. BikeTours.com was very responsive to our questions, pre-trip, and the local tour company was great too. We rented carbon road bikes from them, and the bikes were excellent. We brought our own pedals, and I brought my saddle, and they helped swap them and ensured we were happy with the setup. As a level 3 tour, the mileage was mostly 50-75 km per day, which was perfect for us. A bit more hilly than expected, but that was fine too. I'd estimate it at a 3.5. The views were gorgeous, and each little town we passed through or stayed in was beautiful. The hotels were nice, with large buffet-style breakfasts, usually in hill-top old fortress towns. We went in late June and the weather was upper twenties celsius. One thing to watch out for is that Italian roads (secondary roads) are not always well-maintained, so while the scenery was stunning, the poorly maintained roads were a surprise and impacted our speed at times. Other than that, it was dreamy and I'd recommend it highly!!

    What was the date of your tour?
    June 14-22, 2018
    How many tours have you completed?
    1
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    Somewhat harder
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    Italy
    • 4/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 4/5 Ease of navigation
    • 4/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
  • Dordogne Valley
    (5/5) Clark Woodland June 30, 2023

    Exceeded expectations

    · Dordogne Valley: Between the Dordogne and Lot Rivers

    Unlike most Chain Gang tours in the Dordogne, our tour was self guided with our luggage being transported to our next hotel. Someone else in our group was the main contact with Bike Tours and Chain Gang, I was just along for the ride, so to speak. I was very pleased with everything about the tour - the bikes (almost new Trek hybrids), the routes, the towns we visited, the hotels we stayed in, the restaurant recommendations and Chain Gang's willingness to respond to our requests for minor changes in our itinerary.

    Countries included in this tour?
    France
  • UNESCO Sites of Albania
    (5/5) Susan Cleary May 10, 2024

    Amazing!

    · UNESCO Sites of Albania

    My friend and I did the UNESCO Albania tour (self guided)and it exceeded all our expectations.

    The routes were breathtaking. Riding through the mountains, even in the rain,
    I felt like we were in a virtual reality ride.

    Our tour guide, Aldo was fantastic.
    Every morning he checked our bikes and made sure we had everything we needed. He would also be seen in the hotels mornings and evenings helping serve meals and drinks.

    The sag driver, Fitim, was wonderful too.
    He would wash bikes after rainy days, make sure we had water and occasionally give a whistle if we happened to take a wrong turn and he was in the vicinity.

    The hotels were great with one exception, however, the others certainly made up for it especially the first and last night.

    Thank you for such a wonderful experience!
    Thank you Aldo and Fitim!

    What was the date of your tour?
    April 19
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    As expected
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    Albania
    • 5/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Ease of navigation
    • 5/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
    • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
  • Burgundy Wine Trails
    (5/5) Kenneth Clements October 16, 2023

    Perfect Vacation Experience

    · Burgundy Wine Trails: Beaune to Macon on the “Voie Verte”

    Fantastic experience. Wonderful hotels. The hosts were very gracious. The bags arrived flawlessly at our next stop everyday. Late September offered perfect weather.

    What was the date of your tour?
    Late September 2023
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    Somewhat easier
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    First-time bike tourists
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France
    • Day two,  five miles south of Beaune, France (photo by Kenneth Clements)
    • 5/5 Value
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 3/5 Ease of navigation
    • 2/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
    • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
  • Danube Four Countries
    (5/5) Frances Clemo May 21, 2024

    Wonderful trip

    · · Danube Delights: Biking through Four Countries

    What a wonderful way to experience sites of the Danube. The staff and cruise director (Leslie) of Vivienne were great and very helpful. Our tour guide (Barbara) did a great job and took care of us so well.

    What was the date of your tour?
    May 05, 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?
    Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia
    • 5/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Ease of navigation
    • 5/5 Tour documents
    • 4/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
    • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
  • Burgundy Wine Trails
    (5/5) Albuquerque, M 5 months ago

    A wonderful and nice surprise!

    · Burgundy Wine Trails: Beaune to Macon on the “Voie Verte”

    Honestly... as we arrived in Beaune, after five days in the intense Paris, we got depressed and were about to give up on the tour. It was Sunday and almost everything was closed and there was almost nobody in the streets. As we went for a walk around this curious and medieval city, it started to look interesting. We decided to, at least, try the bike ride scheduled for the next day. And so it all began. The track, the field covered with vineyards, wheat, hay and sunflower, the small villages, the cozy pre-summer weather, enchanted us. Some winery were opened, so we could do some tasting and buy some peculiar wines, which gave additional brightness to the trip. Locals were very kind. The physical exercise itself... it all changed our minds completely. So, as to enjoy even more, we opted for electric bikes. Each day was a 5 to 6 hour ride full of discoveries and stop-overs, different kinds of tracks, many new old villages and delightful sceneries, sprinkled by wonderful chardonnay and pinot noir. Charming places to picnic, many photos, lots of tastes and smells. Resting in comfortable beds and dinning the Bourgogne gastronomy. It was not the trip of our dreams. It was a dream itself!

    What was the date of your tour?
    June, 2025
    How many tours have you completed?
    This was the first
    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?
    France
    •  (photo by Albuquerque, M)
    • 5/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Ease of navigation
    • 5/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
  • Salzburg Lakes Tour
    (5/5) Creaky August 10, 2019

    Lovely lakes

    · Salzburg Lakes Tour: Around the Lakes within the Foothills of the Alps

    Beautiful scenery and pleasant hotels. Good organisation as usual. One forest section (in pouring rain) was pure misery and wouldn’t have been terrific even in good weather.

    What was the date of your tour?
    28/7-3/8
    How many tours have you completed?
    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
    • 5/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Ease of navigation
    • 4/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 4/5 Route selection
  • Florence to Rome
    (5/5) Clint September 8, 2017

    A great trip through the countryside of older towns starting and stopping at two great cities

    · Florence to Rome

    Great trip through wonderful old hilltop towns I wouldn't normally have put on my list. So happy to do this tour and visit these towns. The riding was great with an excellent variety in landscapes. The route was marked the whole way and included turn by turn directions that were easy to follow.

    What was the date of your tour?
    8/26/2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    8
    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
    • 5/5 Value
    • 3/5 Included meals
    • 3/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Ease of navigation
    • 5/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
  • Wine & Bike Hungary’s Balaton Uplands
    (5/5) clk14 September 7, 2018

    Beautiful and relaxing trip!

    · Wine & Bike in Hungary’s Balaton Uplands

    The Balaton is a beautiful area to bike in and to vacation where the Hungarians vacation. Hotel Olivia and the town of Veszprém were perfect places to start and end the trip and we had perfect timing with a weeklong jazz festival occurring on both our start and finish evenings in Veszprém. We liked the Anna Grand Hotel but loved the rest of the hotels and had many wonderful dinners. We chose to go unguided because this summer we needed/wanted to relax and go at our own pace. If you want lots of activities and wine tasting, then go for the guided tours--based on our experience with the tour company, we expect the guided tours would be wonderful.

    What was the date of your tour?
    July 2018
    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?
    Hungary
    • 5/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 4/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Ease of navigation
    • 5/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
  • Lake Garda
    (5/5) love to bike europe July 17, 2018

    Loved our bike tour in Lake Garda, Italy!

    · Lake Garda (Based in One Hotel)

    We had the best time on our bike trip! It is based out of one hotel (which is on the lake and we swam everyday after biking). We did 3 of the 5 tours due to a limited amount of time. The guy that brought our bikes was friendly, and on the first day one of the bikes broke so he brought another bike without any problem. The only problem was the first day and 1 1/2 we were lost all the time because we couldn't find the signs and the written instructions were bad (and the "app" is just a map, it doesn't give instructions). But once we started finding the signs, it was a blast. The scenery is gorgeous (vineyards, lake, towns, etc etc). Such a great trip!! We also were able to purchase helmets which we kept as a fun momento.

    What was the date of your tour?
    June 2018
    How many tours have you completed?
    two
    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
    • 5/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 2/5 Ease of navigation
    • 4/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
  • Amsterdam to Bruges
    (5/5) Klp1 July 6, 2019

    Wonderful, unique experience!

    · · Amsterdam – Bruges by Bike and Boat – Princesse Royal

    The Netherlands is beautiful and the people are very friendly. No real complaints about the experience but one must be flexible in these situations. We had a very nice group of people on our boat. The tour guides were very friendly and accomodating to our skill levels. Pack for all kinds of weather because you never know. We loved the guided city tours after dinner. The food was excellent and plentiful but few vegetarian options.

    What was the date of your tour?
    6/22/19
    How many tours have you completed?
    None
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    As expected
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    Belgium, Holland
    • 5/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 4/5 Ease of navigation
    • 4/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
    • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
  • Innsbruck to Salzburg
    (5/5) Ernie August 12, 2017

    Scenic Tour

    · Innsbruck to Salzburg: Through the Alps Along River Cycle Trails

    The scenery was even better than the promotional pictures indicate. The arrangements were great, the hotels were wonderful, and I would recommend the half-board option. Food was super. Rained on us several days but it was still beautiful. Directions got a little vague in some cases through the cities. We were very happy with our experience.

    What was the date of your tour?
    July 2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    1
    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
    • 4/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 3/5 Ease of navigation
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
  • Bordeaux by Bike and Boat
    (5/5) Colonel Biggy October 7, 2018

    The bike rides were great and we discovered fantastic wines!

    · · Bordeaux by Bike and Boat: Castets-en-Dorthe to Libourne (and reverse)

    Everything about the MS Bordeaux, the Captain and his crew exceeded our expectations. It was so enjoyable to arrive on board, unpack for eight days, and relax. On other bike rides, we unpacked every night and repacked every morning. I think another bike/barge is in order.
    A total delight was our interaction with 19-year old Dorrian. He was the highlight of the trip. He gave the welcome briefing, the evening briefings on what to expect the next day, and was always available.
    The final night on board, was the Captains Dinner, then a party with dancing! It was a perfect way to celebrate the end of our adventure!

    What was the date of your tour?
    08 Sep 2018 - 15 Sep 2018
    How many tours have you completed?
    RAGBRAI since 1999: Romania
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    As expected
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France
    • 5/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Ease of navigation
    • 5/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
  • Metz and Cochem Classic Version
    (5/5) Constance Cornwell October 24, 2024

    The beautiful Mosel

    · · Metz and Cochem Classic Version

    The crew was outstanding, the guides knowledgeable and caring. Had 18 bike riders, split in two groups, which were a good size. A nice mix of biking and sightseeing. Loved every minute!

    What was the date of your tour?
    October 2024
    How many tours have you completed?
    6 plus
    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?
    France, Germany, Luxembourg
    • 5/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Ease of navigation
    • 5/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
    • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
  • Cycle through scenic West Flanders
    (5/5) Constanza Bahamondes June 30, 2023

    Wonderful experience

    · Bruges to Dutch Border Bike Tour

    Beautiful landscapes with great company. The guiade always was worry for our safety and every was very clear. She had a good sense of humor and gave us a nice evening.I totally recomend to take this tour!

    What was the date of your tour?
    June 30th
    How many tours have you completed?
    10
    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
    • 5/5 Value
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
    • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
  • Bike through bustling Bruges
    (5/5) Constanza Bahamondes July 1, 2023

    Nice and best way to know Brugges

    · Bruges City Bike Tour

    Excelent way to know Brugges with amd excellent guiade. She told us a lot history about the city and every was very clear. I recommend that tour!

    What was the date of your tour?
    June 29th 2023
    How many tours have you completed?
    9
    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
    • 5/5 Value
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
    • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)