Bike Tour Reviews  page 28

  • Danube Four Countries
    (4/5) jfvb October 7, 2017
    · · Danube Delights: Biking through Four Countries

    What was the date of your tour?
    9/24/2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    0
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    Much easier
    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, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia
    • 4/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 4/5 Scenery
    • 2/5 Ease of navigation
    • 4/5 Tour documents
    • 4/5 Local tour company services
    • 4/5 Route selection
  • Mosel Bike Path
    (4/5) Pedalann October 7, 2017

    Surrounded by Vineyards

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

    This was an easy ride along the Mosel River in the heart of the wine country. It was impressive to see the intense grape cultivation on the steep hillsides on both sides of the river as we cycled along, mostly on the flat. The scenery and small towns along the way were lovely even though, at times, you were between the road and or train tracks and the river.

    What was the date of your tour?
    Sept. 28-Oct. 3
    How many tours have you completed?
    At least 19
    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?
    Germany
    • 1 Fred and Ann in front of Porta Nigra in Trier (photo by Pedalann)
    • 2 Hundreds of steep vineyards line the hillsides of the Mosel (photo by Pedalann)
    • 3 A bicycle-themed sculpture along the trail. (photo by Pedalann)
    • 4 The lovely winegarden at our hotel in Piesport (photo by Pedalann)
    • 5 Coming into Cochem on a rainy afternoon. (photo by Pedalann)
    • 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
  • Algarve Coastal Route
    (4/5) Delane October 6, 2017

    Beautiful Scenery !!

    · Algarve Coastal Route

    What was the date of your tour?
    September 24, 2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    3
    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?
    Portugal
    • 3/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 3/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 3/5 Ease of navigation
    • 3/5 Tour documents
    • 4/5 Local tour company services
    • 4/5 Route selection
  • Lake Constance Classic
    (4/5) Geoff m October 6, 2017

    Must do ride for most reasonable cyclists

    · Lake Constance Classic (11-nights)

    Having ridden Salzburg to Vienna, this was the second bike tour ride for 2 couples in their late 50's. The guys regularly do low distance triathlons, so they rode normal bikes and their wives rode electric. We chose the 3 star hotel deal that was quite ample but many hotels did not have air conditioners so ok in shoulders and winter seasons but possible too hot in summer. Maps in and out of cities are confusing in places and you can easily miss a sign so you have to be careful.we did the while circuit and average speeds only 13 km hr with many stops. Overall worth doing. Would recommend asking for lower floor rooms in hotels that do not have elevators.

    What was the date of your tour?
    September 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?
    Austria, Germany, Switzerland
    • 4/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 3/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 1/5 Ease of navigation
    • 4/5 Tour documents
    • 4/5 Local tour company services
    • 4/5 Route selection
  • Burgundy Wine Trails
    (4/5) Coco October 5, 2017

    Biking in Burgundy--fabulous!

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

    This was a perfect way to spend a birthday with 5 close friends! The bike routes wound through vineyards in the midst of the crush, or on paved paths through forests and alongside canals.

    What was the date of your tour?
    mid-September
    How many tours have you completed?
    5
    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?
    France
    • 4/5 Value
    • 3/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 3/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Ease of navigation
    • 4/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
  • Tauern Bike Path
    (4/5) Rick1 October 4, 2017

    A nice blend of mountain valleys and river cycling

    · Tauern Bike Path (Krimml-Passau)

    The first 3 days from Krimml to Lofer were terrific; the scenery spectacular and the hotels great, the directions and signage generally good. The signage into Salzburg was deficient with at least 1 key turn ("Morzg") not signed at all. The Hotel was a significant step down from the first 3.The directions to the Glockhofer in Burghausen and the signage was also totally deficient....it would have been better if the hotel was in the main square, rather than in an industrial/commercial part of town. The hotel was a business hotel which was totally out of character with everything else we saw and a real disappointment (though the staff in the hotel were great). Happily, the next stop in Obernburg, the Gasthof zur post was wonderful. Passau hotel was ok.
    Over all, we felt that the trip could easily have been done in 1 fewer day and would recommend that the written instructions be tailored to the exact Hotel being used.

    What was the date of your tour?
    Sept 13-20
    How many tours have you completed?
    6
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    Somewhat easier
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Families with teens
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    Austria, Germany
    • 4/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 3/5 Hotels or boat
    • 4/5 Scenery
    • 2/5 Ease of navigation
    • 3/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 4/5 Route selection
  • Lake Constance Bike Path
    (4/5) Mountain GaGa October 4, 2017

    Beautiful lake with great trails!

    · Lake Constance Bicycle Path

    We really enjoyed the extensive bike trails. Loved see families of all generations biking together.

    What was the date of your tour?
    9/18
    How many tours have you completed?
    2
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    Somewhat easier
    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, Germany, Switzerland
    • 4/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 2/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 3/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 1/5 Ease of navigation
    • 2/5 Tour documents
    • 2/5 Local tour company services
    • 2/5 Route selection
  • Danube Bike Path
    (4/5) Cliff October 4, 2017

    Doin' the Donau

    · Danube Bike Path 7 Nights (Classic)

    Perfect pedal venture for cycle, food, wine, & beer junkies! Great history lessons and cultural interactions around every corner. Equipment and support were bombproof and reliable.kk

    What was the date of your tour?
    Sept. 23, 2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    5
    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?
    Austria, Germany
    • 3/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 3/5 Hotels or boat
    • 4/5 Scenery
    • 4/5 Ease of navigation
    • 4/5 Tour documents
    • 3/5 Local tour company services
    • 3/5 Route selection
  • Lake Constance Classic
    (4/5) BenO October 3, 2017

    Nice Hotels and great bikes.

    · Lake Constance Classic (11-nights)

    Nice trip but a better cycle guide would help a lot. Spent about 40% of out time lost. Trail signs were difficult to find in places.Not recommended for families with small children.

    What was the date of your tour?
    September 12 to September 27
    How many tours have you completed?
    2
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    Somewhat harder
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Families with teens
    Do you recommend this tour?
    No
    Countries included in this tour?
    Austria, Germany, Switzerland
    • 4/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 4/5 Scenery
    • 1/5 Ease of navigation
    • 3/5 Tour documents
    • 4/5 Local tour company services
    • 4/5 Route selection
  • Burgundy Wine Trails
    (4/5) Coco October 2, 2017

    Fantastic way to experience Burgundy

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

    We were 6 friends on a self guided tour of the Burgundy Wine Trails. Having done many cycle tours in different European countries, I can say this one falls in the top of our list. The trails wind through vineyards and charming villages and navigation was very easy using the app. We LOVED Beaune and Dijon had a charm of it's own. The wines were fantastic and overall epicurean experience unparalleled. The only downside to this trip (and reason I am not giving it 5 stars) was two of the five hotels we stayed in were substandard. The Athanor in Beaune has a great location and warm welcoming lobby, but the rooms were dirty, there were no mattress pads on the beds, peeling paint in the bathroom etc. The Heloise in Cluny had a beautiful restaurant, but the rooms, while spacious, were extremely old and tired with ragged bedding and dark dingy halls.

    What was the date of your tour?
    September 13-20, 2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    10
    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
    • 4/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 2/5 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
  • Highlights of the Highlands
    (4/5) Faye October 2, 2017

    A very good trip

    · Highlights of the Highlands: Donegal by E-bike

    The trip was generally great, as we were lucky with the weather. The B&B's were generally very good, particularly the one in Glenties. All of the B&B owners were helpful and friendly and the breakfasts were great. The B&B that we stayed at in Donegal was not as good- the bed was uncomfortable, the curtains didn't block out the light, and the toilet didn't flush very well.

    Great to have an electric bike for those hills, and a GPS to navigate!

    What was the date of your tour?
    September 15 to 22nd, 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?
    Ireland
    • 4/5 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
  • Cycling the Altmuehl Valley
    (4/5) Travel Junkie October 1, 2017

    First bike trip.

    · Cycling the Altmühl Valley - Round trip from Regensburg

    Wow, what a trip! I usually plan everything so it felt a little strange not doing a thing. We showed up at our first hotel and everything was ready to go. Hotels were lovely. Breakfast was adequate, kept us going until lunch. Our luggage was at the hotel when we arrived. We were very happy with the services provided.
    The scenery was amazing, the river, the fields, and the valley. The valley was our favorite. The boat trips were enjoyable. And so many castles!
    A couple of days on the trail were a little harder than I thought they would be. The trail surface was rough and hard to pedal on. When the trail was smooth, the cycling was a breeze. We had no trouble with the bikes although It might have been better if we would have rented the 21 speed bikes. We were on the trail 5 -7 hours each day. All and all, we would do it again. I see another trip in our future.

    What was the date of your tour?
    September 2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    One
    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?
    Germany
    • Photo 1 (photo by Travel Junkie)
    • Photo 2 (photo by Travel Junkie)
    • Photo 3 (photo by Travel Junkie)
    • Photo 4 (photo by Travel Junkie)
    • Photo 5 (photo by Travel Junkie)
    • 5/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 4/5 Ease of navigation
    • 5/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
  • Lake Garda
    (4/5) Gudrun58 September 28, 2017

    Group of friends

    · Lake Garda (based in one hotel)

    Hotel was very good and the staff also. Italy is so beautiful and charming.

    What was the date of your tour?
    14.09-19.09.2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    5
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    As expected
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Solo travelers
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    Italy
    • 4/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 2/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 4/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Ease of navigation
    • 2/5 Tour documents
    • 4/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
  • Umbria’s Green Valleys
    (4/5) Cosmo September 27, 2017

    great way to see Umbria at a great value

    · Umbria’s Green Valleys From the Pilgrimage Town of Assisi

    the tour staff were competent, friendly, helpful and responsive. the tour itself gave plenty of options and instructions were usually good although with a very few glitches. hotels were very good three stars. Casco d'Aqua was really a treat and very peaceful. all the towns included were just great.

    What was the date of your tour?
    Sept 2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    5+
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    As expected
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Families with teens
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    Italy
    • 5/5 Value
    • 3/5 Included meals
    • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 3/5 Ease of navigation
    • 3/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 4/5 Route selection
  • (4/5) HenryOne September 27, 2017

    Great way to know the center and southern Portugal. Wonderful sightseeing, nice people and great weather

    Bike and Boat with Bob and Jeanette along the Danube from Passau to Budapest to Passau

    The good:

    1) The kind staff (Jose Carlos was great), 2) the transportation van, 3) the equipment (nice new MTB X-Caliber 9 TREK bikes, GPS and trackers), 4) the hotels, and 5) Certainly, the sightseeing

    The not so good:

    1) The package was sold as "luxury on wheels" and it was fairly good, but not "luxurious" in any way (except the price).
    2) They missed every opportunity to enrich the bike experience with greater knowledge and meaning. They give no written material (or verbal) with local tips, history, food recommendations, etc. Basically, they only provide a GPS that you should follow mindlessly.
    3) We spent 6 days with the tour, but slept in 3 hotels only. So, we had three days biking on "loops". We much prefer moving and discovering different places everyday, so biking two days in the same roads feels like a waste. In fact, we felt the tour could have been at least one day shorter (and cheaper) and not miss anything. Specially the first day back and forth in Grandola felt of low value added.
    4) The hotels are very nice and all had nice rooms and food, but are in located in the middle of the countryside and far away from everything. Only the last hotel was next to a town (Odeceixe) with the chance to walk, know the place and dine around. On the other two we felt a bit "trapped".
    On the same idea, the tour is sold as "bike the coast", so we expected to have time to chill out on the beaches, specially at the end of biking journeys. We were wrong, as for the first four days the hotels were at 20 miles from the beaches.
    5) I understand Portugal is becoming more and more popular as a biking destination but is still far far away from other more established places. 80% of the biking was on paved two lane roads shared with cars and trucks going at high speeds (with a few truly nervewrecking miles north of Cercal) and dirt roads were in very poor condition (constant and unpleasant washboarding).

    What was the date of your tour?
    Sept 17th-23rd 2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    2
    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?
    • 4/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Ease of navigation
    • 1/5 Tour documents
    • 4/5 Local tour company services
    • 4/5 Route selection
  • Vienna to Budapest
    (4/5) Chris 77 September 27, 2017

    Good way to visit two great cities

    · Vienna to Budapest (Classic)

    Rated a four out of five only because we have done many of these self guided tours and some have been better based mostly on scenery and route

    What was the date of your tour?
    August
    How many tours have you completed?
    12
    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?
    Austria, Hungary
    • 4/5 Value
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 4/5 Scenery
    • 4/5 Ease of navigation
    • 4/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 4/5 Route selection
  • Danube Cycle Path
    (4/5) Bikers September 25, 2017

    Passau to Budapest

    · Danube Cycle Path Passau – Budapest

    A great way to explore parts of the Danube and its environs including historical and present day influences. Good hotels with local cuisine, culture and friendly hosts. A great way to meet like minded fellow travellers and get lots of fresh air with exercise.

    What was the date of your tour?
    2 - 15 September 2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    Nil
    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, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia
    • 4/5 Value
    • 3/5 Included meals
    • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 4/5 Scenery
    • 2/5 Ease of navigation
    • 1/5 Tour documents
    • 2/5 Local tour company services
    • 3/5 Route selection
  • Best of Northern Zealand
    (4/5) Vegacat September 24, 2017

    Enjoyable tour but poor organisation

    Best of Northern Zealand

    Although we booked this tour through biketours.com the tour is actually operated by Bike Denmark. Things got off to a bad start when we arrived at the first hotel (the Scandic in Copenhagen) to find the hotel had no record of a reservation in our name. Fortunately, the hotel did have a free room and after several phone calls to Bike Denmark the situation was sorted out. Our bikes were to be obtained the next morning from Bike Denmark at the rear of the hotel. What we found was a fairly chaotic situation with one Bike Denmark representative trying to set up bikes for twenty or so cyclists. Whilst the bikes were reasonable touring bikes, they had not been cleaned and were very dirty. There was a shortage of bike locks so we only got one between two. The helmets were old and in poor condition. Similarly, the bike map holders were torn and certainly not waterproof. Altogether it was a poor start to the tour. Bike Denmark could have done a much better job by ensuring that all bikes were set up and fully equipped prior to the 9.00am pick up time.

    We were provided with two route books, one with maps one with turning instructions. Both were printed only on one side of the page so it would have been much better if they had been combined so as you could see the map and instructions side by side. The instructions were not always clear leading to a couple of wrong turns and the need to resort to Google maps. (We found that others on the route made similar errors). It would be better if the route book provided more detail of what you are passing between turning points as a cross check that you are on the right route. Also detail could be provided of dining options in overnight towns.

    The bike tour itself was most enjoyable. Very pleasant and safe cycling along the coast to Helsingor (a highlight in itself) and then back by an inland route with some undulations. The hotel in Helsingor was very good (right on the beach) whilst the other hotels were adequate. However the hotel in Hillerod was unfortunately some way out of town so we didn't get to enjoy much of this interesting looking town itself.

    What was the date of your tour?
    August 2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    6
    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?
    Denmark
    • 4/5 Value
    • 3/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 3/5 Hotels or boat
    • 4/5 Scenery
    • 3/5 Ease of navigation
    • 1/5 Tour documents
    • 1/5 Local tour company services
    • 4/5 Route selection
  • Camino de Santiago
    (4/5) Silvia September 24, 2017

    Very good overall experience

    · Camino de Santiago: From Porto to Santiago de Compostela

    We enjoyed the bike rides. It was a great idea to upgrade to e-bikes! The terrain was challenging at times. Pedro the tour coordinator was very helpful, he was easy to reach and pleasant !
    Overall the hotels were good, but the ones in Spain were much nicer and had better meals . We don't recommend to include the dinners in the package, we had some very poor dinners , particularly in Portugal.
    The length of the biking trips were perfect, for most part good scenery although there was a day with too many roads through industrial areas.

    What was the date of your tour?
    September 16 to 22,2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    4
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    Somewhat harder
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Solo travelers, Families with teens
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    Portugal, Spain
    • 4/5 Value
    • 2/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 4/5 Scenery
    • 4/5 Ease of navigation
    • 3/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 4/5 Route selection
    • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
  • Neckar and Rhine
    (4/5) Baba K September 23, 2017

    Wonderful way to experience the "Romantic Rhine" and Neckar Valleys

    · · Neckar & Rhine Rivers by Bike and Boat

    We enjoyed being based on this relatively small boat. The staff was friendly and the meals very good. Nice presentations were given in English about each day's route. The cycling was not too difficult, mostly flat and about 45 km max per day. The scenery was beautiful. Villages and towns along the way were charming and interesting. There were so many places to explore some days that it was hard to get back to the boat on time (for dinner). This was only a problem for those of us who like to toodle along and take in all the sights, walk around the towns, etc. As the guide said, "it's not a race" and we took that to heart. It was nice to do the trip slightly off-season, ie early September--the temperature was comfortable and we probably encountered smaller crowds in places like Heidelberg than would be the case in the summer.

    What was the date of your tour?
    8/31-9/7/17
    How many tours have you completed?
    7
    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?
    Germany
    • 4/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 3/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 4/5 Ease of navigation
    • 4/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
    • 4/5 Guides (if applicable)