Staff Picks Bike Tour Reviews
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★★★★★ TJS53
Loved Slovenia
Emerald Tour of Slovenia’s Gems
We toured June 21st – 27th in wonderful Slovenia. The tour combined urban and rural riding on a mix of bike paths, bike lanes, country roads, natural surface forest tracks and a little busy urban riding. We enjoyed challenging climbs and at least one white knuckle descent, under mostly deep blue skies in very comfortable temperatures. Two mornings we delayed our departures until rain ceased, but we always had plenty of time to make the next hotel before nightfall. On the first three days we dealt with hills and pedaled through rolling hills with views of the Julian Alps on the horizon. We stopped to tour castles, churches, and caves. We rode with old friends and met some new ones along the way as well. The accommodations were always adequate and often very nice. In all this was a really fine tour.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 21, 2018
- How many tours have you completed?
- 5
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Slovenia
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★★★★★ John E.
Awesome experience
Emerald Tour of Slovenia’s Gems
Well organised bike trip in stunning scenery. Overnight stays were fantastic and great fun. Our cycling companions made for a memorable trip.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Slovenia
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★★★★★ Julie Krey
Enjoyable ride through Slovenia
Emerald Tour of Slovenia’s Gems
Very much enjoyed our bike ride. Flawless support and organization by the local partner as well as the GPS map enabled us to enjoy the ride without the hassles. Beautiful countryside and very friendly people and excellent accommodations. Only slight improvement would be a bridge detour and new road out of Muggia that were not on our GPS that would have been helpful.
- What was the date of your tour?
- May 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- 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?
- Slovenia
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★★★★★ Chris Mauriello
Amazing trip!
Emerald Tour of Slovenia’s Gems
I've been a number of European bike tours and this one was excellent. The mapped route is a nice change and variety of scenery.
Flat and through the vegetable filed when you leave Ljubljana then mild hills with vineyards and farms with a great ride down to the coast to Muggia with lots of olive tress and ending up in Piran, a very cool place on the Adriatic.- What was the date of your tour?
- October 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- 7
- 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?
- Slovenia
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★★★★★ Heinrich Tillmanns
Amazing country by bike
Emerald Tour of Slovenia’s Gems
We booked this tour to celebrate two of our daughters graduations from university. We were a group of 6 and everything went super smooth. Amazing e-bikes, scenery, amazing people and would book again!
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2022
- How many tours have you completed?
- First tour
- 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?
- Slovenia
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★★★★★ Suzanne Kellett
Great ride through beautiful scenery
Emerald Tour of Slovenia’s Gems
A great ride for everyone even those who may not be regular cyclists. The schedule is not too taxing for e bike riders who only cycle occasionally. The route takes you through some really beautiful scenery albeit a bit hilly at times and the hotels were all in great locations.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 2024
- How many tours have you completed?
- Five
- 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?
- Slovenia
-
★★★★★ Carrie Sciammas
Slovenia is wonderful
Emerald Tour of Slovenia’s Gems
We had a fantastic bike trip in Slovenia. The country is beautiful as are the people we met along the way. The food was delicious and there were so many things to see along the route. We enjoyed seeing nature, castles, caves ( so many caves!), water powered saw mills, quaint villages, vineyards, Lipanzer horses, rivers, the sea, etc etc.
The app was a bit tricky at times and we encountered some road construction nearly every day but that is all part of the adventure!
I'd love to see more of Slovenia from my bike!
- What was the date of your tour?
- October 2023
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- 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?
- Slovenia
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★★★★★ Michael Schwartz
Great Exposure to a Slovenia not seen by tourists
Emerald Tour of Slovenia’s Gems
The bike tour of the Gems of Slovenia afforded us a glimpse into the hidden life of the country, at least the part we saw. The hotels were comfortable, especially the M Hotel in Ljubljana. Breakfast at the M Hotel and the Hotel Piran were great; the others middling to OK. The luggage delivery to each hotel was excellent. The routes from Ljubljana to Piran were good, although our navigation system failed us after the second day. The company faxed us paper directions but they were in black and white and were repeat documents of what we had already.
A few suggestions for change:
1. Provision of a cell phone holder (the plastic bag with velcro strips did not work)
2. A better GPS app
3. Two, not one, but two panniers
4. A way to ensure the charger for the E-bike does not fall out or be removed (someone removed my charger whether accidentally or intentionally I don't know)
5. A way to do laundry, either in town or at the hotel with turn around time to keep the momentum of the trip goingI would also consider making a town in Slovenia a central location with day trips to the surrounding environments.
Good job!
Michael
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 4 - 11
- How many tours have you completed?
- Two including this one
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Slovenia
-
★★★★★ Pieter Van Niekerk
Quiet, beautiful and well organized.
Emerald Tour of Slovenia’s Gems
Excellent cycling roads with beautiful scenery. Well-spaced stops. Excellent GPS app. Good hotels. Good bikes and helpful upfront orientation.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Slovenia
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★★★★★ Amy Reller
Epic trip!
Emerald Tour of Slovenia’s Gems
We did a self-guided tour (two couples) and it could not have been better! From the first night trip orientation in our Ljubljana hotel to our final stopping point in Piran, we couldn't stop talking about how smoothly everything went. The hotels were well familiar with the electric bike routine, our luggage was always waiting for us upon arrival in the lobby, the routes took us through beautiful Slovenian countryside and stopped at points of interest and historical sites that were worth the side trip. Our detailed route map (provided by local bike tour group Helia) was experienced enough to mention ideal locations to stop for lunch along the way which proved helpful when traveling through small villages with limited spots to stop to eat. We lucked out on the early October weather and had no rain which was a bonus. Having breakfast in our hotel before departing each morning made it easy to pack up and get back on the road. Would highly recommend this trip!
- Countries included in this tour?
- Slovenia
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★★★★★ Gail
Beautiful Slovenia
Emerald Tour of Slovenia’s Gems
This was an excellent tour to see the diversity of Slovenia's landscape! I highly recommend the e-bikes as it was hillier than expected (and e-bikes are just fun!) Everything went smoothly, especially the weather this late in the season (we went in mid October). Highly recommend!
- Countries included in this tour?
- Slovenia
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★★★★★ Anne52
A Gem of a Tour!
Emerald Tour of Slovenia’s Gems
We have been on five tours with Biketours.com now and although we have loved every one, the Emerald Tour of Slovenia was one of the best. The route was extremely well chosen with a huge variety of terrain, several interesting and worthwhile side trips and lovely hotels with friendly service.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 28 - October 5, 2019
- 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?
- Slovenia
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★★★★★ NancyLouWho
Nice way to experience Slovenia
Emerald Tour of Slovenia’s Gems
Two couples decided to do this trip together and I considered myself the weakest link - but thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it!
Being a non-biker with a dodgy knee and several decades on me, I feared I was in over my head. I relied on BikeTours assertion that reasonable fitness and good attitude would carry me through, and they were right! (I started riding my bike for an hour or two a few times a week about two months before the trip, which was an excellent idea.)
This was a level two trip, about 30 miles per day with some long hills included. I was able to ride it all, and readily agreed to every side trip included in the itinerary. Those added anywhere from 3-7 miles to the day’s riding - and also added some special experience to the trip. (Postojna Cave and the nearby castle were my favorites.)
Bikes were in excellent condition, comfortable and well-maintained, and the overnight accommodations everywhere were very nice. I especially liked the guest house in Kodreti, Hiša Posebne Sorte, where the meal was entirely locally sourced. The combination of maps, turn-by-turn instructions, odometer, and strategically placed stickers along the route made way-finding pretty straight forward. We only went off once, but realized it after about a mIle, and quickly got back on track.
Seeing this country by bicycle allowed us to get a real feel for the variations of city vs village, and hilly regions with an Austrian flair vs Mediterranean coast with an Italian vibe.
The couple we traveled with had done a few other trips with Bike Tours and say the quality has been consistent in each. I look forward to traveling with Bike Tours again!
- What was the date of your tour?
- Sept. 28- Oct. 5, 2019
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was my first
- 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?
- Slovenia
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★★★★★ GobaGirl
An absolutely fabulous cycling experience.
Emerald Tour of Slovenia’s Gems
Cycling from Ljubljana to Piran, from the Julian Alps, through the Karst region, past vineyards and little villages, by caves and castles and eventually down a stunning descent and along the Adriatic Sea was a stunning experience. We cycled along back roads, cycle paths, through kilometer long tunnels, along gravel trails and even made a short jaunt through a flooded marsh! We have cycled in France and Germany and the Czech Republic and this beats them all. The tour company did a fine job - wayfinding materials were a bit intimidating at first but the Route was marked with stickers placed on sign posts and the written directions were (usually) accurate. Accommodations were good (Mantova not so much but Hisa Posebne Sorte blew us away). Stop and see the sights - the castles the caves the museums and the Lipizzaner farm. We had a breakdown one day but the company has mechanics at the ready with a voucher system - we were back in the road in no time. MY ADVICE: rent the Ebike. There were 14 people doing the same ride as us and 9 used ebikes. Three of the days have LOTS of feet of climb. I have done many, many weeklong bike rides and thought these climbs were challenging (I used the regular bike). Unless you are a pretty experienced cyclist, rent the ebike and enjoy the ride. This is a MUST vacation for everyone.
- What was the date of your tour?
- June 1, 2019 - June 8, 2019
- How many tours have you completed?
- 3
- 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?
- Slovenia
-
★★★★★ arfarb
Exceeded expectations
Emerald Tour of Slovenia’s Gems
Some of the best cycling I have ever done. The food and people are just as amazing. Great options for nature and culture lovers.
- What was the date of your tour?
- March 20, 2019
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- 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?
- Slovenia
-
★★★★★ Rob R.
Exceeded my very high expectations
Castles and Wines of Portugal
I went in thinking the trip would be fun, a little educational, with good food, an appropriate physical challenge and beautiful vistas.
The week was all of that and so much more. Our guides were terrific - not just knowledgeable and helpful but delightfully interactive and fun. They provided personal, deep insight into the region and a fantastic connection to the locale. The food was amazing. I mean truly amazing - both the restaurants and the lunches. And Portugal is beautiful. We had a truly amazing time.- What was the date of your tour?
- April 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- two
- 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?
- Portugal
-
★★★★★ JimJ
Cycling was fantastic but not even the best part!
Medieval Heritage of Transylvania
This tour will long linger in my memories. The cycling was scenic, varied and truly fun. Much of it was through truly remote areas, such as through a dense forest where we were told the largest concentration of brown bears in Europe still make their home. We waved to farm workers, many of them Roma, on the sides of dirt roads. We passed medieval castles and towering churches.
And on most days we saw far more horse carts than cars.
Other aspects were perhaps even more memorable. The lodging, for example, was unique and wonderful. In Talisoara we stayed in a restored castle and dined in its richly decorated banquet hall. In Cund, we overnighted and dined at Valea Verde Retreat, an endeavor that has brought a dying farm village back to life. Guests get to experience farm life as it had been for centuries—and even go foraging with the chef/owner, Jonas Schaefer.
The traditional cuisine was another highlight. Valea Verde has also become an award-winning destination for foodies across Europe, and our group savored some of the best farm-to-table cuisine I’ve experienced—and it’s especially fun when the table is at the farm.
We also visited Moşna and had lunch at the farm of Willy Schuster, a passionate supporter of the cause of sustainable and organic farming in Romania and abroad. After he introduced us to “the happiest cows in all of Europe,” he and his team brought out tray after tray of fresh farm delights.
Also along the way we also got to watch craftspeople and artisans at work such as brick makers, blacksmiths, and shoemakers.
All this is part of efforts to keep traditional crafts and customs alive.
So this is a tour that truly benefits the people and communities we pass through.
--Jim Johnson, founder and president, BikeTours.com
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2017
- How many tours have you completed?
- 30+
- 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?
- Romania
Video: #WhyIBikeTour--Medieval Transylvania edition
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★★★★★ Fred
Castles and wines of the Alentejo region of Portugal
Castles and Wines of Portugal
There were four great hotels and one doesn’t have to be a serious cyclist to get around
- Countries included in this tour?
- Portugal
-
★★★★★ Elizabeth
Went beyond our expectations!
Castles and Wines of Portugal
Our guides were fantastic, the rides were pleasant and just challenging enough. We really enjoyed the historical experience.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Portugal
-
★★★★★ Renee
Amazing cycling in Romania
Medieval Heritage of Transylvania
I cycled the Medieval Transylvania route solo with the support of local tour operator. I booked at very short notice but everything was perfectly organised. Great welcome, comprehensive travel notes and verbal information and a great Canondale bike (well serviced, all spares available and cycle panniers supplied). The daily routes (with accurate GPX files) were interesting and with diverse scenery. The routes were mainly on small quiet roads with only a few stretches of busier roads. Trip notes highlighted good places to stop for cultural visits, lunch and dinner. Oana helped book ahead at 2 places for lunch, which was greatly appreciated. The accommodation was fantastic (never been on a cycle holiday with such amazing accommodation before) - in castles and guesthouses. The proprietors were all kind, helpful and keen to explain the local history. Baggage transfer was efficient and easy. I've done many cycle holidays (in groups and solo) but this is one of the best! Definitely plan to go back to Romania for further cycle adventures. Thank you so much - especially to Oana who was amazing.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Romania
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