Staff Picks Bike Tour Reviews page 14
- Argentina
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- ★★★★★ Wes Kenney
Beautiful week in Slovenia
Emerald Tour of Slovenia’s Gems
We had a great time on the Emerald Tour. None of us had been to Slovenia before and were pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the country and friendliness of the Slovenian people. We spent some extra time in Ljubljana and Lake Bled in advance of the tour. Definitely a must. Would highly recommend this trip to those who had not been to Slovenia and those who have and want a different perspective.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2025
- 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?
- Slovenia
- ★★★★★ David A.
A great experience
Emerald Tour of Slovenia’s Gems
This was an unguided town-to-town bike trip, 6 days, from Ljubljana to Piran. I rented a (non-electric) bike.
The bike (Trek FX2 gravel bike) was good, and fit me well. The rear derailleur was a bit out of alignment. They give you a spare tube and some tools, which I didn't need.
The nav was pretty easy. You get a nav app (Guibo) that has some glitches but works OK. There are little arrow stickers along the way that confirm the directions, but don't replace the app
The route was about 50% roads with fast cars and no shoulder, 30% paved village roads with few cars, 10% bike paths, and 10% gravel farm roads. This was more cars than I would have liked, but the tour has to work with what's there.
The hotels were all excellent - generally the best available place in each town.
The towns, and the associated attractions (castles, caves etc.) were great.
The rides were moderate - 20-30 miles each day, some elevation gains. Day 2 gained 2000' and was a little hard. They generally took ~3 hours including breaks. Take your time, otherwise you might arrive too early to check in.
In summary: a very well-planned and well-organized tour. I had a great time, and would definitely consider doing another tour with this company. Also, I thought the price was quite reasonable.
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
- Countries included in this tour?
- Slovenia
- ★★★★★ Anne H
Fabulous, scenic odyssey
Emerald Tour of Slovenia’s Gems
What a wonderful journey! The scenery was spectacular as we biked through rolling hills, quaint villages, and especially as we arrived at the Adriatic Sea. A few days consisted of biking up and down some fairly significant hills, so get an e-bike if you aren’t in shape for biking uphill, which we thought we were but we underestimated how challenging the hills would be. The route includes several gravel roads but the bikes handled the bumps just fine. Slovenian drivers seemed very accustomed to sharing the road with cyclists and were quite respectful. Almost all of the roads that we biked on were sparsely traveled. The hotels were nice and they all had good hearty breakfasts for us to stoke up on before our rides. The tour company was responsive and we appreciated having our luggage delivered to our destination each day. Slovenia is a beautiful country inhabited by welcoming, friendly people. We loved it!
- What was the date of your tour?
- July 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- 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
- ★★★★★ Renee
Amazing cycling in Romania
Medieval Transylvania Heritage
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
- ★★★★★ Paul
Outstanding
Cycling Spain's Ebro River
It was a great time. Had a few hills, but all were manageable with the electric bike. The company that ran the tour was excellent.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was my 5th
- 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?
- Spain
- ★★★★★ Stuart
Great trip
Emerald Tour of Slovenia’s Gems
Fun adventure. Piran area was excellent. Caves were an interesting visit. Some roads a bit busy
- What was the date of your tour?
- Sept 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Slovenia
- ★★★★★ AJM - Indy
This was the best of my Four European Bike Tours
Innsbruck to Salzburg: Through the Alps Along River Cycle Trails
We traveled in late-August to early-September of 2025. The scenery was more stunning than I imagined it would be and the weather was perfect nearly every day; sunny skies, mild temperatures, and cool nights. (Most European hotels do not have AC so cool nights were a real blessing.)
Our e-bikes were in excellent condition and all of them worked flawlessly during the entire trip.
The breakfast's were hearty meals including meats, cheeses, eggs, yogurt, fruit, juice, coffee, and some pastries.
Some thoughts about the cycling. Using a GPS app to map your day's ride is critically important if you do not want to get lost. Austria is full of biking and hiking trails so it is very easy to take the wrong trail at trail intersections. We used Garmin's Explore app to navigate the biking trails and it worked really well. (A link with the GPS coordinates will be provided by the touring company.) On a related note, Google Maps worked much better in Europe than Apple's Maps app when walking around towns and villages.
The paper maps provided by the touring company are nearly impossible to follow while riding but they do have a benefit. The night before each day's ride--after studying the map--we would make notes indicating the distance to select villages, bridges, lakes, and intersections, etc. (The maps provide these distances.) Our notes then served as our sign posts ensuring that were were on the correct road or trail during the next day's ride, and also plan our lunch stops.
Though this was not explained in any of the literature I read, at every hotel we stayed we were given a two day "summer card" ("Sommerkarte") free of charge. (We did have to ask for it at one hotel.) These cards are incredible deals. They allow for FREE transportation on local and regional buses and trains, and also provide free admission to select museums, free rides on the Schmittenhohe Cable Cars in Zell am See, and free access to the water falls in Krimml. Not sure why an explanation of this tremendous benefit was not provided.
Just for clarification, the "taxi" that you catch at the train station in Zell am Ziller is a large passenger van pulling a trailer. Your bikes are loaded into the trailer and then everyone piles into the van for a breathtaking 45-minute ride to Krimml. (Your luggage will be in the van as well.) By the way, the bike ride to Zell am Ziller is less than 15 miles and the village is beautiful so I would recommend getting there before noon and then having lunch at one of the restaurants along the river before catching your "taxi" to Krimml that afternoon.
Our favorite activities:
Schmittenhohe Cable Cars in Zell am See- Use your summer card to catch the bus to the cable car facility and then ride to the top of the mountains where you can hike trails and have lunch. The views from the mountain tops are stunning.
Water Fall at Krimml- Again, use your summer card to access that water fall. You can walk up to the base of the waterfall and/or walk up the trail that leads to the top of the falls. There are lookouts about every 200 feet of elevation gain.
The Schloss Tratzberg Castle in Jenbach- It's probably a 10-mile detour on your first day, and somewhat expensive (summer cards do not work there), but well worth it. I believe this is one of the best preserved castles in the world. The current owner of the castle accompanied our tour (we were the last tour of the day) and he embellished much of the narrative provided by our guide.
The Family Gundolf Dinner Show in Innsbruck- A quirky Austrian variety show that includes dinner and a beer. It's kind of a Lawrence Welk meets Hee-Haw fusion for those old enough to remember those programs.
Salzburg- I only mention it because the reviews I read of Salzburg before our trip suggested it was kind of a one-dimensional city. ("Sound of Music.") It was much nicer than I anticipated with many shops, delicious restaurants, and one fascinating "speak easy" bar called Burdoch's Punch and Cocktails. At Burdoch's, you tell the bartender the name of a drink you like and then she creates a similar alternative using all sorts of random ingredients. I like "French 75's"; she made me something that was even better. The bartender and waiters were also excellent conversationalists. SHOW MORE- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- 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?
- Austria
- ★★★★★ Wendy Kercher
Alpine cycle paths in Austria
Innsbruck to Salzburg: Through the Alps Along River Cycle Trails
We had a great week cycling through Austria. The bikes were in great condition. The bike shop was very accommodating and switched out the handlebar stem to make the bike more comfortable. We found the self-guided navigation easier than on past trips because we downloaded the routes provided to a cycling app on our phones. Family-run hotels in the overnight villages were all nice, however the breakfast at the second hotel in Strasse was disappointing.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 6
- 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?
- Austria
- ★★★★★ William Spees
Let the good times roll!!
National Parks of Dalmatia by Bike/E-bike and Boat
The trip was amazing. You could really feel the love for their country coming from our guides. They adjusted itinerary so we got rides in even when the weather threatened to cancel. I feel like they also accommodated the fact that this group really seemed to enjoy swimming int he sea. The ships crew took care of everything in the back ground. Amazing food and service.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 29, 2025
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Croatia
- ★★★★★ Terry A
Amazing Trip!
National Parks of Dalmatia by Bike/E-bike and Boat
An incredible way to explore the coast of Croatia, including several islands and national parks. What a beautiful country! Our guides, Tara and Serge were the best - well organized, great communicators, personable and fun! The Magellan is a beautiful boat, well equipped, with a great crew. The food was fabulous. Our e-bikes were very comfortable and the daily mileage was very manageable. It was nice to have time for the walking tours, exploring the towns on our own and eating dinner in the local establishments several nights during the trip. We went at the end of August and the weather was perfect, in the 80s, which meant we could swim off the ship in the Adriatic Sea every day. A big bonus! Definitely recommend this trip with no hesitation.
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was my second.
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Croatia
- ★★★★★ Holly B
A perfect mix of activity, relaxation, and culture
National Parks of Dalmatia by Bike/E-bike and Boat
We traveled with two other couples - none of us had been to Croatia before, so it was new for everyone. The convenience of the airport to the port and the detailed instructions on embarking put us all at ease.
Our cabin was comfortable and clean and there was plenty of room fit socializing and games during down time. Our guides were awesome- professional, fun, funny, knowledgeable and very attentive to the group. We were lucky to have a wonderful group from various parts of the world to get to know.
The rides were a good length each day with some challenging terrain, but very doable with ebikes. The tours that were arranged at various ports were a terrific add and each of the towns we were in port at felt safe and easy to explore in.
Overall, this was a trip that was well-priced- not fancy, but safe, clean, and fun.
I would highly recommend this adventure!- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 1
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Croatia
- ★★★★★ Laura
Wonderful adventure!
Cycling Spain's Ebro River
This was a fun and easy bike tour. The accommodations were varied, fun and great! The tour company was helpful and knowledgeable. The introduction before we left was very through.
The scenery and sites were interesting and beautiful.- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2025
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Spain
- ★★★★★ James M
What a great way to travel!
Greece: The Peloponnese Peninsula
Great trip with some really great people on our trip with us. So many beautiful locations along the way. Very hot during the day in Greek Summer, so keep that in mind. There were sections of roads that were not ideal for bikes (on busy roads for not more than a few kms at a time) with not much in the way of a shoulder to ride on for sections. Some pretty steep downhill sections as well, so need to be careful in parts! Overall though, a great experience. Looking to add similar trips into future travels!
- What was the date of your tour?
- August 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 0
- 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?
- Greece
- ★★★★★ Ronnie
A Wonderful Self Guided Bike Trip
Cycling Spain's Ebro River
This trip was excellent in few respects.
The organization, communication with the company and follow up by Inshaaf during the few weeks leading to the trip were efficient and timely.
The routes were spectacular and both the written guides provided to us by IberoCycle and the RideWithGPS courses made the navigation easy and the stops easy to find.
The inns were not luxurious but were nice, clean and functional. Breakfasts and dinners were great.
This trip exceeded our expectations.
We were wowed by the views of the countryside and beauty of many of the villages we cycled through.- Countries included in this tour?
- Spain
- ★★★★★ Marcia Schattauer
Great Trip
Greece: The Peloponnese Peninsula
What a beautiful ride through Greece! I loved riding through all the olive grove and grape fields, seeing the sheep in the street and the goats. The weather was perfect everyday. The bikes were great! The towns were fun to explore. We especially like Vytina and Nafplio. Our hotels were great. We asked for an upgrade to have a Seaview in Nafplio and we were glad we did! Our upgrade was right by the water and close to everything! The staff of Arcas were very helpful.
It was rated a 2 but I would say it was more of a 3. There were a lot of long descents but there was a fair amount of uphill as well.
I used a trek touring bike and I bike regularly 2-3 times a week 15-25 miles, but the hills were
challenging for me.- What was the date of your tour?
- Sept 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 2
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Somewhat harder
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Greece
- ★★★★★ Julane Anderson
Beauty abounds!
Loch Lomond to Edinburgh: Lakes & Valleys of Scotland
Scotland has it all: beautiful scenery, warm and helpful people, dedicated bike routes. The tour operator booked us into lovely hotels/B&Bs that were conveniently located, and we were more than satisfied with the hearty breakfasts. Upon the recommendation of the tour operator, we booked dinner ahead of our trip at each accommodation, a useful suggestion as there were occasionally limited dining opportunities. Yes, it rained some, but the sun also shone brightly. We were wise to rent e-bikes as the route was occasionally quite hilly. My only suggestion to the tour operator is to equip the bikes with front and rear fenders to keep rain gear clean and also front and rear lights to improve safety when riding in traffic during rainy periods. We secured tickets to a performance at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre, a short walk from our hotel, adding to our enjoyment of the town.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- more than 10
- 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?
- Scotland
- ★★★★★ Chuck A.
Nice ride
Cycling Spain's Ebro River
We enjoyed our trip to Spain and were glad that we opted for e-bikes as our 70 year old legs would have had a hard time with the hills during the first few biking days. The bike staff were great and very attentive to our needs, they even went out of their way to return a lost iPad. We especially enjoyed Haro and LaGuardia. Both cities were what we were hoping to find in Spain.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September, 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 4
- 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?
- Spain
- ★★★★★ 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
- ★★★★★ Christine Wilson
This trip was a pilgrimage for me and it exceeded any expectation beyond!
Loch Lomond to Edinburgh: Lakes & Valleys of Scotland
This trip was a pilgrimage for me and it exceeded any expectation beyond! Our tour operator Nick Green was great! He rode to our lunch spot in Drymen just to check on us as we rode hybrid bikes (not e-bikes). The routes were extremely challenging but so worth the effort as the landscapes we covered on our self guided tour was spectacular!! The rides were multi-terrain so the bikes were great for the variety of terrains we covered. Our accommodations were wonderful and the people we meet in Scotland were warm, friendly & helpful. I am so glad we upgraded to king size bed rooms as after a challenging day of riding it was so nice to stretch-out and sleep! I would definably confirm check in times at each hotel as they vary. It truly was a trip of a lifetime!!
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- 5
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- Much harder
- Who is this tour suitable for?
- Solo travelers
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Scotland
- ★★★★★ Rosemary M.
Everything we hoped for and more!
Croatian Vineyards and Villages of Undiscovered Istria
The self-guided bike tour (Undiscovered vineyards and villages of Istria) was amazing. Our tour guide was excellent; he provided all the necessary information before we started and ensured the bikes were set up properly. The touring bikes we had were great, the maps were accurate and the accommodation excellent. Everything went according to plan and would definitely recommend this tour.
- What was the date of your tour?
- September 2025
- How many tours have you completed?
- This was our first bike tour
- Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
- As expected
- Do you recommend this tour?
- Yes
- Countries included in this tour?
- Croatia
