Top Rated Tours Reviews  page 8

  • Bruges to Amsterdam
    (5/5) Peterm October 2, 2017

    Excellent format - Barge Bike tour

    · · Bruges – Amsterdam by Bike and Boat

    Very enjoyable tour. Excellent crew. Excellent food. Excellent company. It is a good mixture of bike & barge travel. The cycling is gentle and Holland is flat. It is good to have a guide as it is impossible to get lost. Cycle routes in Belgium & Holland are very well organised, safe with minimum traffic and great scenery. Would recommend it. Note cabins are small.

    What was the date of your tour?
    23September
    How many tours have you completed?
    0
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    Somewhat easier
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    Belgium, Holland
    • BikeTours.com staff reply from Brittany October 3, 2017

      We're delighted to hear you had a great time! I agree that the bike and boat tours are a wonderful way to explore Holland and Belgium. Thank you for taking the time to review!

    • 5/5 Value
    • 5/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 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
    • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
  • 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
  • Tuscany and Umbria
    (5/5) CapeCodders October 4, 2017

    Best vacation EVER !

    · Tuscany and Umbria: Cycling in the Heart of Italy

    A big thank you to the entire staff at BikeTours and a special thank you to our Umbrian Tour operators Pablo and Petra. Everything was incredible ! The biking was phenomenal, the scenery, the food, and hotels exceeded all of our expectations. Pablo and Petra went above and beyond providing detailed maps and GPS tracks for our self guided tour in addition to historical facts and sites to be seen in each of the beautiful villages we visited .

    What was the date of your tour?
    9/26/17 - 10/4/17
    How many tours have you completed?
    First bike tour, but avid cyclists
    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
    • Photo 1 (photo by CapeCodders)
    • Photo 2 (photo by CapeCodders)
    • BikeTours.com staff reply from Brittany October 5, 2017

      We're glad to hear you had a great time on tour and thank you for the pictures! I visited Umbria by bike this year and what a hidden gem. We hope to help you plan another bike tour in the future!

    • 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
  • Lake Constance Bike Path
    (5/5) darylln October 5, 2017

    Best Vacation Ever!

    · Lake Constance Bicycle Path

    My wife and I have travelled extensively mainly on our own to remote places of the world for extended periods of time; however decided due to the shorter duration, to go with a self-guided tour so that our Hotel accommodations and meals and luggage would be taken care off and we need not have to hassle about it while we cycled for the day.

    This was that perfect holiday. The communication with Bike Tours was excellent despite our several questions and they were extremely patient with us. The accommodations was top notch and we were glad that we added the meal plan to the package as it save us all the hassle from trying to find places to eat after a day of cycling and then trying to figure out the menu at a restaurant as we don't speak German.

    Highly recommend.

    What was the date of your tour?
    September 27th, 2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    First one
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    Somewhat 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, Switzerland
    • BikeTours.com staff reply from Brittany October 6, 2017

      We're glad to hear you had a fantastic time on your tour! We hope to help you plan another relaxing tour in the future.

    • 4/5 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
  • Bruges to Amsterdam
    (5/5) SheRah October 9, 2017

    Amazing teip

    · · Bruges – Amsterdam by Bike and Boat

    What was the date of your tour?
    9/30-10/7
    How many tours have you completed?
    2
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    Somewhat easier
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    Belgium, Holland
    • Photo 1 (photo by SheRah)
    • BikeTours.com staff reply from Brittany October 10, 2017

      We're glad you had a great time on tour. Thank you very much for your picture and your review!

    • 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
    • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
  • Dolomites to Trieste
    (4/5) Doyle October 16, 2017

    Italian Bike Tour

    · Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps

    Loved our bike tour. Great way to see the Italian countryside

    What was the date of your tour?
    Sept 12-19
    How many tours have you completed?
    3
    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, Slovenia, Austria
    • 4/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 3/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 3/5 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
  • UNESCO Sites of Albania
    (5/5) riverhiker October 16, 2017

    Best of both worlds, self-guided but with an accompanying driver

    · UNESCO Sites of Albania

    The scenery was amazing. I highly recommend this company and this trip. The roads varied from recent resurfaced smooth pavement to a slalom course of potholes. However, since on the pothole roads the traffic amounted to maybe seven cars an hour, there was plenty of space to dodge the holes. In all but a couple of stretches, the busier roads had good shoulders. And there were some roads that had both a good surface and little traffic. How often does that happen?Do be prepared to climb. Those elevation profiles don't lie.
    Hotels varied from high end to very basic depending on the locale. If you are in the middle of nowhere and have great scenery and no traffic, there are going to be compromises. When I rate the accommodations a four instead of five, it is because of the limited options out in the countryside. This is through no fault of the tour company but it would not be fair to readers of this review to have them think everything is up to US standards.
    Since we were self-guided, breakfast was the only meal provided. In all cases it was totally adequate and a couple of times, outstanding
    The bicycles were quality and in good shape.
    We did a self-guided trip and had thought that would involve just having the luggage moved for us. They gave us a driver that was with us the whole time. Not only did he transport our luggage, if the route out of town had any turns, he led us out and also waited at any tricky turns along the way. Great job Elvis!!!!
    I can highly recommend this trip. Do go in the off season like we did so the coast is not crowded and go now. They are improving a lot of the roads which I am sure will lead to more traffic. Also, as the country becomes more affluent there will be more cars on the road.

    What was the date of your tour?
    Oct 3rd
    How many tours have you completed?
    seven
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    Somewhat harder
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    Albania
    • 5/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 5/5 Ease of navigation
    • 3/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 5/5 Route selection
  • Dolomites to Trieste
    (5/5) mattybee October 17, 2017

    Enjoyed the whole adventure

    · Dolomites to Trieste via Lake Bled at the Foot of the Julian Alps

    Great way to see 3 countries on one bike ride. Weather could have been better in the beginning. We started in mid September and encountered one day too wet to ride. But nevertheless made the most of it. Great accommodations all the way throughout the trip. Scenery was superb. Bike paths were wonderfully uncrowded. Rarely had to travel with any kind of vehicle traffic on any of the roadways. All luggage transfers and shuttles were seamless. Tour staff very friendly and helpful. The cycling itself wasn't particularly difficult, but a little endurance is needed because of the length of the daily rides. Didn't have GPS so we relied on the maps which were adequate in the outskirts and country, but could have used a bit better map in the city of Gorizia for sure. Don't miss the pizza a Al Lampione in Gorizia, and the strudel at Gasthof Post, in Oberdrauburg. We opted for the layover day in Lake Bled which was one of the highlights of the trip. Stunning. The walk around the lake with first snow on the mountains was spectacular. Nice way to spend a day. Also, would recommend a day after spent in Trieste. Plenty to do and see along the waterfront. We rented bikes from the Hotel and made another wonderful day of it. Would highly recommend this trip albeit maybe not as late in the season as when
    we went.

    What was the date of your tour?
    September 2017
    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?
    Italy, Slovenia, Austria
    • 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
  • Medieval Villages of Catalonia
    (4/5) Cowboybob October 17, 2017

    Off-Road Adventure

    · Medieval Villages of Catalonia

    My first tour with Creative Catalonia tours, and I would consider another. I was with a group of eight friends, one who managed the Garmin about 90% of the daily routes were on off-roadway, gravel trails through beautiful countryside. Staying on route required close reading of the route maps at times. The villages toured are amazing for their age and charm. Plenty of great cafes and restaurants along the way. The arranged hotel lodging was very good.

    What was the date of your tour?
    October 6, 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?
    Spain
    • 3/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 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
    • 4/5 Route selection
  • Bruges to Amsterdam
    (5/5) Catherine October 17, 2017

    excellent bike adventure

    · · Bruges – Amsterdam by Bike and Boat

    Our barge crew was excellent, the group was wonderful and special, the food was very good and the trip a wonderful entry into bike and barging. Looking forward to more cycling and barging trips in the future.

    What was the date of your tour?
    Sept. 30 to Oct. 7
    How many tours have you completed?
    1
    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?
    Belgium, Holland
    • 4/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 3/5 Ease of navigation
    • 2/5 Tour documents
    • 4/5 Local tour company services
    • 4/5 Route selection
    • 4/5 Guides (if applicable)
  • Swiss Lakes by Ebike
    (5/5) apitzer October 19, 2017
    · Swiss Lakes by E-bike: Lake Geneva to Lake Lucerne

    I went on a portion of this tour as a BikeTours.com staff member from Geneva to Lausanne and Vevey. The Lavaux Vineyards, on the Swiss side of Lake Geneva, are a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site. The wine has been produced in this region since the 11th century. Alpine views and the stunning, clear Lake Geneva are other highlights. This level 2 tour is relatively flat with a few hilly sections up by the vineyards. You can experience Switzerland without having to pedal up mountains, and an e-bike makes the journey even more accessible for all. The Schweiz Mobil national network of cycling paths is well-maintained and clearly marked. In my 8 days of cycling, we were confused about signage only a handful of times. Be sure to plan for lunch or attractions before you begin cycling, as restaurants are generally only open from about 11:30 - 2:00 for lunch and they may not be able to serve lunch at 2:00. We had to do a lot of research ourselves about site-seeing, lunch stops, and directions to each point of interest along the way. Don't miss the Old City in Geneva, the Promenade du Lac with the famous Jet d'Eau (Jet of Water), the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, or Charlie Chaplin's estate in Vevey. The combination of the lake, vineyards, mountains, French-inspired cuisine and culture, and well-marked bike route make this tour a wonderful first tour in Switzerland.

    What was the date of your tour?
    September 3, 2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    This was my first!
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    As expected
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    Switzerland
    • Photo 1 (photo by apitzer)
    • Classic Swiss Cows, Buildings, and Mountains outside of Gruyères (photo by apitzer)
    • Spiez (photo by apitzer)
    • Spiez (photo by apitzer)
    • Route Sign by Lake Geneva (looking in the direction of Montreux) (photo by apitzer)
    • Eurotrek Bikes (photo by apitzer)
    • 5/5 Value
    • 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
  • Best of Slovenia
    (4/5) psteckler October 22, 2017

    Good sampler for western Slovenia

    · Best of Slovenia: Highlights Across the Country From Bled to Piran

    No one told me about the cows. On the riding first day, in a rural area, I encountered a trio of cows blocking the road. I wasn't sure about the protocol for dealing with them, but we all managed to get by one another without any injuries.

    I really lucked out with the weather. I started in mid-October, and every day ended in sunshine. There was no rain at all. For the first few days, most mornings were chilly and overcast, sometimes even foggy. By the end of the ride, I got full days of sunshine. Don't expect this weather every October!

    For the most part, I liked the route. The climb on the second riding day would have been a nice challenge on my road bike; on the rented touring bike, it was pretty hard, and I had to walk much of it. The Helia truck came by and offered me a lift, but I was determined to get to the top under my own power. There were some gravel sections, and a couple of stretches along busy roads that were unpleasant. Much of the route was on lightly-traveled roads, and many roads were nearly-vacant farm or forest roads. With a couple of exceptions, the drivers gave me a wide berth.

    The rented bike was predictably sturdy and heavy. I had no mechanical issues during the ride, other than a squeaky back brake.

    The accommodation was very good, for the most part. Yes, I found a cockroach in one room; that gives me a story to tell. The electricity went out at Hotel Tartini in Piran on the final morning, but breakfast was already prepared; another story to tell. The hotel staff was very helpful everywhere. The breakfasts were all good, perhaps too good. Too bad I don't like to ride after eating a lot.

    There were some confusing bits in the cue sheets, and I got lost a couple of times. I've written to Helia about the issues I found. For the most part, the cue sheets were adequate. Asking locals and Google Maps set me straight.

    I flew in and out of Ljubljana. To get to Bled at the start, and back from Piran at the end, I used ordinary commercial bus services, which worked well.

    I really enjoyed Slovenia, and hope to visit again to see more of the country.

    What was the date of your tour?
    9 October 2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    Over 20
    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?
    Slovenia
    • 5/5 Value
    • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 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
  • Provence by Bike and Boat
    (5/5) Lori22 October 22, 2017

    Best trip ever!

    · · Provence by Bike and Boat

    Couldn’t have asked for a better guide for my first bike tour. Hugo was so much fun, so enthusiastic, shared so much history and knowledge about the area and even made movies with the video and pics that he took which captured all the different things and places we experienced. The crew and the other bikers were so much fun as well. For my friend and I, who do not bike much, the e-bike was the ticket. Loved my e-bike.

    What was the date of your tour?
    October 7, 2017
    How many tours have you completed?
    This was my first bike tour
    Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
    Somewhat harder
    Who is this tour suitable for?
    Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
    Do you recommend this tour?
    Yes
    Countries included in this tour?
    France
    • Our last night, so we had to hit a pub. (photo by Lori22)
    • Our guide, Hugo (photo by Lori22)
    • Getting ourselves ready to start our day of riding. (photo by Lori22)
    • The bikes (photo by Lori22)
    • 5/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 4/5 Hotels or boat
    • 5/5 Scenery
    • 4/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Route selection
    • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
  • Medieval Villages of Catalonia
    (5/5) Badger biker October 26, 2017

    Good trip

    · Medieval Villages of Catalonia

    A very interesting ride along the shore of the Costa Brava and by a number od medieval towns. Generally not a difficult ride however much of the ride is on unpaved lanes and quite of bit of that is on rough roads, with sand and big rocks and large potholes. The tour company Creative Catalonia was very good. The hotels were excellent.

    What was the date of your tour?
    Oct 5 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?
    No
    Countries included in this tour?
    Spain
    • 4/5 Value
    • 4/5 Included meals
    • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
    • 5/5 Hotels or boat
    • 4/5 Scenery
    • 3/5 Ease of navigation
    • 3/5 Tour documents
    • 5/5 Local tour company services
    • 4/5 Route selection