Frequently Asked Questions:
Why are the prices now in Euros, and why is there a different tour operator listed?
  • Starting in 2010, we are posting our prices in Euros. This is because we buy all of our European cycling tours from local European tour operators. We do not run these tours ourselves, we never have. We work off of commission, which means that you do not pay more for a tour when booking through us. The price stays the same. However, since we buy these tours in Euros, it is easier to list the price in Euros and use that day's exchange rate to determine the price in U.S. Dollars as opposed to us having to guess at the exchange rate months and months in advance, which in the past has meant we had to increase our prices, as many of you know, due to the continuous rise of the exchange rate. This wasn't fun for anyone. Listed now in Euros, our prices will not change. Only the exchange rate changes, and there will be a calculator on the pricing page of each tour so that you can accurately and immediately calculate the price in U.S. Dollars.

    What exchange rate do we use to compose the final invoice?

  • The exchange rate will be the bank rate plus 2 cents. If more than 100 days* before travel, you can pick a day when the exchange rate is favorable and pay in full that day. Otherwise, we will use the exchange rate of the day that is 100 days before travel. As always, an initial $300 per person deposit is required at time of booking that goes towards the final cost of the trip. Full payment is due 90 days before travel. If you are booking a tour less than 90 days before travel, full payment will be required at time of booking with that day's exchange rate.
    *For CHARTERS, payment will be due 150 days before travel.

    What is the best way to pay?

  • We recommend paying by check. Paying with credit card is 5% extra.

    When will I receive my travel packet?

  • Starting in 2010, we are no longer printing a large brochure or sending out travel packets in an effort to go green by saving a lot of paper. This also saves us a considerable amount of time and money, both of which we need to better serve you and to keep our costs low. About 3-4 weeks before the start of your trip, we will email you all the travel documents and trip information you need. If you would like it emailed sooner or later, just let us know. For many of our trips, more detailed information (such as route descriptions) will be provided upon arrival at the first hotel.

    What are the bicycles like?

  • Most of our trips include bicycles; exceptions to this include the Road Bike Tours and possibly the U.S. and Canada tours. You may bring your own bicycle to use (be sure to state this at time of booking!), for which a discount may apply. Generally, the bicycles are in very good condition. Children's bicycles may also be available by request. We will request your height at time of booking, since the bicycles are customized before arrival. To learn more about the bicycles we use and see pictures, please visit our Bicycle Page. Helmets are not required or included in any of the trips, except for children, but are highly recommended. Children’s helmets come with most child safety seats, and sometimes children’s bicycles as well.

    What about when bicycles are not included?

  • For the Road Bike Tours, we recommend bringing your own road bike. In some places, such as the Provence, it may be possible to rent road bikes. For the other tours, renting is usually possible.

    What can I expect of the accommodations along the way?

  • We generally utilize 2- to 4-star hotels with private facilities in each room. Bed & Breakfasts may also be used. Breakfasts are usually included. For some trips, you will have the option of choosing your accommodations. The trip price is based on double room occupancy. Single rooms require a surcharge or single supplement.

    What food and beverages are included in the trip package?

  • This will be stated on the Details page of the tour under Included. Most of the cycling trips include breakfasts and sometimes dinners, which tend to take place at the hotel or near the hotel. Drinks, especially alcoholic, are not included, and need to be paid for separately on location.

    Do we receive information about the bike routes?

  • Yes, you will receive route descriptions for all self-guided tours and possible the guided ones as well. (Bringing an odometer for the bicycle can be a resourceful aid to have in following the route). All the routes have been thoroughly surveyed and outlined beforehand. They traverse as much as possible over good quality and lightly trafficked roads, side streets or bike paths. In addition to the route descriptions, your travel package frequently includes information on the main attractions of the town or region you'll be exploring as well as local maps. Several of our tour routes can be lengthened or shortened according to personal preference.

    How do I get to the starting point of my trip?

  • This will be listed in the Details section on the tour's webpage under Travel or Local Travel. Additional information is provided in the travel packet that will be emailed to you. For train schedules and the like, the internet is a valuable guide. One useful site for train travel all over Europe is Die Bahn. For travel in France, another good site is www.sncf.com. For driving directions within Europe, Mapquest.com can be useful. Keep in mind that local transportation costs are generally not included, unless stated otherwise. (Please note that we cannot guarantee the accuracy of these sites or that they have not been altered, discontinued, or otherwise changed).

    Is luggage transportation included?

  • Luggage transportation is included for all the hotel based or hotel-to-hotel tours. The luggage will be transported in the morning, and will arrive at that day's next hotel sometime in the early afternoon. We ask that you limit your luggage to a maximum weight of 20 kg/44 lbs per person. During the day, you should only need a small backpack to hold items such as snacks, sunglasses, sunscreen, rain jacket, pocket change, passport, camera, etc.

    What kind of clothing should I bring?

  • Comfortable cycling attire, especially cycling pants or shorts. You may also wish to bring along a padded/gel saddle cover or padded bicycle shorts for extra comfort. Please be reminded of the temperature differences when cycling through the mountains and valleys. Multiple layers of clothing tend to work best for all kinds of weather. We also recommend bringing a windbreaker and full rain gear. Protective headgear is also recommended, but optional. It is a good idea to check the local weather conditions just prior to departure.

    What is the degree of difficulty of the trips?

  • Mostly all the trips fall under the Easy category, which means they can be experienced by the beginner as well as the expert and most children, though we highly recommend at least some cycling experience and being in generally good shape. See each individual tour page for more details on its difficulty level. Our basis for categorizing our tours is below. Please remember that these are general descriptions.
      Easy: mostly flat terrain with some sloping hills possible. Average daily distances approx. 16-40 miles.
      Moderate: mostly flat with more frequent hills, and possibly steeper hills. Average daily distances approx. 20-50.
      Heavy: more hilly terrain with some very steep hills. Average daily distances approx. 20-30.
    * Road Bike Tours will of course have many more mileage.

    What will happen should I encounter problems during the trip?

  • Luckily, this rarely happens. Nevertheless, should you encounter a problem, a phone call should quickly solve it. You will receive local emergency phone numbers for this purpose. The local tour operator (or tour guide for group tours and Bike & Boat tours) will ensure you are back on your way as soon as possible.

    Does a support vehicle accompany us?

  • Only on certain group tours. Our experience has taught us that virtually every cyclist is able to make it to the next hotel without difficulties, and help is never far away.

    How large is the group on board a ship on the Bike & Boat tours?

  • The size of the group is dependent on the size of the ship used, which vary. Usually, group size is between 15 to 30 participants (with a bare minimum of around 10); although during the busy summer season, the ship is generally always fully booked. Chartering your own ship is also an option. More details on this can be found by clicking charter.

    Which countries do the participants come from on a Bike & Boat tour?

  • Mainly, the United States, Canada, Australia and those of Western Europe, such as Germany and the Netherlands.

    What happens if it rains during a Bike & Boat tour?

  • Most people put on their raingear and get on their bicycles anyway. If the weather makes cycling absolutely impossible, the guide will arrange an alternative program which may include a longer visit to one of the towns along the way or a cultural excursion. You can always also stay on board the boat and sail to the next stop.

    When is the best time to book a tour?

  • Generally, the sooner the better, especially with the Bike & Boat tours, when traveling with a large group and when including airfare with the tour. Tours can fill up quickly, especially in Holland when the tulips are in bloom!

    When are the tulips in bloom in Holland?

  • From around mid-April to mid-May, although the weather just prior to this period may lengthen or shorten this time frame by a week or two. Visit our Tulip Time page for more info.

    Special diets?

  • No problem, just be sure to state your requirements at time of booking.