Italy Bike + Boat Tour Reviews — 211 to 240 of 367
Sue H.
January 15, 2019
Verified Reviewer
· Bolzano-Mantova-Venice
Couldn't ask for more. We absolutely loved our bike/barge tour in Italy from Bolzano to Mantova to Venice in August on the Vita Pugna. The staff were fantastic and our guide Michela was amazing. We had a lot of fun, met some great people and visited some very beautiful places. The biking was not difficult. The food on the Barge was first class and plenty of it. Would absolutely recommend this trip. Can't think of the most memorable part of the trip it was all amazing. The first three days was challenging following the instructions, but we got there in the end. Was sorry to say goodbye to everyone.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Douglas Y.
January 14, 2019
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Our bike and barge from Venice was fantastic. The villages were quaint and the opportunity to swim in the Adriatic Sea was a great way to cool down and relax. Our trip aboard the Ave Maria was wonderful. Captain Connie, Enrico, Giuliano, Silvia and Helmut made our trip to be quite memorable! Giuliano and Silvia made fabulous gourmet dinners for us. Our only complaint would be that there were periods of riding on dikes/floodbanks but all the stops along the way were very interesting and full of character. The visit to a Grana Padano cheese plant was followed by a wine and cheese picnic and our ending destination, Mantua was beautifully surrounded by 3 lakes. We would definitely recommend this trip!
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Wendy S.
January 4, 2019
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
The most memorable part of our Mantova to Venice trip was visiting chioggia, the carnival museum and the cheese factory.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Marsi Q.
December 28, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Best part? Riding through small towns that most tourists don’t see...like Bergantino. The small group on the barge.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Patricia T.
December 17, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
I remember the day on a slightly "tricky" route into Chioggia. When we could bike into the town and rest our bikes for the first look-around -- what an enchanting place in such good company. We knew there would be another gourmet dinner that evening on the barge. Looking forward to another trip through Tripsite.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Lynn Y.
December 17, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Best part? The wonderful food served everyday
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Nancy B.
December 11, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Bolzano-Mantova-Venice
Most Memorable Part? Riding our bikes back to the barge in Venice in a rainstorm. The laughter and camaraderie was priceless.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Carole H.
December 7, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Ave Maria barge was so very comfortable with wonderful staff & fabulous fresh locally sourced food, beautifully presented.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Wendy D.
November 29, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
My husband and I love Tripsite. We are about to embark in 2019 on our third such bike and barge holiday. We did Brussels to Bruges in 2017, Mantova to Venice this year (2018) and have already booked for 2019 to do a 6 country river boat and bike trip down the Danube. We find the combination of being on the water in a comfortable barge enjoying great food and company, coupled with daily activity a wonderful combination and experience. Biking through the various countries during the day after a hearty breakfast, packed to enjoy a wonderful packed lunch along the way is an altogether thrilling and fulfilling experience.
We highly recommend Tripsite and the wonderful holidays they offer. All the work is coordinated. All you do is get out and enjoy your vacation.
Well done Tripsite! A job well done.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Casimira R.
November 6, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Our guides were amazing made sure no one was left behind. I wish there would have been transportation for us from the train station to the boat. Other than that the trip was amazing and I would highly recommend this.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Bernadette G.
November 5, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
This trip was the perfect balance for experiencing Italy as well as being physically active. The most memorable part of the trip was being with a group of like-minded active and curious people!
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Danna J.
November 5, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
The knowledge about the country that our guide, Hein, provided at sporadic times. He was very astute to stop on a hillock for a small respite when there was no “cafe” in sight. Great information.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Nelson S.
October 22, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Bolzano-Mantova-Venice
Great trip....tour guides outstanding ,more than outstanding....the food was fabulous and all staff were wonderful....first 3 days of self guided biking were well worthwhile.....stay hydrated if it is warm as cramping can occur.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Grace L.
September 25, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Sicily & the Aeolian Archipelago
This was the first trip to Europe for my daughter and myself. It turned out to be a wonderful college graduation present for her, and a great way to dive into retirement for me. The company was excellent and varied. Our guide was very knowledgeable and accommodating. The food and staff was excellent. I hope I will get a chance to do this again with the rest of my family.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Paula K.
September 19, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Bolzano-Mantova-Venice
We loved the varied scenery and warm and friendly Italian people.
The hotel accommodations were very comfortable and more than adequate. We would have been satisfied with a less luxurious hotel in Trento. We would have liked to explore the town and find a different restaurant, but there was no time. That is one of the drawbacks of cycling so many miles between towns; not enough time to explore.
The Ave Maria and the entire crew were first rate. We want to particularly thank our tirelessly helpful and fun-loving guides, Marinella and Stephania. In addition, the food was artfully created and inspired.
Our one complaint is about the poorly written instructions on the 3-day, self-guided part of the trip, which sometimes caused stress. The instructions were not only terribly written, we also had different editions of instructions among our group of 12. The most exasperating time was at Riva del Garda when we cycled back and forth through the town at least 3 times, looking for the correct ferry dock, after asking and being misled several times.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
John B.
September 14, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Bolzano-Mantova-Venice
We started out in Bolzano, going from Hotel to hotel the first three nights, and then on the barge for seven more. The scenery of the hotel to hotel was spectacular! The Ave Maria was a fantastic boat, the crew was great and very accommodating. The only negative is- I wish we could have spent more time in each town we went past. But with only ten days, squeezing anything else like more time is impossible.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Kim F.
July 24, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Mantova to Venice was wonderful. Very pretty scenery with lots of unique places to stop.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Anne S.
July 17, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Bolzano-Mantova-Venice
We loved the beautiful, amazing mountain scenery (with very few hills) of the first three days. The written instructions, though, are of a badness difficult to describe. We rated the tour 4/5, and the lost star were because of the extremely poor instructions. If we hadn't had maps and stickers on sign posts, we wouldn't have been able to make it through. The frustration really distracted from the overall enjoyment of the trip - an English speaker with an accurate odometer really needs to rewrite the directions. For example, they talked about "crossing a railway" (or maybe a "railway bridge"), so we spent about 20 minutes trying to find a way to cross the railway - but really it meant to pass underneath an elevated railway crossing. Also, the symbol used to indicate a warning (I think of a turn easy to miss) is a hand pointing to the right. One not unnaturally assumes that this means a right turn. It does not.
Otherwise the barge, scenery, activities, food, and guides are all exactly what we hoped for and have experienced on earlier trips. No problems with luggage transfers, and the hotels for the first part of the trip were all great.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Art W.
July 16, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
The food on the barge was terrific--as was our guide Fabio.
Come prepared for 5 serious days of biking as well as bringing the right/complete biking clothes.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Heather P.
July 12, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
A thoroughly satisfying experience in all departments!
The staff were welcoming and friendly, instructive and knowledgeable. I felt entirely safe in their hands.
Accommodation has been well designed and thought out. I shared a cabin with a friend and it was easy to find our own space within a relatively confined space.
The food was DELICIOUS! The meals exceeded expectations and were presented beautifully; the chefs having entertained us with their 'Two Ronnies' routine at the outset of each repast. I have made a batch of refreshing lemon and ginger cordial since my return, which is perfect for a hot summer day and reminds me of a very happy holiday.
The bike was a delight to ride. I'm not a regular cyclist and I found the daily trips enjoyable and, with the regular stops, entirely within my capabilities. The one day off I had, sailing along the canal, added an extra dimension as it was so restful and enjoyable to watch the wildlife and the scenery glide by.
The guided trips were enlightening and I now have a 'feel' for the part of Italy we traversed.
From the start we felt like guests at a houseboat party. It was interesting to meet and enjoy meals with others from various countries and backgrounds.
I shall be talking about this holiday for a long time thanks to you all.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Ann W.
July 3, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Best part: Riding through amazing scenery and picturesque villages in Northern Italy!
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
David & Patsy
June 18, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Bolzano-Mantova-Venice
Most Memorable Part? The poppy fields along the bike ride was especially beautiful. Instructions need some updating.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Stewart J.
June 11, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Hein was a most engaging and entertaining guide/trip leader. The rides were well planned with interesting stops and sightseeing, beautiful scenery and it didn’t hurt that we had spectacular weather. Post ride relaxation and camaraderie on the deck was great as was the value priced bar for beer/wine! The evening dinners were wonderfully prepared meals, truly excellent and overall the trip was very affordable, an A plus value.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Elizabeth Dianne D.
May 30, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Montova was a really lovely spot and I liked the cycling around there. It might be easier in the towns if the cyclists all had either jerseys or pennies to identify the group so locals see we are all together which would prevent us from getting cut off or unable to pass.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
April S.
May 23, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Had an absolute great time on this Tour. Venice was amazing and Mantova as well. Our cook was Erica who is wonderful chef. Every meal was impressive— creative and delicious. This was my fifth bike/barge tour and she is definitely the best cook. Really enjoyed my fellow Travelers, as well.
Vita Pugna
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Robert V.
May 21, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Every aspect of the trip was as expected or better.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Jeanne W.
May 14, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Most memorable part? All of it! Fantastic! Most memorable: Hein! And Marco! The whole staff! Loved every minute. Loved the e-bike too.
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Patti S.
May 14, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
I was so impressed with the level of service and detail on this trip. Completely exceeded all expectations from the guides and the rides to the food and the lodging. So much fun! It didn’t hurt that we had perfect weather. Hoping to do it again!
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Joanne B.
January 26, 2018
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
The best parts of the trip were the staff, the food and the camaraderie. The bike rides, the scenery and the towns visited could not have been better. It was an all around outstanding vacation!!!
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
Karilene M.
December 27, 2017
Verified Reviewer
· Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Every day was a new adventure, loved it all!
- Countries included in this tour?
- Italy
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