Feniks boat/barge tour reviews — 1 to 30 of 31

4.3 out of 5

 


John A D.
3 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Cycling from Paris to Bruges

All parts of the trip were memorable. One of the few boat/bike tours that does your laundry. Bring extra pair of warm underwear if doing it in October. Alcohol, sodas, diet sodas, tea, and snacks always available. Coffee almost always available. Crew was like friends and they went out of the way to cater to individual needs. I would do this trip again. I brought extra protein powder, sometimes European meals don't have enough. I had a GoPro strapped to my chest during bike rides and I could start it, stop it, and take a video or picture all with voice commands. I couldn't believe the number of castles, churches, war memorials, not to mention docking in Auvers the village where Van Gogh lived. Saw his grave and the meadow he painted the crows. I would/will do this trip again. I did Paris to Bruge, but either way should be nice. Great vegetarian options in the bigger towns (this is just a rule of thumb for all europe).

Countries included in this tour?
Belgium, France

MARGARITA ROSA M.
7 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Tulip Tour - 8 day

This barge trip was my second one but definitely it wasn’t better than the first. The main reason of this disappointment was the guide. We were a group of 12 with a wide range of ages and personally I think he wasn’t able to adapt to every bodies needs and we had to look after ourselves. The guide didn’t explain much about the history and meaning of the places we visited, which, to my mind, diminishes the value of this experience.

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands

Jerri H.
7 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Champagne Tour

The crew was supportive, professional, personable, friendly, and quick to respond. The meals were delicious and better than most restaurants ! Our bike guide was knowledgeable, supportive, funny, and adaptive to our needs as cyclists. It often felt like we were a family. The scenery from the bike and barge was beautiful. I often felt Mersey in the culture of the small villages we passed though.

Countries included in this tour?
France

Susan H.
8 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Cycling from Paris to Bruges

The crew was great and the food was excellent. The bikes were good.

The route, due to detours had its challenges

Countries included in this tour?
Belgium, France

Debra W.
9 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Tulip Tour - 8 day

The week on the Feniks was great! I really think the barge was undersold!. The wifi worked for all of our party of 4. The daily laundry was such a great thing. And the staff- the skipper, the first mate, the cook, the guide were so, so much fun! Really happy we took this tour.

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands

Corinne P.
9 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Tulip Tour - 8 day

Great trip. Accommodates were the best, weather was the worst like cold rain and wind BUT we made the most of it and it was a great time with biking O cycling they call it in Holland. Great family time and enjoying the extra guest. Cook was the best with authentic Holland dishes, Did not lose any weight on this trip. Everything was wonderful ! I may even do it for a 4th time!,, thank you Cara for putting us together!! Bikes especially E-bikes were not the best !! Come snow ski Breckenridge Feb. to April and meet me. My treat for dinner!!!! Peace!! Corky Patton in South Bend, IN

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands

Johanna Maria V.
10 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Tulip Tour - 8 day

Nelleke’s cooking was super and really memorable.
What was also memorable but far from super was our guide.
Maybe I was spoilt by my 3 previous Tripsite Barge/Bike trips with really excellent guides.
The guide lacked any passion about his job. Many felt we were not looked after properly. Cycled up front and hardly ever looked back if we were behind. Half the party would be delayed at red traffic light and guide just carried on. Sometimes lost him as we could not see where he had turned off. Information always minimal and very sketchy.

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands

rana s.
10 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Tulip Tour - 8 day

The trip was fantastic. It was often windy and the ebikes were helpful because different fitness levels could stay at the same pace. The rooms were small so pack light. You will need less than you think. I would do a trip like this again.

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands

Leslie H.
10 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Tulip Tour - 8 day

Biking through tulip fields and passing the canals. Suggestions…. Could use more hooks on the wall in our cabin to hang items when on the barge. It would have been great if our guide had a bit more knowledge about the history of the area.

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands

Nancy S.
10 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Tulip Tour - 8 day

Our guide was wonderful. He was flexible and went out of his way to bring us to see things that were of interest to us. Also, the food was delicious and accommodating to special diets.

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands

Kenneth V.
October 4, 2023

Verified Reviewer

· Cycling from Paris to Bruges

Riding through the Belgium and France country-sides on our bicycles..

Countries included in this tour?
Belgium, France

Anne B.
August 2, 2023

Verified Reviewer

Brussels to Bruges

The Feniks was a fine boat, and the accommodations were better than I expected. There were only 4 other passengers, with 4 crew, so we were well cared for. The bike was comfortable and efficient. The (vegan) food was EXCELLENT. It would have been nice to have more of a mixed group (others were ALL Dutch, but it worked out ok.

Few pointers: there was no internet on the boat, some days we rode as much as 70K, but mostly flat, we mostly docked outside of towns/villages.

Countries included in this tour?
Belgium

STEVEN D.
July 28, 2023

Verified Reviewer

· Cycling from Paris to Bruges

This was an amazing tour for several reasons. Firstly, there were 7 (rather than a full complement of 14) experienced cyclists over the age of 60, none of whom used an e-bike. This allowed the guide to change the cycle route to reflect our abilities, to show us some special sights and to give us a special experience. Harm, the guide, did this with ease. Secondly, the crew of the Feniks was excellent. This includes Fiona, the captain, Rainier, the assistant and Hilde, the cook. Thirdly, the laundry service was a game changer. If we had understood what this service involved, we could have packed considerably lighter.

Countries included in this tour?
Belgium, France

Anne K.
June 28, 2023

Verified Reviewer

· Cycling from Paris to Bruges

The crew was the best! A definite ten + in every way. Dinners were excellent and crew always available to us. Nelleka lent us her fan at night! Harm great guide. Fiona excellent skipper and Reinier always helpful. Great atmosphere. It would have been nice to have some special stops, maybe a cooking class, winery and more info about special sites would be good. Tour description clearly stated that barge has Wi-Fi and air conditioning. It was very hot and ac very spotty and not available at night. No wifi.

Countries included in this tour?
Belgium, France

Howard J.
June 15, 2023

Verified Reviewer

· Cycling from Paris to Bruges

We had a wonderful experience on this trip. The owner of the barge and his crew were just like family. lovely meals from our wonderful cook and the first mate was always there to help and a plush was him doing washing every day for all of us. Our guide was very experienced and was always available. Our captain was unbelievable. This was our second bike, barge trip, and crew could not be faulted. my only suggestion would be if you are not a real good cyclist consider using an electric assist bike France has a lot of hills. On the hole a wonderful two weeks. Thank you. FENIKS

Countries included in this tour?
Belgium, France

Bonnie P.
April 28, 2023

Verified Reviewer

· Holland Southern Tulip Tour

We loved our day at Keukenhoff Gardens. We also enjoyed the amazing dinners on the boat prepared by our chef, Paulina. As for suggestions, the bike leaders need to understand vacation culture more. The bike leader seemed to be in a rush wherever we biked, and was not happy if we wanted to stop and take pictures of the countryside. Many people like to stop and take pictures!! We would pass by beautiful fields of tulips and hyacinths, but couldn’t stop to take photos (except maybe a 30-second stop to get one quick photo) because otherwise we’d be too far away from the rest of the biking group. We weren’t given any kind of detailed maps of where we would be biking, so if we did want to stop and take pictures, or drink some water, or grab an energy bar from our sacks, and we lost sight of the others, there would be no way to find or catch up to the rest of the group later on. One of the reasons why we liked Keukenhoff so much was because we were on “our own time” for the entire day, and didn’t have to worry about being on someone else’s schedule. We would have also liked it if the bike leader would’ve pointed out some interesting facts and history about the different places we visited. We got almost no guidance about what to see or do at each of the villages/cities we visited.

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands

Debra S.
October 18, 2022

Verified Reviewer

· Cycling from Paris to Bruges

The captain and crew were wonderful! The boat was very comfortable. The food was amazing. The bicycle route was beautiful with interesting stops.

Countries included in this tour?
Belgium, France

Alan C.
September 14, 2022

Verified Reviewer

· Cycling from Paris to Bruges

The trip was well organised, we saw lots of interesting new places, loved, the rides through the forests and the food was amazing! The most memorable part of the trip was the way the entire crew worked together to give us all a wonderfully enjoyable trip.Highly recommend a trip on board Feniks!

Countries included in this tour?
Belgium, France

Stephen R.
May 22, 2022

Verified Reviewer

· Cycling from Paris to Bruges

Intimate barge and delightful crew that quickly became friends. We loved the two week itinerary and everyone looked forward to another day on the bikes exploring. Many highlights but the riding onto the terrace above Paris and viewing the Eiffel Tower and skyline was enchanting. The entire group became one as we enjoyed each other’s company.
The Tripsite staff were a great resource; extremely knowledgeable and friendly. I recommend beginning the vacation with them. Their guidance in choosing the right vacation was superb.

Countries included in this tour?
Belgium, France

Stacey B.
April 30, 2022

Verified Reviewer

· Holland Southern Tulip Tour

Best cycling anywhere:wonderful bike lanes everywhere, gorgeous scenery always by the water. And don’t forget the tulips — stunning.

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands

Kent H.
December 3, 2019

Verified Reviewer

· Cycling from Paris to Bruges

The whole experience was just tremendous. Cruising on the Feniks, peddling through the countryside of Belgium and France, stopping at cafes and chateaus. The sail into Paris was unforgettable. We thoroughly enjoyed our fellow cyclists, our guides, and our on board chef Nelleke was a great cook and a valuable resource.

Countries included in this tour?
Belgium, France

Lee N.
December 24, 2018

Verified Reviewer

· Paris to Reims

My trip was the highlight of my vacation experiences over the last 15 years. The best part of the trip was the togetherness that developed amongst all the participants over the 2 week trip. I have some true friends for life thanks to your tremendous hospitality and care each and every crew member and of course our wonderful guide showed to all of us.
Thank you Darius

Countries included in this tour?
France

Pauline J.
September 21, 2018

Verified Reviewer

· Cycling from Paris to Bruges

The crew of the Feniks, provided the most amazing experience. The food simple satisfying and enjoyable. Food fresh, tasty, and cooked well by the Nelje. Marius and Reinhold, provided amazing care of all our needs The accommodation small, efficient and clean. You always slept well. The guide Nina with her amazing knowledge showed us her secret places, backroads, canal paths, and bike paths. She encouraged all riders while challenging us beyond what we thought we could do. As a experience it exceeded my expectations. Looking for a different French/Belgium experience do this trip you never forget it. Will do another trip this way, and if possible on the Feniks...

Countries included in this tour?
Belgium, France

Pam M.
September 14, 2018

Verified Reviewer

· Paris to Reims

A great trip in many ways. Good staff - helpful and friendly. Good scenic route with chances to visit places of interest, very good food. Only draw back was problems with 3 out of 4 'E' bikes and a lack of expertise in how to fix them causing stress to some riders.

Countries included in this tour?
France

Michelle H.
January 22, 2018

Verified Reviewer

· Cycling from Paris to Bruges

Most Memorable Part? The scenery & the crew from the Feniks.

Countries included in this tour?
Belgium, France

Rodney W.
December 21, 2017

Verified Reviewer

· Cycling from Paris to Bruges

Most Memorable Part: The friendliness of the local villagers and our fellow travellers.

Countries included in this tour?
Belgium, France

Michelle H.
October 23, 2017

Verified Reviewer

· Cycling from Paris to Bruges

The bike & barge trip from Paris to Brugge on the Feniks was an amazing experience. The crew was exceptional, the scenery beautiful and the price was terrific. I highly recommend this trip.

Countries included in this tour?
Belgium, France

Paula Clair S.
October 23, 2017

Verified Reviewer

· Cycling from Paris to Bruges

The scenery was a photograph almost each moment. Incredibly knowledgeable guide made every day a new adventure. Plus a very doable ride for all skill level.

Countries included in this tour?
Belgium, France

Lee N.
September 13, 2017

Verified Reviewer

· Burgundy - Paris to Auxerre

The Tripsite folks were always right there for me whenever I asked a question. Our guide, Albert, was a tremendous guide and was always there to help with any language barrier. I have certainly recommended Tripsite to others that I have been telling about my trip and they can't believe that I got such a great value for the money I spent. Thank you All!

Countries included in this tour?
France

Paavo Kivisto
November 28, 2015

Verified Reviewer

· Cycling from Paris to Bruges

Issues related to the boat: bad smell, cabin room was cozier than we would choose in the future. Laundry facilities were inadequate. We really enjoyed the trip, the guide and the experience!

Countries included in this tour?
Belgium, France