Europe Tour Reviews — 1081 to 1110 of 6839

The biking was fabulous. The crew members were fun relaxed and very accommodating.The bikes were very easy to handle and perfect for the trip. I loved them!The barge was beautiful and more spacious than I imagined. I had an excellent time on this trip and would highly recommend it.

This was the most organized non-guided trip I have ever been on. We had a driver stay with us the entire week and provided support if you had a flat or any bike trouble. They picked us up or dropped us off to safer starting and ending spots so that we could stay at beautiful hotels and not have to ride on very unsafe fast roads with no bike lanes. They organized guided tours in some of the cities we stayed in. The hotels were top notch, really really nice. The routes were well organized and detours were sent to us a week prior due to road construction. I couldn't recommend this trip enough. Poland cities are beautiful, clean, the food is great and very inexpensive. The countryside is beautiful. Poland's cities are unlike other European cities now. The cities feel safe and clean. Please put this trip on your bucket list. Well worth it!

There are so many beautiful sights to see along the biking paths and roads. A guided tour is the way to go in my opinion so one can relax and just take in all of the sights without having to be concerned about finding the next turn. The incredible and friendly guides show you the entire way and there are so many, many turns and changes to the route to be watching out for.

This was the best trip I have taken …the boat was great, it is a nice, small boat: we had 25 guests. The tour guides were exceptional..knowledgeable, friendly, happy and helpful. There was an activity or more every day, but optional if you wanted to pass. The food was traditional and excellent and plentiful. We had time on our own yet time together, can’t say enough about the way it was run. Very happy to report the excellence of this trip. I would take another one anytime ( and probably will).

The guides were wonderful. We had a mix of regular bikers and power assist. Every bike trip provided us with amazing views, an opportunity to see a new island every day to experience the people, culture and cuisine. Since the temperature was 90+ degrees every day, I would recommend not going on regular bike for the months of July and August. The accommodations and food on the boat were comfortable and plentiful. We met many nice people and appreciated that the boat only had 28 guests onboard. The guides and captain provided us with ample opportunities to swim, relax and enjoy one another. Croatia is a wonderful country. We loved the geography, people, culture, and the relaxed atmosphere. Being on the bike/boat provided us with the opportunity to explore the country away from the massive crowds that we were in the major cities.

We had a great time on our bike & boat trip down the Danube! We were aboard the Primadonna. The highlight of the trip was Budapest. What an amazing city! It was a rest day so we had all day to explore. We left by night when all those incredible buildings were lit up and reflected in the Danube.
Optional city tours were available when we weren’t cycling. I recommend them because we learned history & facts about where we were. The organ concert in Linz was a wonderful experience too.
The boat was great. The staff was helpful and friendly, the meals were good, reflecting the region and our lowest deck room was comfortable. It did surprise us the first morning how close to the water level our window was!
The last day, cycling through vineyards and villages in Austria was delightful.
We would recommend this trip to others. The terrain is easy so you can enjoy your surroundings. We were glad we opted for the e-bikes. The Primadonna doesn’t provide helmets though but sold them in their little bike shop on board for €35, so we bought them.
Most of the people on the trip are retirees. Not many young people. They still have to work! They would enjoy it too though.

We had a great time on our bike & boat trip down the Danube! We were aboard the Primadonna. The highlight of the trip was Budapest. What an amazing city! It was a rest day so we had all day to explore. We left by night when all those incredible buildings were lit up and reflected in the Danube.
Optional city tours were available when we weren’t cycling. I recommend them because we learned history & facts about where we were. The organ concert in Linz was a wonderful experience too.
The boat was great. The staff was helpful and friendly, the meals were good, reflecting the region and our lowest deck room was comfortable. It did surprise us the first morning how close to the water level our window was!
The last day, cycling through vineyards and villages in Austria was delightful.
We would recommend this trip to others. The terrain is easy so you can enjoy your surroundings. We were glad we opted for the e-bikes. The Primadonna doesn’t provide helmets though but sold them in their little bike shop on board for €35, so we bought them.
Most of the people on the trip are retirees. Not many young people. They still have to work! They would enjoy it too though.

The people on the trip and the staff were all memorable. The scenic trails and the system of rivers and canals. Visiting the towns and villages on our own.

Scenery, staff was wonderful.
Need better lighting in bathrooms. Hard to put on makeup with a tiny light behind you in ceiling.

Overall the trip was great. The communication with the bicycle supplier was a bit lacking. The bikes just appeared with no personal contact.

The Hotel L'Auberge Normande in Carrentan needs to be reevaluated. It is a very dismal place. The people were fine, but the accommodations are run down and bottom class. I do not recommend placing anyone there ever.

The evening cruise out of Budapest with all the illuminated building was so amazing.
Take your time in the smaller towns and cities as you bike to the larger cities. Most of the big cities are more difficult to get around. With the exception of Vienna, the guided tours were superb.

Great tips for extending your travel adventure. The suggestions for making the most of extra nights are practical and inspiring. Your advice will definitely help travelers create even more memorable experiences.

We thoroughly enjoyed this trip. The hotels and inns were excellent. The people were warm and welcoming. The routes were beautiful and scenic, much of it along the Atlantic Ocean. We had a chance to experience fully this fabulous and unique region (County Clare and the Burren). We especially loved the hotel and shops in Ennis, the beach in Spanish Point, the Cliffs of Moher, the local music in the pubs in Doolin, the harbor and seafood in Ballyvaughan and the rock structures and castle near Kinvara. The routes were hillier than we expected. If folks aren't used to frequent or sustained hills, they might consider using e-bikes.

We did the 8 day, Bolzano to Verona trip, with biking beginning at the Resia Pass. Our adult kids joined us for first 5 days (Bolzano to Bolzano), also beginning at the Resia Pass. We loved this trip with just a few low points. First day biking from the Resia pass was absolutely amazing. We weren’t quite prepared for the cooler micro-climate of that area on biking day 1, but the stunning scenery and fun of basically going “weeeee” all the way down the mountain for the first two days was incredible! Then on to quaint and adorable Merano and Silandro. Arriving at the top of the hill en route to the ferry at Lake Garda was breathtaking, and not to be missed! The new Ride GPS app works great!
One thing that could be improved upon is the 5 hour ferry ride. The ferry ride was only pleasing for about the first two hours, but then became incredibly tedious. Because the ferry arrived late at night in Peschiera, we could spend no time there. Chatting with others on the ferry who were doing the same trip, we salivated at some of the towns we saw on Lake Garda and would have been happy to spend time at any of them. Also, biking and staying in Trento fell flat and we’d prefer to spend two nights in Merano, Silandro, on Lake Garda, or even Bolzano and skip Trento. Hotels were varied, with some that were outstanding and some that were marginal. Condition of bikes was great, with the exception of an e-bike dying, but tour company quickly replace it;)

The bike riding was a lot of fun and the swim stops after biking were fantastic! The crew were very pleasant and friendly. Dora our bike guide was fun and patient with some of the slower riders.

It’s hard to pick one thing. The ride leaders & rides were awesome. They took the time to make sure there was a great bike fit. Food was spectacular everyday. Fresh and delicious. The crew were funny and knew their boat. Rooms were clean and ready for us when we arrived. And Venice to Mantova—perfect. I highly recommend this trip and this boat.

The tour was fabulous! The ship's captain and crew were extremely helpful. Max, the chef, treated us to gourmet meals from around the world. When the weather turned foul (high winds to Force 7-8 and some rain) the captain provided us with some viable alternatives to visit that worked out well. One of the best parts of the trip was working with the crew to trim the sails. It helped to unite the group in a common task and allowed us to interact in a unique way. We're thinking about coming back for more in a couple of years.

Experiencing the beauty of Croatia, swimming in the Adriatic, getting to know others from around the world and sharing laughs with our fabulous guides.

I was pleasantly surprised at the comfort and cleanliness of the boat, nice air conditioning (which was critical in August) and the quality of the food. The crew was extremely hard working and did everything to try to make our stay comfortable and enjoyable. Our guides (Filip and Bubi) were fantastic and made our trip extra special. They followed the protocols to make sure we stayed safe but were also flexible when the weather conditions did not cooperate; they were able to switch plans seamlessly and find activities that were fun and enjoyable. They also both had wonderful senses of humor and made us laugh throughout the trip. I give them the highest rating of all!

A couple of suggestions:

1) Allow passengers to bring their own wine/spirits on the boat. I realize that this is a money making venture for the boat company but I would rather be charged more overall and be able to bring on board and share the local wine/spirits with our fellow guests.

2) Have a cappuccino machine (or Nespresso) to use at our leisure on the boat. I saw these on other boats when we were docked up with them. Again, I'm happy to pay extra upfront for this but I hate to be nickled and dimed every time I want to enjoy a cup of coffee.

3) Make time in the daily schedule to swim off the boat. We only enjoyed this opportunity the last two days and it was a highlight. Also, more water toys - floats, kayaks and paddle boards would be appreciated.

4) Develop a more comprehensive packing list - I'd be happy to help with that if someone would like to call me about it.

5) Make sure to advise participants to bring plenty of local currency (in this case Euros) and make sure to bring a cash debit card in case you run out. There were a lot of instances on the islands where vendors did not take credit cards and I was concerned about using all of my cash because I wanted to save it for tips for the crew.

Overall, it was a fantastic trip and I'd be happy to be a reference if anyone has any questions or would like to discuss the trip.

Thanks!

Kari

We’ve done a number of bicycling trips over the last 10+ years, and this was one of the best due to a combination of factors. The touring team was excellent (that would include Marietta our principal guide, her husband (the bike and luggage handler) and her co-guide). Their combined knowledge, kindness, and efficiency made for a perfect trip. We rode through some rain storms, but they were of small consequence (that surprised me), Norway is gorgeous, the e-bikes were excellent (my husband and I are in our 80s), and the daily itineraries were varied and well thought out.

Our Merlijn adventure was a magical package- from the cozy cabins, fabulous food, smooth! charming bike paths, and superior guide -to congenial fellow bikers. And the ebike made it possible for my elderly knees. The scenic rides were away from the hustle and bustle of large cities. Idyllic, highly recommend.

We were a self-guided pair that was added on to a guided tour. So we travelled with them when bus transfers were needed but we did not have any meals apart from breakfast included in the deal. So when we arrived at small villages the others had set meals pre-booked for them and we were needing to find meals either at the same or different places. So we felt disconnected from the group. That was fine. But if you want a group experience go with the fully guided bookings. The Italians in the riding group wanted to eat at 8 pm and we wanted to have early nights so that we could cycle before the heat of the day. The Italians did not want to get going until 9 am, so if there was a bus transfer prior to the day’s ride we could not start riding until after an hour or so in the bus, starting at 9 am in the bus. It was summer, it was hot. The bikes were basic commuter bikes, in my opinion. They weren’t suitable for riding on the lose gravel, sand and large stones and cobble stones. So we ended up pushing our bikes in the heat of the day for anywhere between 250 meters and 800 metres. After a while it certainly did not feel like my idea of a holiday! The 2 and 3 star accommodation was clean but basic. No kettles, no teabags, no fridge. So for people like myself with dietary needs (and who likes to drink copious amounts of tea) it was difficult to self cater. The guide Romas, was knowledgeable, but when a change of plan was needed he did not excel in forward planning toilet or cafe stops. Some cafes were closed until noon, but we arrived at 10:30-11 am, if he’d rung ahead the day before they may have opened at 10:30-11 am for a group booking for 10 hungry cyclists. Picnic lunches could have been planned. Warning for group riders: the group only goes as fast as the slowest rider! We often passed the group, who were waiting at a crossroad for the beginner rider to catch up. We’d arrive at our accommodation hours before them. The maps synced with the Ride with GPS app, after a few hiccups which were quickly rectified by the Company. It’s mainly flat terrain and pine forests so not particularly exciting, pleasant, but not exciting. It was as described; “gently rolling hills” was the description I think.

Our 2 guides, Philip and Bubi were excellent. Always in great moods, funny and receptive. They did everything to ensure our safety while on the bikes and instructing us in where we were going. Very helpful with arranging Ubers at the end of the trip and taking time with us.

The guides were amazing! The trip was so well organized. Due to weather they had to make a quick decision to change our route and it went effortlessly. The food on the boat wasn’t very good - I suggest giving people some options rather than plating and serving. The bathrooms only have a porthole so they lacked ventilation and were very stuffy. The staff worked extremely hard. We made wonderful friends from all over the world. All in all we had a marvelous vacation!

Excellent tips for making the most of those unexpected extra nights. Your practical advice on exploring new areas and maximizing travel experiences is incredibly helpful. Thanks for sharing these creative ideas for a memorable trip.

The most memorable part of our trip was the people we met and got to know in our trip. Riding through beautiful scenery and small villages was also wonderful. This was our first time on ebikes, they were essential for our enjoyment of the ride since it was very hilly. Our guides and all of the crew on the boat were amazing!

The route was amazing and the guides were great. The food was average at best. Folks were assigned a table for dinner. Despite that, the waiters still had to ask everyone whether they had ordered the fish or the chicken. Folks should have been able to sit with whomever they wanted to. Being stuck with someone who was a pompous ass for a week is ridiculous when the waiters can't even get who ordered what correct anyway.

Cycling in Lido and Pellistrina was fantastic. The cycling guides were all over the place. The boat went to Murano to see a glass blowing factory. We were told to be back at 4:45. We returned at 4:40 and the boat had already removed the gangway and was preparing to sail. We communicated with tripsite that we wanted a room with a window that opened that we could escape from if necessary. The window was less than 12" wide when opened. Clearly not was advertised. The guides frequently stopped after just a few minutes to talk about some unimportant building that wasn't even on the Ride with GPS app. The itinerary says you spend two nights in Venice. The boat is not in Venice. You have to take a Vaparetto to get to Venice. It is close but it is not Venice. That is false advertising. The espresso / cappucino machine had sour milk in it every morning. We had to buy our own Vaporetto passes even though the boat knew everyone would need them. This is ridiculous when you pay $5,000 for a trip. The whole crew had made arrangements with a group of Italian passengers to take them on a bike ride near Venice but didn't give anyone else the option of going. They also didn't tell anyone. The itinerary says you can get on the boat at 11:00 but the boat was gone to support the last bike ride. So folks who went to Venice had to stay out in the heat for over 4 hours.

What a wonderful adventure! The barge was lovely. It was so nice after a day of riding to sip on a tasty adult beverage and watch the world go by. You could tell the staff really enjoyed working with each other and their joy and sense of fun was contagious. Our meals were varied, filling and done with attention to detail. Thank you Inma for the recipe of one dish! The walks into town lead by our bike guide were very informative and gave you a real taste for the life. The biking was not difficult (especially with an e-bike) and the terrain was amazing. The landscape of the Netherlands was so peaceful. I especially loved cruising thru the small villages. I look forward to doing another Bike and Barge trip with Tripsite and Cycle Tours soon. What a great active, but not too active vacation.

Tips: No need to bring your own helmet. Bring an Allen wrench for small adjustments for your bike to customize it to your ride. I brought my own padded seat cover and was happy to have it but with padded bike shorts others did just fine. Bring patience. There were a few things out of the companies control such as weather and broken bridges. Roll with it. Pack lightly. Pulling a heavy suitcase over the cobblestone streets is challenging. In Bruges, there is a free electric van that will take you into the town near many popular hotels and then take you from your hotel to the train station for free.