5 Star Italy Tour Reviews — 271 to 300 of 334
Blaine N.
7 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
The boat, staff and food were all exceptional. A quality operation for sure. Having the owner Pierpaulo stop in for a visit and having dinner together was a nice touch.
We booked this trip for a group of riders with a wide range of abilities and it worked very well for all.
Philip S.
7 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Innsbruck to Bolzano
Austria, Italy
Loved the route through small towns & vineyards in Sud Tyrol.
Guide book could be improved with maps incorporated.
Glenn P.
7 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
The whole experience was very memorable. The changing scenery, the background info provided etc. was great. The quality of the barge added to the overall enjoyment. One of the highlights was watching how well the crew worked together and genuinely seemed to be having fun. It was a very unique experience that surpassed my expectations. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this trip to anyone.
Judi H.
7 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
This is my first bike and barge experience and will definitely not be my last. Although others in reviews said the Vita Pugna was "tired". I saw it as wonderfull vintage barge, with a crew that loved it and showed their care for it in their care for us. The food was outstanding and any hopes I had of losing weight on the trip were quickly dashed with each evenings meal.
We joined a large group of Kiwis onboard, with 2 Brits and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
One thing that would have made the trip even better would be a different pillow; the one I had was too high and too hard for my taste and left me with a stiff neck in the morning.
Philip S.
7 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Innsbruck to Bolzano
Austria, Italy
The most memorable part of this trip was riding through kilometers of apple orchards on a beautifully paved bike trail.
Phil & Kim
7 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Innsbruck to Bolzano
Austria, Italy
What an awesome bike trip!!
Well organized, incredible scenery, great hotels, mild/moderate difficulty.
Recommend to anyone in reasonable fitness level.
Daniel G.
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
We did the 3-day self-guided tour from Bolzano to Lake Garda to Mantua first and that was a great adventure for us. The food and people we met on the boat was also a wonderful experience.
D. Green
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
This was a fabulous trip all around! The group was friendly, and guides were helpful and knowledgeable! Dinners were delicious and varied, stronger than expected for this type of trip. We really enjoyed being able to purchase wine on board the ship, also. The riding was varied, and we really appreciated that our guides made sure to schedule a mid-morning break for coffee/water/toilet. What a great way to get a sense of this part of Italy - from small villages and farm fields to Venice - just spectacular!
One suggestion for improvement: for riding in really hot weather, it would be great if there could be a little more flexibility. We rode during a heat spell (40 degrees Centigrade one day). It was difficult to shift schedules or shorten our rides due to logistics, and this created some health issues.
Jehiel • 8 years ago Tripsite Staff
Thank you so much for your feedback. Due to the route of the boat, it is difficult to shorten the biking portion and still meet back up with the boat. However, you are always welcome to stay aboard the boat if you you find the weather unsatisfactory. Glad you had a great trip despite the hot weather!
L. Klinker
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
We loved the entire cycling experience! Our stay in Umbertide was especially memorable- the hotel was amazing and the restaurant was some of the best food we ate in Italy!
A. Harris
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
A fabulous experience. We will seriously consider further barge/bike holidays with you.
E. Lowell
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
It was a wonderful trip! I liked that we got to be on the barge when it moved (one time at the end of the day and another in the morning). The food was outstanding and I liked that the chefs described dinner and suggested wine pairings. The barge was very comfortable - even with 3 in a cabin.
Our son (22 years old) was outnumbered by the over 50 crowd but Hein made him feel welcome. Only suggestion - mirrors on the bikes (although I realize that makes them difficult to store and move) and a brief intro on riding in groups.
V. Miller
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
Oh yea the bikes --- a good ride and comfy enough for the distances ridden. The routes were well planned, even the few times we had to ride in traffic. The trip leaders were excellent at managing the group and making it fun, no matter what we were doing.
For Read More the whole week I felt well cared for :)
I am already dreaming of my next trip.
Kindly -- Victoria
P.S. The bad and the ugly -- honestly I don't have anything to contribute for improvement.
J. Scott
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
The crew were AMAZing! Every single one of them. Tami is an amazing guide - super friendly and helpful. All of the crew helpful and a delight. I would definitely go on this type of trip again because of my experience on this trip.
MARCOS FERRAZ
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Venice to Poreč
Italy, Slovenia, Croatia
Estamos super-satisfeitos com voces e a Giro Libero. Tudo transcorreu muito bem de forma profissional e organizada, superando ate nossas expectativas.
O material distribuido (mapas e guias) foi otimo; as bikes todas aguentaram bem sem darem qq problema, em otimo estado de manutencao e apropriadas ao trajeto; o percurso muito bem marcado; o funcionario da reuniao inicial foi pontual e nos atendeu muito bem e orientou sobre tudo; os hoteis super de acordo com o contratado, bem localizados e confortaveis; enfim, um passeio que nos alegrou em muito com paisagens lindas e repleto de experiencias culturais.
L. Chambers
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
This was my first bike & barge. The bar has been set very high!
J. Wark
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Umbria
Italy
All hotels were great except Hotel Magione. We were the only guests and I don't think they wanted us there. The breakfast was not up to snuff and there was NO English station on the TV. Given the level of difficulty of the hills, the bikes were very heavy (steel) especially when we had to walk up hills. Ok for flat but not hilly. We loved the restaurant near the hotel in Togiano and went twice. Unfortunately, we did have rain......
Steve • 2 years ago
Hi,
We are considering this tour. Were you on road bikes? What other riding in Europe have you done that you enjoyed (or not enjoyed).
Thanks,
Steve
Vancouver, Canada.
L. Bockelmann
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
The entire bike-barge trip on the Ave Maria far exceeded our expectations. I would highly recommend this trip.
Oswaldo and Rachel
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Bolzano to Venice
Italy
We have just arrived from our trip. It was amazing! We strongly recomend
J Murphy
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Heel of Italy
Italy
The maps and route details were hard to follow at points, but the trip was very good: the ride, hotels and fellow cyclists.
Joel Angiolillo
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Excellent trip. High quality, bikes, guides, lodging. No complaints. Very well organized. (except for the weather. :-).
Joanne White
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Bolzano-Mantova-Venice
Italy
This Bike and Barge tour was amazing, best holiday ever!
Julia Haschke
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Bolzano to Venice
Italy
It seemed the first hotels during the trip were very nice, and declined as the week went. Might've been a coincidence but it was a bit disappointing. The guides were amazing, as was the route in northern Italy. Was very happy with the experience, and was very organized and went very smoothly.
Claire Radcliffe
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Tuscany - Montecatini to Florence
Italy
We loved our Tripsite journey! We would love to do another ride one day, maybe next year! It was better than what we expected! Challenging and scenically! We trained hard beforehand and we're thankful that we did! I would recommend a Tripsite journey for anyone who is considering its! Thank you!
Terrence Kinal
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
Crew and guides were friendly and extremely helpful. Meals and snacks were great! Good sense of comradery due to the small number of passengers. Good bikes, rides were interesting and manageable.
Lois Benson
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
The crew aboard the Ave Maria was cheerful and helpful, especially Michaela, who went above and beyond in helping with departure plans. The food was wonderful.
A group of 30 is a lot of work for the cycling guides, but I would have liked a few more rest breaks along the way, especially on the day to Ferrara.
James & Kimberly Engel
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
We have decided that this is the only way we now want to see other countries, up close and personal! What a wonderful experience!
Loved getting exercise every day while viewing the beautiful countryside. Even better was ending our ride with wine, a delicious dinner and new friends!
Brian J Craig
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
Our Guide, Rosita was excellent, friendly, pleasant and very knowledgeable. Would recommend her anytime.
Bodil Nielsen
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
Sometimes it would have been nice to stop for pictures of the scenery, but did not want to go to the back of the pack or be left behind. Helmut was an excellent guide and made sure everybody was safe. Food on board was the best I had in Italy. Staff very friendly and went the extra mile for our friends birthday.
Mia Moran
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
This was our second Tripsite trip, last year Germany, this year Italy. I have highly recommended your trip to all my friends. We hope to have the opportunity to take another bike and barge.
Elizabeth Goodall
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Lake Garda & the Adige River
Italy
Fourth trip with tripsite, all good and we keep coming back! Map books and directions have been the only things needing improvement, nothing we couldn't figure out but some confusion arose, eg getting out of Munich, some directions on the Resiapass Bolzano routes, to name two, otherwise no complaints.
All Tour Reviews by Country
Boat/Barge Reviews
- Liza Marleen
- Magellan
- Magnifique II
- Magnifique III
- Magnifique IV
- Mare fan Fryslân
- Merlijn
- Florentina
- Normandie
- Princess
- Olympia
- Panagiota
- Pape Prvi
- Primadonna
- Princesse Royal
- Prinzessin Katharina
- Romantica
- RV River Kwai
- Sailing Home
- San Snova
- Sarah
- Stella
- Sundial
- Swiss Crown
- Thalassa
- Flying Dutchman
- Vietnamese Junks
- Vita Pugna
- Vivienne
- Wending
- Zwaan
- Zwaantje