Bike Tour Reviews — 1051 to 1080 of 6506

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!

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.

We saw so much if Holland, every day was such a great adventure. We had ebikes and would recommend them to people even if they bike regularly.

Experiencing the great scenery, this was our very first trip to Europe. Loved it our ship, crew, guides were all first class.

I forgot to mention in my earlier review that there was a miscommunication re where to pick up our bikes in Lubeck. The hotel rep at Jahreszeiten, and the notice she handed us with our documents, stated that we needed to go to the Radisson Blu to pick up our bikes. (Tripsite booked us at a hotel outside the Alstadt.) After much back and forth with the Radisson reception and our local tour rep, we discovered that our bikes were not at the Radisson but were waiting for us at our hotel. This error cost us time and cab money, as well as an hour of anxiety at 10pm at night as we tried to figure out where our bikes were.
Nonetheless, we'd like to thank the local rep and the transporter who delivered our bags from hotel to hotel.

Meals were great
Barge was perfectly updated
Tours were so-so

The trip was well designed . The hotels and Pensions were clean and comfortable . I enjoyed the experience , thank you .
Regards ,

We loved most of the locations, esp. Lubeck, Wismar, Zingst. Rerik, which was swapped out for the destination promoted on your website (Kuhlungsborn), was a nice alternative, small and relaxing.
On Day 4, we would have liked to stay in Warnemunde, but were lodged in a large, noisy, ugly youth hostel/low income -type place in Rostock had a long line at check-in and was a 20-minute walk to the nearest Sban station. The room wasn't bad; however the location, building, and breakfast did not meet our expectations. (The staff at Reception was nice.)
We chose Level 1 accommodations because we wanted quaint, quiet BandB type places - not big chains - in lovely locations.
Also missable is Ribnitz. We had a nice seafood dinner at the port, but otherwise not much of interest here. And the town had a strange vibe -
I would recommend an alternative that skips Ribnitz and includes Binz, a lovely seaside resort town on Rugen.
The bikes were solid even on cobblestones and dirt roads but a bit heavy, esp. on the many hills between Lubeck and Wismar.
Overall we had lovely rides and enjoyed our route very much.

What a wonderful experience. The operating people were the best. Merete was our guide, her husband Yngvar was the bike technician and luggage and bike van driver, and Geir was the assistant guide. All three were not only competent at their assignments but were three of the nicest people you could ever meet. The fact that Merete and Yngvar own the company contributed to the efficiency and real desire to deliver a great product. The scenery was magnificent. Food and accommodations were very good The other riders melded into a convivial group which made each day one to remember.
The ride is rated easy to moderate. I think that is fair. However there are a couple of climbs that a less experienced cyclist might want to consider using the optional e-bikes available for the tour.
I would rate the trip 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ +++

We loved the small ancient towns on the route. Walls and moats make for a most interesting experience. Ingrid was exceptional. We learned a ton about the country every time we were able to spend time with her.

While to bike, the GPS app, and the lodgings were all good, this trip had problems. First, I was routed to the wrong city/hotel on the first day. My trip itinerary and my GPS instructions put me in the wrong city so I had to ride additional miles to get to where my luggage was located. Very poor but doable. My main complaint is about the lack of communication from the local on the ground operator. My bike, while good, had an issue with the seat slowing lowering so every 30 minutes or so I would have to raise it back up. I called the company and was told someone would call me back, they didn't. I called again and was told that they would contact someone to come and look at the bike and that they would call back in a couple of minutes, they didn't. I called again and received the same response and the same result of not calling back. They are open until 8pm so at 7:45pm I called yet again and this time there was no answer and no way to leave a message. They did call back the next day and send me a list of bike shops in my next city. I was told to have the repair made, send them the receipt, and I would be reimbursed they were vague on how I was going to be reimbursed. I decided to stay with readjusting my seat every 30 minutes because I lost all confidence in them.

I will say that Rebecca from TripSite was excellent. I called her after the no answer phone call. She followed up with me later that day as well as the next day and patiently listened to my story. Thanks Rebecca!

O que mais gostei foi passar pelas cidades pitorescas e lindas do trajeto, ver o mar e a natureza singular dessa região. A manutenção das bikes deixou muito a desejar, por duas vezes tivemos que parar e buscar apoio para conserto, o que também ficou por nossa conta apesar de utilizarmos os telefones de apoio. Já tive outras duas experiências com a tripsite e as bikes eram ótimas, o que não posso dizer dessa vez.

The beauty of the cycling route and the relaxed yet active daily schedule

Beautiful countryside, fantastic views and nearly all the route was on cycle paths...recommend extra night in Augsburg at the end of the holiday.

The scenery was amazing. The hiking was challenging. The guide was passionate. She could have done a better job of briefing the group about each hike so we could better prepare ourselves. Since there was only one guide, if we thought the planned hike might be too difficult, the only choice was to go or not go on the hike that day. The lunches need to be more varied. Everyday we prepared our own lunch from food bought by the guide. We ate processed deli meat, cheese, wraps, and snacks from COSTCO and potato chips everyday. This became unappealing after several days. Extra water was provided in single use plastic bottles. This is not environmentally friendly. I would have preferred being given a large reusable water bottle with the company logo that could be refilled with water from a large container carried in the van. At the end of the trip the guide sent each couple an email requesting a tip equal to 20% the total cost of the trip. We were all surprised at the amount. If this was the expected amount this should have been shared prior to the trip in a FAQ. Many of us did not have that amount of cash on hand.

This trip is for experienced ebike riders only. I rode with sone ebike newbies and they fought with finding the right combination of fearing and power. Low cadence with turbo power doesnt work. They newer ebike riders think it will

The best part of the trip was the cycle portion through Austria’s Wachau Valley winery district. Truly picturesque!
Advice: Bring a Tupperware type container to pack your lunch. The boat provides a small sandwich and fruit but if you prefer to eat something else or just more than the sandwich, you need to have a container for it. We started packing the hard boiled eggs, and fruit in our bike bags but a container would have made it much easier. There are not very many opportunities to eat lunch at a restaurant while you are cycling, but plenty of gorgeous places to have a picnic. A travel picnic set with a cutting board, an a knife and fork would come in very handy.
We signed up for all the bus/walking tours to give our saddles a break. They were all great but the bus tour in Budapest we could have passed on because the boat docks right in the center of all the tourist spots so it was just as easy to navigate touring there on your own. Friends we met on the boat did the bike tour there and said it was great but I couldn’t face getting on the bike again that day:). Vienna is harder to get around so unless you feel pretty adventurous, I recommend the tour. We also did the trip to the concert and it was gorgeous- well worth it!
The e-bikes were awesome, and very comfortable. We bought gel seat covers and brought them with us which I think helped a lot. Unless you are a seasoned cyclist, it’s a lot of time on the bike and the tush gets tired.
Overall an amazing trip, the staff was fun and helpful. Our tour director was a substitute for the regular person and he was good but cranky. The regular tour director had awesome reviews so I think we just happened to get an off week!
I highly recommend this tour and now am ready to do another bike and boat in a different location!

Gillelege harbor was a true delight. Beautiful setting and lovely shops.

Outstanding trip. Great communication during planning. All accommodations were excellent to amazing quality. The support and transfers during our bike trip was super. I strongly recommend this trip!

What a wonderful trip!! It was easy to navigate. The route was not very difficult, but active enough to feel like you've earned your sangria at the end of the day :) Lots to do and see along the routes: beaches, museums, ruins, vineyards. Amazing food. Dips in the Mediterranean post cycle. It was everything we wanted. Girona was particularly special. We did give ourselves 3 days to enjoy the city before the trip started and I would recommend that. The food and architecture and history of the old city was a joy to explore. Also, make sure to book tickets for the Dali Theatre and Museum in Figueres at the end of the trip.

The Bruges to Amsterdam Barge and Bike tour was simply wonderful! Every detail was attended to. The cabins were beautiful, the food was gourmet, the staff was delightful and attentive. We were surprised by all the extras like walking tours, special drinks and snacks before dinner, and an education on Belgian beers. We loved every minute of it!