France

Wonderful trip from the sights to the boat and crew to the tour guides. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves

My wife and I just got back from this tour and have nothing but good things to say. It was our first VBT trip, but will not be our last. We signed up for the full trip/air package and all aspects of our travel were seamless and flawless. VBT partnered with Emerald Cruises for the cruise portion of the trip and the partnership worked well. The ship was luxurious, the food was great, and the crew was friendly and helpful. The cycling was fantastic! This area of France has miles and miles of bike paths and quiet country roads. The routes were carefully planned and well-documented in the Ride with GPS routes. The daily mileage was in the 20-25 mile range over most flat terrain along the Rhone River and nearby vineyards. Our host/guides, Sophie and Bruno, were fantastic! In addition to being great ride leaders, they shared a great deal of local knowledge. Our group was relatively small (8 guests) so we had a good chance to get to know the group and make new friends. Bottom line - this is a five star experience. You won't be disappointed.

I have been lucky enough to travel to many places-in nany styles-solo-with my husband-with lots of family and friends. I never compare places because I enjoy all for different reasons. THIS WAS BY FAR MY MOST FAVORITE TRIP OF ALL!!! So I guess Iam comparing-LOL. The hotels-the scenery-the food-the perfect bikes-amazing guides-and the group itself all combined to make it absolutely amazing!! Consider us VBT lifers-we can't say enough!

I wasn't sure how the Valley of the Alps tour would compare to the Alsace tour and was pleasantly surprised. The Alps are stunning and each hotel was better than the previous. The bike routes were relatively flat and easy. The tour guides were fantastic, helpful and supportive throughout the trip. Would highly recommend this tour.

Exceeded my expectations mightily. Gently rolling hills and vineyards and little traffic for the most part

The trip was amazing and very enjoyable. The only glitch was the tunnel was closed on one of the day trips and the copied map provided for the alternative route wasn’t very clear and we got lost. We called the support person but it was 2 hours before he called us back.

The experiences during the trip were outstanding, the equipment excellent and everything is well maintained, and any concerns were quickly repaired or corrected.

This was our second trip with VBT. We absolutely loved our first tour ( Germany, Austria, Switzerland - Bavarian Alps & Lake Constance ) Our Bike & Barge tour was even better! The barge, the other guests, the guides, the food, the scenery were just about perfect. On the second day of riding I mentioned to a guide that it was an ideal day. He smiled and happily told that the next four days get even better. It was true! While the transfers between pre and post trip cities were lengthy and complex, I wouldn't want to miss out on our immense enjoyment of Munich and Berlin. It's difficult to imagine a different tour being better. We'll see, we signed up for a VBT tour for '23 the day after we arrived home. Thank you to all who made this tour an unforgettable and joy filled experience.

First timer and a wonderful experience. The staff and leaders are exceptional. Well organized and you are well cared for. Food, cleanliness of the boat and service were all above what was expected. Felt at home with everyone. Well organized group.

What a well planned tour. So special to have every aspect of our trip prearranged for us. They thought of everything. Just ride and enjoy.

Great guides! Easy to use vocal GPS apps, for some of us independent riders. Beautiful country side, fairly easy riding with or without e-bikes, currently I’m a 72 year old male and enjoyed every mile. The Emerald Dawn was a pleasure to ride home to, comfy accommodation with a family feeling of as well! Good food and drink, helpful staff, very clean ship. We’re presently in the process of planning our next adventure with VBT.

Great program. Breaks up the cruise. Guides are great and good camaraderie among bikers

We had a wonderfully-planned week of cycling along small, beautiful farm roads with itineraries bringing us to the coast of most days. Riding in August in 70 degree weather was great. We all loved seeing the texture of rural, historic France and learning more about Normandy and Brittany. The trip includes a focus on local food culture - the visit to the Cider farm was really special, as were the Cancale oysters and dinners at local restaurants. We also got so much out of learning more about WWII even though I did not choose this trip primarily for that reason. There were helpful guided tours, and the option to visit museums if you wanted more depth. I'm so glad we could take advantage of this aspect of visiting France. The Trip Leaders were extremely knowledgeable, good humored, well-seasoned guides who knew the area well and had set up a number of local experiences. We found the cycling to be engaging - beautiful rolling farmland that left me in a little better shape by the end of the week but wasn't overly challenging. (The shorter option was also always available.)

We had a wonderful experience. The itinerary, guides and bike routes couldn’t have been any better. Everything was planned the minute we landed in Paris. Would definitely recommend to anyone with an interest in the Normandy history.

This was our first Vermont Bike vacation but it certainly will not be our last! What a great time .For us it was a perfect mix of activity,culture ,wine and food. The countryside is just delightful and beautiful. The guides were excellent and our fellow travelers were wonderful .

The Burgundy Wine Route trip was an exceptional vacation...it was a great mix of activity, leisure, learning and sightseeing. The trip leaders were personable, knowledgeable, and fun-loving, our fellow travelers were all interesting and friendly people, and the food, accommodations, and scenery were all first class. The daily route length choices ensured that everyone would be happy with their activity level, too. I’d highly recommend this trip to anyone who loves good food, wine, and outdoor activity. The pre and post trip extensions are also well worth it...especially the pre-trip in Lyon...there was so much to explore there!

Bike routes were beautiful and enjoyable! Loved the town of St. Remy and the location of our hotel. Really enjoyed Avignon and again, the location of the hotel made exploring the city very easy.

This was our first VBT vacation and we have already registered for a second trip. Provence and the Alpilles is a beautiful region of France with abundant fruits, vegetables and other agriculture. The bicycle travel through the French countryside gives an up-close and personal travel experience.

I LOVED this vacation. I am an avid biker; my husband is not; and we both enjoyed the levels of activity and flexibility. The vineyards and villages were amazing to see, especially by bicycle. Jean and Jean Francois took care of our every need, and the accommodations were wonderful. What's not to like?

This trip was better than anticipated. We expected a great time, but this was outstanding in service, leadership and bike friendliness.