Europe

This was one of the best VBT tours we have taken. Food, riding, scenery, exploration of the art of Dali, wonderful guides and fantastic accommodations. Pre-trip in Barcelona is a must do to see the Gaudi architecture and Picasso museum as well as experience Catalonia at its best.

Enjoyed the bike ride, the small cities and towns, the archeological site at Empires and the trip leaders. A delightful corner of Spain.

Great trip! Our guides were great hosts and made sure everyone was safe, comfortable, and getting the most out of each day. Gorgeous part of the world.

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.

Portugal was our 11th VBT trip and 12th biking trip. It was the best or at least equal to our other great trips. The guides were the best ever and the hotels , especially the Farm House, were excellent. The biking was challenging at times but very good overall. We highly recommend the trip and very much want to return to Portugal. Great food, great wine and a beautiful country. We felt very safe on the roads and highways as Portugal drivers are very courteous to bikers. Absolutely nothing to complain about and as with all VBT trips, a great value.

This was our first VBT vacation. We were very impressed with the planning, accommodations, and route. It was a wonderful experience to bike along country roads with guides who knew the area. The hotels were lovely and the meals were delicious. Everything was top-notch.

This was such a great trip. Copenhagen was such a lovely city and perfect to discover by walking. Sweden was so beautiful and the biking was an exciting discovery each day. Bodhi and Philip were just wonderful as our guides - fun, professional and always helpful. We had never been to Scandinavia and this was such a lovely way to see it.

I have wanted to visit the Nordic countries since 1974 when I was an exchange student in Europe. Thank you, VBT, for finally making it an affordable destination! As always, the travel arrangements were seamless, the leaders were phenomenal, and the experience was second to none!

This VBT tour through the Cotswolds was a little hillier than I expected, and I was so glad to have an E-Bike! The routes were good to bike on, except for a few times on very narrow roads where you would have to get off the road to let cars or trucks pass.The routes along the canals and through forests were very enjoyable. The leaders Will and Dan were very good with helping out with some difficult traffic crossings. They were also helpful in suggesting apres biking activities (food and drink). Blenheim Palace was a very good stop on the route. Both pre and post biking cities of Oxford and Bath were wonderful with many things to do. One suggestion would be to have more local/cultural experiences as are offered on other VBT trips.

I am an infrequent bike rider (but in generally good shape) and used E-bike (with power on) throughout the trip given the hilly terrain. I participated with spouse and 6 other friends; our overall tour had 19 riders and two guides. Most riders used E-bikes (including myself); a few used road bikes. Had rain during a couple days – using rainproof gear made these conditions quite bearable. Pros: Beautiful scenery. Bikes worked smoothly. Very energetic and helpful guides (quickly fixed a flat and chain problems). Enjoyable socializing with other riders during rides and mealtimes. Tasty food options and very comfortable hotels. Cons: Some roads are very narrow (one lane width with 2-way travel) with cars sometimes passing at relatively high speed, and particularly challenging when two opposing cars had to navigate passing each other and bikers. Significant stretches of road were in poor condition (potholes and uneven pavement edges) that required vigilant maneuvering. The riding schedule was busy and riders were asked to all meet up periodically, which slowed things somewhat when road bike riders progressed slower. The time allotted to explore at some stops (e.g. Blenheim Palace) was short and allowed only a very quick oversight of the location; would have preferred more flexibility.

The electric bikes made it so easy and the scenery was breathtaking. Favorite part was the pre trip. Places we stayed were first class.

Beautiful scenery, fantastic leaders! Food and hotels were excellent.

This VBT trip does not disappoint! The attention to detail for every visit and experience was remarkable. I live in the mid-west and don't have many hills to train on so these rides were challenging for me, but doable and once I was done I felt very satisfied. The accommodations were all different and great in their own way. The guides were energetic and informative. I highly recommend this tour - it's a great way to see Greece!

The experience with VBT went beyond expectations as did the part of Greece where we cycled. The Peloponnesian Peninsula is a relatively undiscovered biking jewel, I enjoyed it far more than biking various Greek Islands. Accommodations were excellent and Greek food speaks for itself. VBT and the guides went out of their way in providing a 5 star experience. The bikes were new and top quality, the routes were varied and interesting. The guides bent over backwards to please us and provide a great biking as well as cultural experience.

This was our Favorite VBT tour (number 3 for us). Others were “Tuscany by the Sea” (2011) and one in Southern France (2015). We particularly enjoyed the diversity of experiences - especially being near around and even on the 3 lakes! Hotels were lovely, the scenery was amazing and the trip into the Swiss Alps was breathtaking. We really loved the entire experience and can’t wait for another amazing time (VBT how can you top this???). BTW - other “veteran VBT guests - some with with as many as 17 SEVENTEEN!!! VBT tours IN ITALY!” Thought this was one of the best - if not THE BEST. It was great NOT to be in the crowded popular areas - “off the beaten track” - places that according to our guides, not even typical Italian tourists visit. The guides were incredible - knowledgeable, informative and fun! Giovanni and Angelo. Mille Grazie VBT!

I can't say enough positive things about our guides, Roberto and Giovanni, or the bike rides along scenic paths! Absolutely wonderful vacation!

With a two adjustments, the trip would be a five star trip. One is to move the warmup ride from the congested, cobblestone streets of old town Passau to an easier riding environment. Second is to be more selective in the room choices in the hotel in the Wachau Valley. Otherwise, the trip met my expectations and more. The riding is in varying environments - forests, mountains, riversides, vineyards, orchards, and small, ancient villages. The elevation changes are minimal, there are long stretches where there is no stopping at intersections, and best of all, for all but small portions, you are riding on dedicated bike trails or bike lanes without having to worry about vehicles. Navigating was easy with Ride with GPS, and we took cues from the trail signs and the bicycle traffic. The luggage transfers and shuttles operated flawlessly.

We did the self-guided Germany and Austria tour and loved being able to be independent and set our own schedule. You definitely need to be a little adventurous and confident using the Ride with GPS app. Don’t feel like you have to adhere to the routing. We loved going off course if we saw something across the River that we wanted to explore. Each hotel was very welcoming as soon as we rode in and they all had bike parking set aside. Don’t expect to see your VBT rep each day unless you need them. Our rep was always available and responsive via text. If you feel like you need daily contact or like meeting new people, you might be better off with a VBT guided tour. We loved our adventure and can’t wait to do another one! #justgo