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.
Europe
Scenery, riding history, art, food - it has it all
mecrr, Red Bluff, CA, United States
Spain: Girona & Costa Brava
You have to do this!
I wasn't sure I would be able to do this ride. But I had no problem at all. I used an e-bike and kept up the group and had a ball! Everyone on the ride was wonderful and fun to be with. If you aren't sure you might be up for a ride thru Spain, think again. Anyone can do it using an e-bike. I can't wait to do my next trip!! Hum, where shall I go?
Linder, San Francisco, CA, United States
Spain: Girona & Costa Brava
Exceptional vacation
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.
CMMitch, Arlington, VA, USA
France: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Les Baux & Avignon
loved our rides thru Provence!
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.
TrishB, Northern California
France: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Les Baux & Avignon
Great week of biking, wine and dining - perfect!
The trip was a perfect way to visit southern Portugal. The guides were awesome, always there to lend a hand or offer guidance. The bikes were outstanding - brand new fleet. The routes were interesting and scenic with little traffic. The food and wine were great. And above all the opportunity to spend time with old friends and to meet new friends was rewarding. Thanks
bikemonger, Tampa
Portugal: Lisbon, Évora & the Algarve
Great trip to Portugal
Enjoyed this trip to Portugal. Good mix of easy and moderate riding to work off the fantastic food/beverages.
LeslieS, San Diego, CA, USA
Portugal: Lisbon, Évora & the Algarve
Loved every bit of this trip!
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.
JeanBru, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
Scandinavia: Denmark & Sweden
VBT did it again
VBT has done it again. For over 20 years, my wife and I have been taking bicycle trips. We had long been hoping that VBT, our favorite tour company, would add a trip to Scandinavia. When we found out about this new trip last year, we signed up within days. It did not disappoint. Our leaders were friendly, knowledgeable and always ready to help. We had nice weather. Our mid-September departure had temperatures in the mid to upper 60s, and occasionally in the 70s. The rides were beautiful. We usually ride road bikes, but were glad to be on hybrids because there were some gravel surfaces and even a few miles of dirt road. The local people were a bit reserved, but quite friendly when approached. English is widely understood and spoken in Scandinavia. We chose to do both the pre trip in Copenhagen and post trip in Helsinki. We are glad we did. The evening cruise to Helsinki through the Stockholm archipelago was stunningly beautiful.
Graham,
Scandinavia: Denmark & Sweden
Cycling through the Cotswolds
We enjoyed a wonderful week of cycling through the Cotswolds across rolling countryside, past beautiful farmlands and pastures filled with grazing sheep, through charming villages and past stately manor houses. This was my first ebike experience and the hills warranted the pedal assist. I would rate this route as moderate as many on the climbs were quite challenging for those on a road bike. Queen Elizabeth had just passed, and our excellent and resourceful guides, Kate Edmond and Conor Murphy, rearranged our itinerary for the Queen’s national day of mourning, providing a delicious picnic on the banks of Bourton-on-the-Water. For afternoon tea break, we enjoyed the Queen’s favorite, Victoria sponge! Stops included Blenheim Palace, Hidcote Gardens, Bath Roman Baths, and sites of the filming of Downton Abbey and Harry Potter. Bookending the cycling trip with the pre-and post-trip option of Oxford and Bath is recommended.
Debby and Charlie, New York
England: Bath & the Cotswolds
Lovely trip in Cotswolds
The Cotswolds are incredibly beautiful! Small villages with golden stone buildings almost don't look real. All of our hotels were top notch and the food was excellent. Biking on the left hand side of the road was a bit scary at first, but the drivers were courteous and gave us a wide margin; and most of the roads we biked had minimal traffic.
Lynn S,
England: Bath & the Cotswolds
Biking Trip France & Switzerland
I absolutely loved this trip. From the moment we started the trip, our guides (Luigi and Eve) made us feel welcome and supported. Lodging was another highlight—charming inns and boutique hotels with local character, great food, and warm hospitality. The rides along the countryside were spectacular. What made this trip stand out was the perfect blend of physical activity, cultural immersion, and pure joy. I can honestly say it was one of the most memorable travel experiences of my life. Highly recommended to anyone who loves cycling, food, history, and a bit of adventure. I can’t wait to do another tour with this company!
MariaM, Bridgeton, NJ
Switzerland & France: Lake Geneva, Annecy & Valleys of the Alps
Don’t miss the pre trip
This trip has it all. Easy riding through stunning scenery on rail trails and around lakes, stops in picturesque medieval town centers, great food, and amazing accommodations. Where else do you get to stay in an ancient abbey, a castle, and a famous spa? The bikes were new and quite nice, and the guides, Jackie and Cedrick, the best.
LeighR, San Diego
Switzerland & France: Lake Geneva, Annecy & Valleys of the Alps
Wonderful trip
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.
Marcia B, Boise, Idaho
Greece: Sparta, Monemvasia & the Peloponnesian Peninsula
Gorgeous views, rewarding rides and delicious food
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!
Jaymers,
Greece: Sparta, Monemvasia & the Peloponnesian Peninsula
Laughter in the Lakes
This was our first VBT trip and after this marvelous adventure we know it won't be our last! From sunny Sirmione to beautiful Bellagio, we cherished each moment. It started with our guides, Elena and Roberto - both incredibly talented, witty, wise and assuring. Every morning opened with their "floor show," as they humorously taught us the ways of Italy while imparting information about the routes. They had us laughing before we even started on the bikes. Each day's ride took us through another breathtakingly beautiful vista and ended with great food and extraordinary accommodations. The staff at each location were gracious and welcoming and the breakfasts were feasts! (In fact most days we did not need lunch because the morning's repast was so bountiful.). Most of the tour members used E Bikes, but we both used road bikes easily. Again, Elena and Roberto were incredibly helpful with any changes needed - such as switching out pedals or saddles. The camaraderie on the trip was what really helped make this adventure magical. Elena and Roberto set the tone with their warmth, humor and friendship and everyone else followed along. We bonded together over the days and enjoyed evenings over food and wine...and wine...and wine! The day biking in Switzerland (cue "The Sound of Music") will remain one of my most cherished memories. We did chose to extend in Bellagio which was a great decision - Hotel Florence is stunning, (ask the staff to book you dinner at Trattoria Baita Belvedere) and we took full advantage of the ferries to explore the towns along Lake Como. While I know it sounds cliche, it really was the perfect trip and we are already planning our next VBT adventure!
Elzabeth,
Italy: Lake Como & the Italian Lake District
Perfecto
The tour guides Angelo and Roberto were so helpful and lots of fun! The trip was exciting and very informative. Vbt runs a well-organized and well -prepared biking tour. The hotels and planned dinners were excellent. I will book another bike trip with VBT for sure!
M Glose, Buffalo, New York
Italy: Lake Como & the Italian Lake District
An excellent tour through beautiful country
This was our fourth VBT trip, and our first self-guided tour. It was excellent. Our host, Daniel, explained everything at the outset and exceeded our expectations in getting a replacement bike for my wife when the first one proved problematic due to her carpal tunnel issues. The routes provided and the “Ride with GPS” worked very well. The accommodations were excellent, with nice rooms and great breakfasts at each place. The biking was “easy,” meaning mostly flat and downhill; no need for an e-bike here (although there were many on the path). The scenery was the prettiest we’ve ever biked through. All in all, this was a great biking experience.
Marshall B,
Germany & Austria: The Danube River
Amazing adventure with beautiful scenery!
Bikes Breakfasts,Hotels were all great. GPS worked well and VBT was there for assistance if needed.
Jane and Barry, Ontario, Canada
Germany & Austria: The Danube River
VBT Bicycling Vacations
Country Walkers