About VBT

Meet the VBT Family
Your partners on the road to discovery

A thoughtfully creative itinerary. Accommodations with an artful attention to detail. A friendly voice on the phone. A personal welcome and ongoing care, far from home. A perfectly tuned bicycle. An ideally chosen walk. These things don’t just fly off a corporate assembly line, but come from the dedication, experience and passion of the VBT staff, who work to make sure that your trip is not just a vacation, but the start of memories that will last a lifetime.

"This was the most scenic and experiential 'bang' for the least 'buck' of any cycling trip I have taken—and there have been nearly 20 over the years."

Angela B., Puglia: Italy's Undiscovered Coast

The original—the oldest—and still the best

Back in 1971, a Middlebury College professor with a love of the open road decided to organize a different kind of weekend tour. He fired up his old Porsche, threw a bike rack on the back, and set out with six like-minded cyclists to explore the back roads of Woodstock, Vermont. His small company set up shop in an 18th-century barn, and Vermont Bicycle Touring (now known as VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations), was born. The fledgling company quickly grew beyond its home turf to become the first U.S. company to offer bicycle vacations of Europe. Now, nearly 40 years later, we offer active vacations in 23 countries around the world—by bicycle and by foot. But no matter how far afield we roam, we never stray too far from our small-town Vermont roots. These include a reverence for the great outdoors, a tradition of neighborliness (extended around the world) and good old-fashioned value.

VBT places fourth in Travel + Leisure Magazine's World's Best Awards

VBT has placed 4th in Travel + Leisure magazine's 2010 World's Best Awards in the Tour Operator and Safari Outfitter category. This is our first year receiving an accolade from the magazine and we are grateful for a strong debut. VBT scored 94.73 out of a possible score of 100.

One-call service with our expert Tour Consultants

When you call VBT to inquire about a trip, you won’t be put in an endless queue but answered promptly and courteously by an expert Tour Consultant. He or she will explain every detail of your trip— including air travel from most U.S. gateways, available optional pre- or post-trip extensions, and even our optional Travel Protection Plan. Wondering about the best time of year to walk in Provence? Have a question about the cycling terrain of your Tuscany bike tour? Looking for the most economical way to combine trips? There’s just one call to make. Our Tour Consultants are not here just to help you book a trip, they’re committed to helping you choose the right trip. And if you have further questions after you reserve, they’ll be standing by to help.

Behind-the-scenes expertise

From the air specialists who prepare your flight itineraries to the mechanics who maintain our fleet of 1550 bicycles, VBT’s Vermont-based team works tirelessly to make sure every detail of your trip runs smoothly. Our seasoned trip planners (based here in Vermont and also overseas) bring years of experience to the planning and operation of your trip. They travel the world to find the best locations, inspect lodgings, test the meals—and they use their long-term relationships with overseas suppliers to obtain the best values for you.

Social Responsibility: a VBT Tradition

VBT practices socially and environmentally responsible travel, and is committed to treading lightly, respecting local cultures, and giving back to our communities. Here in Vermont, our employees are given time off every month to volunteer at community organizations and to support local bicycling coalitions and programs that promote bike safety and wellness, such as the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, the American Lung Association “Own Your Air” Campaign and the Pan-Mass Challenge.