Organizing a VBT Group Adventure is Easier Than You Think!

A cycling vacation is a beautiful thing. The fresh air, the exercise, and the splendid scenery are so inspiring—but at the end of the day, the best thing about a VBT vacation is the people you share it with. That’s why many VBT guests choose to organize groups to join them on a VBT vacation—because the experience is even better when you share it with friends and family. “I started out leading ski trips, and I had this idea that I wanted to get into biking, too,” recalls VBT group organizer Steve Davis. “So that’s how we got into the Rhine Bike & River Cruise: Basel to Amsterdam trip last fall. We had 22 people in our group, and everybody thought it was it was fantastic.”

In addition to the fun of traveling with your besties, VBT group organizers are eligible for some great benefits—including group organizer discounts and the help of our outstanding Group Managers. “The best thing about being a VBT group organizer is how easy it is,” says Steve. “It’s really simple because VBT does all the work—including making plane reservations and handling all the money. I don’t have to do a thing. When I organize our ski trips, I have to collect the money—and I feel like I’m herding cats all the time.” Here at VBT, it’s our job to make your vacation as enjoyable as possible—from start to finish.

Life on the Water: VBT Bike & Boat Adventures Are a Delight

Among VBT’s most popular vacations, our Waterways adventures are ranked at the top. Whether you choose a barge adventure, a river cruise, or a luxury yacht vacation, a VBT Bike & Boat adventure lets you unpack only once and enjoy the delightful amenities of your vessel as it cruises along Europe’s storied waterways. “We enjoyed being part of VBT’s Waterways package,” says Stephen. “On the Emerald River Cruise, you’ve got 180 people on the ship, and 22 of us were with VBT. The other guests are all going out for their excursions—and our VBT group just got on our bikes and rode out of town. We were out exploring the countryside every day—with nice lunches arranged for us along the way.” With at least two dedicated VBT trip leaders on every adventure, our Waterways vacations really stand out from the pack.

Traveling along the fabled Rhine river, Steve and his group of friends enjoyed traveling with their friendly local VT trip leaders. “Our trip leaders on the Rhine were fantastic,” Steve recalls. “They were just first rate, wonderful. Werner is German and Marijn is Dutch—so we had a guide with expertise from each region.” VBT’s trip leaders live in the locations where they lead—bringing you countless local insights and insider tips you wouldn’t find on your own. They are delighted to introduce you to the charming places they call home—going the extra mile to ensure your trip is a special one. “We were in Cologne, and my son wanted to stop and visit the Cologne Cathedral, but it wasn’t on our route,” recalls Steve. “The trip leaders were very flexible. Marijn stayed behind to watch the bikes so we could see the cathedral.”

Along with two VBT trip leaders to accompany your group on its rides, our Ride With GPS navigation app is a wonderful way to help everyone stay on track and savor the best parts of their ride. “The Ride with GPS app is just fantastic,” says Steve. “And VBT did a great job customizing it for our tour. I was impressed with the cues we got along the way—for example, look out for the turn at the bottom of the hill, or there’s a great bakery coming up on the right, or a great spot to take photos. And if you get off track, the app lets you know right away so you can easily backtrack and get back on course. You feel a lot safer.” With loads of support from start to finish, VBT has what it takes to make any group member feel comfortable on the bike—from experienced cyclists to enthusiastic newbies.

VBT Makes it Easy

So, what does it take to organize a group of friends to join a VBT cycling vacation? “When I decided the time was right to start organizing the Croatia trip. I put out an email blast,” says Steve. “I described a trip in detail and suggested two possible departures—one in August and one in June. I had about 23 or 24 people respond—everyone said they preferred June, so that’s what we went with.” Once the group nailed down a departure and reserved it through one of VBT’s Group Managers, the rest was easy. “Initially, we used a piece of software called Jotform to organize our group,” says Steve. “That lets group members sign up and say they’re interested—then we send them an email with information about who to call at VBT to make their reservation and pay the deposit.” With VBT in your corner, there’s no need to collect money, or worry about individual travel plans—because VBT does the work for you. Group members simply call their VBT Tour Consultant, and work with them directly to arrange their departure airport, as well as Pre-and Post-Trip Extensions. Group members simply call their VBT Group Manager, and work with them directly to arrange their airfare, as well as Pre-and Post-Trip Extensions.

As for Steve and his group of family and friends, they are looking forward to their next VBT Waterways adventure on Croatia Bike & Boat: Split & the Dalmatian Islands by Yacht. “We’re excited for Croatia because it’s supposed to be very beautiful,” says Steve. “It’s also a little hilly, so we’re all going to get E-bikes. The ship that we will be on is a luxury yacht, and people are really excited about that. The beaches are supposed to be really fantastic. I think it’s just going to be a fun trip, and it’s something everybody wants to do—both my sons are going to be on it.” With VBT in your corner, planning a transformative vacation with family and friends is a breeze!