France

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.

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?

We had an amazing time - And I can't speak highly enough of every aspect of this trip! Our VBT leaders, Sophie and Bruno, were exceptional, planning everything down to the smallest detail. They were a pleasure to be with in every way. We loved every hotel, each unique, and in the heart of a city, with lots to do in the area. Our e-bikes were brand new, and easy to navigate. We were blessed with beautiful weather and enjoyed our rides each and every day. I would highly recommend this trip - it will definitely not be our last. We are already booked for one next year!

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.)

The trip through Normandy and Brittany was beautiful, historic, and fun! It was the perfect mix of biking though the country, visiting historic sites, and enjoying special treats along the way. Our guides Luc and Kevin were outstanding!

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!

This was my fourth VBT trip, and sad to say it was my least favorite. (Our past trips were Lake Constance, Ireland Connemara and Puglia.) The boat was very nice and luxurious and the food was great, but I did not feel like I was submerged in the country as with other trips. It felt like we were dropped off in a town to ride and then returned to the boat every afternoon to the same dining room for 7 nights in a row. The 2 guides we had were very nice gentlemen, but communication was lacking. Some examples: the group left on a ferry without us, and we weren’t told which ferry to take, we were never quite sure what time we were to meet up everyday, and a route had a detour that we had to figure out on our own. We were scheduled to have 3 guides, but one was unavailable. Perhaps that would have helped. Of course the biking was nice with pretty views along The Rhine, but the biking routes seemed too short. One day the guides discouraged us from riding because they felt the route wasn’t that great. Perhaps they should pick a different route we would have liked. More bike rules info and instruction would have helped in Amsterdam. Taking boat tours may have their advantages for some, like not having to pack every other day. We certainly enjoyed the laundry services. But the large boat lacked the charm of the usual boutique hotels and the fabulous hotel restaurants we fondly remember from past trips.

This VBT tour was not easy for anyone, as we encountered two days of rain, some headwinds, and a few bike mechanical problems among our group of 24 riders. Nevertheless, we came out of it feeling that we'd had a wonderful, fulfilling, beautifully supported experience, with our team (Matt and Marijn) doing everything they possibly could to ensure our safety, comfort, and happiness. The barge experience was luxurious and very satisfying, but the highlights for us definitely spun around the group rides, the goofy stops (cheese museum and clog factory among them), and the beauty of the landscapes and cobblestoned small towns we rode through. It was an adventure, it was fun and stimulating, and we would do it again in a heartbeat!

Recommend the Berlin pre-trip. Fun and educational. Interesting city. The bike riding along the Moselle is spectacular. Great paths, easy pedaling, beautiful scenery. Very tiny amount of riding on roads. Bike riders dream. The Mystique II barge - updated interior. Very small cabins, limited storage, nice bathrooms. Small rooms are to be expected on barge. VERY loud in common areas especially during meals. Couldn't hear person next to you so the decibel level keeps rising. We ate off the boat, when possible, for dinners. This let us explore the local areas and got us away from the loud dining. Barge staff was very good. Chef was not very good with vegetarian meals. Luxembourg post trip was interesting and 2 nights was plenty of time to explore the city. City walls were pretty amazing. This trip is worth the riding. It is a large group, up to 30 so that makes it less personal than a regular VBT. I did miss the closeness from guides and other guests that you get with a smaller group. The Barge is the reason for my lower score. It is nice not having to unpack for a week but most of your clothes remain in your suitcase under the bed - a pain. I would not go on this barge again because of the loud decibel levels in the common area and the food quality.

Lovely countryside, incredible food on the Barge, the crew and bike guides were the best ever (this our 9th VBT trip). We loved it!

Our VBT trip through Germany, Luxembourg, and France exceeded all expectations. Our wonderful guides — Steffie, Peter, and Axel — were knowledgeable, funny, and incredibly approachable. The barge crew was also fantastic. And what can I say about Chef Roger and his amazing meals? I’m just glad we were biking each day to work off the extra calories! This trip was unforgettable, and I highly recommend it — 5 stars!

We were on the Magnifique 1, with fabulous leaders and crew! Although there were challenges, they met all of them proactively and made sure we had a great trip. The scenery and smell of the grape harvest were highlights.

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.

This was our first self guided trip, and I really enjoyed it. Biking in the French countryside seemed ideal for a self guided trip where we may want to stop longer in town, or enjoy a more leisurely lunch. The routes were challenging, since all the longer options went to the must see places (how can you not have a Chardonnay in Chardonnay??). I still enjoy the non-electric bikes, and found this to be the most challenging of my VBT tours, but it was still do-able, and I felt great at the end of each day. Just be prepared for some longer routes and hills. The infamous tunnel was open and a highlight to bike through. The guide said it's closed mid-October through March to allow bats to roost over the winter. Our restaurant stops on the route were fantastic, and it was nice to see how proud the waiters were about the local wine.

My wife and I recently returned from an incredible VBT biking adventure through Switzerland and France, exploring Lake Geneva, Annecy, and the stunning Valley of the Alps. From start to finish, the trip was beautifully organized and exceeded our expectations. Our guides, Philippe and Luigi, were outstanding—knowledgeable, engaging, and genuinely passionate about the regions we explored. Each day was filled with fascinating insights, local stories, and just the right amount of fun. They created a warm and welcoming atmosphere that made the entire group feel like family. The daily bike rides were absolutely breathtaking, offering a perfect balance of challenge and enjoyment. Riding through alpine valleys, lakeside paths, and charming villages was a dream come true. Lake Annecy was a particular highlight—the ride around the lake and our visit to the town were unforgettable. We especially loved the first two hotels, which were both comfortable and full of character, adding to the charm of the experience. And the food—wow! Every meal was a delight, showcasing the best of Swiss and French cuisine. This trip was the perfect blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation. We’re already thinking about our next VBT journey!

This was one of our top VBT bike trips. The Alps are stunning and our routes immersed us in their beauty. The tranquil brown cows with the bells were always a pleasant surprise

I loved riding the e bikes and Bruno and Sophie were great getting us into the feel of every new town. The staff on the ship was a delight. We loved the Paris and Nice extensions. The hotels were in very convenient Transfers were also coordinated to the minute.

This was our third VBT trip, and it strengthens our plans for future ones. Our guides Sophie and Bruno were professional, personable, highly experienced, and fun! They had the answer to every question, from biking issues, GPS, and we especially appreciated the the very deep local expertise they displayed. We loved having the ship as a luxurious "home base", and not having to change hotels every other night. The service and cuisine on the ship was excellent. Each location and the rides/tours were as beautiful as we expected; the GPS instructions worked very well.