Bike routes were beautiful and enjoyable! Loved the town of St. Remy and the location of our hotel. Really enjoyed Avignon and again, the location of the hotel made exploring the city very easy.
France
Provence is a Pleasure!
Idaho21, Idaho
France: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Les Baux & Avignon
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
Couldn't be better.
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?
Jenny H, Plymouth, MN, United States
Switzerland, Germany & France: The Black Forest & the Alsace Wine Route
Wonderful trip to Alsace!
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!
Cheryl M,
Switzerland, Germany & France: The Black Forest & the Alsace Wine Route
Bicycling France Normandy/Brittany
Planning and ride with VBT was priceless!. Our bicycle hosts did a fabulous job taking care of our every need. We also did the 3 day in Paris pre-trip, which if you do the 3 day Paris pre-trip, make sure you book all excursions in advance. We pre-booked Eiffel Tower, Palace Versailles, Tuk Tuk Paris, Louvre Museum. My one negative comment was in the city of Dinan. We had a tour guide that was obviously very familiar with the City, Architecture and history. Unfortunately, we could not hear a thing she said. She talked softly, kept walking away, talking to 1 or 2 people....you get the idea. It would have been much better if she had us wear earpieces while she talked. Other than that, fantastic time and would recommend this trip.
Beech9A, DC
France: Normandy & Brittany
Wonderful trip
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!
KHitchco, Canandaigua, NY
France: Normandy & Brittany
Fantastic trip!
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!
karen27, Denver, CO, USA
France: Burgundy, Beaujolais & Dijon
Best vacation ever.
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 .
Goldenboy1, Vancouver, WA, USA
France: Burgundy, Beaujolais & Dijon
Bike or Not, You'll Love this Trip
This was a wonderful, well planned trip. I do wish that the very first, warm-up, ride had not been through Basel at rush hour; it was rather unsettling, especially for the first ride. Also, when you ask for information to reserve the size of the bicycle, more information than a person's height, e.g. inseam length, should be requested. The bike reserved for me did not fit and the tour guides were very considerate and creative in obtaining one from the ship. However, that did delay the first ride for the whole group. The tour guides were very attentive to the needs of all the individuals in our group. The rides were very enjoyable and doable. I loved the locations we visited: Breisach, Heidelberg, Strasbourg, Obernai, Koblenz, Cologne, Monnickendam--all were scenic and interesting. The food and accommodations onboard the Emerald Luna were exceptional and much appreciated. The pre- and post-cruise extensions were great, too: accommodations, included tours and suggested sites. This is a great trip for all levels of bikers.
Karehn 24, Chenango Forks, NY
Rhine Bike & River Cruise: Basel to Amsterdam
Basel to Amsterdam
We throughly enjoyed our first VBT bike trip. Our leaders (Marijn and Mathilde) were amazing and quite knowledgeable of all four countries we visited. We both used the E-bikes which made the biking super easy. (We do not bike much at home.) The Bike with GPS app was fantastic and you didn’t need to be on cellular to use it. The Emerald Luna ship that we sailed on was great. (Though, don’t worry about which side of the ship to pick your cabin, we mostly sailed at night and during the day when at port there was usually another ship tied up next to us. We were not on the ship much during the day)
Lindac, Georgia
Rhine Bike & River Cruise: Basel to Amsterdam
VBT GER/FR/LUX Bike & Barge
Some logistical issues/pour communications by VBT on the front end, most notably we booked/paid extra for a suite but were put in a standard room. But the crew & guides were wonderful once we got underway.
Larry Keane, New Hampshire
Germany, Luxembourg & France Bike & Boat: Mosel River Valley
Unforgettable Scenic Biking
Bicycle riders, cyclists, and food and wine fanciers alike should not miss this Mosel River Valley immersion. The history, the sights, the food and drink and total experience are unforgettable. The trip was enhanced by the VBT guides with their extensive regional knowledge and expertise. The Magnifique I barge was the perfect platform for the river.
Colorado Dave, Grand Junction, Colorado
Germany, Luxembourg & France Bike & Boat: Mosel River Valley
Mosel was magnificent
The Mosel River Valley trip was outstanding. The guides were exceptional, as were the Captain and crew on the barge. The scenery, company and food were amazing. If I had two things to change or comment on, they would be that I would spend a day and a half in Luxumberg City and one day less in Munich. Also, the hotel in Munich could not have had a nicer, more gracious staff, but it is quite a ways out from the city center and the rooms/showers are very small. It may be that for financial reasons that is why the locale. However, despite the locale there is a superb Italian restaurant very near. I heartily recommend people take this trip, especially if you don't want a degree of difficulty in biking and want to enjoy spectacular scenery.
Mick Taleff, Great Falls, Montana
France, Luxembourg & Germany Bike & Boat: Mosel River Valley
Mosel River Bike and Cruise Review
Lovely region to bike and cruise through. The Mosel is less busy or congested compared to the Rhine. The accommodations and food were very comfortable (esp. beds) and DELICIOUS. The VBT staff so accommodating even offering me an e-bike mid-way through to make me more comfortable. The side trips to wine cellar, bell foundry were also great.
Frances E, Charleston, SC
France, Luxembourg & Germany Bike & Boat: Mosel River Valley
Fantastic!
My husband and I really loved this trip. We have taken many guided tours (which we love) but really enjoyed the independence that a self-guided tour gives you. The accommodations were excellent, the bike routes were challenging (we did the long options each day with road bikes), and the scenery was pretty French countryside on quiet bike paths and small roads. We needed some mechanical assistance one day and our local contact was just a phone call away and very helpful. Overall a great experience and in the right location we would definitely consider another self-guided tour.
Erika S, Portsmouth, NH
France: Vineyards of Beaujolais
Reasonable Value
The self-guided Beaujolais tour is a reasonable value and can be enjoyed without the guide (although the VBT guides are always great). We appreciated the excellent lodging and quality bikes, per usual with VBT. Locals in this region are very friendly but fewer folks speak English than in the big cities. The Beaujolais tour has a few really nice views, but the views and scenery aren't as good as other VBT tours. Twice on our tour, the hotels said they didn't have our luggage (not a great thing to hear when you arrive bedraggled after a day of riding) but eventually the hotel found it after some haggling. This tour includes a miserable hilly detour around what appeared to be a perpetually closed tunnel, and it was hard (for us and other riders) to find our way back on the route once we slogged the unplanned hills. The "Ride with GPS App" was okay in general but gave confusing and contradictory directions more often than I'd think...but it wasn't much of a problem.
bob28, Washington DC
France: Vineyards of Beaujolais
Mountains, Valleys and Lakes..perfect combination.
Another fun and beautiful trip with VBT. We have wanted to go on this trip since we first saw it a couple years ago and it was always booked. This year we planned way in advance. It was easy riding through the valleys of these beautiful countries.
Iarteen, California
Switzerland & France: Lake Geneva, Annecy & Valleys of the Alps
Can't go wrong...
Great on all counts! Special shout-out to our wonderful guides- Philippe and Jean-Marc- who added the soul to a wonderful biking adventure.
ThomasH, San Luis Obispo County, CA
Switzerland & France: Lake Geneva, Annecy & Valleys of the Alps
Amazing adventure
Our VBT trip starting in Lyon France was well organized and the route was beautiful and interesting. Our leaders, Bruno and Sophie, were reliable and a joy to be with. The Emerald ship was clean, food was delicious, and the staff was friendly and helpful. We will certainly do more VBT trips.
France Bike & River Cruise: Lyon to Nice
Great 1st bike/boat tour looking forward to more!
We loved our first ever VBT bike and river cruise from Lyon to Nice in June. Accommodations on the boat were great - comfortable cabins, helpful crew, interesting tour options and fun evening activities enhanced a beautiful trip down the Rhône. The bike tours were fun and memorable with stunning vistas along each route. Both of our bike guides were friendly and helpful which was especially important for a bike novice like myself. The VBT team was able to find the right size E-bike for my small stature, and even switched standard tires to a smaller size to accommodate me. Our group of 9 riders bonded and although individuals/couples rode at their own pace, we all met up at various points for fun experiences together. It was a fabulous trip and we look forward to our next VBT experience!
Elizabeth Stoeffel, Montclair, NJ USA
France Bike & River Cruise: Lyon to Nice
VBT Bicycling Vacations
Country Walkers