France

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.

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.

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!

This was our first VBT trip and we thoroughly enjoyed it. The guides were knowledgeable, positive, friendly, helpful and very professional. The GPS navigation was great. The routes were scenic, culturally diverse, and well thought out. The excursions/tours were interesting too. Recommend the ebike for the hills!

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.)

We had a wonderful experience. The itinerary, guides and bike routes couldn’t have been any better. Everything was planned the minute we landed in Paris. Would definitely recommend to anyone with an interest in the Normandy history.

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 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 .

We were on Emerald Sky with this VBT Rhine Bike & River Cruise. I had specified that I needed a lactose intolerant diet. This was not offered to me at all. Last VBT bike trip, when it was only VBT riders, all was perfect for the foods I need. I also saw this with those who needed gluten free meals. My only menu option for dessert was cheese and fruit. I got very bored with this. I spoke with a server and she found sorbet and it was delicious. I see Emerald Sky should have followed through the specifics VBT has passed on to them.

My reviews/posts tend to be long so my apologies at the outset. My hope is for this to be helpful to my fellow would-be travelers and give you a detailed review of the trip rather than just a short, “we loved it” and a few bullet points and therefore let you review before you decide to plunk down a lot of $$$$ on one of these trips. Here we go… This was the 4th VBT trip for my wife and I together (I did a solo VBT also before getting married). We have always had a wonderful experience with VBT and this one was a good one as well. Not our favorite but still good. There are a few things about this trip that is so vastly different from the others I want to detail. First, the Boat portion: Clearly this was a Boat and Cycle trip and not the traditional cycle-only trips we have taken in the past. We wanted to try this because: • The number of countries involved. • The ability to not have to pack/unpack every day and, • The fact we have never traveled by boat. All these things made the trip very appealing. Let me tell you, not having to pack and unpack was great but it also comes at the cost of not seeing all the charming and quirky European hotels VBT finds for you! Do not get me wrong, the boat was excellent, the crew could not have been better, and the accommodations were first rate. We upgraded our cabin and if you can do this, do it because having the extra space and having a large deck/window view is wonderful but then again, there is a lot of common space on these boats too with boundless views. They even have a daily laundry service that we took advantage of, so you do not have to pack as much! The food was excellent, very professional and there was never a bad meal or service. However, this too comes at a cost. Because you are captive on the boat, you do not really get to venture out into a town and discover the local fare of a hidden gem or that Michelin restaurant in town as much as you may want. Nor do you ever get to have that 1:1 dinner with your significant other (if so inclined!) on the boat because dinner is always at tables of 4-6. We were lucky that we met an amazing group on our tour whose company we enjoyed tremendously. However, if you find yourself with a group you do not like, you will quickly realize you are going to be eating a dozen or so meals with them or at the very least be in the same room with them for over a week! One last thing about the boat- I had mistakenly assumed the boat would drop us off every morning and we would ride along the Rhine or into some towns and then meet the boat up the river. Nope. The boat stops, you get off and do your ride while the other vacationers on the boat (about 130+) do their city/touristy excursions. Boat stays docked. So essentially, you’re making a loop around the town and countryside. Not a big deal but wish I would have dug in a little deeper on this. The boat sails at night for the most part except for one day towards the end when we did have a 2:30 departure time in order to get to Amsterdam. Second, the Cycling: We met our two guides (was supposed to be three but the third had to bail due to family issue) who were genuinely nice. Mattyeus (Matt) from Hungary and Werner from Germany. Our group was large (24), and I think ultimately we could have used a third guide here as this was a unique and challenging trip that I’ll get to in a minute. Ride with GPS is a godsend and if you do not download it before your trip, you may experience issues when you get there so when you get the email from VBT telling you to download it, do it immediately!! Bikes were great and our group used all different types of bikes. Terrain is easy and flat with nearly no hills. We had riders in their late 70’s on road bikes and people in their 40’s on e-bikes. It was easy and fun! If you have cycled in Europe before you know that everyone loves to ride bikes and in many instances bike riders have more right of way than cars or pedestrians. If there was any criticism of this trip, I think that the stops you have during the rides for lunch and/or snacks could have been closer to restrooms, if possible. Half of our tour was women and I know several were hoping that the stops had restrooms at them or closer by. Having to hunt for a restroom sometimes became a sport at times. When I mentioned that cycling was unique or challenging, I meant only in that some of the routes were confusing-even with Ride with GPS. For instance, on our last ride in The Netherlands one of the longer routes was closed about ½ way through it and although we were told at outset it was open, it was not and so we had to quickly change course and use the other route provided. Not a big deal but confusing, nonetheless. Also, there were a lot of turns and back roads that look like you wouldn’t want to be going that way, but trust me, you do. Also, I would suggest not trying to “race” on these trips. You’re on vacation so enjoy the rides. Wanting to be first to finish will get you lost because sometimes you will be faster than your Ride with GPS guide can locate you and you may just miss a turn. This happened several times on this trip because the roads and side streets are so narrow and close together and not always easily marked. Also be aware that Ride with GPS is not like your car and will not tell you how to get back on course. You'll just have to figure it out if you're way off course. Also, word of caution; in The Netherlands you will also be quickly identified as not being a local because no one, and I mean NO ONE wears a helmet at all. Bikes are the primary mode of transportation in the cities, and you will have to ride somewhat offensively, not defensively. There is no yelling out, “on your left” or ringing of your bell for these folks- they are professionals and will zip in and out of lanes, cut you off or run you down if you hesitate. However, when they see you are wearing a helmet, they instinctively know you’re foreign and are very polite-most of the time. Also, keep in mind that they even allow mopeds on/in bike lanes so be sure to use your mirrors and always stay to the right- don’t meander on the path. Lastly the Pre/Post trips. If you can do it, I always suggest it. Not just because of the amazing cities, scenery, culture, and food but also for getting over the jetlag. We come from the West Coast so a trip to Europe is sometimes a 24 hour+ adventure. You need the time to get yourself right before your first ride. Zurich is an amazing city. The food, people, culture, and diversity are wonderful. We planned ahead and did a spa day and booked a top restaurant weeks before we left. You’ll need to do this too if you’re planning on wanting to do something special as everyone seems to be experiencing a labor shortage. The Hague for the post trip was equally fantastic. Much different pace than Amsterdam, we thoroughly enjoyed the museums (Escher, Mauritshuis and Mesdag) and were able to rent bikes at the hotel and head out to the beach just two miles away. Great weather and the beach were filled with dozens of restaurants and attractions. I am going to give this trip a 4+ Stars. Was not my favorite (Lake Constance still the best!) but I would recommend to anyone looking for something a little different than the normal cycle-only trip.

We have been waiting since 2020 to take this trip! So worth the wait! The Mosel is just beautiful. The guides were knowledgeable, kind, experienced and just plain fun to be with. The Magnifique I was lovely but not luxurious but I am guessing if you bike you are ok with that. The crew was efficient, hard working, kind and polite always. Excellent food and drink!

The Mosel River bike/barge trip was great and I would highly recommended it. Just one travel hiccup taking the train from Berlin to Frankfurt. Train was late departing and our stop in Frankfurt was canceled. Luckily, all 18 of us on the pretrip made the local connecting train to the prearranged stop. Better support from Redpoint would have been appreciated.

Wonderful countryside views with fantastic bike trails. Very little on road travel. Few hills allowing enjoyment of the vinyards.

Excellent tour & guides. We are planning another tour next summer. Recommend the barge part to create a community of fellow bikers. Excellent meals & service. All staff was quite friendly & knowledgeable. ***** for Axel, Aernold & Werner and The chef!! Need for improvement: other bikes stored on the barge & mixup upon shuttle pick up in Luxembourg with no VBT personnel to greet us or give instructions.

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.

Beaujolais, Chardonnay and beyond, this tour was all I dreamed of.

This is a great trip. The views of the snow covered alps as you rode were spectacular as were the lovely villages (late May trip). It would even be better if we wound through a few more small towns instead of so many bike paths. I personally wouldn't have minded a few hills. What made the trip, however, were our two guides, Michel and Cedric, The have been friends for thirty years. It showed and their comic interaction was most entertaining. Cedric gave a few days of Swiss history which was excellent. They were both excellent bike mechanics, which always helps. The hotels were diverse, from 1000 year old abbeys to newer, high end ones. The food and wine were also great. 5 STARS!

Very pleasant riding in mountain valleys & around lakes with a nice mix of city and village life. I enjoyed the longer miles. Hotels for the most part were very good. Food included in the tour varied from OK to great.

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.

The leaders were great,,,the food was great...the bike routes very good...the walking tours were also very good...I missed the travel between local hotels on bikes....