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France

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

Provence is a Pleasure!

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.

Idaho21, Idaho

France: Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Les Baux & Avignon

Best views of France's Alsace Region

This trip was better than anticipated. We expected a great time, but this was outstanding in service, leadership and bike friendliness.

Meadows Two, New Meadows, ID, USA

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

Incredible trip

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.)

bostonfam, Boston, MA, USA

France: Normandy & Brittany

Amazing trip!

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.

Tami O,

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

Best Vacation ever

This trip was the frust one I have been on I got to say it was over the top. The boat trip was great the people that work on that boat are top notch. The VBT group did a great job well organized Marijn and Werner work great together we always know what was going to be going on the next day. This was a 5 stair vacation.

Rhine Bike & River Cruise: Basel to Amsterdam

VBT Rocks

Matthias and Werner were AMAZING guides. We miss them already! VBT, you all did it right and we had an amazing time.

Patty Schwaiger, Marriottsville, MD

Rhine Bike & River Cruise: Basel to Amsterdam

Would do this trip again!

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.

Germany, Luxembourg & France Bike & Boat: Mosel River Valley

Riding (the good) vs Mystique II (the not so good)

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.

JackieAZ,

Germany, Luxembourg & France Bike & Boat: Mosel River Valley

An Unforgettable and Joy Filled Experience.

This was our second trip with VBT. We absolutely loved our first tour ( Germany, Austria, Switzerland - Bavarian Alps & Lake Constance ) Our Bike & Barge tour was even better! The barge, the other guests, the guides, the food, the scenery were just about perfect. On the second day of riding I mentioned to a guide that it was an ideal day. He smiled and happily told that the next four days get even better. It was true! While the transfers between pre and post trip cities were lengthy and complex, I wouldn't want to miss out on our immense enjoyment of Munich and Berlin. It's difficult to imagine a different tour being better. We'll see, we signed up for a VBT tour for '23 the day after we arrived home. Thank you to all who made this tour an unforgettable and joy filled experience.

Ed W,

France, Luxembourg & Germany Bike & Boat: Mosel River Valley

Highly recommend

Lived up to all expectations-and then some! Great tour! Beautiful area. Really would not change a thing-other than maybe the weather. The boat exceeded expectations-yes it had small rooms-get a suite if you are two normal size people. The food and service aboard ship were absolutely five star. The crew was amazing and the meals totally worthy of five stars.

LAJ57, Oregon

France, Luxembourg & Germany Bike & Boat: Mosel River Valley

Drinking Chardonnay in Chardonnay

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.

Rich 1, San Diego

France: Vineyards of Beaujolais

Perfect time of year to coast through wine country

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

Bree, Nebraska

France: Vineyards of Beaujolais

Couldn’t ask for more

Excellent trip with superb location selection, exceptional leaders, and really great rides. Highly recommend this VBT tour.

moostrax, Florida

Switzerland & France: Lake Geneva, Annecy & Valleys of the Alps

Six fantastic days of biking

Six fantastic days of biking! This was our first ever bike trip and we thoroughly enjoyed every part of it. We were very lucky to have such perfect sunny days that were book-ended by rain. We loved the two gals that led the tour...they were "over the top" in every way! I had never been on an E bike, but quickly took to it and now want one of my own. I still felt that I got a lot of exercise ...just loved it. Every morning the bike would be ready with a bike bag and fresh water with lemon and the helmet. The hotels were all top notch also. This particular trip has amazing scenery, so it was very lucky that clouds didn't obscure the magnificent peaks. Will definitely try another trip!

Barbara Porter, Kittery Maine

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

A delightful bike trip through the south of France

Our cruise/bike trip from Lyon to Nice was great! Despite the cool and sometimes rainy weather and fierce winds, we rode on! We enjoyed the walks through each city, and the beautiful rides along vineyards, and fields of fruit and sunflowers. The olive oil tasting was fun and delicious, and the walk through the museum and delicious lunch by the water looking up at Pont du Gard were highlights for us! The bike routes were easy to follow and well thought out. And last but hardly not least was the delightful and knowledgeable guidance of our trip leaders, Sophie and Bruno. They shared so much about the areas we visited, and were so much fun to be with. There was nothing they couldn’t or wouldn’t help out with- we felt so secure under their leadership and guidance!

Margi,

France Bike & River Cruise: Lyon to Nice

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