Europe Reviews

The Belgium and Holland Bike and Barge Tour was like biking through scenes of the Dutch masters paintings. The countryside is so peaceful, and the unhurried pace of the tour gives you an opportunity to absorb this tranquility. The small towns have an old world charm about them, enhanced by the narrow roads and colorful gardens. Our fellow riders were a friendly group of people with varied interests. Having a master chef prepare the tasty and creative meals was a nightly dining treat. This was our first VBT Tour, and we are already planning our next trip.

This trip will be remembered as one of my most memorable experiences. The crew were above and beyond my expectations. Courteous, considerate, knowledgeable, and always there to meet any need. The itinerary was well planned and allowed just the right amount of time to explore and take in the beautiful scenery. The food was gourmet and served with impeccable style. Highly recommended.

Belgium and Holland caters to the cyclist, so there are bike paths throughout the countryside. So nice not to have to compete with cars. The countryside and towns were as idyllic as you might imagine, and a bike is the best way to experience them.

Great trip – bikes were new and easy to ride – lots of assistance and knowledge of the area from trip leaders and terrific food and crew. Add to that some beautiful countryside and great towns. Made for a wonderful trip overall.

We had the best time on our bike and Barge trip through the Netherlands and Belgium. The food and accommodations were great, the tour guides were very friendly and the sights were amazing! The bicycling was flat which made it very nice to see the country and do the longer mileage each day. Loved this trip!

This was our fourth trip with VBT and wonderful like the previous trips. Trip leaders were delightful, knowledgeable, and helpful. Accommodations on the Sailing Home were very comfortable and delicious food was served. Daily biking was through emerald pastures speckled with cows and sheep, beautiful homes and water! You won’t regret it!

The VBT has this organized extremely well including everything from the barge, staff, food, and bike route. It is as advertized – routes along canals, flat and easy going. Our guides were first class – as expect all would be. The barge staff was fantastic and the food was first class. We highly recommend this trip.

Our first trip to Europe and our first bike trip and it was incredible. VBT made the trip hassle free allowing us to enjoy every moment of our trip. Seeing Europe on a bike is the best way to really see the country. Cycling through small hamlets, farm land and along rivers and canals is magnificent. The barge crew was great, trip leaders were awesome and the food was fantastic as well. A trip of a lifetime and we will return for another VBT trip.

Rides well choreographed, beautiful scenery through lovely little towns, which most visitors never see. Rides not too strenuous, with plenty of follow help if need by tour leaders.

Everything about the bike and barge trip from Cochem to Metz was first class. The barge was well appointed, the leaders were friendly, smart and brought laughter to each day. The crew was outstanding, talented and believe it or not I gained weight on a bike trip. The chef did it with his delicious five course meals. The bike routes were well thought out, safe and the scenery was speculator.

What a peaceful biking experience along the Moselle! There were lots of opportunities to experience the culture of Germany as we biked along the river. At the end of the day, it was nice to spend time with other guests on the barge. One of the most fascinating tours was the bell foundry – who would have thought that could have been so interesting?! All in all, a wonderful experience!

We had such a wonderful bike tour in the Mosel. We enjoyed our fellow bikers. The barge was welcoming, clean and comfortable. The guides were capable, knowledgeable about the area, anxious to make sure that each of us was comfortable on our bikes, and very funny. The crew was ready, willing and more than able to assure our safety, take care of our onboard needs and feed us delicious and beautifully presented food Also, they were so much fun. No Kidding. Even the weather cooperated. Did I mention the worth while side trips? And picture-perfect German towns?

Fantastic scenery along the Mosel/Moselle and Saar rivers! Biking is easy, the vistas are wonderful and the barge (Iris) is a great home on this trip.

Our trip was wonderful! The scenery was beautiful & breathtaking! The biking & walking tours were very organized & well run! The bike routes were explained well & our bikes were well maintained! Our chef was fabulous preparing delicious meals. The barge crew did a great job keeping us fed, safe & comfortable!

VBT did an excellent job planning, staffing, and accommodations. The staff could not have been better. It was a beautiful river cruise with interesting villages around every bend. There were festivals and live music and delicious food and wine on and off the barge. Better than expected at every level.

This was our 1st trip with VBT and our expectations were surpassed by the range of exceptional biking and cultural experiences The staff was wonderful and the food and accommodations were also great.

Cruising on the barge gives a great overview of the breathtaking scenery. Then diving into the countryside gets you up close to the people, sight, sounds, and smells – a sensory experience, not just a glimpse from a bus or car.

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.

This was our 5th VBT trip and each one has been excellent. The countryside and the biking was varied and interesting, the day on the Aren Island provided a particularly fabulous change of pace, a fascinating local guide explained the formation of the land and the ecology and the food and accommodations we typically top notch.

This trip was magical! The scenery was breathtaking, the cycling perfect, the accommodations luxurious, the food delicious and the guides incredibly knowledgeable and kind. It was a great way to see and experience Ireland!

Just returned from the VBT trip in Ireland and I can not say enough good things about it! The itinerary was excellent, the VBT guides were fantastic and loved the people on the trip with us!

Best trip I’ve ever done, I don’t intend on doing another vacation not through VBT. Great way to see the country, excellent local knowledge, best tips on local spots. The food took me by surprise at how delicious every meal was. Treated like royalty. Each B&B felt like being at home.

Outstanding leaders, beautiful places to stay, fantastic food, and some unique towns as well as impressive coastal scenery. Biking was an excellent way to discover a region that is less frequented by foreign tourists.

Our trip was excellent and very enjoyable! We would highly recommend it to all. All our guides, both pre-trip local & road trip, were experienced, knowledgeable, lovely, and patient. MANY THANKS!!

We had a group of 12 friends and family, we had best time. We just returned a few days ago and many of our group are already talking about where should we go on our next VBT trip.

The Dolomite Valley is a well kept secret to most Americans. It’s a land between two cultures, Italian and Austrian, and has much of both. You can buy your Wurst und Beer in the Plaz and enjoy the sunshine. Bicycling is incredible, the trails are heavenly, and the scenery is incomparable. We took the post trip in Verona, took the train to Vicenza and back in the same day. This was our third and favorite VBT Tour.

It was a beautiful six days of cycling through Northern Italy. The Dolomites were spectacular!

Just a wonderful tour with breathtaking views of the majestic Dolomites, cycling through one charming village after another on well maintained bike paths. Our guides were very professional and personable, and it was just the right mix of biking along with cultural experiences and relaxation.

My wife and I had a wonderful time on the Czech Republic, Germany & Austria tour. Our guides were outstanding, and the food was consistently mouth-watering. We had a mix of unique stops along the way, ranging from a small family-owned farm to the culture of Vienna. We can’t recommend this trip more!

I have been a flight attendant for 31 yrs and traveled a great deal. This was the best trip you can imagine. I enjoyed the riding, the history lessons and the wonderful meals. Accomodations were very nice. I would go again in a minute!