Italy Tour Reviews — 391 to 420 of 517
Ross D.
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Sicily & the Aeolian Archipelago
Italy
The Aeolian Archipelago Trip was sold as easy/moderate and as a result there were several people that probably should not have been there. As a consequence the guide was indecisive most days how to deal with the itinerary and as a consequence kept adjusting and shortening the rides. As for my wife and I we traveled all the way from Canada to enjoy the boat, scenery and riding as a total experience.
Because of the constant changing of the daily itinerary and shortened rides we became somewhat dissatisfied with the total experience.
Jehiel • 8 years ago Tripsite Staff
Hello Ross,
Thanks for sharing this feedback. As a result, we have changed the rating and recommended the ebike option less experienced riders. We have also been in contact with our local partner to ensure the itenerary is presented in full and is followed.
I had a great time meeting you and Donna on this trip and hope to help you plan your next one!
D. Green
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
This was a fabulous trip all around! The group was friendly, and guides were helpful and knowledgeable! Dinners were delicious and varied, stronger than expected for this type of trip. We really enjoyed being able to purchase wine on board the ship, also. The riding was varied, and we really appreciated that our guides made sure to schedule a mid-morning break for coffee/water/toilet. What a great way to get a sense of this part of Italy - from small villages and farm fields to Venice - just spectacular!
One suggestion for improvement: for riding in really hot weather, it would be great if there could be a little more flexibility. We rode during a heat spell (40 degrees Centigrade one day). It was difficult to shift schedules or shorten our rides due to logistics, and this created some health issues.
Jehiel • 8 years ago Tripsite Staff
Thank you so much for your feedback. Due to the route of the boat, it is difficult to shorten the biking portion and still meet back up with the boat. However, you are always welcome to stay aboard the boat if you you find the weather unsatisfactory. Glad you had a great trip despite the hot weather!
M. Sciulli
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Dolomites to Venice
Italy
The trip itself was amazing! Spectacular scenery and just the right amount of cycling every day. We loved the fact that it was self-guided so we could go at our own pace. The description of easy to moderate was accurate, but I know it would have been much harder had we not had electric bikes. I have 2 specific complaints: First, the quality of the hotels was not up to par. A friend described one as exactly like his dorm room in college...small, smelly, run down, not properly air-conditioned, out of the way, and generally unsatisfactory. Secondly, the directions and the maps need to be updated. More than once we found ourselves at a dead-end or could not find a turn we were supposed to take. We wasted a lot to time going back and forth trying to find the supposed route. Thankfully we speak Italian, so we could stop and ask locals for directions. At other times we just ended up relying on the GPS on our phone to find a proper route. Overall, if these two things were improved this would be a perfect trip. I highly recommend the trip.
Judy Wolf • 6 years ago
Would you recommend this bike tour for two women? Not that we can't take care of ourselves, but you seemed to have more than your share of problems. We have biked in Austria without any problems at all...
Carla from Tripsite • 6 years ago Tripsite Staff
Hi Judy,
Just wanted to let you know that we now have GPS tracks available for this tour. We can email them to you and you can download them to use offline!
In case you missed it, there is a blog post about this tour you might find helpful.
Marjorie • 6 years ago
I think 2 women could easily do this, especially if you’ve done a similar one in Austria. However, I would recommend you have a working GPS in case they haven’t updated their maps and guide. I would also get a local SIM card so you can make calls if you run into any problems. It is stunning, especially at the beginning.
L. Klinker
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
We loved the entire cycling experience! Our stay in Umbertide was especially memorable- the hotel was amazing and the restaurant was some of the best food we ate in Italy!
A. Harris
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
A fabulous experience. We will seriously consider further barge/bike holidays with you.
C. Baird
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Dolomites to Venice
Italy
The Guide gave us very little information about either the equipment or route before he left us. Just simple things would have helped significantly. He was abrupt, especially with women and certainly less than helpful. The guidebook was good for the most part, but some sections were completely useless. Some of this may have been due to translation, but improvements are needed. When we entered cities, we always had to ask for assistance.
We have taken about 10 European bike trips and expect some difficulties finding our way, but have never encountered the degree of problems we had on this trip.
T. Petersen
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Deriya Deniz Amalfi Coast - Tyrrhenian Sea
Italy
Loved our guide, the food quality and variety was the only disappointment.
E. Lowell
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
It was a wonderful trip! I liked that we got to be on the barge when it moved (one time at the end of the day and another in the morning). The food was outstanding and I liked that the chefs described dinner and suggested wine pairings. The barge was very comfortable - even with 3 in a cabin.
Our son (22 years old) was outnumbered by the over 50 crowd but Hein made him feel welcome. Only suggestion - mirrors on the bikes (although I realize that makes them difficult to store and move) and a brief intro on riding in groups.
W. Watkins
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Deriya Deniz Amalfi Coast - Tyrrhenian Sea
Italy
We had the time of our life and look forward to our next bike and boat tour. Thanks so much for everything!
V. Miller
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
Oh yea the bikes --- a good ride and comfy enough for the distances ridden. The routes were well planned, even the few times we had to ride in traffic. The trip leaders were excellent at managing the group and making it fun, no matter what we were doing.
For Read More the whole week I felt well cared for :)
I am already dreaming of my next trip.
Kindly -- Victoria
P.S. The bad and the ugly -- honestly I don't have anything to contribute for improvement.
J. Scott
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
The crew were AMAZing! Every single one of them. Tami is an amazing guide - super friendly and helpful. All of the crew helpful and a delight. I would definitely go on this type of trip again because of my experience on this trip.
MARCOS FERRAZ
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Venice to Poreč
Italy, Slovenia, Croatia
Estamos super-satisfeitos com voces e a Giro Libero. Tudo transcorreu muito bem de forma profissional e organizada, superando ate nossas expectativas.
O material distribuido (mapas e guias) foi otimo; as bikes todas aguentaram bem sem darem qq problema, em otimo estado de manutencao e apropriadas ao trajeto; o percurso muito bem marcado; o funcionario da reuniao inicial foi pontual e nos atendeu muito bem e orientou sobre tudo; os hoteis super de acordo com o contratado, bem localizados e confortaveis; enfim, um passeio que nos alegrou em muito com paisagens lindas e repleto de experiencias culturais.
M. Hunt
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Amalfi Coast - Tyrrhenian Sea
Italy
We had a long line of riders of various abilities even though it was basically a flat ride. There should have been an official sweeper at the end of the line. Our guide was a great guy but seemingly casual in this regard. Toilets on the boat needed continual tweaking - a bit unnerving. Loved the crew- all hard working, super upbeat and friendly.
E. Greer
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Deriya Deniz Amalfi Coast - Tyrrhenian Sea
Italy
Everything did not go perfectly all the time but we had a great time and the guys from Girolibero were always doing their best to help out when needed.
V. Milner
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Deriya Deniz Amalfi Coast - Tyrrhenian Sea
Italy
Well organised overall. In honesty the food was at times ordinary with great emphasis on fish & pasta. Bit more variety would have been good. Riccardo (tour guide) was excellent - he really made the tour worthwhile with his enthusiasm and knowledge. Not all staff on board were as friendly or able to communicate which did make a big difference to the overall atmosphere on board. We did have some difficulties with the booking process initially which remained unresolved in that we were unsure of why someone was phoning us from US.
L. Chambers
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
This was my first bike & barge. The bar has been set very high!
J. Wark
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Umbria
Italy
All hotels were great except Hotel Magione. We were the only guests and I don't think they wanted us there. The breakfast was not up to snuff and there was NO English station on the TV. Given the level of difficulty of the hills, the bikes were very heavy (steel) especially when we had to walk up hills. Ok for flat but not hilly. We loved the restaurant near the hotel in Togiano and went twice. Unfortunately, we did have rain......
Steve • 2 years ago
Hi,
We are considering this tour. Were you on road bikes? What other riding in Europe have you done that you enjoyed (or not enjoyed).
Thanks,
Steve
Vancouver, Canada.
L. Bockelmann
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
The entire bike-barge trip on the Ave Maria far exceeded our expectations. I would highly recommend this trip.
Oswaldo and Rachel
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Bolzano to Venice
Italy
We have just arrived from our trip. It was amazing! We strongly recomend
J Murphy
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Heel of Italy
Italy
The maps and route details were hard to follow at points, but the trip was very good: the ride, hotels and fellow cyclists.
mary
8 years ago
Tripsite Staff
Tuscany - Florence, Siena, and the Chianti
Italy
This is Mary from Tripsite and this was my very first Tripsite tour back in 2010, I believe. I was traveling alone and self guided so flexibility was required, not to mention that my first cycling day was the coldest on record for years! ( I was cycling in early April.) I did get turned around a few times as I learned to read the route descriptions and follow the maps but each Tuscan hilltop was a reward in and of itself. From this tour I learned that when cycling self guided do expect: 1. To get turned around at least once or twice 2. That the Italians will always tell you to go straight 3. That the ancient streets many times do not have their names clearly visible 4. That most of the towns are located on a hill. 5. That Tuscany is simply stunning! Highlight: seeing Florence from afar from a hilltop and then cycling down and into the ancient city itself. I also learned that some of the best experiences happen when you least expect it! I am giving this a four star because personally I felt the bike was very heavy (but thankfully geared low enough for the hills!)
Joel Angiolillo
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Excellent trip. High quality, bikes, guides, lodging. No complaints. Very well organized. (except for the weather. :-).
Joanne White
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Bolzano-Mantova-Venice
Italy
This Bike and Barge tour was amazing, best holiday ever!
Julia Haschke
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Bolzano to Venice
Italy
It seemed the first hotels during the trip were very nice, and declined as the week went. Might've been a coincidence but it was a bit disappointing. The guides were amazing, as was the route in northern Italy. Was very happy with the experience, and was very organized and went very smoothly.
Claire Radcliffe
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Tuscany - Montecatini to Florence
Italy
We loved our Tripsite journey! We would love to do another ride one day, maybe next year! It was better than what we expected! Challenging and scenically! We trained hard beforehand and we're thankful that we did! I would recommend a Tripsite journey for anyone who is considering its! Thank you!
JoAnn Grand
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
The biking was not as scenic as other trips I have been on. However the food, staff and guide were excellent.
Terrence Kinal
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
Crew and guides were friendly and extremely helpful. Meals and snacks were great! Good sense of comradery due to the small number of passengers. Good bikes, rides were interesting and manageable.
Alfred Lilly
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Vita Pugna Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
Understanding the trip was planned for little difficulty, expected that the terrain would be flat, but was hoping for more scenery and countryside to take in while biking. Perhaps if there was an option of having a sag vehicle for those who couldn't/didn't want more difficult terrain so the option was available for those who could do more ... and see more. Overall great experience, friendly crew and excellent food!
Lois Benson
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
The crew aboard the Ave Maria was cheerful and helpful, especially Michaela, who went above and beyond in helping with departure plans. The food was wonderful.
A group of 30 is a lot of work for the cycling guides, but I would have liked a few more rest breaks along the way, especially on the day to Ferrara.
James & Kimberly Engel
8 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Ave Maria Mantova to Venice or Venice to Mantova
Italy
We have decided that this is the only way we now want to see other countries, up close and personal! What a wonderful experience!
Loved getting exercise every day while viewing the beautiful countryside. Even better was ending our ride with wine, a delicious dinner and new friends!
All Tour Reviews by Country
Boat/Barge Reviews
- Magellan
- Magnifique I
- Magnifique II
- Magnifique III
- Magnifique IV
- Mare fan Fryslân
- Merlijn
- Florentina
- Normandie
- Princess
- Olympia
- Panagiota
- Pape Prvi
- Primadonna
- Princesse Royal
- Prinzessin Katharina
- Romantica
- RV River Kwai
- Sailing Home
- San Snova
- Sarah
- Stella
- Sundial
- Swiss Crown
- Thalassa
- Flying Dutchman
- Vietnamese Junks
- Vita Pugna
- Vivienne
- Wending
- Zwaan
- Zwaantje