Frequently Asked Questions

How do you choose which tours to offer?

Our trips have been especially chosen for their location, their accessibility, their local attractions and their terrain. All of our cycling vacations take place in areas that are safe to travel and within surroundings well-suited for the two-wheeled traveler. They are popular cycling destinations.  The local tour operators we work with are very familiar with the area's surroundings and pride themselves on the tours that they have designed.  They will assist you in every way possible. If you have any special requests or wish to put together your own trip, we will do our best to accommodate you.

I see you list the name of a "Tour Operator". What is that?

A tour operator is essentially the owner of the tour who contracts with us to sell the tours. We work very closely with all the companies whose tours we offer. They have researched the routes and destinations and have planned the daily itineraries with great care. We have also made an effort whenever possible to meet the tour operators personally and to either experience a tour ourselves or at the very least, visit the boat and barges. We are originally from Holland and are quite familiar with Europe and have cycled in over fifteen countries.

Hotel Tour vs. Based Tour vs. Bike & Boat Tours, what is the difference?

Hotel to Hotel tours are exactly what the name implies. You cycle from hotel to hotel, each day enjoying the scenery, each night staying in a different hotel.  A Hotel Based tour means you stay in one hotel and  cycle the surrounding areas. The Hotel-to-Hotel tours include luggage transfer. The based tours will offer a number of bike routes from which you can choose. On Bike & Boat tours you stay on board a barge or boat.  As the boat motors to the next destination, you cycle and meet it there. The convenience with the Hotel Based tours and Bike and Boat Tours  is that you only have to unpack once while still getting to cycle from town to town. However, the Hotel to Hotel tours are very exciting and adventuresome, each day brand new!

What is the difference between a self -guided and a guided tour?

Most of the bike only tours are self-guided or individual, although several offer the option of a guided/group tour as well. For self guided tours you are provided detailed route descriptions with maps to guide you along the way. The routes have been tested and surveyed with great care, and local agents will always be within immediate contact. The majority of the Bike/Barge tours are guided tours, though there are exceptions.  All  of this information can be found in detail on each tour page.

Road Bike Tours vs. Bike Tours, what is the difference?

Road bike tours usually entail a daily itinerary with a focus on mileage and/or challenges that a varied terrain can provide. Bike tours are completed on a hybrid/touring bike with less mileage and an emphasis on culture and history. This is not to say that some of our road bike tours do not provide the opportunity to explore and enjoy the local surroundings so please peruse all our tours because you might find an area in our road bike category that you will enjoy or vice versa. The biggest difference lies in the type of bicycle that is utilized. A road bike/racing bike has thin tires and racing handle bars with allow the rider to “drop down” low over the bike. The road bikes are lighter in weight and not geared as low as a hybrid/touring bike. The hybrid cycles have a flat handle bar, thicker tires and are a bit heavier than the road cycles.

Can you tell me more about the boats and barges used?

In the details section of each tour page under where you'll stay, the category (and sometimes name) of the ship you will be staying on is listed, and you can click for more details on the type of ship used. For general information about all the barges, please click on barges and boats.

What are the bicycles like?

Most of our trips include excellent bicycles; exceptions to this include many of  the Road Bike Tours and possibly the U.S. tours.  However, top quality bicycles are always available for rental. You may bring your own bicycle to use (be sure to state this at time of booking!), for which a discount may or may not apply. Children's bicycles may also be available by request. We  request your height at time of booking since the bicycles are customized before arrival. To learn more about the bicycles we use and see pictures, please visit our Bicycle Page.  Helmets are not required (except in Slovakia) and usually not included  but are highly recommended. Children’s helmets come with most child safety seats, and sometimes children’s bicycles as well.

What about when bicycles are not included?

For our Road Bike Tours, quality road bikes are available for rental. However, we do understand that many clients desire to bring their own road bikes with them and we encourage you to research your preferred airline for policy and fees.

What can I expect of the accommodations along the way?

We generally utilize 2- to 4-star hotels with private facilities in each room. Bed & Breakfasts may also be used. Breakfasts are usually included. For some trips, you will have the option of choosing your level of accommodations. The trip price is based on double room occupancy. Single rooms require a surcharge or single supplement.

What food and beverages are included in the trip package?

This will be stated under "what's included" on each tour page. Most of the cycling trips include breakfasts and sometimes dinners, which tend to take place at the hotel or near the hotel. Drinks, especially alcoholic, are not included, and need to be paid for separately on location.

Do we receive information about the bike routes?

Yes, you will receive route descriptions for all self-guided tours and possibly the guided ones as well. You will receive the route descriptions upon arrival at your first hotel or on board your boat.  All the routes have been thoroughly surveyed and outlined beforehand. They traverse as much as possible over good quality and lightly traveled roads, side streets or bike paths. In addition to the route descriptions, your travel package frequently includes information on the main attractions of the town or region you'll be exploring as well as local maps. Several of our tour routes can be lengthened or shortened according to personal preference. You will find more information about the routes on the tour page under  "skill level."

How do I get to the starting point of my trip?

You will find this information under "Travel" or "Local Travel" on each tour page. Additional information is provided in the travel packet that  we will  email to you. For train schedules and the like, the internet is a valuable guide. One useful site for train travel all over Europe is Die Bahn. For travel in France, another good site is www.sncf.com. For driving directions within Europe, Mapquest.com can be useful. Keep in mind that local transportation costs are generally not included, unless stated otherwise. (Please note that we cannot guarantee the accuracy of these sites or that they have not been altered, discontinued, or otherwise changed).

Is luggage transfer included?

Luggage transfer  is included for all the hotel-to-hotel tours. The luggage will be transferred in the morning, and will arrive at the next destination sometime in the early afternoon. We ask that you limit your luggage to a maximum weight of 20 kg/44 lbs per person. Please refer to the travel information that you will receive from us for details on each tour operator's guidelines in regards to luggage. During the day, you should only need a small backpack to hold items such as snacks, sunglasses, sunscreen, rain jacket, pocket change, passport, camera, etc.

What kind of clothing should I bring?

Comfortable cycling attire, especially cycling pants or shorts. You may also wish to bring along a padded/gel saddle cover or padded bicycle shorts for extra comfort. Please be reminded of the temperature differences when cycling through the mountains and valleys. Multiple layers of clothing tend to work best for all kinds of weather. We also recommend bringing a windbreaker and full rain gear. Protective headgear is also recommended, but optional. It is a good idea to check the local weather conditions just prior to departure.

What is the degree of difficulty of the trips?

We strive to offer a variety of tours that will please the majority of cyclists. The majority of our tours fall within the Easy to Moderate level which means they can be experienced by the beginner as well as the expert and most children, though we highly recommend at least some cycling experience and being in generally good shape. See each individual tour page for more details on its difficulty level. Our basis for categorizing our tours is below. Please remember that these are general descriptions. 
 

• Easy:  Flat terrain.  Average daily distances approx. 16-30 miles
• Easy to Moderate: Terrain is mainly flat with some sloping hills. A daily distance can sometimes exceed 30 miles.
• Moderate: Terrain is made of  rolling hills with some climbing involved. Itineraries frequently include two or more days with mileage more than 30 miles.
• Moderate to difficult: Climbs are more frequent and strenuous, such as you would find in the Tuscany region of Italy.
• Difficult: Very hilly terrain such as you will find with our Road Bike Tours or some of the tours in Croatia. Daily distances normally exceed 40 miles, but not always. A very mountainous terrain but shorter daily mileage will often times warrant the designation of Difficult.
• Very Difficult: Road Bike Tours with longer daily distances and strenuous climbs.

* Road Bike Tours will of course have  more mileage and a higher level of difficulty. They usually will have a rating from difficult to very difficult.

What will happen should I encounter problems during the trip?

Luckily, this rarely happens. Nevertheless, should you encounter a problem, a phone call should quickly solve it. You will receive local emergency phone numbers for this purpose. The local tour operator (or tour guide for guided tours and Bike & Boat tours) will ensure you are back on your way as soon as possible.  For the Guided tours, your tour guide will be happy to help you fix a flat tire (or any problems with your bicycle).  For Self-guided tours, you will be provided with an emergency repair kit to fix a flat tire.  It will be assumed that you are able to fix your flat on your own.  However, if you cannot accomplish the fix, help is still only a call away.  

Does a support vehicle accompany us?

Only on certain guided tours. Our experience has taught us that virtually every cyclist is able to make it to the next hotel without difficulties, and help is never far away. 

When will I receive my travel packet?

Starting in 2010, we are no longer printing a large brochure or mailing  travel packet.  This  saves us a considerable amount of time and money, both of which we need to better serve you and to keep our costs low. About 3-4 weeks before the start of your trip, we will email you all the travel documents and trip information you need. If you would like it emailed sooner or later, just let us know. For many of our trips, more detailed information (such as route descriptions) will be provided upon arrival at the first hotel.

How large is the group on board a ship on the Bike & Boat tours?

The size of the group is dependent on the size of the ship used, which vary. Usually, group size is between 15 to 30 participants (with a bare minimum of around 10); although during the busy summer season, the ship is generally always fully booked. Chartering your own ship is also an option. More details on this can be found by clicking charter.

Which countries do the participants come from on a Bike & Boat tour?

Mainly, the United States, Canada, Australia and all over Europe, such as Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, France, and Italy.

What happens if it rains during my tour?

Most people put on their raingear and get on their bicycles anyway. If you are on a guided Bike and Boat tour and the weather makes cycling absolutely impossible, the guide will arrange an alternative program which may include a longer visit to one of the towns along the way or a cultural excursion. You can always also stay on board the boat and sail to the next stop. Depending on the country you are in, sometimes you can simply hop a train to your next stop.

When is the best time to book a tour?

Generally, the sooner the better, especially with the Bike & Boat tours, when traveling with a large group and when including airfare with the tour. Tours can fill up quickly, especially in Holland when the tulips are in bloom! We are finding that our tours are filling up earlier every year.

When are the tulips in bloom in Holland?

From around mid-April to mid-May, although the weather just prior to this period may lengthen or shorten this time frame by a week or two. Visit our Tulip Time page for more info.

Special diets?

No problem, just be sure to state your requirements at time of booking.  On select boats, just as the Elodie, a supplement fee may be asked if the restrictions are extreme.  

What if I want to spend an extra night?

Extra nights in certain cities or towns are usually possible, such as before or after a tour. We can assist you in the booking process or provide recommendations for you.

What documents will I need to travel?

 A valid passport is required for all European trips. Visa requirements will need to be determined depending on your desitination.

Tell me more about tour pricing

All prices are per person based on double room occupancy. Single bookings will incur a supplemental fee. We generally sell our tours without air fare but can assist you if you desire, especially if you would like to book with Iceland Air. You will find more information regarding this option and under "Airfare Included." We require a $300 per person deposit at the time of  booking, after your tour is confirmed. Before final payment is due, we will send you a complete invoice to look over. Type of payment can be either personal check or one of these credit cards: VISA, MasterCard or Discover. Paying with credit card entails a surcharge of 4%.

Why are the prices now in Euros?

We buy the majority of our tours in Euros and it is simply cost effective for you and for us to sell our tours in Euros as well, therefore, our prices will not change. Only the exchange rate changes. We provide a calculator on the pricing page of each tour so that you can accurately and immediately calculate the price in U.S. Dollars.  For tours operated by U.S. based companies, prices will be in Dollars.

What exchange rate do you use to compose the final invoice?

The exchange rate will be the bank rate plus 2 cents. If more than 100 days* before travel, you can pick a day when the exchange rate is favorable and pay in full that day. Otherwise, we will use the exchange rate of the day that is 100 days before your tour date. As always, an initial $300 per person deposit is required at time of booking, which will be credited to you as partial payment for your tour. Full payment is due 90 days before travel. If you are booking a tour less than 90 days before travel, full payment will be required at time of booking with that day's exchange rate.

 *For CHARTERS, payment will be due 150 days before travel.

What is the best way to pay?

We recommend paying by check in USD. Paying with credit card will incur a  4% fee. International clients can also pay by direct wire transfer into our European account. We will provide all necessary details upon booking.