Reviews

There are not enough stars! I think a ten is more like it. We traveled with Boat Bike tours to Provence a year ago and had such a wonderful experience with the guidance of Licia Arvada, that we came again. This time our experience traveling and biking to Venice Waterways was rich in every way. The boat is comfortable, welcoming and relaxed. The food cannot be described- just beyond all expectations. We es[ecialy appreciated being introduced to local foods at every stop- the local cookie (sbrisolona in Mantova), the local cheeses (Grana Padang in Bergntino), local pasta (bigly near Venice) and wines from local vineyards. Tour leaders Francesco and Elena were incredibly delightful guides, patient and well-informed, and proud to share their culture and history. We stopped at the Montovani distillery for a special tasting of grappa and more, and enjoyed the fifth generation distiller’s explanation the distilling process with an accompanying magnificent use of the hands to convey details. There was something special at every stop, carefully planned and clearly adding to the tapestry of history and culture. The entire crew, the captain, the technician and the chefs were a team with the tour leaders. Their warmth toward each other, and their generous willingness to do many different tasks that made the journey a smooth one was inspiring and heart-warming. Their camaraderie and team spirit really set the positive tone for the whole week. And the meals…it is barely possible to sing enough praises. We were introduced to Italy through the table…finely sliced baby zucchini with asprinkling of cheese, fennel and grapefruit, crostatas, fresh pasta, local fish in Chioggia, and beets that we grow in the states from the town of that name. There were local specialities every night and I for one tried everything because it was all divine. I have just reread the lovely cookbook full of recipes but also stories and background. We had Zuppa de Carote, feta e paprika last night. I am on my way soon to our farmer’s market to buy Borlotti (cranberry) beans to make the simple beans and red onion salad. Thank you for providing us with the cookbook to keep enjoying the adventure. This trip will be a hard act to follow, but we look forward to another boat/bike trip in the future. Grazie Mille!

Hola!!!! Este fue mi 5 viaje con la empresa y de todos fue el más caro porque buscaba una experiencia premium Debo decir que me decepcionó totalmente El barco es viejo no tiene un living donde sentarse a descansar no tiene barra de tragos con personal que los prepare las habitaciones muy muy chicas y la limpieza de los dormitorios y baños una vez en toda la semana La parte superior en otros barcos tenían incluso Jacuzzi No me pareció tampoco muy buena la comida Con respecto a la parte de bicicleta es muy poco lo que se hace Rescato la amabilidad del capitán y todo el personal No lo recomendaría y no repetiría esta experiencia Ojalá me puedan recomendar algo de mejor nivel Les comento los viajes que he realizado Burdeos /burdeos Ámsterdam /brujas Ámsterdam/cochen Paris /epernay Y este recientemente Saludo atte

Great guides, food, crew, and tour.

This was my third bike and barge trip. Traveled from Mantua to Venice. It was exceptional! The Vita Pugna was the smallest barge but made it even better with just 18 guests and 4 staff. Our tour guide, Elena, was the best!! Very knowledgeable, fun, and looked out for each and every one of us. The food was phenomenal with 2 chefs on board. I would highly recommend this trip!

Even better than we expected, all the team on the boat were so friendly and helpful, the boat was spotless and comfortable and the food was created with care to a very high standard. The biking was not at all hard and was fun, the guides were great taking us off the beaten track to interesting places. Just trying to book another trip!!

A nice boat, excellent staff and amazing chefs and food they created! Tour Guide Elena was beyond amazing! Kind, patient, knowledgeable, and a nice person to be around all week! I know my trip was even more fantastic because they were a part of my journey.

Just finished our tour aboard the Ava Maria from Venice to Mantova. The vessel is a great custom design and purpose built for doing bike tours. State rooms are spacious with comfortable beds, well designed storage that enabled to be able to completely unpack. Suit cases have lots of room to be stored under the beds. Nice bathrooms with a very well designed vacuflush toilet that can be used like your toilet at home. First time I have seen a marine toilet system work so well. Our guides Alex and Elana were a fantastic team. The kept our large group of 32 riders safe. There were no accidents, mishaps, flat tires or breakdowns. Alex was by far the star of the crew. Years of bike guiding experience, went the extra mile in customer care and made the trip very fun. New bikes. We had e bikes and was very impressed with how light weigh they were, lots of quick adjustment features for a great fit. Best coffee machine in over 17 small group boats I have been on. “17 tours”. Meals at dinner were ok but 2 meals are fish only. So if you do not enjoy fish please let them know in an e mail before the trip. You make your own lunch that included fresh buns and breads, chocolate bars and fruit. My only small complaint that there were 2 sets of salt and pepper on the table at dinner but none at breakfast.This was brought to the captain’s attention but failed to happen. 1 salt and one pepper located at a very busy morning buffet held up the line. Captain Richardo was very good and worked harder by far than any crew member. He also helped out in the kitchen and serving meals. He bake his mother’s dessert recipe that was fantastic for our final meal. The sauce contains lots of alcohol so is your us and don’t drink it can be a challenge.

We very much enjoyed our barge and bike trip from Venice to Mantua. Sylvia, our guide was outstanding, very knowledgeable and knew many people along the route and included a number of “surprises” and unexpected visits. She kept the whole group engaged, 20 of us, quite a feat. The e-bikes were of high quality and made any distance easy to accomplish. The barge crew (2 cooks) and captain were also great and entertaining, the food was excellent. They all looked after us well. The scenery, small towns and stops were all very interesting, a part of Italy with lots of history (all 5 stars). The only negative is the barge itself which is dated, it needs refurbishing and was not up to the standard of the other Boat Bike trip we have taken.

The crew, tour leader, food, bikes, tours, biking, scenery and camaraderie were excellent.The beds were very comfortable, however the boat is old, tired, musty and moldy. The boat did not match up to the excellence of the rest of the tour. I would seek out another boat for this great vacation.

we had a great time on the bike and barge trip from Mantua to Venice….all the crew were super and so helpful at every turn…we loved the two Stefanias who were our guides and they provide much needed help at times to keep us on the right path. The meals were so gourmet and we looked forward each night to the announcement of what they had prepared for us…and the Captain and his technical assistant were also right in there helping at every point…we also had great weather which made the trip more memorable…will recommend this to anyone.