Reviews

We did the 4 night tulip tour which I highly recommend. The boat, bikes, food and staff went beyond expectations. We rode up to 40km a day so a moderate fitness level is recommended however there are also electric bikes available if you prefer.

*** SUPER TRIP *** The team on the boat work incredibly hard to make sure you have everything and are well looked after. The new Magnifique III luxury boat is beautifully appointed. We took Suite 1 which was very spacious and has well sized windows for views on the go. The Tulip Tour we did was very scenic and colourful. Really enjoyed it.

I thought the boat bike april2 tulip ride was great. Staff wonderful. Would appreciate some higher quality of wine to choose from and don’t mind paying for the extra cost Dinners were good but at end of long outdoor cycle I think it’s important to have slightly larger portions and absolutely 2 choices on main course. Myself and others around me not big fish fans of which 2 of 4 dinners were Our bike guide Fred was a fantastic guide leading the faster group. A few rude passengers gave him a hard time for trying to keep the group safe with cycle rules and etiquette. Totally rude guests that should probably choose another holiday option. I would definitely use thie magnifique and crew again. Would like to do a 7 day tour Amsterdam Brugge Trish murphy

We did not know what to expect, but we really enjoyed our time on the Magnifque. The crew was great and attentive. The rooms small, but clean and suitable for a small boat. The tours the perfect length. Good local food. Good company. And great tour guides. Corrie was fantastic and Fred was the best tour guide I have ever had. The only complaint was that the hot tub was not heated the third night and that was the coldest day when it was most needed.

Amazing time! We will travel with Boat Bike tours again. They take all the hassle out of traveling in a different country. The food was excellent, the accommodations were great and the tour guides were extremely helpful and fun. Thanks

This was the best vacation we have ever had. We went with 11 and 12-year-old sons. The crew were so accommodating and helpful. Tom and Wilmea The tour leaders were extraordinary. My only small complaint is that it would’ve been nice if they had Included several 2 minute breaks at sites that deserve taking pictures. The countryside was so beautiful and they were at least 15 or 20 places where we would have loved to stop take pictures and admire the beauty. Instead the priority seem to be getting from point A to point B in a set amount of time, somewhat like a race. We would’ve enjoyed a slower pace way more I think. Overall exceptional. We are going to book another tour for next year to another country for sure. The food and service was superb! The cook was marvelous.

We spent 5 days on the MAGNIFIQUE II biking through the countryside in Holland. We cannot praise the captain, crew, staff, boat, or program enough. It has changed the way we will travel in the future. Just perfect. The biking, the boat (amazing) the food (gourmet quality and plentiful, just when you need it getting back from a bike trip). Thank you.

In June 2017 a couple of friends and I took a 7 day barge and bike tour though the Champayne region in France. We arranged our trip through Girolibero. The trip began in Epernay and travelled through Dormans, ChateauThierry, La Ferte-sous-jouarre-Meaux, Meaux-Lagny-sur-Marne and ended in Paris. Everything was just so well organised and absolutely above and beyond my expectations. And, better still, whilst the tour usually accommodates up to 24 persons we were fortunate enough to have had a small group of 6 people; four Australians, and a couple from the US. It was a fun group to be with and being so small it felt very private and exclusive. The bikes were great. Very comfortable to ride, with high handlebars, fenders, and all had the option of a pannier. There was also an option to use an E-bike. All were good touring bikes and well maintained. A typical day began with breakfast at 7.30am. We would then make our lunches and be on our bikes by 8.30am. We would cycle till about 12ish and then have lunch. Following lunch we would cycle on and meet with the boat further down the river usually around 4.30ish. We would have morning and afternoon tea breaks and stop to see historic or local sites along the way. Dinner was at 6:30pm. We rode about 40kms a day and for the most part it was easy cycling. The route took us through vineyard countryside, small towns, and along canals. Some in the group could cycle faster and longer, but our tour guide, Marianne kept the pace moderate and everyone stayed together. As a result everyone was able to look around and enjoy the country as we pedalled. Our boat was the MS Zwaantje, a 40 meters barge that can accommodate 24 passengers. It was very comfortable, clean and well crewed. I loved it and one of the best features of this tour was at the end of a day’s ride our rooms were ready and waiting for us on the boat. No packing or unpacking each day. Fantastic! I thought the food was great. Our cook prepared enjoyable and generous freshly home cooked meals each evening. She came out every night before dinner was served and announced what she had prepared together with a history of how it related to the local area. I thought that was a real nice touch. Our guide was a lovely lady named Mijntje Janssen Steenberg (better known to us as Marianne). She was awesome. She travelled with us each day and was very knowledgeable, helpful, charming and (amongst other languages) spoke excellent English. Any crises’ along the way she was able to resolve with minimal disruption to the daily program. She knew the route like the back of her hand and was well versed in the history of the sights we saw along the way. In the evenings she recapped the day’s travel and briefed us on the next day’s itinerary and weather. She would then (for those amongst us who were keen enough) take walk tours of the town we were moored in. I would highly recommend her. I really enjoyed her company and we all agreed she made us feel secure and safe throughout the tour. I/we had a great time on the barge/bike tour. I guess the best recommendation I could give is that that I’d love to do it again.

superb, wonderful, awsome, fun etc. is what i can say. late fall chancy weather didnt even interfere with the experience. best trip i’ve had!

Boat was okay and staff very good but biking was not the best. Bikes were in very poor repair, e.g. Brakes always on, brakes not working, handlebars on crooked, etc. but very poor. If you do not purchase the guided portion then good luck. Route books are poor, GPS tracks not always up to date, explanation okay but you will be lost at times. Also, in Bordeaux, do not expect to do much wine tasting unless you keep asking and asking and then only maybe some. The restaurant and bar staff worked hard and did a good job.