Fantastic 5-days of cycling in a beautiful part of Italy. Michele guided us through his home patch wonderfully with great choices for coffee (and cake) stops in the mornings and great lunch stops too. Loved the light-touch history and culture (especially the football). One pretty challenging day of cycling in the trip (Verona-Vicenza) but made it up the big hill in the afternoon and enjoyed the coasting downhill after our picnic. All the overnights were in cities which made for lots of choice over dinner options and Italian food didn't disappoint. Had such a variety over the week. Padua and Venice are both cities that would warrant further visits. Just amazing, and despite a horrible forecast the weather was very kind too.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Private Tour
Accommodation
Hotel, Villa
Age Range
14-99 yrs
Operated in
english
Destinations
Mestre, Dobbiaco, Dolomites, Cor
Mestre, Dobbiaco, Dolomites, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Belluno, Bassano Del Grappa, Treviso
One of the standout aspects of the Spain and Magical Morocco tour was the deep cultural immersion into both Spanish and Moroccan life. The inclusion of iconic and historically rich sites such as the Alhambra in Granada, the medieval Medina of Fes, and the stunning Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca allowed for a profound connection to the historical and architectural grandeur of these regions.
Additionally, the live cultural performances, particularly the authentic flamenco show in Granada and the option to witness the traditional Bereber Fantasy show in Marrakech, added an extra layer of cultural richness. These performances not only entertained but also offered a deeper understanding and appreciation of the local customs and artistic expressions.
Overall, the integration of these cultural elements within the tours itinerary was the most enjoyable and enriching part, providing a vibrant tapestry of experiences that highlighted the unique cultural identities of Spain and Morocco.
I enjoyed very much the Morocco part of the tour mainly because of the very caring and honest tour guide, Karim. He is the best. He took of me very well. All the major cities and tourist spots were covered in the tour. I have recommended him to my travel agency, in case anyone wants to visit Morocco.
The Spain part was ok but guides were speaking in Spanish more than English, so it was a bit difficult to understand. Also, when they drop us off for free time, they do not explain what are the things to see in the area. We have to figure out ourselves.
The time in each place is short and we are always rushing for time. Time spent in the bus seems longer than time spent out of the bus.
But they did cover major sites but most of these places were offered as panaromic view. What would have been better is, if at least one major attraction in each city, we can enter the place and see and experience it. For eg, Real Alcazar in Sevilla - there were no tickets purchased for us and we did not get to see inside.
Marijo helped make this trip an unparalleled joy and success. The amazing scenery of the Adriatic Coasts coupled with his expert knowledge of local places crowd avoidance made this a fantastic trip.
Bicycle tours
Tour Type
Small Group TourSmall group tours usually have 8-12 participants and maximum up to 18 travelers
Good introductory cross-section in major cities. Good balance of scheduled vs. free time. Would like a little more emphasis on art--especially Uffizi Gallery and Pisan Camposanto--plus entry into St. Mark's/Doge's Palace and Duomo church (rather than some of the shopping stuff). A little too much commercial, too little history/art. (Some of guides under-informed, including one who said Galileo discovered the "two planets" around Jupiter!).
This tour was amazing. Lots to see and do. But what really made this trip exceptional was the staff. The tour guide, Abder, was amazing. He constantly went above and beyond to meet our needs and make sure we were having a great time. He was kind, patient, and has a real passion for what he does. Also has a great sense of humor. I would also like to commend our driver, Abdul. He was kind and hospitable. Drove safely and has a great sense of humor too. All in all, the food, staff, people, culture, and country was great.
~EeJay