Butterfield & Robinson butterfield.com

After having taken a lot of Backroads trips, I thought B&R was going to be a more expensive version of the same thing.  It's not.  The level of accommodations, food/wine and service cannot be compared with any other company.  If you want the best, this is the only company to travel with. - Richard S., Wynnewood, PA 

B&R is a very good company, at the high end of the scale. Appreciably more expensive than some but they stay in the top places available in the area - often converted castles or chateaux. In our experience os several trips with them, they use excellent bikes, good guides (often 2 for 22 participants), gourmet food, good choice of roads, good maps. Tend to be less strenuous than some outfits - shorter distances per day and fewer/shorter hills for the same level of trip. - Don Hyndman, Missoula, MT

I've taken several trips with Butterfield & Robinson and wouldn't consider any other group. The service (before and during the trip) is fantastic. I would (and do!) recommend them. We have made many long-lasting friendships with the people we met from our tours.  - Sharon S. San Jose, CA

What's not to like? The hotels were fantastic, the food was top-rate and the guides took care of us every step of the way. Be sure to partake of the gourmet goodies in the van! - D Kinney, Los Angeles, CA 

B&R may be the most money, and I guess that is primarily due to the hotels, but it is the thorough trip planning and the type of people that makes the difference ... One day it started to rain hard at the end of the ride. It was too close to bother getting in the van. When we arrived at the Chateau hotel, we were escorted to our room by the guide and found a tub filled with hot water and surrounded with candles. It was an incredible moment and that had nothing to do with the price of the trip. Their service is top-notch. - Kirsten T, London, ON

I just returned from and B&R trip in France and cannot say enough good things about the trip and the guides. The really work hard to make the trip wonderful. I developed Knee problems on the trip and had to limit my biking and they rented and had delivered a tandem bike so that I could continue riding with them. They encouraged me to rest my legs when it got too painful. I don't think you can ever top that. - A. Palmer, Bayport, new York

Half the hotels were charmless. The food was so-so and once was inadequate. My husband had severe leg cramps, it was raining and dark but the guide refused to call the van. I had a bad accident on the 5th day resulting in 10 stitches on my face and the same guide remarked that had my helmet been on tighter it wouldn't have happened. He never mentioned my helmet to me in the 4 previous days. Very unprofessional, very arrogant. Way too much money for such poor quality of guides and services, not to mention continually riding on roads with cars. - E. Hall, Hobe Sound, FL

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