Experience Plus!  experienceplus.com

Excellent value and wonderful tours with great accomodations and meals.  Roads selected are paved country lanes with very few busy highways.  Mileage is 25-50 per day with extra credit options available for the avid cyclyst and wonderful route notes so you can go at your own pace.  - J. Hall, Los Altos, CA

... took a tour labeled "challenging", but we had trained with Experience Plus' recommended training plan, so there was nothing we couldn't handle. We are in good shape, but not fitness nuts. I will say though, we could not have done this tour without the training we did.  - Ginger & David, Higganum, CT

" ... The tours are designed & led by a couple, one who has a phd in Geography and the other is a history professor, with a dual cultural background and multilingual. - J. Palatine, Glastonbury CT

ExperiencePlus' system of using chark to mark the route at the start of the day is fabulous. It frees the rider to enjoy the scenery instead of checking a map and a route sheet all the time. The food was excellent and wine is included; and the accommodations were fine.- Marilyn M, Oakland, CA 

... We had three excellent guides, one marking the route, one riding with the group and one driving the support van.  Lodging was in a variety of 3 to 4 star hotels, and the meals they arranged for us were excellent to include their selection of wine.  Best of all is the rides are down to earth, low impact giving the participants an excellent opportunity to see the country and meet the people. - S. Lange, Aurora, CO

Their on the road support is excellent, especially the chalked-arrow route markers.  The accommodations are good, usually located in the heart of town ... wine is included and unlimited at dinner.  They ususally have three guides, including a native speaker on every tour who go out of their way to be helpful and informative.  They provide excellent value for their moderate price. - Bill C, Boulder, CO

... Experience Plus has a terrific "arrow" system to help with the bike routing, great guides and great food!  The accomodations were adequate (3 star, sometimes 4 star hotels). - A. Howell, Palm Springs, CA

Good at getting the bikers to see more of the "real people, how the locals live."  The equipment has not always been kept in top notch condition.  Support is not extensive, so if you aren't adept at changing a flat or need help up the hills, this isn't the trip for you.  Wine is included at all meals - a nice plus.  Meals are usually terrific, although you don't get to choose off of the menu, that is already done for you. - Lucy D.. Burtonsville, MD

You won't get luxurous accommodations or haute cuisine but there's great biking, and more days for the dollar.  The people you ride with are also among the most diverse and interesting I've found -- not just doctors and lawyers.  - Richard S, Wynnewood, PA

We've biked with many other groups. Last year was our first EP trip, and we loved it, for knowledge of the region, personal attention, and CHALKING THE ROUTE! An unforseen extra was special services and care for our friend who had an accident. - Randy F, Palo Alto, CA 

The meals that they provided (5 out of 7 dinners) were wonderful!  Plenty of wine (which was provided), too. - Andrea W and R Flanagan, Norwich, CT

... The attention to detail was five Star*****.  The wine being included was a great treat .. The only constructive feedback we would have is that the bikes could have been fitted a bit better as some people changed bikes at some part of the trip.  Overall it was an amazing trip, we will be back. - Dee and Paul Carpenter, Hackettstown, NJ

... It was our first bike tour and we were novices.  We had a GREAT time. Route was perfect (including alternates for one high hill; one of us went up, one took train ... worked well!) Support staff was excellent.  Highly recommended by a couple of old (50's) farts! - Dave & Carol W., Gilbert AZ

This tour company offers great value, and the chalked marked routes are the best-you don't have to stop at every turn and look at a map. - Mary, Salem, NH

Just finished the Camino de Santiago tour from Roncesvalles to Santiago .  Truly a great adventure with every day an exciting ride with the Pilgrims. This is our tenth and best tour with this company. - Don, Kirkland , WA

St. Petersburg to Istanbul was a thrill of a lifetime.  Only someone with Rick's exceptional background could organize this masterpiece and have it come off so well. From hotels, to food, to guides, to scenery, to the cultural exchanges with people of 10 different countries it was outstanding! - Helen Holmes, Clarkston , WA

I just completed the tour of South America Coast to Coast, Chile to Argentina and I had an outstanding time.  The gravel roads were a new challenge, but the only option available in Chile.  The tail winds in Argentina were a new experience.  I didn't know the the wind could blow that hardand still be a tailwind.

ExperiencePlus does a great job in creating a family/group environment for their cycling trips. The guides are local, extremely knowledgeable. and truly love sharing their home country with the clients.  The road marking system of arrows, eliminates the need to read a map, or travel in a pack.  The freedom of the cycling with ExperiencePlus can't be matched as well as the commraderie of the group dinners makes for a fantastic bicycle travel experience. - Susan R., Santa Cruz, CA

Most folks fail to mention that Experience Plus routes are so incredibly well chosen for their beauty and historical relevance. If you want to experience great cycling while becoming emerged in history ... aside from enchanting accommodations, outstanding food and incredible personalized hand-holding (they were always on top of fixing flats and keeping tabs on us). Far superior to more expensive outfits. - Tammy, Los Angeles, CA

Great trip, really saw the country up-close and personal.  The outside adventures, such as the thermal hot springs and the boat ride were very fun.  The guides were very knowledgable about the culture and history of the country.  This was my first bike trip, and can't wait to plan another. - Judy Wells, Portland Oregon

I just returned from a bike tour in Patagonia ... The route was an excellent choice through the Lake District.  I have rated this company 5 stars but I'd add another 5.  The guides were down to earth, fun, remarkably well educated on all aspects of nature to history to politics.  They provided daily maps, kept track of you through the day watching for bike repairs, etc., and let everyone go at their own pace.  - J. Sleeper, Santa Fe, NM

I just finished my third trip with ExP to Argentina and Chile and I wasn't disappointed in fact I was delightfully surprised. The countryside is stunning, the accomadation, food and wine were as well and the tour leaders couldn't do enough to make our trip enjoyable. I know I can always rely on the office to help me with any question, and with a little cultural and educational information thrown into the package they are my favorite way to travel. The incentive of having the 5th trip at half price and the 10th one free gives me a reason to be a serial tripper. -Barbara H., Lexington, MA

We have just completed our fifth European tour with Experience Plus! and can't wait to start planning the next one! ... From the high standards by which the Tour leaders and corporate staff operate, the great combination of "tourist highlights" and "off the beaten path" adventures to the focus on great food and wine - we know when we book a trip with Experience Plus! we will get more than we expected. ... - Laurie & Jeff Stroud, Sammamish, WA

Their emphasis is on great bike routes, knowledgeable and enjoyable guides, and ease of travel.  Their unique chalk route arrows make riding a pleasure - no stopping to read directions! - but everyone gets a detailed Michelin map of the area on which to mark the day's routes. Dinners together are generally very good and include 1/2 bottle of wine per person.  There are usually a few special hotels but pampering is not the focus.  And when you call the office a person answers and someone who has done the trip will often be there to answer questions - C Dueger, Concord NH

Travelling with Experience Plus is always a pleasure, and I have done 4 bike tours with this company.  The guides are exceptional in every way, the itinerary is well thought out, and they make it easy to follow.   The accommodations are usually very nice and occasionally a bit less than four star, but always comfortable.  Every detail is covered, and your every question and concern is taken care of quickly... - Carol Holman, Sun Valley, Idaho

ExperiencePlus provides the bike traveler with a superior experience based on more than 30 years in the business. The chalk directional lines on the road make the route map-free.  You travel the safer, scenic byway--not the busy, fast track.  You travel at your own pace--it's not a group ride. The local language guides are very knowledgeable, engaging and helpful.  The tour ensures the meals are representative of the local color and culture which enhances the entire "up close" experience that only comes with biking through the countryside... - Pam B., Eugene, OR

ExperiencePlus is a classy operation. I had biked with four other companies before discovering ExperiencePlus and have been enjoying their intelligent and authentic, fun and culture filled programs ever since. ExperiencePlus marks the bike routes so there is no fear of getting lost. Their leaders are from the countries we bike in so the foods are always real local specialities and the sites visited are interesting and significant. - E. Chang, New York, NY

Experience Plus has great guides in Costa Rica. They have used same guides for 14 years , and they are great. Insist upon Mario, Carla and Alvaro.Made the trip for us ! - Dennis and Sally Kaiser, Dillon, CO

I can't comment on other companies as i have not used anyone but ExperiencePlus! We have always been extremely satisfied with them and not entertained  the thought of another company. The personal leadership of the prices or their family has made all the difference in quality. - Hathaway Brewster, Cushing, Maine

We have taken nine tours with Experience Plus! and have found each one to be well-organized with knowledgeable tour leaders at least one of which is from the country we are visiting. We have enjoyed the emphasis on cultural experiences as well as the well-chosen bike routes. Chalk arrows on the road make navigating routes easy. Hotels are usually small, family run establishments in the center of town making sight seeing and getting around easy. Our bikes and equipment from Experience Plus! have been top notch. - Linda M., Livermore, CA

Experience Plus! is a company that prides themselves on terrific customer service, specifically in the quality of their tour guides and their routes. They are best know for the 'chalk arrows' feature of tours, which allows a virtually map/cue sheet-free experience and allows riders to soak up the scenery and just follow the directional chalk arrows at each decision point.  This also allows a wonderful level of autonomy within the group and all riders can start and end as they wish without relying on guides for directions or rescue! - June Wheeler, St. Paul, MN

The marked routes were extremely helpful, we didn't have to stop and consult maps or worry about where we were heading. The scenery on the routes chosen by EP were absolutely stunning and we had the opportunity to see local Italian life and culture. The accommodations were a mix of mom & pop Inns to 5 star hotels, all were different and more than adequate. we'll most certainly be back for another trip with EP! - Robin J, Petoskey MI

Was not pleased with the hotel accomodations from Experience Plus - food was okay but the hotels were not the highest quality and this was in Italy. Denver Bikers, Denver, CO

We have been on eleven bicycle tours, the most recent three have been with Experience Plus. The tour leaders have been first rate. ... We also enjoy the area history sessions at each location. The pampering is appreciated--especially the "chalking" of the route. Randy Fowkes, Palo Alto, CA

My wife and I have been on bike trips with several different companies. Experience Plus is simply the best! They are the bike company for people who really want to bike. Yet, their trips give you enough time to appreciate the culture and traditions of the local people. And...with the chalk arrows on the road you don't spend any time looking at maps and hoping you are still on the correct route. - Dr. James Behnke, Incline Village, NV

This was our very first bike trip. We were novice riders, having done spinning classes to prepare. It was challenging but well worth the effort. We will remember it as "a trip of a lifetime". - John & Wendy Ellor, Seabrook, TX

I have to say, this was the best vacation of my life - and I hate physical exercise of any kind, including biking! However, being out in the beautiful Italian countryside, sun shining, biking along with good, old friends and some new great friends was magnificent. This was a wonderful way to see Italy in a way that one never would by visiting cities by oneself, or on a tour of cities. You get to meet people in the villages, farms, prosciutto factories, Parmesan factories, shops, etc. The people were very warm and welcoming, our guides very knowledgeable, professional, yet at the same time lots of fun. The hotels were also fantastic and we saw some very old, medieval castles and towns. I would do this every year if I could - in a heartbeat! - Barb K., Wheaton, IL

Experience Plus has consistently provided a superd product. The bikes are good quality and included in the price. The guides are uniformly superb. The chalk marks reduce the route finding problems and allow for a carefree ride. The food and hotels are great.- Jack Imig, Boulder, CO

I have taken 7 trips with this company, 3 in France, 2 in Italy and 2 in Costa Rica. All top notch. Knowledgable tour leaders, good routes, great food (they seem to know good LOCAL restaurants with excellent food that aren't filled with tourists), good hotels and accurate descriptions (in other words, you don't sign up for a level 1 trip and end up in the Swiss Alps!) Their road chalking navigation system (along with maps and day sheets) makes it possible to go at your own pace without having something distracting on your handlebars. I will definitely travel with them again. - M. Falk, Annapolis MD

After a good experience with the company in Italy in 2006, we did the Athens to Olympia tour in October 2008. Half the hotels were horrible, far below their promised 3-to-4 star rating; no blankets in one, dirty bathrooms, bugs, uncomfortable beds, busted furniture. The food was just ok. The guides were lovely people; the van support, bikes, and rides were fine (though very long, and we could have done without the two days on busy highways) and the scenery fabulous. In all, though, at $4475 per person ... plus a demand of $200 per person per guide as "tip," which came from EP before the trip began, this 12-day outing was ... not worth the money, and we will not travel with Experience Plus again. - J and J, Palo Alto, CA

The trip (to Costa Rica) included a lot of naturalist activity. Our experienced lead guide picked a really interesting route and good places to stay and eat - some in town, some in eco-lodges. Each day one of the guides marked the route with chalk arrows - no one ever went astray. All 3 staff were "cultural ambassadors" - reaching out to us N Americans, eager to share their country. Excellent service in terms of logistics and readiness to help with bike problems (few; the bikes were very good). Very good value. - S Scott, Arlington, VA My husband and I just got back from our honeymoon to Costa Rica, doing a bike trip with Experience Plus. Yet again, Experience Plus was absolutely wonderful. Our tour guides were incredibly knowledgeable, accommodating, and most of all really nice, down-to-earth people. They helped us plan an extension to the tour to complete our honeymoon and that turned out to be great as well. Our trip could not have been better - Renita V., St. Paul, MN

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