Diverse Directions Bicycle Tours: Customer Reviews

Diverse Directions: Self-Guided Bicycle Tours in France

Client Reviews

HOME

TOUR PACKAGES

BOOKMARK

Diverse Directions LLC Vermont, USA

Trudy and her boyfriend from Calgary, Alberta, Canada completed Diverse Directions' Provence of the Tour de France Tour in September 2007. Of their tour experience, Trudy writes:

My boyfriend and I have arrived back to Canada from our trip to Europe. I can not say enough about how great the bike tour was. We had one hiccup in the beginning getting out of Avignon, but from there it was smooth sailing and we had no more difficulties.

The accommodations were fantastic. You’ve managed to pick places with great service and charming character. Typically, our luggage was even sitting in our rooms upon arrival...Bonus after a day of cycling!!

The cycling in itself was amazing. Every day was different and presented new challenges. Provence is so beautiful (not to mention the wine flowed like water)!! The highlight would have to be the ride to Mont Ventoux. Man, was it windy...I didn’t even notice the grade because I was so focused on trying to pedal into that wind. Both of us managed to get to the summit in good time without walking and still smiling. What a feeling, we were very proud of ourselves!

All in all, on behalf of myself and my boyfriend I just want to thank-you for all you’re information and excellent service. Being avid cyclists, it was truly the trip of a lifetime for us. I will be recommending Diverse Directions to others no doubt. Hopefully, you’ll hear from us again in the future.

Deb and Rocky of Sebastopol, CA completed Diverse Directions' Provence of the Caesars Tour in May 2007. They were kind enough to provide us with the following feedback:
Just a quick note to say how much Deb and I enjoyed our Provence of the Caesars tour. Your recommendation (with endorsements by Bill and Nancy) were spot on. The hotels were great choices (including, of course, your Paris recommendation) and I must say the tour route was excellent. The instructions were easy to follow. We saw quite a few bicycling tourists in the area but I was impressed that they always disappeared whenever your route sent us down some of the best country roads of the day. On those sections, we'd see the occasional local cyclist out on a training ride and the occasional car; it gave us a sense that we were on roads less traveled.

There's really not much to say about the Provence region other than that we loved it. The food, the weather, the people, even the traffic, were great. We'd highly recommend the tour to anyone who cared to listen.

Deb and I hit it off with Stephane and we had the pleasure of meeting and visiting with Beatrix, his girlfriend. She's a real sweetheart and he's quite a character. We're hoping one or both of them drop by our place when her business brings her out to California. And both of them insisted that we still had some of the best of Provence yet to sample (Luberon, I believe). We'll definitely give it some serious consideration for next year or soon thereafter.

So it was, quite obviously, we had a very successful tour and thank you for service. It was excellent.

Peggy and Ed of Laramie, Wyoming completed Diverse Directions' Mediterranean Canals & Beaches Tour in May 2007. Upon return from their tour, they wrote:

We returned from France last week and want to share thoughts about our trip. Everything was perfect. The information from your web site helped us pick the right trip. Your guidance in adding days allowed us to enjoy each of the communities. The materials you sent helped us plan, train and bring the right items for the trip. Phil Donnison was delightful as he explained our bicycles and adjusted them to size. They were new and perfect in performance. When we had a flat tire at the end of the trip, the tools for repair were in the bags and the interruption was minimal. We bumped into Mick Oxley in Olonzac and appreciated his role in transporting our bags and willingness to allow us to keep the bikes an extra day. The daily directions were complete and informative and the larger map gave us a perspective for the entire trip. The canal was beautiful and the path proved to be described correctly in the daily directions. We had good weather with a bit of rain one day to remind us of our good luck. The three star accommodations were just what we desired. The people in the inns were cordial and helpful. We especially enjoyed Lynn and Glyn. We had some confusion going from Agde to Sete, but two gendarmes pointed us in the right direction. We confess we like the peacefulness of the tree lined canal and the quiet pleasure boats far better than the excitement of traveling on roads with automobile traffic. As you can tell this was an excellent trip and we have recommended Diverse Directions to all who inquire about our travels.

Again, thank you for your patience in guiding us on this exceptional trip. We hope to travel again with Diverse Directions.

Deb and Hobie of New Hampshire completed Diverse Directions' Vineyards and Van Gogh Tour in September 2004; and Diverse Directions' Castles in the Cradle of Mankind Tour in September 2006. Deb writes:

Hi David. First, we have traveled throughout the world, to Australia, where my husband has family, to Belize and Costa Rica, Hawaii, Guadeloupe and extensively in the U.S. Our cycling trip to France we have declared our greatest adventure ever. Thank you for your flawless guidance.

I am the Page 1 Editor of our newspaper here, the Daily Hampshire Gazette. I am writing a cover story for the magazine section about our trip and Diverse Directions will figure prominently.

Here are excerpts from Deb's article, "The Grand Tour", in the November 19, 2004 edition of the Daily Hampshire Gazette:

Diverse Directions is one of only a handful of companies that prepare trips for cyclists who want to ride independently, rather than with a guided group. My husband and I did want to ride independently, both because of the freedom it afforded and because doing it this way saved us around $1000 per person.

Diverse Directions offers several trips in France, as well as two approaches to some trips. We chose an eight-day "hub and spoke" tour - five rides from Avignon and three from Arles. A "circuit" tour would have taken us to a different location most nights.

The information packet we received from Diverse Directions well before the trip date left no stone unturned. Following is a guide to what Diverse Directions provides:

Detailed map of the region with routes highlighted, along with meticulously prepared cue sheets and a pamphlet highlighting special sights along the routes.

Hotel arrangements: several choices are offered, with the average cost between $80 and $100 per night. The hotels are wonderful, well-situated, and employees are accustomed to dealing with cyclists.

A bike of your choice (hybrid/touring, mountain, or racing bike) with helmet, pump and water bottle.

Support: An important and reassuring element. If you need help on the road, someone comes and gets you. (NOTE: SAG support is not included in the tour price, but can be purchased if needed during your tour.)

Luggage transfer.

Train travel information.

Miscellaneous: Information about etiquette in France, a French primer of most-used phrases, how to prepare physically and mentally, what to pack.

Bill and Nancy of San Clemente, CA completed Diverse Directions' Provence of the Caesars Tour in July 2004. Bill writes:

Nancy and I just returned from our Provence of the Caesars Tour, and we couldn't be happier. The routes were beautiful, the hotels were great, and of course the food and wine were incomparable. This was out third tour with Diverse Directions, and they keep getting better and better.

We used to do our own route planning, take our own bikes to Europe, and pick our own hotels at the ends of each day. Ten years ago we did a three week tour of Provence that way, so that gives us a very specific basis of comparison with the service that Diverse Directions provides. It's no contest.

The routes selected by Diverse Directions are much better than we could have come up with by simply looking at a map, the hotels were far better, and of course it doesn't hurt to have luggage transfer either. The rental bikes were excellent, and of course we didn't have to carry them through the airports to France.

The extra service provided by Stephen and David was terrific. On a couple of occasions while transferring our luggage, they drove ahead of us over the route and discovered that the French had installed a traffic circle, changed a sign, or done something else that might be confusing to us, so they drove back to find us and inform us of the change. Nancy and I have a hard time imagining another bike tour without the help of Diverse Directions.

Elizabeth from Juneau, AK completed Diverse Directions' Mediterranean Canals & Beaches Tour in July 2003. Elizabeth writes:

Thank you so much for everything. I have to admit, I was kind of nervous about traveling alone. But now that I’ve done it, I’m so proud of myself. I realize however, I couldn’t have done it without you. Your tour documentation was so great. Your pre-trip Preparation Guide was really helpful. From the packing checklist to the pictures of the road signs I’d be seeing in France, the information made a big difference in my self-confidence. I must have read the tour materials at least three times before my trip and each time I did, I got more and more excited. And your route instructions were clear and easy to follow (I only made one wrong turn!). Thanks again for a really memorable experience.

Ray and his son from Denver, CO completed Diverse Directions' Mediterranean Canals & Beaches Tour in July 2003. Ray writes:

As seasoned cyclists, my son and I felt pretty confident that we could handle just about any situation that we might encounter while on the road. When my rear derailleur broke however, I knew we had no option but to call for assistance. As much faith as we already had in you guys, we were amazed when the Diverse Directions support vehicle appeared with a replacement bike only 45 minutes after I called. We had a great trip. We hope to join you again in the future.

Audrey and David completed Diverse Directions' Provence of the Caesars Tour in June 2003. Audrey writes:

I just wanted to say hi and happy holidays to both of you!!! We had a fabulous time on our Provence Diverse Directions tour last summer, and can hardly wait to plan our trip for summer of '04. We have recommended your tour company to many fellow cyclists, and hope some of them book a tour with you. Again, thanks for helping us organize one of the best vacations ever!!!!!!

And while on their tour, Audrey and David wrote:

Just wanted to let you know that we are having a fabulous time! Your directions are meticulous, and the rides have been awesome. On our "free" day at the Ardèche Gorge, we did part of the Gorge ride (St. Martin to Madeleine grotto.) We spent some time at one of the caves due to the cooler temperatures. The camelback motto of "hydrate or die" has taken on new meaning.

Jennifer and Thomas completed Diverse Directions' Provence of the Caesars Tour in October 2002. Jennifer writes:

I've been meaning to write to you since we got back from our Provence bike trip to tell you what a great time we had! Although we were in France for 10 days, those 5 days of biking are the only ones we ever talk about. You all did such a great job of finding roads that weren't trafficky, of guiding us through foreign towns, and of showing us the best that region had to offer. I can't even say we had a favorite day or a favorite town -- we loved different things about each place and each ride.

Thomas actually asked me to marry him overlooking the Pont du Gard, so that was definitely our most memorable moment, yet we loved the whole tour! In fact, next time we plan a trip to Europe, we'll bike the whole time. There's no better way of seeing the country.

Please keep us on your list of email updates. I would love to work with you again. Thank you for all your help.

Bill and Nancy McIntyre, from southern California, completed Diverse Directions' 15th Century Seaports Tour in June 2002 and the Magical Lot Tour in June 2001. Bill writes:

Diverse Directions may well have prolonged my bicycle touring for many more years. The service they provide is worth far more than I paid for it.

The directions provided by Diverse Directions were simply incredible. If I had been planning my own tour using the maps, I would have simply not noticed many of the little roads that they sent us down. If I had noticed them, I wouldn't have had the guts to try them without advice. But their directions gave specifics down to the 10th of kilometer for each turn, along with things like "this turn is not signed, but after you go X kilometers you will see a sign for Y. If you don't find it, you took the wrong turn." The directions were so good that I almost never took out my map unless I found a need to simply see where I was in the big picture.

Among the highlights of the trip were two different cave tours. On one we rode boats through an underground river about 320 feet below the surface. At the other, we did a walking tour through fantastic rooms full of stalactites and stalagmites and all sorts of more exotic formations, along with cave art dating back to 25,000 years ago. It was awesome to contemplate those guys standing down in those dark places painting that stuff by torch light.

We were concerned that the demi-pension option might result in lower quality meals than we could have found at restaurants around town, but we took Stephen's advice and went for it. We were very happy with the food. In most cases, the menu for demi-pensioners gave us at least two choices for each course. Since we were not familiar with the wines, we just asked the waitress for a local recommendation. They were all good, and some cost the grand total of about $7.50.

Steve Warkentin completed Diverse Direction's Provence of the Caesars Tour in May 2002 and the Wine, Castles, & Cave Paintings Tour in May 2001. Steve writes:

I've now ridden two tours from Diverse Directions in France and plan to do a third. On these tours I've realized a combination of experiences that make it hard to conceive of not traveling again with Diverse Directions. Pedaling a bicycle allowed me to slow the pace and get closer to the ground so I could really notice the colors, the light, and the details of the scenery as I passed through. I've gone on routes that let me escape, where I hardly had to share the road with autos, and was not visually assaulted by billboards and commercial clutter. Instead, I got full doses of the landscape, with its beautiful natural growth, and of farms and vineyards lovingly tended.

I can confide that there is some element of challenge in making a trip like this. But the effort of riding, of pedaling, of climbing hills, of going the distance is invigorating. I am able to put this body to the test and succeed, and the accomplishment feels great each day. Doing a working trip also justifies the pampering that comes later in the day. To indulge in a fine dinner of rich French food and wine as a daily diet would seem extravagant, but paired with the day's earlier effort, it completely makes sense. And to rest thoroughly in hotel settings of such picturesque charm and history make the cycle complete (pun intended.)

I've traveled fairly extensively and can't say anymore that going to new places gives me the kick it once could. Instead, I now find that if I can manage to step into the rhythm and tempo of a different culture and see and feel some of the distinguishing textures of the lives of other folks, I can have a vacation that satisfies. For now, touring on a bicycle seems to be the best way to accomplish this.

Lisa and Chris completed Diverse Directions' Wine, Castles, & Cave Paintings Tour in May 2001. Lisa writes:

We will definitely use Diverse Directions for other tours. The directions were complete and easy to understand; no guesswork was needed. The accommodations made for us by the Diverse Directions staff were top notch: wonderful rooms, warm and friendly hosts, and most importantly, great food! The informational booklet put together for us regarding what we need to pack, etc. was very useful, as was the country-specific information provided. Taking our first trip to Europe using a Diverse Directions tour was the best vacation we have ever taken. We're looking forward to our next one! There's no better way to see a country than on a bicycle. The folks at Diverse Directions make it easy for anyone to have that wonderful experience!

Barbara Krause, Carole Martin, their husbands, and four children (from the south Bay area of California) completed Diverse Directions' Wine, Castles, & Cave Paintings Tour at the end of June 2001. Barbara writes:

We're back from our trip and we had a wonderful time! You were very much with us, guiding us every (pedal) of the way. The directions were completely accurate and we didn't get lost once on the main trip. (The only time we did was when Tom and I asked the hotel personnel for the easiest way to Domme and ended up on some road that was really a rutted path leading to nowhere. We retraced our route, took out your directions and got there easily.)

We loved Hotel La Roseraie in Montignac. It was really a paradise after a hot day of riding from Limeuil. The pool was beautiful, set among lavender and roses, with gracious old buildings in the background. The rose garden and grass (which was sprinkled with wild mint that became fragrant as we walked on it) was the ideal spot for peaceful reading after a cool dip. The food was good in the restaurant, served on the patio with attentive waiters. The rooms were nicely decorated and comfortable -- and the kid's room was a showpiece. It's shown in their brochure, with stylish curtains and antiques and a huge bathroom. That was our favorite hotel of the whole trip and we would have been happy staying another few days there.

The bikes and panniers were in tip top shape -- all seemed new. We had no flat tires or mechanical problems (with the usual exception of chains coming off the derailleur from time to time, to be expected) but they were trust-worthy and steady on the road. They were delivered as planned to us in St Emilion, and picked up in Vitrac.

We ran into an escorted bike tour group at St. Genies and it reinforced the wisdom of our decision of choosing a self guided tour. Who needs a sag wagon? Wimps!!!! Also, just having so many riders converge on the little town at once felt intrusive to us. Just writing about this makes me long to be there again! It sounds like a cliché, but it was a vacation I know all of us will never forget.

Carole, on the same tour, adds:

We had a wonderful time, thanks to your great arrangements and preparation. My one big fear before leaving was that we would have trouble on the road -- either with the bikes or the directions. Your directions were so accurate that we did not get lost even once. This is truly amazing....The bikes also performed very well.

We loved being able to travel independently. I know we had a much richer experience than if we had gone with a group. Your support allowed us to have the freedom to experience the Dordogne directly. Thank you so much for all of your help and support. If you ever need a testimonial, we would be happy to provide a rave review.

Ron from eastern Washington took a honeymoon trip with Diverse Directions in August 2001. He and his fiancée purchased our Magical Lot Tour to celebrate their marriage. Just after receiving their Diverse Directions package Ron wrote:

Diverse Directions has given me back my free time. Now, instead of going home and pouring over maps and guidebooks all night (after a long day at work), I go home and kick my feet up, dreaming of the day we get to start our trip. Thanks so much for all your help. When I received your tour package containing hotel confirmations, bike rental confirmations, maps with routes highlighted, sights to see, etc., I realized just how much work would have been ahead of me, had I decided to do all this on my own. This is one of the best decisions I have made in a long time. Whoever said you can't buy time obviously didn't know about Diverse Directions.

Upon completion of their honeymoon trip, Ron provided the following feedback:

The routes were magnificent! A brilliant job of finding the most picturesque back roads. The highlight of the trip was the riding...the scenery, views, chateau, villages, etc. The underground river trip (the Gouffre de Padirac) was amazing...delete this as an option on your guide. It is not an option, but a must see! Period. Wow. That whole day was especially fun and beautiful. Rocamadour is beyond description of course.