|
When you reach the stage when you are seriously contemplating booking
a tour with the Iron Donkey, you may well have a question or two
that would be best answered objectively by someone who has been
on that particular tour - or a similar one. If you contact
us, we will be happy to give you a couple of e-mail contacts
for past riders who have been kind enough to agree to field the
occasional enquiry from prospective Iron Donkey clients.
Below is a selection of feedback received from riders who have
toured with us in previous years.
A group of 8 friends from Northern Lower Michigan were interested
in a self guided tour through Tuscany. Many tour companies were
contacted and interviewed. We were experienced cyclist wanting to
ride 40 to 60 miles each day and experience many hilltop towns.
Iron Donkey was willing to listen to what we envisioned for this
trip and created a customized self-guided tour to make our dreams
come true. We experienced a warm welcome, easy to read maps, beautiful
accommodations, extremely great food and wine, and memories that
will last a life time. Siena, Montepulciano, Cortona, Arezzo and
Florence were incredibly fascinating, but we will never forget waking
up to the fog lifting from the rolling meadows outside of Montalcino.
We look forward to our next adventure with Iron Donkey!
Italy custom self-guided tour, Tuscany 2007
Thank you so much for our trip in Ireland, it couldn’t be
better we had the time of our lives. The riding was fantastic, the
B&Bs were top notch, the scenery was incredible. Well planned,
wonderful people.
Ireland self-guided tour of Clare and The Burren 2007
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip to Ireland and cycling there. The
country side was beautiful and it was fun to spend so much time
riding with so little traffic. Riding was a great way to see the
country. All of your arrangements for luggage transfers and lodging
worked without any problems. Thanks for helping making our first
trip to Ireland very enjoyable.
Ireland self guided tour of Clare and The Burren 2007
The trip was excellent, and we very much enjoyed it. The bikes
were excellent—we didn’t know that hybrids could be
configured with the type of tires these had, and they were perfect.
The itinerary was also wonderful.
Italy self guided tour of Umbria 2007
I want to let you know that my tour of Yeats Country & South
Donegal, 1 – 10 June, was even more spectacular than I had
imagined. Having the weather hot and sunny for almost the entire
trip was a nice surprise (how did you arrange that?).The routes
were all superb, of course; all of the accommodations were fantastic,
and each was special in some way. Belcoo, in particular, was a wonderful
place to spend the last two nights. The setting is outstanding,
and my room opened directly onto the lake via large glass doors.
The hosts were happy to let me take one of their boats to row out
onto the lake and enjoy the long, sunny evening (which was a wonderful
change from cycling!). Again, more thanks than I can express for
a superb holiday. I’m telling everyone I know that they should
go, and I hope to return and ride around more of the country soon.
Ireland self guided tour, Yeats Country and South Donegal
2007
Can't begin to tell you what a great time I had on my vacation
thanks to Iron Donkey. 300 great pictures and hundred of stories
to tell. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the professionalism
of the Iron Donkey staff in making this one of the best vacation
I've ever had. I really do leave my brain at home when I'm on vacation
and don't have time to deal with all the little details and logistic
that it takes to enjoy oneself when traveling in another country.
I'm hoping to go to Italy next year with Iron Donkey
Ireland self guided tour, Connemara 2007
I've just returned from a 10 day custom tour of the Tuscany region
in Italy (with the Vajda group). I was thrilled with the experience!
And since I was not as experienced as some of the other riders,
I loved that you had made a short course as well as a long route.
If anyone asks about a reference to a bike touring company, you
can be sure you have my recommendation. Thanks for a truly enjoyable
vacation.
Italy, custom self guided tour of Tuscany 2007
Just wanted to send you a quick note and commend you on a great
job for our Italy tour 6/7-17. The hotels were great, our Italian
contacts were great, everything went very well, we had a great time!
Italy self guided Tuscany tour 2007
Danny and I had the BEST time . We were a little slack, and did
not do any of the extensions, but the basic trip just could not
have been nicer. The routes, the bikes , the scenery, and the accommodations
were just grand.
Ireland self guided tour of Connemara 2007
Thank you so much for all of your help in preparation for and
with the execution of our bike tour. We had an absolute blast and
look forward to recommending your company to friends and family
and even doing another trip next year. It was a pleasure doing business
with you.
Ireland self guided tour of Connemara and The Burren 2007
We just returned from our Italian biking adventure! We had a superb
time – the Italian people were wonderful, the scenery was
unbelievable and the arrangements made by Iron Donkey for equipment/lodging/transfers
were great. The routes laid out were exceptional. The views of vineyards,
olive groves, wheat fields and villages were beautiful. Thanks for
another great trip!
Italy self guided tour of Tuscany 2007
We never had a chance to tell you how much we enjoyed ourselves.
Great weather and a great itinerary!
England self guided tour of Cotswolds 2007
Thank you for a wonderful self-guided trip through Umbria. My
entire family (husband Randy, myself, and both our 13 and 14 yr
old sons Kenzie and Lucas) had a wonderful trip. The itinerary was
excellent. The hill towns provided a challenge everyday and a wonderful
visual reward after the climbs. The accommodations in Sansepalcro,
Assisi, and Bevagna were our favorites. The food in Sansepalcro
at our lodging and a Trattoria in Assisi were outstanding culinary
and camaraderie experiences. Thank you for a very well planned trip,
fun accommodations, delightful people at each stop, understandable
directions for our self-guided portion, and excellent support. This
trip will be a life long wonderful memory for my entire family!
Italy self guided tour of Umbria 2007
I’m still smiling and laughing to myself about all the enjoyable
events of our visit to Ireland. On our way home, we concluded that
it was truly a character-building cycling experience, and we actually
have no regrets about the weather whatsoever! It would not have
been quite as memorable if we had just had warm and sunny weather
day after day. Thanks again for all the arrangements for our group.
It was terrific!
Ireland custom tour of Connemara 2007
The trip was great and as expected your arrangements worked out
well.
England custom tour of Cotswolds 2007
Thank you so much for such a nice trip. I have never had such
n an easy bike to ride! All of our accommodations were great and
you were such helpful people to work with. I really appreciated
the way you helped me with other arrangements that did not include
the bike ride, but the other things we were doing in your beautiful
country!
Ireland self guided Connemara 2007
Thank you for organizing a fantastic tour of Tuscany for us in
May. The bikes were top notch and although light, were robust enough
for the unpaved roads. They had excellent brakes and gears. The
hotels were excellent!
Italy self guided Tuscany extended tour 2007
Thank you for the wonderful experience my children had in Ireland.
All of the accommodations, food, transfers, bikes, bike routes,
information, made their trip something they will never forget. They
came home with great stories about the breathtaking scenery and
all the interesting and friendly people they met.
Ireland self guided Connemara 2007
Thanks again for a great experience, I'm already thinking about
the next one! I have many fond memories and appreciate all you did
for me!
Ireland guided group Connemara 2007
We want to let you know you have each played a special part in
making Ireland such a fun place to ride a bike! We have noticed
that whenever anyone at home asks how our trip was we start by saying
what a great group of people we had the pleasure of riding with
for a week! Thank you!
Ireland guided group Connemara 2007
I can't thank you for your kindness and patience with me in the
planning and with us when we rode! The kids were just bubbling over
by the time we got back. They love every minute of their adventure.
We saw the real Ireland, learned about the culture and the history.
You and your drivers did such a great job giving us background about
the country, the politics and the people. It was a pleasure dealing
with you!
Ireland custom group tour of Clare and the Burren 2007
Thank you for the great trip. We had a wonderful time. We were
indeed very lucky with the weather, as every day was nice. It was
a great route that you gave us, magnificent scenery and amazingly
good roads; especially for being back country roads for the most
part. Your tour was great value for the money.
England self guided tour of Cotswolds 2007
I wanted to drop you a quick note for setting up an unforgettable
bike tour last week. We had a great time. Everything was just the
way you said it would be. I will be sure to refer anyone to Iron
Donkey that is interested in the same kind of trip.
Ireland custom self guided tour of Connemara 2007
Thank you for doing such a great job in handling our bike trip.
We really enjoyed the rides, which were on great routes. The maps
and directions were excellent and we never got lost. All of the
eating recommendations were excellent. The bikes worked well and
the hotels and B&B's were all good and enjoyable.
Ireland self guided tour of Connemara 2007
We had a blast. The bikes were great. The route each day was great.
All of our B&B’s were wonderful. Our hostesses offered
good choices for eating and were very gracious and helpful with
all of our questions. Our baggage was always there before us. We
had a wonderful adventure learning about B Road (and lesser) England.
We even experienced a herd of cows on the Levels. It felt like a
very gentle earthquake. Thanks for a fabulous vacation.
England self guided tour of Wessex 2007
Have to tell you that the Tuscany tour was everything I had hoped
it to be and more. I had a real Tuscany experience. The biking was
great, the hotels were great, the routes and tour guides were excellent.
The dinners were wonderful – they must have been. I gained
7 pounds even with all the biking. Working hard now to take it off.
Had a little rain but even that turned out to be good. During one
brief shower we took refuge at a pottery factory. The owner or manager
saw us and gave us a complete tour – a serendipitous bonus.
When he was finished the sun was out and we continued to finish
a great ride.
Italy guided tour of Tuscany 2007
Just a short note to tell you how much I loved the trip. It was
delightful in all ways. You did a great job directing us and were
so pleasant to be with.
Ireland guided group tour of Connemara 2007
We had a great time on our self-guided bike tour of the Causeway
Coast and Glens of Antrim. The B&Bs were first rate and the
routes you selected gave us some of the best scenery available.
Thank you for making this vacation a very enjoyable one.
Ireland self guided tour of Causeway Coast and Glens 2007
I don’t know quite where to start with the list of the things
we enjoyed on our Iron Donkey self guided tour of Connemara. (September
10-17) We had a great time and I know it was because of all the
details you attended to on our behalf. The BIKES WERE WONDERFUL.
We had no problems with equipment, your directions and maps were
excellent resources. We all appreciated Tony’s attention to
detail and his suggestions when reviewing the itinerary with us.
The B&Bs were just great in every respect. Each one was unique,
comfortable and we were welcomed by friendly hosts and hostesses.
What a great introduction to Ireland for us! Thank you for your
superb services. I know there is a great deal of detailed logistics
that went into making this experience so positive for us –
thanks for the hard work. I can tell you that it did make a difference.
We are busy telling everyone we know about how your great business
helped us have a most wonderful vacation.
Ireland self guided tour of Connemara 2007
We never told you how much we enjoyed our bike tour in July. The
scenery was spectacular, the maps were very accurate (we never got
lost once), the accommodations were perfect, the bikes were reliable,
and the people were all very friendly. Of course our favorite part
was going to the island. We couldn't believe how beautiful it was
there on the ocean. Thanks again for a great trip. We are glad we
chose Iron Donkey. You certainly have a good reputation out on the
road. Good luck to you!
Ireland self guided Connemara 2007
We are have just about readjusted to our ‘back to the real
world’ re-entry from a wonderful trip to Ireland. We just
wanted to say thanks on setting up a truly memorable trip cycling
the Northern Ireland coast. Everyone was outrageously friendly.
It is beautiful country. Your directions/maps were clear and useful
I appreciated the alternative extensions. We did not always take
them, but those, along with the maps, gave us some flexibility which
we enjoyed. We had a couple days about tie for our longest days,
roughly about 45 miles, which took far longer than our equivalent
lengths rides here at home. But then, we aren’t usually stopping
at such a wide variety of sights (or hefting full panniers up the
climbs). We so enjoyed the self guided format, we only had to worry
about our own schedule. The bikes matched the task perfectly. Sturdy
frames, good range of gearing, wider tires. We also liked the mix
of coastline riding, and the treks inland around/up the glens. Nice
change of scenery. And then back to the coast to finish each day.
Well done. We’d recommend your services to anyone interested
in a truly great bike trip!
Ireland self guided tour of Causeway Coast and Glens 2007
We had a fantastic time. Great job! The hotels were awesome …
the villa out of Bonconvento, views out of Monalchino, the terrace
in Montepulciano…and the hotel in Cortona were big highlights.
Italy self guided Tuscany Extended tour 2007
We just returned from our Tuscany tour. We had a great holiday,
everything went as you planned, the bikes were superb and the accommodation
perfect. We did Ireland with you last year and again everything
was great. Thanks for giving us all some great memories. Iron Donkey
has not let us down yet!
Italy self guided Tuscany extended tour 2007
Just wanted to say a thank you for organizing our holiday and
the choice of acommodation on our tour. We have good memories of
the Causeway Coast and the people we met and would love to explore
the Glens some more.
Ireland self guided tour of Causeway Coast and Glens 2007
I just wanted to say thank you for all of your help with my bicycle
tour last week. I had a wonderful time!! The bike was great, the
accommodations were wonderful, and I really enjoyed the routes.
Please feel free to use me as a reference for future travelers,
especially any solo riders or vegetarians/vegans.
Ireland self guided tour of Clare & the Burren 2007
The whole trip was well laid out and what was unexpected to us
was that at the end of the day the accommodations were so luxurious
- a definite plus. We have only good things to say about Iron Donkey
to our friends back home.
Ireland self guided Connemara 2007
Our trip was WONDERFUL! I spent 10 months getting excited and ready
for this trip and was a bit worried that my pre-trip anticipations
may have been too much. I was wrong. The trip was everything I had
hoped for and more! The organization was perfect, the bikes were
great, the routes were beautiful with stellar directions, and the
scenery was picture postcard perfect! Giovanni was very thorough
and he prepared us for a great trip. Our meals and accommodations
exceeded my expectations. The climbs always had something worthwhile
waiting at the top! The roads were smooth and the drivers were cycle
friendly. I hope to be able to take another trip with you in the
near future.
Self-Guided Tuscany, October 06
Well done! The Wessex guided tour was terrific. Stonehenge, Avebury,
Cheddar Gorge, white chalk horses, fantastic routes & splendid
vistas: the list simply goes on & on. The individual traveler
should never hesitate to sign up for one of your tours. By the pure
nature of the trip, you know you'll be spending time with like-minded,
good people enjoying the very best the region has to offer. Thanks
again for a great week!
Guided Group Wessex, September 06
We would like to thank you and your staff for the wonderful self-guided
tour that you organized for us in Northern Ireland. The bikes were
great and tailored exactly to the requirements we sent you, the
accommodations were superb. We particularly want to commend you
for the routes you chose. It was such a blessing to have almost
all of our riding on hard-surfaced, virtually traffic-free lanes
and side roads. We also really appreciated the combination of core
route and extensions so that we could tackle a more ambitious total
ride with the extensions on days when the weather was better and
we were feeling energetic. Thanx for helping us have a wonderful
ride through terrific scenery and friendly pubs, and we are eager
to come again soon.
Custom Self-Guided Tour of Northern Ireland, September 06
We had a wonderful time with you for our 2 weeks in Ireland. We
ran into a man at the airport in Chicago who did a 2 week tour with
you last year. You are famous and everyone agrees that you provide
a wonderful bike trip.
Custom Group Tandem Tour of West of Ireland, August 06
The whole trip was positive. We don't have any complaints.
Guided Group Connemara, August 06
Thank you for a fabulous bicycle vacation. We had a terrific time
and were very sorry to see the trip end. We are ready to come back
tomorrow. You made the trip very pleasant - it is a joy to be in
your company.
Guided Group Connemara, August 06
Thank you for arranging an awesome tour. The routes and B&B's
were all incredible. I really enjoyed my trip, even the parts where
I was riding through freezing rain on my way to Clifden. I will
definitely recommend the Iron Donkey Tour to everyone I know. Having
the directions and the shower and bed waiting every evening made
the trip so perfect. I can't tell you how many people I passed with
their backpacks and maps, worrying about where they were going and
where they would stay when they go there. Your planning made it
a perfect trip! Every moment helped to create an unforgettable journey
that I will enjoy for a long time. I came home with about 2000 photos
on my harddrive.
Self-GuidedConnemara and The Burren, August 06
Thanks for a great trip. Everything went according to plan and
we had a very enjoyable holiday. Your directions, the accommodations
and the bikes were perfect. The daily mileage was just what we wanted
and the points of interest well worthwhile. We booked this trip
knowing nothing of Iron Donkey but came away with a very warm feeling
towards this company.
Self-Guided Connemara, July 06
Absolutely fantastic tour! We both agree that it was our best vacation
ever. Thanks so much for all your effort.
Guided Group Connemara, July 06
What a wonderful group it was and especially the attention you
paid us. I would certainly do another Iron Donkey tour. The routes
you picked out were magic. The thing that impressed me the most
besides the lovely landscapes were the way drivers in Ireland were
incredibly respectful of bikers.
Guided Group Connemara, July 06
The Cotswolds is a wonderful region for biking. I am so glad that
you advised us to tour there - it was just perfect! I think that
Bath is one of my all time favorite places, and I can't wait to
go back there. We are planning to do the Wessex tour in 2008!
Self-Guided Cotswolds, July 06
We cannot tell you how wonderful our trip was! We had a terrific
time! Everything was superb, from the cycling routes to the hotels!
The airport transfers worked out perfectly, and were right on time.
And the luggage transfers from hotel to hotel also went very smoothly;
a nice treat not to have to carry your stuff. The cycling routes
you have laid out for the Connemara, Clare and Burren tour are wonderful.
For the most part we took your extended routes and we loved the
challenging hills, the quiet back roads, the beautiful scenery,
everything! You even had some roads not on the maps! It is obvious
your routes were carefully scouted and planned and take full advantage
of the countryside. The rides to Leenane, Westport and the Westport
Loop were among the most spectacular. We also wanted to tell you
how much we enjoyed the hotels on this tour. They were all wonderful
and it was a pleasure to stay in each of them. We were always greeted
by warm and friendly proprietors, lovely, clean and unique homes,
wonderful hospitality and absolutely delicious full Irish breakfasts!
It was wonderful all around, and thank you again so much! All our
connections, luggage transfers, hotels and routes were very well
put together and worked out beautifully and the cycling was fantastic!
Everything was just great! We know how much time and hard work go
into all these arrangements and we appreciate it very much.
Self-Guided, Clare Burren and Connemara, August 06
We had a fabulous time on our bike tour. We were so very impressed
with our trip. It was so well organized! Everything evolved like
clockwork. All the biking directions were easy to follow; we didn't
make one wrong turn and the towns and countryside we passed through
so well represented Tuscany; stunningly beautiful. Your selection
of hotels was wonderful. They were conveniently located and so easy
to find. The proprietors were welcoming and very understanding when
we came in soaking wet having been caught in a hail storm! And,
we were very impressed with how efficiently the bags were transferred.
The bikes turned out to be much more than we expected. The tool
box you provided had everything we needed or may have needed, although
the bikes only ever needed air in their tires! We met other bike
tourists en route and comparing our equipment, itinerary and directions
we felt we had chosen companies very well! We will certainly recommend
Iron Donkey to others and hope to return for another trip ourselves
in the not-too-distant future. It was a truly memorable trip.
Self-Guided Tuscany June 06
Touring Ireland with your support made for the vacation of a lifetime.
Every road we turned on, every hill we climbed over, every river
we crossed introduced us to scenery more spectacular than we had
seen before. The trip planning was phenominal, the support excellent
and the B and B's you booked were first rate. As we said to each
other daily and I now repeat to you, this was the best vacation
ever.
Self-Guided Connemara and The Burren June 06
The tour was just what we wanted! We enjoyed seeing all the attractions
that we had read about (it has always been one of my ambitions to
see Stonehenge!), we loved the quaint B & B's, we loved the
English pubs. Most of all, we loved the cycling routes! How did
you manage to find all those wonderful country lanes?
Self-Guided Wessex, June 06
We wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our Iron Donkey trip.
The towns you chose, the B&Bs, the routes and instructions,
the bikes -- everything was fantastic. The trip has definitely opened
our eyes to cycling holidays as the way to see a place.
Self-Guided Connemara, June 06
Frank French (Bridgman, Michigan); SG Connemara, June 06
A sincere thank you for a marvelous tour! Our expectations were
not only met, but exceeded. The vistas and panoramas were spectacular
-- Ireland is indeed a most beautiful country. The places we stayed
at were all great, and the proprietors most gracious.
Self-Guided Connemara, June 06
THANK YOU. You have really done your research in producing these
tours and we will recommend them to all our friends. (No Kidding!)
Self-Guided Connemar & The Burren, June 06
Thank you for the wonderful cycling tour--you never disappoint!!
Could we have gotten better weather??!! Your routes were terrific
as always.
Guided Group Cotswolds, May 06
It was a great tour and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The routes were
wonderful and showed that you took great care to select them.
Guided Group Cotswolds May 06
We just wanted to thank you again for a great trip. We were so
lucky to have picked Iron Donkey! Your attention to the details
of organization make for a wonderful itinerary, and all we had to
do was pedal. Although we never had any problems, your personal
interest in each person's trip and concern for them makes the rider
feel very comfortable. We look forward to another trip with Iron
Donkey in the near future.
Self-Guided Clare, Burren and Connemara May 06
The Ireland biking trip was FABULOUS! We had a fantastic time and
gathered some beautiful photos to record it! Thanks so much for
putting together such a great trip!
Self-Guided Connemara May 06
The cue sheets are the best I have ever seen in over 30 years of
bicycle touring, and we were given us lots of care and personal
attention.
Self-Guided Tuscany, April 06
We had a fabulous experience. The routes you created were great!
We enjoyed especially the small roads and the strada bianchi that
meandered among the fields and olive groves and up and down the
rolling hills--the roads we would never have found on our own if
we were mapping the trip. Your cue sheets were excellent--very clear
and easy to follow.
Self-Guided Tuscany and Umbria April 06
More comments from
before 2006 »
|
