Adventure Travel Group
This company, started by a couple of seasoned tour guides, provides a more intimate travel experience and their tours are a very good value. Groups are limited to 14 people max, they stay in smaller, more classic inns (2-4 stars) and the owners are the main guides. An added (and unusual!) perk: They will cater to couples where one is cycling and the other is just "coming along for the ride". Companions – Many of their trips are setup for people that are serious about cycling (Giro d'Italia, Mt. Ventoux), so you are getting a somewhat more fit crowd. A selection of "hot new" tour destinations (Croatia, Argentina) adds to a hipper vibe, too.
- Operator Type:
Full-Service Operator - Website:
http://www.adventuretravelgroup.com/ - Price Tier:
$$$ - Avg Price Per Day:
$425 - Services:
SAG Van, Tour Guide - Country:
Argentina, Canada, Croatia, France, Italy, Spain
38 Reviews
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Very good operator. Knows the regions (Dolomites) are the various roads. Lise the co-owner is phenomenal-very kind,helpful, multi task. Good wine at dinner and no shortage of. A bit tight on schedule and a more relaxing mode would a appreciated. However I understand that with a group you have to run the show. Some dinners could have been better. I would recommend this opretor without hesitation.
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Adventure Travel Group is truly the best bike tour organization we have ever dealt with. We have done 8 overseas bike trips, and having done several with ATG, we believe them to be the best! Our recent trip with them, ‘Italian Lakes, Alps, and Dolomites’ was an outstanding experience. Not only was every day spectacular in cycling, cycling history and beauty, Gary and Lise’s organization and logistics support was superb. Also, we continue to remain in contact with several others in the Tour….. overall a great match of people, events, and support. We’re already planning our next ATG Tour!
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I have just completed two trips with Adventure Travel Group, and will be recommending them to everyone. Gary and Lise were amazing guides, they are very knowledgeable about the local area, people, culture and the best ride routes. Small groups means everyone is catered for and there is always an option depending on your mood and fitness. We stayed in hotels with great atmosphere and better meals with a local flavor. I will absolutely be traveling with Adventure Travel Group again.
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Outstanding planning, communication and fantastic support on the rides. The rides were hard and great fun. The accommodations were beyond expectation. Everything about this tour was memorable.
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If you want large busses, large groups and large, “big box” hotels, Adventure Travel Group isn’t for you. BUT, if you enjoy being away from the normal tourist grind, small and friendly groups, and guides who personally have experienced every hotel, restaurant, and ride, then travel with Gary and Lise. I’ll soon be booking my third trip and now think of them as friends!
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Wow, everything I wished for and more, way more! Being a part of the craziness of the Tour de France itself, the restaurants and food, the lodging–all far surpassed my high expectations. I’ve been on many bike tours and Gary and Lise’s tour was the best. They made this one perfect–making us all laugh, adjusting sag support to individual needs, translating the French menus, riding WITH us, and capping it off by changing flats! Can’t wait to join Adventure Travel Group on another trip!
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Lise and Gary did such a great job finding extraordinary places along the way. We stayed in so many unique, wonderful hotels and inns. It was apparent that they had spent a lot of time finding interesting and special routes that really exposed us not only to the essence of the sport of cycling in Italy, but also to the less traveled, cultural aspects that helped round out our European experience.
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I could not imagine a better trip. Gary and Lise take care of every aspect of the trip with great attention to detail – the cycling route, food, accommodations and alternative activities are all planned to perfection.
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My husband and I spent our honeymoon cycling in the Pyrenees with Gary and Lise (and 10 other cyclists). I cannot imagine a more remarkable or memorable way to celebrate our marriage and love for cycling. We truly appreciated the intimacy that Adventure Travel Group maintains, keeping the tour numbers down, staying in small inns, and choosing some of the less-traveled routes while still covering the popular cols in the Pyrenees. Gary and Lise offer a nice balance throughout the tour, providing us with structure and support but also allowing plenty of time to explore on our own. While we went for the cycling experience, we equally enjoyed the historical and cultural aspects brought alive by this duo. They accommodated the varying needs of each individual on our tour, in an extremely caring and supportive fashion. We look forward to our next trip and would highly recommend them to anyone.
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After many years of family and group bike tours in France and the U.S., the ten days of riding in Catalunya with Gary and Lise were my most enjoyable bicycle vacation ever! Their route planning was outstanding, combining flexible cycling challenges, beautiful scenery and cultural immersion. The hotels they chose were classy, low-key and intimate. Last but not least, they fostered a congenial atmosphere among the group of sixteen total strangers who quickly became best friends, while attending to every detail of managing their enterprise in an efficient, yet relaxed manner.
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Our trip to Quebec this summer with Adventure Travel Group was outstanding. This is a part of the world that is definitely off the beaten path, and we would have never been able to experience it properly without Gary and Lise. Their organization of the logistics of the trip was wonderful; the route they choose was scenic and very few vehicles and the hotels and restaurants were great values. We never could have put this trip together on our own, and it was definitely the highlight of the cycling year!
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We consider ourselves relatively knowledgeable when it comes to cycling holidays, having taken six previous cycling trips to Europe. Our Alps to Ventoux with Adventure Travel Group was the best. Gary and Lise are consummate professionals. They were keenly aware of our comfort, safety and always attentive to our needs. Their command of the route details was exceptional and made for great rides. Gary and Lise are the kind of individuals you would like to hang out with. Their love of travel and adventurous spirit are irresistible. We are looking forward to our next tour with ATG. The rides were epic and the food was delicious, but what we didn’t expect were the first class accommodations each night. If you dream about riding the most legendary climbs in France, then this trip is for you!
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Our Alps to Ventoux trip was incredible. Gary and Lise are the best guides we have ever toured with. Their knowledge of France and attention to every detail made this trip unforgettable. The rides were epic and the food was delicious, but what we didn’t expect were the first class accommodations each night. If you dream about riding the most legendary climbs in France, then this trip is for you!
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The Alps, Vercors, Mt. Ventoux tour was an absolutely amazing experience. Gary and Lise knew every inch of road from start to finish to maximize the enjoyment of riding some of the classic Tour de France stages. The trip started on the shores of Lake Annecy and ended in the beautiful vineyards and lavender fields of Provence. Every day offered plenty of options for challenging, scenic, and fun rides with time to allow for exploring the unique towns and sights of the French countryside. The small inns and hotels provide a comfortable place to call home during the trip as well. I would recommend ATG and this tour to anyone, especially those interested in challenging themselves against the French Alps.
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Great tour design. It was very personal and felt like a custom tour. Food and accomodations were very good.
Our hotel on Lake Como was like a fairy tale. This tour had lots of climbing but very manageable and incredible views. The Maratona ride was amazing and is included. We will be back! -
My wife and I took Adventure Travel Group’s (ATG’s) tour of the Pyrènèes where we followed a small portion of the Tour de France, climbed some great cols and went to see the time trial in Bordeaux. For me, being at the TdF is probably going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and ATG helped make it happen effortlessly. Gary and Lise know their stuff, and they took good care of us all along the way. Lots of fun and highly recommended!
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I had a great idea to convince my cycling friends to do a European bike trip, after a few group meetings where much wine was consumed, but not much was decided, I knew I wanted someone else to handle the details of the trip. Lucky for me, I found ATG and Gary & Lise. My wife and I took a “test” trip with them to Quebec and they were great! They took us to places we would have never found on our own all the while taking care of the needs of a diverse group of riders. Upon our return from Quebec, we hosted our friends to an Italian wine dinner and by the evenings end they were all aboard for signing up with ATG for their Piedmont Wine Region bike tour. We all had the time of our lives! You cannot imagine how helpful and accommodating Gary & Lise are, when part of our group wanted to ride mountain passes and the rest wanted to go a bit easier it was no problem. When one bike needed a part, they drove to the another town to get it, they were amazing! And the trip? It was great!
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I have had the opportunity to ride with ATG on two trips- the first being the Dalmatian Coast of Croatia and the second the Pyrenees of Spain. I was fairly new to road cycling when I signed up for Croatia- in fact it is what inspired me to pick up the sport. Both trips were life changing experiences for me. Gary and Lise are impeccable guides- fun, knowledgeable, supportive and attentive. The riding was incredible, the food and lodging top notch, the attention to detail on all aspects of the trips was superb. They know cycling, they really know Europe and they know how to make their trips challenging, fun and adventurous for all riders. As a mother of 3 young kids, I don’t get many chances to escape on my bike but I know I will ride with Gary and Lise again as I have made it a priority in my life to find the time to do so in the future. All their trips are on my ‘bucket list’ of places I want to see and cycle!
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What makes Adventure Travel Group so special? Simply put, Gary and Lise. They took this South Carolinian, small town girl into France for a trip of a lifetime. They are a true mom and pop company that takes care of their clients as if you are family and allow you to enjoy the experience without all the worry about being in an unfamiliar country. They go out of their way to foster an environment of fellowship and fun from a daily yellow jersey winner to evening feasts at magnificent restaurants. With their vast experience in travel, you are able to see, taste, and participate in all those little extra hole-in-the-wall activities that only the locals may know about. My cultural palate has since grown tremendously, from the Alps to the vineyards, I’m truly ready to travel again with ATG. I am so thankful I did not go with a larger touring company because the finer details of culture and experience may not have been so appreciated. And, as a bonus, ATG will even help you reassemble and disassemble your bike!
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Simply the best bicycle tour I have ever been on! I have travelled to Europe about a dozen times for cycling, and have done so in all imaginable ways: tour companies, club groups, self-guided and I can positively say that ATG is by far the best experience I have had, bar none! Last year I did the ‘Italy, Lakes-Dolomites-Maratona’ trip and as a result I’ve booked this year on 2 French alps trips spanning the entire month of June. At ATG, the level of detail in planning is astonishing. Everything from hotel choice and meal menus, to route planning down to the last microscopic detail, to assure that we get the most and best out of our time. Gary and Lise are wonderful people – both are strong riders, Gary a former racer and qualified coach has the strength and stamina of a locomotive, and Lise has boundless energy, generosity and enthusiasm, is fluent in several languages, and has lots of interesting socio-historic knowledge about the areas and towns we visit.
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Having never taken a cycling tour before, and particularly as I was touring alone, I had high hopes but was unsure of what to expect from ATG. It turned out that Gary and Lise exceeded all of my expectations…from the terrain to the scenery to the accommodations and support. In addition, Gary and Lise balance each other out extremely well…I felt I could always go to one or both of them and have any questions or needs promptly addressed. Attending an ATG tour is now an annual priority for me and I continue to recommend them highly to anyone looking for a truly special cycling vacation.
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Jolene (my wife) and I participated in the Tour de France trip offered thru Adventure Travel Group. Gary & Lise were very knowledgeable of the areas, the bike routes, the hotels as well as local ‘points of interest. Jolene and I ride at different levels and had no problem finding a group to ride with each day. When requested, Lise would suggest ‘additional optional mileage’ – those routes were very scenic and many times off the beaten path. Hotels were quaint, where the owners themselves or their staff took pride in hosting our group. The hotels were easy to find and always served a delicious breakfast for the riders. We are vegetarian so we let ATG know when we registered and we were never disappointed with our meal. Overall we had a very memorable European adventure with ATG and will be joining them again soon.
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Our trip to Chile and Argentina with ATG was spectacular! The riding was extremely fun and quite challenging. The route was mainly on very low traffic roads with extraordinary scenery. Every day we saw truly amazing sites while we were busting our lungs up, over, down and around the Andes. The hotels ranged from very comfortable to exceptional, and the food was always outstanding. In particular, we truly appreciated our Chilean guides for their expert knowledge of the region, their superior customer service and the surprisingly delicious picnic lunches. This is a part of the world that any passionate cyclist should not miss, and a great place to ride during the Northern hemisphere’s winter months!
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The Chile-Argentina trip is wonderful – the scenery is not only breath-taking, but highly varied. You can cross into the next valley and feel like you are in another country. If siblings could be countries, then that would describe the relationship between Chile and Argentina; it was really cool to see the similar-but-different ways people do things there. And it was such a treat to swap winter days for ones that are not only warm, but long! That is something the Caribbean cannot provide. The Chilean guides were fantastic. Alejandro was extremely attentive to the needs of his clients – you couldn’t ask for better service. And how could you find a better riding guide than Ernesto Araneda? Infinitely strong, full of stories about elite-level racing, he is also very sensitive at gauging the strength and enthusiasm of his clients and planning accordingly. And he has a pretty good idea of what you might find interesting about the life and culture of the places you visit.
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This Pyrenees Tour was our first riding tour and it was everything we hoped for and more, largely due to the knowledge and efforts of Gary & Lise. As avid riders, my wife and I wanted a true rider’s tour and the days were organized with a lot of local knowledge and flexibility based on skill level. We thought the tour was organized extremely well, with limited transfers, nice lodging, lot’s of riding, great Tour de France participation and overall an excellent value for the money. I’ve been dreaming of our next tour with ATG since the last one ended!
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I was looking for a Chile and Argentina trip that would challenge me more than the other ones on the market, and would make the trek to South America worthwhile. ATG’s itinerary did just that. The trip was simple to plan and book. Once in Chile, we had an expert local guide and driver who knew everything about the routes and the areas we visited, and made every effort to ensure that we enjoyed our tour. The routes were well planned and prepared us for the last day’s very challenging climb up the Osorno Volcano. The scenery was amazing, the weather was perfect, the accommodations exceeded my expectations, and it was an all-around perfect experience that still brings a smile to my face and makes my friends jealous!
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My wife, Diane, and I did Lakes, Alps, Tirol & Dolomites – Maratona Tour. Gary and Lise really take care of you from beginning to end. It’s a very personalized tour and you can ride as much or little as you wish with accompanying SAG. You can expect very nice and quaint accommodations and the food is amazing. Gary and Lise are very well traveled and share their wealth of knowledge about the area and the routes. They’re also a lot of fun to hang out with!
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Gary and Lise, thank you for a terrific tour of the Piedmont ! You two did a great job pulling together diverse groups of old friends and new folks from all over the country. Your fun traditions from the daily Winner of the Green Jersey to the intimate dinners in small Trattorias and wine tasting with the locals helped us all come together as a big happy family in just a few days. The wine, the food, the views and the biking were all fabulous! Thanks for some wonderful memories.
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I have completely enjoyed both my trips with ATG and Gary & Lise. They have a knack for finding perfect cycling routes that are fun and beautiful, and you don’t want the trip to end. I can promise there will be some scenic highlights on an ATG trip that you’ll never forget. They always ensure that there are some challenging optional climbs as well—and these end up being especially memorable. ATG is also small and nimble enough to be flexible when weather or road conditions require a last minute change, so you get the most out of their trips.
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Thinking of cycling in Europe? Go no further than ATG tours. Gary and Lise are fantastic hosts. I managed the Italian lakes, Alps and Dolomite’s tour including the Granfondo Maratona. For keen, fit cyclists this is a must, great hotels and spectacular scenery with some of the most famous climbs of the Giro. The Stelvio and Mortirolo in the Alps and the Sella Ronda in the Dolomite’s (part of the Granfondo Maratona) are to be remembered. When you go, do not miss the Maratona, an experience of a lifetime. Throughout the 13 days Gary and Lise were right there with helpful cycling hints and roadside support, the morning briefings with handouts of maps and advice were invaluable. The hotel accommodation was, without exception, great and nothing was too much trouble for Gary and Lise to organize. Plenty of time for the important coffee stops during the day as well. On the road the tour was well supported with two vehicles which were always where you wanted them with your day pack…
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If vacation is about traveling to gorgeous and exotic places, about eating memorable meals and wine tasting, about enjoying the company of fun folks, and about feeling healthy and utterly recharged when you get home, then ATG has got it down! With Gary and Lise’s lifetime experience of traveling and cycling on several continents, you can count on the most scenic routes, on perfectly timed and picturesque rest stops, on the most exquisite tucked-away authentic inns, as you know they have thought through every planning detail before you even dreamed of it yourself. I love to travel, and as the planner in my family, I particularly enjoy Gary and Lise’s tours because their planning is masterful. If you want a thigh-buster of a day, Gary will deliver. If you want a more leisurely pace and enjoy the sights with your new friends, that works too. In the end, Gary and Lise make everyone feel a part of something very special, and friendships are sealed through sweat, laughter, great food, wine and… Grappa…
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This was the perfect holiday! Touring through picturesque villages, rolling vineyards and viewing stunning vistas, made exceptionally rewarding as we had climbed the hills to reach the viewpoint. Gary and Lise pay such close attention to detail. Every accommodation was carefully selected for the different flavor it presented to the overall tour. Private tours, winetasting events and suggestions for walking excursions ensured that we had every opportunity to take advantage of our location that particular day. Thank goodness we biked for many hours a day as the remaining time was spent eating fresh pasta, sun ripened tomatoes and continuing our search for the world’s best gelato. Lise and Gary have built special relationships with restaurant owners and inn keepers over the years and we reaped the benefits. What a fantastic group of traveling companions we had the privilege of meeting. We are quite in awe of all the athleticism in this group and very appreciative of the kind welcome and acceptance.
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We had such a great trip, again, with Gary and Lise last Spring. Slovenia was such an eye opening experience and had a little of everything; mountains, beautiful rivers, fun cities and villages, vineyards and last, but not least, really wonderful riding. We’ve come to expect the excellent service and an easy going feel on a trip with Gary and Lise and our trip last May was no exception. Again, lovely out of the way places to stay, wonderful people who were eager to share their country with us, and riding that was well tailored to the group’s desires. We’ve never been disappointed with the experience that Gary and Lise make possible through Adventure Travel Group.
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Nearly 8 months since my tour in the Pyrenees, and I still marvel at how amazing the trip was. The cycling was epic. The accommodations were excellent. And Lise and Gary provided local knowledge and history combined with strong cycling support. This was my first cycling tour, and it more than met my expectations. The locations were excellent, and every day we found ourselves experiencing local culture, cuisine, and the most breathtaking cycling routes. The free days were great opportunities for adventure and discovery (canyoneering! cycling into Spain!). I made many wonderful friends on this trip, and I look forward to more bike tours with ATG in the future. Hands down, this was the best trip I have ever taken!
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The first time I talked to Gary I knew my wife and I would be in great hands for our trip to Provence. Catering to the varying skill levels of our four riders, Gary and Lise were not only knowledgeable cyclists and guides to the area, they were excellent hosts who made every dinner together memorable and filled with lively conversation. Our tour was the perfect blend of athletic challenge, cultural immersion and friendship building. We can’t wait to schedule our next tour with Gary and Lise!
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Seeing the Tour de France with ATG was a memorable and exciting experience. We had excellent support, hotels, food and interests outside of cycling were always at the utmost. We seemed to always be at the right place at the right time to have a great viewing spot for the action and the routes were suitable and adjustable for most any experienced cyclist. I have made plans to make ATG my “go to” cycling tour company in the future.
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Just got back from Italy with ATG. I have been on roughly 20 bike tours with 7 different companies and, in short, this was the best trip ever. The Inns were terrific, the food was abundant and delicious, the route and scenery was unbelievable. Gary and Lise make sure every detail is covered. You just have to ride, eat, drink, sleep and repeat! Highly recommend!!!
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Torino-Nice trip: This was my third tour with ATG and was definitely another ‘winner’. It is a climber’s paradise, as the route took us over some of the highest and most spectacular climbs in all of France, many of which are regularly used in the Tour de France. In fact, while there, we saw several pro teams scouting the routes for the Tour which was only a couple of weeks away, and one day we ran into Ivan Basso who happened to be staying in our very hotel ! Highlights for me were the Col Agnel, Col d’Izoard and the Col de la Bonnette, as well as some of the cliffhanging descents and gorges near the Col de Turini. Of course, as always, the expert guidance and warm hospitality of tour operators, Gary and Lise, as well as their choices of superb hotels and restaurants made every day a delight.
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