DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co.
Want to stay in luxury accommodations and travel with a group that is slightly younger than the norm, but don't want to ride with gnarly club-rider types? If so, you should take a look at DuVine. They stay at many of the same places as Butterfield and Backroads, but this is an owner-run company that emphasizes personal service and keeps the group to a smaller, more intimate size.
Companions - The owner is a young, fun-loving guy and that is reflected in the clientele which includes many 30- and 40-somethings (versus the average bike tour rider who is in their 50's and up). The emphasis is on having FUN. The miles average to a non-grueling 35, but like most other tour operators, DuVine offers extensions for riders that want additional mileage. Going single is encouraged, but you do have to pay for a single supplement if you want your own room.
- Operator Type:
Full-Service Operator - Website:
http://www.duvine.com/ - Price Tier:
$$$ - Avg Price Per Day:
$716 - Services:
Bike Provided, SAG Van, Tour Guide - Country:
Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Greece, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, Peru, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, South Africa, South America, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United States, Uruguay
16 Reviews
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My husband and I recently took Duvine’s Morocco Bike and Adventure Tour, having had a fabulous experience on their Portugal trip. The Morocco trip is new on the Duvine list of offerings and not ready for Prime Time. Three hour back-to-back van rides (only one of which is listed on the itinerary), a mediocre hotel and several instances of meals that were disappointing. Considering the price of the trip, I suggest potential “guests” wait until the trip is optimized. The Duvine trip advisers are not familiar with the actual trip details; they read the published itinerary where the descriptions of hotels, meals and adventures do not accurately describe the experiences we had. 12/2022
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Our Duvine Greek Island tour was AMAZING!! I can’t even begin to describe how perfect everything was. Aydin, our guide, was the most fun, outgoing guy you could imagine, with the knowledge of a tenured History professor! Our gulet was absolutely gorgeous and our master cabin immense!(about twice the size of our hotel room in Istanbul, where we spent a week prior to the trip). The crew was ridiculously attentive and every need anticipated. Our bikes we’re awaiting us on shore each morning—then whisked away after the ride so we could immediately cool off with a dip in the Aegean. (Sometimes swimming out to the boat).
The islands and bike routes were well planned and beautifully supported. Some intense climbing, but no super long rides, and lots of well-planned breaks, with cool sites to visit and learn about . Aydin and Ramadan, our other amazing guide), were super powerful riders, always zipping back and forth to keep us all on track —and, I’m not gonna lie, I didn’t turn down the physical push up one long 10% grade and Aydin ran uphill with his hand on my back to give me a minute of rest!)
The islands themselves were magical and Aydin’s relationships with the locals made us all feel like family. He took us to some off-the-beaten path places, including an unplanned visit to a festival on the top of a mountain when we learned that that was why the village was empty one day.
The meals on the boat were over the top amazing—and wine was divine, with opportunities to sample new local varietals and learn about new (to me) grapes. What the chef could make happen in the small yacht kitchen was miraculous.
We loved the size of the tour and the 5 couples immediately hit it off and laughed hysterically for a week. (The trip was a full week—7 nights and 6 days of riding)
On the last day, after a great ride and visit to the Temple of Aphrodite, we left our boats on the dock, walked past the goats intermixed with sun bathers on the beach, and made the short swim back to the boat. While floating in the water, my husband jokingly yelled “Someone throw me a beer” and immediately there was a few shouts in Turkish, with Aydin hopping into the boat, grabbing a kayak, and paddling to us to serve beers off the end of the paddle and rose’ in stemmed wine glasses. So we floated in the harbor sipping our drinks while savoring the last hour of our trip—the experience just epitomizing the decadence and luxury of the trip.
In a scale of 1-10, I give Duvine a 100! -
My wife brought me this time, Prague to Vienna with Duvine based on her trip with others last year in French wine country. There was only 4 of us, on the greatest guided tour by two excellent, knowledgeable people. They arranged outstanding hotels, meals, meeting locations; always there to guide us at the next turn, always aware when to rest and when to cycle on, and when to sag wag. They had excellent maps which were for us to see where we were, but we were never alone, never lost, and had a really great outstanding time. We were sorry to have to end our time with them.
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Duvine is my new favorite Bike Tour- here is why We came to Devine out of default. We needed a bike/walking trip for my wife who suffered a serious ski injury and was still unable to bike. Having used Butterfield and Robinson and Backroads at least a dozen times, I approached them first. Backroads said “fit our cookie cutter approach” and join the tour, or do Bespoke but we have no availability for a bespoke trip. Butterfield would only do a Bespoke with a very large deposit. We had 5 couples with probably >10 B + R trips and still they required a deposit. Who will commit to a deposit before they see the trip? In short, neither were accommodating. Duvine was more than happy to build us a trip to show to the other couples. Megan Robinson was great and accommodating. And what a trip. Hotels were truly 5 star and identical to Butterfields’. Meals excellent. Extra activities/tours/local guides good and the biking really special.
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I just returned from a private bike tour with DuVine in Provence with a group of my girlfriends. We had an incredible time!!! Our guides were truly exceptional and really went out of their way to make everything special for us. We also loved the hotels, the food was great, and the wine was flowing!! It was the best vacation I have ever had.
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My son and I recently completed a five day bike tour through Provence, Fance with DuVine adventures. I had very high expectations for this trip and I was not disappointed. The guides were knowledgeable, experienced and very friendly. The accommodations were as described, upscale and unique. The bikes were easy to operate and easily adjusted. The food was described as exquisite and it was just that. Hearty breakfasts and gourmet picnics were provided and each night we dined in top restaurants that enabled us to sample local cuisine. My son and I are already taking about another DuVine trip . I would highly recommend this tour company to anyone considering a biking trip.
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DuVine Adventures delivered more than we expected in terms of service, equipment, knowledgeable guides, food and accommodations. I would recommend this company to anyone regardless of their level of cycling ability. They are able to accommodate those who cycle and those who do not.
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Just got back from a great cycling tour in Provence . This was my second trip with DuVine, and they always seem to make life so easy. The service is outstanding which is very important, and I love the bikes and hotels they use – over the top vacation!
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The 3 trips that I have been on have greatly exceeded our expectations! Absolutely wonderful cycling trip with DuVine Adventures, everything about each trip has been top-notch. Our guides were wonderful knowledgeable, friendly and fun. The cycling was fantastic, we took advantage of the optional rides, and they were wonderful!
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DuVine Adventures offers a bicycle vacation through unspoiled villages in France, while staying in charming inns and chateaux, eating gourmet cuisine and tasting world-class wines. A perfect balance between group and independent travel while providing first class service and great value.
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I took a trip with DuVine in Spain. The food and accommodations were excellent overall (there was one dull meal), and the scenery was great. Unfortunately there were also a number of serious problems with both safety and enjoyment. No provision was made for different experience levels (the guide happily went ahead with the experienced cyclists leaving inexperienced cyclists with no support). The maps were not detailed enough and written directions were wrong in some places so several people got lost (at one point the entire group since there was no guide or support van that day). The description of the effort was wildly off (there was roughly five times as much climbing as DuVine claimed). When the hills were too much for the inexperienced cyclists they got put in a van and not let out for the rest of day (even when they could cycle down a hill, or walk a short distance, to the destination, they were told to say in the van). The bicycles were comfortable, but in quite poor repair.
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I can’t compare DuVine to other companies because I haven’t used any others but my cycling tour in the Alps for the 100th Tour de France was simply amazing. I chose the ‘pro’ tour and it was tough (in a good way). The main guide, Justin, was fantastic. Every day was dynamic with activities of the day depending on weather.Best experience of my life and I would take another trip with DuVine or Justin if he went elsewhere.
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My wife and I have been on 4 DuVine trips, and have always asked our friends to come along! The accommodations are always exceptional, the food is exquisite, the guides are fabulous and take customer service to a new level, and the biking through the countryside with such extraordinary landscapes and sceneries are sensational and breathtaking.
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A week in Sonoma & Napa was just outstanding! Each hotel was handpicked and unique as were the individual wineries we visited. Maps/directions were very accurate, lunches were great, and each dinner excellent. Our group bonded and I’m quite sure we will meet again on another trip with DuVine.
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These guys are awesome, they left no stone unturned! The guides David & Kristen were great, the scenery through the Loire Valley was amazing and the food and the wine … what can you say about French food and wine … nothing but excellent!!
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Duvine is my new favorite Bike Tour. We came to Duvine out of default. We needed a bike/walking trip for my wife who suffered a serious ski injury and was still unable to bike. Having used Butterfield and Robinson and Backroads at least a dozen times, I approached them first. Backroads said “fit our cookie cutter approach” and join the tour, or do Bespoke but we have no availability for a bespoke trip. Butterfield would only do a Bespoke with a very large deposit. We had 5 couples with probably >10 B + R trips and still they required a deposit. Who will commit to a deposit before they see the trip? In short, neither were accommodating. Duvine was more than happy to build us a trip to show to the other couples. Megan Robinson was great and accommodating and what a trip. Hotels were truly 5 star and identical to Butterfields’. Meals excellent. Extra activities/tours/local guides good and the biking really special.
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