What To Expect on Our Tours

Experience
Van Gogh Tours is a family owned and operated company that has been conducting European bicycling and walking vacations for eighteen years. 2012 is our 22nd anniversary year.

VGT's owners, Huibertha van Teunenbroek and Mike Sorgi have a long-term commitment to making sure that everything about your VGT vacation is "just right". For the guided hotel tours they directly manage all cycling and walking tour details from route selection to restaurant menu coordination. They've personally researched and arranged numerous cultural experiences that will make your active vacation a rich and rewarding experience that you'll remember for years to come. Our associates in Europe organize the guided bicycle and walking tours in Austria and Italy, the bike barge tours in Holland and France and some self-guided tours. VGT creates an ideal balance between physically stimulating activity that energizes and encounters with art, architecture, wildlife and wine that relax and enrich the spirit.

Small Group Size

VGT has a 16-person maximum group size for all biking tours and a 12-person maximum group size for all walking tours, which allows us to stay in charming hotels and dine in delightful restaurants that would not be possible for more typical, larger sized groups. The small group format also allows VGT to continually provide our clients the personal attention for which we've become famous. Note that the maximum number of participants for a barge tour is 28.

Hotels and Meals
We have carefully chosen our hotels for their comfort, proximity to cultural sights and old world charm. Mostly we use small, family-owned hotels where the proprietors are proud to show off the family "treasure" and describe its history to you. Food is one of the highlights of any Van Gogh vacation. Meals are a time to share the events of the day with your fellow walkers and cyclists while sampling and savoring the tasty local cuisine. Former clients consistently report that the quality of the food on our guided walking and cycling tours consistently exceeded their expectations.

Routes
All our routes are designed for the timid, but moderately fit, beginner to the experienced, very fit intermediate cyclist or walker. Our cycling speed is leisurely, allowing time to truly “experience” the country we’re visiting. Our 25-40 mile daily cycling itineraries always lead you over “postcard pretty” roads and as much as possible, over uncluttered bike paths and small country roads, often known only to locals. This makes cycling pure pleasure and a way to escape the pressures of daily life! With detailed route descriptions you are always free to bike at your own pace. Our walks average 6-10 miles per day over similarly picturesque, quiet country roads, trails and walking paths.

Support Van
On our guided bike tours in Holland, Belgium, and France, a support van carries all luggage, supplies, water and "goodies" and is there to assist you along the road. On arrival in the next hotel your luggage is waiting in your room ( how 'bout packing lightly this year! ) There is no pressure to ride further or longer than you want. You are always welcome to ride in the support van if you need a break. The lonely driver actually loves company! Note that there is no support van on the guided barge tours! On our guided walking tours in France and Italy, the route is sometimes segmented, so that on certain days it is possible to ride part of the day! The Italian bike tours are organized a bit differently (see the individual "in depth" tour itineraries).

Pre-Departure Planning and Support
VGT prides itself on the speed and quality of support we provide to people seeking information about our tours. We provide suggestions on training, packing, airline, bus and train connections and hotel accommodations before or after your VGT vacation in our pre-departure information packet.

Bike Rental
For all guided cycling tours in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy and Austria we rent 21 and 24-speed hybrid bikes in excellent condition. Each bike comes equipped with a bell, water bottle, bag and optional toe clips. 24-speed hybrid bikes are also used for the self guided tours in France, Italy and Austria and some of the Dutch bike barge tours. For all tours see the individual tour itineraries for specific details.

Price - Price - Price
VGT's cycling and walking vacation prices are an exceptional value. Our brochure may be smaller and the number of places you'll find our advertising more limited, but our clients consistently tell us that the overall quality of the VGT experience is a great value! Check out our prices and those of our competition. Contact former clients who've cycled and walked with VGT and we're sure that they’ll tell you to "Go with Van Gogh!"

Reservations
Call (802 ) 767-3457 or (800) 435-6192 or fax us at (240) 368-5596 to confirm your reservation immediately with a VISA or MASTERCARD. We can also be reached by e-mail at: vangogh@vangoghtours.com. A deposit of $400 ($200 for bike barge and self guided tours) per tour per person (in US Funds) is required to secure your reservation.  Make checks payable to Van Gogh Tours.

Payments
Please carefully note full payment is due 60 days before trip departure.  VGT reserves the right to regard reservations for its tours canceled when payment of the balance is not received when due.

Cancellation and Refunds
Payments for all Van Gogh tours less a $100 administration fee per person per tour are refundable if VGT is notified of the cancellation in writing more than 60 days before trip departure. Cancellations received less than 60 days but more than 30 days before trip departure will result in loss of the deposit fee. No refunds can be made for cancellations received less than 30 days before trip departure.  Please note that bike barge and VT self guided tours have a slightly different cancellation policy.  See details on in depth itineraries.

Prices are based on the international exchange rate of September 2009.  Should the rate change by more than 5% a supplement will be added to the final balance for all new and previous bookings.   

Insurance
Upon confirmation of reservation VGT will send you an informational packet that will include a travel insurance application. We strongly recommend trip cancellation insurance in case of personal or family emergency.  Please review carefully the enclosed flyer and application from CSA Travel Protection and contact them directly if you would like to enroll or have any questions at 800 348 9505
or www.csatravelprotection.com. 

Note: In the event of terrorist activities causing the US government to issue a travel warning or advisory to countries VGT visits, VGT will grant full credit for the tour price (minus a $100 administration fee p. p. per tour) for a tour redeemed in the same or next cycling and walking season. This applies to those tours directly run by VGT; tours run in conjunction with our associates will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Eligibility
Clients are responsible for choosing a tour appropriate to their own fitness level. Minors (under age 18) must be accompanied by an adult. Minimum age of participants is ten years.

Release of Liability Form
A release form will be sent to you and must be returned to VGT prior to departure.

Airline Ticketing
Since flight options vary locally, consult your local travel agent for advice or call Holland Approach at (800) 776 4655.

Helmets
VGT requires all bicyclists to wear helmets. Please bring your own!

Bicycles
You will be responsible for theft and damage to a bike rented through VGT. Do not leave your bike unattended even for a few minutes!

Room Arrangements
Rates are based on double occupancy. On hotel tours only a few single rooms are available. A single supplement will be applied.

Changes to the Itinerary
Due to unforeseen circumstances VGT on rare occasions must alter the accommodations or routes from those mentioned in the itinerary. All efforts are made to select an alternative hotel of the same high quality and to keep the route changes to a minimum. VGT also reserves the right to cancel a tour for any reason. In the unlikely event that this happens a refund of all money received will be made.

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