santana bike tours

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Santana Adventures

March 28, 2019 By Robin Stark 17 comments

This company is truly unique in that they combine a cycling tour with a luxury cruise. By climbing aboard, riders are able to skip over many miles at night and see much more than they would have sleeping in a hotel. Originally founded as builders of tandem bikes, Santana started providing tours in 2005. They can supply their specialty tandems or link you with a supplier for a single. Sag-wagons do not sweep the route, but instead post at strategic spots and wait for calls. If you lament repacking after every stop of a cycling tour, then a cycling cruise may be the ticket for you.

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• Website : https://santanaadventures.com/
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• Country : Belgium, Croatia, England, France, Germany, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Tahiti

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Our first trip with Santana (and, likely, our last) recently ended with a sigh of relief as we disembarked. My wife and I have traveled extensively by bicycle (16 trips and counting) and our trip to Japan was among the worst one we have been on. Given the terrain of Japan, we thought, what better way to see the country by bicycle than by ship, stopping from port to port. The Santana brochure gave a marvelous description of the tour, however, most of it was wrong – more on that later.

To start, when booking a Santana cruise, you need a sizable deposit up front. You then have 2 weeks to decide if you really want to go; after that, a 50% deposit is required. This is because they need to secure the ship from which the trip will operate. If you decide to cancel, they charge a $1000 re-booking fee. If the room is not re-booked (unlikely as these trips, for some reason, are very popular) then you are on the hook for the entire amount. I personally did not have any issue with this policy though I am curious as to why one would need to hold back $1000 dollars, especially if the room is re-booked.

Communication was poor. Do not expect much information about the trip until just a few months before you go. The first real information we got regarding this trip was December 29, 2022, and that was just about a packing list and adapters for the cruise ship outlets, not particularly critical info for a trip like this unless you had never done a cycling trip before. The next update had some helpful tips, like what Santana did not supply, such as locks, repair kit and inner tubes, water bottles etc. etc. This was more for the folks renting bikes rather than bringing their own as Santana is quite popular with the tandem cyclists. We knew there would be a pre and post cruise tour but no information on that was available until Feb 2023 (2 months before departure). And when we did get the info, you had one week to decide, otherwise the price went up $500. Based on the price, we did not want to do either one (good thing we did not as we later heard the pre-tour was a mess). However, we did inquire about what hotel the group would be staying. Santana guarded the info like it was a state secret. Our plan was to stay at the same hotel thinking that we could do our own thing before the trip and then get a ride to the ship with the group. How foolish to think that. If you do not do the pre-tour, you are on your own until you get to the ship. I do not have any problem with that policy but why not say that up front so guests can make appropriate plans? With other bicycle tours, all this information is available at the time of booking, often 8-12 month before the trip.

More on communication: On other tours we have taken, ride profiles or the Ride with GPS maps are available for review so one can have an idea of what the trip will be like and decide what bicycle to rent (standard vs. e-bike). Not so with Santana. First e-mail that had anything to do with the tour routes was 2 weeks before the tour start, and this e-mail was geared to Garmin users. For those of us who only use RWGPS, this communication was worthless. Little did we know what was in store for us. RWGPS routes were available the night before the ride on the first 2 cycling days. On every other day, they were not available until the morning of the ride. I’ll have more to say on that later as well. Bicycles: Santana does not supply any bicycles for the tour. Santana arranges for rentals via a third party and you get your bike at the dock. They encourage you to pack up your own bike and bring it with you which was surprisingly easy except for lugging around a 32 Kg bike case. Be prepared for sticker shock if you rent. For a 10-day trip, a road bike will set you back about $800-1000. If you want an e-bike, $1300 (as a comparison, a cycling company we have used over 10 times charged $300 for an e-bike for a 13-day trip in Andalusia last year). And speaking of sticker shock, as this is a cruise, there are varying costs of the cabins based on size and location of your cabin. So, one person’s $6000 10-day Japan trip may cost another person $10,000 because they get a room with 50 more sq feet on a higher deck. Not really a great deal. And let’s not forget about additional charges such as port fees ($375 PP) and “cruise extras” (475 PP). This last item included off ship activities, admissions, guides, and rider support. As there were very few off ship activities with minimal admission charges, no guides per say (unless you took the bus), no support van and only 2 bike mechanics.

The highlight of the trip was to cycle the Shimanami Kaido bike path. The ship was to dock at Imabari and pick up riders at the other end (Onomichi) of the 70 km bike path that crosses six islands. The ship was too big to dock at either port so it docked at Itozaki, 10 km from Onomichi (why was this not known 2 years earlier when we booked). Buses and trucks were then arranged to take cyclist and the bikes about halfway down the path to cycle back. Brochure – “the preferred starting point for this ride is the coastal town of Imibari, where our ship will briefly dock to set us off…Upon reaching Onomichi, enthusiasts celebrate at a waterfront bike shop that is also a pizzeria and cyclists’ hotel.” The only celebration to be had was packing my bike up on the ship’s deck that day as it was windy and slightly wet and Bill discouraged cyclists from riding due to the weather conditions, which, as it turned out, were not as bad as predicted. Another port of call, Kochi, has 2 iconic sites to visit, Kochi Castle and Chukurinji temple. While mentioned in the brochure, neither were discussed in the briefing of this ride and so both were missed. They were an easy bike ride from the dock. Shame on me for not looking beforehand but isn’t this what we pay the tour operators for? To quote the brochure again: “Santana’s carefully curated choice of daily routes provide interactive stops at samurai villages, feudal castles, swordsmiths, sake breweries, bamboo forests, pearl farms…” Except for the castles, we experienced none of this and these activities were not even mentioned in the daily briefings. Bill did talk about one castle in Karatsu and advised us to look it up in TripAdvisor if you wanted more info for a visit. No stop at Hagi, “another small port that rarely hosts cruise ships” per the brochure. Rather, we stopped at Fukuoka, the sixth largest city in Japan. You can imagine what cycling out of that port was like. And finally, about the brochure – there are many misleading pictures that are either photo-shopped (there is one of Osaka Castle with Mount Fuji in the background) or nowhere near the port. For example, there is a lovely photo of Chureito Temple and Mount Fuji. This image was even on our cruise ID and bike license plates. Unfortunately, this temple was much too far from port to visit by bicycle (70 km one way). Another is a photo of a bamboo forest we were to visit while in Ulsan, ROK. Besides not even stopping in Ulsan (port changed to Busan, the second largest city in South Korea), the bamboo forest pictured in the brochure is the one in Nara. With a quick internet search one can easily find the “photos” Santana used for these examples. One wonders how many more of the photos in the brochure are misleading (hint, most of them).

Regarding the “carefully curated routes” – most of the rides were not very scenic, involved long stretches on very busy streets just to get out of the port town and were lacking in dining opportunities for lunch. And on several rides the RWGPS route has us turn off the main road onto a side road for a short distance (0.5 km on one occasion) before taking us back on the same road while having us cut across traffic twice in order to follow this “curated route.” Getting the RWGPS routes the morning of the ride left little to no time to plan for the day regarding cultural visits or possible stopping points for lunch. On 2 days when they did mention a lunch stop, one was closed leaving us miles away from even a Lawsons or 7/11 and the other ran out of food before we got there. And the support van was only for repairs or injuries. One rider asked if they had any food or bars on the day the lunch stop was closed and they looked perplexed, saying no, we only carry tools. Most off-ship dining involved getting a snack at the aforementioned convenience stores. Not exactly the cultural experience we were expecting. And unique to a cruise / cycling tour, if you took too long at lunch you may get left behind in port, waving at the ship as it sails to its next location. This meant time constraints on almost every ride in order to get back to the ship with time to spare.

And one final note – this trip likely had over 300 cyclists (ship capacity 312). It may have been the biggest trip Santana has ever done. On our previous tours with other companies, there were on average 10-14 riders. This was quite a change from the much more personalized attention and cultural experience we are used to getting from our bi-lingual guides. It also meant leaving the bikes outside when you finished the days ride, sometimes in the rain, in order for the crew to bring them back aboard. This is not ideal if you brought your own bike. When putting mine back together once home, there was already some rust on the chain (bikes are also kept up on deck, exposed to the elements). The crew did a great job getting the bikes down 5 decks around a spiral staircase each morning and back up again later in the day.

This review is rather long but I think you can understand the level of disappointment everyone in our party had with this trip. We did almost nothing that was described in the e-mail brochure nor was much of any of it discussed in the daily briefings. Many rides involved navigating through very busy port towns and were not particularly scenic. Almost all dining was aboard the ship and was typical cruise fare. While it was good, there was almost no local flavor to the menu. Not having to live out of a suitcase for 10 days did not make up for the fact that we were not really visiting Japan, but merely cycling in a foreign county only to return to our English speaking, “westernized” floating home at the end of each day. The best 2 days of this trip were after we disembarked and met up with our private guide for a 2-day tour of Nara and Kyoto. This review will not change any minds of the many repeat customers of Santana. It is not meant for them but rather those who are on the fence deciding on their first cycling cruise. While other Santana destinations and itineraries may be better, I am not willing to spend the money to find out.

Embrace the Chaos! This is the most disorganized and disappointing company I have ever traveled with. Bill is absolutely awful and does not care about anything except the money he makes off of the trips. He also cares about his wine. The routes were horrible and the planning was chaotic. Please do not use Santana Adventures

We are really impressed with Santana; we just signed up for our fourth trip. They take the ordinary hassle of cycling tours and elevate it beyond one’s imagination. The negative reviews below are old and illustrate how little the people understood before they signed up. We’ll never ride with another company!

BYER BEWARE! We signed up for and paid for a trip to Tahiti that was postponed three times and in the end we could not participate in. After “making our case” to Bill McCready, owner of the business, that we did not receive what we had signed up and paid for , we were told it was just “our loss”.

I would never recommend taking one their “adventures” again to anyone!

We traveled with Santana to the Greek Isles in 2021 and Memphis to New Orleans in 2022. We have traveled with other bike outfitters. Disorganized, understaffed. burned out. arrogant only begin to describe the experience. Note that the positive reviews on other sites are vague and short. Believe the detailed, specific reviews that remain online (Santana is very good at removing negative reviews, I have screenshots of reviews that are long gone). Take your time and money elsewhere.

We just completed the Tulip Tour with Santana Adventures. Not real impressed. First the good – the ship and crew were good with exception of internet wifi service which was horrible. Breakfast and Dinner were well prepared.

Made the flights leaving and ship on time at call points.

Then the bad: Routes had not been scouted in quite some time (probably 2 years, Santana staff often mentioned “last time we did this tour two years ago”). Lots of construction and unknown / no guidance detours had to be made. At two points we had to carefully ask heavy construction equipment to stop work while we walked past. Don’t do this group if you are not thoroughly comfortable navigating foreign countries rural areas on your own. Was not possible to obtain a sample of the likely routes pre tour. That would have allowed a little better personal planning on our part and aligned the expectations. Yes, we did ask for them a few weeks prior via email – received no answer on that request. Tulip Tour. Not a single tulip field ridden by or around. Missed completely one of the principal points of the tour. No sightseeing guidance and little time in towns to look around. Not even a city highlights ride route provided. Only thing provided was a brief writeup about the towns we stopped at. No snacking food offerings outside of the planned meal times. If you aren’t in to 35-60 miles per day, this isn’t the group for you. And this was a relatively flat tour. Be very cautious on tours in more hilly terrain. Limited choices in daily routes for length and difficulty. Minimum 30+ to 60 miles. Support while biking is LIMITED. Pay good heed to what they say they do. They aren’t kidding. Claims of clothes washing included in gratuity are for cycling clothes only. This was mis characterized in the pre-tour info. Complimentary wine, beer, and sodas are at dinner only. All other times charged. Water is your only free choice at all times. Mischaracterized in pre tour info. Forget lunch being part of your inclusion. Lunch most days are on your own with no suggestions. Mischaracterized in pre tour info. Only way to have lunch you paid for most days is to not ride. Further, “lots of places to eat along the way” comment from Bill simply wasn’t true on half the days. The non rider bus was ill planned and not well executed on 2 of the 6 days. Just understand, this is NOT the focus of this group. Somewhat of a medical emergency – tour staff never checked up. Thank goodness ship crew did and offered use of blood pressure cuff and other vital signs measurement tools. No sign of Bill and team. In trying to be fair, didn’t seek them out in the moment (but running out of dining room pushing people aside to vomit with wife running after crying ‘oh god’ thinking I was having a stroke, pretty noticeable, ship staff sure did). Did hear stories of other medical emergencies they did tend to. A participant made a mistake, albeit large one. Bill got up and ‘ranted’ to entire group over microphone at dinner calling the participant ‘stupid’ among other inappropriate comments. Eventually one of the other participants told him to knock it off. Most of us in shock.

Unless you are a hard core biker, preferably on a tandem, who likes the “adventure” part of the equation with limited support, and maybe being called stupid in front of everyone, look elsewhere.

Another thing that irked me was that staff acted a bit like this was their vacation ride. Staff are at their own prime center table and didn’t seem to make “customers first” the impression. This comment is just a feeling I was left with. Hard to pinpoint the reasoning, which is why I break out this comment here – so take this comment with a grain of salt. The other 14 points above are all factual.

If those are your thing – then this is your group.

Santana is a chaotic, unprofessional mess of a tour company. Some good parts: Fun and interesting fellow travelers, nice job on board by the American Queen Cruise Line Countess staff. Pre trip instructions stated E bikes were unnecessary, would not be supported, and are not available for rent. Because it’s flat. Arrived to find @ 15 e bikes, including rentals, and had two days of 1000 foot climbs. A “mid day feast” consisted of some kind of meat and seafood (server did not know what was in it) mixed with pasta,served in a styrofoam box with a stale roll. Vegetarians got 1/2 cup iceberg lettuce and the stale roll. The boat Bill chartered required us to carry our bikes up and down four flights of stairs every morning and evening. No rigging or plan on the top deck to stabilize or organize bikes. Nothing but sarcasm and non answers from Bill, the rest of the staff did a great job hiding, except the bike rental representative. Never knew what we were doing until we were heading out the door, and even then… One day the “short” ride was 40 miles : 10 miles on the levee (scenic, paved, bike path) and 30 miles on the levee service road (farms, industry, trucks, and no restrooms). The chaos takes its toll on the participants and the ship’s crew. Santana is clearly cutting corners to maximize profit. Tandem and single bike riders deserve better.

ABSOLUTELY AWFUL EXPERIENCE. Went on the Bari to Venice cruise. Every day was planned by the seat of their pants. Almost every day, a road was closed or there was some other impediment to completing the course (inadequate time, launching us on a freezing, snowy mountain where the course took us up to higher, more treacherous road conditions). Tour director (owner) verbally abusive to guests. Ship and ship’s staff (not part of Santana) were great.

Run! This was total chaos from start to finish. Any information about routes, ports, events , etc was treated as a state secret and not provided until the very last moment. The routes were not verified and some were dangerous (we are strong experienced riders that travel to cycle often so when I say dangerous I mean it). We met a lot of great people on the trip who are very loyal. I liked their companionship but don’t understand why they go back again and again. I’m glad they like it, but I hated it and will never be a repeat customer.

I am extremely angry and disappointed that Santana Adventures would not refund my family for the Italy cycling trip we had booked and could not attend because we live in Australia and are locked down because of Covid. We are legally NOT ALLOWED to leave our country because of Covid-19 lockdown restrictions and Santana Adventures told us that they will not refund or transfer the trip. They keep telling us they can’t refund the money because it is in a “trust”. And they clearly do not give a damn about their customers. There’s $8000 down the drain!!!!

Not worth it. They do not do what they advertise. Save your money and go with a more reputable company

Our trip in October was canceled due to COVID. The owner, Bill, refused to refund money to the passengers. He won’t let passengers apply the funds to other trips. Instead, he is forcing us to go the following year. Many cannot participate for various reasons. The only other option if we cancel is that if can sell our reservation to another participant, he will keep $1,000 for selling our seat.

I’m glad he’s not steering the ship. Obviously, he has no moral compass, which makes me think he has no compass at all.

Awful Company. We booked two tours with them for 2020. Both canceled because of Covid. This company has an not refunded money and they are holding it And promising to return it in two years! We had additional cruises with Viking and Princess for 2020 and received our refund within three weeks of the cruise line canceling. This is a deceitful dishonest company run by Bill McCready and his family. Do not book with them.

Really should stay away from these folks. They cancelled a trip to Tahiti for August 2020 as the ship Wind Spirit was not going into Tahiti. They cancelled, not me. Not refund of our more than $10,000 payment. Now they’ve had our money for over a 1 1/2 years. They want use to go in May, but we can not go. But will not refund our money. Be careful. Most reputable companies will refund if they have to cancel a trip.

Just finished a tour down the Rhine from strausburg to Amsterdam. Great concept and wonderful cruise line, but very disappointed with the Santana team. TERRIBLE customer service. They all seem very burned out They intentionally withhold information so that they can make last minute changes. They have a loyal following of tandem owners who seem to just accept Bills bad attitude. First day ride was pretty hot and the support van didn’t even have water for those who ran out. every announcement or exchange with the team was tainted with condescension. Pre and post tour group hotels were secretly guarded

Beware of Santana Adventures. They do not ride the ride before the guests. They get the GPS instructions off the internet the night before. Therefore, sometimes parts of the rides are not rideable. Also, they do not follow you in a van. You are on your own. There is no one to help you with breakdowns or provide water/snacks along the way. Since they are charging the same as other companies that do provide support, it makes you think twice.

We went on a Santana Adventure cycling trip in September 2018 and we were very disappointed. It was the most disorganized trip I have ever been on. There was virtually no planning in advance. There were many things on the itinerary that never happened or were grossly exaggerated. Many people on the trip were very upset and would never go on another Santana Adventure again.

Read the fine print. They do not provide any support during your cycling day. You need to provide your own food and water; if you have a flat, then you need to have the tools to fix it; if you get tired, then you need to find a ride, etc. With the cost of their trips being the same as other cycling companies that all provide support, we were very disappointed.

I could go on and on but you get the picture.

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Tahiti 8-Island Cycling Cruise

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  Tour Operator   Santana Adventures

    French Polynesia

  8   days   (Bike: 6 days)

  180   mi   (~ 30 mi  per day)

  Some hills

8 day cruise on the MS Star Breeze

Back in May of 2018, Santana hosted the first-ever cycling tours of French Polynesia. We chartered a yacht-sized ship and premiered two back-to-back bike cruises in a tropical paradise with beautifully-paved roads and spectacular cycling.

148 couples joined us for two weeks of unforgettable rides across an island archipelago that’s more scenic and less crowded than Hawaii. The cycling? 10 times better.

By 2021, word of our Tahiti itinerary had spread like wildfire, and with such emphatic support, we chartered an even more luxurious ship.

After receiving an unprecedented number of A+ reviews, we decided to make our itinerary even more unforgettable by adding an additional island. Our newest adventure for 2024 includes a wide selection of rides on 8 unique islands, each encircled by a ribbon of smooth pavement.

Santana has worked with Windstar since 2010. With this win-win relationship, Santana obtains the lowest pricing and best availability. Their yacht-sized fleet allows Santana’s charters to use small ports that are better suited for cycling.

Early booking discounts!

In addition to our daily pair of zero-mile options (remaining on the ship or exploring the island by other means), every day has multiple cycling routes. Anyone who can ride 30 flat miles will be able to enjoy cycling on all eight islands. If you prefer hills or want to spend additional hours in the saddle, we’ve got you covered.

Tour Information

Guided     US$   4599

Departure(s)

May 20, 2024

• 7 nights accommodation in an-board suite
• Gourmet restaurant meals
• Free airport transfers on embark and disembark days
• Soft Drinks, Coffee, Espresso Drinks, and Juice are all complimentary all day long
• Shipboard gratuities are $144 per person. Santana’s cruise hosts don’t accept tips.
• Santana’s comprehensive “cruise extras” fee of $500 per person includes cycling-specific extras and support across eight islands.
• Port Fees and taxes $268.

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While great care has been taken to show full and correct tour details, unfortunately transcription errors do occur and, although we continually seek to eliminate these, we apologise for any mistakes. Plans or bookings should not be made exclusively based on information shown on this website but must be confirmed with the tour operator.

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Has anyone done or know someone who has done a tour with these guys? They make tandem bikes, but also do tours. Unfortunately I have not found many reviews, and a large % of them are not positive. I know you have to take online reviews with a grain of salt, and read into what the problem is, but I am not thrilled with their website either; hard to navigate, no details on the trips, no price until you checkout, etc. Have done backroads and it was very good, have friends who have done Trek and they like those as well. But I know nobody who has done Santana, and the fact that Carlos is a great guitarist doesn't mean I am willing to plunk down a big chunk of change ;-). Appreciate any input.  

jbinbi said: Has anyone done or know someone who has done a tour with these guys? They make tandem bikes, but also do tours. Unfortunately I have not found many reviews, and a large % of them are not positive. I know you have to take online reviews with a grain of salt, and read into what the problem is, but I am not thrilled with their website either; hard to navigate, no details on the trips, no price until you checkout, etc. Have done backroads and it was very good, have friends who have done Trek and they like those as well. But I know nobody who has done Santana, and the fact that Carlos is a great guitarist doesn't mean I am willing to plunk down a big chunk of change ;-). Appreciate any input. Click to expand...

After Croatia and Japan, why did you sign up for Columbia and New Zealand?  

"Other than that, how was the play Mrs Lincoln?"  

I think that New Zealand would be the best trip so far!  

Believe it or not, in the post-pandemic world, these Santana trips were selling out in just hours when reservations were opened, and they're a year or more in advance. After a couple of years of no travel we were a bit over-enthusiastic in booking trips, and had booked three more, (as they opened) before actually doing the first trip, Croatia, with them. It was obviously a gamble, but figured if they were selling out like that, somebody must be loving them.  

Santana Adventures is rated "Excellent" with 4.5 / 5 on Trustpilot

Santana Adventures Reviews - 1.5 Stars

Wow! Aren't you supposed to be doing the Columbia River Boat tour right now?  

I'd rather jab a kitchen knife into my thigh!  

@fiziks , yep. On it now. So far no snafu, but not holding my breath.  

The week is young 😳  

I would stay away from Santana unless you want a chaotic, disorganized cycle trip. I was on the 2023 Japan trip with family and without a doubt we all agreed that this was the worst cycling trip we had ever been on (and we've been on of 18 trips with 6 different companies). We talked with several other guests on the Japan tour who specifically mentioned Backroads and they were likewise disappointed. I wrote one of the negative reviews on TrustPilot (Santana Buyer Beware, Jeffrey) and another, longer one, on SiteJabber (Undecided, read this - Jeff). Everything stated in the reviews is accurate. These reviews outline many of the issues we had with Santana. Our most recent trip to Bavaria with a company we have used many times, Experience Plus, was the polar opposite of Santana, which is one reason we have taken 12 trips with them and will never go with Santana again.  

My friend has done a Santana tour (I forgot where) and he said it was all good. He has an upcoming NZ tour booked with them.  

I’ve been on 4 Santana tours and am currently signed up for 3 more. I LOVE them. great staff, great people, great ships and food and awesome riding with lots of choices (short, medium, long). I hope to ride with Santana for years to come!  

Btw, this was my full review of the Japan trip: Asya Kamsky gave Santana Adventures 5 stars. Check out the full review...  

Signed up for2025 5 country France etc. trip with Santana, but had concerns from reviews. They confirmed my reservation but would not respond to questions, just as other reviewers have stated. Also, majority of images presented as incentive for the tour are typically very far (75 miles plus) away from where the ship would dock. No explanations. Very little information/specifics (even additional costs!) given and, based upon other reviewers, it didn't look like I'd hear from them until a couple of weeks before ship sails. This was not acceptable so I cancelled before the 14 day review period expired.  

Santana is a horrible understaffed "make it up as we go along" mess. I do not understand how or why the intelligent, fun people we met on two Santana trips (Greece and Mississippi River, I booked Mississippi before going to Greece) put up with the half hearted, mysoginistic, ignorant, last minute planning of Bill M. Some advised us to "embrace the chaos". Why? Cyclists with serious injuries were abandoned, there is zero sag support, promised destinations and activities never happened. We had to carry our bikes up/down four flights of stairs every single day, cycle on busy roads, no planning for holidays, road closures, weather, restaurant closures, etc. There is absolutely no comparison to Backroads or many other independent bike tour companies other than cost. I do know that Bill M. manages to take down legitimate negative reviews like mine. Do not book a trip with them ever.  

I have not tried Santana's tours myself, but my friends give different opinions. A few enjoyed the tandem biking very much, but others did not like that the website does not provide many details and they had troubles when booking. If you feel satisfied with Backroads and Trek, it may be best to continue using them since they work for you. However, if you are open to exploring new options and ready to risk a little, contacting Santana for additional details might address your worries. Listen to your intuition and choose the option that seems most suitable for your journey.  

We have done 3 Santana trips; the Douro Rive in Portugal 2022, Norway 2022, and New Zealand 2024. I enjoyed them all, but Norway and NZ were pretty amazing. I have learned to navigate the communication issue (as I have for other venues like the ski race team my daughter did.). The FAQs on the website tell you that you need to be self sufficient and can at least navigate with a Garmin or Ride with GPS AND change a bike tire. Major things you can call the SOS number and get help. You choose the length you want to ride daily, which ranges from 30 miles to as long as 70 miles. They often have "boosts", which are shuttles to the top of long climbs at the start of rides for those who don't love climbing. I realized after finishing the Douro River trip using my road bike that I should have boosted as there was a lot of climbing. For Norway and NZ I rented an e-bike, was able to ride as long as my fitter husband wanted to ride, and had a fabulous time. The other riders on the trip are typically wonderful people. The Santana crew has most always been helpful although very busy. I will do more Santana trips, but if you like more attentive service, perhaps another brand would be a better choice.  

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Embrace the chaos

My wife and I decided to take a biking trip to Japan for our 25th wedding anniversary. We have been doing bike trips annually with Backroads and decided to try something new. It turned out to be a really bad idea. Santana Adventures is run by Bill McGready who is in the business of building tandem bikes. These trips are really a cult following of Bill with other tandem owners who like to travel with Bill. There were 300 bikers on this trip and only literally about seven support staff. There were two support vans that might show up in 90 minutes to two hours god forbid you had a problem with your bike or got hurt. The routes were not properly loaded on this first day so we were trying to follow the route backwards to make sure we got to the boat on time so we did not get left behind. Ridiculously stressful. The routes were very dangerous and often on busy roads for a period of time. I found it very interesting that bikers who have been on a bunch of these trips would bad mouth Bill bad say you just need to embrace the chaos. Seems really stupid to me especially as someone who rides a single and not a tandem. Mikey who was hired by Bill to prepare the routes was not even aloud to ride with the guests. It always makes good sense to have staff riding with guests to ensure safety and make sure people are having fun and not getting lost. For example, backroads has 25 people max on its trips with two support vans and the leaders actually ride with you. From now on we will stick with what we know and love. Lastly, the ship was great and the wind star cruise staff was great. Also, on a positive note we did meet some really great people and formed some new friendships. So, if you have a tandem, love chaos, went to spend a fair amount of money for a trip with no support to hang out with the cult of Bill, Santana is for you. Otherwise, stay away much better options out there.

Date of experience : April 16, 2023

Santana is the best way to travel on a bike!

Our recent Santana trip to Tahiti was amazing. It was our second time on a Santana trip and it exceeded our expectations which were already quite high from our first trip to Corsica and Tuscany. Santana's philosophy of the boat relocating at night so you don't have unpack half a dozen times is the starting point of a great trip. The next great thing is the trip is logistically well thought out with lots of options for when you want to ride hard or not or if your partner wants to push or just relax. The boats are always luxurious, yet because of the size, still intimate. You can be a couple or single; it's an inclusive crowd. Finally you can be in the greatest place on earth and outside on a bike, but if you are with nasty people it's not worth it. Santana attracts a really interesting customer both in age (trends towards recently retired) and careers. My wife and I, both still working, love the people who go on Santana trips. There is no one type of person. Everyone had a great story.... careers public and private as well as working and retired united by their desire to visit great places on a humble bicycle. We're already planning when to make our next trip!

Date of experience : November 30, 2021

Awesome adventures!

Awesome adventures. Great cycling routes, fantastic food and wonderful accommodations. Bill and Jan are great at planning alternate activities if the weather doesn’t cooperate for cycling. There are always choices of cycling distances for the day or non-cycling tours.

Date of experience : September 20, 2019

Great trip, super staff.

Great staff, good food and good routes to ride. The Santana cruise made it easy to take a trip to a beautiful part of the world that we probably would not otherwise had traveled to. We will take another Santana cruise, Lord willing.

Date of experience : September 24, 2019

We recently experienced our first trip…

We recently experienced our first trip with Santana Adventures and it exceeded our expectations in every way. The organization of the trip logistics was excellent, the food, drink, and lodging were superb, and the group of cyclists was so much fun!

Date of experience : September 19, 2019

This was such a great trip its hard to say enough about

This was such a great trip its hard to describe. The folks at Santana, the boat and the rides itself were amazing. Hard to describe in one short comment -but looking to sign up for our next trip! Thank you for the trip of a lifetime - and looking forward to many more!!

Date of experience : December 18, 2021

Attention to detail was excellent

Attention to detail was excellent, The staff took care of the bikes as well as the details of the trip with exceptional care.

Date of experience : June 01, 2023

Excellent bicycle tours for any level…

Excellent bicycle tours for any level cyclist. First class accommodations so that you can relax and enjoy your vacation. The routes and activities are interesting and the tours are adapted to weather conditions at the time. Great adventures!

We joined Santana on their 2022 Baltic…

We joined Santana on their 2022 Baltic Sea adventure. This was our second cruise with them, as we did their Sicily trip back in 2018. Santana got it right in teaming up with Windstar. The cruise ship was a great size(312 passengers), and the ship had been thru a complete renovation, so everything was fresh and nicely done. Also, the food onboard was great. We really enjoy Santana and how they organize their rides. There is not a lot of structure, and there are a lot of options, depending on how much or little you want to ride that day. Also, chartering the entire ship has great advantages, as they are able to adjust the itinerary on the fly, because of weather or other issues that might pop up. They also picked a great company to use for bike rentals, and we rented carbon bikes with electronic shifting. Bill's meetings to discuss the next ride are informative, and not only does he discuss the three options for the rides, but has information on local sites to see and things to do, including for those that may not ride that day. My only complaint on this past cruise was that I think they tried to cover too many ports in a limited time. Consequently, there were a few times when we had to be back to the ship by 2pm, which is a little earlier than we would have liked. But, other than that, we've been really pleased, and I'm sure we'll do another cruise with Santana in the future.

Date of experience : July 01, 2022

We enjoyed the trip

We enjoyed the trip. The ship was excellent and the staff were very helpful. The routes for cycling were easy and the sights were wonderful. I just wish we enjoyed snorkeling or scuba diving. This trip would have been perfect for that.

Date of experience : December 01, 2021

This was our second trip with Santanna…

This was our second trip with Santanna the first being New Zealand 13 years ago. Prior to our departure to Japan there were a few concerns that we wanted to address in some of the emails that were sent out but, as other people have stated our e mails went unanswered, I finally was able to get a hold of Pam and she was great, answered all our questions via text. We had no problems with direction. Bill suggested we use Bike GPS which we downloaded every morning, the nice part of this app was that there was a blue line and as long as you were on the blue line you were going the right way, now the garmins might have been different but for us the ride GPS worked great, the map the Bill drew was nothing more then a overview of the route. The people that had Garmins we told to leave there chips at the desk so the new route could be uploaded. Cycling in Japen was awesome the drivers were extremely kind gave us plenty of room to pass and if you didn't like riding on the road there were bike paths everywhere. We were lucky since we did the second week tour we hit great weather everyday. As for snacks the 7/11, Lawson and Family mart had fresh Sushi, and finger sandwiches, nothing like the places in the states and about every mile were vending machines with drinks so as long as you had Yen you were good. Some people complained about the time lines on departure but we never had a problem we usually rode the 40 mile route and got back in plenty of time to change, help load the bikes and eat before the ship left the dock. Every night there was a meeting of what to expect the next day on the ride which was informative, funny and help full all options were give so you could decide while route you wanted to do. Some of the planed food stop were a bit frustrating 50 or more people showing up at a ma and pa food stand they got overwhelmed service was very slow, we actually left on place because if we waited we wouldn't make it back in time. The Windstar and our steward were both great the staff was friendly and the food was ok to great depending on were you ate. I do wish there was a way for Bill or the ship to have authentic Japanese meal on board Sushi would have been great or some other dishes. Over all we enjoyed the trip, After the second day you knew what to expect and as long as you kept a open mind and a sense of humor things went pretty smoothly. If your looking fo support vans, guides to ride with, and snacks every 10 mile then this is not the trip for you.

Date of experience : May 05, 2023

It was a good mix of exercise and…

It was a good mix of exercise and travel experiences.The rest stops were well planned to give you a feel of the islands as well as the history of the Tahitians.

Date of experience : December 03, 2021

We have been on one Santana trip

We have been on one Santana trip - to France. But, already signed up for two more (do I need to say anything else?). It was a lot of fun with interesting rides, good food, and great companions. Each day was truly an adventure,

Date of experience : September 27, 2019

This is our best trip yet Santana…

This is our best trip yet Santana adventures adds a certain sense of panache that really makes an exceptional trip exquisite!

Trip of a lifetime

Trip of a lifetime. In 2018 my husband and I traveled to French Polynesia with Santana Adventures. Although we had been on other bike tours, it was the first time with them. One element that makes Santana stand out is their use of small, chartered cruise ships. Instead of going to different hotels each night, you can unpack and settle-in your private space for the trip. No van rides needed! I love water and cruising, and this particular trip was on a Windstar ship (Windspirit) with real sails. Each evening as the ship departed into the glorious sunset the sails were unfurled as music played. And each time I felt emotional at how fortunate we were experiencing such beauty. The rides were on a different island each day! What a way to see French Polynesia, a magical place! Bikes were taken ashore each day, we would ride, maybe stop for a swim, to see a pearl farm or musical event, and return to the ship for lunch. Some would go back out for more riding or another excursion. Others, like me, would enjoy the option of swimming off the ship. They had floats and stand up paddle boards to enjoy the warm, pristine ocean. Being a first time participant I was amazed by the repeat travelers. In fact they were majority, some having been being on a dozen or more trips all over the world with them. Primarily tandem riders, but maybe about a dozen of us were single riders. We are booked for two more trips and look forward to seeing more of the world from my bike and the deck of a ship!

Date of experience : May 15, 2021

Santana Adventures Columbia River Cycling Cruise

Best cycling trip and rides I have ever done. Read some bad reviews but decided to try it out anyway because most the reviews were affected by Covid one way or another and this has added confusion to every touring business. My wife and I were not disapointed. The Columbia River Cruise had beautiful rides and the American Empress River Boat was exquisite. The service and food on the boat was great, especially the Main dining area which had a great atmosphere and menu. What they don't seem to tell you clearly int their own ads is its truly all inclusive. Any museum or visitor center and even the jetboat rides are included. However, only 3 of the buffet lunches were covered as most were on the fly catch as catch can while on the long rides, many which had interim stops in beautiful spots. If your a regular rider that can do 30 to 50 miles you'll find this 7 days of consecutive riding challenging, but very doable. If you are a more casual rider there are variations of the same routes that everyone rides that are shorter. My wifes and my orbea internal ebike batteries were accomidated by letting us charge them in our state room. Ebikes with external batteries are accomidated by removing the batteries and taking them to the state room for charging. Rental bikes and ebikes are available from an associated but separate vendor. They had 3 trucks on this trip storing bikes an moving them from stop to stop with bike mechanics driving them. They van can get to you in an emergency, but intermittent phone reception can delay a responce while riding these beautiful outlying rides. It is best if you bring spares tubes and a kit to care of flat tires an minor issues yourself. However, many of the riders in the group will be passing by andif you cant handle it yourself and you can reach the SOS truck, you can flag another rider in the group for help or ask them to let the trucks up the road that you are having issues. All in it was a great experience and we are going to book another as soon as we can manage to.

Date of experience : August 21, 2023

Fantastic trip, but not for everyone

We recently returned from our first Santa Adventures trip, a biking cruise around New Zealand. We had a fantastic time. First, the ports we went to were great—we like the charm of the smaller cities where we got to see the less traveled part of New Zealand and more of the culture of the people there. Next, the rides themselves were carefully vetted and were the best part of our trip. Bill and his crew had been on the roads and could give an accurate picture of what we would be riding and seeing on each route. His route talk each morning made it easy to select which route we would be taking each day. In addition, Bill and team had selected different experiences for us in most ports, for example the bird sanctuary, winery, and Maori cultural center. The riders had the option of attending these opportunities or doing what they wanted with their time. Getting out on the countryside and having a coffee/wine was a wonderful option and also supported local businesses. Now, the part that led me to say this is not for everyone. We absolutely loved getting a gps map on our phone and heading out each day on our own. We have been on trips where the entire group is herded together and we had to wait for others to catch up or catch up ourselves. We are comfortable changing flats and also calling for help if it is needed. If you are the type of person who needs have their hand held, expect others to change a flat and make sure you get back to the ship on time (yes, they will leave you so you do have to be an adult and get yourself back on time), this will not be the trip or company for you. If you are an entitled person who expects to be talking about the departure to the airport at the end of your trip on day two—not for you. (Incidentally, the departure on the last day was clearly explained and seamless). You are on vacation so relax and live more in the moment than the end of the trip. Lastly, the ship and crew were on point. The food was the best I have had on a cruise ship and the cabins were wonderful. Getting on and off of the ship was easy and painless even with the large number of people all wanting to go at the same time. We have a typical lazy cruise on a massive ship later this year and I am not sure I will like the large ship experience after this cruise. The only complaint I have about the ship is the Star Grill. The chef cutting meat at lunch gave the thinnest slice of meat and if you asked for more he gave you a tiny slice more—kind of acted as if you were taking food from his children’s mouth. I prefer meat to calorie filled salads so this was my and my husband’s least favorite experience on the ship but since you can eat in another location not a deal breaker. All in all, if you are self directed and can follow directions, are fit enough to ride 35 flat miles (and maybe some hills)—are not used to casual riding on an E bike (these rides are not really appropriate for the fitness level of a person who must use an E bike) this is for more serious riders IMO, and are able to live a bit more in the moment than having a schedule clocking in every moment, you will love Santana Adventure’s trips—we have already booked our next one.

Date of experience : January 12, 2024

Couldn’t be happier with our tour experience

My wife and I participated in Santana’s French Polynesia tour. We would both agree that every aspect of the trip exceeded our expectations, from the route planning and support, quality of the on-board dining, extra activities besides cycling, travel logistics and communication. Additionally, one of the most satisfying aspects of the trip was the opportunity to become acquainted with so many wonderful people also participating in the tour. Though my wife suffered an injury to her foot during one of the daily rides that sidelined her from further riding during trip, she nevertheless felt well looked after and enjoyed the other aspects of the trip, especially since the ship was well suited for on-board activities and relaxing. We both look forward to future trips with Santana.

Date of experience : October 06, 2019

Santana adventures Japan, a huge disappointment.

We recently finished our first Santana bicycle cruise with a cruise to Japan. We are experienced bicycle tourists, had never taken a bicycle cruise before, but thought this would be a good way to see a large part of Japan. The small ports listed and the curated sites looked very enticing. However, this was the worst bicycle trip we have ever been on. Communication: emails unanswered for weeks at a time or we were told the answer to our questions would come out in a group email …… eventually. Bike rentals, pre trip hotel location, shuttles (non existent), laundry options, GPS routes and pre and post cruise tour itineraries, all valid concerns that were not addressed in a timely fashion. Tour agenda: we booked our trip knowing a family member would be living in Japan and this would be a great way to visit and see the many tourist sites over the vast island nation of Japan. Viewing the brochure, we were excited about the destinations, the small ports that the “small cruise ship” would be able to dock, a sake brewery visit, and the temples and castles we would see. To quote Santana, “Though our original itinerary was excellent, our return adventure certainly takes it up a notch…Six weeks of scouting pinpointed the best ports for cycling”. The map showed ports of which we only docked at the first 3 out of 10 ports. While we did see a few sites the first few days, it went downhill from there. After the first 3 ports we became aware that the rest of the itinerary was changed and no mention was made before or during the trip until the night before. This was due to the “ship size” which was supposed to be small enough for the small ports. We ended up docking in large ports cities which required us to bike many miles (6-8) to get out of the multi lane traffic congested roads and on to less motor vehicle traveled roads. No bamboo forest, no pearl farm, no sake brewery, and since the ports were different, many of the Temples and shrines were missed. We had to travel to S. Korea for the “international” port requirement. This ended up being the second largest city in S Korea, Busan. Due to weather delay the day prior, we had 4 hours in this port before leaving. Thank goodness because it would have been a mess to travel through this busy city of 3.4 million people. Where we would have traveled on bike is a mystery. One day a couple in our party rented a car to tour around one port city, Beppu, when they read about the city highlights which were not along our “curated” bike route for the day. There was an option to take a tour bus for people who were injured, or had a bicycle issue or were just accompanying a cyclist on this trip. We took that bus one day and on that day saw many of the sites we had expected to see during cycling but did not. GPS routes: as many previous reviewers have said, these were put together and came out at the last minute, often during breakfast or the morning talk, leaving us no time to review the routes. They were not the “carefully curated routes” described, nor “exotic and diverse”, nor “interactive stops or interactive sessions with the friendliest people on earth”. We did have a some local interaction when we stopped at a local Family mart, Lawsons, or 7-11 shops for snacks as the daily briefings were bereft of lunch options and on the 2 days when lunch was mentioned, the designated restaurant stop was closed one day and on the other day they ran out of food. We were not allowed to take food off the ship per customs in Japan so we had to stop at the local marts, some days there just wasn’t anything. Dangerous and disorganized: traveling with so many cyclists through the big cities was down right dangerous. And as other reviewers have mentioned, we were making illegal right turns for 4 days before we were informed of the different traffic rules for cyclists in Japan. In contrast, like other travelers and reviewers here, we have used several other bike companies, including Experience Plus Bicycle tours, for over 10 trips, where we receive answers to email inquiries within 24-48 hours, and GPS routes are sent before we leave the US. Many companies offer planned food recommendations, van support with food and water when we are cycling in remote areas, as well as scouted routes and tours of notable sites. None of this happened with Santana. We are experienced bicycle tourists, having taken over 15 bicycle vacations with several different companies, this was a mess and was extremely disappointing. Maybe other Santana itineraries are better, but we won’t take the chance booking again. Positive: the ship, the Windstar Star Breeze; the suite rooms were great, the ship was clean and the staff friendly and efficient. They even helped move the bicycles on and off the ship.

Date of experience : April 15, 2023

What a mess of a cycling tour company

What a mess of a cycling tour company. My wife and I are seasoned cyclists with many national and international cycling trips under our belts. We’d heard good things about Santana Adventures, so we thought we’d give them a try. BIG MISTAKE! Based on our experience and those of numerous other cyclists on our Venice to Bari cycling cruise trip, one would guess this was Santana Adventures’ maiden voyage. Poor vertical communication between staff, lack of information provided to guests on a constant basis and most seriously NO scouting of any of the route options prior to sending us on our way each morning. We encountered impassable roads, closed bridges and tunnels and travel on busy highways with heavy truck traffic with no prior notice by staff. This is dangerous and reckless. It’s a minor miracle some of the less experienced cyclists did not get hurt…or worse. One morning I asked the staffer handing out Garmin route chips(at the last minute, of course) if he had driven the route and what we could expect to encounter. He casually stated he had scouted the route. Sadly, we came to find out he was untruthful as the route had been closed for many months due to construction. Bill’s morning updates would include museums or churches to see during our daily rides, only to find out some of them were not open at the time of our arrival. The staff’s poor prep work on many occasions such as this resulted in us missing out on some fun stops during our daily rides. Most of us felt we would likely need a vacation after THIS vacation due to the undercurrent of stress and chaos created by Bill McCready, the owner and observed on a daily basis. Bill was openly antagonistic to his guests on multiple occasions, and rarely accepted responsibility for the many missteps his guests experienced due to company disorganization that bordered on incompetence. Oh, and BTW…this excursion was undertaken on a cruise ship in the middle of a pandemic. However, one would be hard pressed to know this based on the tone set by Bill and his staff. Bill’s orientation meeting was in a packed lounge with very few of the 200 guests wearing masks, the majority of whom just arrived from across the US by plane. We were greeted by an unmasked Bill spouting falsehoods about COVID-19, such as the virus being much less severe than the common flu. As Chair of my county’s local Board of Health, I was appalled. We experienced very few moments of peace and mindfulness during this trip that was supposed to be all about peace and mindfulness. It was exhausting due to the constant stress imparted on us by Bill and Company. A couple of positive notes to end this otherwise negative review: Cruise staff on the ship was exceptional. Extremely service oriented with a wonderful attitude throughout our trip. Leland, the head bike mechanic on our trip was amazing. Extremely talented at his craft and a great guy as well. Although Bill was a master at creating chaos around him, he was also very good at solving unanticipated problems when they arose. Unexpected pandemic related port closures and choppy seas meant some changes to our itinerary. Bill was able to mobilize trucks and buses on short notice when needed to offer alternative tour experiences for his guests. This was most appreciated by all of us. We are already planning our next cycling adventure overseas, but rest assured it will not be with Santana Adventures.

Date of experience : October 24, 2021

The Ultimate Tandem Experience

Founded by tandem enthusiasts in 1976, Santana Tandem has had the same focus, passion and ownership for over four decades. Recognized as the World’s #1 builder of high performance tandems, our machines allow cyclists to cover more ground with less effort. While anyone can boast better performance, a review of our website will allow you to appreciate Santana’s enduring dedication to couples who desire the ultimate tandem experience.

Made in the USA

At Santana’s California factory, we build a comprehensive range of tandems from superior alloys of steel, aluminum, titanium and carbon. All are guaranteed to be lighter, stiffer and more comfortable than offerings from other builders. Most models can be equipped with couplers for hassle-free flying. If your needs are specific, custom sizing, finish, or componentry is available.

Tandem Vacations

Ready to spread your horizons? Since 1986, Santana has showcased the tandeming lifestyle through the design of over 150 tours, rallies, and cruises; all hosted by our company’s founders. Santana’s Tandem Vacations are available exclusively to couples or families who can share a tandem, all brands are welcome. Popular destinations include: Tahiti & French Polynesia, British Isles, Holland, New Zealand, Burgundy & Provence, Hawaii, California, Washington’s Puget Sound, Arizona, Colorado, Great Lakes, Chesapeake Bay, Vermont, Tuscany, the Austrian Alps, Spain, and France. We’ve even chartered entire cruise ships for unprecedented cycling vacations along the Rhine, Moselle, Mississippi, Danube and Saone-Rhone Rivers. Riding thousands of miles alongside hundreds of vacationing tandem teams each year is just one of the many ways Santana remains at the forefront of tandeming.

When you cannot find your answer on this web site don’t hesitate to call our factory-direct hotline at 1-800-334-6136 to talk to a tandem expert. For other ways to contact Santana click here .

Recent  Posts

How to choose a bike and stay safe on the road

The center of St. Petersburg boasts only seven bicycle paths, but the city plans on building three more routes of 34.5 kilometers over the course of the upcoming year.

In 2016 a total of 96 city bike rental stations will begin operations in late April. You can download a special app here to gain access. However, it might be simpler to rent a two-wheeler from a smaller vendor – all you need is a passport and cash to leave as a deposit.

1. Rentbike  – a round-the-clock rental in the city center. Rent sport bikes, urban bikes and retro-style models from 600-900 rubles per day.

According to Peter Kozyrev, founder of the Peters Walk company, which has been organizing bike tours for visitors since 2007, St. Petersburg is quickly becoming a friendlier environment for cyclists.

"Drivers are more considerate than they were a few years ago,” says Kozyrev. “Most of our customers come from countries with a well-developed cycling culture such as Germany, the Netherlands, France and Denmark."

His advice to tourists that plan a ride on their own is to choose quiet streets, pedestrian zones, empty sidewalks and connecting courtyards.

"Pay attention to the traffic and take your headphones off," says Kozyrev.

The best time for bike rides is on weekend mornings.  

You can start your ride at Vosstaniya Square. In the early 19th century this area was considered the remote outskirts of the city up until the construction of the Moskovsky Railway Station (called Nikolaevsky at that time) in 1851. It was during the reign of Tsar Nicholas I that St. Petersburg and Moscow were linked by railroad. The journey then took 20 hours, which seemed miraculously fast at the time. Modern trains can cover this distance in less than four hours.

Our route will next take you to a square that used to contain Smolny Dvor, a yard where huge steaming pots of tar were stored. Today the square is marked by the buildings of the Smolny Institute for Noble Girls , the first female educational establishment in the Russian Empire. It was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great.

In the 20th century, this female realm was taken over by statesmen: In 1917 it housed the Bolsheviks' headquarters and served as the residence of Soviet founder Vladimir Lenin for four months. For the last two decades it has been the official residence of the governor of St. Petersburg.

Next door is Smolny Catedral , a baroque creation of Italian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, who dreamed of erecting the first Orthodox "skyscraper" – a 140-meter belfry. His design, however, was never realized, and the remaining components of the cathedral and Smolny Convent took an incredible 87 years to complete. Unfortunately, the scaffolding covering the cathedral today makes it look more like a space rocket before a launch.

Take Smolnogo Street to get to a wide embankment, then turn left. Across the Neva River you will catch a glimpse of what the rest of St. Petersburg looks like: Plants and factories, as well as the modern Benua business center, where Upsala Circus, Russia's only circus for troubled youth, holds performances.

Make a stop at 12 or 14 Voskresenskaya Embankment to admire the sphinxes created by Mikhail Shemyakin , a celebrated modern sculptor and artist. It is a memorial to the victims of political repressions, which explains why the side facing the notorious Kresty Prison, right across the river, is made to resemble bare bones.

Cross the Neva River via Liteiny Bridge and turn right at the embankment to Lenina Street. Stop for a few minutes near the musical fountains and take a selfie with the monument to Lenin.

Second hour

Slow down at the pier in order to take a closer look at the Chinese guardian lions and Peter the Great's wooden cottage. The construction of this cottage and the groundbreaking of the Peter and Paul Fortress in May 1703 marked the birth of St. Petersburg.

Follow Dobrolyubova Prospect and Mytninskaya Embankment down to Birzhevoy Bridge , then choose the right-hand side as you cross the river.

Take the Palace Bridge across the river and you will find yourself in the heart of the city at Palace Square . Make a wish and ride three times around the Alexander Column . Experienced cyclists believe that your wish will come true if you don't hold the handlebar and don't touch a single pedestrian as you ride.

Afterwards head to quiet Millionnaya Street and follow it to the Field of Mars , which was nicknamed “the Sahara of Saint Petersburg” in the 19th century because of its sandstorms. The field was once covered in sand for military training purposes. Today the Field of Mars is one the city's greenest spots, sit down and enjoy a picnic here – your bike tour has come to an end. 

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Cycle Portland

Rentals, tours & bike shop in downtown pdx.

Santana Tours

Cycle portland is the official rental partner for santana adventures – columbia gorge, cycle portland has a wide selection that can meet all riding abilities. by using our cycle portland, you’ll get the benefit of a group rate and the convenience of having your bike arrive without logistical stress. cycle portland is a local small business of 8 employees. santana receives no commission from cycle portland., please keep these critical details in mind when making your reservation:.

• Include your height to ensure proper sizing
• Bringing your own pedals? Please advise Cycle Portland, OTHERWISE expect flat pedals on your rental bike.
• Bring your own helmet.
• Bring your own lock. If your rental bike gets stolen, you will need to pay for it as well as any lost rental revenue.
• Bring your own water bottles.
• Bring your own tools and inner tubes (as all riders on Santana’s tours are required to carry enough tools and spares to make simple adjustments and/or fix a flat).
• If you forgot your tools at home or don’t want to fly with them, Cycle Portland will offer saddle bags containing 1 inner tube, 2 tire levers, 1 CO2 pump, and 2 CO2 cartridges for $40 per bike at rental bike acceptance.
• All transactions are strictly between you and the Cycle Portland. (Santana can’t make a reservation for you!)
• Make sure you read and understand the terms and conditions.
• Here are the bikes we are offering for your Cruise.

ADVENTURE E-BIKE RENTAL – CLASS 1

Adventure E-Bike

– 2022 Giant Roam E+ – Available in Sizes S, M, L, and XL – E-Assist up to 20 mph – 30-60 miles of range per charge – LED Display with Speed/Distance/Power – 700c x 45 aggressive gravel tires for optimum grip on varied terrain – 63mm front suspension – Perfect for exploring Leif Erickson Drive in Forest Park and other gravel rides nearby

Exclusive Santana Tour Rental – Adventure E-bike

Pickup and drop-off only available via links below

Rent an Extra Small Heights 4’11’-5’4 / 150-163cm

Rent a Small Heights 5’1-5’7 / 152-169cm

Rent a Medium Heights 5’6-5’10 / 167-178cm

Rent a Large Heights 5’10-6’3 / 178-190

Rent an Extra Large Heights 6’1+ / 182+

Premium E-Bike Rental – Class 3

Premium E-bike

– Giant Fastroad E+ EX Pro (Class 3 E-bike) – 10 speed Tiagra Shifters, can be pedaled with or without motor active. – E-Assist up to 28 mph – Agressive Ride Geometry – Rear Rack + Full Fenders – Great option for riding from 20-50 miles, distance dependent on terrain, rider weight, and power settings. – 6 Modes: Off, Eco, Basic, Active, Sport, Power (Please note that these models are “E-assist” and do not use a throttle to control power) – Speed: Up to 28MPH with motor, pedaling helps you go even faster! – Bike weight: 43-47lbs – Reserve your bike by size

Exclusive Santana Tour Rental – Premium E-bike

Rent an Extra Small Heights 4’11-5’4 / 150-162cm

Rent a Small Heights 5’2-5’7 / 157-170cm

Rent a Medium Heights 5’7-5’11 / 170-180cm

Rent a Large Heights 5’11-6’3 / 180-191cm

Rent an Extra Large Heights 6’2+ / 188cm+

Carbon Road Bike Rental

Carbon Road Bike – Giant

– Giant Defy and Giant Revolt Endurance models – Lightweight Full Carbon Frame – Reserve your bike by size – Comfortable Endurance Geometry for long rides – Hydraulic Disc Brakes for riding in all conditions – Tubeless Tires for a hassle-free ride – 12mm Thru-Axles for added stiffness and durability – Compact Crankset and 10-speed 1:1 gear ratio – ideal for climbing

Models & sizes vary, to best determine which bike will fit you please reference your current road bike frame, or if you’re not sure we will always get you on the best fit bike determined by your height during the checkout process.

• Giant Defy Advanced 3
•   Giant Revolt Advanced 3 with 32mm road tires

– Bike weight: 19-21lbs – Maximum Rider Weight 240LBS

Exclusive Santana Tour Rental – Carbon Road Bike

Rent an Extra Small Heights 4’11-5’5 / 150-165cm

Rent a Small Heights 5’2-5’7 / 159-171cm

Rent a Medium Heights 5’7-5’11 / 170-181cm

Rent a Medium Large Heights 5’10-6’1 / 178-187cm

Rent a Large Heights 5’11-6’3 / 178-191cm

Rent an Extra Large Heights 6’2+ / 189cm

Flat Bar Road Bike Rental (New Fleet 2023!)

Flat Bar Road Bike

– Lightweight ALUXX SL Aluminum Frame – Carbon Fork and Seatpost for reduced weight and added comfort – Reserve your bike by size – Comfortable Endurance Geometry for long rides – Hydraulic Disc Brakes for riding in all conditions – 32mm tires for speed and comfort – Sub Compact Crankset and 11-34 Cassette for the steeper inclines

The perfect balance of road bike speed and city bike versatility. Built on a lightweight ALUXX SL aluminum frameset, this new flat-bar road bike puts the rider in a comfortable position that’s smooth and efficient. The fast-rolling 700c wheels and vibration-absorbing composite D-Fuse seatpost help smooth out rough roads. The fast-rolling 700c wheels are perfect for tackling rough roads with confidence and control, while integrated ergo grips keep your hands comfortable on longer adventures. Powerful disc brakes give you added control in all types of weather. The Escape is a smart choice for commuting, fitness riding and weekend adventures.

Models & sizes vary, to best determine which bike will fit you please reference your current bike frame, or if you’re not sure we will always get you on the best fit bike determined by your height during the checkout process.

• Giant Escape Disc 1 or Giant Fastroad SL1

– Bike weight: 21-23lbs – Maximum Rider Weight 240LBS

Exclusive Santana Tour Rental – Flatbar Road Bike

Rent a Small Heights 5’1-5’7 / 157-170cm

Rent a Large Heights 5’10-6’3 / 178-191cm

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Ebike Adventures Of St Pete

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Ebike Adventures Of St Pete - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• (0.51 mi) The Inn on Third
• (0.42 mi) Hyatt Place St. Petersburg / Downtown
• (0.48 mi) The Cordova Inn
• (0.63 mi) Hollander Hotel
• (0.49 mi) Staybridge Suites St. Petersburg Downtown, an IHG Hotel
• (0.08 mi) Bin6south
• (0.20 mi) Rococo Steak
• (0.25 mi) Brick & Mortar
• (0.26 mi) Red Mesa Cantina
• (0.26 mi) La V

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Santana Adventures has a rating of 1.51 stars from 13 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Santana Adventures ranks 432nd among Vacation sites.

“If it's your sort of thing then you might love it like we do”

You have to understand that these are full ship charters and everyone on the ship is a biker and they are all doing whatever rides they choose, there are no group rides, so if you are looking for a great cruise to an amazing part of the world and you are happy to bike on your own or with small group you might meet on the ship, then you might love it. There are a couple of bike mechanics and sometimes there are tours of various points of interest but the more self-sufficient you are, the more you'll love this. We've been on Santana cruise in Japan, Croatia, Baltics, and two others with three more booked. When reading other reviews see what the people are complaining about and decide for yourself.

“Bordeaux to Amsterdam 2025”

Signed up for 2025 Bordeaux to Amsterdam trip with Santana, but had concerns from reviews. They confirmed my reservation but would not respond to questions, just as other reviewers have stated. Also, majority of images presented as incentive for the tour are typically very far (75 miles plus) away from where the ship would dock. No explanations. Very little information/specifics given (even what additional costs would be!) and, based upon other reviewers, it didn't look like I'd hear from them until a couple of weeks before ship sails. This was not acceptable so I cancelled before the 14 day review period expired.

Reviews (13)

• Follow James M.

Read some bad reviews but decided to try it out anyway because most the reviews were affected by Covid one way or another and this has added confusion to every touring business. My wife and I were not disapointed. The Columbia River Cruise had beautiful rides and the American Empress River Boat was exquisite. The service and food on the boat was great, especially the Main dining area which had a great atmosphere and menu. What they don't seem to tell you clearly int their own ads is its truly all inclusive. Any museum or visitor center and even the jetboat rides are included. However, only 3 of the buffet lunches were covered as most were on the fly catch as catch can while on the long rides, many which had interim stops in beautiful spots. If your a regular rider that can do 30 to 50 miles you'll find this 7 days of consecutive riding challenging, but very doable. If you are a more casual rider there are variations of the same routes that everyone rides that are shorter. My wifes and my orbea internal ebike batteries were accomidated by letting us charge them in our state room. Ebikes with external batteries are accomidated by removing the batteries and taking them to the state room for charging. Rental bikes and ebikes are available from an associated but separate vendor. They had 3 trucks on this trip storing bikes an moving them from stop to stop with bike mechanics driving them. They van can get to you in an emergency, but intermittent phone reception can delay a responce while riding these beautiful outlying rides. It is best if you bring spares tubes and a kit to care of flat tires an minor issues yourself. However, many of the riders in the group will be passing by andif you cant handle it yourself and you can reach the SOS truck, you can flag another rider in the group for help or ask them to let the trucks up the road that you are having issues. All in it was a great experience and we are going to book another as soon as we can manage to.

• Comments (1)

Q&A (2)

Is santana adventures a scam or a legit company is santana adventures a scam or a legit company.

They are legit, but a terrible company. Badly run and borderline criminal in their dealings, especially around refunds.

I see very mixed reviews about santana. we are looking at the portugal in 2023. any insight appreciated. I see very mixed reviews about santana. we are looking at the portugal in 2023. any insight appreciated.

Avoid at all costs. They are terrible and you will not enjoy the trip. There are many cycling companies out there. Pick on the owner will treat you with respect and be transparent in pricing, policies, routes, etc...

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