"The best vacation of my life!" What previous travelers have said about their trip

It was the best vacation of my life. -- Andy Kaiser, San Diego, Calif., on The Provencal Far and away the best vacation I've ever had. Well planned with just the right balance of sightseeing, physical activity, great food, and most of all, fun people. --Susan Eaton, San Diego, CA, on The Provencal

I went on hikes through rocky terrain and snow-covered ridges that I would never have dared to do on my own -- I certainly felt a real sense of accomplishment each day. -- Leo Lopez, New York, N.Y., on Edelweiss

I couldn't have possibly had a better time! The sights were beautiful, and the food and wine were incredible. Our guides took care of all the details and set a warm and friendly tone. They made it impossible not to have a good time. --Douglas Wood, Coral Gables, FL, on The Colors of Burgundy

New friends and cuisine were diverting, scenery and sights were stimulating, the hills and backroads were challenging -- all-in-all, a totally satisfying week. -- Jonathan Charnas, New York, N.Y., on The Mistral

A first class trip. I enjoy traveling on my own usually - but had the opportunity to be with the group or on my own whenever I wanted. I didn't feel herded. -- Richard Thibault, Westport, MA, on Boomerang

The most well planned, hitchless tour I've ever been on. The food in the countryside of Provence is better than in most Parisian restaurants. -- Dennis Hornish, Santa Monica, CA., on The Mistral It was the best trip any of us had ever taken. -- Bill Buyok, Los Angeles, CA., on The Mistral

There are now several gay tour operators taking groups to Sydney and Mardi Gras. When comparing notes with the others, I found that we saw more -- and had a lot more fun than any of the other groups. --Ken, Pasadena, CA. on Boomerang

There was a diverse and interesting group of people, and the pace of the organized events was perfect. --Peter Clement, Washington, DC, on An Octopus's Garden

This was the best vacation I've taken. -- David MacGregor, Basking Ridge, N.J., on The Provencal

The trip was super in that it brought an incredibly varied, interesting group of people together in a beautiful environment. I liked how the hikes were geared to people at different levels of physical strength & endurance. -- Andrew Edmonson, Houston, TX, on Edelweiss Edelweiss was one of the most memorable trips I've had in recent years, with a perfect balance of opportunities to be together -- or to be independent. -- Everett Leiter, New York, N.Y., on Edelweiss

The Grand was a challenge of the heart, mind and body! An experience that will re-charge your lifes' batteries! --Owen J. Edwards, Warminster, Penn., on The Grand

To experience the Provencal by bike is to hear it, smell it, stop readily and feel it and perhaps, most of all, see its Van Gogh-esque vistas in a manner that would not be as unique in any other way. --Deborah Rossi, Brighton, MA, on The Provencal

Best vacation I've ever had. I completely forgot about work and recent ex-boyfriends. The bicycle is the perfect vehicle for getting to know this beautiful countryside, filled with vineyards and charming, unspoiled ancient villages. -- Tom Chatt, Redondo Beach, Cal., on The Mistral

Best trip I've ever taken -- just the right amount of group versus individual activity. -- Mike Tekulsky, San Francisco, CA, on The Provencal

Rather than riding around on a tour bus, I got to see a small portion of a beautiful part of the world close up in a very relaxed way. --Bob Zinnes, Nashua, NH, on The Provencal

I've done more than 200 dives in various places in the Caribbean. Saba, by far, is the cleanest and the best. It truly is The Unspoiled Queen. --G.O., Howard, FL, on An Octopus's Garden

Having a coed group really made the experience much more rewarding. By the end of the week, everyone was really looking out for the next person. --Charlene Grant, Roslindale, MA, on The Provencal

It was simply incredible. I consider myself well-traveled, but I've never experienced anything as mentally, spiritually and physically uplifting. I can't wait for my next Alyson Adventures trip. --John M. Williams, Tampa, Fla., on The Mistral

A good mixture of both challenging activities and more relaxing outdoor adventures. A beautiful country and very friendly people. --Marcus J. Harshbarger, Dayton, OH, on Wild Kiwi

We have been to Europe many times. Nevertheless, we experienced France in a new way. If you've never been to France before or are a seasoned traveller, you will enjoy this slice of life that I thought was gone years ago. It's worth it! --Scott Redstone, Zurich, on Big Loire, Little Loir Alyson Adventures did a terrific job. I've never been on a bike trip with such a scenic, varied, and well-planned route. It was a great group of people, and the guides were superb. -- Alex Valdez, San Francisco, CA, on Big Loire, Little Loir

This trip was everything I wanted in a vacation: enough activity to keep from becoming lethargic, association with other gays and lesbians for that "community" feel, opportunity to explore new territory, and the chance to leave "other world" behind. --Tim Romp, Toledo, OH, on The Provencal

The trip surpassed my expectations. The atmosphere was genuinely friendly and the hiking and scenery were spectacular. I particularly appreciated the `hike as much as you can' attitude with no competition or pressure. --Dave Bissette, Alexandria, VA, on Edelweiss

This was my third biking trip with Alyson Adventures. All three trips were wonderful. -- David MacGregor, Basking Ridge, NJ, on The Colors of Burgundy

I didn't quite know what to expect. It turned out to be the best vacation I have taken. --Walter Pulkkinen, Minot, ME., on Big Loire, Little Loir

This was the best birthday present I ever gave myself! Turning 40 on a bike in France sure beats turning 40 at a computer in Boston! -- Bill Barnert, Cambridge, MA., on The Mistral

The week went very smoothly with every detail well handled. Pedalling by splashes of orange poppies against the backdrop of the Loire river with a medieval castle beckoning in the distance -- I'd call it 'overstimuli' in a good way! -- Debbie Seaman, Auburndale, N.Y., on Valley of the Kings

The chateaux and scenery were lovely, but what I'll remember most was the outrageously wonderful food and how incredibly fun and friendly the guides and other tour members were. --Brian Noel, Costa Mesa, CA., on Big Loire, Little Loir

I had a great time. In fact, I am writing a check to reserve a space for BOOMERANG. I think an immediate repeat with your company demonstrates my enjoyment and pleasure with your operation and itineraries. -- Will Leuschner, Seattle, WA, on Big Loire, Little Loir

Bicycling through the French countryside makes a great vacation. You see and enjoy much more than is possible through the windows of a tour bus. You can explore at your own pace. -- Peter Hillsman, Chicago, IL, on Valley of the Kings

I began as a fairly novice biker; by the end, I was proud of my progess. --Jim Lipsett, Tesuque, NM., on Valley of the Kings

Thanks for a wonderful trip to the Grand Tetons! It was by far the most exciting trip I have ever taken and far exceeded all my expectations!! -- Paul Hinton, Pensacola, FL, on The Grand

Quaint villages with flowers blooming everywhere, rolling farms with cows and sheep, cool forests, challenging climbs and thrilling descents -- all on excellent roads. Biking in Burgundy with Alyson Adventures was a terrific vacation! -- Peter Chace, Brooklyn, N.Y., on The Colors of Burgundy

I had a terrific time. You can definitely count me in for another Alyson Adventure. --Andrew Ecklund, Conneaut Lake, PA., on Valley of the Kings

The most outrageous time I've ever had; 20 days felt like 2 months with such a quick pace -- even better, not 1 pound gained with the level of excitement we kept. --Dylan Deardorff, MD, Falls Church, VA, on Wild Kiwi

All my senses were showered with pleasure in Provence. Mix in a group of friendly, funny, flexible gay men and lesbians, and you end up in heaven. This trip really was heaven. -- Claire Levine, Cambridge, MA, on The Mistral

Three great ski areas, deluxe condos, great guys, beautiful scenery. What more could you want from a ski trip? And inexpensive, too! --Herbert Zeman, Memphis, TN, on White Solstice

An absolutely fantastic adventure! My expectations were exceeded in all areas on this trip. The support and camaraderie of the group made this vacation memorable and very special. Thanks to all! -- Annmarie Blythe, Cambridge, MA, on Boomerang Thank you for organizing and planning such a great trip -- it met all my expectations and more -- the group was great and each day was filled with a new adventure. -- M.R., Chicago, IL, on Boomerang

This tour is a tour for people who would normally never consider going on one. It's active, it allows for independence, and you're traveling with people you enjoy. -- John Welsh, Minneapolis, MN, on The Mistral

This was the best vacation I've taken. -- David MacGregor, Basking Ridge, N.J., on The Provencal

As on my previous trip with Alyson Adventures, I accomplished feats which I had thought would be impossible prior to the trip. Thanks again! -- Leo Lopez, New York, NY, on The Provencal

The most fun I've ever packed into a week. Better than summer camp ever was! -- Steve David, New York, N.Y., on Butch Cassidy Days

A wonderful vacation -- I've never been so sorry to go home. -- Richard Gottlieb, New York, N.Y., on The Provencal

I've never taken a vacation that so perfectly balanced invigorating exercise and beautiful scenery, spectacular dining, and wonderful companionship. It was stimulating and relaxing at the same time. I'm looking forward to my next adventure! -- Ken Haller, St. Louis, MO, on The Provencal

A lot of trip for your money with attention to detail and quality! -- K.O., Washington, DC, on Boomerang

It was as wonderful a week as one could have -- great food, scenery, history, and yes, even a little romance! -- Mike Singer, Washington, DC, on The Provencal

This was one of those one-of-a-kind trips that combined fun activities and beautiful countryside with great people. I would do another trip without a doubt. --Gregory Gaar, Tampa, FL, on The Colors of Burgundy I still can't believe how incredible this trip was! -- Mike DeSimone, Manalapan, N.J., on The Colors of Burgundy

The hiking was truly spectacular! The trip perfectly combined independent and group activities. -- Tracy Hobbs, Birmingham, MI, on Edelweiss

The high alpine meadows were covered with an abundance and variety of wildflowers that I could never have imagined. The day we went to the Klein Matterhorn was one of the most thrilling and satisfying experiences I've ever had. -- Hirschel McGinnis, Boston, MA, on Edelweiss

A stress-free vacation escape to the most beautiful countryside and sights in southern France. -- James Nelson, Chicago, IL, on The Mistral