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The 2019 Orient Express Riders Speak Out – “An Absolutely Fantastic Experience”
“The Orient Express was an absolutely fantastic experience. It was so amazing to see the cultural and geographical changes as you traveled east from Paris to Istanbul. The field staff were lovely and made the trip even better.” – Margaret Perlette (Canada)
“Culturally enlightening and FUN!” – Doug Pearson (USA)
“The TDA staff were excellent and I appreciate the support they provided to all riders. My fellow riders were a great bunch; very open, accepting, and fun to be with day and night. I’m looking forward to meeting them again.” – John Karwoski (USA)
“Orient Express 2019 was a wonderful way to experience and sample what Europe has to offer. A couple of months in the slow lane does wonders for putting things in perspective. Just ride, see, hear, touch, smell and taste!” – Michael Perlette (Canada)
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Orient Express
It was in 1889 that the original Orient Express train completed the Paris to Istanbul route for the first time. Our cycling version of the Orient...
“Anyone who would consider doing a trip with TDA knows that traveling by bicycle is a Zen experience. So, yes, I felt the Zen when pedaling past remote canals, or along the Danube River, or through hardscrabble villages in Bulgaria, or in some of the most iconic and beautiful cities in the world. But what I did not expect, and what I have a very hard time describing, is the joy and triumphant good-feeling that I experienced from completing the physically-demanding and challenging task of riding long miles day after day, and from sharing that experience with a diverse group of people who had become my friends.” – Neil Slotnik (USA)
Lunch stop in Germany
“Outstanding job! I’ve traveled with several different bicycle touring companies, some were expensive, some luxurious, some exotic. But none could match the experience of the Orient Express. On a scale of 1-10, the trip was about a 15.” – Donna Queen (USA)
Valiko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
“Brilliant use of backroads and excellent places to stop gave me a real feel for the countries we went through. The support on the tour was excellent, and I enjoyed the freedom to explore and ride at my own pace.” – Joseph Lee (Canada)
The descent, The Transfagarasan, Romania
“The Orient Express was a wonderful way to experience Europe, meet lovely people from all over the world It was a good & tough challenge at times; I was thankful to be able to cycle those mountains! The trip was an enriching experience that I’m thankful my husband & I shared together!” – Carolyn Pearson (USA)
2 Comments for "The 2019 Orient Express Riders Speak Out – “An Absolutely Fantastic Experience”"
The most certain thing about riding the Orient Express tour is that your ride will be completely different from anything you have experienced before. The experience of riding across Washington state is not all that different than the experience riding across Ohio or New York. The houses and scenery look different, but the foods, the people, the language, and the currency are all different. In addition to that, the people you are riding with are completely different that the group of riders that meet for your normal weekend rides. You will never feel that you have seen this and done that. Just about the time you are think you are used to one country; you cross a border, and everything is new again.
The wonderful thing about the ride is the opportunity to interact with the local people along the way. As soon as people figured out that we were tourists, they wanted to have us stop and to treat us to cup of coffee tea, a bottle of soda or a glass of wine. They wanted to hear our stories, and to share theirs.
This is an utterly amazing vacation experience!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the tour Mark! We are so pleased you enjoyed it.