Rating: Easy to Moderate

Paved cycle paths along the river; a few small hills; suitable for novice cyclists and families.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Trier
Individual arrival. Explore the city centre, including the original Roman city gate, Porta Nigra.

Day 2: Trier - Trittenheim (approx. 42 km)
On the Moselle bike path you reach the village of Trittenheim where you will find lots of information to the life and work of the winegrowers.

Day 3: Trittenheim - Zeltingen (approx. 35 km)
Today you reach Neumagen-Dhron, the oldest wine growing village in Germany. Have lunch at the market square of Bernkastel-Kues, before you continue to Zeltingen.

Day 4: Zeltingen - Zell (approx. 36 km)
You cycle through the famous vineyards of the "Kröver Nacktarsch" and reach Traben-Tarbach. We suggest a boat ride down the Moselle. After a break in beautiful Enkirch (medieval architecture called "Fachwerk") you reach today´s destination Zell.

Day 5: Zell - Treis-Karden (approx. 47 km)
Passing Beilstein, you arrive in Cochem. You can visit the picturesque city centre and the old castle (11th century).

Day 6 - Braubach 50 km (31 miles)

After a possible visit of the medieval castle Eltz you cycle the last few kilometres through the Moselle Valley to Koblenz. Afterwards you follow the Rhine bike path, past the mouth of the river Lahn and reach Braubach at the foot of the Marksburg castle or you may enjoy a nice boat trip from Koblenz to Braubach.

Day 7 - Braubach Departure

After breakfast your nice cycle holiday ends in Braubach (Departure by German railway possible/ we recommend our transfer service to Trier (Departure 9 a.m., duration about 2 hrs.)

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1:   Arrival at Constance

Enjoy a stroll through the very well maintained old town of Constance, with Town Hall, the Munster, and the maze of little alleyways of Niederburg. Not to forget the Mediterranean harbour with its famous “Imperia”. Overnight in Constance.

Day 2:   Constance – Stein am Rhein. approx. 40 km

Collect rental bikes this morning, then cycle past Wollmatinger Ried to island Reichenau, UNESCO heritage of nature and culture since 2001. Take a boat to peninsula Höri and Gaien-hofen. Today you stay in Stein on Rhine, a medieval town with many fresco-decorated houses.

Day 3:   Stein am Rhein– Überlingen approx. 55 km

Before you set off you cross the small bridge to the island of Wird, home of a tiny Franciscan monastery. Along the lake you cycle through small Swiss fishing villages with beautiful half timbered houses. Via Constance you cycle to flower island Mainaut. By boat from Wallhausen into the old Emperor’s residence Überlingen. Overnight in/near Überlingen.

Day 4:   Überlingen – Birnau – Meersburg – Friedrichshafen approx. 40 km

Today you visit the baroque pilgrims church Birnau, pole-settlements in Uhldingen and then Meersburg, Hagnau and Immenstaad, before reaching Friedrichshafen. Visit the Zeppelin museum and the harbour. Overnight in/near Immenstaad or Friedrichshafen.

Day 5:   Friedrichshafen – island city Lindau – Bregenz approx. 40 km

Enjoy the large fruit orchards before you reach Bavarian metropolis Lindau. Special about Lindau is the protected old town on an island. After a few kilometres you reach Austria and cycle on the lake bank into festival city Bregenz with the unique lake-stage. Overnight in/near Lindau or Bregenz.

Day 6:   Bregenz – Rhine-Delta – Rorschach/Arbon approx. 35 km

Before you leave Bregenz visit the Oberstadt, which has been maintained in excellent condition. Near Hard you cross the Rhine, rushing down from the Swiss Alps. The mouth into Lake Constance is an important nature reserve. On Swiss territory, in Altenrhein, you can see the Hundertwasser-Hall. Via Horn you cycle along the lake to harbour Rorschach. Overnight in/near Rorschach or Arbon.

Day 7:   Arbon – Kreuzlingen – Constance approx. 30 km

The last day of this interesting cycle tour is dedicated to the Swiss Canton, Thurgau, also called the apple-canton due to the importance of apple orchards. You cycle through tidy little villages along the lake back to Constance. Overnight in/near Constance.

Day 8: Constance

Your 8 day tour comes to an end after breakfast. Extensions are possible.

Rating: Easy

Paved cycle paths and quiet backstreets along the lake;suitable for novice cyclists and families.

Stein am Rhein

Lake Ferry

Zeppelin Museum

Rating: Easy to Moderate

Paved cycle paths along the river, with a few small hills; suitable for novice cyclists and families.

Rhine River Path

Cologne

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Mainz

Arrive in Mainz today. Free evening to enjoy this medieval city. Collect your rental bikes and tour information this evening.

Day 2: Mainz - Rüdesheim (approx. 30/49 km; 19/31 miles)
The beautiful bike route leads through vineyards and wine growing villages. If you wish, you can extend the tour (+19 km/12 miles) to Eltville (medieval tudor style houses) and to the monestary of Eberbach.

Day 3: Rüdesheim - St. Goar (approx. 38 km/24 miles)
Imposing fortresses line the path today. You should hike up to "Loreley", and enjoy the most wonderful view down into the romantic Rhine valley.

Day 4: St. Goar - Koblenz (approx. 36 km/52 km - 22 miles/32 miles)
You continue along the Rhine Valley till Boppard, where you can take the chair lift up to quiet heights and wonderful views, or you take a detour by train (Hunsrückhöhenbahn) and reach the Moselle valley.

Day 5: Koblenz - Bad Godesberg (approx. 58 km/36 miles)
Today you have many choices: Spas, hot springs, wine growing villages and beer gardens waiting to spoil the biker. Or you may go down the Rhine by ship for a rest.

Day 6: Bad Godesberg - Cologne (approx. 43 km/27 miles)
If you want to visit the former capital of Germany, today is your chance to visit Bonn. The biking stretch is short today to give you enough time to visit the numerous architectural and historic sights of Cologne.

Day 7: Cologne
Individual departure or extend your stay in Germany.

No citizen in the Middle Ages could have imagined that this route would become one of the most important holiday pathways of the future. Named the Via Claudio Augusta by the Romans, this old trade route has preserved its historical image and its romantic atmosphere throughout the ages. The episcopal and royal residences, and fairy tale Bavarian castles provide the surroundings for a relaxing bicycle tour.

Rating: Easy to Moderate

Paved cycle paths and quiet country lanes along the River Lech; mostly downhill with with a few short hilly stretches; suitable for everyone.

               Innsbruck

Weiss Church

Castle Hohenschwangau

Landsberg

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1:   Individual arrival in Innsbruck. Issue of the rental bikes and tour information at your hotel in Innsbruck in the evening. Enjoy a city stroll through the historical Old Town.

Day 2:   Innsbruck - Imst approx. 65 km

On the former Treidelweg (Treidel Path) along the Inn and through the small villages (churches worth seeing, old aristocratic houses, fortress ruins) to Stams (baroque Cistercian convent, convent museum) on through Haiming to Imst.

Day 3: Imst - Füssen approx. 55 km

To Hahntenjoch (2000 m) by bus, except arrival in May via “Fernpaß”. A wonderful downhill ride to Elmen and Lech follows. The splendid mountain landscape, the mountain river and the town of Reutte get you into the right mood for a dream journey. The city of Füssen, surrounded by magnificent peaks of the Alps and blue-green mountain lakes invites you for a stroll around the city (pedestrian zone, you see the outline of the Via Claudia).

Day 4:   Füssen – Schongau approx. 45 km

Visit King Luis' fairy tale castles in Königswinkel - Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein - and at the valley station of the Tegelberg you may see the uncovered Roman thermal springs. The world famous Wieskirche (church) - the epitome of Bavarian rococo - is the next highlight. Through Steingaden and Peiting you will arrive in Schongau filled with wonderful impressions of the Bavarian countryside.

Day 5:   Schongau - Landsberg/Lech approx. 40 km

Schongau - a former Bavarian border fortress, with fortified passages on the town wall that can still be accessed, gives evidence of the past plus splendid views over the Lech Valley promises greatness. Old part of town (Romanesque basilica with vaults), Hochenfurch, Epfach (the Roman Abodiacum, Roman museum) and Vilgertshofen (baroque pilgrimage church) are places of interest before you reach Landsberg.

Rating: Easy

Paved cycle lanes along the rivers with only one uphill stretch and a few very low hills; suitable for everyone.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1:   Individual arrival in Rothenburg.. Issue of the rental bikes and tour information at your hotel in the evening. Enjoy a stroll through the historical Old Town, admiring the squares, medieval buildings, fountains and unique Jewish history.

Day 2:   Rothenburg – Mulfingen & surroundings, approx. 50 km

An idyllic start in Rothenburg, you cycle on the banks of the river Tauber past medieval mills and little towns and enjoy a wonderful view of the hilly Frankish landscape. The “Burgenweg” brings you to the river Jagst. The day ends in Mulfingen.

Day 3:   Mulfingen/Surroundings – Möckmühl, approx. 50 km

Follow the River Jagst through the valley „Schöntal“ – literally meaning „Beautiful valley“. The landscape rightfully deserves this name! You can visit the Zisterziensian monastery, where you'll find traces of the famous Götz von Berlichingen, before you cycle through a number of small villages and reach the day's destination, Möckmühl.

Rothenburg on Tauber

Heidelberg Castle

Bad Wimpfen

Day 6:   Hirschhorn/Eberbach – Heidelberg, approx. 30 km

Today we cycle only a short distance so enough time remains to enjoy the beauty of Heidelberg. The ensemble of the castle, the old town and the river, embedded into the mountainside makes Heidelberg one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. The oldest university of Germany (since 1386) is located here.

Day 7:   Heidelberg – Neustadt/Weinstraße, approx. 50 km

You may choose today to further explore Heidelberg, or cycle through the Rhine plains to Schwetzingen. Here a visit of the well known residence is worthwhile. After crossing the Rhine you reach the dome-city Speyer, then further on to the Wine-Route, before returning to Heidelberg.

Day 8: Heidelberg

End of tour this morning.

Airport / Transfers

The nearest international airport is Frankfurt, with regular rail transfers available directly from the terminal to Rothenburg (1 1/2 hours). These cost $55.00 one way.

Rating: Mostly Easy

From Prague to Melnik some short ascents have to be managed, otherwise an easy route on the Elbe cycle path. Suitable for beginners and families.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1:   Individual arrival in Prague. Issue of the rental bikes and tour information at your hotel in the early evening. Enjoy a stroll through the historical Old Town, admiring the squares, & fountains.

Day 2:   Free day in Prague

This day is entirely devoted to the 'Golden City'. Visit the Hradschin with the old king palace, stroll over the famous bridge 'Karlsbrücke' or discover the nightlife of Prague with innumerable cultural events. Accommodation in Prague.

Day 3:   Prag – Melnik, approx. 55 km

Today you cycle along the river Moldau. The strains of ascents are instantly rewarded by fast descents. Admire the mouth of the Moldau and Elbe from the palace hill of Melnik. Melnik is the heart of the Bohemian wine growing area.

Day 4:   Melnik – Leitmeritz, approx. 50 km

Via Roudnice you reach the fortress of Terezin, infamously used by the Nazis to house Czech Jews before deportation. From Terezin only a few kilometres have to be covered to reach todays destination, Litomeritz with its beautiful houses.

Day 5:   Leitmeritz – Decin, approx. 50 km

After only about 20 km you reach the city Usti nad Labem Aussig. On the way you can admire the ruin of the old fortress Schreckenstein (literally meaning 'horror-castle'). In the afternoon you reach Decin.

Day 6:   Decin – Bad Schandau, approx. 21 km

Today you cross the boarder into Germany and soon you see the first rocks of the Elbe sandstone massive. Not far now and you reach the health-spa Bad Schandau.

Day 7:   Bad Schandau – Dresden, approx. 43 km

Past bizarre rock formations the Elbe flows past the fortress Königstein (King Stone). Visit Europe's largest fortification and enjoy the spectacular view of the Elbe valley. Past Castle Pillnitz you cycle on to Dresden.

Day 8: End of tour.

You may extend your stay or depart at leisure. Trains may be arranged from dresden anywhere in Europe.

Airport / Transfers

The nearest international airport is Prague. There are regular private shuttles into the city centre for $40 one way.

A public bus/ tram combination costs only $10 one way.

Prague to Dresden: Escorted Tour

Schedule & Price

Prague

Elbe Basteifelsen,

Königstein Castle

Culture spelled with a capital “C”, important cities and a varied landscape distinguish the Saxon Elbe. Stately baroque buildings, summer residences, the unique Elbsandstein Mountains, the “china city” of Meissen, the charming renaissance town Torgau and the world famous Lutheran city of Wittenberg are all visited enroute.

You may also opt to extend your tour to either Magdeburg or distant Hamburg.

Rating: Easy to Moderate

Paved cycle lanes along the river and a few quiet country roads. Some moderate low hills; suitable for everyone with a basic level of fitness.

Day 3:   Wittenburg to Torgau (approx. 65 km)

The last kilometres of the tour in Saxony-Anhalt. Castles Lichtenberg and Pretzsch lead in the direction of Torgau.

Day 4:   Torgau – Riesa (approx. 45-53 km)

In the Elbe town, Mühlberg you can see its former Cistercian monastery. Also worth seeing – Electoral Saxony’s milepost. You should not miss the Treblitz Tree Park with trees and bushes from five continents.

Day 5:   Riesa – Meißen (approx. 32/40 km)

Cycle some m ore through Germany’s most northern vineyards. The baroque castle Diesbar-Seußlitz with its wonderful park is a good place for rest. Be sure to visit the world famous Meissen china facility but you'll need a platinum card!

Day 6:  Meißen – Dresden (approx. 30 km)

On the banks of the Elbe along the Saxon vineyards, through Radebeul to the beautiful city of Dresden, which has been totally restored to its pre-war splendour.

Day 7:   Saxon Switzerland (approx. 45 km, optional)

The bicycle path leads directly along the Elbe to Bad Schandau, to the Albrecht Castles and the Elbe pastures; on the Elbe Ferry to Castle Pillnitz, or to the Sandsteintafel Mountain with the fortress Königstein on the right side of the Elbe. Return to Dresden by bike or by a suburban train.

Day 8: End of tour.

Extend your stay or depart for home.

Airport / Transfers

The nearest international airport is Berlin, with regular rail transfers available to Dessau directly from the city central rail terminal (2 hours), at a cost of $40.00 one way.

Schedule & Price