Ancient towns in central Germany
Distance: 35-50 km average per day. Altitude: 0-100 hm average per day. The lightest cycling holiday; over mostly flat terrain, with not too long daily distances (average 50 km). Short spicy slopes with height differences of up to ± 100 meters occur.
This bike and boat tour in Germany shows historic central Germany. You wil visit Northern Bavaria, the heart of old Germany and the ancient kingdom of Franconia. A region dotted with historic towns that have been very well preserved and restored.
The bike path along the Main River is rated 5-stars by the German Federation of Cyclists and showcases all the history, culture, art, and architecture along this peaceful river. Climbing vineyards and half-timbered houses, once majestic castles and small villages, complete your trek through this gentle valley.
This route shows you an unknown and very beautiful part of the heartland of Germany. The old imperial city of Bamberg is the starting point , already a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will cycle past beautiful towns such as Kitzingen and Miltenberg. The final destination is Aschaffenburg with the impressive Johannisburg castle. Be surprised in and by the Franconia region. And don't forget to taste a glass of the often excellent Frankenwine.
Embarkation between 12 PM and 1 PM, followed by immediate departure to Miltenberg. For this reason, it is recommended to book an extra night before your tour to visit the Johannisburg Castle. The massive four-winged complex, built from 1605 to 1614 under Archbishop-Elector Johann Schweikard von Kronberg, is one of the most important examples of palace architecture from the German Renaissance era. You can also visit the Pompejanum, an idealized replica of a Roman Village, build in the 19th century. As the boat navigates toward Miltenberg, you will have a welcome speech and tour presentation, including crew introductions, a safety presentation, and welcome drink. Dinner will be enjoyed as you sail. After the boat moors in Miltenberg, you can join the guide for a city walk. This city has a certain charm due to its meandering streets and alleys, old restored half-timber houses, and the monumental market square. Here, you can enjoy a local beer in one of the cozy pubs or on the terraces.
During a relaxing breakfast, the barge brings you to Freudenberg. First, you bike through the typical landscape of the Main to Wertheim, where the character of an old Frankish town is well preserved. There is much to see on the route to Marktheidenfeld, a beautiful old town with historic buildings and Franconian timbered houses.
Today you bike through a very beautiful part of the Main valley first to Lohr am Main and its Gothic and Baroque buildings. Then the bike tour goes to Gemünden, another charming village along the river. Today's destination is the Romantic old town of Karlstadt. Explore the more than 800-year-old buildings in the by walls, towers and gates surrounded old town.
Today offers a shorter bike tour, which gives ample time to visit the town of Würzburg. Würzburg's famous landmarks are the UNESCO World Heritage Residenz Palace, with its palace gardens and square, the Marienberg Citadel, and the 180-meter-long Old Main Bridge, which is lined with impressive statues of saints. Straddling the banks of the Main river amid idyllic vineyards, the location alone is reason enough to visit Würzburg. Another reason is the local wine served in Bocksbeutel bottles, whose characteristic flattened round shape has become a trademark for the entire region. Today there is no dinner on board. You can choose from one of Würzburg’s local restaurants.
Today you cycle along the Main Cycle Path from Würzburg, through the fruitful Ochsenfurt district, to Ochsenfurt with its lance tower, which is definitely worth visiting. Cycle through the historic village of Marktbreit, with its fine residences, to Kitzingen.
Kitzingen has a reputation for producing some unique and tasty white wines. Producers in the area use a distinctive wine bottle called a Bocksbeutel, which has a short neck and wide body.
Via the wine-growing areas of Dettelbach and Schwarzach am Main you cycle first to Volkach. Here it is worthwhile to visit the pilgrimage church of St. Maria im Weingarten (St. Mary in the Vineyard). Then you take the ferry via the Volkach loop in the River Main. Here the valley becomes narrower and narrower and the vineyards become more numerous. From Schweinfurt, you will board the barge for a sailing dinner to Hassfurt. Hassfurt is famous for the late gothic Ritter Chapel and the church full of valuable paintings such as ‘John the Baptist’ and ‘Mary with Child’ by artist Tilmann Riemenschneider.
The easy option today is to follow the bike path along the river to Bamberg. Alternatively, you can take the beautiful route through the hills to Konigsberg in Bavaria. This medieval town is romantic and straight out of a picture book. From Zeil am Main you follow the river again to the final destination, Bamberg.
Bamberg, often called ‘Little Venice’, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its authentic medieval appearance. It is home to wonders such as the Bamberg Cathedral. Here is the world-famous Bamberg Horseman, an equestrian statue that inspired poets such as Stefan George and Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg.
After breakfast: disembarkation at 10 AM. If you have an early flight, ask the the tourleader to arrange a taxi to the trainstation or the airport.
Along the Main river from Aschaffenburg to Bamberg
Our carefully selected routes will lead you along the most beautiful spots along the Main river between Aschaffenburg and Bamberg. The average daily distance is around 45 kilometers. Most participants prefer riding in a group with the cycling guide, but you can also ride individually. A road book is included (1x per cabin). Gps-tracks can be provided by e-mail.
The places shown on the map are not necessarily the overnight stays.
! Note: in 2024, the tour starts on Monday!
Supplements:
Reservation costs € 25,- per booking
Contribution Dutch Guarantee Fund € 5,- per person (Insolvency Protection)
All departure dates
Luxury double cabin, with double bed € 1.955,-
Twin cabin € 1.735,-
Smaller double front cabin, with double bed € 1.495,-
Smaller front cabin for single use € 2.225,-
Extra options
Rental touring bike per week (bike insurance included) € 110,-
Rental E-bike per week (bike insurance included) € 220,- (from 155cm)
Special diet (gluten free, lactose free, vegan) € 75,- per diet (to be specified when booking)
Boarding time on Monday is between 1 PM and 2 PM, followed by immediate departure to Miltenberg. For this reason, it is recommended to book an extra night before your tour to visit Aschaffenburg . You can recognise the barge by the banner with ‘Cycletours’ written on it. The name of your barge ‘Zwaan’ is printed on the voucher, which you will receive separately. After arrival there’s coffee and tea on board. Other drinks are also available on cash payment. If you want you can bring your luggage in advance from noon onwards. The mooring place of the barge in Aschaffenburg is along the Main.
The nearest airport to the embarkation point of the barge is Frankfurt Airport (FRA). You need to take the train to Aschaffenburg. Travel time is a about 1 hour. The price for a one-way train ticket (2nd class) is about € 20,-. For the exact departure times and prices check deutschebahn
Aschaffenburg has a train station. From the station it is walking distance to the mooring place of the barge (1.5 km/ 1 mile). You also can take a taxi to the barge (5 minutes).
The tour ends one week later on Monday morning after breakfast before 9.30 AM. You will spend the night from Sunday to Monday on board in Bamberg.
From Bamberg station you can take the train to Frankfurt Airport (FRA). Travel time is about 2,5 hours. A one-way ticket (2nd class) costs about € 55,- per person. For the exact departure times and prices check deutschebahn
On this tour the following barge is scheduled:
Rental bikes on this tour.
Imagine a floating hotel sailing to the next stage, while you are calmly pedalling along. No lugging of luggage: that is exactly what Bike & Barge is all about! In the pleasant atmosphere on board you can have a chat, go through the day with the others, and enjoy the meals prepared specially for cyclists. In the evenings you can enjoy a drink in the salon or admire the setting sun on deck. Do not expect a cruise ship with its passive luxury. The Bike & Barge Holidays are for people who really enjoy the physical activity of cycling and who value sociability more than wholesale luxury.
Free WiFi is (limited) available in lounge and on deck.
The captain/skipper, the chef and your tour guide all welcome you warmly. They are prepared specifically for these trips and will provide good and safe passage, good meals, and a friendly, pleasant atmosphere. They will, of course, also give you a great deal of interesting information during and after the cycling and sailing. The skipper is responsible for the smooth running of things on board; the cook is in charge of the catering. A tour leader accompanies you during the bike ride and can assist in case of breakdowns. He/She will be your guide to point out the things of interest along the way and is multi-lingual (Dutch/English, some speak German and/or French).
Your chef is used to cook delicious meals for hungry cyclists. Besides an extensive breakfast, you will also be offered a packed lunch for on the road. It consists of different types of bread and sandwich fillings, juice, a snack and a piece of fruit. Lunch package needs to be prepared by yourself after breakfast. Dinner is different every day. There is a first course, main course and dessert The meals on board are included in the price, as are coffee and tea. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks can be obtained at a reasonable charge. When you return on board after the day’s cycling, a cup of tea or coffee with a biscuit will be waiting for you.
If you suffer from food allergies or food intolerance (such as lactose- or gluten- intolerance/-allergy) or if you have special meal requirements (vegetarian; pescetarian; vegan meals; gluten free meals etc.), we ask you to mention this when booking, but no later than 14 days before arrival. Diets which need a special preparation or special ingredients can only be offered in limited form. We will do our best to meet your needs, but we also ask for your understanding as due to limited logistic possibilities on a barge we are not able to prepare complete specialized menus and special food requirements cannot always be met in all details.
In case of vegan meals, gluten free or lactose diet, there is an additional charge. This charge is € 75,- per diet/ per person/per week when you order the diet when booking and € 100,- per diet/ per person/per week when ordering on spot.
One of the most attractive aspects of the Bike & Barge holidays is that you encounter an international company on board, including people from e.g. USA, Canada, Australia, France and United Kingdom. It’s a great opportunity for you to get to know various cultures at the same time! We have people of all ages, solo travelers, couples and also families with children (during the school holidays).
Yes, this must be notified when booking, but no later than 14 days before arrival. Diets which need a special preparation or special ingredients can only be offered in limited form. We will do our best to meet your needs, but we also ask for your understanding as due to limited logistic possibilities on a barge we are not able to prepare complete specialized menus.
On some trips, in case of a gluten-free diet; lactose-free diet or vegan meals, a surcharge of € 75,- per diet per week applies. This is stated per tour.
Most of the participants then wear rainwear. When the weather is so bad that cycling becomes really impossible (but that is almost never the case!), you can stay on board or your guide can organize an alternative program with, for example, cultural excursions and city tours (at your own expense).
The main countries represented by our cycling guests are: United States and Canada. We also receive guests from United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia and New Zealand. The common language on board is English.
No, the barge doesn’t take the same route as the cyclists do. Sometimes the route may be altered because of weather conditions or repairs to bridges or locks and then the guests and the guide can arrange with the skipper to be met at a different place. Naturally you can always stay on board for one or more days.
Cyclists can choose a longer route than the group takes. The guide will gladly advise you on the choice of an alternative route. GPS tracks are available, on request, for all tours.
