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 shows 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.
You are expected to arrive at our barge Zwaan in Bamberg, between 1 PM and 2 PM. When you arrive on board, you can settle in and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. You will meet up with other travelers, your guide(s) and the crew on the barge and start sailing at approximately 3 pm. As you sail the River Main, you will enjoy your first dinner on board. During dinner aboard the ship, the program for the next day and the global planning of the week are discussed. Instructions on cycling and safely procedures will also be given. The entire old town of Bamberg is a UNESCO site. Please be aware that visiting Bamberg is NOT part of our program. We strongly recommend spending time in Bamberg before the start of your tour.
You can opt for a beautiful route through the hills to Konigsberg in Bayern. This medieval town is a romantic Franconian town, right out of a picture book. Its protected historic center with half-timbered houses is a hidden gem, embedded in a countryside of forests, valleys, and hills. If you opt for staying along the river bike path, you will pass little wine villages and fruit gardens. Schweinfurt is a modern little town, with museums and galleries. The Zwaan will be waiting there for another sailing dinner, the destination being one of the most attractive little villages on the Main river: Volkach.
Your bike trip starts right from Volkach, deep in the heart of Franconian wine country. Set atop the hill is a precious church called ‘Mary in the Vineyard’. Inside hand-carvings by Riemenschneider and outside phenomenal vistas over the river valley and the river’s famed Oxbow, a great u-shape and perfect site for growing grapes. You arrive in Kitzingen with its leaning watchtower. One silly legend (every village has one) recalls the tower built with a mixture of mortar and wine. This region is the largest wine producer in Bavaria. After a stroll through Kitzingen, you will continue to cycle along Marktbreit to Ochsenfurt, a quiet place to dock for the night!
The destination today is Würzburg at only 19 km distance. The imposing landmark of this city is the Marienburg fortress on the hill. Vineyards slope down to the city ever since the Middle Ages, providing wealth and good libation for this ancient archdiocese. When the old fortress was thought to be out-modish, the rulers built themselves an entirely new Residenz in the 1700s. This palace is considered one of the finest examples in Germany and UNESCO-approved. Connected by a bridge of saintly personalities, Würzburg spans both sides of the river where a festive mood lingers into the night. It might have to do with being surrounded by grapevines and a university.
An early morning sail brings you to Karlstadt. Once on the bike, you ride from one medieval village to another, following the sweeping S-curves. The Main river weaves past Germany’s great beech and oak forest known as Spessart Woods “woodpecker hills”. Bandits and poachers roamed here for centuries looting travellers on old salt and glass trade routes. Germans revere their forests. The route leads to Lohr am Main, a town with a colorful and dark past; the plague in 1666 and witch hunts.. There will be a lot to see as you bike past castle ruins and dramatic rock formations. Overnight in Marktheidenfeld, in which, among other things, there’s good ice cream and of course beer!
Today's beautiful destination Miltenberg comes into sight. You’ll discover cobblestone alleys, medieval watchtowers and a village that looks like an Advent calendar lit up at night. The view across the river is a 14th-century abbey cloaked in vineyards. Miltenberg is also home to Faust Beer and one of the oldest (continuously-operating) guesthouses in Germany. Since 1411, big names have stayed at the ancient guesthouse Zum Riesen. Two of them are Napoléon and Elvis Presley! They would have eaten sausage, dumplings, potato salad too. The beer to wash it down comes from the brewery next door, fresh and local.
The Main River path leads you to Kloster Engelberg, a still-functioning monastery, which you can visit by climbing many stairs. The reward is a Gastwirtschaft at the top and a great view on the river. At Park Schoenbusch you will find a classic English-style garden before reaching your final destination on this great tour: Aschaffenburg. The most fascinating buildings in town are the Stiftsbasilika, and the unique Pompejanum. This Roman villa was built in the mid-19th century for Louis I of Bavaria in accordance with the excavation plans of the villa “Castor and Pollux” in Pompeii, and now houses important exhibits from the Bavarian antique collection. The Johannisburg castle in Aschaffenburg is one of the most important Renaissance castles of the western world.
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. You follow the meandering Main on the well-constructed Main Cycle Path. The route is almost completely flat. There are sometimes climbs to a higher town or village. 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: 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. 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 Bamberg 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 Bamberg. Travel time is a about 2,5 hours. The price for a one-way train ticket (2nd class) is about € 55,-. 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 Aschaffenburg.
From Aschaffenburg station you can take the train to Frankfurt Airport (FRA). Travel time is about 1 hour. A one-way ticket (2nd class) costs about € 20,- 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.
