Bicycle Germany & Alsace, France

August 21st to 29th, 2010

Experience the hospitality of the Mosel and Rhine River valleys, as well as the Alsace region of France. The countryside is a stately procession of colorful villages and crumbling castles as you ride by at a pace no faster than the pumping of a pedal. Sampling the many splendid wines will delight your palate and whet your appetite for the excellent local repast.

Our route begins by following the shores of the Mosel River, lined with storybook villages separated by vineyards in use since Roman times. Continuing through the spectacular Rhine gorge we pass 32 castles and medieval strongholds in the short distance of 42 miles. In the Alsace cycle along the famous Wine Road through villages landscaped with brilliant flowers. The narrow winding streets are lined with gabled and half-timbered houses from the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. With a bit of luck you will even see a family of storks nesting on a rooftop.

Alsace is the home of some of France’s most exquisite cuisine with more Michelin starred restaurants than any other part of the world. It is greatly influenced by its German, Flemish and Burgundy neighbors. There is also a wealth of simple regional dishes such as Choucroute Royale (sauerkraut smothered with a mix of meats, sausage and potatoes), Baeckeoffe (casserole of beef, lamb, pork, onions and potatoes), and traditional onion tarte. Muenster cheese comes from the local dairies and the dry Alsatian Riesling and Gewürztraminer wines are internationally renowned. Join us and give it all a try!

Plan to arrive in Frankfurt no later than Saturday morning. Gerhard will meet your flight and transfer you to the hotel. We suggest arriving one day early to visit the Goethe Haus and the many interesting museums of art, film making, architecture, history and even a postal service museum. Special hotel arrangements in central Frankfurt will be available for early arrivals.

Saturday, Frankfurt. A morning warm up bike ride on a bike path that follows the banks of the Main River. On an afternoon walking tour with our local guide, you will learn all about Germany’s commercial capital, nicknamed Mainhatten. Festive welcome dinner this evening.
Kempinski Hotel Gravenbruch www.kempinski-frankfurt.com

Sunday & Monday, Traben-Trarbach. Our two nights in this historic wine village will be in a lovely Art Noveau hotel, situated on the picturesque banks of the Mosel River. On our Sunday ride, one magnificent vineyard follows another as our route takes us through the renowned wine villages of Graach, Uerzig and Kroev to Bernkastel, the best known of them all. The 11th century Landshut Castle dominates the town’s skyline. Monday we’ll follow a scenic bike path to the village of Beilstein to visit the most beautiful marketplace on the Mosel.
Romantik Jugenstilhotel Bellevue http://www.bellevue-hotel.de/

Tuesday, Boppard. Morning guided tour of Eltz Castle, bristling with towers, turrets, pinnacles and spires. In the afternoon we leave the Mosel and meet up with the “Romantic Rhine.” The river has been a major waterway since antiquity and was first used by the Romans for transporting freight. Boppard stretches along the riverbanks with a backdrop of the vineyards that grow the award winning local wines. The town’s two thousand year history is evident everywhere you wander. Bellevue Rheinhotel http://www.bellevue-boppard.de/

Wednesday & Thursday, Birkenwald. Begin the day with a cruise on the Rhine. A succession of massive castles crown the hillsides and we pass the legendary Lorelei Rock. Farther on, you see Pfalz castle on a small island in the middle of the river. In medieval times this was a toll house, where boats using the river had to pay. After a short transfer across the border into France we bike to Saverne, a quaint little town with an impressive red sandstone palace. Thursday we’ll visit Marmoutier with its 13th century abbey that is considered to be one of the most remarkable examples of Romanesque architecture in the Alsace.
Hotel Au Chasseur www.chasseurbirkenwald.com

Friday & Saturday, Obernai. Friday we continue our Odyssey along quiet country lanes which follow the vineyards & the Alsatian wine route. Castle ruins and villages, still hemmed in by ancient town walls, dot the hillsides. In the 16th century a double fortified wall was built around Obernai which still encloses the main part of the town with the old half-timbered houses lining the narrow streets. Saturday morning we follow a lovely bike route through the local wine villages. On our way back to the hotel in Obernai we will visit a wine cellar and taste some of the excellent local vintages. Option of climbing up to Mont St. Odile for panoramic views of a vineyard covered countryside and the Black Forest in the distance. In the 7th century St. Odile became the patron saint of the Alsace and the convent became an important pilgrimage destination. Farewell reception followed by a memorable dinner of local specialties.
Hotel a la Cour d’Alsace www.cour-alsace.com

Sunday. This morning we transfer you to the Strasbourg Airport or train station for connections to Paris or other parts of Europe. Train time to Paris is approximately 2 ¼ hours.

Tour price: $3,995 per person ($675 single supplement)
Tour dates: August 21st to 29th, 2010 (9 days/8 nights)
Tour Leaders: Gerhard, Darlene & Tina

Tour cost includes:
Hotel accommodations for eight nights, buffet breakfast each morning and eight dinners with wine or beer. Gratuities, taxes and service charges. Airport/hotel transfers. Historic walking tours with local guides and special wine tasting. Most of our hotels offer spa facilities to enjoy at the end of a biking day. The support vehicle transfers all luggage, offers mechanical assistance and limited spare parts, and provides a lift if a tour member should tire during the cycling day. It is equipped with a mobile phone and a small library of information on the areas that we visit. In addition to the support wagon, a small coach will also accompany the group on some days.

Daily biking distances:
Detailed maps and route sheets will be provided. On most days we’ll have three cycling options with average distances of 26, 35 and 45 miles. The majority of the standard cycling routes are on bike paths and designated bike routes. Shortcuts will be available as well as the option of longer and more challenging rides.

Bike rentals:
Good quality bike rentals can be arranged at € 175 (Euro). All frames are hybrid style with upright handlebars and have a choice of men’s or women’s frame. They are equipped with Shimano components, 27 gears, rack, handlebar bag, odometer and a rear view mirror. If you prefer to use toe clips you must bring your own pedals. Should you choose to bring your own bike, details will be outlined in the pre-departure information packet.

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