Bicycle Germany & Alsace, France

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 bicycle 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!

Unless you will be traveling in Europe prior to the start of the tour, schedule your flight into Frankfurt airport.  Plan to arrive in Traben-Trarbach no later than Tuesday afternoon in time to fit the bike and enjoy a warm up bike ride along the river.

Tuesday & Wednesday, Traben-Trarbach.  Our two nights in this lovely wine village are in Germany’s most beautiful Art Noveau hotel, situated on the banks of the Mosel River. On our bike ride Wednesday, 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.

Thursday, St. Goar.  Plan to stop in Beilstein to visit the most beautiful marketplace on the Mosel. In the afternoon we leave the Mosel and meet up with the “Romantic Rhine.” Stop for coffee in Boppard, once a bustling city of the Roman Empire. Our hotel tonight is situated in the 13th century castle, Burg Rheinfels with its maze of towers, gates and courts.

Friday & Saturday, Heidelberg.  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. Heidelberg is a great town to explore on foot with its pink sandstone castle, looking down from its vantage point in the green woods of the hillside. Visit the museums, the 14th Century University, shops and markets. In the afternoon we’ll have an optional ride along the Neckar River valley to the village of Dilsberg, with its steepled roofs and perfectly round village wall.

Sunday & Monday, Obernai.  After a short transfer across the border into France we bike to one of the most picturesque villages in the Alsace. 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. Monday 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. Farewell dinner party tonight.

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

Tour price:    $2,895 per person ($395 single supplement)
Tour dates:    September 16th to 23rd, 2008 (8 days/7 nights)
                       September 16th to 27th, 2008 (12 days/11 nights) with a post tour                           extension
Tour Leaders: Gerhard Meng, Darlene & Tina

Includes all breakfasts and seven dinners.
What is included in the tour price?

On most days we’ll have three cycling options with average distances of 32, 40 and 55 miles.  Shortcuts will be available and every day we’ll also have the option of longer and more challenging bike rides.  The tour is limited to 17 guests.

To include the most scenic and interesting parts of the region in the tour, there will be several group transfers during the trip. In addition to the “sag wagon”, a small coach that can accommodate the entire group of tour participants will accompany the group on some days. The support vehicles transfer all luggage, offer mechanical assistance and limited spare parts, and provide a lift if a tour member should tire during the cycling day. The sag wagon comes equipped with a mobile phone and a small library of information on the area.

Good quality bike rentals can be arranged at approximately $30 per day. All frames are “hybrid” style with upright handlebars and have a choice of men’s or women’s frame. Designed in France, they are equipped with Shimano components. All have 27 gears and come equipped with a water bottle, bell, lock, pump, handlebar pack, rear rack and patch kit.

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