Ride, Wine & Dine

Bicycle Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland & 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 bicycle 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 at Luxembourg airport no later than Sunday morning.

Sunday, Luxembourg.  After settling into the hotel this morning you will have time to explore this picture book city.  Visit the 17th century Gothic Cathedral and the ruins of the ancient fortress. Festive welcoming party and dinner tonight.

Monday, Trier.  Your cycling Odyssey begins this morning as you bike along the banks of the Mosel River.  Trier was founded in the year 16 BC by the Romans.  Our local guide will take us to the Old Roman baths and the Porta Nigra – a gateway which is acclaimed to be the finest Roman relic in Germany.

Tuesday, Bernkastel.  One magnificent vineyard follows another as our downstream route takes us through the renowned wine villages of Trittenheim and Piesport to Bernkastel, the best known of them all.  Landshut Castle dominates the town skyline.

Wednesday, Winningen.  If you are a wine lover, you will recognize the name of almost every town and village we pass.  Graach, Uerzig, Kroev and Zell are only a few of them.  Plan to stop in Beilstein to visit the most beautiful marketplace on the Mosel.

Thursday, St. Goar.  Leaving the Mosel we meet up with the “Romantic Rhine.”  Stop for coffee in Boppard, once a bustling city of the Holy Roman Empire.  Our hotel tonight is situated in the 13th century castle, Burg Rheinfels with its maze of towers, gates and courts.

Friday, Strasbourg.  A succession of massive castles crown the hillsides and we pass the legendary Lorelei Rock.  Farther on, you will 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 tribute. Short transfer across the border into France.

Saturday, Strasbourg.  This morning our local guide will take us on a walking tour through the historic streets of Strasbourg.  We’ll visit the rose-colored cathedral and the infamous “Bridge of the Crow,” where in bygone days criminals were executed and their bodies left for hungry crows. Enjoy an afternoon of leisure.

Sunday, Obernai.  This morning 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, Riquewihr.  We continue our Odyssey along quiet country lanes which lead back into the vineyards & the Alsatian wine route.  Castle ruins and villages, still hemmed in by ancient town walls, dot the hillsides. In Ribeauville we stop at a small factory that manufactures specialty fabrics and table linens printed from old wood blocks.

Tuesday, Husseren–Les–Chateaux.  We bicycle through Kaysersberg, the birthplace of Dr. Albert Schweitzer.  A refreshing forest ride takes us back to the Route du Vin and to Colmar with its maze of narrow streets lined with Renaissance houses.  Afternoon guided tour of Colmar and a visit to the birthplace of Bartholdi, sculptor of the Statue of Liberty.

Wednesday, Freiburg.  Crossing the Rhine River into Germany we pass numerous vineyards and wine villages.  Freiburg, with its colorful town square and towering cathedral, is considered the capital of the Black Forest.  The local university makes this a lively town with music and street theater.

Thursday, Konstanz.  A short transfer takes us through meadows, woods and over the top of the Black Forest Mountains.  We then have a long downhill journey on the bike to the Bodensee (Lake Constance), Europe’s third largest lake.  We pass through Meersburg, with a castle dating back to the seventh century.  Vineyards circle the village walls and the local museum holds one of the largest wine barrels ever built.

Friday, Konstanz.  Our cycling route meanders over the border into Switzerland and then back to Germany.  In Friedrichshafen you can visit the Zeppelin museum as it was here that these airships were developed and built.  Take time to visit the island of Mainau, a tribute to the art of horticulture.

Saturday, Stein am Rhein.  A bike path follows the lakeshore through charming villages, vineyards and fruit orchards to Stein am Rhein.  With its elaborately painted buildings, this is one of the most picturesque medieval villages in Switzerland.  Farewell dinner party tonight.

Sunday.  This morning we transfer you to Zurich airport or to the local train station.

Tour date:  You pick the date -- 15 days/14 nights.
Tour Leaders:  Gerhard Meng & assistant
Tour price:  $4,445 per person based on a group of 14 to 16 people. 

In order to offer the lowest possible price, the trips are priced according to the number of participants on the tour.  The cost will be lower with more people in the group, and the cost will increase if there are fewer people.  Price can also be reduced if you wish fewer meals or other services included.  The standard of hotels you choose will also change the price. 

Price was last up-dated on November 11, 2009.  Subject to change.

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

On most days we’ll have three cycling options with average distances of 31, 38 and 65 miles.  Shortcuts will be available and every day we’ll also have the option of longer and more challenging bike rides. 

Good quality bike rentals can be arranged at approximately $28 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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