Bicycle the Best of Bavaria

Highlights: Rothenburg’s market square, the Town Hall and the Medieval town

Welcome to the fascinating Medieval village of Rothenburg. Perched high above the meanders of the Tauber River, surrounded by its 14th and 15th century walls, Rothenburg looks perfectly preserved although the town center was rebuilt after WWII. After fitting bikes this afternoon we’ll gather for introductions and dinner together.

Highlights: Loop ride to Bad Windsheim, open air museum, explore Rothenburg

Take your time to enjoy this fabulous medieval city and the views it offers of the Tauber valley. For those who want some cycling we have a relaxing ride towards Bad Windsheim, another opportunity to explore Bavaria’s picturesque countryside. We’ll suggest a fascinating open-air museum which will transport you to the last 700 years of Franconian life. After the ride, there is still plenty of time to enjoy the market center and the streets lined with Gothic and half-timber houses, and take a tour on the walls of the city, or explore them on your own. This afternoon we will visit a special cellar with a beautiful collection of rare varietals. After which we’ll continue our wine education and meet one of the last vintners in Rothenburg, who just so happens to own our hotel.

Highlights: Medieval towns of Feuchtwangen and Dinkelsbühl

We ride over undulating farmlands from one fairy tale village to another today. In contrast to Rothenburg on the Tauber, Dinkelsbühl is indeed nearly perfectly preserved from the middle ages. As early as the 11th century, the town was a major center at the intersection of two medieval trade routes. Tonight is another opportunity to enjoy the rewards of a good handcrafted German kitchen at our top rated hotel restaurant.

Highlights: Ries Basin meteor impact crater, medieval town of Donauwörth, Danube River

The landscape changes today as we pedal across the 12-17 mile wide, nearly circular Ries Basin. Unlike most of the areas we bike, which are a mixture of forests and farmlands, the geology of this area doesn’t allow rich forest lands. We are back in the “typical” landscape of Bavaria as we approach historic Donauwörth on the banks of the Danube, western Europe’s longest river.

Highlights: Lech River, the Cassian Way, Augsburg, brewery visit

Our ride today takes us up the Lech River valley to Augsburg, which was founded by the Roman emperor Augustus in 15 BC. As you might expect, there is plenty to see here this afternoon. We will visit the award-winning Riegele Brauerei brewery and taste some of their modern beers before a traditional Bavarian dinner.

Highlights: Landsberg, the “Bavarian Gate”

As we bicycle from Augsburg to Landsberg we are back in the forests and farmlands, which are densely settled with small villages and hamlets all along the way. Under the Holy Roman Empire in the medieval period, Landsberg was a fortified border town separating the duchy of Swabia from that of Bavaria. Historic walls, towers and gates define the architecture of the community, including one of the best town gates in Germany, the “Bavarian Gate.”

Highlights: The ancient Claudia Augusta Way, Rosshaupten

Today we continue to parallel the Lech River and the ancient Claudia Augusta Way, which eventually became the medieval trade route that gave its name to the “Romantic Way.” Our destination is Füssen. The town sits near King Ludwig’s most famous castle, Neuschwanstein, at the foot of the Austrian Alps. We’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner for those who end their bicycle journey of Bavaria here.

Highlights: Neuschwanstein Castle

Our tour ends today, if interested, we’ll shuttle you to the “faux” medieval Castle built by “Fairy Tale” King Ludwig in the late 19th century, to participate in the group guided visit, and then will help you find the shuttle to get back to town while the others continue on their ride.