Trip Overview

Fairy tale landscapes, traditional Bavarian cuisine, scenic routes & rich multi-layered history

Germany’s oldest and most celebrated tourist route, the Romantic Road takes the traveler through a rich heritage of Bavarian history, art and culture. Baroque gardens, rococo churches, fairytale castles, towers and gateways that speak of mystery and intrigue - these are some of the hallmarks of our German tour.

The Romantic Road offers historical drama extending from Roman times to the present day. The actors are the emperors, kings, nobles, burghers and peasants. The set varies from magnificent residences, monasteries, cathedrals and castles in an ever-changing landscape from Wurzburg to the Austrian Alps.

Indeed, The Romantic Road personifies “the fine art of bicycle touring.” With an incredible network of cycling paths, you see more of the Bavarian countryside, away from traffic. From Wurzburg to Rothenburg, the “Gem of Germany,” to the fairy tale castles of King Ludwig II perched on the cliffs of the Alps, we’ll cycle through the river valleys and forests of southern Germany. A once in a lifetime trip through one of the most beautiful and historic areas in all of Europe.

Coupled with our discount packages, this tour is an excellent value in terms of lodging, scenery, and itinerary. Please call us for a price comparison and lodging details. We’ll detail our lodging, meals and full support services.

What's Included

• Use of a Classic Adventures bicycle (Trek hybrid or road bike)
• A non-regimented, “cycle at your own pace itinerary” with an average of 35-45 miles per day with the option of additional or fewer miles. (Coast to Coast averages 75 mi. per day)
• Lodging in select country inns & hotels/motels.
• Daily breakfast & most dinners
• Full van support.
• Detailed maps, route descriptions, and cultural information on a daily basis.
• Most commercial transportation within the country of most tours. (See daily itineraries for specific transfer information).
• Friendly and experienced multi-lingual guides.
• Expert bicycle mechanics.
• Guided tours of selected historical destinations visited.
• Pre-departure information packet includes: tour specific info., reading list, packing list, training suggestions, riding tips, etc.
• All bicycles come equipped with trunk bag; rear rack; water bottles; lock; pump; spare tube; odometer/computer.

Daily Itinerary

Germany: The Historic Romantic Road

Day 1. Meet in Wurzburg. Tour old city and the palace of the Prince-Bishops of Wurzburg. Bicycle fitting, wine & cheese reception, followed by dinner.

Day 2. Cycle Romantic Road to Tauberbischofsheim and take lunch in the thriving market square. Lodge in Bad Mergentheim. Visit the town’s world famous square and castle. (38 miles)

Day 3. Rothenburg, the “Gem of Germany,” is our destination. The delights of this medieval city are well worth a two night stay. On our way take some time to visit Rottingen, the village of sundials. (34 miles)

Day 4. Optional loop ride takes you through Bavarian countryside. Day filled with sightseeing. You’ll want to re-live the legend of the Meistertrunk depicted by the town clock’s automatons. (21 miles + 2 hours of walking the town.)

Day 5. Explore Shillingsfurst Castle and witness a falconry exhibition en route to Dinkelsbuhl, a walled city adorned by towers and gateways. Follow the night watchman on his rounds. (28 miles)

Day 6. Ride to Nordlingen, largest walled city in Germany. Visit a baroque cathedral, Rieskrater-Museum, and Harburg Castle. Lodge in Nordlingen. (34 or 48 miles)

Day 7. Day off from cycling. Transfer via rail to Augsburg, the second largest city in Bavaria. Take the day to shop & visit cathedrals and museums of this ancient Roman city. Afternoon train to Landsberg, a fortified border town separating the duchy of Swabia from that of Bavaria. Historic walls, towers and gates are some of the best preserved in Europe. Be sure to visit the “Bavarian Gate.”

Day 8. Following the Lech River and the ancient Via Claudia, we cycle from Landsberg to alpine village Schwangau. End at the foot of the Alps with royal castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau nestled in the mountains above. (45 miles)

Day 9. Follow one of the first roads through the Austrian Alps, now accessible only to bicycles and walkers. Visit castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau. (13 miles)

Day 10. Morning transfer to Fussen train station. Arrive in central Munich around noon.

Dates & Prices 2012

Germany: The Historic Romantic Road

10 days / 9 nights

(Includes daily breakfasts and 7 dinners, Augsburg & Fussen train transfers, full van support)

September 2 - 11

$4,129.00

Tour Map

Germany: The Historic Romantic Road