Bamberg to Mainz

Germany Bike + Boat Tour

Along the Main River…

Bamberg, listed as a UNSECO World Heritage Site for its authentic medieval appearance, is the starting point for this once in a lifetime trip. It is home to such wonders as the Bamberg Cathedral, a late Romanesque building with four impressive towers. This houses the world-famous Bamberg Horseman, an equestrian statue that inspired such poets as Stefan George and Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg. From Bamberg, the tour leads to Schweinfurt through such towns as Eltmann and Hassfurt. Schweinfurt, literally meaning swine ford in German, is the birthplace of poet and linguist Friedrich Rückert and a fine monument to this man can be seen in the town square. You will get to spend the night in this quaint little town, full of museums, galleries and a lot more. Kitzingen, the next stop on this trip, is famous for its leaning tower. Legend has it that the tower was built during a severe drought, and, because of the absence of water, builders had to use wine to mix the mortar. Apparently the workers had a little too much wine for themselves! You will be able to witness such artistic masterpieces as Maria im Weingarten and Madonna im Rosenkranz by Tilmann Riemenschneider in the charming town of Volkach, as well as enjoy wine from local vineyard. At the stop in Würzburg, you are in for a real treat: a look inside the Fortress Marienberg. The mighty Fortress Marienberg is a symbol of the strength of Würzburg and the majesty of the prince-bishops who lived there for nearly five centuries. From the top of one of its four towers offers an extraordinary view of the landscape. During the overnight stay in Miltenberg, it is an absolute must to have a drink in the oldest pub in Germany, as well as stroll through the meandering alleys and market square. Johannisburg Palace, located on the banks of the Main River, will be the first thing you see as you enter Aschaffenburg as it is the grandest of all Renaissance palace complexes. The upper levels of this castle serve as the town library where you can read scripts from past centuries, and the lower levels are art and science museums. The last stop of this tour is Mainz. The afternoon before departure, there will be time to explore this interesting city full of attractive town squares, impressive churches, and half-timbered houses; a perfect way to end a perfect tour!

Where You’ll Stay

On the beautiful Merlijn, a comfort plus class ship.

What’s Included

• 7 nights accommodations on board the Merlijn
• Daily cabin cleaning service
• Welcome drink
• Breakfast buffets and 3-course dinners
• Coffee, tea, hot chocolate & ice water on board
• 7-speed hybrid bicycle, including a bike bag and a universal sized helmet
• Route Information
• Tour Guide
• Complimentary water bottle
• Ferry fares en route

What’s Not Included

• Insurances
• Local transportation and airfare
• 1 dinner
• Wine tasting
• Organized city tours
• Drinks other than mentioned
• Entrance fees, excursions

Tour Dates

• August 25, 2012

Skill Level

Routes take place on mainly flat, asphalted bike paths or country roads along the Main River with little traffic. Daily biking distances range anywhere from 22 to 35 miles.

Tour Boats

• Merlijn

Day-To-Day Itinerary

1. Arrival in Bamberg
2. Bamberg – Schweinfurt: 22 miles (35 km)
3. Schweinfurt – Marktbreit: 35 miles (56 km)
4. Marktbreit – Gemünden: 29 miles (45 km)
5. Gemünden – Miltenberg: 31 miles (50 km)
6. Miltenberg – Aschaffenburg: 25 miles (40 km)
7. Aschaffenburg – Mainz: 28 miles (45 km)
8. Depature

*All distances are approximate. The above planned itinerary is subject to change due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, etc. 

SATURDAY: Arrival in Bamberg.
Guests are greeted on board the Merlijn with a welcome cocktail. The afternoon is free, allowing time to explore Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage City that not only embodies a thousand years of art and culture, but also remains vibrant and young at heart.
Dinner and overnight stay.

SUNDAY: Bamberg – Schweinfurt: 22 miles (35 km)
Departing Bamberg, you will bike along the Main River passing the famous pilgrimage church Maria Limbach and the town of Eltmann. The day’s destination is in Hassfurt, famous for the late gothic Ritter chapel and church full of valuable paintings such as ‘John the Baptist’ and ‘Maria with Child’ by artist Tilmann Riemenschneider. From Hassfurt, the Merlijn will cruise to Schweinfurt, a cozy little town full of museums, galleries, and artificial ‘Schweine’ (pigs).
Dinner and overnight stay in Schweinfurt.
*If you would like to bike the entire trip to Schweinfurt, it will be approximately 12 miles (20 km) more.

MONDAY: Schweinfurt – Marktbreit: 35 miles (56 km)
While enjoying breakfast on the Merlijn, you will pass villages such as Fahr, Hirschfeld, Röthlein, and Grafenrheinfeld. The cruise will end in Kitzingen, famous for its ‘crooked tower’. Legend has it that the tower was built during a drought and workers had to use wine instead of water to mix the mortar causing the top of the tower to lean. The cultural highlight of the trip is the pilgrimage church Maria im Weingarten and the famous Madonna im Rosenkranz’ by Tilmann Riemenschneider.
Dinner and overnight stay in the charming village of Marktbreit. 

TUESDAY: Marktbreit – Gemünden: 29 miles (45 km)
Breakfast will be enjoyed en route to Würzburg, the Baroque town on the river Main. Here, cyclists can disembark and explore this beautiful city. For a magnificent view of the historic center of Würzburg, climb the steps to the huge Fortress Marienberg. From Würzburg, the bike tour to Gemünden will start. The tour will lead you further along the river Main via Zellingen and Erlabrunn and into wine country. You will be able to see hills full of vines and ride through charming wine villages like Eibelstadt and Sommerhausen.
Dinner and overnight stay in Gemünden.

WEDNESDAY: Gemünden – Miltenberg: 31 miles (50 km)
Today’s bike tour starts in Gemünden and goes through historic monuments like the Triefenstein monastery, and half-timber castle Homburg, through the varying landscape with both wine mountains and afforested mountain slopes with bizarre rocks, passing Lohr am Main and its Gothic and Baroque buildings. You will arrive at Wertheim, situated right where the rivers Main and Tauber meet. From Wertheim, the Merlijn will cruise to historic Miltenberg. The city has a certain charm due to its meandering streets and alleys, old restored half-timber houses, and the monumental market square. Here, you can enjoy a beer at the oldest pub in Germany. Tonight, dinning at your own expense, you can explore this unique town.
Overnight stay at Miltenberg. 

THURSDAY: Miltenberg – Aschaffenburg: 25 miles (40 km)
Follwing the river, you will pass several small villages. Groszheubach and Klingenberg are famous for their fine red wines. Continuing via Bürgstadt to Freudenberg and further on to Aschaffenburg, you will be able to experience museums, churches, and of course the beautiful castle that is situated on the river bank.

FRIDAY: Aschaffenburg – Mainz: 28 miles (45 km)
Today’s bike tour leads through Kleinostheim and Dettingen. After crossing the River Main on a small ferry, the tour continues to the small and romantic city of Seligenstadt with its windings alleys, wood framed houses, and  basilica. Further along the river to Klein-Krotzenburg, Hainstadt, Kleinauheim via Steinheim to Hanau, the town where the famous Grimm Brothers were born. Via Mühlheim, you will ride to Offenbach where the Merlijn will be waiting.  You will cruise from Frankfurt to Mainz, your final destination.

SATURDAY: Mainz
Departure after breakfast

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