SMALL GROUP TOURS IN FRANCE AND GERMANY
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The German Wine Street (Die Deutsche Weinstraße)
Bicycle and Walk A German Gem of Charming, Medieval Villages and Lush, Vineyard-filled Landscape with Mountains in the Background and the Rhine River in the Distance
Discover a nature and wine lover’s paradise along the German Wine Street located within Germany's Pfalz region. Well-known within Germany but mostly undiscovered to those who live outside Germany, the Pfalz region is Germany’s second largest wine producing region and is a landscape, historical, and culinary treasure. The German Wine Street is reached in a little more than an hour by train or car by traveling southwest of Frankfurt.
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Germany
Far more than its name suggests, the German Wine Street is a cultural, agricultural and historical span of approximately 85 km (53 miles) from Bockenheim an der Weinstrasse (southwest of Frankfurt) to Schweigen-Rechtenbach at the German-French border. The Wine Street meanders through gently rolling, vineyard-filled terrain and picturesque, centuries-old villages. Medieval castles and ruins overlook the region from the hills above.
With mountains and forest nearby and the Rhine plain in the distance, the view while cycling through the vineyards is beautiful and striking in every direction. Having a unique micro-climate shaped by its geographical location, the region is one of the warmest and driest of Germany. Festivals celebrating the region’s agricultural bounty and cultural heritage take place from early spring through late fall. It is a festive and beautiful region to explore and enjoy.
Of the wines produced in this region, approximately 60% are white and 40% are red, and include Riesling, Dornfelder, Grauburgunder, Müller-Thurgau, Spätburgunder, Portugieser, Weissburgunder, Kerner and Chardonnay.
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Tour Distance
We will discover most, but not all, of the German Wine Street, including the surrounding terrain.
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Total Distance we will ride: 169 km to 184 km (105 to 115 miles).
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Daily Average: 37 km per day (23 miles per day); some days will be longer or shorter.
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There is no biking on the first and last days.
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ITINERARY
7 Days Together, 6 Nights of Accommodation
Day 1 Late Monday Afternoon
Check-in between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. (15:00 – 17:00).
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Bike Fit and Helmet
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We fit you to your bike and confirm you’ve got a helmet.
We gather as a group and introduce ourselves to each other.
We enjoy dinner together.
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The schedule for the week is reviewed, including important considerations for safe navigation by bicycle and by foot, including local bicycling laws and norms.
Day 2
We begin in the spa town of Bad Dürkheim, first mentioned in the 8th century and known for its mineral springs and having the world’s largest wine festival every September.
We cycle north through the vineyards to beautiful Freinsheim, a village that embodies the charm of medieval Germany and the elegance of the eras that followed. We explore its narrow, winding streets lined with a mix of half-timbered houses and baroque buildings, and town center encircled by its 15th century stone wall and towers.
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We cycle north through the vineyards and eventually turn west toward Neuleiningen, known for its town fortifications and castle chapel from the 13th century. We reach the edge of the Palatinate Forest and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards and Rhine plain below while climbing and descending hills.
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Along this route we visit the ruins of Roman settlements from the 2nd century and the tranquil towns that dot the northern route of the wine street.
We cycle about 45 km (28 miles) on this day with several hills.
​Breakfast and lunch together. Dinner on your own.
Day 3
From Bad Dürkheim we cycle to the outskirts of the town where we leave our bicycles and hike to the ruins of an Abbey from the 9th century. From the Abbey there is a spectacular view of Bad Durkheim and the Rhine plain below.
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The same day we cycle south out of Bad Dürkheim to discover the middle portion of the German Wine Street, including the charming villages and lush vineyards of Wachenheim, Forst, Deidesheim, Königsbach, and Gimmeldingen on our way to Neustadt. Award-winning, centuries-old wine producers line the area, and we will conclude the day with a wine tasting at a local vineyard.
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We cycle about 25-30 km (15-19 miles) on this day and will include a hike.​
Breakfast and lunch together. Dinner on your own.
Day 4
We begin our day with a historical tour of Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, the largest town and the center of the German Wine Street. Archeological finds from the area indicate it was populated as early as 150 B.C.
We cycle out of town into the countryside where we stop at the foothills that lead up to the Hambacher Schloss (castle), known as the cradle of German democracy. It is a historical building with a museum and an amazing view of the surrounding terrain.
As time permits, we continue cycling through the vineyards and visit the picturesque and charming villages just south of the Hambacher Schloss.
Our cycling distance won’t exceed 35 km (22 miles), and our day will include the hike to the Hambacher Schloss.
Breakfast and lunch together. Dinner on your own.
Day 5
We cycle south along the edge of the Palatinate forest and explore the picturesque villages that dot the German Wine Street south of Neustadt, including beautiful Sankt Martin originating from at least the 8th century and Rhodt unter Rietburg, known as the “Schatzkästlein – treasure chest – of the wine street and above which the Rietburg castle has stood for over 800 years.
Nearby we visit the majestic summer residence of the Bavarian King Ludwig I, Villa Ludwigshöhe, from 1846.
We continue biking down the southern side of the German wine street, discovering the rolling countryside and villages west of Landau.
We cycle either 32 km (20 miles) or 42 km (26 miles) depending on timing and interest of the group.
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Breakfast and lunch together. Dinner on your own.
Day 6
We spend time in the historically and architecturally rich city of Landau, the main town on the southern wine route. First mentioned in 1106, Landau’s close proximity to France meant that it was at one time ruled over by France’s Louis XIV whose top military engineer, the famous Vauban, turned it into a fortified city. Segments of the fortifications from 1688 remain to this day.
Landau is informally known as a garden city due to an extensive park and garden system. Landau’s beauty is further enhanced by the Queich stream that flows through the town on its way to the Rhine River.
In addition to exploring the beauty and learning about the history of Landau, we will discover the picturesque terrain outside of Landau by bicycle.
We will cycle no more than 32 km (20 miles) on this day.
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Breakfast, lunch, and festive final dinner together.
Day 7
After breakfast, we board the train as a group with our bicycles to return to Neustadt, turn in our bicycles, and say good-bye to each other.
Breakfast together.
Supplementary Itinerary Information
Concert: When available, we will have tickets to a local concert and the music will vary depending on the week. The music will most likely be classical, folk, or jazz.
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We will adjust our itinerary for the week to coincide with one of the many local festivals throughout the season.
We will offer an optional, two-hour session to learn to make a regional dish.
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We will incorporate visits to local museums when there are special exhibits of interest to the group.
In Case of Rainy weather
Although one of the driest and warmest regions of Germany, it may rain. On rainy days we will continue to bike and find shelter or stop when it pours. We will adjust the schedule as needed based on the weather forecast.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
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Distance per Day
No more than 56 km (35 miles) by bike per day at casual biking speeds (10 -13 mph) or (16 - 21 kmh).
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All days, except the first and last days, will consist of 6 to 7 hours of activity, mostly biking and some walking. Although we bike all day we make many stops throughout the day as we visit the villages and sites of cultural and historical interest.
Level of Difficulty
The terrain consists of rolling hills of varying elevation and some with steeper climbs.
You should be comfortable riding a bike at casual speeds from morning until late afternoon, with occasional hills.
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Electric bikes are available for a supplemental fee at the time of booking. Electric bikes are helpful if you aren't routinely riding a bike at home and/or you might need assistance climbing the hills.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations will be in charming, comfortable, uniquely German establishments that also provide WiFi and breakfast.
The booking fee is based on double occupancy per room. If you are a single traveler, there is a single supplemental fee payable at the time of booking.
We transport your luggage each day to each night's lodging so that you do not need to carry it on your bike.
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MEALS
All meals - except four dinners on your own - will be provided from Monday evening dinner to Sunday morning breakfast.
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One wine tasting with small plates of food will also be provided.
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Lunches will either be at local establishments or pre-packed bagged lunches.
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One glass of wine will be provided at lunch (except when lunch is pre-packed) and at dinner; additional glasses of wine or other alcohol will be at your own expense.
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We can accommodate vegetarians with advance notice; we may not be able to accommodate other dietary restrictions but we will try as long as we have advance notice.
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Please note that German cuisine often includes carbohydrates and pork products.
BICYCLES
We provide bicycles for you based on the sizing information you provide at the time of booking.
All bicycles are upright, hybrid bicycles. They have multiple gears and hand brakes. They are not electric bikes.
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Electric or eBikes are available for an additional fee at the time of booking.
Each bike will have a rear bike rack to which a backpack can be attached for carrying personal items throughout the day. Rear panniers are also available with advance notice; please request this at the time of booking, if desired.
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We will provide locks for all of the bikes.
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WHAT TO BRING
A curious and open mind, and a good sense of humor are appreciated.
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Clothing suitable for biking; after a few days on the bike you may appreciate having padded bike shorts.
Solid shoes for walking on cobblestones and rough or muddy paths.
Some days it may be cool or warm or rainy. Please bring clothing for all of these possibilities, including rain gear, light gloves for cool mornings, and a reflective vest for use when it is dark.
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A bike helmet is required, unless you would like to buy one from us which you are then able to take home with you.
A water bottle.
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Bikes will not have clip-in pedals, so there is no need for clip-in shoes.