Germany + Austria Bike Tour

Overview

Storybook Castles of Bavaria + the German Alps. Ride from Germany into Austria via the idyllic Risstal valley, and bike through sylvan forests, wildflower fields, and peaceful pastures. Visit Bavarian King Ludwig’s fairytale castles, including Linderhof, a palace inspired by Versailles and the only one completed in his lifetime. Order a _grosses Bier_ with the locals at a beloved family-run brewery. Enjoy both Michelin fine dining and local, rustic Bavarian cuisine, like freshly foraged mushrooms and creamy cheeses from a family farmstead. The tour features Raw milk cheese, rustic whole grain breads, _spätzle_ , garden-fresh vegetables, and _K_ _aiserschmarrn_ (bite-sized Austrian pancake) for food. For drinks, Weissbier, Helles, and more locally brewed beers; German Riesling and Austrian Grüner Veltliner. Day 1: Willkommen in Bavaria. Meet your guides at the Oberstaufen train station and take a look around: you’re now in the storybook setting of rural Bavaria, where cobbled streets are lined with wooden chalets and the Bavarian Alps beyond. At a historic inn in town, we’ll get fitted to our bikes before heading out on a little country lane that’s part of an amazing network of designated bike paths. After passing through swaying meadows, we reach a small family-run farm awaiting our arrival with a spread of fresh-baked bread and local cheeses. From here, keep riding to rack up more distance and elevation or head back to the hotel for a swim. Tonight’s stylish dinner serves as an introduction to Bavaria’s many farms and their hyper-local agriculture. Day 2: Of See and Spätzle. Picture Bavaria, and its crystal-clear mountain _seen_(lakes) come to mind—the places where locals gather to relax, swim, and soak up the Alpine scenery. Our route today weaves through pastures and pine forests, passing countless lakes as we work our way east towards the Allgäu Alps. Along the way, we'll meet some local characters and enjoy a pop-up lunch with our friend, chef Florian. After plenty of _spätzle_ , you’ll be well-fueled for the optional longer ride that approaches our next boutique hotel. Either way, we’ll settle into this mountain-top property and have dinner at the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant this evening. Day 3: Fairytales and Biergartens. Today we take a loop through Ostallgäu, the region on the Germany-Austria border where Bavarian King Ludwig II—sometimes called the Fairytale King—built his collection of castles. Our route is something of a fairytale itself as we pedal to the Alatsee, a tiny gem of a mountain lake, then follow the Lech River to Füssen. Here we’ll step into the story ourselves during a guided visit to Hohenschwangau Castle, where Ludwig spent his childhood. From there, climb the hill to admire Neuschwanstein Castle—Ludwig’s crowning achievement and the inspiration for Disney’s iconic castle—which rises majestically amidst the mountain peaks. Continue cycling to Füssen for lunch then spend some time wandering the cobbled streets, admiring the traditional architecture of this pretty pastel town. Our day ends in true Bavarian style with a ride to a local brewery, where we’ll raise steins alongside the locals at communal wooden tables. Day 4: Castles, Monks, and Mountains. _Auf wiedersehen_ , Germany! We’re riding into Austria for the day, so we’ll kick things off at a café serving apple strudel and Viennese coffee. Then, set out for a climb to the Plansee, an impossibly blue Alpine lake at the base of the Wetterstein Mountains. After lunch (and back in Germany), hop off the bike to visit King Ludwig’s most complete masterpiece: the Linderhof Palace. Take a turn around the manicured grounds and opulent interiors, then opt to ride the rest of the way to Ettal Abbey—a 14th-century Benedictine monastery. Transfer to our final hotel of the week, Schloss Elmau. Thanks to its location in a private valley, this property has hosted high-profile guests including presidents, kings, artists, and musicians. Spend the afternoon at the pool, spa, or sauna. This evening, you're free to choose from one of the many restaurants on property for dinner on your own. Day 5: The Hidden Valley. Our final day of riding takes us deep into the Bavarian countryside. We’ll cross a section of Roman road that runs ruler-straight through the forest before turning onto the Risstal—a traffic-free ribbon of tarmac surrounded by a sea of wildflowers. Here, there’s precious little sound except your shifting gears and the occasional clang of cowbells. Cross back into Austria once more as we gradually climb into Grosser Ahornboden, or “Great Maple Floor,” an Alpine pasture peppered with ancient sycamore trees. Opt for a transfer to the hotel after lunch, or ride back for one final push. Tonight, the dinner table awaits in a magnificent setting that affords us one last spectacular sunset over the Alps. Day 6: Last Stop: Mittenwald. Sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast, then spend your last morning in Bavaria hiking, swimming, or taking one final ride to the bustling town of Mittenwald—nothing could be more Germanic than its gingerbread cottages with flower boxes and painted facades. After, we’ll say _auf wiedersehen_ at the train station in Garmisch-Partenkirchen as you head back to Munich (or to your next destination). Arrival Details: Airport City: Munich, Germany. Pick-Up Location: Oberstaufen Train Station. Pick-Up Time: 11:00 am. Departure Details: Airport City: Munich, Germany. Drop-Off Location: Garmisch-Partenkirchen Train Station. Drop-Off Time: 12:00 pm. Travelers Take Note: Due to the timing of guided visits at Neuschwanstein Castle, on Day 3 we will tour the interior of castle of Hohenschwangau—King Ludwig's childhood castle—and admire the exterior of Neuschwanstein from a spectacular viewpoint. Accommodations: Thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region. Luggage transfers. Meals: Daily breakfasts, all lunches, nutritious snacks, and après velo cocktails. 4 gourmet dinners at our favorite local restaurants and renowned culinary establishments. Carefully selected local wine, beer, or spirits with every meal. Activities: Wine tastings and activities as outlined in the tour itinerary. Entrance fees to historic sites, museums, parks, and all other exclusive events. Gratuities for baggage, porters, and hotel service. Gear: Top-of-the-line bicycle selection. Bike helmet. Complimentary DuVine gear including a custom cycling jersey, DuVine t-shirt, water bottle, and drawstring bag. GPS with pre-programmed route maps. Support: Expert bilingual guides with extensive local knowledge. Support vehicle that follows the day’s route, distributes refreshments, and offers lifts. Pick-up and drop-off before and after your tour from predetermined meeting points. Daily bike maintenance to ensure optimal performance. NOT INCLUDED: Airfare, Dinner on one free night, Gratuities for DuVine guides, Travel Protection. Bikes: Synapse Carbon 2 (Road), Roadmachine AMP TWO (Road E-Bike), Turbo Vado SL 4.0 (Hybrid E-Bike).

Daily Ride Schedule

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

Hotel

What's Included