Along the Main river and through the Bavarian region
Embark on a unique journey along the Main River valley through the picturesque landscape of the Bavarian region, famous for its good wines and many historic towns and villages.
The tour starts in the tranquil university town of Aschaffenburg, also known as a Bavarian version of Nice, France, with its sunny climate. You’ll be enchanted by the splendor of Johannisburg Castle.
Following the course of the Main River, you’ll pass through floodplain forests, idyllic vineyards, and historic towns with traditional half-timbered houses. You’ll discover Freudenburg, with its breathtaking views, and Wertheim, with its historic small-town charm.
The city of Bamberg is a particular highlight of this tour. With its plethora of historical buildings, this UNESCO World Heritage city not only embodies a thousand years of art and culture, but also remains vibrant and young at heart to this day.
The ship – Your sailing hotel
In between cycling excursions, you cruise along with the ship, which travels to a new destination every day. You dine, sleep and eat breakfast on board. You’ll receive a packed lunch every day, and you can usually choose between a longer or shorter bike ride. It’s also possible to spend a day on board if you like. There are rental bikes on board, but you can also bring your own if you mention it when booking (on request).
Fully Guided
Accompanied by a competent, professional and multilingual tour leader, you and the group will visit interesting sights and places on the daily cycling tours. During the bike tour, they will explain the local history and culture behind the things you encounter along the way. You can also choose to ride individually with the help of the Ride with GPS app and our BBT cycling map (available on board).
Welcome to Aschaffenburg, where you’ll board the ship from 2 pm and stay the first night. After being welcomed by the captain, crew and tour leader, you’ll have time to discover this picturesque university town, often compared to Nice, France, because of its Mediterranean flair. A highlight is Johannisburg Castle, a Renaissance masterpiece in red sandstone. The narrow streets in the lively center of town hold many half-timbered houses; take a stroll and then end your day in one of the many cozy wine bars or cafes.
Today is your first bike ride. For part of the ride you can choose the left or right bank of the river to cycle on. In the summer, it’s a pleasure to ride in the shady floodplain forest between Nilkheim and Niedernheim. While cycling the Planeten-Radweg (Planet-Cycle Route), you can learn about our solar system at the same time as you enjoy the picturesque landscape. Stop along the river to rest on a bench or even take a swim if you’d like! Your ride ends in Freudenberg today, where you’ll see Freudenberg Castle towering over the river. From the castle, the views are fantastic!
Today you can enjoy a relaxing breakfast while the ship takes you to Wertheim, home to Wertheim Castle, to start your day’s cycling. The historical market square marks the center of town, and there you’ll see what is probably the narrowest house in the Franconian region. There’s much to see on today’s route, which leads you through idyllic Main valley landscapes to the town of Lohr, where you’ll meet the boat again. Make sure to take a stroll after dinner around this beautiful old town with its timbered houses. It’s said to be the place where Snow White lived! Buildings like the Lohr Castle (Kurzmainer Schloss) only add to its charm.
The ship continues its journey early in the morning today, taking you to Karlstadt to start the day’s cycling. Immerse yourself in the romance of the old town of Karlstadt, with buildings that are over 800 years old surrounded by walls, towers and gates. Rejoin the ship in Würzburg, where there are more sights to see. Make sure to visit the UNESCO-listed Residenz Palace, with its palace gardens, or take in the magnificent view from the Marienburg fortress. Stroll the Old Main Bridge, lined with statues of saints.
Today you’ll cycle the Main Cycle Path from Wurzburg through the fertile Ochsenfurt district to the town of Ochsenfurt. Its lance tower is worth seeing. Next you’ll continue to the historic village of Marktbreit with its magnficent residences and end the ride in Kitzingen, where wine cultivation is a proud tradition. At the German Fastnachtsmuseum (Carnival museum), you’ll get an impression of the history of Carnival as well as information about medieval Franconian customs.
Your first destination today is Dettelbach, a picturesque wine-growing town. You can either take the boat for this step – choosing less cycling for today – or cycle from Kitzingen to Dettelbach. From Dettlebach, you’ll cycle through the vineyards to Volkach, where the pilgrimage church of St. Maria in Weingarten is definitely worth a visit. From here, the valley narrows and there are more vineyards as you cycle to rejoin the ship in Schweinfurt
Today starts with a boat trip to Haßfurt. From there, you’ll cycle via Zeil am Main, which is located exactly on the border between the Franconian wine country and beer country. Your last destination is the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bamberg, which, like Rome, is built on seven hills. Don’t miss the fishermen’s quarter of “Little Venice,” a row of residences from the 17th century. If you like, reward yourself with a beer from one of the eleven independent breweries in the city.
End of tour. Disembarkation after breakfast, till 9:30 a.m.
Welcome to Bamberg, where you’ll board the ship from 2 pm and stay the first night. Like Rome, Bamberg was built on seven hills. After your welcome by the captain, crew and tour leaders, take a look at this picturesque town. The fishermen’s quarter of “Little Venice,” a row of residences from the 17th century, is worth seeing. With eleven independent local breweries, Bamberg is a great place for a beer to toast your upcoming adventure!
On board your floating hotel, you’ll reach Haßfurt, a city that enchants with its historic old town and impressive religious buildings such as the late-Gothic Ridderkapel (“Knights’ Chapel”) and the parish church. From here you’ll start your first day’s biking, passing through Zeil am Main. This town lies exactly on the boarder between Franconian wine country and beer country. The day’s cycle route ends at the former imperial city of Schweinfurt, which lies between two nature parks and will enchant you with its history.
Today your destination is Kitzingen, a city known for its wine production. You can shorten the ride, if you prefer, by staying on the ship until Stammheim. Passing through beautiful vineyard landscapes in the widening river valley, you’ll reach Kitzingen, home to the Fastnachtsmuseum (Carnival museum), where you can get an impression of the history of Carnival as well as information about medieval Franconian customs. The museum is in the Falterturm, whose leaning tower is a city landmark. The old beer breweries in Kitzingen are now wine producers, but the traces of the breweries are still visible in the historic cellars.
Würzburg awaits you at the end of today’s route past fertile agricultural lands and historic villages. In Würzburg, visit the UNESCO-listed Residenz Palace, with its palace gardens, and take in the magnificent view from the Marienburg fortress. Visit St. Kilian’s Cathedral and stroll the Old Main Bridge, lined with statues of saints. Würzburg is a lively student town – soak in the atmosphere over a drink in the evening.
In the morning the ship will take you to Karlstadt, where you’ll arrive at around 10.30 am. Karlstadt welcomes you with its picturesque old town surrounded by towers, gates and walls. They date back to about 1200 AD. Leaving Karlstadt, you’ll take to the bike and make your way to the town of Lohr am Main, with its typical half-timbered architecture. It is said that Snow White lived here. The turrets of Lohr Castle (Kurzmainer Schloss) reinforce that impression.
This morning you’ll cruise with the ship from Lohr to Wertheim, home to Wertheim Castle. The historical market square in the center of town includes what is probably the narrowest house in the Franconian region. In Wertheim you’ll start today’s bike tour to Freudenberg. There, high above the Main river and the town, you’ll see the striking ruins of Freudenburg Castle. The castle offers a spectacular view over the forest-covered foothills.
The highlight of today’s bike tour is Miltenberg town, where it’s not hard to spot Mildenburg Castle, which has watched over the city since 1200. Then, while you cycle the Planeten-Radweg (Planet-Cycle Route) from Erlenbach to Kleinwallstadt, you can admire the scenery at the same time as learning about our solar system! The shady floodplain forest between Niedernheim and Nilkheim is a pleasant ride in the summer. The ship will be waiting for you in Aschaffenburg, where the magnificent Renaissance-period Johannisburg Castle and many cozy wine bars and cafes await you.
Your boat and bike adventure ends in Aschaffenburg. After a final breakfast on board, you’ll disembark by 9:30 am.
Included in this tour
Excluded from this tour
| Cabins 2027 | Prices p.p. |
|---|---|
| Twin cabin | € 2.499,00 |
| Premium Twin | € 2.879,00 |
| Single cabin | € 3.249,00 |
| Twin cabin for single use (max. 1) | € 3.748,50 |
2027:
Transfer by train: Between Aschaffenburg and Bamberg, there is a good train connection. Please visit one of the following websites for timetables, tickets or more information www.omio.com or www.trainline.eu.
Princesse Royal
35 guests max
35 beds
62 x 7,2 m
Private charter on request
Interested in this tour? Tell us your preferred dates, cabins, and bikes, and we’ll confirm real availability with the barge.
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