Updated: 1/26/2016

Oberstdorf-Budapest Cycling

EUROPEAN – 13 DAY ROAD CYCLING TOUR OBERSTDORF (GERMANY) TO BUDAPEST (HUNGARY)

24TH JUNE – 6TH JULY 2016

Join us on a fully supported road cycling tour through Germany, Austria,

Slovakia and Hungary. Visit some of Europe’s grandest cities including Vienna and Budapest, while travelling via scenic cycle-ways and by-ways.

The landscapes will be constantly changing as you cycle from the lower slopes of the Bavarian Alps, past historic castles, around lakes and alongside the mighty Danube river. Each day there will also be enough time to stop at some of the cultural highlights in each region. You'll stay in carefully selected hotels and great local cuisine will be on offer throughout the tour. Some of you will cycle door-to-door (around 100km per day), but others may prefer a 40km-60km ride in the morning with a transfer to the hotel in the early afternoon. The terrain is mainly flattish (with some rolling hills) and you will ride on sealed roads or bike paths, usually away from busy traffic. The support vehicle is always available for those preferring less time in the saddle. Non-cycling partners are also welcome.

Day 1: 24th June Arrival Day: Oberstdorf (Germany) Welcome to Germany! Please make your own way to Oberstdorf which is just 2.5 hours by train from Munich, the capital of Bavaria. Located in the Bavarian Alps, Oberstdorf is a hiking and skiing village, making it a traditional and popular holiday destination for Europeans. If required, transfers can be arranged from Oberstdorf train station to your hotel. Later this afternoon there will be a pre tour briefing where you will be introduced to your tourguide(s) and support driver.

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Points of Interest: • Bavarian Alps: a stunning natural divide along the border with Austria, these Alps stretch from

Germany’s remote southeastern corner to the Allgäu region near Lake Constance. This area is dotted with quaint villages, spas and health retreats, plus there are many options for outdoor activities, making it an all-year-round destination.

• Oberstdorf: located in a picturesque valley and also known as the ‘hiking village’ due to over 200km of hiking trails of varying difficulty within easy access. Its also home to Heini-Klopfer-Skiflugschanze, the world’s second largest ski jump.

Meals: Dinner Cycling: None Day 2: 25th June Oberstdorf to Füssen (Germany) We continue our ride through the beautiful lower Bavarian Alps to Schloss Neuschwanstein castle, where we’ll have lunch and spend the afternoon. This iconic castle, built by enigmatic King Ludwig II, is perched on steep rock faces. It is the model for Sleeping Beauty’s castle in Disneyland, and has inspired many artists, including Andy Warhol. We’ll spend the night in the town of Füssen (at 800m asl).

Points of Interest: • Füssen: this town (population ~14,700) has a beautiful setting on the edge of Lake Forggensee

with the Lech River flowing through the centre and the spectacular Alps in the background. It has a wealth of historical interest and is close to some of the most popular castles in southern Germany. Its also known for its violin-making industry.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Cycling: approx. 70 km (hilly) Lifestylers: 30 km to 60 km Day 3: 26th June Füssen to Schliersee or Tegernsee (Germany) Today as we gently descend to 500m, then climb to 900m we will pass idyllic Bavarian lakes including Staffelsee, Kochelsee and Tegernsee to name a few. The area is a popular summer and winter holiday destination, especially for people from Munich. We may want to take a break to look around Benediktbeuern Monastery (founded in 739AD).

Points of Interest: • Benediktbeuern Monastery is the oldest and one of the most beautiful in Upper Bavaria. With

so much history it is worth a visit. • Schliersee (at 800m asl) has a beautiful setting on the edge of Lake Schliersee with its crystal

clear water. Being only 50km south of Munich on the edge of the Bavarian Alps, its a popular holiday and ski resort with a pleasant climate and many outdoor activities on offer.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Cycling: approx. 105 km (hilly terrain) Lifestylers: 40 km to 60 km

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Day 4: 27th June Schliersee or Tegernsee to Burghausen (Germany) After a short sharp climb, we will descend from 1100m to 300m, cycling around the well-known Chiemsee, a freshwater lake bordering Austria. Our destination today: the scenic old town in the Bavarian city of Burghausen, located on the banks of the river Salzach. Burghausen Castle sits along a ridgeline and is the longest castle in Europe (at 1,043m).

Points of Interest: • Burghausen Castle with almost all of its medieval fortifications intact and extending over

1000m in length, is one of the largest castle complexes in the world. It has a rich history, having been a residence of Dukes and also a strong fortress. Due to its ridgetop location, the viewing platform offers a magnificent panorama over the surrounding landscapes.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Cycling: approx. 110 km (mainly flat) Lifestylers: 40 km to 60 km Day 5: 28th June Burghausen to Passau (Germany) We will be riding along the German–Austrian border, crossing the Inn River, then cycling to the beautiful Danube River. Today’s route is flat except for a small climb right at the end. We’ll spend the night in Passau, the ‘City of 3 Rivers’ (the Danube, the Inn and the Ilz). Our hotel is in the heart of the picturesque Old Town near Passau’s famous Cathedral, which boasts the largest cathedral organ in the world.

Points of Interest: • Passau is a small German town on the Austrian border, known for its baroque architecture.

With its unique charm and atmosphere its one of the most beautiful towns on the Danube.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Cycling: approx. 100 km (one small hill, flat) Lifestylers: 40 km to 60 km

Day 6: 29th June Passau to Linz (Austria) This morning we’ll leave the charming city of Passau and cycle through beautiful landscapes along the Danube. Both riverbanks are covered in dense forest, and you will see ruins of castles and monasteries scattered high up along the way. We’ll cycle peacefully into Austria (there’s no official border crossing) to its third largest city of Linz. It has a young, vibrant atmosphere despite its many historic buildings and is a great place to spend an afternoon. Linz is also known for its evening shopping.

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Points of Interest: • Danube River: at 2,860 km this is Europe’s second longest river after the Volga. It originates in

Germany’s Black Forest and flows in a southeasterly direction through central and eastern Europe to the Black Sea. All through history and still today, its an important transport route for the whole of Europe. Many world class wines have been produced from vineyards alongside the Danube, with the Wachau region (that you pass through in the next 2 days) being one of them.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Cycling: approx. 90 km Lifestylers: 40 km to 60 km Day 7: 30th June Linz to Melk (Austria) We’ll leave Linz (2009 European Capital of Culture), and cycle through rural countryside and riverside villages. On the way there is the opportunity for a short detour to visit the Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp. Then we’ll follow quiet side-roads and cycleways until we see Melk Abbey, a stunning baroque Benedictine monastery which is one of the highlights of the Wachau Valley. The Wachau Cultural Landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Points of Interest: • Mauthausen-Gusen concentration camp: located on the top of a small hill just 20 km east of

Linz, this camp was the hub of a large group of Nazi concentration camps that were built around the villages of Mauthausen and Sankt Georgen an der Gusen. It operated from early 1938 to the beginning of May 1945. These days the large complex is open to the public.

• Melk: located next to the Wachau valley, this small and picturesque town is best known for its massive Benedictine Abbey (built between 1702 and 1738). Melk has preserved many of its historic buildings so the old town in particular remains a delightful place to explore.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Cycling: approx. 100 km Lifestylers: 40 km to 60 km

Day 8: 1st July: Melk to Vienna (Austria) A beautiful ride awaits as we set off through the Wachau’s historic vineyards and villages, taking in views of the steep terraces on the south-facing river banks. We’ll cycle through Austria’s oldest city, Krems, then follow the Danube towards the ‘City of Music’: Europe’s cultural capital — Vienna. At Klosterneuburg we’ll take the train for the last few kms (~30mins) into the city to avoid the traffic. Our hotel may be near Schönbrunn Palace, Austria’s top attraction, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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Points of Interest: • Wachau region: a 33 km stretch of the Danube Valley between Melk and Krems which is a

region of natural beauty. There are many vineyards and orchards on the terraces above the river, plus the region has stunning baroque architecture and quaint old towns.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Cycling: approx. 106 km Lifestylers: 40 km to 60 km

Day 9: 2nd July Vienna (Rest Day) You have a full day to explore one of the world’s most liveable cities. Perhaps visit Schönbrunn Palace and its remarkable gardens. Also, the Vienna State Opera and other sites on the Ringstrasse, the beautiful boulevard circling the inner city. Other attractions include the Naschmarkt, a food/goods market that's run for more than 500 years; the eccentric Hundertwasser house and museum; the Prater amusement park, and many other places of interest.

Points of Interest: • Vienna. Austria’s capital and largest city is packed with history, but at the same time has

contemporary museums, lively cafes and nightlife plus many quiet corners to explore. Once the centre of the powerful Habsburg monarchy, Vienna has imperial grandeur with opulent palaces and many famous sites to visit. It has an efficient transport system and lots of cycling paths so is easy and safe to get around. If you only have 1 day to explore, then start early!!

Meals: Breakfast Cycling: none

Day 10: 3rd July Vienna to Mosonmagyaróvár (Hungary) This morning we depart the beautiful city of Vienna by taking the train to Himberg (~30 mins). Then on our bikes we cross the border into Hungary where we may want to stop at the castle of Halbturn. From here you’ll notice the road has a different surface, and is an adventure to ride on! We’ll have a unique drink stop at a friendly Hungarian garden restaurant, before continuing to our destination: charming Mosonmagyaróvár, the ‘city of 17 bridges’. There’ll be time to visit the local thermal spa bath.

Points of Interest: • Halbturn Castle near the Hungarian border was built between 1701 and 1711 as a hunting

lodge and summer residence for the Imperial family. Today it houses numerous exhibitions which are open to the public as are the beautifully preserved gardens.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Cycling: approx. 93 km Lifestylers: 40 km to 60 km

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Day 11: 4th July Mosonmagyaróvár to Komárno (Slovakia) We’ll cycle through rural villages and back alongside the Danube river to the pretty historic town of Komárno, just over the Slovakian border. This port city is connected by bridge to the Hungarian town of Komaŕom, once part of Komárno. There’ll be time to visit Komárno’s fortress.

Points of Interest: • Komárno lies at the confluence of the Váh and Dunaj rivers and is one of the oldest towns of

Slovakia. It enjoyed its greatest prosperity during the 15th century when rulers and court of the Kingdom of Hungary frequently stayed here. Today the population is around 37,000 and sights to see include the Komárno Castle, Zichy Palace, the Town Hall and Museum of Danubeland.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Cycling: approx. 105 km Lifestylers: 40 km to 60 km

Day 12: 5th July Kormáno to Budapest (Hungary) Our second-to-last day is one to remember. We’ll cycle to the beginnings of the famous Danube Bend at historic Esztergom, the so-called “Rome of Hungary”, and one of the country’s oldest towns. Esztergom’s huge basilica, the tallest building in Hungary, can be seen from a great distance. It also has a restaurant/cultural centre in its cellar which is worth a visit (for lunch or to sample local wines). Next: one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Budapest, “the Paris of the East”. We’ll arrive via the river on a boat from Szentendre, past the impressive parliament building, and into the city’s hustle and bustle. We’ll hold our farewell dinner tonight.

Points of Interest: • Danube Bend: is a curve of the Danube in Hungary, close to the town of Visegrád and is

considered to be the most beautiful stretch of the river with its peaks and picturesque towns. • Szentendre: a pleasant town beside the Danube about 20 km upstream from Budapest, its well

known for its museums, galleries and artists. Szentendre has plenty of shops and restaurants, plus its easily accessed by rail and boat, so is popular with day trippers from Budapest.

• Budapest: Hungary’s capital which is bisected by the Danube River. With so much to see and do in this fantastic city, you may like to stay a few more days.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Cycling: approx. 92 km Lifestylers: 40 km to 60 km

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Day 13: 6th July Departure Day: Budapest This unforgettable cycling tour comes to an end today! It’s time to say goodbye to your guides and fellow travellers, and head off to your next adventure — or perhaps, stay and enjoy beautiful Budapest.

Meals: Breakfast No cycling Alterations:

We reserve the right to make alterations to this itinerary, which will normally be due to weather conditions and/or organizational requirements. Minimum Group size: 10 Maximum Group size: 24

Prices (Euro): Tour EUR 3675 pp (double or share twin) Single room surcharge EUR 650 pp Road bike hire (carbon): EUR 280 pp E-bike hire: EUR 280 pp Touring/hybrid bike hire: on request

Tour Information Included in 13 day tour:

þ Accommodation in 4* hotels þ Meals as listed in the itinerary

Breakfast: at hotels Lunches (on cycling days): normally a picnic en route

Dinners (arrival day & on cycling days): either at the hotel or local restaurant þ Arrival transfer (day 1) from Oberstdorf train station to the tour hotel þ Support vehicle and driver þ Cycling guide(s) – numbers depending on group size þ Drinking water while cycling þ Danube boat trip day 12 (Szentendre to Budapest) þ Entry to Castle “Schloss” Neuschwanstein in Fuessen þ Route maps and profiles

Not Included in 13 day tour:

ý International and domestic flights or trains ý Departure transfers from Budapest ý Bike hire (available on request at extra cost) ý Meals not listed in the daily itinerary ý Travel insurance (compulsory) ý Optional trips and sightseeing tours ý Pre and post tour nights ý Drinks (except water while cycling), personal expenses ý Entrance fees for sights unless specified ý Tips for guides and driver

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Cycling Route Oberstdorf to Linz

Linz to Budapest

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Tour Grade 2 to 3 = moderate to challenging Grade 1 = easy: 20–40 km/day. No hills or technical difficulty Grade 2 = moderate: 40–60 km/day. Some hills but no technical difficulty Grade 3 = challenging: 50–100 km/day. Hills and some technical difficulty Grade 4 = hard: 100 km+/day. Hilly terrain and technical trails Grade 5 = HIGH ALTITUDE (4000 M +) Please note: There are options for participants with a range of fitness levels & technical ability. For door-to-door cycling this tour is a grade 3, but an easier tour (grade 2) is easily achievable by utilizing the support vehicle on longer days and/or for hillier sections.

Booking Information: Tour Confirmation

A deposit of 25% of the tour price is required to secure your place, with the balance being due no later than 60 days prior to the start of the tour.

Terms and Conditions

• Cancellations received 90 days or longer prior to tour departure will incur a fee of 50% of the tour deposit.

• Cancellations received between 60–90 days prior to tour departure will incur a fee of 100% of the tour deposit.

• Cancellations received between 30–60 days prior to tour departure will incur a fee of 50% of the full tour price.

• Cancellations received within 30 days of tour departure will incur a fee of 100% of the full tour cost.

Booking Forms

Participants will be asked to complete a booking form after confirmation of their booking.

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