The Elbe, Germany's second largest river, flows through beautiful countryside. Its characteristic features include the towering Elbe Sandstone Massif, delightful riverbank meadows and impressive terrace vineyards in the region around Meissen. There are plenty of charming historical monuments along the river including magnificent castles, palaces and lovely, preserved, historical "old towns". Anyone interested in history may walk in the footsteps of Martin Luther, Katharina von Bora, Melanchthon or Lucas Cranach. Nature-lovers will appreciate the biosphere reserves of "Middle Elbe" and "Elbe Riverside", which are a haven for rare species of birds, marshland and heath, rural villagesand lively towns dotted with half-timbered houses. The magic attraction of the North Sea dominates the landscape. Numerous beer gardens, wine taverns and quaint coffee shops offer ample opportunities for cyclists to quench their thirst. The cyclist-friendly hotels and guesthouses along the route, where we make the reservations for you, offer excellent accommodation and food. The tour is fairly flat and follows the run of the river Elbe. The majority of the trails are in good condition and offer a wide range of cultural and leisure activities, making it ideal for travellers in every age group, for families and groups. The Elbe is one of the "slow" rivers. There is hardly any altitude, so it does not really matter whether you cycle upstream or downstream. However, the prevailing winds from the west and the countryside around the Elbe make the journey upstream preferable.
21/07/2010 | New direct flight Dresden - Basel/Freiburg