Main River: boat & bike with MS Allure

Discover the Main bike trail with bike and boat

During this bike and boat trip you will be able to discover the most beautiful places along the Main river, the boat awaits you each evening at the next overnight stop. You will visit cities like Bamberg, Würzburg and Aschaffenburg with it’s highlights, but also smaller vine villages like Volkach and Sommerach. Admire fortresses And castles and take a break at Lohr the town of Snow White before you will enter Spessart forrest and arrive in Aschaffenburg.

Your ship: MS Allure

Originally, the MS Allure was a Dutch river cruiser, completely redesigned for its service along the Main. Its 10 cabins are equipped with two seperated beds, bathroom, toilet and shower, the bulleyes can be opened an aircondition on the alley cools the cabins, too.

1. day Bamberg Arrival

Once you've arrived, take the time to discover the old city, with its breweries and churches. We recommend seeing the Kaiserdom with its world-famous sculptures, such as the Bamberg knight and Heinrich II's sarcophagus. Embarkation will be around 4 p.m.

2. day Bamberg - Haßfurt / Haßfurt - Schweinfurt 30-40 km

In the morning the MS Allure will take you from Bamberg to Haßfurt. Enjoy a sunny day in Haßfurt where another historical Old-town will impress you. A short side-trip to Theres is recommendable today: After a nice break there, you will continue along the edge of the Main to Schweinfurt. Discover the vestiges of the ancient imperial town and walk on the footprints of the industrial pioneers and discoverers and let the modern Schweinfurt treat you!

3. day Schweinfurt - Stammheim - Kitzingen 32-60 km

In the morning, you will cross Fahr, town of the “Bocksbeutel” (the local wine is sold in this unique kind of container), to reach Volkach, famous for its excellent wines! Leaving Volkach behind, you will follow the Main-channel before catching up to the Main River again in Schwarzach. As

the well-paved bike trail stays even, you will reach Kitzingen without pressure and still have enough time to enjoy the town in the afternoon. If you want to you can stay on the boat until Stammheim and start the bike trip there, that will shorten todays distance about 25 km.

4. day Kitzingen - Würzburg 40 km

How to find out which one of these lovely places with their wine-growing traditions is the most beautiful one? There will not be very much time to think about it as Ochsenfurt, Sommerhausen and Eibelstadt are waiting for you now on your way to the amazing residence of Würzburg. The market place, the town hall, the old bridge crossing the Main offering an impressive view over the fortress, the pilgrimage church, the Rococo-style face of the Falkenhaus and Tilman Riemenschneider’s sandstone figures of the Chapel of Our Lady, will dazzle you. The highlight is the former residence of the prince-bishop, built between 1720 and 1744 according to plans of Balthasar Neumann. Considering the overall impression, it is the most beautiful castle of the southern German Baroque.

5. day Würzburg - Karlstadt / Karlstadt - Lohr 30 km

During breakfast you can enjoy the boatride from Würzburg to Karlstadt. In Karlstadt you will embarke and can visit the Old Town with it’s heir neat half-timbered constructions. Even paths take you to Gemünden, where the three rivers meet. Walk around the Old-Town and up to the ruin of Scherenburg castle to enjoy the fantastic view over the Main valley, the Spessart and the Rhön from here. Then, the wooded hills seem to cuddle up closer and closer, forcing the Main River and the cyclists to wind themselves through. This is how you will easily reach Lohr, the gate to the Spessart nature resort.

6. day Lohr - Wertheim / Wertheim - Freudenberg 30 km

MS Allure will bring you to the beautiful town of Wertheim. Walk around the charming Old-town past the historical half-timbered houses, romantic narrow streets and enjoy a cup of coffee on the marketplace next to the fishermens fountain. Close to the river, you will follow the bike trail past the castle of Homburg to Wertheim. The graceful small half-timbered houses and the narrow streets will capture you for sure! From Wertheim on you will follow the river until Freudenberg where you can enjoy either a walk to the castle or relax in the small towncenter.

7. day Freudenberg - Aschaffenburg 50 km

On even bike trails, you will quickly reach Miltenberg with it’s the half-timbered style, the market place, also called "Schnatterloch", and the Gasthaus zum Riesen, Germanys oldest shelter for princes who came to spend the night in Miltenberg, amaze you. The Old-town lies tucked in tightly between the Main and Greinberg; perfect scenery for scary stories and legends you should absolutely learn about on a guided tour around

town. Following the river you will reach the sandstone-built Johannisburg castle of Aschaffenburg today after passing the Spessart and the Odenwald. The romantic Old-town sprawls over the hilltop with the town hall in its centre and up to the castle. Visit the church of the monastery, the Jesuits church and the square in front of the theatre with its sundial and the lions pharmacy

8. day Aschaffenburg Departure

Every journey draws to an end. Once again you enjoy breakfast on board and maybe on deck the first sunbeams. Disembarkation will be around 9 a.m.

Worth knowing for your Elbe bike tour

Below you will find specific information about this bike tour. If you have any further questions about this trip, simply give us a call: Tel.: 06421 - 886890.

Arrival Bamberg / Aschaffenburg

Arrival in Bamberg:
The train station in Bamberg is approx. 1 km away from the pier at Georgendamm. You will receive precise information on the location of the ship with the detailed travel documents no later than two weeks before the start of the trip.

Arrival in Aschaffenburg:
If you travel in the opposite direction from Aschaffnburg: Aschaffenburg main station is approx. 1 km away from the pier (Mainufer). You will receive precise information on the location of the ship with the detailed travel documents no later than two weeks before the start of the trip.

Parking facilities

Parking in Bamberg:
In Bamberg, we recommend parking your car in the public underground car park Zentrum Nord (Georgendamm), the cost is around €15 per day (as of 2022). From here you can reach the landing stage in a few minutes on foot.

Parking in Aschaffenburg:
In Aschaffenburg, we recommend parking your car in the public car park Luitpoldstraße , the cost is around €10 per day (as of 2022). From here you can reach the landing stage in a few minutes on foot.

Embarkment

Embarkation on the MS Allure in Bamberg and Aschaffenburg takes place at 4:00 p.m.

Luggage

We recommend good rain gear, a bicycle helmet, sun hat and sports shoes. For reasons of space, we would like to ask you to refrain from carrying luggage with hard shells, the storage space in the cabin is very limited!

Condition of the bike paths

As the first cycle route in Germany, the Main cycle route was awarded five stars by the ADFC in 2008. Important criteria for this award were the almost continuous asphalting and the almost car-free routing. The consistently signposted cycle path usually runs along the banks of the Main and has no significant inclines.

Available rental bikes

So-called unisex bikes are available as rental bikes (suitable for men and women). They all have the 7-speed hub gear and freewheel and are available in different frame sizes. Electric bikes can also be provided on request. Please state your height when booking.

Due to the limited space, taking your own bikes with you is only possible on request and only to a limited extent.

Own bikes

Due to the limited space, taking your own bikes with you is only possible on request and only to a limited extent.

Return to the starting point

The train takes you to Bamberg or Aschaffenburg in just over 2 hours for around €25.

deck plan MS Allure

2-bed cabin

sun deck

Lounge

Changes

Subject to change. If a route cannot be navigated due to low or high tide or bad weather, the skipper reserves the right to change the route for your safety. This is not a free cancellation reason.

Extra costs which are not included in the tour price

Arrival and departure, transfers, rental bike, optional excursions, entrance and sightseeing fees, city maps, insurance, tips and personal expenses.

7 day hotline service

If the bicycle chain has broken, flooding makes it impossible to continue your journey or other nasty surprises await you: we are available for you 7 days a week and will organize help as quickly as possible.

Passport and visa requirements

For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Travel insurance

The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

Bamberg

As visitors wander through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bamberg, they are particularly enchanted by the city's many different facets. In the hill city Bamberg portrays itself as the Franconian Rome, the island city with Little Venice is its lively heart, the market gardeners' district a part of town steeped in tradition. Bamberg, this means beer from nine breweries within the city, supped in traditional brewery pubs, this means shopping in modern shops and a historical atmosphere.

Bamberg

Haßfurt

The large treasure of architectural monuments: the historic, newly renovated town hall, the two-towered parish church, the chapel, the two gate towers that delimit the old town, the town hall, which is of supraregional importance as a venue for conferences, concerts and cultural events enjoy, and the main promenade.

Hassfurt

Schweinfurt

The former free imperial city of Schweinfurt is located in the heart of the Franconian wine country, surrounded by the Rhön, Steigerwald and Hassberge mountains. On a tour of the center you will discover lovingly renovated corners of the old town, the town hall (1570 - 72 built by Nikolaus Hofmann), market square with the birthplace of the poet Friedrich Rückert, St. John's Church, museums and galleries of the city of Schweinfurt or Schrotturm are just a few sights.

Schweinfurt

Kitzingen

The center of the historic old town is the market square, which is framed by Franconian half-timbered houses, imposing town houses and the Renaissance town hall. Architectural highlights are the Petrini town church with its mighty Franconian Baroque portal, the late Gothic church of St. John with its impressive exterior sculptures and the famous cross chapel by Balthasar Neumann.

Kitzingen

Würzburg

If I could choose my place of birth, I would consider Würzburg’, wrote author Hermann Hesse, and it’s not difficult to see why. This scenic town straddles the Main River and is renowned for its art, architecture and delicate wines.

Founded in the 10th century, Würzburg served as the home of powerful prince-bishops for many centuries. It is renowned for the Residence, regarded as one of the finest palaces in Europe and a high point of Baroque art (also UNESCO cultural world heritage). Würzburg is also home to one of the oldest churches in Germany, built in the 8th century on top of a former pagan shrine. One of its most famous structures, Festung Marienberg, is a fortress which now surrounds the church.

Würzburg

Residenz Würzburg

The Residence Palace is one of Europe’s most renowned Baroque castles and has been registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1981. The castle was built by Balthasar Neumann and includes a much acclaimed staircase with awe inspiring frescos by the Venetian artist Tiepolo.

Würzburg Residence

Karlstadt

In the old town (founded around 1200) surrounded by walls, towers and gates, the visitor discovers buildings and structures that have been preserved for more than eight centuries. In particular, the Romanesque-Gothic "small town cathedral" of St. Andreas, the stepped historic town hall from 1422 and the ornate half-timbered facades of the proud town houses impressively present the architecture of bygone days. And the names of the streets are reminiscent of the crafts that were once based in Karlstadt: tanners, dyers, shoemakers, fishermen and carters (carriers). Today they show an exemplary renovation of the old town: the old has been preserved and brought into line with modern times.

Karlstadt

Märchenhaftes Lohr

In Lohr locals will tell you references of the Snow White tale. The “Gate of Spessart” which is thought to have been the opening to the escape route for Snow White as she vanished “on seven hills”, the Mountain Trail (Wieser Strabe). The journey through the seven Spessart Mountains from Lohr would have taken her to the kingdom of the Seven Dwarfs.

Lohr - Town of Snow White

Wertheim

The town of Wertheim-am-Main is located along the banks of the Main River, where it meets the River Tauber. With a population of just over 24,000 inhabitants, Wertheim is a picturesque, medieval German city that is perfectly suited to arriving river cruise passengers.

First mentioned in 779, Wertheim underwent several name changes throughout the intervening centuries before officially receiving township status in 1976.

Wertheim

Freudenberg

Freudenberg developed in the narrow strip between the Main and the slope of the castle hill, a geographical fact that is due to the fact that the houses nestle closely to the ridge and were threatened by the floods of the Main for many centuries. The cityscape along the main street is characterized by half-timbered houses and narrow, winding streets. Since 2004, the entire old town has been listed as a listed building. Around the town hall with its documentation of the town's history, the baroque office building with the office building gallery, the collection of ship models and the "Schuhmann Collection" photo museum and the baroque St. Laurentius Church are interesting places to visit. The Freudenburg can be easily reached on foot via a signposted path that climbs up from the town hall.

Freudenberg

Aschaffenburg

Whatever the season Aschaffenburg is always worth a visit, whether for the magnolia blossom in spring, for Pompeiianum Palace in summer, for Bavaria's oldest English landscaped park in autumn, or for the works of Cranach, Grünewald, Kirchner and Schad in winter. And with Aschaffenburg being a compact town, you can discover its many sights on foot.

The route from Johannisburg Palace to the town hall is a labyrinth of narrow alleys, where traditional bars and quaint restaurants occupy pretty little half-timbered buildings.

The Johannisburg  palace, made of red sandstone, is one of the most significant and beautiful Renaissance buildings in Germany. Its unique features include the chapel (complete with Renaissance altar, pulpit and portal sculptures by Hans Juncker), the royal living quarters, the world's largest collection of architectural models made from cork, the state gallery with paintings by Lucas Cranach the Elder and the Palace Museum of Aschaffenburg that houses works by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner and Christian Schad.

Aschaffenburg

Pompejanum Aschaffenburg

This replica of a Roman villa was built at the behest of King Ludwig I, who was inspired by the excavations in Pompeii, and it is the only one of its kind in the world. Architect Friedrich von Gärtner did not overlook a single detail in his design of the atrium and interior. The exquisite frescoes and floor mosaics, for example, give art lovers an ideal replica from which to broaden their understanding of classical culture. The Pompeiianum was badly damaged during the Second World War but reopened in 1994 following several phases of restoration. Since then it has been used to exhibit original Roman works of art from the holdings of the State Antiquities Collections and the Glyptothek in Munich.

Pompejanum Aschaffenburg

Schloss Johannisburg Aschaffenburg

Johannisburg Palace, the second residence of the Electoral Archbishops of Mainz until 1803, is located in the center of Aschaffenburg on the banks of the Main. The mighty four-wing complex, built between 1605 and 1614 under Archbishop Johann Schweikard von Kronberg, is one of the most important palace buildings of the German Renaissance. After the heavy destruction in the Second World War, the exterior of the castle first had to be restored before the first showrooms and collections with the salvaged pieces of furniture could be reopened in 1964. A picture gallery with works by Lucas Cranach the Elder can be visited. Ä. (Branch museum of the Bavarian State Painting Collections), the palace chapel with Renaissance altar, pulpit and portal sculptures by Hans Juncker, the parament chamber with regalia from the former Mainz cathedral treasury and much more.

Schloss Johannisburg Aschaffeburg