Full Tour
Paris to Istanbul
Dates: June 1, 2008 - July 20, 2008
Distance: 50 Days – 4,000 km
Price: EU €5,900
The adventure will begin in Paris, the City of Lights, right alongside the famous "Gare de l'Est" – from which the legendary Orient Express trains would set out for their trip eastward. After a brief cycle tour of the city – doffing our helmets at the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe – we will head for our first stop, Provins, a walled medieval town designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From Provins, the road takes us through the rolling French "Champagne" region, home of the authentic bubbly, and into Alsace, along a route dotted by spa towns, including Vittel, source of the famous French mineral water. Cycling across increasingly lush, hilly and forested terrain, we enjoy a thrilling descent down to Munster, near the French-German border. Just 50 kilometers inside Germany, we arrive in Freiberg, gateway to the Black Forest. From Freiberg it is a one-day ride to Donaueschingen, the official source of the mighty Danube River. It is in Donaueschingen where we meet the Danube Cycleway, a 1357 km dedicated bicycle path that runs along the banks of the Danube River.
Isolated from vehicular traffic we will bike across picturesque Bavaria through Ulm, the birthplace of Albert Einstein. From Ulm we shall carry on to Linz, and then to Vienna, with its monumental palaces dating to the Hapsburg Empire. After a couple of days of inspirational classical music and delicious Viennese cream cakes we are off to Bratislava, the cosmopolitan capital of Slovakia. Another day off, and we continue on to Budapest once dubbed the "Pearl of the Danube." Anyone who has not visited Eastern Europe recently will be enchanted by Budapest – combining chic and upbeat commercial/dining districts with imperial Austro-Hungarian era architecture.
Turning due south, we cross the plains of southern Hungary and then onto Romania where the valley terrain changes to beautiful hills, both mesmerizing and challenging most cyclists. We will visit Baile Herculane, yet another one of the spa towns dotting our route, and discover why, two thousands years ago, the Romans reveled in its medicinal waters. After a good soak, we head to Bucharest, once dubbed "Paris of the East," because of its busy and cosmopolitan social scene, as well as its architecture.
From Bucharest we head further south, crossing into Bulgaria and onto the town of Veliko Tarnovo. Set on the winding Yantra River, the town clings to either side of the steep walls of the river gorge. We then turn east towards the Black Sea, reaching Varna; Bulgaria’s third largest city. After taking a well-deserved rest along the Black Sea's serene beaches, we continue biking down along the Bulgarian coast; eventually crossing into Turkey.
After a few days getting to know the friendly people of Turkey we arrive at our final destination, exotic Istanbul, straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosporus Strait. The same city, known in antiquity as Byzantine and, later, Constantinople, served as capital, in succession, of three empires. Istanbul remains one of the world's most majestic, enchanting and vibrant cities.
Paris to Vienna
Dates: June 1, 2008 – June 21, 2008
Distance: 21 Days – 1,709 km
Price: EU €3,100
This section will take you to some of Europe's most visited cities and all-time favorite tourist attractions; from Paris's Eiffel Tower, to German Bavaria, and along the Danube to the Cathedrals and Opera houses of Vienna. Experiencing these sites astride a bicycle, you will see and sense Classic Europe in a manner unlike any other European tour.
Paris, Wine Country and Thermal Stations - The adventure begins in Paris, alongside the famous "Gare de l'Est" – where the legendary Orient Express trains would set out eastward. After doffing our helmets at the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe – we will head for our first stop, Provins, a walled medieval town designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From Provins, the road takes us through the rolling French "Champagne" region, home of the authentic bubbly, and into Alsace, along a route dotted by spa towns, including Vittel, source of the famous French mineral water. We will cross the Vosges, where you will have a challenging climb from 200 to 1200 meters in altitude – the most difficult day of this section.
Germany, Austria and the Danube Trail - Just 50 km inside Germany we arrive in Freiberg, gateway to the Black Forest. From Freiberg it is a one-day ride to Donaueschingen, the official source of the mighty Danube River. It is in Donaueschingen where we meet the Danube Cycleway, a 1357 km dedicated bicycle path that runs along the banks of the Danube River. Though generally flat, the Danube Cycleway has some sections that are not paved, but instead are hard packed dirt or gravel. Along the bike path we will discover an extensive array of services, just for cyclists, from repair shops to beer gardens. We will cycle across picturesque Bavaria to Ulm, the birthplace of Albert Einstein. From there we carry on to Linz, and then roll into Vienna. With its monumental palaces dating to the Hapsburg Empire, you can visit the city’s cathedrals, museums and opera houses, and/or tantalize your taste buds with Austrian-style schnapps, beer and pastries.
Paris to Danaueschingen
Dates: June 1, 2008 – June 9, 2008
Distance: 9 Days – 702 km
Price: EU €1,300
The adventure will begin in Paris, the City of Lights, right alongside the famous "Gare de l'Est" – from which the legendary Orient Express trains would set out for their trip eastward. After a brief cycle tour of the city – doffing our helmets at the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe – we will head for our first stop, Provins, a walled medieval town designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From Provins, the road takes us through the rolling French "Champagne" region, home of the authentic bubbly, and into Alsace, along a route dotted by spa towns, including Vittel, source of the famous French mineral water. Cycling across increasingly lush, hilly and forested terrain, we enjoy a thrilling descent down to Munster, near the French-German border. Just 50 kilometers inside Germany, we arrive in Freiberg, gateway to the Black Forest. From Freiberg it is a one-day ride to Donaueschingen, the official source of the mighty Danube River.
Vienna to Bucharest
Dates: June 23, 2008 – July 8, 2008
Distance: 16 Days – 1,355 km
Price: EU €2,350
In the short span of 18 days we will sample the delights of four of Europe’s most cosmopolitan urban centers; Vienna, Bratislava, Budapest and Bucharest. Each is a capital city, ancient and modern, rich with imperial architecture, opera houses and museums, as well as chic shopping and delightful eateries.
Inspirational classical music and delicious Viennese cream cakes await you in Vienna. Then, we are off to Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, and Budapest, once dubbed the "Pearl of the Danube." Anyone who has not visited Eastern Europe recently will be enchanted by Budapest – the latest Parisian fashions, an impressive array of international cuisine and majestic Austro-Hungarian architecture. Hungary's centuries-old spas will relax you after your journey. Visit one of the large public spas and you will observe a slice of local life in this city unlike any other.
Turning due south, still following the Danube Cycleway, we cross the plains of southern Hungary. Then, onto Romania, where beautiful hills emerge, both mesmerizing and challenging. As we move deeper into the rolling countryside, we will observe the gentle transition between western and eastern European regions, now united politically, but with enduring diversity in landscapes and traditions.
We will visit Baile Herculane, yet another one of the spa towns dotting our route, and discover why, two thousand years ago, the Romans reveled in its medicinal waters. After another good soak, we head to Bucharest, once dubbed "Paris of the East."
Bucharest to Istanbul
Dates: July 10, 2008 – July 20, 2008
Distance: 11 Days – 936 km
Price: EU €1,600
Feel the Orient drawing steadily closer as we cycle south from Bucharest to Istanbul through some of the least traveled regions of Eastern Europe. You will whiz past horse-drawn carts, observe farmers pitching hay the old fashioned way, and sip strong coffee proffered by curious villagers in rural Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey. After a day's rest in the charming Bulgarian town of Veliko Tarnovo, which clings to the steep walls of the Yantra River gorge, we turn east towards the Black Sea – reaching Varna; Bulgaria’s third largest city. Here we will enjoy the serene Black Sea beach resorts for a well deserved rest. Crossing the frontier into Turkey, we are greeted by the warmth of the Turkish people. With just a few days to experience this unique culture, the Orient Express will then make its triumphal entry to Istanbul, cycling along the Straits of the Bosphorus – the official demarcation point between Europe and Asia.
Istanbul, known in antiquity as Byzantium, and later as Constantinople, has served as the capital, over two millennia, of three famous empires. The modern city remains one of the world's most majestic, enchanting and vibrant. We will gather together for a celebratory dinner, to reflect on the epic journey just ended.
Donaueschingen to Budapest
Dates: June 10, 2008 – June 26, 2008
Distance: 17 Days - 1,357 km
Price: EU €2,500
* Please note that the Danube Trail section overlaps with other sectional offerings, including Classic Europe and Cycling the Empire.
A true journey from west to east, this section follows the Danube Cycleway, the longest dedicated bike path in the world, for a magnificent 1,357 km – crossing rural Germany, Austria and Hungary all the way to the grand city of Budapest.
The section begins in Donaueschingen, and follows the Danube, from its gently flowing sources to the mightier currents downstream – currents which have made the river the focus of song and legend.
Traveling along the relatively flat valley terrain, at a rate of about 95 km a day, you will have plenty of time for the periodic detour into nearby villages and countryside - if you choose - or restful refreshment at trail-side cafés, beer gardens, and restaurants.
Isolated from vehicular traffic, the trail carries us across picturesque Bavaria through Ulm; the birthplace of Albert Einstein. From Ulm we carry on to Linz, and then, thanks to the Cycleway, we will enjoy a hassle-free entry into Vienna, with its monumental palaces dating to the Hapsburg Empire.
After a couple of days of inspirational classical music and delicious Viennese cream cakes, we are off to Bratislava, the cosmopolitan capital of Slovakia. Another day off, and we continue on into Budapest; once dubbed the "Pearl of the Danube." Anyone who has not visited Eastern Europe recently will be enchanted by this city – combining chic and upbeat commercial/dining districts with imperial Austro-Hungarian era architecture.
Budapest to Istanbul
Dates: June 28, 2008 – July 20, 2008
Distance: 23 Days – 1,941 km
Price: EU €3,400
Anyone who has not visited Eastern Europe recently will be enchanted by Budapest – combining chic and upbeat commercial/dining districts with imperial Austro-Hungarian era architecture.
Turning due south, we cross the plains of southern Hungary and then onto Romania where the valley terrain changes to beautiful hills, both mesmerizing and challenging most cyclists. We will visit Baile Herculane, yet another one of the spa towns dotting our route, and discover why, two thousands years ago, the Romans reveled in its medicinal waters. After a good soak, we head to Bucharest, once dubbed "Paris of the East," because of its busy and cosmopolitan social scene, as well as its architecture.
From Bucharest we head further south, crossing into Bulgaria. We then turn east towards the Black Sea, reaching Varna; Bulgaria’s third largest city. After taking a well-deserved rest along the Black Sea's serene beaches, we continue biking down along the Bulgarian coast; eventually crossing into Turkey.
After a few days getting to know the friendly people of Turkey we arrive at our final destination, exotic Istanbul, straddling Europe and Asia across the Bosporus Strait. The same city, known in antiquity as Byzantine and, later, Constantinople, served as capital, in succession, of three empires. Istanbul remains one of the world's most majestic, enchanting and vibrant cities of modern-day.