Did you know that many river cruise boats carry bicycles on board for guests to use? The bicycles are (or should be) well-maintained and capable of fitting guests of all sizes. Your ship often will have helmets and, of course, a liability form for you to fill out. If you’re squeamish about wearing a helmet that someone else has worn, carry your personal bike helmet. Simply strap it onto the outside of your carry-on luggage so that it doesn’t take up precious space inside your luggage. Or pack a foldable helmet. You’ll need to ask your local bike shop or do a web search for those.
Nearly all ships carry “old-school” bikes, with upright handlebars and a bell for you to ding when passing pedestrians on shared bike paths and greenways. Europeans are generally bike-savvy and bike-aware, meaning that even automobile drivers look out for you. Contending with cars, however, is usually not a problem because Europe has thousands of miles of dedicated bike roads, and many of those roads are along the rivers that you’ll be river cruising.
Having access to a functioning bicycle makes it easy to straddle a saddle for an adventure on your own. If you’re not comfortable with that, many cruise companies offer guided bicycle tours, at no extra charge. These are good options for folks who feel more secure riding with a group – and a group leader who’s sure to get you back to the ship in time for lunch.
I’ve done both types of riding, independent and group, and I have even taken it up a notch by traveling on AmaWaterways with Backroads, which bills itself as “The World’s #1 Active Travel Company.” Backroads uses the ship as its luxury boutique hotel and stages tours each day from the ship.
One of my best trips ever was in 2016, while traveling with my son Alex as we cruised the Danube on AmaSonata with Backroads delivering each day’s cycling adventure. You can see the joy in our faces in the photo below. Read the story here, En Route To AmaSonata, By Bicycle With Backroads Along The Danube.
I’ve pedaled along the Rhine, the Rhone, the Danube, the Seine and in the Bordeaux region. AmaWaterways and Avalon Waterways have taken me on many of these cycling adventures. Both companies realize the importance of active excursions, and their bikes have always been in great shape when I rode them. Both companies also offers guided tours, as mentioned, at no additional charge.
On one cruise, with Tauck, I pedaled 60 miles from Passau to Linz. That was a memorable – and exhausting – day. The beer that I had in Linz as I watched the ship pull in was as good as it gets. On that river cruise, other guests began to notice how much fun I was having and wanted to join me. The story of one guest who did just that is worth reading at the link below.
As a means of exploring along the rivers, bicycling can be efficient and rewarding. But the bike is also a means of therapy, mentally and physically, and we could all use a little therapy, right?
Five years ago, at the tender age of 60 , I was diagnosed with bone-on-bone arthritis in my right knee. My knee bothered me when I hiked, particularly downhill, but never, ever even hurt a smidgen when I biked. No matter how hard I pushed the pedals, my knee was compliant and complicit. In fact, it felt as though cycling were healing me.
Sure, one day I will need knee replacement, but bicycling is helping me kick the can down the road, and I’m all for kicking cans down roads – or maybe a more apt metaphor, pushing the pedals down the river.
In 2024, I will host a trip on AmaWaterways that will offer cycling excursions while cruising my favorite European rivers. See below for more information.
What's a Dream Cruise? It's river cruise that pulls together the best of Europe. For me, that's traveling in comfort along enchanting waterways, with multiple opportunities for destination immersion, cultural encounters, pedaling and hiking – and sharing the experience with others who are passionate about travel.
It's also a river cruise of the proper duration. As our readers know, seven nights is just too short for a fully satisfying experience. My Dream Cruise spans 18 nights, with optional pre- and post-cruise extensions. If that’s too long for you, opt for 11 nights.
Our floating boutique hotel will be AmaWaterways' AmaPrima. When she debuted in 2013, I wrote a piece called 12 Things To Like About The New AmaPrima. The lovely AmaPrima features 82 cabins and accommodation for 164 guests.
All staterooms have river views and more than half feature AmaWaterways' unique twin balconies, comprised of a French balcony plus a walkout balcony. I enjoyed the white marble bathrooms with glass-enclosed, multi-jet showers and granite countertops.
The ship features two restaurants: the Main Restaurant and The Chef's Table, which features regionally inspired menus. You have the option to dine at the reservations-only Chef's Table at least two times during our 18-night Dream Cruise. There is no additional charge for dining in this aft-situated upscale restaurant. The Chef’s Table is surrounded by windows and offers spectacular views of the rivers.
But as nice as AmaPrima is, the ship is not the star of the show. The stars are the three rivers, the destinations along them and the activities available to us each day. The Main and Moselle rank among my favorite rivers in all of Europe. In one post, I called the Moselle: Europe's Most Beautiful River – At Least During The Fall. The Main is equally as charming.
While I prefer active excursions (and there will be plenty of those for us), you need not be at a high fitness level to enjoy the Dream Cruise. We'll have excursions and tours for any level of fitness, whether you're mobility challenged or fit as a fiddle.
Category | Configuration | Square Feet | Per Person | # Available |
E | Fixed Window | 160 | $10,898 | 5 |
D | Fixed Window | 160 | $11,696 | 11 |
C | French Balcony | 170 | $14,246 | 16 |
BB | Twin Balcony | 210 | $15,796 | 15 |
BA | Twin Balcony | 210 | $16,296 | 10 |
AB | Twin Balcony | 235 | $16,846 | 10 |
AA | Twin Balcony | 235 | $17,396 | 10 |
AA+ | Twin Balcony | 290 | $18,896 | 1 |
SS | Twin Balcony | 300 | $20,696 | 3 |
Ready to join me next autumn? Complete the form below and I’ll reach out to you with more information.
After you submit, I will reach out to you via email with more information. You are under no obligation to purchase.
NOTES:
Important Dates, prices & itineraries are subject to change.
Port Charges not included in cruise price $224 per person.
Single Supplement for Cruise 50% of twin price; AA+ and Suite 100% of twin price.
Single Supplement for Land A single supplement charge will be applied to pre- and post-cruise hotel extensions. Please contact me for pricing details.
Bedding Please let me know bedding configuration at the time of booking. The Options are: Option A: Two twin beds Option B: One large bed (larger than queen size).
All rates are per person for cruise only, based on double occupancy in an entry level category stateroom unless stated otherwise. Offer is valid on select sailings only and applicable to new bookings only. Unless explicitly stated that single supplement is waived, solo travelers in a double occupancy stateroom must pay an additional single supplement amount before receiving any discounts. Ask about Solo Traveler promotions. Offer is not combinable with any other promotions/discounts, limited to availability, capacity controlled and subject to change or termination without notice. Port charges, land programs and round-trip airfare are not included in cruise price. Other restrictions apply.
NOTES:
Important Dates, prices & itineraries are subject to change.
Port Charges not included in cruise price $330 per person.
Single Supplement for Cruise 50% of twin price; AA+ and Suite 100% of twin price.
Single Supplement for Land A single supplement charge will be applied to pre- and post-cruise hotel extensions. Please call for pricing details.
Bedding Please select bedding configuration at the time of booking. The Options are: Option A: Two twin beds Option B: One large bed (larger than queen size).
All rates are per person for cruise only, based on double occupancy in an entry level category stateroom unless stated otherwise. Offer is valid on select sailings only and applicable to new bookings only. Unless explicitly stated that single supplement is waived, solo travelers in a double occupancy stateroom must pay an additional single supplement amount before receiving any discounts. Ask about Solo Traveler promotions. Offer is not combinable with any other promotions/discounts, limited to availability, capacity controlled and subject to change or termination without notice. Port charges, land programs and round-trip airfare are not included in cruise price.
Your Travel Advisor |
|||
Leaders In Travel, Ltd., A member of Tzell Travel Group 516-829-0880 Email: info@leadersintravel.com 29 Wimbledon Dr. Roslyn, New York 11576 Our Agency Website |
|||