Scenic Cruises and Trek Travel Team Up for Awesome Cycling Adventures Along the Rivers of Europe
12/27/2017
Scenic and its partner Trek Travel are pumping up their river cruise cycling program and increasing the number of dedicated departures. Trek and Scenic will offer 11 adventure voyages in 2018, and avid bikers can enjoy exploring the town of Engelhartszell, home to the only Trappist monastery in Austria, and refuel with a gourmet lunch.
I joined Scenic and Trek Travel for one of the most challenging and fun trips of my life as we pedaled in the hills along the Danube River.
Read more about my Scenic and Trek Travel river cruise journey: Riding Along the Danube River
Scenic and Trek are offering these types of itineraries and more next year. You can soak up the beauty of the dramatic Rhine Gorge while cycling past the south-facing vineyards and grabbing a drink at Rheinfels Castle. On these trips, you also have the option to use an electric-assist bike -- for those who might need a boost up those hills during the weeklong cruises.
Six Gems of the Danube sailings — between Budapest and Nuremberg — run from late May through the end of August. And five Rhine Highlights cruises journey between Amsterdam and Basel and begin in mid-May and run until the end of September.
The Trek Travel group makes its home onboard Scenic's luxury ship among the cruise line's other passengers who are not doing the biking subcharter. This means the bikers get to enjoy all the benefits of a luxury river cruise, including spacious rooms, gourmet food and the onboard entertainment and drinks as well as daily 12- to 60-mile explorations on Trek Domane SL7 carbon fiber road bikes.
The seven-night "Bike & River Cruise" sailings include all the luxuries and inclusions of Scenic's award-winning river cruises plus daily route support with experienced cycling guides, equipment transport and Trek Travel picnics and/or bistro lunches.
Cycling highlights on the "Gems of the Danube" include winding through the timbered hamlets of Furth and Erlangen and sampling beers from the area, which boasts the highest density of breweries in the world.
You may also cycle along the vineyards of the Wachau Region, discovering Vienna's most-loved cycling routes, including the heavily forested range of hills known as the Vienna Woods, or explore the rich architecture of Budapest's Buda hills.
Non-cycling excursions include a walking tour of Cesky Krumlov or Salzburg and a Budapest city tour or thermal baths and spa experience, while the exclusive "Scenic Enrich" event is a private concert in one of Vienna's impressive Palais Liechtenstein.
Cruisers experience the epicurean and cultural delights of the Rhine River on the "Rhine Highlights" itinerary. Visiting four countries, this trip stops at the major cities of Strasbourg in France, Koblenz and Cologne in Germany, and Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Cyclists take in the Alsace wine route, tasting Rieslings and Pinot Gris along the way.
The best part, though, is pedaling the beautiful Rhine Gorge with its castle and vineyard dotted landscape as you discover the bike trails of Cologne and partake in a cheese tasting tour through Amsterdam's countryside. If you need a break from the bike, you can choose from an array of "Scenic Freechoice" excursions including a "Sweet Tastes" tour of Heidelberg and a trip to the town of Cochem. All passengers partake in the exclusive "Scenic Enrich" event: a private tour and classical concert at the Baroque period Mannheim Palace.
The 5-star Scenic Space-Ships offer truly all-inclusive luxury experiences — from private butler service and unlimited complimentary beverages and spirits including mini-bar re-stocked daily, to up to six dining options, including fine dining at Table La Rive and Portobello and more casual fare at the River Cafe. Full-size private balcony staterooms all make use of Scenic's unique Sun Lounge technology — where the walkout open-air balcony can convert to an all-weather lounge with a push of a button.
It's not too early to start getting those legs ready for one of these cycling adventures?
Thanks for reading.
Travel fit. Travel happy. Travel often.
JR