7 Reasons to Take a River Cruise Biking Tour
I'm back from Europe, having completed another active river cruise. This time, I was biking and sailing with Trek Travel and Scenic. The trip on Scenic Amber, sailing from Nuremberg, Germany, to Budapest, Hungary, provided a little bit of everything. I had a luxury, all-inclusive experience on a gorgeous high-end river vessel that sails my favorite European waterway. I also came back with tired legs and a sore rump after miles of cycling with avid bikers who do this type of thing far more often than I do.
Those miles and tough hill climbs were rewarding for the sense of accomplishment we all enjoyed and also because we knew we would soon be back onboard a luxury cruise ship able to kick back and relax in all-inclusive comfort.
Trek Travel provides excellent support and the best road bikes you can imagine on the route. Each day, we got off the ship in a new location to find our bikes waiting for us to hop on and head out for our daily cycling. (Trek Travel also can provide e-assist bikes for its river cruises.)
Before every ride, our guides Wiebe and Andy fixed us up with our GPS-navigated routes so we could pedal at our own pace (paper routes also are provided as backup) without getting lost. Sure, we got off course a few times as we speeded through the countryside, but were able to quickly get re-oriented.
Snacks and drinks are also available to keep us properly fueled up. And when the day's riding is done, we head back to the ship for dinner, drinks and leisure time (that often meant a dip in the pool for many in our group).
Here is a recap of my Trek Travel and Scenic biking river cruise on the Danube, and seven great reasons you’ll like this kind of active river cruise:
1. You’ll Be Pampered in a Luxury Suite
225 square feet. I settled in to my elegant river cruise stateroom on Day 1, and I knew I would be living in comfort for the week. My Deluxe Balcony Suite measured 225 square feet with a Sun Lounge balcony, large shower, cozy bed and huge closets.
2. You Make New Biking Buddies
Aside from the awesome guides from Trek Travel, I met 16 other fellow cyclists on our adventure. It's always a pleasure to meet actively inclined people who enjoy traveling the world to see these interesting destinations from a different perspective. We had a lot of laughs while getting to know one other over the many miles, a beers and fine meals.
3. A Lot of Time in the Saddle
You have the opportunity to ride each day of the weeklong cruise. We biked on seven days. Some of my fellow riders chose to take a day off during the week to enjoy Scenic's cruise program instead of the Trek Travel biking portion. Half our group explored Vienna, for example, instead of biking. The idea is to have your vacation, your way. And combining a biking tour with the cruise gives you great options and flexibility. We pedaled for about 40 to 60 daily miles. The longest ride planned is 100 kilometers, a beastly challenge, to be sure. But most of the days have you riding about 30 miles over a mix of flat roads with a few hilly challenges.
By the end of the week, those who chose the longest route options each day accumulated at least 175 miles on the roads and paths along the Danube. Not too bad. Many of us fell into the 150 miles or fewer range, however.
4. All Equipment Is Included
Scenic Amber carries 22 e-assist bikes onboard. These are bikes for general use by any cruise passenger. There was so much interest in the guided biking excursion from Melk to Durnstein in Austria that Scenic had to rent an extra 18 bikes. That meant 40 passengers went on a fun riding outing in the Wachau Valley. For those of us in the Trek Travel biking group onboard, the hi-tech specialty bikes and helmets are provided.
5. The Little Touches that Come with 5-Star Service
My cabin steward and butler quickly noticed my preference for Diet Coke and kept my mini-fridge well stocked. (The minibar is included in your fare, so feel free to indulge on beers, sodas, waters or even liquors.) My offhand comment that I liked the ship's Manner Original Neapolitan Wafer cookies also meant that I had an endless supply in my suite.
Butlers Marcin and Aron dropped by to make sure I had everything I needed. Each cruiser on Scenic enjoys butler service, which means you can have laundry done (up to 1 kilo free), morning tea or coffee service delivered to your room, luggage unpacking and repacking and many other sweet conveniences. Unaccustomed to such extravagances, I simply had a small load of laundry done (those socks and T-shorts can get pungent after a day of biking).
Aron also surprised me with a plate full of fresh oranges when he noted that I had asked for an orange one morning at breakfast. How about that type of attention to small details? These types of touches were bringing smiles to cruisers all week while I was onboard.
6. You’ll See Beautiful European Towns Up Close
From our start in Nuremberg, we ventured to small villages in the Bavarian countryside, such as Roth, Kelheim, Schwabach, Regenburg and Passau, as well as Austrian delights like Melk, Spitz, Weissenkirchen and Durnstein. Of course, the big cities of Vienna and Budapest are highlights.
Another ride complete, and it's time to celebrate with new friends.
7. New Beers and Other Bevvies to Quench Your Thirst
Bikers enjoyed trying new drinks like Radler (lemonade beer, like a shandy), Aperol Spritzes and Apferschorle (apple juice and carbonated mineral water). My favorite refreshment when biking remains a nice cold German or Austrian lager, although I did find a dunkel or two (dark beer) that I enjoyed at certain meals.
Thanks for reading,
JR