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Flamingos, castles, and wild horses
Münsterland, a Bicyclist's Paradise |
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 Münsterland is a bicyclist's dream. As you ride through beautiful villages, pastures, and meadows, you will have the chance to see castles, palaces and former courts. The routes are mostly flat, well-paved bike trails, the so-called "Pättkes", that are typical of Münsterland.
In Münster itself, bicycling is the best way to go. There are no hills, directional signs are clearly marked, bike paths and lanes are clearly delineated, and the bicycle is clearly king: Bikes are allowed to pull closer to intersections and get an advance green light, in order to clear the intersection faster and safely.
Greenways are everywhere in Münster, sometimes called “The City of 1000 Gardens.” Many are along the River Aa, which flows along and through the Altstadt. Others are along the Aasee, an artificial lake built to control flooding of the Aa and now a refuge bordered by a tangle of tree-lined walkways. On summer days, a rainbow of sailboats puffs from one bank to the other.
Although the region is known in Germany for its excellent signage, some of our clients have commented that it's difficult to navigate.
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| Daily Program |
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Day 1: Münster
The marketplace, the beautiful gabled houses, the old city hall and the former bishop's palace will give you plenty to see while in the city. There is parking at the hotel, and arrival by train is also a possibility.
Day 2: Münster - Schöppingen (approx. 55 km/34 miles)
Imagine... you've just hopped on the bike and are already at the first of many sights: the beautiful Hülshoff palace, surrounded by a moat, and containing the "Droste Museum." Narrow trails through the fields will lead you past the Havixbeck house and finally into Eggerode, the flower-filled second place winner of the "beautify our village" contest.
Day 3: Schöppingen - Zwillbrock (approx. 64 km/40 miles)
As you ride, you'll pass the occasional farmhouse, far removed from its neighbors, before arriving in Ahaus where you have the chance to visit a beautiful, moated baroque palace. As you ride along the border with Holland, you'll find yourself in moors and pastures on the way to the Zwillbrocker Venn national park. Flamingos and black-headed gulls await you there!
Day 4: Zwillbrock - Raesfeld (approx. 64 km/40 miles)
So, you thought it couldn't get any better? Well, it can! Holland is perfect for bicyclists: you'll follow narrow streets and bike trails, and ride along country roads to the Weenik cheese factory, which you can tour if you're interested. Then on to the huge Vragender windmill, followed by the historic city of Bredevoort. In the afternoon, you'll find yourself back on the "road of 100 palaces," which you will follow straight to the moated palace of Raesfeld.
Day 5: Raesfeld - Coesfeld (approx. 54 km/34 miles)
The road of 100 palaces is no exaggeration: just after you leave Raesfeld, the next moated palace greets you. Welcome to the palace at Lembeck. On the palace tour, you'll have the chance to observe the baroque and Biedermeier culture before continuing past the Merfelder Bruch (Merfeld Fen), with its wild horses, to arrive in Coesfeld. In the evening, we suggest a visit to the Stephanus brewery in the middle of town.
Day 6: Coesfeld - Lüdinghausen (approx. 53 km/33 miles)
Today you'll pass through the Baumberge (lit. "Tree mountains"), the only hills in Münsterland. After a few kilometers of rolling hills, you'll be back on the flatland, following the Dortmund-Ems canal to Lüdinghausen. While you're here, don't miss the medieval fortification of Vischering castle, with its drawbridge and museum of Münsterland's history.
Day 7: Lüdinghausen - Münster (approx. 55 km/34 miles)
And now for the Pièce de résistance: the palace at Nordkirchen, known as the "Versailles of Westphalia." Not stopping here is hardly an option, as the interior decoration of the palace is masterful! For the rest of the day you will continue along the road of 100 palaces, passing the Romberg and Byink houses, and the Davensberg castle on your way to your final stop in Münster.
Day 8: Münster
All good things do, sadly, come to an end. After breakfast at the hotel, your tour is at an end.
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Self-Guided:
Accommodation with breakfast
Room with shower/bathroom/WC
Luggage transport
Bike-hiking map with marked route
Detailed route description
Tips for travel preparation
Touristic information
Guided:
7 x accommodation in comfort hotels
Tour guide on bike
Support bus
Velociped touring bike
Guided city tour Münster
Visit of the Weenink cheese factory
Trip to the wild horses
Luggage transport
Velociped picnic service
Tips for travel preparation
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Self-Guided: Fridays and Saturday: 5/1 to 10/10/2010
Guided: 7/4 and 8/1/2010
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Self-Guided:
Cat B:
Double room: €525
Single room surcharge (1 person/1 room): €120
Triple room: €508
Cat A:
Double room: €585
Single room surcharge: €165
Triple room: €566
Children's discount(under 14):
Sharing room with 2 full paying individuls: 25%
In their own room: 15%
Touring bike rental: €50
Tandem rental: €100 (per tandem)
Electrically assisted bike rental: €120
Additional night in Münster:
Cat A
Double room: €55
Single room: €90
Cat B
Double room: €46
Single room: €80
Guided:
€780
€165: Single supplement
€754: Triple room
€120: Rental bike upgrade to Electrically assisted
Children's discount(under 14):
Sharing room with 2 full paying individuls: 25%
In their own room: 15%
Additional night in Münster:
Double room: €55
Single room: €90
Minimum number of participants: 8 persons
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Fly into Frankfurt, Cologne/Bonn or Düsseldorf, or secondary airport of Münster. Easy rail access to Münster.
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BikeToursDirect does not operate any tours but represents all companies whose tours are listed on this
site. You can book this tour through BikeToursDirect at the same prices you'd pay booking directly through
the tour company. Book this tour by clicking on "Book Trip" button below, or contact us for help planning your tour.
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