The Danube Narrows

An Unforgettable Journey to the Heart of Bavaria

This is our most popular off-the-beaten-path tours. The Danube Narrows is where the famous river cut through a low mountain range; you take a boat ride along the river past towering cliffs and unspoiled forests. The highlight at the end of the river trip is a stop at Kloster Weltenburg, the world’s oldest monastery brewery, dating back to the 9th century. But we are getting ahead of ourselves – we have two great stops and lunch before the boat ride. The first stop has become a real favorite: we visit a castle overlooking the Altmuehl Valley for a fun and fascinating falconry show. The Altmuehl Valley is a lovely stretch of a slow moving river with several castles, castle ruins and detailed reconstructions of Celtic architecture, as well as the longest wooden bridge in Europe. The river valley is especially photogenic in the springtime and autumn.

Next up is an inside visit to the 19th century Liberation Hall, which King Ludwig I built to memorialize the victory over Napoleon. It is massive, impressive and a bit odd at the same time.

We lunch in the city of Kelheim, where the Danube and Altuehl rivers meet. Kelheim almost became the capital of Bavaria way back in the 12th century. After lunch we head straight  to the boat; the ride takes about 40 minutes. Your guide will meet you at the landing next to Weltenburg Abbey, where we normally stop for beer or coffee. The homemade cakes are simply delicious. The monks have been brewing since the year 1050!

On the way back we drive through the hops growing region and stop at a rather peculiar brewery which blends beer and art. A brewery tour can definily be arranged. All in all, it is a lovely, relaxed day trip away from the maddening crowds.

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