E-bike vacation in Germany

adminonAugust 18, 2023August 28, 2023Leave a Comment

Where to go in Germany for an e-bike vacation?

E-bike vacations in Germany are varied: In the north of Germany, it is the flat cycle paths that you can comfortably ride along on an electric bike during your vacation. In the south, it gets steeper in the hilly foothills of the Alps or even in the foothills of the Alps themselves and the nature can be enjoyed from the bike saddle of the ebike especially.

And in between there are many valleys, where the numerous river bike paths allow e-bike tours for several days. Sea, mountains, lakes and valleys – the choice for an e-bike vacation is large!

E-biking by the sea

E-biking in Germany at the sea
Especially nice for e-biking are of course the bike paths by the sea, where you can look from the bike directly on the beaches and the sea – and when it's warm enough, get off the e-bike and off into the sea to swim. From the Baltic seaside resorts you can cycle around and look for the most beautiful beaches.

Even the cities like Lubeck, Stralsund with the red brick facades are problematic to drive around with e-bikes. The annoying search for a parking space is not necessary and in one day you can experience the most beautiful corners of these hanseatic cities so comfortably. This can also be done quite comfortably at the North Sea. If you want, you can take your bike to the islands of Sylt, Norderney or Fohr. For those who find e-bike transportation too strenuous: some rental companies offer e-bike rentals there as well.

Baltic Sea e-biking

Cycling on the Baltic Sea with an electric bike
If you have several days to spare, you can explore the Baltic Coastal Cycle Route by electric bike. On 1075 kilometers you can e-bike from Flensburg to the island of Usedom. Thanks to the electric bike here even the steeper climbs in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern lose their terror. The cycle path always runs along the Baltic Sea coast, so that you can really see the sea – something you could never experience in a car or by train. And thanks to the support of electric bicycles, even those who are less fit can enjoy this landscape experience: sandy beaches, steeply sloping coasts and cliffs paired with the maritime ambience.

Baltic Sea Coastal Cycle Route with E-bike

From Flensburg via Eckernforde to Kiel and then along the Kieler Buch to fashionable seaside resorts Scharbeutz, Timmendorfer Strand and Travemunde. Before continuing on to Boltenhagen, it is worth taking a detour to Lubeck. Then continue with the E-bike to Wismar, Kuhlungsborn and Warnemunde on the way to Fischland and Darb, before with Stralsund the entrance to the island of Rugen, the goal of the Baltic Sea cycle track is reached. In Rugen the chalk cliffs are a special attraction. Enough of the sea, I also like the mountains quite well.
-> www.chalk cliffs-ruegen.com

E biking in the Alps

E-biking Germany in the mountains
In the south of Germany new possibilities arise with an E-bike in the E-bike vacation. The motor support allows longer bike trips than with normal bikes. Many holidaymakers can enjoy a cycling vacation in the mountains at all with the e-bike.

Until now, a cycling vacation in the mountains was simply too strenuous. However, when going on an e-bike vacation in the mountains, it is important to choose tours that allow you to change the battery on the way according to the range of the individual e-bike. Because if you are standing in the middle of the mountains with an empty battery, ebiking is no fun anymore. Pedaling is even more exhausting than with a bike and in the mountains you don't have so many places to go for help.

Even descending steep sections of trail takes a bit of practice and good brakes. Moderate e-bike tours can be undertaken in the foothills of the Alps in the Chiemgau region. Here, for example, on electric bike vacation can ride around the Chiemsee and enjoy the view of Kampenwand, Hochgern and Hochfelln. If you want to go further into the mountains, there are tours for electric bikes around Berchtesgaden – by the way, this region was one of the first ebike regions in Germany. A very popular area for an e-bike vacation with mountains and lakes is the Karwendel around Mittenwald, Krun and Wallgau. Kilometers long is the large cycling network, where you can go to 10 mountain lakes with the e-bike! A dream.
-> the Karwendel

Lake Constance Konigssee bike trail with e-bike

As a long-distance cycle path with electric bike along the mountains of Germany is the Bodensee Konigssee Radweg to be mentioned. On 410 kilometers between Lake Constance and Konigssee you will find some of the most beautiful natural sights on the edge of the Alps. The Alpsee, Tegernsee, Schliersee and also the Chiemsee are to be seen. The lakes alone would each be an e-bike region and a great destination for ebike vacations.

We have moved on. A week ago we left Myanmar and flew from Yangon to Bangkok (with Nok Air for only 30 euros per person). Because the Thai food is so tasty (papaya salad!) and because I had to go to the doctor, we stayed a few more days in Bangkok.

We spent the night at the Penang Palace for 20 Euro per night. The hotel is located in a super area where we hardly saw other tourists (MRT stop Queen Sirikit National Convention Center). In addition, there is a huge market with a huge selection of fruits and other delicacies. And it is also not far to the city center. A really great area.

Most beautiful hospital ever: Bangkok Nursing Home Hospital

Next tip: If you ever need to go to the doctor in Bangkok, go to the Bangkok Nursing Home Hospital. It is the hammer! Really! We thought we had landed in a 5-star hotel. There is a kind of porter there, cars are parked, cab doors are held open, the nurses wear pretty little costumes with hoods and everything is so fancy and nice to look at. Incredibly great. I went to a dermatologist and then had to pay a total of 48 euros (including medication and measuring blood pressure).

12-hour bus ride to Nong Khai

From Bangkok we took the bus in northeast direction. Our destination was the border town Nong Khai. The bus trip takes almost 12 hours during the day, but the bus was great. The seats were wide and comfortable, we got snacks, rice with meat, juice and water and in the afternoon again a sweet cake. For this the driver did not take any food breaks. We paid 506 Baht per person (approx. 13 Euro).

In Nong Khai we spent another 3 nights before we went by bus to Laos. The city is located directly on the Mekong River, where you can take a nice walk and have a nice dinner in the evening. During the day we rented bicycles (for 100 Baht, ca. 2,50 Euro) and went to the sculpture park Sala Kaew Ku. There I was almost exactly 10 years ago already once with my parents.

Sculpture Park_Nong_Khai_Thailand_travel2eat (6)

Arrival in Laos

We have then the 10. Entering country of our world trip: Laos. From Nong Khai we took a tuk tuk for 60 baht (1,50 Euro) to the Friendship Bridge and there we got on a bus (15 baht per person) which took us to the other side of the bridge.

Getting the visa was no problem: just fill out a piece of paper, give it together with a photo and 30 US dollars to an official and wait a short time for the stamp – done. A tuk tuk took us afterwards for 100 baht (2,50 Euro) to Laos' capital Vientiane, where we had a very turbulent start. But I will tell you about it in detail another time. On the blog in the near future everything will be about the former Burma (Myanmar).

In 2011, after 15 years of a boycott to escape the repression of the military junta, Myanmar opened its doors to visitors. The country, which now has a democratically elected government, is improving its tourism infrastructure, but still has trouble handling the huge influx of visitors.

If you're thinking of traveling to Myanmar, these tips will help you maximize your stay in this culturally rich nation with some of the most hospitable people you're likely to encounter.

1. Book in advance

Although more and more new hotels are popping up, there is still a shortage of accommodations in the most popular destinations in Myanmar.

Standards tend to be lower and prices higher than in other Southeast Asian countries, so be prepared, spend a little more and look for the recommended locations.

Dormitories are sometimes available and range from ca. $ 10-20. Low-key guesthouse rooms go for $15-30 (though the lower end is usually pretty shabby), while mid-range rooms go for anything from $50-100.

Especially in high season (October to March), it's a good idea to book well in advance to get the best options and bring your reservation documents with you. You'll lose some of the spontaneity of backpacking, but it's worth it to get a comfortable night's rest.

2. Earplugs or noise-canceling headphones are essential

Trains in Myanmar are very slow. Buses are faster and cheaper, but keep in mind that music videos, romantic movies, or dramatic soap operas are broadcast at maximum volume from the in-flight TV. While the other passengers may find it very entertaining, you might feel differently; invest in some noise-canceling headphones or wax earplugs to preserve your health.

3. Travel by boat

If you decide to take a domestic flight, note that it is cheaper to book through agencies once you are in Myanmar than from outside the country. Buses can be the fastest way to get around after flying, but they are also bumpy, noisy and often uncomfortable.

Boat routes conveniently connect some major destinations and allow tourists to travel at their leisure and see a bit of country life on the riverside. Popular routes are Mandalay to Bagan, Yangon to Ngwe Saung and Dawei to Kawthaung / Ranong.

4. Watch out for no-go zones

Conflict between various ethnic armed groups in northern Shan, Kachin and Rakhine states means parts of these regions are off limits to tourists. Armed clashes have occurred in border areas with Thailand, Laos and China, so extra caution is advised in these areas.

Permits are available for some restricted areas. You do, however, need to apply at least a month in advance with authorized tour agents. For up-to-date information on the region and a list of tour operators, visit myanmartourism.org.

5. Bring cash

ATMs are available in more cities and tourist areas, but you shouldn't count on being able to withdraw cash everywhere (plus a $5 fee on top of your bank fee). So bring plenty of US dollars. You can easily change dollars to kyats once you arrive.

Food, drink and transportation are paid for in kyats, while both currencies can be used for more expensive services such as hotel rooms, trekking and tours.

More upscale hotels usually have credit card machines, and banknotes must be in absolutely pristine condition – dollar bills with bills, wrinkles or tears are not accepted.

6. BBQ it

You may find that Burmese food is not quite the same as its neighbors: It can lack the freshness and inventiveness of Thai cuisine and the depth and variety of flavor of Indian curries.

This doesn't mean it's impossible to find a decent meal, but – much like accommodation – you should do your research to find the tastiest places to eat.

A reliable, easy and popular option is to go to food stalls that serve a selection of different meats, fish and seafood that you choose, drop into a basket and are grilled right in front of you. Yangon's 19. Street and the night market in Nyaungshwe on Inle Lake offer lots of fresh, appetizing foods.

7. Don't rely on Wi-Fi

Wifi in Myanmar is very limited. Even in upscale hotels, connections are often spotty and very slow. However, SIM cards have become much cheaper since 2014, and if you buy one, you can use 3G relatively cheaply.

Don't expect to find 3G coverage everywhere, however. It is important to take a guidebook with you to make sure you are never without accommodation, food options and to find your way around without the internet.

8. Burma or Myanmar? Know your names

The military junta renamed the country Myanmar in 1989 on the grounds that Burma was a colonial name. Some countries still officially call it Burma, and even the co-ruling party, the National League for Democracy, prefers Burma. Every day, most locals will call Myanmar. During the visit you can use both interchangeably.

9. Think before you speak

The first democratically elected government came to power in early 2016 after decades of military rule. Yet the military still holds about a third of government offices, and the country has a long way to go before people can freely express their views without fear of retribution.Discussing politics with Burmese citizens remains a touchy subject and people are still afraid of getting into trouble.

On the other hand, a great way to get a better understanding of modern life and culture in Myanmar is to engage people in conversation about their lives in general and how quickly the country is changing – without directly asking about politics.

Burmese people are exceptionally friendly, warm and welcoming; don't miss the opportunity to get to know your hosts while you are there.

Explore Myanmar with the Rough Guide to Myanmar. Compare flights, find tours, book hostels and hotels for your trip, and don't forget to buy travel insurance before you go.