Lionheart

Richard the Lionheart is remembered as an iconic hero of the English-speaking world. It is little known, however, that he didn’t speak English, hated living in England and at one stage said: “I would sell London if I could find a buyer!” Our Lionheart tour promises to provide us with some of the best riding and history yet, adventuring from Italy, into Austria, Germany and finally France.

When defeated fighting in The Crusades in the Middle East, Lionheart was returning home to France when he was shipwrecked just off Venice in 1192. It is in this stunning city where we start to follow in his footsteps. Heading north, be ready to hit some serious mountains through the spectacular Dolomites and Austrian Alps. We will ride some of the most famous passes in Europe, and on to Vienna, where Lionheart was captured.

Make your way along the banks of the Danube River, and tough it again through the Austrian Alps and Bavarian Germany. See for yourself the fortresses where Lionheart was held captive and visit a few of Europe's best castles. While being immersed in the culture of these diverse and fantastic regions, work up an appetite to experience the mouth-watering delights they offer. Then take it to another amazing level, when you hit France and ride through the vineyard-clad rolling hills of the Alsace, Burgundy and Loire, following Richard to his resting place in Fontevraud Abbey, near Tours (1.2 hrs by TGV to Paris).

This tour undeniably encompasses some of the most beautiful riding routes, scrumptious food and wine regions, and spectacular castles of Europe.

Start in Venice, Europe's most famous city of canals
Ride into Prosecco country, vine clad hills, beautiful Italian villas and an excellent foodies' send off!
Ride the best of the Dolomites - the Sella Ronda, Passo Giau, Falzerago and the unforgettable San Boldo
Ride the lesser known, but equally epic, Austrian Alps including the Grossglockner, one of Europe's most challenging and best climbs!
Austria's Rax National Park - few ride out of it not wondering if they have ever ridden anywhere better
Stay in Durnstein on the Danube, where Lionheart was imprisoned, in the heart of the spectacular Wachau Region
Take in a palace or cathedral on your rest day in the gorgeous cities of Vienna and Salzburg (shuttle into town from hotels on the Danube and in the mountains)
Enjoy the best bike paths in Europe through Austria and Germany - truly exceptional riding including along the magnificent Danube, one of Europe’s best rivers
Stay in stunning accommodation - castles, spas, boutique hotels and local delights

Explore Europe's number 1 best castle - Neuschwanstein
Climb to the Eagle's Nest - Hitler's retreat in the mountains, take on the Kitzhbuhler Horn and roll through Tyrol one of the most beautiful regions in Europe
Ride along stunning Lake Constance and through the Allgäu for amazing cycling landscapes
Climb through Germany's Black Forest, famous for its spas, cuckoo clocks and Grimm's fairy tales!
Cross from beer to wine regions as we roll into France into the stunning vineyard-clad hills of the Alsace, known for both
Climb the Ballon d'Alsace as our final haute categorie climb...or explore, the choice is yours.
Cruise through Burgundy along the Grands Crus Wine Route, one of France's principle and best wine-producing areas
Explore and admire Europe's intriguing history of castles and Chateaux in the Loire
Ride in Lionheart’s footsteps to Fontevraud Abbey, home to Eleanor of Aquitaine and burial place of the Plantagenets but finish by bike in Paris!

Stage	2025	Days	Distance*	Elevation*	Cost (Euros)
Stage 1. Venice-Durnstein-Salzburg	19 June - 4 July	16/15 (days/nights)	1266 km / 787 miles	19,888m / 65,249ft	EUR 7980
Stage 2. Salzburg-Burgundy-Paris	4 - 21 July	18/17 (days/nights)	1525 km / 948 miles	15,861m / 52,037ft	EUR 9300
Odyssey. Venice to Paris	19 June - 21 July	33/32 (days/nights)	2791 km / 1734 miles	35,749 m / 1117,287ft	EUR 16,500

Stage	Stage 1. Venice to Salzburg	Stage 2. Salzburg to Paris	Odyssey. Venice to Paris
2025	19 June - 4 July	4 - 21 July	19 June - 21 July
Nights	15	17	32
Distance	1266 km	1525 km	2791 km
Elevation	19,888 m	15,861 m	35,749 m
Grading*	5 x	4 x	4 x
Cost	EUR 7980	EUR 9150	EUR 16,500

Lionheart's route promises a heavenly tour for your tastebuds. Our first week takes us from the delectable seafood of Italy's Veneto, to the hearty mountain food of Austrian's Tyrol (bacon and cheese dumplings - perfect cycling fuel!) We then head to the flatter lands of Germany where their world renowned beer will sate your well deserved thirst! Rolling into France, you will explore the exquisite food and wine these regions are famous for. The only dilemma you will face is whether you can try it all?!

Richard, king of England from 1189 to 1199, later known as the 'Lion Heart' was a hero to his subjects and remains an iconic figure in England today.

He was born on 8 September 1157 in Oxford, son of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. With his brothers and family he fought in the great rebellion against their father in 1173. In 1183 his brother Henry died, leaving Richard heir to the throne. Henry II wanted to give Aquitaine to his youngest son, John. Richard refused and, in 1189, joined forces with Philip II of France against his father, hounding him to a premature death in July 1189.

He possessed considerable political and military ability. However, as king, Richard's chief ambition was to join the Third Crusade, prompted by Saladin's capture of Jerusalem in 1187. To finance this, he sold sheriffdoms and other offices and in 1190 he departed for the Holy Land. In May, he reached Cyprus where he married Berengaria, daughter of the king of Navarre. Richard arrived in the Holy Land in June 1191 and Acre fell the following month. In September, his victory at Arsuf gave the crusaders possession of Joppa. Although he came close, Jerusalem, the crusade's main objective, eluded him. Moreover, fierce quarrels among the French, German and English contingents provided further troubles. After a year of stalemate, Richard made a truce with Saladin and started his journey home.

Bad weather drove him ashore near Venice and he was imprisoned by Duke Leopold of Austria in Dürnstein castle before being handed over to the German emperor Henry VI, who ransomed him for the huge sum of 150,000 marks. The raising of the ransom was a remarkable achievement which bankrupted England. In February 1194, Richard was released. He returned at once to England and was crowned for a second time, fearing that the ransom payment had compromised his independence. Yet a month later he went to Normandy, never to return. His last five years were spent in intermittent warfare against Philip II. While besieging the castle of Châlus in central France he was fatally wounded and died on 6 April 1199. He was succeeded by his younger brother John, who had spent the years of Richard's absence scheming against him.

*Image above is from a 13th-century manuscript showing an imaginary encounter between Richard the Lionheart and Saladin.

A personal challenge with 5 star back up! Routes were fantastic; every day slightly different. Scenery, roads and gradients constantly varied. Great riding always. Food was beyond expectations…even for veggos! The accommodation was luxurious. Last, but certainly not least, the guides. I would do future tours for the guides alone! Loved the history and Sam’s calm approach to the day to day, no matter what.

Sarah Rawlinson, Lionheart 2022

Amazing way to see the world with a fantastic company. I recommend this trip to everyone!

Steve Ball, Lionheart 2019

Had the best guides on the best roads, the accommodation was second to none, navigation was spot on and the food was exceptional!

Scott James, Lionheart 2019

I just did the Lionheart tour. The Bike Odyssey routes, accommodation, food and history talks – all amazing. But what made the trip outstanding was that Sam and his team went the extra mile (often literally!) to keep us safe, healthy and happy.

Dean Jackson, Lionheart 2019

Fantastic trip and fantastic attention to detail from the team. Bike Odyssey sweats the details so you can just enjoy the riding, eating and the views.

Ross Ditchfield, Lionheart 2019

The best in the business – sensational, organised and professional sums up the Bike Odyssey Team. The route planning is impeccable taking in the quiet roads and stunning scenery. Every day ends in another top class and unique accommodation with tasty regional food and wine. Nothing to think about once on the trip except the all important riding your bike.

Chris Jallard, Lionheart 2019

Outstanding scenery, accommodation and food. Everything is taken care of for you, just get on your bike and enjoy the amazing scenery and excellent roads with very little traffic.
Thanks Sam and everyone at Bike Odyssey for a truly memorable holiday.

Tony Rigney, Lionheart 2019

Extremely happy. Awesome route and on-road support, fantastic accommodation and food. As good as Hannibal which was my best overseas experience to date.

John Cullity, Lionheart 2019

The trip was simply brilliant. The team were outstanding in their organisation and I always felt respected and very safe on the road. Our bikes and gear were well cared for, the food and accommodation was amazing, the riding routes extremely well scouted and thought through. I highly recommend Bike Odyssey and look forward to enjoying another adventure with them in future.

Mich Jones, Lionheart 2019

Hands down the best holiday I have had. Great food and accommodation, unbelievable levels of support from the Bike Odyssey team and the ability to completely unplug for large stints each day made this an epic break.

I’ll definitely be back.

Adam Somerville, Lionheart 2019

If there was an option to rate 6 star, I would!

What an experience – there is nothing I would change. From start to finish, the location, the rides, the seamless transfers of my gear each day, the fantastic group of people riding, and the brilliant guides supporting us daily. I cannot wait to book another tour. Yes it is the only bike tour I have done, however, pretty certain it rates as one of the best.

Michelle Ball, Lionheart 2019

Having toured with Sam and team on Hannibal in 2017 we signed up again in 2019 for another custom tour. The quality of the whole experience was impressive, from the route choice on the most scenic and quiet roads to the exceptional accommodation and regional food. All done in a relaxed way made us feel we were in safe hands.

Paul Traynor, Hannibal Custom Tour

Sam and the Bike Odyssey team exceeded our expectations on every level. Each and every day of our first European cycle adventure delivered memories of people and places that will last a lifetime. A test of mind and body, but a rich and rewarding experience that has whet the appetite for more of the same. We’ll be back.

Michael and Louise Clifton, Lionheart 2018

Without a doubt your guides are the best I’ve had on any tour, and I’ve ridden more tours than I can count across the US, Europe and South America. This is what will keep me coming back to Odyssey tours. Also extremely important – willingness to let riders leave whenever they want in the morning and have the bikes out and ready to ride early. Much appreciated.

Wayne Riley, Lionheart 2018

See all our testimonials

Lionheart – Venice to Paris

VENICE TO PARIS