The former free city of Ulm owns a remarkable symbol: the Minster, with the tallest church spire in the world (161 metres). With the Minster towering above, you can wander through the romantic fishermen's and tanners´ quarters, past half-timbered buildings several hundred years old and picturesque bridges.

In contrast you might like to follow the modern art trail at the university and visit the works of art on the banks of the Danube. However, Ulm is definitely not a museum: together with its younger partner-city New-Ulm, the city exudes joie de vivre and warmly welcomes its visitors.

Another eldorado for touring cyclists begins just beyond Ulm. Passing through pastures of the Donaumoos nature conservation area, you will find sleepy towns - former royal seats - such as Günzburg with its picturesque market place, Lauingen, Dillingen and finally Donauwörth. This pearl on the popular Romantic Road will stimulate your love of art and your passion for leisure. Visit the Käthe Kruse Museum or enjoy the "Donauwörth Cultural Festival" in autumn. And from Donauwörth there are wonderful excursions into the valleys of the River Wörnitz, along the Romantic Road southwards or northwards or along the Via Claudia Augusta.

Sitting in splendour atop a Jurassic cliff in the Donaumoos basin region is Neuburg, historically important as a city of the Renaissance. The palace is the outstanding cultural sight. And there is always something happening in Neuburg: at the end of January around two thousand "carnival fools" plunge into the icy Danube for a swim, but also the traditional Fischerstechen contest in May and the Neuburg Potato Market at the beginning of October are definite highlights. A little further down the river you come to Ingolstadt where you can find not only idyllic Danube riverside pastures and two picturesque royal castles but also the new museum mobile at the Audi Forum. This takes you back in time to the pioneering age of the motor car and brings its history to life in a multimedia presentation.