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The landscapes of the Middle Rhine Valley could easily be mistaken for fairytale illustrations. Lined with pretty riverside villages, steep vineyards, and what seems like a castle on nearly every hilltop, exploring the World Heritage listed region is a magical experience. Numerous romantic castles and fortresses have been built along the banks of the Rhine between Cologne and Mainz, and they all have exciting stories to tell. Travelling by bike and barge is the perfect way to explore this beautiful and historic region, allowing you to soak in the beauty from both land and water. On this week long cycle tour you will have the chance to explore the picture-perfect towns of Koblenz and Rudesheim and the cities of Cologne and Mainz. You will cycle past the merging point of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers at Koblenz, Drachenburg Castle, and the fortress of Marksburg, the only hilltop castle of the middle Rhine that has never been destroyed. In the evenings you can relax on board the barge, enjoying the idyllic scenery and camaraderie of like-minded cyclists, all while indulging in regional delicacies and a glass of the local wines.
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97kg of CO2-e PP per day
(680kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)
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Day 1
Arrive Cologne, board the boat
Make your way to Cologne and the boat for embarkation at 4:00 pm. The crew will be waiting on board to welcome you. Enjoy the evening on board or stroll to one of the nearby pubs with views over the river and enjoy a Kölsch beer. Don't miss a visit to the Dom, Cologne's UNESCO World Heritage listed Gothic cathedral. Time permitting, climb its tower for great views of the city and river. Cologne has a great night life - bars, cafes, restaurants and shops and is easy to get around. There are also some good art museums, and a chocolate museum!
Meals: D
Day 2
Cycle to the city of Beethoven, Bonn (37km/23mi)
Before heading out on the cycle today, you can take the opportunity to walk through Cologne's old town and cathedral. Afterwards you will cycle to Bonn, the city of Beethoven. This federal city and former capital of Germany still has international flair. Along the way you can visit the leisure island Groov amidst a vast landscape of the Rheinaue wetland in the Cologne suburb Porz-Zundorf. In Bonn there are museums of interest such as the House of History, the Bundeskunsthalle and House of Beethoven. You can also visit the Bundesviertel on the ‘Path of Democracy’ in the former Government Quarter of Bonn.
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3
Continue to Andernach via Drachenburg Castle (45km/28mi)
The cycle today will lead you to Andernach. Along the way you will pass through Konigswinter with its Drachenburg Castle on the Drachenfels (steep ascent), and the Sea Life aquarium with more than 6,000 sea inhabitants. Today's destination is Andernach, famous for the world's largest cold water geyser - it has an impressive 60m (196ft) fountain.
Day 4
Cycle to Koblenz (25km/15.5mi)
On today's cycle you will find Engers Castle in Neuwied, built around the 17th century. Continue to the famous "Deutsche Eck" (German corner) where the Moselle river merges with the Rhine river at Koblenz. Another place of interest is the Ehrenbreitstein fortress, which you can reach by cable car across the river (tickets available for purchase on board).
Day 5
Through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley to St Goar/St Goarhausen (38km/24mi)
Today you cycle through the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, known for its castles, historic towns and vineyards. Pass the romantic fortress Marksburg, the only hilltop castle of Middle Rhine which has never been destroyed. Continue to Boppard with its fortress Kurfürstliche Burg, before reaching St Goar. Here you will find the ruins of the fortress Rheinfels, the largest of its kind along the Rhine. Also worth visiting are the fortresses of Katz und Maus (cat and mouse) in St Goarshausen on the other side of the river.
Day 6
Pass beautiful castles en route to Rudesheim (32km/20mi)
You will cycle past more beautiful castles today including Burg Reichenstein and Burg Rheinstein, and the famous rock Loreley, before reaching Rudesheim. Rudesheim has beautiful half-timbered houses and we recommend exploring the historic town on foot. Alternatively, treat yourself with a ride on the cable car (payable locally) up to the Niederwald monument, for beautiful views over the old town and the river.
Day 7
Cycle to Mainz and explore its charming old town (32km/20mi)
Today you will find the Rhine at its best (if you weren't already impressed!). Along the way is Eltville am Rhein with its castle Kurfurstliche Burg. The destination is Mainz, where you'll find numerous remarkable buildings including the cathedral Hoher Dom St Martin, one of the proud imperial cathedrals of Germany, and Kurfurstliches Schloss. In the old town you will find attractive alleys and squares including Augustinerstraße and the Kirschgarten with its lovely timber framed houses and wine restaurants. The Gutenberg Museum is also interesting.
Day 8
Trip concludes in Mainz
Trip concludes after breakfast with disembarkation by 9 am. The itinerary operates in reverse from Mainz to Cologne every alternate departure - see below.
Meals: B
Arrive Mainz
On arrival in Mainz, make your way to the embarkation point to board the boat at 4 pm. If you have time you can visit the old town of Mainz, with its lovely alleys and public squares. There are numerous remarkable buildings including the cathedral Hoher Dom St Martin, one of the proud imperial cathedrals of Germany, and Kurfurstliches Schloss. The Gutenberg Museum is also interesting.
Cycle to Rudesheim (32km/20mi)
Today you will see why the Rhine and its surroundings are UNESCO World Cultural heritage listed. Beautiful islands, steep slate rocks and vineyards shape the region around Rudesheim. You will cycle pass Eltville with its fortress Kurfurstliche Burg and Oestrich-Winkel. When you reach Rudesheim we recommend visiting the famous street of Drosselgasse and exploring the historic town with its beautiful half-timbered houses on foot. Alternatively, treat yourself with a ride on the cable car (payable locally) to the Niederwald monument, for beautiful views over the old town of and the river.
Through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley to St Goar/St Goarshausen (32km/20mi)
Today you will cycle through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. You'll pass romantic castles and ruins including the fortresses Reichenstein and Rheinstein and the famous rock of the Loreley en route to today's destination. From the top of the rock you have a beautiful view of St Goar and St Goarshausen.
Cycle to Koblenz (38km/27mi)
On your way to Koblenz it is possible to visit Boppard and the Marksburg Castle. The "Deutsche Eck" (German corner) is where the rivers Moselle and Rhine merge in Koblenz and well worth viewing while you're here. You can also visit the fortress Ehrenbreitstein by cable car and enjoy a fantastic view over the splendid landscape of the Rhine (tickets available for purchase on board). Koblenz has lovely winding streets through its old centre, where you can shop or relax in a cafe or bar.
Continue to Andernach via Neuwied (25km/16mi)
The path today heads past Neuwied with its castle, before leading to today's destination, Andernach. Andernach is one of the oldest cities in Germany and is famous for the world's largest cold water spring - it has an impressive 60m (196ft) fountain. In Andernach you can visit the Round Tower, or take a ferry to the wine village of Leutesdorf (not included).
Cycle to the city of Beethoven, Bonn (45km/28mi)
On your way to Bonn you can visit Konigswinter and its Drachenburg Castle on the Drachenfels (steep slope), or the Sea Life aquarium with more than 6,000 sea inhabitants. Cosy and cosmopolitan Bonn is the former capital of Germany. Numerous global organisations still have their headquarters here and they provide the city of Beethoven with international flair. There are museums of interest such as the House of History, the Bundeskunsthalle and House of Beethoven. You can also visit the Bundesviertel on the ‘Path of Democracy’ in the former Government Quarter of Bonn.
Cycle to Cologne via Groov (37km/23mi)
En route to Cologne you can take a nice break at the leisure island Groov, admist a vast landscape of the Rheinaue wetland in the Cologne suburb of Porz-Zundorf. Once you have reached the city centre of Cologne, take your time and stroll through the Old Town. Also worth visiting are the Ludwig Museum, the Chocolate Museum or the modern parts of Cologne found at the port of the Rheinaue wetland. The city also offers several breweries with their popular Kölsch local beer. The Dom is Cologne's vast UNESCO World Heritage listed cathedral, well worth a visit. The tower is great to climb for views of the city and river.
Trip concludes in Cologne
Trip concludes after breakfast around 9:00am. The main station is a short walk from the river if you're not extending your stay.
What's included
What's not included
Upper deck
There are 23x 2-bed-cabins (approx. 11 m²) and 2 mini-suites (approx. 11 m²) with additional seating. All cabins feature French balconies (floor-to-ceiling windows that can be opened). Supplement applies.
Main deck
The main deck has 28x 2-bed-cabins, 2x 1-bed-cabin, and 2 mini-suites with additional seating. All cabins are approx. 11 m². Cabins have panoramic windows (upper section can be opened). In some cabins at the front of the boat (category Eco), engine and generator noise may be noticeable.
Bicycles provided are 7 speed touring bikes with bike rack, panniers and repair kit and handbrake and/or backpedal brake. Helmet rental is not included but they are mandatory on all bike tours, so you will need to bring your own well-fitted helmet. A limited number of helmets are available for purchase onboard - eur45 per helmet, cash only, brand: UVEX I-VO.
An electric bike is available on request. A supplement applies, see below.
Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are designed to make cycling easier. The pedaling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or for cyclists to take on routes they may otherwise consider too tough for their current fitness capabilities. Please note that e-bikes are heavier than normal bikes and given the higher speed possible, should only be ridden by confident cyclists. Minimum age for e-bike rental is 12 years and a minimum height requirement is 148cm / 4ft10in. Unisex frame.
GRADE 1 - This trip involves 6 days cycling of between 30 and 45km/19 and 28mi per day usually along paved cycle paths across generally flat terrain. In and out of the cities there will be some light traffic. You need only carry your camera/rain gear and water bottle. Your luggage remains on the boat. For this reason the trip is graded introductory and is considered suitable for beginners. There is not an age restriction for children on this trip however travellers should be aware that there is no program for children and no small bicycles on board, you will need to bring your own bicycle, and be responsible for them at all times. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list.
Per Person, Twin Share
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
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8Days
Introductory to Moderate
Introductory