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View across the Rhine to Kamp-Bornhofen

Mainz – Cologne, MS Olympia

Romance and Pleasure on the Rhine

8 Days / 7 Nights
Easy
View across the Rhine to Kamp-Bornhofen

On this cycling vacation, you'll be accommodated on the MS Olympia, transporting you from Mainz to Cologne. While on board, you can partake in cycling excursions and explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Journey through charming hilly landscapes and encounter splendid castles, including the Electoral Castle in Eltville and Engers Castle in Neuwied. The Loreley adds another layer of enchanting beauty to the experience. Whether it's the carnival hub of Mainz, the German Corner in Koblenz, or Beethoven's city of Bonn, you'll uncover the diverse facets of the region. Wine aficionados will relish the exploration of the picturesque wine region, while beer enthusiasts can savor a delicious Kölsch in the destination of Cologne. To satisfy your sweet tooth, conclude the tour with a visit to the Chocolate Museum on the banks of the Rhine in Cologne.

In Mainz, you board the ship. Then, you embark on a cycling tour along the Rhine to Rüdesheim before proceeding through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, passing by the Loreley, and reaching St. Goar and St. Goarshausen. The following day, you travel to Koblenz via Boppard. The next destination is Andernach, with an optional ferry ride to Leutesdorf. After Königswinter and Bonn, you reach Cologne, where you disembark from the ship.

  • Mainz: The charming half-timbered allure beckons you to daydream. Adorning the medieval marketplace is the picturesque market fountain, crafted in the Renaissance style. Another point of interest is the educational Gutenberg Museum.
  • Koblenz: In this charming city, you have the opportunity to visit the Kaiser-Wilhelm Monument. It marks the confluence of the Moselle and the Rhine. Additionally, you can take the cable car to reach the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. 
  • Andernach: Here, you can admire the cold-water geyser with its water fountain reaching 50 to 60 meters in height. Also noteworthy is the Round Tower from the 15th century.
  • Königswinter: Visit the famous Drachenburg Castle on the Drachenfels! Also, explore the fascinating Sea Life Center with its colorful marine inhabitants.

This easy cycling tour with overnight stays on a ship is suitable for inexperienced cyclists. The cycling paths are of excellent quality and are mostly paved. Additionally, the route includes dam paths and quiet country roads. As there are no significant inclines, you can cycle comfortably.

Itinerary at a glance

Embarkation at 4:00 p.m. There may be time to see the old town of Mainz with its lovely alleys and public squares.

Today we will show you why the river Rhine and its surroundings are part of the UNESCO world cultural heritage. Beautiful islands, steep slate rocks and vinyards shape the region around Rüdesheim. By bike you will pass Eltville with its fortress „Kurfürstliche Burg“ and Oestrich-Winkel with its crane for loading wine as a famous landmark and arrive finally in Rüdesheim. Here, the world-famous wine alley „Drosselgasse” is well worth a visit.

Today you will cycle along the Rhine through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, passing romantic castles and ruins. These buildings include the Reichenstein and Rheinstein fortresses. You will also go past the famous rock of the Loreley on your way to St. Goar - today's destination. From the top of the rock you will have a beautiful view of St. Goar and St. Goarshausen.

Today we will show you why the river Rhine and its surroundings are part of the UNESCO world cultural heritage. Beautiful islands, steep slate rocks and vinyards shape the region around Rüdesheim. By bike you will pass Eltville with its fortress „Kurfürstliche Burg“ and Oestrich-Winkel with its crane for loading wine as a famous landmark and arrive finally in Rüdesheim. Here, the world-famous wine alley „Drosselgasse” is well worth a visit.

Your path will lead you past Neuwied with its castle Engers to Andernach, your destination for today. This city is like Koblenz one of the oldest cities of Germany. Here you will find the famous cold-water gush spring, whose water fountain of 50 to 60 meters is said to be the highest in the world. In Andernach you can enjoy sights like the Round Tower or visit the wine village Leutesdorf, which you can reach from Andernach by ferry.

On your way to Bonn it is worthwhile to visit castle Drachenburg in Königswinter on the Drachenfels (steep slope) or the Sea Life with its various marine inhabitants. Later in the day you will reach Bonn. Germany's former capital is cosy yet cosmopolitan. Numerous global organisations still have their headquarters here and provide the city of Beethoven with international flair.

Before you reach Cologne by bike, there is the possibility for a nice rest at the leisure island Groov amidst a vast landscape of the Rheinaue wetland in the Cologne suburb Porz-Zündorf. Once you have reached the city centre of Cologne, take your time for a stroll through the Old Town. Also worthwhile are one of the museums as well as the modern parts of Cologne, which can be found at the port of the Rheinaue wetland with its crane houses. The breweries with their famous beer “Kölsch” show a relaxed side of this big city.

Disembarkation after breakfast until 9:00 a.m.

Other variations of this tour

Route information

Easy

The cycle paths on this tour are in excellent condition. Most sections are either paved or asphalted. You cycle alongside the Rhine dikes and there are not any noteworthy hills. This makes the tour suitable for novice cyclists too. 

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Program according to itinerary from Mainz to Cologne
  • 7 nights in outside cabins in the booked cabin category
  • 1 welcome drink
  • Full meals (7x breakfast, 6x packed lunch for cyclists or lunch snack on board, 6x afternoon coffee break, 7x 3-course-dinner)
  • On board tour guide incl. daily tour briefing
  • Daily cabin cleaning, change of bed linen and towels as needed
  • 1 route book per cabin
  • All harbour, lock and bridge fees
  • GPS-data

Optional

  • Bringing your own bike/electric bike:  €29,- (on request only, limited)

Arrival/Parking/Departure

  • Mainz station is about 3 km away from the pier
  • Central station car park (unguarded, cannot be booked in advance) 

Things to note

  • Minimum number of participants: 75 persons
  • Further important information according to the package travel law and additional information about your bike and boat trip can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.

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