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View across the Rhine to Assmannshausen

Strasbourg – Mainz, MS Olympia

Romance at Rhine and Neckar

8 Days / 7 Nights
Easy
View across the Rhine to Assmannshausen

Embarking on this combined journey, you'll commence your adventure in the charming French city of Strasbourg. Here, you'll be accommodated aboard the splendid MS Olympia, which will navigate you to Mainz. Along this scenic route, you can relish a variety of cycling excursions while peacefully exploring the region. Pedal through the picturesque vineyards lining the banks of the Rhine and Neckar rivers and bask in the tranquility of nature reserves and enchanting lakes, creating the perfect backdrop for a relaxing vacation. For history enthusiasts, a visit to the castles in Schwetzingen and Heidelberg is a rewarding experience. Ladenburg, steeped in Roman history, and Worms, known for its imperial heritage, offer rich and storied pasts waiting to be discovered. No visit would be complete without exploring the historic fortress town of Germersheim, which is an absolute highlight. In these delightful towns, you'll encounter charming restaurants where you can indulge in culinary delights. And, of course, you'll have ample time to indulge in an extensive shopping spree among the boutiques and souvenir shops.

You'll cycle from Strasbourg through the Rhine plain to the lock in Gambsheim, where you'll board the ship and head to Germersheim. Afterward, a bike tour to Speyer is on the agenda. You'll continue along the Old Rhine to Mannheim before cycling through the heart of the Palatinate to Heidelberg and returning to Mannheim along the Neckar River. Finally, you'll go on a bike tour to Worms and finally arrive in Mainz.

  • Strasbourg: The Alsatian capital enchants with its half-timbered charm and its quaint canals. You can visit the impressive Strasbourg Cathedral and stroll through the tanner's district. 
  • Speyer: The Speyer Cathedral, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981 is an absolute highlight. After visiting, you can take a walk through the picturesque town center and enjoy some culinary delights. 
  • Mannheim: Due to its distinctive street layout, Mannheim is known as the "Quadratestadt" or "Square City." Its landmarks include the Baroque Palace and the Water Tower.  
  • Heidelberg: Here, the impressive Heidelberg Castle overlooks the old town. You can stroll across the sandstone bridge and linger on the picturesque squares in the town center. 

This cycling tour consists of easy routes that even inexperienced cyclists can enjoy. The bike paths are of excellent quality, mostly running on asphalted surfaces with no significant inclines. The ride along the Rhine levees is especially beautiful.

Itinerary at a glance

Individual arrival in Strasbourg. Embarkation at 4:00 pm. On board, your captain, the crew and the tour manager will welcome you with a welcome drink.

After breakfast, you will have the possibility to visit Strasbourg, the capital of the Alsace, with its numerous channels, the Strasbourg Minster and the Tanners` Quarter with its small historic half-timbered houses. Enjoy a piece of French joie de vivre before you begin your first cycle tour. Cycle directly alongside the Rhine River through the gentle Rhine plain until you reach the Gambsheim lock where your ship already awaits you to set sail for Germersheim. While sailing, enjoy a glass of wine on deck or in the saloon recalling the first impressions of your journey.

Today`s cycle tour leads through unspoilt nature along the old Rhine ox-bow lakes. Before, however, look forward to exploring the ancient fortified city of Germersheim with its numerous quaint lanes, corners and squares. Continue cycling through the Palatinate Region to reach the cathedral city of Speyer. In 1981, Speyer Cathedral was added to the UNESCO-World Heritage List.

Enjoy a short cycle ride alongside the Old Rhine, past marvelous lakes, through untouched protected areas designated as National Nature Reserves and natural flood plains. You reach Mannheim, also called the “City of Squares” due to its layout in a grid-pattern. In these squares, countless places are well worth visiting as for example the famous Mannheim Baroque Palace – German largest Baroque palace complex and the water tower – the city’s landmark.

Today the tour leads through the core of the Electoral Palatinate and thus partly along the Castle Road. Schwetzingen Palace and its palace garden are only two reasons to visit the charming town of Schwetzingen. From here, the route continues via Plankstadt and Eppelheim to Heidelberg. Already visible from afar, the castle ruin of Heidelberg Palaace towers over the Old Town. Admire the famous Heidelberg red sandstone bridge or stroll through meandering lanes and see the picturesque squares in the Old Town. The further way leads you on the other side of the Neckar via the Roman town Ladenburg back to Mannheim.

Today you leave Mannheim and drive past meadows and fields, following the course of the Rhine to the imperial city of Worms. On your journey through two millenniums of the city’s history, learn about emperors and kings, myths and legends of the Nibelung, Judaism and Martin Lutherr.

With almost 1,000 Hectare of viticultural area, Nierstein is home to the largest wine-growing community on the Rhine. The historic Old Town with its medieval market square and noble houses is also well worth visiting. A short stretch that leaves plenty of time for one to indulge oneself: cycle on the Rhine Cycle Route on well-paved cycle ways directly alongside the Rhine from Nierstein to Mainz. Guests, who would like to cycle a longer stretch, can also choose to start the cycle tour already in Worms. (cycle tour Worms-Mainz approx. 60 km).

After breakfast disembarkation until 09:00am. Individual journey home.

Other variations of this tour

Route information

Easy

This bike tour runs along excellent cycle paths, which are usually asphalted. You even cycle along the Rhine dikes. Overall there are no noteworthy ascents. This makes the tour well-suited even for novice cyclists. 

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Program according to itinerary from Strasbourg to Mainz
  • 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

  • Strasbourg/Kehl main station is near the pier
  • Parking garage "Gare Wodli" at the main station 

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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