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Rhine: Cologne - Mainz, MS Olympia

Bike & boat on the Middle Rhine

Bike & Boat
8 Days / 7 Nights
individual tour
easy
from
1,199.00 €
Book now Book
from
1,199.00 €

The banks of the Rhine between Cologne and Mainz are lined with numerous romantic castles and palaces. The Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is not only rich in legends, but also breathtakingly beautiful. Here, the Rhine often meanders through rock formations and flows past towns that are over 2000 years old. These landscapes offer an ideal setting for a relaxing and beautiful holiday with guaranteed enjoyment. Here you can savour fine wines and a variety of regional delicacies.

This trip is perfect for:

  • Ship enthusiasts who would like to spend part of their journey on board.
  • Wine lovers who like to round off their day with a glass of wine.
  • History buffs who are enthusiastic about castles and palaces.

Highlights

Cologne Cathedral
It can be seen from nearly every point in the city centre and from many places elsewhere: The magnificent Cologne Cathedral hovers above the roofs and chimneys of the city.

Cologne Cathedral

The Old Town Hall Bonn
The historic Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus), Bonn's showpiece, is located behind the University directly by the market. The building with the decorated rococo facade houses the offices and representative rooms of the mayor.

The Old Town Hall

Andernach, Geyser
A spectacular natural phenomenon is waiting to be discovered by you in the Rhine valley.Every two hours, the Geyser erupts with an impressive water fountain rising up to 60 metres / 200 ft. into the sky, driven by carbon dioxide from deep volcanic sources. 

Andernach, Geyser

Deutsches Eck, Koblenz
World-famous: Where Father Rhine and Mother Moselle meet: The Deutsches Eck ("German Corner").

Deutsches Eck

Loreley
The Loreley is a 433 feet high slate cliff in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley World Heritage near the town of St. Goarshausen. The view of St. Goarshausen, from the Loreley ( Lorelei ) outlook point, with Castle Katz and the view of the town St. Goar and its Fortress Rheinfels, leaves a wonderful impression on all Loreley ( Lorelei ) tourists.

Loreley

Monastery Eberbach
The monastery "Kloster Eberbach" is located in a beautiful valley next to the Rheingau where it´s surrounded by trees and vine.

Monastery Eberbach

Drosselgasse, Rüdesheim
The heart of Rüdesheim's old town is a meeting place for locals and visitors from all over the world. This is where the music is and where it never stops!

Drosselgasse

Mainz Cathedral
The High Cathedral of Mainz is the episcopal church of the Roman Catholic diocese of Mainz and is under the patronage of St. Martin of Tours.

Mainz Cathedral

Rhine: Cologne - Mainz, MS Olympia

easy
Bike & Boat
8 Days / 7 Nights
individual tour
from
1,199.00 €
Book now Book

MS Olympia is a comfortable and cozy river ship with a family atmosphere. The ship was renovated in 2015/ 2016. The panorama salon with bar, furnished in English club style, and the bright and friendly restaurant invite you to spend relaxing hours on board. Look forward to the spacious, partially covered sun deck with seating, which also serves as a storage space for bicycles. In total, the MS Olympia offers 49 comfortable outside cabins for max. 96 guests. On the main deck there are 21 two-bed cabins with a size of approx. 11 sqm, on the upper deck 22 two-bed cabins,

which are also approx. 11 sqm in size, as well as 4 larger cabins in the aft part of the ship (12 sqm).  3 of them are equipped with a double bed. In these cabins increased noises are perceptible during the journey. Here are also the 2 single cabins, which are about 9 square meters. All cabins have shower/WC, hairdryer, telephone, TV, individually regulated air conditioning/heating, refrigerator, safe and a panoramic window. The windows on the upper deck can be opened, all other windows cannot.

Tour

Individual arrival in Cologne. Embarkation from 4 pm.

Cycle to Bonn, a city that still has an international flair as the former capital. On the way there, if the weather is fine, you can take a detour to the "leisure island" of Groov, which is located in the extensive Rhine floodplains of the Cologne district of Porz-Zündorf.there is plenty to explore in Bonn. Museums such as the Haus der Geschichte and the Bundeskunsthalle vie for your attention, as do the Beethovenhaus, the Rheinaue leisure park and the Federal Quarter with the Path of Democracy.

You set off by bike in the direction of Andernach. On the way there, you can make a stop in Königswinter, where Drachenburg Castle is enthroned on the Drachenfels. Andernach is famous for the world's largest cold-water geyser. This offers an impressive spectacle, with water spraying up to 60 meters into the air. A spectacular natural phenomenon that is sure to remain in your memory.

During your cycle tour towards Koblenz, you will pass Neuwied, where the impressive Engers Castle is located. Here you will reach the famous Deutsches Eck, where the equestrian monument of Kaiser Wilhelm I watches over the point where the Moselle flows into the Rhine. Another remarkable sight is the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. This fortress not only offers a fascinating history, but also a magnificent view of the surrounding area.

Your cycle tour takes you further downstream along the Rhine through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. You will pass the picturesque Marksburg Castle, the only hilltop castle on the Middle Rhine that has never been destroyed. You will also pass the town of Boppard, where you can see the Electoral Castle. The imposing ruins of Rheinfels Castle, the largest castle ruin on the Rhine, await you in St. Goar. The Katz and Maus castles on the opposite side of the Rhine in St. Goarshausen are also worth a visit. The entire area is characterized by historic buildings that tell a rich history.

As you continue your cycle tour, you will once again pass beautiful Rhine castles. You cycle past the famous Loreley rock and finally reach Rüdesheim. Here you have the opportunity to get to know the historically significant sights of Rüdesheim. Alternatively, you can treat yourself to a ride on the cable car to the Niederwald monument. From there, you can enjoy a magnificent view of Rüdesheim's old town and the river.

On your last cycling stage, you pass Eltville am Rhein, where the Electoral Castle is located. Continuing on your route, you reach Mainz, your destination for today. Mainz impresses with numerous impressive buildings. Perhaps you would like to visit the High Cathedral of St. Martin in Mainz or explore the Electoral Palace. Charming alleyways and squares such as Augustinerstraße and the Kirschgarten await you in the old town. The city offers a rich variety of cultural and historical sights.

Disembarkation at 9.00 am after breakfast.

The planned route is always subject to possible changes due to nautical, meteorological or organisational reasons. If, for example, a route cannot be travelled due to low water, high water, bad weather or construction work, the captain reserves the right to change the route for your safety. This is not a legally valid reason for cancelling the trip free of charge. The same applies in the event of officially ordered lock or bridge repairs or in the event of engine or propulsion damage to the ship through no fault of the captain.

As your ship usually sails to the next harbour on the same day, your time frame for your own activities and sightseeing is limited. On some bridges, the clearance height is so low that the sun deck is closed for your safety.

Map

Prices / Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Services / Info

  • 7 nights in outside cabins in the booked category
  • Full board: 7 x breakfast, 6 x packed lunch for bike tours or small lunch, 6 x coffee and cake in the afternoon, 7 x 3-course dinner
  • Program according to itinerary
  • All passenger and port fees
  • Welcome drink
  • Daily cabin cleaning, change of bed linen and towels as required
  • Daily bike route briefing
  • Digital travel documents in the GUIBO app incl. GPS data for the cycle tours
  • On-board tour guide
  • GPS data
Worth knowing about the bike and boat tour on the Rhine from Cologne to Mainz

Below you will find specific information about the bike and boat tour on the Rhine from Cologne to Mainz. If you have further questions about this trip, you simply call us: Phone: 06421 – 886890.

Arrival by train

Cologne is easily accessible from all major cities in Germany by train. All our partner hotels are located within easy access to the station. Current schedule information and price information can be found at: www.bahn.de.

Train schedule information

Parking facilities in Cologne

Parking lot or parking garage Globus Parkgarage, guarded, only with advance reservation, approx. 6 km from the jetty in Cologne, costs approx. 109 - 134 € per week (as of May 2024).

Lactose-free and gluten-free food

If you require a lactose-free or gluten-free diet, this is possible on board, but there is a surcharge for this, which must be paid on site. Please let us know at the time of booking or at least 14 days before arrival if you require a lactose-free or gluten-free diet.

Luggage

We recommend good rain gear, a bicycle helmet, sun hat and sports shoes. For reasons of space, we would like to ask you to refrain from carrying luggage with hard shells, the storage space in the cabin is very limited!

Condition of cycle paths

The route along the Rhine runs almost exclusively on asphalted and paved cycle paths and embankments or on quiet country roads without any significant gradients.

Available rental bikes

Smooth-running 7-speed unisex touring bikes and 8-speed e-bikes, each with handbrake, freewheel or coaster brake (limited availability, please specify as a non-binding customer request when booking) and pannier bag.

Own bikes

Due to the limited space available on the sun deck, it is only possible to bring your own bike on request and only to a limited extent.

Return journey to Cologne

You can travel by train from Cologne to Mainz in just over 2 - 3 hours for approx. € 25 - 45.

Subject to change

Subject to change. If a route cannot be travelled due to low or high water or bad weather, the skipper reserves the right to change the route for your safety. This is not a reason for cancellation free of charge.

Extra costs that are not included in the tour price

Arrival and departure, transfers, bike hire, optional excursions, entrance and sightseeing fees, city maps, insurance, tips and personal expenses.

7 day hotline service

Just in case the bike chain breaks, flooding makes it impossible to continue your tour or any other nasty surprise: You can reach us seven days a week and we will do anything to help you as fast as possible. 

Passport and visa requirements

For EU citizens, there are no special passport or visa requirements and no health formalities to be considered for this trip.

Travel insurance

The tour price already includes the statutory insolvency insurance. In addition, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance upon receipt of your travel confirmation in order to protect yourself against financial disadvantages in the event of travel cancellation, interruption of travel, illness or accident.

Velociped can withdraw from the tour twenty-one days before the starting date of the tour, at the latest, in case the minimum number of participants stated under the tour description is not attained. You will duly be informed without any delay in case of a withdrawal. Velociped will of course refund the paid tour price immediately. Please note our General Terms and Conditions.

Your travel expert for this tour

I provide you with advice and assistance

Steffi Groß

Travel Expert

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