Cologne to Mainz by Bike and Barge
Cologne to Mainz by Bike and Barge
8 Days Starting in Cologne or Mainz and ending in Mainz or Cologne
Visiting: Germany
Tour Overview
The landscapes of the Middle Rhine Valley look 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 by both bike and barge is nothing short of magical. 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, Rudesheim, Cologne and Mainz. You will cycle past the merging point of the Rhine and Moselle Rivers, Drachenburg Castle, and the fortress of Marksburg, the only hilltop castle of the middle Rhine that has never been destroyed. In the evenings you will relax on board the barge, enjoying the idyllic scenery and making friends with other like-minded cyclists, all while indulging in regional delicacies and a glass of the local wines.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Cologne
On arrival in Cologne, you are welcome on board the MS Olympia, a river barge with a comfortable atmosphere, at 4pm. Enjoy the evening on board and afterwards perhaps sample a Kölsch beer in one of the pubs overlooking the Rhine river.
Day 2 : Cycle To The City Of Beethoven, Bonn (37Km/23Mi)
Before heading out on the cycle today, you have the option to join a walking tour of Cologne's old town and cathedral (additional cost - payable locally). Today you will cycle to Bonn, the city of Beethoven. This federal city and former capital of Germany still has international flair. On your way it is worthwhile to 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 Rheinaue Leisure Park, and the Bundesviertel on the 'Path of Democracy' in the former Government Quarter of Bonn.
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. Your destination for today, Andernach, is famous for the world's largest cold water spring with an impressive 60m / 196ft fountain.
Day 4 : Cycle To Koblenz (25Km/15.5Mi)
On today's cycle to Koblenz 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. Further along you will find the Ehrenbreitstein fortress, which you can reach by cable car across the Rhine in Koblenz (tickets available for purchase on board).
Day 5 : Through The Upper Middle Rhine Valley To St Goar/St Goarhausen (38Km/24Mi)
Today you cycle up the Rhine river through the UNESCO World Heritage site the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. 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 and Maus (cat and mouse) in St Goarshausen on the opposite side of the Rhine.
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. Here you can take an optional guided tour around the historic town with its beautiful half-timbered houses (additional cost payable on board). Alternatively, treat yourself with a ride on the cable car up to the Niederwald monument, for beautiful views over the old town of Rudesheim and the river (not included).
Day 7 : Cycle To Mainz And Explore Its Charming Old Town (32Km/20Mi)
On the final cycling stage 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. Your destination, Mainz, presents itself with numerous remarkable buildings. You may want to visit the cathedral Hoher Dom St Martin, one of the proud emperors' cathedrals of Germany, or the castle Kurfurstliches Scloss. In the old town you will find attractive alleys and squares including Augustinerstraße, the Kirschgarten with its lovely timber framed houses and wine restaurants.
Day 8 : Trip Concludes In Mainz
Trip concludes after breakfast with disembarkation by 9 am.
Note: Itinerary operates in reverse every alternate departure, i.e. Mainz to Cologne. See below.
What's Included
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Accommodation
7 nights barge -
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners - breakfasts are buffet style consisting of breads, cereals, cheese, meats, fruit, yoghurt and breakfast beverages. Picnic lunches are assembled at breakfast time. Dinners are 3 courses served in the dining room. Special
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7 nights accommodation aboard a Premium barge in twin share cabins with ensuite facilities on main deck (supplement applies for other categories of berths on main or upper deck). The compact cabins are configured with two lower beds. We do not match trave
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Information pack including route notes and maps per cabin, GPS Tracks are available on request
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Cruise director on board - does not cycle with the group, provides daily briefings
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Bicycle, 7 speed unisex bike with hand and back pedal brakes or freewheel hubs with hand brakes only (the latter must be reserved in advance - limited number). The bike is supplied with a waterproof pannier and bicycle insurance per bike; repair kit, pump
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Welcome drink and briefing on the first evening
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Linen and change of towels as required
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Daily cabin cleaning
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Local passenger and port fees
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Emergency hotline
Grading
INTRODUCTORY - 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
ain gear and water bottle. Your luggage remains on the boat. For this reason the trip is a grade 1 cycle and is considered suitable for beginners.*For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list.
What You Carry
During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the panniers provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, water and camera. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.