Bike and Barge on Rhine & Neckar

Please note: You can only take part in this trip if you are vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19!
As of Oct 2022, subject to change.

Feel save, book flexible: FREE rebooking up to 6 weeks prior arrival to any alternative date in 2021 - applies to bookings between May 01 and June 15 2021 , the price of the newly selected date 2021 applies in the event of a rebooking.

Rebooking FREE OF CHARGE until 28 days prior tour start; valid for all new bookings between May 01 and ***September 15 2021***. Valid for all tour-dates 2021 – the price of the newly selected date 2021 applies in the event of a rebooking.

Explore the valleys and vineyards of the Rhine and Neckar rivers by bike and boat. Cycling along Germany’s oldest trade route you will discover picturesque villages, historic cities and ancient castles. The Cathedral in Worms, the Nibelungen gate, the historic city of Heidelberg and the narrow streets of the old town centers of Eberbach and Koblenz are just a few of the highlights of this cycling cruise through a famous wine country with idyllic river meadows, vineyards and small alleys.
The barge MS Patria is your floating hotel providing comfortable accommodation, delicious food and drinks and an active vacation in a small group.
If you’d prefer to simply relax and enjoy the comforts of the boat, you can take a rest from cycling on the sundeck, enjoying the scenery floating by.

This tour is operated in two directions: from Bad Wimpfen to Koblenz and from Koblenz to Bad Wimpfen.

This tour operates in two directions: from Bad Wimpfen to Koblenz and from Koblenz to Bad Wimpfen. - See more at: http://www.biketours.com/Germany/neckar-rhine-bike-boat#sthash.Mi0tkRyp.dpuf

Our Tip: Book early, those bike & boat trips fill up fast! The program of this trip is also possible in the opposite direction.

Route

Tour profile / level 1

You cycle on fortified and tarmac roads, flat route.

Itinerary: Koblenz - Bad Wimpfen

Day 1: Koblenz
Individual arrival and embarkation at 4 p.m.

Day 2: Koblenz - Boppard - Rüdesheim, bike tour approx. 46 km
You sail by barge upstream the river Rhine from Koblenz to Boppard. Enjoy the panoramic view of the unforgettable Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO Word Heritage site. From there you cycle on the left river bank passing castles and ruins as well as the famous Rock of Lorelei to the beautiful city of Rüdesheim. Overnight stay in Rüdesheim or in Bingen on the other side of the river.

Day 3: Rüdesheim - Mainz, approx. 32 - 35 km
The many picturesque houses and the beautiful landscape along the way from Rüdesheim to Mainz make your bike tour an experience. Mainz has numerous churches, museums and historical monuments, e.g. the Cathedral or the Electors Palace, one of the most magnificent residences on the Middle Rhine.

Day 4: Mainz - Nierstein, approx. 17 - 26 km
You cycle via Laubenheim to Nierstein, the biggest vine growing community on the river Rhine, where you will enjoy your lunch on board. In the evening you have the chance to join a very special excursion. Explore the vineyards with a tractor wagon including a wine-tasting and diner at the local winegrowers (bookable on board). Guests who don´t want to go to the vineyards receive a small dinner on board.

Day 5: Nierstein - Mannheim - Heidelberg, bike tour approx. 25 km
The ship brings you to Mannheim. From there on you will cycle via the Celtic city of Ladenburg, where you reach the river Neckar first, to Heidelberg. This old city draws tourists from all over the world. You can visit the castle and book a guided city tour, if you want to learn more about Heidelberg.

Day 6: Heidelberg - Eberbach, approx. 34 km
After a bike tour from Heidelberg via Ziegelhausen and through the Odenwald to Neckarsteinach you will reach picturesque Eberbach, a nice old town with narrow streets.

Day 7: Eberbach - Bad Wimpfen, approx. 45 km
The first stop of today’s bike tour is Burg Hornsberg in Neckarzimmern. Bad Wimpfen, the end destination of this tour, looks like a dream village of the middle ages.

Day 8: Bad Wimpfen
Disembarkation after breakfast until 9 a.m. and individual departure.

Itinerary: Bad Wimpfen - Koblenz

Day 1: Bad Wimpfen
Individual arrival and embarkation at 4 p.m.

Day 2: Bad Wimpfen - Eberbach, approx. 45 km
By bike to Neckarzimmern, from here you can walk or bike to the castle Burg Hornberg, where Götz von Berlichingen once lived. Continue your bike tour to the old picturesque town Eberbach.

Day 3: Eberbach - Heidelberg, approx. 34 km
The first destination: Hirschhorn, the "Pearl of the Neckar valley". You cycle through the Odenwald to Neckarsteinach, then via Ziegelhausen to Heidelberg. A walk through town and a visit at the castle are highly recommended. Optional guided city tour.

Day 4: Heidelberg - Mannheim - Nierstein, bike tour approx. 25 km
You start your bike tour in Heidelberg, cross the Neckar and have a perfect view of Heidelberg and its castle. Further on by bike to Mannheim you leave the valleys of the Neckar behind. The ship is waiting for you in Mannheim and takes you to Nierstein during lunch. In the evening you have the chance to join a very special excursion. Explore the vineyards with a tractor wagon including a wine-tasting and dinner at the local winegrowers (bookable on board). Guests who don´t want to go to the vineyards receive a small dinner on board.

Day 5: Nierstein - Mainz, approx. 17 - 26 km
From the biggest vine growing community on the river Rhine you cycle to Mainz. Romance, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque - today you will explore the city of Mainz.

Day 6: Mainz - Rüdesheim, approx. 32 - 35 km
Picturesque houses and the beautiful landscape along the way from Mainz to Rüdesheim make your bike tour an outstanding experience. The heart of Rüdesheim’s old town is a meeting place for locals and visitors from all over the world. Overnight stay in Rüdesheim or in Bingen on the other side of the river.

Day 7: Rüdesheim - Boppard - Koblenz, bike tour approx. 46 km
Cycle on the left river bank to Boppard and enjoy the panoramic view of the unforgettable Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO Word Heritage site. On your way you will pass castles and ruins as well as the celebrated Rock of Lorelei. In the afternoon, the MS PATRIA takes you to Koblenz where the rivers Rhine an Moselle meet.

Day 8: Koblenz
Disembarkation after breakfast until 9 a.m. and individual departure.

Important Information

Due to changing wind and weather conditions as well as organizational requirements we reserve the right to make changes to routing and program.

Services

Included services:

7 nights’ accommodation in the cabin with shower/toilet in the booked category

Welcome drink

Full-board (breakfast, packed lunch or lunchtime snack, coffee or tea in the afternoon, dinner)
Daily short cleaning of the cabin, change of towels daily possible

All port and lock fees

On-board tour guidance
Daily bike tour meeting

Maps and information material per room
GPS Tracks

Dates & Prices

Dates

Merkmale

Extras

Bicycles & equipments
7-speed-bike (back pedal brake)*	75
E-bike	165

Additional bookings
Special diet - payable locally (approx. 14 days before departure	25

Best - Price - Guarantee

If you would verifiably receive better conditions and/or prices from another tour operator at the time of booking we guarantee at least the same conditions PLUS 1 handlebar bag for FREE!

All prices per person in EUR

Ship

WELCOME ON BOARD THE MS PATRIA

On the Saar and Moselle, the MS PATRIA, which can accommodate a max. of 68 guests, is your sailing home. The ship is modernized for boat bike tours and has 34 cabins.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Lenght 68 m

Width 7,7 m

Draft 1,85 m

34 Cabins

max. 68 Passengers

Flag and Management Dutch

CABINS

There are only twin cabins (approx. 7 m², 2 single beds standing in a right angle) with window (the windows on the upper deck can be opened, but for safety reasons those on the lower deck are fixed), shower + toilet, individually regulated air conditioning in all cabins on the lower deck (as well in the restaurant and salon).

Lower deck: 15 Cabins, air conditioning individually regulated (windows cannot be opened)

Upper deck: 19 Cabins (no air conditioning, windows can be opened)

CATERING

Full board (buffet breakfast, picnic lunch or light lunch on board, 3- or 4-course dinner)

Bicycle

Bicycles inclusive panniers

Touring bikes

Our bikes are state-of-the-art quality bikes based on proven brand quality of the bicycle manufactory Velo de Ville. All Velo de Ville bikes use only braking systems from renowned manufacturers such as Magura or Shimano. Minimum body height for our rental bikes: 1.50 m

The following rental bikes (including pannier) are available for you:

7-speed UNISEX touring bikes
8-speed E-bikes

E-bikes | Electrical bikes | Pedeclecs

We provide you with modern quality e-bikes (pedelecs) with Nexus 8-speed hub gears, gradually selectable aid of pedaling power, puncture-proof tires and deep UNISEX comfort entry. The electric bikes from Velo de Ville are equipped exclusively with Bosch mid-mounted motors and fully integrated 500 Wh Bosch batteries. The design of the batteries allows them to almost disappear into the frame. This gives you better weight distribution and a low center of gravity without missing the convenience of easy entry. You save your battery by starting with as low a support as possible and increasing as needed. Please note that with the newer models of our e-bikes it is not possible to attach handlebar bags due to the additional fixed speedometers and wider handlebars.

IMPORTANT: Please reserve ebikes early, as they are only available in very limited numbers.

Breakdowns

Bicycle breakdowns can happen, also when bikes are well serviced and maintained, flats can be fixed by yourself. If there’s a difficult repair, you may call the local representative. Please don´t get any repairs done on the bike without informing the touroperator/local representative and their approval.

Own Bikes

If you bring your own bicycle, please pay attention to the following aspects: You are personally responsible for your own bike on board and ashore. Protect your bike against theft on board, as well as on land with a lock. The bikes will be brought on board and from board by the crew. Due to the local conditions we cannot prevent scratches and damages on the bikes. Please understand that we cannot accept any liability. The bikes on board are exposed to weather conditions because the parking is not covered. Please bring along your own spare material and repair kit for your bike.

Useful

ARRIVAL-PARKING-DEPARTURE

ARRIVAL BY PLANE

Airport: Frankfurt/Main (FRA), Stuttgart (STR)
From the airport (FRA/STR) you can take the train (ICE/RE). Ride time approx. 2-3 hours.

ARRIVAL BY CAR

Koblenz: public car park near embarkation place, approx. € 125,- per week (no reservation possible)

Bad Wimpfen: parking lot near the train station, approx. € 20,- per week (no reservation possible)

ARRIVING BY TRAIN

Train station: Koblenz, Bad Wimpfen
The railway station is near the landing stage. So you can reach it by foot.

TRANSFERS

Return transfer to Koblenz/Bad Wimpfen by mini bus for approx. 85 € p.P. plus 15 €/bike for the transportation of own bikes - a minimum of 4 persons is necessary. (your tour guide will assist you with the reservation and buying the tickets) - previous reservation not possible.

Travelling by train takes about 3.5 hours, approx. € 45,- per person (your tour guide will assist you with the reservation and buying the tickets) - previous reservation not possible.

PARTICIPANTS

Minimum: 40 persons

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Limited number of free wheel bikes available on request.

We ask you to refrain from bringing hard cover luggage, because storage space in the cabins is very limited.

Schedule- and programme changes: The schedule and program are always subject to change. If a certain route cannot be taken due to high or low tides, the captain retains the right to change the route for reasons of safety without this constituting any legal entitlement to a claim. Because your boat will generally dock at the next port on the same day, your time frame for some activities and sight-seeing will be limited. Due to a very low overhead clearance of some bridges, the sundeck will be closed from time to time

Travel documents: EU-citizens need a valid personal ID or passport.

Special diet: Dietary requests will be respected as far as possible. Please inform us on booking. Price € 25,- per person/week.

Videos

Travel stories

5,3 of 6 Stars | 15

Overall This tour has a lot going for it and I enjoyed it greatly. The small towns we passed through were absolute gems and the large towns are world-famous, and deservedly so, with plenty to occupy the tourist...S.M. 02/18

5.8 02.08.2021 | Conny Z. Rhine + Neckar by Bike + Boat

Lovely cycletrip along the Neckar and Rhine

We had a lovely boat and bike week on the MS Patria along the Neckar and Rhine river. The weather was beautiful. We have enjoyed the food, company on board and beautiful scenery on the way. Highly recommendable trip.

Overall satisfaction 6
Booking handling 6
Travel documents 6
Information at the beginning of the tour 6
Accomodation 5
Board 6
Route description 6
On-site assistance 5
Route-character 6
Bicycle + equipment 6
Price-performance ratio 6

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5.9 23.09.2019 | Angela M. Rhine + Neckar by Bike + Boat

Beautiful scenery,

perfect level and amount of bicycling and site seeing.

Overall satisfaction 6
Booking handling 6
Travel documents 6
Information at the beginning of the tour 6
Accomodation 6
Board 6
Route description 6
On-site assistance 6
Route-character 6
Bicycle + equipment 5
Price-performance ratio 6

more

5.3 16.06.2018 | Robert S. Rhine + Neckar by Bike + Boat

Excellent scenery and diverse cycling

We boarded in Koblenz. The first half of the week was full of castles on the hills, large towns and ruins to visit. Most of the riding was on a scenic and quiet paths, but those were interspersed with sections of riding on paths next to busy and fast-moving ...

Overall satisfaction 6
Booking handling 6
Travel documents 6
Information at the beginning of the tour 6
Accomodation 5
Board 5
Route description 4
On-site assistance 6
Route-character 5
Bicycle + equipment 4
Price-performance ratio 6

more

0 07.02.2018 | Stephen M. Rhine + Neckar by Bike + Boat

Surely a Classic Bike and Boat Tour!

Overall This tour has a lot going for it and I enjoyed it greatly. The small towns we passed through were absolute gems and the large towns are world-famous, and deservedly so, with plenty to occupy the tourist. Along the way, the countryside was beautiful, ...

more

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Rhine + Neckar by Bike + Boat

MV PATRIA

Rhine + Neckar by Bike + Boat

MV PATRIA