Castles + Cathedrals / Jewels along the Rhine by Bike + Boat

Mainz - Strasbourg / Strasbourg - Mainz

Itinerary

Route

The quality of cycle ways is excellent. Most of the way is paved or asphalted and lead alongside the Rhine dikes without any gradients of note. This makes the trip suitable even for unpractised cyclists.

Day 1: Mainz
Individual arrival to Mainz. Embarkation will be from 4 pm. There may be time to explore the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate with its lovingly restored half-timbered houses and the Romanesque Cathedral of Saint Martin.

Day 2: Mainz Nierstein Worms, approx. 17-26 km
A short cycle leg and plenty of time for one to indulge oneself: Cycle on the Rhine Cycle Route with its well-paved cycle ways directly alongside the Rhine to Nierstein. With almost 1,000 Hectare of viticulture area, Nier-stein is home to the largest wine-growing community on the Rhine. Visit the historic Old Town with its medieval market square and the noble houses. In the afternoon, sail from Nierstein to Worms. Guests, who would like to cycle a longer stretch, can start the bike ride already in Mainz. (cycle tour Mainz-Worms approx. 60 km).

Day 3: Worms Mannheim, approx. 26 km
In the Imperial city of Worms, set off for today`s cycle leg. Enjoy riding through vast fields and meadows. The beautiful cycle trail across the Friesenheim Island offers a high contrast to the opposite Rhine bank dominated by the BASF plant. A few kilometres further on, you will reach the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Neckar in Mannheim, where your ship will already be waiting for you. Make the most of the afternoon, and take a stroll through Mannheim, the City of Squares, up to the Baroque castle.

Day 4: Mannheim Heidelberg Mannheim, approx. 52 km
Today, follow by bike the course of the marvellous Neckar River up to Heidelberg. The ancient Roman city of Laden-burg with its historic Old Town is worth a short stop-over. Visible already from afar, the ruin of the Heidelberg Castle towers over the Old Town. Stroll across the famous Heidelberg Sandstone Bridge, or through the wind-ing lanes and charming squares of the Old Town. Your way back leads through the heart of the Electoral Palat-inate along the Kurpfalzruote cycle way to Schwetzingen Castle. The castle garden is a perfect place for a short break before continuing along the Rhine Cycle Route to Mannheim, where you reach back to the buzzing city life.

Day 5: Mannheim Speyer, approx. 27 km
Alongside the numerous oxbow lakes of the Old Rhine leads the way to today’s destination – the cathedral city of Speyer. Enjoy the short bike ride through unspoilt nature, areas that are designated Natural Nature Reserves and natural flood plains. The Speyer Cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981.

Day 6: Speyer Germersheim Gambsheim, approx. 22 km
Along the old Rhine ox-bow lakes cycle through the unspoilt nature of the Palatinate region. Look forward to visiting the old fortified city of Germersheim with its numerous quaint lanes, corners and squares. Enjoy the boat tour to Gambsheim while having a fine glass of wine on deck or in the saloon, replaying the events of the day.

Day 7: Lock Gambsheim Strasbourg, approx. 18 km
On your last bike tour stretch, cycle in an easy pace directly alongside the river through the gentle Rhine plain until you reach the capital of the Alsace, the city of Strasbourg with its countless channels. Stroll to the Strasbourg Minster, the landmark of the city, through the picturesque Tanners’ Quarter with its small historic half-timbered houses and enjoy a piece of French joie de vivre while your journey slowly comes to an end.

Day 8: Strasbourg
After breakfast disembarkation until 9 am. Individual journey home.

Day 1: Strasbourg
Individual arrival in Strasbourg. Embarkation from 3 to 5 pm. On board, your captain, the crew and the tour manager will welcome you with a welcome drink.

Day 2: Strasbourg Gambsheim/Freistett Germersheim, approx. 18 km
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 impres-sions of your journey.

Day 3: Germersheim Speyer, approx. 22 km
Today`s cycle tour leads through unspoilt nature along the old Rhine ox-bow lakes. Before, however, look for-ward 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.

Day 4: Speyer Mannheim, approx. 28 km
Enjoy a short cycle ride alongside the Old Rhine, past marvellous 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.

Day 5: Mannheim Heidelberg Mannheim, approx. 52 km
Today the tour leads through the core of the Electoral Palatinate and thus partly along the Castle Road. Schwetzingen Castle and its castle 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 cas-tle ruin of Heidelberg Castle 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.

Day 6: Mannheim Worms, approx. 26 km
Today you leave Mannheim and drive past meadows and fields, following the course of the Rhine to the impe-rial 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 Luther.

Day 7: Worms Nierstein Mainz, approx. 17-20 km
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 long-er stretch, can also choose to start the cycle tour already in Worms. (cycle tour Worms-Mainz approx. 60 km).

Day 8: Mainz
After breakfast disembarkation until 09:00am. Individual journey home.

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

Services

  • 7 nights in outside cabin with shower/WC in the booked category

  • Full-board (7x breakfast, 6x packed lunch for cycle tours or lunch snack, 6x coffee/tea on board in the afternoon, 7x dinner)

  • Welcome drink 

  • Passenger and port fees 

  • Tour guide on board

  • Daily briefing on board for the respective cycle tour 

  • Digital travel documents including navigation App

  • GPS-tracks

Our tip: Get your eSIM for a low-priced holiday-data package here

Dates & Prices

Dates

Merkmale

Season / Period
Type
  29.05. - 05.06.27
Mainz - Strasbourg
  26.06. - 03.07.27
Mainz - Strasbourg

Extras

Bicycles & equipment
7-speed-Unisex-bike (back pedal brake)* incl. insurance 99
E-bike (free wheel) incl. insurance 219
Bringing of own bike/E-Bike 59
Helmet (for purchase) 45
   
Other
Special dietary - payable locally 50
Child discount on request

*limited number of free wheeling bikes on request


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 of MS SWITZERLAND!

A stylish, welcoming atmosphere awaits you aboard the MS Switzerland. Elegantly furnished cabins and tastefully designed public areas create a pleasant ambiance. The spacious panoramic lounge with a bar and the restaurant lend the ship a special charm. On the expansive sun deck, plenty of seating invites you to relax and enjoy beautiful views of the passing landscape.


Technical Data

Length 99,65 m
Width 11,20 m
Depth 1,45 m
56 Cabins
max. 113 passengers


Cabins

A total of 56 outside cabins, comfortably and tastefully furnished with shower/toilet, hairdryer, TV, individually controlled air conditioning, and a safe.

Upper Deck: 23 twin cabins (approx. 11 m²) and 2 mini-suites (approx. 11 m²) with additional seating. All cabins on the upper deck feature a French balcony (= floor-to-ceiling windows that open).

Main deck: 28 twin cabins (approx. 11 m²), 2 single cabins (approx. 11 m²), and 2 mini-suites (approx. 11 m²) with additional seating. All cabins on the main deck feature panoramic windows (the upper portion opens).

In some cabins in the forward section of the ship (Eco category), engine and generator noise may be audible.


Catering

Full board: (breakfast buffet, Lunch packages for bike tours or Snacks, Coffee and Tea, 3-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.

Useful

Arrival - Parking - Departure

Arrival by plane

Airport: Frankfurt/Main (FRA), Strasbourg (SXB)

From Frankfurt airport it will be approx. 30 km to the pier in Mainz (taxi approx. 30 min., approx. € 50,-). Alternatively, you can take the train from Frankfurt airport to Mainz Central Station (travel time approx. 20-30 min. approx. € 10,- p.P.).

From Strasbourg airport the mooring place is located approx. 20 km away (taxi approx. € 35,-).

Subject to change. You will receive the exact description to the respective mooring places with the travel documents.


Arrival by car

Mainz
car park close to the central station (unguarded, cannot be booked in advance). Parking fee approx. € 55,- per week.

Strasbourg
Strasbourg has established a low emission zone (LEZ) covering 33 municipalities. To drive and park in a low emission zone (LEZ), the Crit’Air sticker must be displayed on the windshield. To obtain the Crit’Air certificate, please click here. For more information, visit: zfe.strasbourg.eu.

The Indigo Strasbourg Wodli parking garage is a public, covered parking garage (near the train station) with a daily fee of approximately €25. The Centre historique Petite France parking garage is a public, covered parking garage (near the city center) with a daily fee of approximately €15.


Arrival by train

Train station: Mainz, Strasbourg
Travelling time from Strasbourg to Mainz approx. 2-3 hours by train (with changing, costs approx. € 51,- per person). Please find schedules and prices here


Participants

Minimum: 75 persons


Additional information

Own bikes/helmets
limited space and on request only -  surcharge applies!
Please bring your own helmets as there are no rental helmets available on board. Helmets to purchase on board for € 45,-

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 programme are always subject to change. If a certain route cannot be taken due to high or low tides, the Skipper 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 sightseeing will be limited. Due to a very low overhead clearance of some bridges the sundeck will be closed from time to time.

Excursions
Excursions can be booked individually on board. More details in your travel documents

Travel documents
EU-citizens (without special situations) need a valid personal ID or passport!

Special dietary
Requests will be respected as far as possible. Please inform us on booking. Price € 50,- per person/week

Videos

Travel stories

5,2 of 6 Stars | 21
All crew were fabulous. Klaus the tour manager was wonderful and caring that everyone was comfortable and having a good tour ... S.S. 06/25
5,5 08.06.2026 | Noel E. Castles + Cathedrals / Jewels along the Rhine by Bike + Boat

Specific feedback

Overall the holiday was really great. I have a couple of specific feedback items that could be improved 1) the drinks package was more restrictive than last time and that was noticeable by all party members 2) although capable the musician on board ...
  • Overall satisfaction 5
  • Booking handling 6
  • Travel documents 6
  • Pre-Tour information 6
  • Accomodation 4
  • Board 6
  • Route description 5
  • On-site assistance 6
  • Route-character 5
  • Bicycle + equipment 6
  • Price-performance ratio 5
more
5,7 07.07.2025 | Philip G. Castles + Cathedrals / Jewels along the Rhine by Bike + Boat

Rhine 2025

Overall a good trip. Not having free wi fi on the boat was not good .
  • Overall satisfaction 6
  • Booking handling 6
  • Travel documents 6
  • Pre-Tour information 6
  • Accomodation 6
  • Board 6
  • Route description 6
  • On-site assistance 6
  • Route-character 5
  • Bicycle + equipment 5
  • Price-performance ratio 5
more
4,6 07.07.2025 | Dario C. Castles + Cathedrals / Jewels along the Rhine by Bike + Boat

Nice tour, not nice boat

The air condicionen of the boat almost do not work, esa too hot inside the bedrooms In addition the rooms smells very bad, like sewer The six rooms the same, also they move one couple to other room. The crew try many times to solve this, but was no possible ...
  • Overall satisfaction 3
  • Booking handling 6
  • Travel documents 6
  • Pre-Tour information 6
  • Accomodation 3
  • Board 3
  • Route description 5
  • On-site assistance 5
  • Route-character 5
  • Bicycle + equipment 5
  • Price-performance ratio 4
more
5,7 09.06.2025 | Sally S. Castles + Cathedrals / Jewels along the Rhine by Bike + Boat

Great trip

All crew were fabulous. Klaus the tour maanger was wonderful and caring that everyone was comfortable and having a good tour.
  • Overall satisfaction 6
  • Booking handling 6
  • Travel documents 6
  • Pre-Tour information 6
  • Accomodation 5
  • Board 6
  • Route description 6
  • On-site assistance 6
  • Route-character 4
  • Bicycle + equipment 6
  • Price-performance ratio 6
more
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