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

Mainz - Strasbourg / Strasbourg - Mainz

Tour Map

Route

Tour profile/level 1:

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.

Itinerary Mainz –​​​​​​​ Strasbourg

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 Stras-bourg 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.

Itinerary Strasbourg –​​​​​​​ Mainz

Day 1: Strasbourg
Individual arrival in Strasbourg. Embarkation from 3:00 pm to 5:00 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.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

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

  • Programme according to itinerary 

  • 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 

  • Daily cabin cleaning

  • Change of bedding and towels when required 

  • Tour guide on board

  • Daily briefing on board for the respective cycle tour 

  • Detailled Maps and information material per cabin

  • GPS-tracks

Dates & Prices

Dates

Merkmale

    Season / Period
    Type

    Extras

    Bicycles & equipment  
    7-speed-Unisex-bike (back pedal brake)* incl. insurance 89
    E-bike (free wheel) incl. insurance 199
    Bringing of own bike/E-Bike 29
       
    Additional bookings  
    Special dietary - payable locally 25-50
    Children 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 the MS OLYMPIA!

    Facilities

    Comfortable and cosy river ship with family environment.  The ship was refurbished in 2015/2016. The panoramic salon with bar in gentlemen club-style and the bright and friendly restaurant are waiting for you to pass relaxing hours here. A spacious, partly shaded sun deck and storage space for bicycles.


    Technical data

    Length 88.50m
    Width 10.50m
    Draught 1.30m
    Capacity max. 96 passengers.
    Flag: Switzerland
    Built: 1984
    Refurbished:  2015/2016
    Crew approx. 21


    Catering

    Full board consists of breakfast buffet, packed lunch for cycle tours or lunch snack, coffee/tea in the afternoon, 3-course-menu for dinner


    Cabins

    A total of 49 comfortable outside cabins for a max. of 96 guests.
    All cabins boast en-suite bathroom, hair dryer, telephone, TV, individual air conditioning/heating, fridge, safe und large panoramic window. On the Upper deck, cabins feature opening windows. 

    • Main deck: 21x two-bed-cabins (about 11 qm)
    • Upper deck: 22x two-bed-cabins (about 11 qm)
    • 4 cabins of bigger size at the stern of the ship (12 qm, 3 of which feature twin beds; during the trip increased noise perception) as well as two single cabins about 9 qm).

    Languages on board

    German, English

    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. € 10,- per day.

    Strasbourg
    we would recommend park & ride parking places outside the city center. The parking garage "Gare Wodli" near the central station costs approx. € 20,- per 24 hours.


    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.

    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.

    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 € 25-50,- per person/week

    Videos

    Travel stories

    5,2 of 6 Stars | 16
    We had a wonderful week cycling along the Rhine and enjoying the time on board of the ms Olympia...C.Z. 07/23
    5,5 29.07.2024 | Michael C. Castles + Cathedrals / Jewels along the Rhine by Bike + Boat

    Good all round cycle tour

    You are not next to the Rhine all the time. But you go through some nice country side, but some times it’s quite industrial.
    • Overall satisfaction 6
    • Booking handling 6
    • Travel documents 6
    • Per-Tour information 6
    • Accomodation 4
    • Board 6
    • Route description 6
    • On-site assistance 6
    • Route-character 4
    • Bicycle + equipment 5
    • Price-performance ratio 5
    more
    5,9 26.07.2023 | Conny Z. Castles + Cathedrals / Jewels along the Rhine by Bike + Boat

    Along the Rhine

    We had a wonderful week cycling along the Rhine and enjoying the time on board of the ms Olympia
    • Overall satisfaction 6
    • Booking handling 6
    • Travel documents 6
    • Per-Tour information 6
    • Accomodation 6
    • Board 6
    • Route description 5
    • On-site assistance 6
    • Route-character 6
    • Bicycle + equipment 6
    • Price-performance ratio 6
    more
    5,7 10.10.2022 | Ted F. Castles + Cathedrals / Jewels along the Rhine by Bike + Boat

    It was great to be back!

    We originally planned this Bike and Boat adventure back in 2020. COVID delayed us for two years. We truly appreciated knowing that Rad und Reisen would be there for us when the pandemic was over. We were not disappointed. The trip from Strasbourg to ...
    • Booking handling 6
    • Travel documents 6
    • Per-Tour information 6
    • Accomodation 6
    • Board 6
    • Route description 4
    • On-site assistance 6
    • Route-character 5
    • Bicycle + equipment 6
    • Price-performance ratio 6
    more
    5,3 20.09.2020 | Kevin B. Rhine Bike Path by Bike + Boat

    First ever Bike and Boat Trip - Rhine 2020

    This was our first ever Bike and Boat trip and only our 2nd ever trip to Germany. We stayed overnight at Kehl and had a very easy route to meet the boat at its mooring. The boat was very clean and comfortable with very good accommodation and we were immediately ...
    • Overall satisfaction 5
    • Booking handling 5
    • Travel documents 5
    • Per-Tour information 5
    • Accomodation 6
    • Board 6
    • Route description 6
    • On-site assistance 5
    • Route-character 5
    • Bicycle + equipment 5
    • Price-performance ratio 5
    more
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