Bike and Barge: Mainz to Cologne (MS Olympia / MS Switzerland)

Embarkation from 4 p.m.

Depending on the time of your arrival, you might have time to see the old town of Mainz with its lovely alleys and public squares.

Today, you will come to understand why the river Rhine and its surroundings are part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.  Today will be filled with beautiful islands, steep slate rocks and the vineyards that shape the region around Rüdesheim. You will cycle past Eltville with its fortress “Kurfürstliche Burg” and Oestrich-Winkel with its crane for loading wine as a famous landmark, and arrive finally in Rüdesheim. Here, the world-famous wine alley “Drossel-gasse” is well worth a visit.

Today you will cycle along the Rhine through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. As you cycle, you will pass several romantic castles and ruins. These buildings include the fortresses Reichenstein and Rheinstein. You will also ride by the famous rock of the Lorelei as you make your way to St. Goar, your destination for today. From the top of the rock, you will have a beautiful view of St. Goar and St. Goarshausen.

Boppard and the Marksburg are both places that you can stop for a break today, on your way to Koblenz with its famous “Deutsche Eck” (German corner), where the rivers Moselle and Rhine are merging. You can reach the fortress Ehrenbreitstein easily by cableway, and from there, you will be able to enjoy a fantastic view of the splendid landscape of the Rhine.

The route for today will lead you past Neuwied, where you will be able to see Castle Engers, to Andernach, your destination for today. This city, like Koblenz, is one of the oldest in Germany. Here you will find the famous cold water geyser, whose water fountain, reaching up to 50/60 metres, is widely believed to be the highest cold water volcanic spring in the world. In Andernach, you can enjoy sights like the Round Tower or visit the wine village Leutesdorf, which you can reach from Andernach by ferry.

As you ride to Bonn, it is worth making a trip to visit Königswinter castle, Drachenburg on the Drachenfels (steep slope) or the Sea Life Centre, which features over 2000 different varieties of marine wildlife. Finally, you will reach your day’s destination, Bonn. The former capital of Germany, Bonn, is both cosy and traditional, yet a modern and cosmopolitan city. The birthplace of Beethoven, the city of Bonn, still has an international flair and many companies still house their global headquarters there.

Before you reach Cologne, there will be a chance for a nice rest at the leisure island Groov, amidst the vast landscape of the Rheinaue wetland in the Cologne suburb of Porz – Zündorf. Once you have reached Cologne, take your time to enjoy a stroll through the Old Town. Many museums are well worth a visit, as well as the modern parts of Cologne, which can be found at the port of the Rheinaue wetland with its crane houses. The breweries with their famous beer “Kölsch” show a relaxed side of this big city.

Disembarkation after breakfast until 9:00 a.m.

Embarkation: 4.00 p.m.
Disembarkation: From 9.00 a.m.

Minimum number of participants: 75 guests (must be reached within 21 days before departure).

Bring your own bike: On request only, due to lack of space on the sun deck. E-bikes exclusively with removable battery packs. We exclude any liability for loss, theft, and damage, including damage caused by transportation from shore to ship or vice versa.

Excursions: We offer a small excursion programme that can be booked directly on board with the cruise director only. You will receive a brief description together with your travel documents. Depending on the number of participants, some excursions may be conducted in two languages (German/English).

Schedule and programme changes: We reserve the right to make changes to the routing and programme. If there is low or high water and a route cannot be navigated, the captain reserves the right to change the route in view of your safety (this cannot be accepted as a reason for free withdrawal). The same applies to previously unknown administrative orders of lock or bridge repairs.

Digital Travel Documents and Route Maps: In the interest of sustainability and climate protection, opt for our digital route book instead of printed travel documents. The GUIBO app is your constant companion during your SE-Tours original journey. A glance at your smartphone is all you need to travel safely and worry-free, with all important information at your fingertips. Travel information, ship details, contact information, and bike tours are available digitally in the route book, accessible offline and at any time. The app is available for free and works on all standard smartphones. You will automatically receive access details to download your booked trip via email before your trip begins. If you still prefer to receive all documents from us in printed form beforehand, an additional fee will apply. We will send you all travel information in advance via email, and the maps for your bike tours will be available exclusively on board.

Travel documents: EU citizens (without special situations like dual citizenship, main residence abroad, or a limited-validity passport) are required to have a valid passport or ID card, not expiring within six (6) months of the return of your cruise. We kindly ask non-EU citizens, EU nationals with multiple citizenship, or anybody who has to respect special legal entry requirements for the country to visit, to seek information about visa and entry documents at the competent embassy.

This trip is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility. We recommend that you take out travel health insurance with repatriation coverage, as well as baggage, accident, and travel cancellation insurance.

All times are subject to change. Please book your travel according to the scheduled arrival and departure times.

Ship name: MS Switzerland
Built: 1988
Registry: Netherlands
Length: 99.65 m
Width: 11.20 m
Draft: 1.45 m
Number of Crew: Approximately 26
Passengers: Maximum 113

A stylish and welcoming atmosphere awaits you on board. The elegantly furnished cabins and public areas create a pleasant and relaxed setting. The spacious panoramic lounge with a bar and the restaurant add to the ship’s special charm. The large sun deck, with ample seating, invites you to unwind while enjoying beautiful views of the passing scenery and offers space for bicycle storage.

Cabins:
56 outside cabins, comfortable and tastefully furnished, equipped with a shower/WC, hairdryer, TV, individually adjustable air conditioning, and a safe.

Main Deck:

• The ship features 28 two-bed cabins (approx. 11 m²), 2 single-bed cabins (approx. 11 m²), and 2 mini-suites (approx. 11 m²) with additional seating.All cabins have panoramic windows, with the upper section that can be opened. In some cabins located at the front of the ship (Category Eco), engine and generator noise may be noticeable.

Upper Deck:

• 23 two-bed cabins (approx. 11 m²) and 2 mini-suites (approx. 11 m²) with additional seating. All cabins feature French balconies (floor-to-ceiling windows that can be opened).

Ship name: MS Olympia
Built: 1984
Cabin refurbishment: 2015/2016
Registry: Switzerland
Length: 88.50 m
Width: 10.50 m
Draft: 1.50 m
Number of Crew: Approximately 21
Passengers: Maximum 96

This comfortable and cosy river ship offers a family-friendly environment. The ship was refurbished in 2015/2016. The panoramic salon, designed in a gentlemen’s club style with a bar, and the bright, friendly restaurant provide ideal spaces for relaxing. The ship also features a spacious, partly shaded sun deck and storage space for bicycles.

Cabins:
49 outside cabins, comfortable and cosy with en-suite bathroom, hair dryer, telephone, TV, individual air conditioning/heating, fridge, and safe.

Main Deck:

• 21 two-bed cabins (approx. 11m²) with panoramic windows (not opening).

Upper Deck:

• 22 two-bed cabins (approx. 11m²).
• Four larger two-bed cabins at the stern of the ship (approx. 12m²), with perceptible engine and generator noise when the ship is in motion and in locks. Three of these feature twin beds.
• Two single cabins (approx. 9m²).
• Panoramic windows can be opened.

Ship name: MS Olympia
Built: 1984
Cabin refurbishment: 2015/2016
Registry: Switzerland
Length: 88.50 m
Width: 10.50 m
Draft: 1.50 m
Number of Crew: Approximately 21
Passengers: Maximum 96

This comfortable and cosy river ship offers a family-friendly environment. The ship was refurbished in 2015/2016. The panoramic salon, designed in a gentlemen’s club style with a bar, and the bright, friendly restaurant provide ideal spaces for relaxing. The ship also features a spacious, partly shaded sun deck and storage space for bicycles.

Cabins:
49 outside cabins, comfortable and cosy with en-suite bathroom, hair dryer, telephone, TV, individual air conditioning/heating, fridge, and safe.

Main Deck:

• 21 two-bed cabins (approx. 11m²) with panoramic windows (not opening).

Upper Deck:

• 22 two-bed cabins (approx. 11m²).
• Four larger two-bed cabins at the stern of the ship (approx. 12m²), with perceptible engine and generator noise when the ship is in motion and in locks. Three of these feature twin beds.
• Two single cabins (approx. 9m²).
• Panoramic windows can be opened.

Arrival: Mainz

Departure: Cologne

Nearest arrival airport(s): Frankfurt or Cologne

Nearest departure airport(s): Frankfurt or Cologne

We also recommend travelling by train to all of our cycling holiday starting and departure points. We can help you plan your journey to Mainz by rail. Car parking is available on all tours at the first hotel or a nearby public parking location. Full details are available on request.

Please do not book travel until an official invoice confirms the cycling holiday.