Bike and Barge: Saarburg to Koblenz (MS Olympia / MS Switzerland)

Arrive in Saarburg in time for embarkation, between 4 p.m. You will spend your first evening and stay overnight in Saarburg. In the city centre, you will find a waterfall, 20 meters deep, as well as many baroque buildings and traditional fishermen’s houses.

Today you will cycle from Saarburg to the abandoned meander of the River Saar, riding along through an idyllic nature reserve.  Later on, you will head to Wasserbillig in Luxembourg, and from here to the Igeler Säule. Later, you will reach your destination for the day, Trier, where MS Olympia is already waiting for you.

After breakfast, you will embark on a short ride, via Pfalzel to Mehring, the largest winegrowing community in the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region.

Today you will ride to Bernkastell-Kues. This market town, dating back to the Middle Ages, has wood-timbered houses that will invite you to stop and rest. On your ride today, visit Neumagen-Dhron, which is the oldest wine-producing city in Germany. Further on, you reach Piesport, the oldest wine-growing community along the Moselle. You should take some time to stop and taste the popular wines.

Today’s ride will lead you to the romantic Traben-Trarbach, where Jugendstil architecture is at its best. You will then continue to Zell, the well-known wine village on the Moselle.  In the evening, you will have the chance to visit a local winegrower’s place, where you can enjoy a wine tasting with the famous Moselle wines (optional excursion, bookable onboard).

You will stop today in the perfectly maintained historical centre of Beilstein, “the Sleeping Beauty of the Mosel”. Later, your tour will end in Cochem with the Reichsburg. Cochem is a lovely little town, characterised by historical, half-timbered houses and a picturesque Old Town.

Today, if you wish, you can spend the day relaxing on board, perhaps on the sundeck. You can watch as the beautiful Moselle landscape passes by, and take a pleasant stroll along the “Deutsche Eck” in Koblenz in the afternoon, where Moselle and Rhine flow together. Keen cyclists can also enjoy a cycle from Cochem to Koblenz and visit Burg Eltz today.

Disembarkation after breakfast until 9:00 a.m. Individual journey home.

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.

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: Saarburg

Departure: Koblenz

Nearest arrival airport(s): Luxembourg

Nearest departure airport(s): Cologne or Frankfurt

We also recommend travelling by train to all of our cycling holiday starting and departure points. We can help you plan your journey to Saarburg 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.