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

Make your way into Strasbourg (Kehl). Embarkation will be from 4:00 p.m.

Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to explore the capital of Alsace today. Enjoy the beautiful city, known for its many canals.

After breakfast, you should have plenty of time to explore Strasbourg. The Strasbourg Minster and the Tanners` Quarter with its small historic half-timbered houses are well worth seeing. Soak up the French joie de vivre before you set out on your first cycle tour. Cycle directly along the River Rhine, through the gentle Rhine plain, until you reach the Gambsheim lock, where you will find your ship waiting for you. You will then set sail for Germersheim. Whilst on board, enjoy a glass of wine on deck or in the saloon, as you relive the highlights of your journey so far.

Toda’s cycle will guide you through unspoilt nature along the old Rhine ox-bow lakes. Before, however, look forward to forward to visiting the old fortified town of Germersheim, which is full of picturesque lanes, corners and squares. As you continue through the Palatinate land, you will eventually reach your destination for the day, the cathedral city of Speyer. Speyer Cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981.

Today, you can relax with a short ride along the bank of the Old Rhine. You will pass marvellous lakes, and cycle through untouched protected areas, designated as National Nature Reserves, and natural flood plains. By the end of your ride, you will have reached Mannheim, also called the “City of Squares” due to its layout in a grid pattern. Among these squares, you will find countless places that are well worth a visit, for example, the famous Mannheim Baroque Palace (Germany’s largest Baroque palace complex) and the water tower (the city’s landmark).

Today you will head through the heart of the Electoral Palatinate and thus partly along the Castle Road. Schwetzingen Castle and its castle garden are just 2 of the reasons to visit the charming town of Schwetzingen. From here, the route continues via Plankstadt and Eppelheim to Heidelberg. Already visible from afar, the 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. For a longer cycle route, follow the Neckar on the other side, through the Roman town Ladenburg, back to Mannheim.

You will leave Mannheim. With meadows and fields at your side, you will follow the path of the Rhine to the imperial city of Worms. On your journey through two millennia of the city’s history, learn about emperors and kings, myths and legends of the Nibelung, Judaism and Martin Luther.

With almost 1,000 Hectares 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 cycleways directly alongside the Rhine from Nierstein to Mainz. Guests who would like to cycle a longer stretch can also choose to start the cycle tour in Worms. (cycle tour Worms-Mainz approx. 60 km.

After breakfast, disembarkation until 09:00 am. Individual journey home.

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

Minimum number of participants: 80 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.

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

Arrival: Strasbourg

Departure: Mainz

Nearest arrival airport(s): Strasbourg, Basel or Karlsruhe Baden-Baden

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 Strasbourg 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.