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

Arrival in Cologne and embarkation at 4 pm. Enjoy the evening on board or with a Kölsch beer in one of the pubs with a view over the river Rhine.

Before starting your first cycle tour, take the opportunity to stroll through the Old Town. Afterwards, you start your first cycling tour to the city of Beethoven, Bonn. This federal city and former capital of Germany still has international flair. On your way, it is worthwhile to visit the leisure island Groov amidst the vast landscape of the Rheinaue wetland in the Cologne suburb Porz-Zündorf. In Bonn there are museums like the House of History or the Bundeskunsthalle courting visitors’ attention and the House of Beethoven, the Rheinaue as well as the Bundesviertel with the Path of Democracy are equally worth a visit.

You will continue towards Andernach by bike today. Königswinter with its castle Drachenburg on the Drachenfels (steep ascent) as well as the Sea Life with aquariums for more than 6.000 sea inhabitants is worth a visit. Your destination for today, Andernach, is famous for the world´s biggest cold water gush spring with its impressive fountain of 60 m.

On your way to Koblenz, you will find Castle Engers in Neuwied. At the famous “Deutsche Eck” (German corner) the river Mosel merges with the river Rhine. Another place of interest is the fortress Ehrenbreitstein which you can also reach by cableway across the Rhine in Koblenz. Tickets for the cableway are available on board.

You continue your journey by bike up the river Rhine through the UNESCO world heritage site Upper Middle Rhine Valley. You will pass the romantic fortress Marksburg, the only hilltop castle of the middle Rhine which has never been destroyed, as well as the city Boppard with its fortress Kurfürstliche Burg, before you will reach St. Goar. Here you will find the ruins of fortress Rheinfels, which is the biggest of its kind along the Rhine. The fortresses Katz und Maus (cat and mouse) in St. Goarshausen on the other side of the Rhine are also worth visiting.

Again you will pass very beautiful Rhine castles like Burg Reichenstein and Burg Rheinstein. You will cycle past the famous rock Loreley before you reach Rüdesheim. In Rüdesheim we recommend a city walk around the historic town with its beautiful half-timbered houses. Or treat yourself to a ride on the cable car up to the Nie-derwald monument. Here you will have a beautiful view of the old town of Rüdesheim and the river.

On your final cycling stage, you will find the Rhine at its best. The city Eltville am Rhein with its emblem, the castle Kurfürstliche Burg, is on your way. Mainz, your destination of today, presents itself with numerous impressive buildings. You may want to visit its cathedral Hoher Dom St. Martin, one of the proud imperial cathedrals of Germany, or the castle Kurfürstliches Schloss. In the old town, you will find attractive alleys and squares like the Augustinerstraße and the Kirschgarten with its lovely timber-framed houses and wine restaurants.

Disembarkation after breakfast until 9:00am.

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

Minimum number of participants: 75 guests (2026) / 80 guests (2027) (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 your 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.

To navigate safely throughout the day using the Guibo app, you will need a phone holder and a power bank to recharge your phone. If you do not bring these with you, both items are available for purchase on board in limited quantities

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.

Arrival: Cologne

Departure: Mainz

Nearest arrival airport(s): Cologne or Dusseldorf

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 Cologne 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.