Along the River Rhine by Barge & Bike from Mainz to Cologne
MS ANDANTE: through the UNESCO World Heritage Site
The UNESCO world cultural site "Upper Middle Rhine Valley" is a paradise for romantics. Follow the river Rhine through a splendid hilly landscape in which aristocratic developers built many castles and fortresses in the past and where elaborate timber framed houses dominate the lanes of the historical old town.
At the same time you will experience a wild romantic landscape which is home of many legends like the Loreley. Your journey from Mainz to the Cathedral City of Cologne is not least a journey with many culinary delights. Along the Rhine grow grapes for excellent wines and the art of cooking is in no way inferior to the skills of local wine growers.
Your ship - MS ANDANTE:
Constantly refurbished during the last years, the spacious river barge MS ANDANTE promises a comfortable vacation in cozy atmosphere. You will find the tastefully equipped lounge-bar and the dining room with panoramic windows on the promenade deck. There are 17 cabins on the promenade deck and 26 cabins on the main deck, two of which are single cabins. (On both decks there are limited capacities for twin cabins to be used as single). All cabins (approx. 8-9 qm) are equipped with low level beds, dressing table with mirror, flat-screen TV, shower/toilet, individually-controlled air conditioning and opening windows. There is a partially roofed sundeck with seats for the guests and a designed storage for bicycles. Look forward to meeting nice people; enjoy delicious food and interesting cycle tours, simply a nice holiday.
Technical Details:
Length: 74.4 m
Width: 10.2 m
Speed: 8.64 knots/16Kmh
43 cabins: max. 84 passengers
1 lift
Dutch flag and captaincy
Itinerary:
Day 1: Saturday, Mainz
Embarkation in Mainz at 5 pm. There may be time to see the old town of Mainz with its lovely alleys and public squares.
Day 2: Sunday, Mainz - Rüdesheim, Cycle tour approx. 33 km
Today we will show you why the river Rhine and its surroundings are part of the UNESCO world cultural heritage. Beautiful islands, steep slate rocks and vinyards shape the region around Rüdesheim. By bike you will pass 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 we recommend a guided city walk around Rüdesheim (excursion, optional, bookable on board); alternatively you can visit the famous street Drosselgasse.
Day 3: Monday, Rüdesheim - St. Goar, Cycle tour approx. 31 km
Today you will cycle along the Rhine through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, passing romantic castles and ruins. These buildings include the fortresses Reichenstein and Rheinstein. The famous rock of the Loreley will also be on 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.
Day 4: Tuesday, St. Goar - Koblenz, Cycle tour approx. 38 km
Boppard and the Marksburg are possible destinations today on your way to Koblenz with its famous "Deutsche Eck" (German corner), where the rivers Moselle and Rhine are merging. From the fortress Ehrenbreitstein which you can reach comfortably by cableway you will enjoy a fantastic view over the splendid landscape of the Rhine. Tickets for the cableway are available on board.
Day 5: Wednesday, Koblenz - Andernach, Cycle tour approx. 30 km
Your path will lead you past Neuwied with its castle Engers to Andernach, your destination for today. This city is like Koblenz one of the oldest cities of Germany. Here you will find the famous cold water gush spring, whose water fountain of 50 to 60 meters is said to be the highest 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.
Day 6: Thursday, Andernach - Bonn, Cycle tour approx. 45 km
On your way to Bonn it is worthwhile to visit in Königswinter castle Drachenburg on the Drachenfels (steep slope) or the Sea Life with its various marine inhabitants. Finally you will reach Bonn. The former capital of Germany is both cosy and yet cosmopolitan. Numerous global organisations still have their headquarters here and provide the city of Beethoven with international flair.
Day 7: Friday, Bonn - Cologne, Cycle tour approx. 37 km
Before you reach Cologne by bike, there is the possibility for a nice rest at the leisure island Groov amidst a vast landscape of the Rheinaue wetland in the Cologne suburb Porz-Zündorf. In Cologne you should join in a walking tour of Cologne's Old Town and Cathedral to explore the city's must sees (excursion, optional, bookable on board). Also worthwhile are museums like the Ludwig Museum or the Chocolat Museum at the river Rhine 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.
Day 8: Saturday, Cologne
Disembarkation after breakfast.
Important:
- Embarkation: from 3.00 to 5.00 pm
- Disembarkation: After breakfast, until 09:00 am
- Bike hire on board: Unisex bicycles with normal mount (ladies model), 7 gears, hand brake and pedal brake and pannier bag, limited number of freewheel hub bikes. E-Bikes are only available after prior request (by booking) and confirmation and at limited number
- Cycle Tours: individual and self-guided. You will cycle about 30 to 45 km. The kilometres indicated for the cycle tours are approximate
- Cycle ways / level of difficulty: The quality of the cycle ways along this route is excellent. Most of the way is paved or asphalted and does not have any gradients of note. This makes the trip suitable even for unpractised cyclists
- Luggage on board: we recommend waterproof rain gear, bike helmet, sun hat and sports shoes. We would like to ask you to do without hard-side luggage as storage space in the cabin is very limited!
- Alterations of schedule or programme: subject to change. In case that as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons a route cannot be taken, the skipper reserves the right to change the route for your safety (this would not be a reason for fee-free cancellation)
- Travel documents: EU citizens need a valid identity card or passport for this journey
- Special dietary needs and food allergies: inform us about your dietary needs and we will do our best to take them into consideration. There will be an extra fee of approx. EUR 25 per person/week (to be paid directly on board). Please inform us on booking.
Car Park Facilities:
Car park close to the main station (unguarded, cannot be booked) in Mainz. Parking fee approx. EUR 10 per day.
Characteristics:
Operator:
Participants:
from 60 up to 84
Tourtype:
individual
Children:
yes
Regions:
Countries:
Benefits:
- 7 nights' in outside cabin with shower/WC in the booked category
- Programme according to itinerary from Mainz to Cologne
- Welcome drink
- Full board (breakfast, packed lunch for cycle tours or lunch snack, coffee and tea in the afternoon, three-course dinner)
- Daily cabin cleaning
- Change of bedding and towels when required
- Passenger and port fees
- Daily briefing on board for the respective cycle tour
- Tour guide on board
- Maps and information material 1x per cabin
- Rental bike insurance
Start date: on request
End date:
Duration:
Price:
Click to order
Startdate
Middate
On request
Additional costs:
- Twin cabin promenade deck: EUR 899,-
- Single cabin main deck (2 cabins per trip): EUR 959,-
- Twin cabin for single use main deck (limited offer): EUR 1199,-
- Twin cabin for single use promenade deck (limited offer): EUR 1349,-
- EUR 70 Rental fee for a 7-gear unisex bicycle with hand and back pedal brake or freewheel hubs (must be reserved in advance, limited number). All bikes have pannier bags
- EUR 165 E-bike with free wheel (must be booked in advance, limited number)
- Arrival and departure, transfers, hire bikes, entrance fees and excursions, city maps, insurances, tips (at your discretion) and own expenses