MS Veloria river cruise ship sailing on calm water between steep rocky cliffs covered with green vegetation under a blue sky.

Modern cabin on MS Veloria with two single beds, wooden furniture, flat-screen TV, and window showing river landscape with hills.

Modern twin cabin on MS Veloria with two beds, wooden paneling, wall-mounted TV, and large window showing river and hillside landscape.

Spacious restaurant aboard MS Veloria with white-clothed tables, gray upholstered chairs, and large windows overlooking the river landscape.

Itinerary

Embarkation at 2:00 PM in Koblenz. Around 3 PM, your journey begins with a scenic cruise upstream on the Rhine into the UNESCO-listed Middle Rhine Valley and on to St. Goar. The town was founded by Saint Goar, a priest from France who settled here along the Rhine. He was known for his kindness and hospitality, especially toward Rhine boatmen. According to legend, he even performed miracles, including sailing upstream without rowing and sealing leaking wine barrels after kicking the devil away. Tonight, you stay in St. Goar with a view of Rheinfels Castle high above the town.

Your first bike ride follows the varied Rhine Cycle Route and leads to the famous Loreley rock on the opposite bank. After another ferry crossing, you continue through Oberwesel, Bacharach, and Trechtingshausen to Bingen, where you take the ferry to Rüdesheim. The stretch of Rhine between St. Goar and Bingen is the narrowest, steepest, and perhaps most dramatic part of the valley. In our view, the Loreley is a must-see. After that, you can enjoy a rich mix of castles, churches, historic squares, and charming streets. Along the way, you also pass allotment gardens, small beaches, and picnic spots that invite you to pause and take in the scenery.

You may want to spend a little extra time in Rüdesheim this morning before heading toward Mainz, just like the ship. Today, you can choose between a flat ride along the Rhine and a more challenging route through the vineyards with more elevation. The Rhine route takes you past a protected nature area and through the medieval villages of Oestrich-Winkel, with its historic wine crane, and Hattenheim, known for its half-timbered buildings. The more demanding vineyard route climbs to the pilgrimage church in Rüdesheim and continues via Johannisberg Abbey and Castle, Schloss Vollrads, and Hallgarten before descending to Erbach. In lovely Eltville, the routes come together again and continue along the Rhine past Biebrich Castle to lively Mainz, on the opposite bank. The ship is moored near the historic center. After dinner, you can join a guided city walk.

The ship leaves early this morning and sails downstream to St. Goar, where today’s bike route begins. Over breakfast, you can enjoy the romantic Rhine scenery from the water. Once again, you have the chance to visit the Loreley or climb up to Rheinfels Castle. In Boppard, you can take the cable car uphill for sweeping views over the broad bend in the Rhine and the Bopparder Hamm, the largest wine-growing area of the Middle Rhine. Another option is to ride the Hunsrückbahn, Germany’s steepest railway line, for one stop before beginning your descent through beautiful natural surroundings. The Roman fort of Bodobrica is a striking reminder of the region’s Roman past. Shortly before Oberlahnstein, you will see Marksburg Castle shining from its rocky perch near Braubach. It is well worth a visit. After dinner, live music and a polished dance floor await on board.

Early in the morning, the ship leaves Oberlahnstein and the Rhine behind, passes the Deutsche Eck in Koblenz, where the Moselle flows into the Rhine, and continues into the Moselle Valley. Your bike ride begins in Lehmen, where the ship makes a brief stop for disembarkation. Today, you can choose between two routes: romantic Eltz Castle or rugged Thurant Castle. Both require good mobility. The route to Eltz Castle leads via Moselkern into the Eltz Valley and ends with a fairy-tale forest path of about 2 km. If you prefer, you can take the bus in Hatzenport. Thurant Castle in Alken can be seen on the opposite bank; active cyclists can reach it by bike, though there is also a path with steps. The last part of the route takes you via Treis-Karden to Cochem, where you may visit the imposing Reichsburg Castle or simply stroll through the shopping streets and relax at one of the many terraces. After dinner, you can join a wine tasting at the renowned Hieronimi winery near the ship.

Today’s ride takes you from Cochem to Zell, the furthest point of the tour. Before leaving, take some time to enjoy Cochem. Then follow the Moselle toward Bremm, where you can cycle up to a viewpoint overlooking the Calmont, the steepest vineyard in Europe, and the river’s narrow bend below. Continue on and enjoy the beautifully situated village of Beilstein. Your destination today is Zell, known for its Schwarze Katz wine. More active cyclists can climb to Marienburg Monastery after Alf and enjoy panoramic views over Zell and the broad bend in the Moselle before descending back to the ship. Overnight stay in Zell.

Very early this morning, the ship sails from Zell to Lehmen. After a short stop, you disembark and begin your final day of cycling back to Koblenz. The route leads through the historic wine villages of Kobern-Gondorf and Winningen, where Germany’s first wine festival was once held. Along the way, you pass steep vineyard slopes and may see winegrowers at work during the harvest season. Back in Koblenz, you will have plenty of time to explore the historic center or take the panoramic cable car, together with your bike, up to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress. In the late afternoon, the ship moors in Koblenz again.

Your journey ends in Koblenz. After breakfast, disembarkation takes place at 9:00 a.m.

Level

Easy

The quality of the bike paths is excellent. The route mostly follows paved bike paths and embankment trails or quiet country roads with no significant inclines. This makes the trip well-suited even for inexperienced cyclists.

Prices & Dates

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Extras

Services

7 nights in outside cabins aboard the MS Veloria in the booked cabin category
Itinerary as described
Welcome drink
Daily cabin cleaning
Bed linens and towels changed as needed
Full board: 7 breakfasts, 6 packed lunches for the bike tours or an afternoon snack, 6 afternoon coffee and tea servings until 4:00 p.m., 7 three-course dinners
All passenger, port, bridge, and lock fees
Daily briefing on cycling tours on board
Maps and informational materials (1 set per cabin)
Digital travel documents in the app, including GPS data for the cycling tours
Onboard tour guide

Not included Services

Arrival and Departure
Transfers
Bicycle Rental
Admission and Sightseeing Fees
City Maps
Insurance
Tips and Personal Expenses

Extras

Boarding at 2:00 p.m.; the ship departs at 3:00 p.m.
Disembarkation at 9:30 a.m.
Minimum number of participants: 75 people, to be confirmed 21 days prior to arrival
Bringing Your Own Bicycle: Due to limited space on the sun deck, bringing your own bicycle is only possible upon request and subject to availability. We assume no liability for loss, theft, or damage—including damage incurred during transport from the ship to shore and back.
Excursion Program: Bookable exclusively on board. A brief description will be included with your travel documents. Depending on the group composition, excursions may be offered bilingually in German and English
Schedules and itineraries are subject to change. If, for example, a section of the route cannot be navigated due to low water, high water, or inclement weather, the captain reserves the right to change the route for your safety (this does not constitute grounds for a free cancellation). The same applies to lock and/or bridge repairs ordered by authorities that were not announced in advance.
Additional Information: Please keep in mind that your riverboat is, on the one hand, your “vacation hotel,” but on the other hand, it is also a piece of equipment that is powered by engines and must be operated continuously, even at night (including passage through locks and under bridges). We recommend that guests who are particularly sensitive to noise bring earplugs. Passing through locks causes disturbances and, unfortunately, cannot be avoided.
Digital Travel Documents and Maps: In the interest of sustainability and climate protection, please forgo printed travel documents and opt for our digital route book. The GUIBO app is your constant companion throughout your trip. Just a glance at your smartphone is all it takes to ensure you’re traveling safely and worry-free, with all the important information at your fingertips. Travel information, ferry details, contact information, and even your bike tours are all available digitally in the route book—even offline—so you can access it anytime. The app is available for free and works on all standard smartphones. You’ll automatically receive the login information to download your booked trip via email before your trip begins.
Guibo App: To safely navigate digitally all day long with the Guibo App, you’ll need a cell phone mount and a power bank to recharge your phone. If you don’t bring both with you, you can purchase a cell phone mount and a power bank on board (in limited quantities).Travel Documents: EU citizens (who do not have any special circumstances, such as dual citizenship, primary residence abroad, or provisionally issued travel documents) must have a valid national ID card or passport for this trip, which must remain valid for at least 6 months after the end of the trip.If you hold another citizenship or multiple citizenships, or if you are subject to specific legal requirements, please check with your local consulate regarding the applicable visa and entry requirements. This trip is not suitable for people with limited mobility. We recommend that you purchase international health insurance that covers repatriation, as well as accident, baggage, and trip cancellation insurance.