Bad Wimpfen is a lovely spa and health resort on river Neckar. A long history left impressive traces, well preserved historic buildings add flair and flavour to the modern, lively city. During this easy bike & barge tour you explore historic places of major reputation. Celt, German tribes, the Roman Empire – they all used the strategically important routes. Enjoy a warm and friendly climate, cycle along magnificent vineyards interspersed with little villages. Half timbered houses or fortresses with buttresses and cranellations – get a good idea of Germany’s history.
By bike to Neckarzimmern, from here you can go on foot or by bike to the castle Burg Hornberg, where Götz von Berlichingen once lived. Continue your bike tour to the old picturesque town of Eberbach.
The first destination: Hirschhorn, the “Pearl of the Neckar valley”. You cycle through the Odenwald to Neckarsteinach, then via Ziegelhausen to Heidelberg. A walk through the old town and a visit to the castle are highly recommended.
You start your cycle tour in Heidelberg, cross the Neckar and have a perfect view to Heidelberg and its castle. Further on by bike to Mannheim and leave the valleys of the Neckar behind. The ship is waiting for you in Mannheim and takes you during lunch to Nierstein, a popular destination for exploring the vineyards with a tractor wagon. (approx. 25 km)
From the biggest vine growing community on the river Rhine you cycle to Mainz. Romance, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque - today you will explore the city of Mainz.
Picturesque houses and the beautiful landscape along the way from Mainz to Rüdesheim make your bike tour an experience. The heart of Rüdesheim's old town is a meeting place for locals and visitors from all over the world. Overnight stay in Rüdesheim or in Bingen.
Cycle on the left river bank to Boppard and enjoy the panoramic view of the unforgettable Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO Word Heritage site. On your way, you will pass castles and burgs alongside the celebrated Rock of Lorely. In the afternoon, MS PATRIA takes you to Koblenz where the rivers Rhine and Moselle meet.
After breakfast disembarkation until 09:00 am. Individual journey home.
The route
Mainly on tranquil roads free of traffic, solitary country lanes and asphalted cycle paths along the dyke without any climbs worth mentioning. Well suited tour for the lesser fit cyclist.
7 nights in outside cabin on MS PATRIA with private facilities and air condition
Programme according itinerary
Port fees included
Captains greeting and Welcome drinks
Daily cabin cleaning, Changing of towels and bed cloths if wanted
Full board: 7x breakfast, 6x light lunch on board (non cyclists) or packed lunch for cyclists, 6x afternoon coffee break, 7x dinner
Daily information meeting
Information pack with route book (one per cabin)
Tour guide on board (does not cycle with group)
Services not included
Arrival and departure
transfers to/from the docking place in Bad Wimpfen/Koblenz
bike rental
ferry fares
travel insurances
parking fee
drinks on board
tips.
Extras
Parking
Travelling by train takes about 3.5 hours, approx. € 45,- per person (your tour guide will assist you with buying the tickets) or transfer by mini bus (minimum 4 persons), approx. € 85,- per person (own bikes will be carried for an extra charge of € 15,- per bike). Limited space, reservation for the transfer bus required in advance, to be paid on spot.
• Embarkation: from 4:00 p.m. • Disembarkation: until 9:00 a.m. • Bike Hire on Board: smooth-running 7 speed - unisex- city bikes with hand- and back pedal brakes or with free-wheel hub (please indicate upon booking) and pannier bags. Electric bikes (limited availability – timely booking required) Please inform us about your body height upon booking. • To bring your own bike: on request only – due to lack of space on sundeck. Storage of bikes inside the ship is not possible. • Cycle Tours: unguided. You will cycle between 17 and 46 km per day. The kilometres indicated for the suggested cycle tours are approximate. • Cycle routes/ level of difficulty: The quality of the cycle ways along the route is excellent. Most of the stretches are paved or asphalted, and lead alongside the Rhine dikes without any gradients of note. This makes the trip suitable even for unpractised cyclist. • Optional Excursions: tour legs and the ship‘s time in port permitting, an optional excursion programme will be organised. Excursions can only be booked and paid (in cash) aboard the ship. • 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. If a route cannot be shipped as a result of low or high water or bad weather, the captain reserves the right to change the route in view of your safety (this will not be accepted as a reason for free withdrawal). • 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 inform about visa and entry documents at the competent embassy. • This trip is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility.
Important notes
Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
A rustic, comfortable river boat with restaurant and saloon with small bar (air-conditioned). Partially roofed sun deck with seats and storage for bikes. Length 68 m, breadth 7, 70 m, space for 66 guests, Dutch flag and captaincy. 14 cabins with air-condition (regulable) on the cabin deck/main deck (windows cannot be opened), 19 cabins on the upper deck/promenade deck (no air-condition, windows can be opened), only twin-bedded cabins (about 7 sqm, 2 separate beds), shower/toilet. A word concerning meals on board: good and plenty plain fare is awaiting you.