Cycling holiday Where three rivers tell their stories

Where three rivers tell their stories

Discover the Rhine, Main and Neckar

Starting at € 1.199,-
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Summary
  • 8 Days Sunday to Sunday
  • 50 km average per day
  • Arrival Frankfurt am Main Airport
  • Departure Frankfurt am Main Airport
Highlights
  • Heidelberg Castle
  • Medieval Bad Wimpfen
  • Neckar Valley with castles and vineyards
  • Baroque palace of Mannheim
Characteristics
  • Self-guided Tour
  • Group Tour
  • Bike & Barge
  • Cycling level 2

    You cycle along towpaths by the canals or on quiet country roads, farm tracks, and forest paths. A few longer climbs are part of the route, so a basic level of fitness is recommended.

From the skyline to the vineyards

Experience a journey that uniquely combines active exploration, relaxation, and cultural highlights. Along the Rhine, Main, and Neckar rivers, you will discover picturesque river landscapes, sun-drenched vineyards, and some of the most beautiful towns and cities in southwest Germany.

From the modern skyline of Frankfurt to the historic city of Mainz, through the Baroque splendor of the Electoral Palatinate, and into the idyllic Neckar Valley, you will encounter impressive cultural landmarks, romantic old towns, and charming wine villages steeped in tradition.
Explore diverse landscapes at your own pace on carefully selected cycling routes while your ship accompanies you from one stage of the journey to the next. In the evening, relax on board and reflect on the day's experiences in a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere.
Look forward to a journey filled with culture, fine wines, and unforgettable moments along the water - where the Rhine, Main, and Neckar each tell their own unique story.

Daily Program

  • Day 1 Frankfurt am Main - arrival

    Embarkation from 15:00 AM to 16:00 AM. Your first cruise will start at 17:00 PM to pass the Main river to the idyllic vineyard village Nierstein.

  • Day 2 Nierstein - Mannheim, 62 km

    With almost 1,000 hectares of vineyards, Nierstein is the largest wine-growing community along the Rhine. Start your day with a visit to the historic town center, featuring a medieval marketplace and noble estates. Then cycle directly along the Rhine, heading first to the imperial city of Worms. The scenic path across the Friesenheimer Island later offers a striking contrast to the industrial Rhinefront of BASF on the opposite bank. A few kilometers further on, you’ll reach the confluence of the Neckar and Rhine rivers near Mannheim, where your ship will be waiting. If you still have some energy, take a detour through the “City of Squares” to its impressive baroque palace.

  • Day 3 Mannheim - Heidelberg - Eberbach, 35 km

    Enjoy your breakfast while your ship brings you to Heidelberg. Your first cycle tour leads you along the Neckar River passing Ziegelhausen and the forests of the “Odenwald” to Neckartseinach, through the town of Hirschhorn and end up in in Eberbach – your today’s destination. Stroll through the winding alleyways and charming little squares, and soak up the relaxed atmosphere of this historic Staufen town.

  • Day 4 Eberbach - Bad Wimpfen - Heilbronn, 25 km

    Today’s cruise in the morning is one of the most beautiful stretches of the Neckar River. Between Eberbach and Bad Wimpfen, your ship passes wooded slopes, sun-drenched vineyards, and historic castles. Impressive and historic Buildings such as Hornberg Castle and Horneck Palace dominate the landscape. It ends in Bad Wimpfen with its medieval silhouette and striking towers and it is your starting point for a relaxed bike ride along the Neckar toward Heilbronn—the heart of the Württemberg wine region. This lively city combines historic sights with a modern vibe and invites you to stroll, savor the moment, and linger.

  • Day 5 Heilbronn - Bad Wimpfen - Hirschhorn - Heidelberg, 65 km

    Change your perspective today: Enjoy your breakfast while cruising back to bad Wimpfen. Well-fed, you'll set off on your bike tour through the romantic Neckar Valley, passing one of the most beautiful parts of Neckartal-Cycle path. Wooded slopes, historic old towns, castles and vineyards accompanies you on your way. Charming villages as Gundelsheim and Eberbach invite you for a short break until you arrive in Hirschhorn. The picturesque Old Town and the castle towering high above the river mark the end of this impressive cycling stage. Late in the evening, your ship will take you to Heidelberg. Enjoy the passing scenery from the sun deck and relax as you reflect on the past few days of cycling

  • Day 6 Heidelberg - Mannheim - Nierstein, 30-45 km

    The ruins of Heidelberg Castle tower are visible from afar. Take your time and stroll across the famous Heidelberg Sandstone Bridge or through winding alleys and picturesque squares. Afterward, you can choose from two bike tours to Mannheim. The shorter route takes you, among other places, to the Roman town of Ladenburg with its historic old town, before you reach Mannheim, the “City of Squares.” On the longer bike tour along the “Kurpfalz” Route, one of Germany’s most significant palace awaits you. Schwetzingen Palace is best known for its magnificent palace gardens, which combine Baroque elegance with a sprawling English landscape garden. In the evening, your ship sets sail again to moor for the night in Nierstein on the Rhine.

  • Day 7 Nierstein - Mainz - Frankfurt am Main, 40 km

    After passing the Neckar and the Rhine you will complete your 3-River-Journey today: At last, you will join the Main cycle path from Mainz to the vibrant metropolis on the Main in Frankfurt. Following mainly flat cycle paths your tour leads you through idyllic floodplain landscape, passing small waterfront towns and green park areas. Enjoy a relaxed cycle tour before Frankfurt’s impressive skyline comes into view on the horizon. Set against the backdrop of the historic Old Town, modern architecture, and the lively banks of the Main River, a wonderful conclusion to your cycling trip awaits you.

  • Day 8 Frankfurt am Main - departure

    After breakfast checkout until 9:00 am– have a safe journey home.

Cycling in the Neckar Valley around Frankfurt am Main

Germany

Profile
 

Cycling mostly on well-developed long-distance cycle paths through flat river landscapes, primarily on paved or fine gravel cycle paths and quiet country roads. Gentle hills and a few short climbs are part of the route. Ideal for active cyclists seeking a relaxed and enjoyable touring experience.

Total distance: 255-272 km
Character: Individual, unguided

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skyline Frankfurt am Main
Eberbach
Medieval Bad Wimpfen
Vineyards around Nierstein
Heidelberg
Heidelberg Castle
Nierstein

What else do you need to know?

To see the prices for 2027, select a date and click 'Book'.

Included

  • Seven nights in outside cabins with private facilities in the booked cabin category
  • Program according to routing
  • All charges for harbours, bridges and locks
  • Room cleaning every day, changing of towels and bed cloths as necessary
  • Welcome-drink
  • Full board consisting of 7x breakfast, 6x lunch snack on board (non-cyclists) or lunch package for cycle tours,
    6x coffee or tea in the afternoon, 7x 3-course-dinner
  • Daily meeting for the cycle tours
  • Digital travel documents via GUIBO-App incl. GPS tracks for bike tours
  • Tour guide on board

Not Included

  • Reservation fee
  • Contribution Dutch Guarantee Fund (Insolvency Protection)
  • Journey to Frankfurt and back
  • Parking fees and shuttles
  • Bike rentals  (Regular bike € 99,- / Ebike € 219,-) - Bike insurance included
  • Local visitor’s tax may apply during cycle tours
  • Entrance fees and excursions,
  • City maps
  • Ferry fees
  • Travel insurances
  • Tips for the crew and captain
  • Drinks on board 

Special details

  • This tour is operated by our local partner
  • As our local partner is situated in Germany, this tour has a mix of German and international participants.
  • Please take good notice of our Terms & Conditions
  • This program is subject to change without notice
  • All bike tours are unescorted.
  • All kilometers are approximate distances of recommended routes.
  • Please be aware that the cabin storage space is limited. 
  • In case of flood or low tide, the shipping company reserves the right to bridge parts of passages by buses. In extreme situations, the shipping company reserves the right to cancel the journey on short notice. No legal right shall be constituted of both situations. (Water level is force majeure). The same applies for officially ordered – previously not announced – repair work on locks or bridges or in case of breakdown of engine or power unit through no fault of shipping company or tour operator.
  • Basically, we reserve the right to make changes of routing and program. If there is low or high water and a route cannot be shipped, the captain reserves the right to change the route in view of your safety (this cannot be accepted as a reason for free withdrawal). Same applies to previously unknown administrative orders of lock or bridge repairs.
  • Please be aware that a cruise ship on the Oder is not only your hotel but also a machine that works with engine power that may cause noise during the night, when passing locks and bridges and during preparation work.
  • Minimum of participants: 75 guests (has to be reached at the latest 21 days before cruise start)

Embarkation Frankfurt am Main

Embarkation: on Sunday from 4 PM
Mooring place MS Casanova: Osthafen

Airport

The nearest international airport to the embarkation point in Frankfurt am Main is Frankfurt airport (FRA).

Public transport

From Frankfurt Airport to Frankfurt am Main by train or S-Bahn will take about 15 minutes.
Airport transfer to Frankfurt

Car + parking

There are no dedicated parking facilities near the mooring location in Frankfurt (Osthafen). However, several parking garages and public parking spaces are available in the surrounding area.

End of the tour

Disembarkation will take place in Frankfurt am Main after breakfast (9.00 AM) on Sunday.
 

Bicycle equipment:

  • 7-gear-Unisex-trekking bikes und 8-gear-E-Bikes
  • With hand brake and pedal brake or hand brakes only (subject to availability, please indicate as a non-binding customer request by the booking)
  • Pannier bag and rental bike insurance included.
  • E-Bikes on a limited number only
  • Please indicate your body height by the booking

Travel safe and secure: We recommend to wear a bike helmet.


Onboard Selling (limitid quantity):
Bicycle helmet UVEX I-VO: € 45.-  
Phone holder: €10,- per item
 

On this tour you can rent the following bikes:

  • Rental e-bike 8th gears

    8-gear e-bike with Bosch motor

  • Rental bike Unisex

    7-gear Unisex trekking bikes
     

Embarkation: Sunday at 4:00 PM

Disembarkation: Sunday at  approx. 09:00 AM

Minimum number of participants: 75 guests (must have been reached within 21 days prior to departure)

To bring your own bike On request only – due to lack of space on sun deck. E-bikes exclusively with removable battery pack. We exclude any liability for loss, theft and damage - this also applies to damage caused by transportation from shore to ship or vice versa.

Travel safe and secure: We recommend to wear a bike helmet. Onboard Selling: UVEX I-VO € 45.- per helmet, limited number. 

Excursions: We offer a small excursion program, that can be booked directly on board at the cruise director only. You will get a brief description together with your travel documents. Depending on the number of participants some excursions could be carried out in 2 languages (German/ English)

Luggage: We recommend: rainwear, bicycle helmet, sunhat and sneakers.

Digital Travel documents and roadmaps: 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 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 (exept Huawei). You will automatically receive the access details to download your booked trip via email before your trip begins.

Guibo App: 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.

Schedule and program changes: Basically, we reserve the right to make changes of routing and program. If there is low or high water and a route cannot be shipped, the captain reserves the right to change the route in view of your safety (this cannot be accepted as a reason for free withdrawal). Same applies to previously unknown administrative orders of lock or bridge repairs. Notes: Please be aware that a cruise ship on the Danube is not only your hotel but also a machine, working with engine power also during the night. Especially crossing locks and bridges - and the preparation work - may cause noise. If you are sensitive please bring your own ear plugs

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.

We recommend that you take out a travel health insurance with repatriation coverage as well as baggage, accident and travel cancellation insurances.