Visit the famous rivers of Germany
Distance: 35-50 km average per day. Altitude: 0-100 hm average per day. The lightest cycling holiday; over mostly flat terrain, with not too long daily distances (average 50 km). Short spicy slopes with height differences of up to ± 100 meters occur.
Ride along waters such as the Main and Moselle, tributaries of the mighty Rhine. Pedal through villages dating back to the Middle Ages. The Rhine is a throbbing artery of European commerce. The Main and Moselle are smaller rivers with a long history.
This bike and barge holiday takes you through very diverse landscapes and regions. You travel along the rivers Main, Rhine and Moselle. Legends come to life around every turn; steep vineyards, the deep Loreley cliffs, the deadly Bingen Reef, the legendary site where Rheingold is buried. But you also visit vibrant cities such as Mainz and Frankfurt am Main. A journey through ancient and new Germany.
Embarkation between 2 pm and 3 pm. Starting in the beautiful city of Aschaffenburg with a lot of shops and terraces. After boarding the Zwaan you will be introduced to the crew and will be allocated your bike. In the evening you can take a walk around the city of Aschaffenburg.
Aschaffenburg is famous for its dominating Johannisburg castle overlooking the Main river. The massive four-winged complex, built from 1605 to 1614 under Archbishop-Elector Johann Schweikard von Kronberg, is one of the most important examples of palace architecture from the German Renaissance era. You can also visit the Pompejanum, an idealized replica of a Roman Village, build in the 19th century.
The first stop on your cycle route is the small, romantic city of Selingenstadt with its winding alleys, basilica, and medieval half-timbered houses. Later on you will cross to the other side of the Main River where the route leads to Hanau, the town where the famous Grimm Brothers were born. The final destination today is Frankfurt, one of Germany’s largest cities. Frankfurt is a vibrant and thriving commercial city, home to many international banks and the stock market. The city has a long history and is also home to many museums.
Following the river downstream, your route will first lead away from the Main. A shortcut through a wooded area leads to the banks of the mighty Rhine. Today’s destination is Mainz, where the Main River flows into the Rhine. In the afternoon, there is time to explore this exciting city. Mainz’s inner city is its pride and joy, filled with spacious squares, lovingly restored half-timbered houses and magnificent Baroque-style churches. The old city center datesback to Roman times
The short route today gives you plenty of time to enjoy the day's destination, the lovely town of Ruedesheim. You cycle through rolling vineyards and well-known wine villages. The Rhine flows gently, forming small islands and broadening its bed up to 800 m wide. Stroll through the “Drosselgasse”, famous for its entertaining music and taste some of the wines of this wine village. This small old “gasse” is only 144 meters long and has thousands of paving stones. There is a cable car to a very scenic viewpoint over the Rhine Valley. Another option is to explore the center of Asbach, home of German Brandy, which has been produced locally since 1892.
You now ride downstream along the Rhine, with vineyards all around. At the end of the ride near St Goar you cycle through the narrow passage at the Loreley, where legends still live. There is an ancient poem about an enchanting woman, the beautiful Lore Lay, betrayed by her sweetheart, and accused of bewitching men and causing their deaths. Instead of sentencing her to death, the bishop sent her to a nunnery. Along the way, accompanied by three knights, she comes to Lorelei rock. She asks permission to climb it and view the Rhine once again. Thinking that she sees her love in the Rhine, she falls to her death. The rock still echoes her name.
Between St. Goar and Boppard you cycle through the area that is the most visited part of the Rhine. Boppard has always been a visitor magnet with steep vineyards and one of the most beautiful lakeside promenades on the Middle Rhine. It also boasts the oldest preserved Roman fortress walls north of the Alps. You continue through charming little wine villages and end at your final destination for the day, the city of Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle and overseen by the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.
This last cycling day takes you for a short trip in the morning to the first lock in the Moselle, so that you have a head start for your cycle tour to the foot of the hills where Burg Eltz is hidden. Untouched by wars or fires, you will find this beautiful castle worth the hike to reach it. The guided tour takes you back through the ages. Then you cycle on to Cochem, the most visited village on the Moselle River. A vibrant and characteristic Moselle town with steep, vine-covered mountains, wooded hills, an impressive castle and a picturesque square with beautiful half-timbered houses and cafés. Time for a Moselle wine!
After breakfast: disembarkation at 10 AM. If you have an early flight, ask the the tourleader to arrange a taxi to the Airport.
Along the Main, Rhine and Mosel
Our carefully selected routes will lead you along the most beautiful spots along the Main, Rhine and Mosel. The average daily distance is around 40 kilometers. Most participants prefer riding in a group with the cycling guide, but you can also ride individually. A road book is included (1x per cabin). Gps-tracks can be provided by e-mail.
! Note: the tour starts on Saturday !
Boarding time on Monday is between 2 PM and 3 PM. You can recognise the barge by the banner with ‘Cycletours’ written on it. The name of your barge ‘Zwaan’ is printed on the voucher, which you will receive separately. After arrival there’s coffee and tea on board. Other drinks are also available on cash payment. If you want you can bring your luggage in advance from noon onwards.
The mooring place of the barge in Aschaffenburg is along the Main.
The nearest airport to the embarkation point of the barge is Frankfurt Airport (FRA). You need to take the train to Aschaffenburg. Travel time is a about 1 hour. The price for a one-way train ticket (2nd class) is about € 20,-. For the exact departure times and prices check deutschebahn
Aschaffenburg has a train station. From the station it is walking distance to the mooring place of the barge (1.5 km/ 1 mile). You also can take a taxi to the barge (5 minutes).
The tour ends one week later on Monday morning after breakfast before 9.30 AM. You will spend the night from Sunday to Monday on board in Cochem.
From Cochem station you can take the train to Frankfurt Airport (FRA). Travel time is about 2 hours. A one-way ticket (2nd class) costs about € 35,- per person. For the exact departure times and prices check deutschebahn
On this tour the following barge is scheduled:
Rental bikes on this tour.
Imagine a floating hotel sailing to the next stage, while you are calmly pedalling along. No lugging of luggage: that is exactly what Bike & Barge is all about! In the pleasant atmosphere on board you can have a chat, go through the day with the others, and enjoy the meals prepared specially for cyclists. In the evenings you can enjoy a drink in the salon or admire the setting sun on deck. Do not expect a cruise ship with its passive luxury. The Bike & Barge Holidays are for people who really enjoy the physical activity of cycling and who value sociability more than wholesale luxury.
Free WiFi is (limited) available in lounge and on deck.
The captain/skipper, the chef and your tour guide all welcome you warmly. They are prepared specifically for these trips and will provide good and safe passage, good meals, and a friendly, pleasant atmosphere. They will, of course, also give you a great deal of interesting information during and after the cycling and sailing. The skipper is responsible for the smooth running of things on board; the cook is in charge of the catering. A tour leader accompanies you during the bike ride and can assist in case of breakdowns. He/She will be your guide to point out the things of interest along the way and is multi-lingual (Dutch/English, some speak German and/or French).
Your chef is used to cook delicious meals for hungry cyclists. Besides an extensive breakfast, you will also be offered a packed lunch for on the road. It consists of different types of bread and sandwich fillings, juice, a snack and a piece of fruit. Lunch package needs to be prepared by yourself after breakfast. Dinner is different every day. There is a first course, main course and dessert The meals on board are included in the price, as are coffee and tea. Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks can be obtained at a reasonable charge. When you return on board after the day’s cycling, a cup of tea or coffee with a biscuit will be waiting for you.
If you suffer from food allergies or food intolerance (such as lactose- or gluten- intolerance/-allergy) or if you have special meal requirements (vegetarian; pescetarian; vegan meals; gluten free meals etc.), we ask you to mention this when booking, but no later than 14 days before arrival. Diets which need a special preparation or special ingredients can only be offered in limited form. We will do our best to meet your needs, but we also ask for your understanding as due to limited logistic possibilities on a barge we are not able to prepare complete specialized menus and special food requirements cannot always be met in all details.
In case of vegan meals, gluten free or lactose diet, there is an additional charge.
One of the most attractive aspects of the Bike & Barge holidays is that you encounter an international company on board, including people from e.g. USA, Canada, Australia, France and United Kingdom. It’s a great opportunity for you to get to know various cultures at the same time! We have people of all ages, solo travelers, couples and also families with children (during the school holidays).
Yes, but you must indicate this when booking. Diets which need a special preparation or special ingredients can only be offered in limited form. We will do our best to meet your needs, but we also ask for your understanding as due to limited logistic possibilities on a barge we are not able to prepare complete specialized menus.
On some trips, in case of a gluten-free diet/lactose-free diet/ vegan meals, a surcharge applies. This is stated per tour.
Most of the participants then wear rainwear. When the weather is so bad that cycling becomes really impossible (but that is almost never the case!), you can stay on board or your guide can organize an alternative program with, for example, cultural excursions and city tours (at your own expense).
The main countries represented by our cycling guests are: United States and Canada. We also receive guests from United Kingdom, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia and New Zealand. The common language on board is English.
No, the barge doesn’t take the same route as the cyclists do. Sometimes the route may be altered because of weather conditions or repairs to bridges or locks and then the guests and the guide can arrange with the skipper to be met at a different place. Naturally you can always stay on board for one or more days.
Cyclists can choose a longer route than the group takes. The guide will gladly advise you on the choice of an alternative route. GPS tracks are available, on request, for all tours.
