Rhine: Mainz - Cologne, MS Olympia

Arrive early, because there is a lot to discover in Mainz! Visit the Mainz Cathedral and the Gutenberg Museum before embarking from 4:00 pm. On board, the captain, crew and your on-board tour guide will give you a warm welcome.

Today your bike & ship tour starts with the first bike stage from Mainz to Rüdesheim through the UNESCO World Heritage Upper Middle Rhine Valley. With views of numerous Rhine islands, the bike route leads along gentle vineyards and slate cliffs to famous wine-growing towns. Among other things, the impressive half-timbered town of Eltville awaits you. Plan a detour to Eberbach Monastery, which is well worth seeing (+ approx. 14 km). Once in Rüdesheim, we recommend a visit to a wine tasting and a stroll through the famous Drosselgasse. Also worth seeing is a visit to the Niederwald Monument, which you can reach in a relaxed manner by cable car.

Today, your bike route will take you past medieval castles and half-ruined fortresses. You will pass the Mäuseturm, the famous castles Rheinstein and Reichenstein, as well as Burg Hohneck and Sooneck. Before you reach your today's stage destination St. Goar, you will pass the world-famous rock Loreley, which you should climb on the hiking trail. Once at the top, you will be rewarded with a fantastic view of the narrowest point in the romantic Upper Middle Rhine Valley. Also located here is the worthwhile Loreley Visitor Center, which provides insights into the exciting history of the region and the myth of the Loreley.

Continuing to follow the narrow Rhine valley, today you will drive through the famous and turbulent wine-growing town of Boppard. Indulge in a wine tasting or take the chair lift far above the Rhine, to the Vierseenblick, where a fantastic view of the Rhine Valley awaits you. The well-preserved Marksburg Castle and Stolzenfels Castle are on the way to the Deutsches Eck in Koblenz, your destination today.

Today's stage from Koblenz to Andernach takes you first to Neuwied and Engers Castle, which is well worth a visit. Let yourself drift leisurely along the flat Rhine cycle path and escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Once you arrive in Andernach, one of the oldest cities in Germany awaits you with its famous cold-water geyser, which emits a water fountain up to 60 meters high, making it one of the highest in the world. Also discover the Round Tower or make a detour to the wine village of Leutesdorf, which you can easily reach by ferry from Andernach.

After breakfast, you will cycle in a relaxed manner towards your today's stage destination Bonn. On the way, it is worth visiting Drachenburg Castle, which is located on the Drachenfels overlooking Königswinter and can be reached via a ride on one of Germany's oldest cogwheel railroads. Alternatively, Sea Life with its wide variety of sea creatures is an option. Continue on the leisurely Rhine Cycle Path to Bonn, where the former federal capital awaits you with its numerous sights, museums and its Rhenish cozy, yet also international flair.

On the last stage of your bike & ship tour, the bike path once again runs directly along the charming banks of the Rhine. Before you reach Cologne, you can take a break on the leisure island of Zündorfer Groov with its extensive Rhine meadow landscape. As you continue, you will arrive in the lively carnival capital of Cologne, where you should take time for a tour of the old town. There are a variety of interesting museums and sights, such as the famous Cologne Cathedral, as well as the modern part of Cologne at the Rheinauhafen with its crane houses. You should also not miss to taste a Kölsch beer or two in one of Cologne's numerous breweries and thus enjoy a pleasurable end to your trip.

Today your bike & ship trip ends after breakfast and disembarkation until 09:00am.

The planned route is always subject to possible changes due to nautical, meteorological or organisational reasons. If, for example, a route cannot be travelled due to low water, high water, bad weather or construction work, the captain reserves the right to change the route for your safety. This is not a legally valid reason for cancelling the trip free of charge. The same applies in the event of officially ordered lock or bridge repairs or in the event of engine or propulsion damage to the ship through no fault of the captain.

As your ship usually sails to the next harbour on the same day, your time frame for your own activities and sightseeing is limited. On some bridges, the clearance height is so low that the sun deck is closed for your safety.