Your trip
Experience the Rheingold in the land of the Nibelungen?
Verily! Enjoy with bike and ship!.
Come on board for the extension of the great Rhine cruise to France. Bike and ship is probably the noblest way to experience the Rhine, its cities and castles. From the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate, the Roman city of Mainz, through the medieval metropolises, imperial diets and imperial cities of Worms and Speyer on the Neckar River to the heart of Romanticism in Heidelberg and on to Strasbourg. A dream!
The Rhine Cycle Route opens up views of the much-sung-about river, but also of untouched floodplain forests with rich flora and fauna.
The bike route leads through charming towns, villages and wine-growing areas. The diversity of the landscape, cultural testimonies and gastronomic delights do not quite want to fit into words. Experience for yourself!
I bet the Rhine will knock you over! Where else is the country so old, so steeped in myths and stories as along this ‘river of the Germans’: A trading artery since Celtic-Roman times, fiercely contested and fortified with all its customs stations, defensive walls, border castles and symbols of power. Place of longing, European romance, carnival, lightness of life German French lifestyle. Mountain ranges with fabulous views, vineyards as far as the eye can see, countless castles and palaces, enchanting half-timbered houses. You will discover all this and so much more on your tour: numerous romantic castles and palaces. Exciting stories are told about many of them. The legendary beauty of the landscapes invites you to enjoy a relaxing and beautiful vacation – with fine wines and many regional delicacies.
Your ship: The MS Olympia
On board of the comfortable and cozy riverboat MS Olympia the crew welcomes you in a family atmosphere. The panoramic salon with bar, furnished in English club style, and the bright and friendly restaurant provide ample space for relaxed hours on board. There are plenty of sun loungers available on the spacious, partially covered sun deck. On-board language: German & English
Cabins
All 49 cabins are outside cabins, comfortably and tastefully furnished. They have a shower/WC, hairdryer, air conditioning, TV, on-board radio, telephone, a small fridge and a safe.
Upper deck
On the upper deck you will find 22 two-bed cabins of approx. 11m2 each and four larger cabins at the rear of the ship as well as two 1-bed cabins (approx. 9m2). The panoramic windows on the upper deck can be opened.
Main deck
The main deck offers 21 2-bed cabins of around 11m2 each. These cabins are also all on the outside and each has a panoramic window that cannot be opened.
Technical data of the vessel
Year of construction 1984 | renovation 2015/2016 | Swiss flag | length 88.50 m | width 10.50 m | draught 1.50 m ½. Crew approx. 21 | Passengers max. 96.
Cycling tour requirements
> The bike tours you ride individually and unguided. The gates are discussed on a daily basis. > They cover between 35 and 50 km a day. The total cycle tour length is around 180 km. > They mostly ride on paved bike paths and embankment roads or quiet country roads without any significant inclines. The tour is ideal for leisure cyclists and beginners. > The terrain is mostly flat, has hardly any inclines and is suitable for pleasure cyclists, beginners and children. The trip is not suitable for persons with reduced mobility. Please contact us for detailed information if required.
Rental bicycles
> 7-speed unisex touring bikes or 8-speed e-bikes (limited availability), Velo de Ville brand (custom-made) > Each with handbrake, freewheel or coaster brake (please specify as a non-binding customer request when booking) > Equipped with luggage carrier bag; incl. Rental bike insurance Please state your height when booking.
Own bikes
> Due to limited space, it is only possible to bring your own bikes on request. > You take them with you at your own risk. We cannot be held liable for any damage/loss etc. to your own bike during the entire bike trip or for transport damage. Neither on board nor on land. For your own safety, we recommend that you always wear a bicycle helmet on all bicycle tours. Helmets are compulsory for children under the age of 12 in Austria.
Short overview arrival & departure times
| Day | Location | To | From |
| 1st day | Mainz | ES 16:00 hrs | |
| 2nd day | Mainz | 10:00 | |
| 2nd day | Nierstein | 12:00 | 14:00 |
| 2nd day | Worms | 17:30 | |
| Day 3 | Worms | 10:00 | |
| Day 3 | Mannheim | 12:00 | |
| 4th day | Mannheim | ||
| 5th day | Mannheim | 10:00 | |
| 5th day | Speyer | 13:00 | |
| 6th day | Speyer | 10:00 | |
| 6th day | Germersheim | 11:30 | 15:00 |
| Day 6 | Gambsheim | 22:00 | |
| 7th day | Gambsheim | 12:00 | |
| Day 7 | Strasbourg | 14:00 | |
| Day 8 | Strasbourg | AS until 9:00 am | |
Please note that changes can be made at any time. If, for example, due to low water, high water or bad weather, a route cannot be taken, the captain reserves the right to change the route for your safety. Please understand that this is not a reason to cancel your trip free of charge.
Arrival
Train We recommend that you travel by train. Get on vacation at your home and enjoy the journey to the Rhineland. Both Mainz and Strasbourg are excellently accessible by long-distance and regional German and French rail services. Further information on the timetables can be found at www.bahn.de. For a stress-free start to your journey, we recommend that you give yourself plenty of time and arrive at the quay by 17:00 at the latest. Car/parking You can use a parking garage at the main station in Mainz. The pitches are unguarded and cannot be reserved in advance. Costs approx. € 10,- per day.
Return journey
The best way to get back to Mainz from Strasbourg is by train. They travel by train between the cities for about 2 – 3 hours and usually change trains in Mannheim. Find and book connections and tickets e.g. at www.bahn.de.
More Rhine ?!
No problem – this trip has three beautiful sisters: No problem – this trip has three beautiful sisters: > Tours 300a and 300b take you along the Rhine between Cologne and Mainz. > Tour 301a and
301b take you along the Rhine between Koblenz and Mainz. > Voyages 305a and 305b take you from Koblenz on the Moselle and Saar rivers to the Roman city of Trier and the border triangle of Germany – France – Luxembourg.
Things to see on the way ...
- The valley of the castles, the Loreley, World Heritage Middle Rhine
- Koblenz, the most beautiful fortified city at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers
- Worms, the city of the Nibelungs and imperial days
- Mainz, the city of the Romans and capital of Rhineland-Palatinate
