Itinerary Strasbourg – Mainz
Bike Cruise Rhine valley: Strasbourg – Mainz
8 days / 7 nights | Ship: MS Arkona | Self-guided cycling tours
Why is it so beautiful along the Rhine River? There certainly will be hundreds of possible answers to this question. One of these will be provided by this journey, on which you will cross the French-German border several times. Both the French region of the Alsace and the German Black Forest area have much indulgence to offer, very fine wine and delicious plates. Along with beautiful churches and romantic castles that are well worth a visit you will visit scenic towns with half-timbered medieval houses like Speyer, Heidelberg and Strasbourg. Your trip will start in Mainz and will lead you all the way up to Strasbourg or the other way round.
Itinerary Strasbourg – Mainz
Day 1 (Sat): Strasbourg
Embarkation in Strasbourg from 3:00 – 5:00 am. There may be time to explore the capital of the Alsace with its many canals.
Day 2 (Sun): Strasbourg – Gambsheim (Cycling 22 km / 14 miles), Boat Tour Gambsheim – Karlsruhe
This morning, take a leisurely cycle through Strasbourg and enjoy the French lust for life before you ride directly alongside the Rhine through the gentle Rhine plain up to Gambsheim. From there, the ship takes you to Karlsruhe, a city with a unique atmosphere. With the Baroque Palace right in the core of the city centre, the botanic garden and over 1,000 Hectare of public parks, lakes and woods, Karlsruhe is a "city in the green".
Day 3 (Mon): Karlsruhe – Speyer (Cycling 50 km / 31 miles)
Today's cycle stretch leads along the oxbow lakes through seemingly unspoilt nature. Look forward to visiting the old fortified town of Germersheim with its many picturesque lanes, corners and squares. Continuing through the Palatinate land, you reach the cathedral city of Speyer. Speyer Cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981.
Day 4 (Tue): Speyer – Mannheim (Cycling 20 km / 13 miles)
Enjoy a short cycle ride alongside the Old Rhine, past marvellous lakes, through untouched protected areas designated as National Nature Reserves and natural flood plains. You reach Mannheim, also called the "City of Squares" due to its layout in a grid-pattern. In these squares, countless places are well worth visiting as for example the famous Mannheim Baroque Palace – German largest Baroque palace complex and the water tower – the city's landmark.
Day 5 (Wed): Mannheim – Heidelberg (Cycling 45 km / 28 miles)
Today the tour leads through the core of the Electoral Palatinate and thus partly along the Castle Road. Schwetzingen Castle and its castle garden are only two reasons to visit the charming town of Schwetzingen. From here, the route continues via Plankstadt and Eppelheim to Heidelberg. Already visible from afar, the castle ruin of Heidelberg Castle towers over the Old Town. Admire the famous Heidelberg red sandstone bridge or stroll through meandering lanes and see the picturesque squares in the Old Town.
Day 6 (Tue): Heidelberg – Worms (Cycling 45 km / 28 miles)
You leave the history-charged Heidelberg and follow the course of the Neckar River. The Roman city of Ladenburg with its historic Old Town is well worth a stop-off. After Mannheim, you will be back on the Rhine and follow its course until you reach the imperial city of Worms. On your journey through two millenniums of the city's history, learn about emperors and kings, myths and legends of the Nibelung, Judaism and Martin Luther.
Day 7 (Fri): Boat Tour Worms – Nierstein, Nierstein – Mainz (Cycling 20 km / 13 miles)
With almost 1,000 Hectare of viticultural area, Nierstein is home to the largest wine-growing community on the Rhine. The historic Old Town with its medieval market square and noble houses is also well worth visiting. A short stretch that leaves plenty of time for one to indulge oneself: cycle on the Rhine Cycle Route on well-paved cycle ways directly alongside the Rhine from Nierstein to Mainz. Guests, who would like to cycle a longer stretch, can also choose to start the cycle tour already in Worms. (cycle tour Worms-Mainz approx. 60 km).
Day 8 (Sat): Mainz
After breakfast disembarkation until 09:00am. Individual journey home.
Please note: All cycling distances stated above are approximate only. Itinerary is subject to change.
Mainz – Strasbourg
Itinerary Mainz – Strasbourg
Day 1 (Sat): Mainz
Individual arrival to Mainz. Embarkation will be from 3:00 – 5:00. There may be time to explore the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate with its lovingly restored half-timbered houses and the Romanesque Cathedral of Saint Martin.
Day 2 (Sun): Mainz – Nierstein (Cycling 20 km / 13 miles), Boat Tour Nierstein – Worms
A short cycle leg and plenty of time for one to indulge oneself: Cycle on the Rhine Cycle Route with its well-paved cycle ways directly alongside the Rhine to Nierstein. With almost 1,000 Hectare of viticulture area, Nierstein is home to the largest wine-growing community on the Rhine. Visit the historic Old Town with its medieval market square and the noble houses. In the afternoon, sail from Nierstein to Worms. Guests, who would like to cycle a longer stretch, can start the bike ride already in Mainz. (cycle tour Mainz-Worms approx. 60 km).
Day 3 (Mon): Worms – Heidelberg (Cycling 45 km / 28 miles)
In the imperial city of Worms, you start for today's tour leg. From Mannheim, you follow the course of the marvellous Neckar River up to Heidelberg. The Roman city of Ladenburg with its historic Old Town is well worth a stop-off. The ruin of Heidelberg Castle can be seen already from afar and towers over the city of Heidelberg, today's destination. Admire the famous Heidelberg red sandstone bridge or take a stroll through the narrow lanes and see the picturesque squares.
Day 4 (Tue): Heidelberg – Mannheim (Cycling 47 km / 29 miles)
Via Eppelheim and Plankstadt, cycle today through the core of the region of Electoral Palatinate, following partly the Castle Road. Schwetzingen Castle and its gorgeous castle garden is just one reason to visit this charming town. From there the route leads you to today's destination, Mannheim. Almost all sights of the city, like the water tower and Mannheim Baroque Palace, are only a few minutes walking distance away from the city centre and are well worth visiting.
Day 5 (Wed): Mannheim – Speyer (Cycling 20 km / 13 miles)
Alongside the numerous oxbow lakes of the Old Rhine leads the way to today's destination – the cathedral city of Speyer. Enjoy the short bike ride past marvellous lakes, through unspoilt nature, areas that are designated Natural Nature Reserves and natural flood plains. The Speyer Cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981.
Day 6 (Thu) Speyer – Karlsruhe (Cycling 50 km / 31 miles)
By bike, continue your tour through the Palatinate region past oxbow lakes and untouched nature. Look forward to visiting the old fortified town of Germersheim with its numerous picturesque lanes, corners and squares. From here, the way leads to Karlsruhe, a city with a unique atmosphere. With the Baroque Palace in the core of the city, the botanic garden and with an abundance of parks, lakes and woods, Karlruhe is "a city in the green".
Day 7 (Fri): Boat Tour Karlsruhe – Gambsheim, Gambsheim – Strasbourg (Cycling 22 km / 14 miles)
In the morning, the ship sets sail for Gambsheim. On your last cycle stretch, cycle in an easy pace directly alongside the river through the gentle Rhine plain until you reach the capital of the Alsace, the city of Strasbourg with its countless canals. Stroll to the Strasbourg Minster, the landmark of the city, through the picturesque tanners' quarter with its small historic half-timbered houses and enjoy a piece of French lust for life while the end of your journey approaches.
Day 8: Saturday, Strasburg
After breakfast disembarkation until 9:00am. Individual journey home.
Please note: All cycling distances stated above are approximate only. Itinerary is subject to change.
Map
Ship MS Arkona
Your Ship MS Arkona
The MS ARKONA is being completely refurbished during the winter of 20 17/2018. The modern and elegant atmosphere aboard the vessel will make your journey a relaxed experience. The Upper deck holds the tastefully furbished saloon with bar and a bright and friendly restaurant. The spacious sun deck is partly shaded and features comfortable deck chairs, which in vite the passengers to enjoy the passing scenery in relaxation. Both the Upper and the Main deck hold comfortable cabins of 11 m², furnished in a modern way. All cabins feature hotel-style beds, en-suite facilities with shower and hair dryer, TV, safe and individually controlled air conditioning. Upper deck: twelve two-bed-cabins with sliding glass doors and French balcony and two one-bed-cabins with a small double bed (14 0 cm) and opening panoramic windows. Main deck 34 two-bed cabins with non-opening windows.
Technical details: Length: 83,03m, Width 9,64m, Depth 1,30m, Max. 96 passengers. Languages on board: German, English, Currency on board: Euro Credit cards: MasterCard and Visa
Travel Dates & Prices
Travel Dates and Prices 2019 per Person in Euro
Please click at the travel data to open the request form.
Strasbourg - Mainz
Twin BD
Twin UD
Single BD *
Single UD *
999 €
1.199 €
1.498 €
1.598 €
999 €
1.199 €
1.498 €
1.598 €
999 €
1.199 €
1.498 €
1.598 €
Mainz - Strasbourg
Twin BD
Twin UD
Single BD *
Single UD *
999 €
1.199 €
1.498 €
1.598 €
999 €
1.199 €
1.498 €
1.598 €
999 €
1.199 €
1.498 €
1.598 €
Optional services / Notes
Cycle hire, 7-gears
70,- €
E-Bike hire
165,- €
- BD = Below Deck / UD = Upper Deck
- * Single cabins are twin cabins for single use.
- Minimum number of participants: 60
Services included
- 7 nights in outside cabin with shower /WC in the booked category
- Programme according to itinerary from Mainz to Strasbourg or Strasbourg to Mainz
- Welcome drink
- Full board (breakfast, packed lunch for cycle tours or lunch snack, coffee and tea in the afternoon, three-course dinner)
- Daily cabin cleaning
- Change of bedding and towels
- Passenger and port fees
- Daily briefing on board for the respective cycle tour
- Tour manager on board
- Maps and information material 1x per cabin
Not included: Arrival and departure, transfers, cycle hire, entrance fees and excursions, city maps, insurances, gratuities (at your discretion) and own expenses.
Difficulty level
The cycling tours are individual and self-guided. You will cycle about 20-50 kms. The kilometres indicated for the cycle tours are approximate. The quality of the cycle ways along this route is excellent. Most of the way is paved or asphalted and does not have any gradients of note. This makes the trip suitable even for unpractised cyclists.
Meals on board
Special dietary needs and food allergies: please inform us about your dietary needs and we will do our best to take them into consideration. There will be an extra fee of approx. € 50 per person/week (to be paid on board). Please inform us on booking.
Luggage
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!
Bicycle rental
Bicycles rental are 7-gear touring bikes.
All rentals include a rear pannier. E-Bike on request
It is also possible to use your own bicycles during this tour.
Arrival
Mainz: The mooring is about 3 km from the train station in Mainz. Parking Garage at Central station in Mainz for about € 80, - per week, the parking spaces can not be booked in advance.
Strasbourg: The mooring is not far from the train station Strasbourg / Kehl. When starting in Strasbourg we recommend to park the car in Mainz and to travel by train to Strasbourg.
