Mainz – Strasbourg

Itinerary Mainz – Strasbourg

Day 1 (Sat): Mainz

Individual arrival to Mainz. Embarkation will be at  4:00 p.m. 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 17–26 km / 10–16 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 – Mannheim (Cycling 25 km / 16 miles)

In the Imperial city of Worms, set off for today`s cycle leg. Enjoy riding through vast fields and meadows. The beautiful cycle trail across the Friesenheim Island offers a high contrast to the opposite Rhine bank dominated by the BASF plant. A few kilometres further on, you will reach the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Neckar in Mannheim, where your ship will already be waiting for you. Make the most of the afternoon, and take a stroll through Mannheim, the City of Squares, up to the Baroque castle.

Day 4 (Tue): Mannheim – Heidelberg – Mannheim (Cycling 52 km / 32 miles)

Today, follow the course of the marvellous Neckar River up to Heidelberg. The ancient Roman city of Ladenburg with its historic Old Town is worth a short stop-over. Visible already from afar, the ruin of the Heidelberg Castle towers over the Old Town. Stroll across the famous Heidelberg Sandstone Bridge, or through the winding lanes and charming squares of the Old Town. Your way back leads through the heart of the Electoral Palatinate along the Kurpfalzruote cycle way to Schwetzingen Castle. The castle garden is a perfect place for a short break before continuing along the Rhine Cycle Route to Mannheim, where you reach back to the buzzing city life.

Day 5 (Wed): Mannheim – Speyer (Cycling 27 km / 16 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 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 – Germersheim (Cycling 22 km / 15 miles) Boat tour Germersheim – Lock Gambsheim

Along the old Rhine ox-bow lakes cycle through the unspoilt nature of the Palatinate region. Look forward to visiting the old fortified city of Germersheim with its numerous quaint lanes, corners and squares. Enjoy the boat tour to Gambsheim while having a fine glass of wine on deck or in the saloon, replaying the events of the day.

Day 7 (Fri): Lock Gambsheim – Strasbourg  (Cycling approx. 18 km / 11 miles) 

On your last bike tour 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 channels. 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 joie de vivre while your journey slowly comes to an end.

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 Olympia

MS Olympia

Comfortable and cosy river ship with family environment. The ship was refurbished in 2015/2016. The panoramic salon with bar in gentlemen club-style and the bright and friendly restaurant are waiting for you to pass relaxing hours here. A spacious, partly shaded sun deck and storage space for bicycles.

Cabins

Cabins 49 outside cabins, comfortable and cosy with en-suite bathroom, hair dryer, telephone, TV, individual air conditioning/heating, fridge and safe.
Main Deck 21x 2-bed-cabins (approx. 11m²), panoramic window (not opening windows)
Upper Deck 22x 2-bed-cabins (approx. 11m²) + four 2-bed-cabins of bigger size at the stern of the ship (= 2-bed-cabins astern: perceptive engine and generator noise when ship is in motion and in locks, approx. 12m², three of them feature twin beds) as well as two single cabins (approx. 9m²). Panoramic windows to be opened.

Technical Details

Built in 1984 | Cabin refurbishment 2015/2016 | Registry Switzerland | Length 88,50 m | Width 10,50 m | Draft 1,50 m Number of Crew ca. 21 | Passengers max. 96

On board language: German and English.

Travel Dates & Prices 2024

Bike Cruise Rhine valley: Strasbourg – Mainz

Services 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 package for cycle tours or snack on board (non-cyclists),
• 6x coffee or tea in the afternoon, 7x 3-course-dinner
• Daily meeting for the cycle tours
• Printed instructions and maps for daily individual bike tours (1 per cabin)
• GPS tracks
• Tour guide on board

Not included: Journey way, shuttles, bike rentals, entrance fees and excursions, city maps, ferry fees, travel insurances, parking fees, tips, drinks on board, personal 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

7-gear-Unisex-trekking bikes und 8-gear-E-Bikes (brand: Velo de Ville - special SE-Tours edition)
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
To bring your own bike On request only – due to lack of space on sun deck

Arrival

Mainz: The mooring is about 3 km from the train station in Mainz. Car Park at the central station (unguarded, cannot be booked in advance) in Mainz. Parking fee approx. € 55,– per week.

Strasbourg: Car parking in Strasbourg is part of the City's "sustainable mobility" policy; parking spaces in the city centre are very limited. The rates are higher than average, like in every international large town. Outside the city centre there are several park & ride parking spaces. The parking garage „Gare Wodli“ at the central station costs 20 € per 24 h www.strassburg.eu

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 unbeknownst administrative orders of lock or bridge repairs.