Germany to the Netherlands  8-day Bike and Barge Tour

Cologne - Düsseldorf

You'll be welcomed aboard the ship from 2pm. After everyone is check in the crew will introduce themselves and start preparations to head out. This afternoon you’ll sail along the winding Rhine River towards Düsseldorf. Your guide will take their time to brief you on the upcoming week. You’ll also receive a thorough safety briefing all about cycling in Germany and the Netherlands. This evening we’ll dock in Düsseldorf, the capital of North-Rhine Westphalia, famous for its glamorous shopping streets and art galleries. After dinner, you can take an evening stroll to sample a delicious local beer at one of the city’s traditional brewhouses.

Düsseldorf - Duisburg 35km or 55km

After a delicious breakfast, you’ll start your tour with a short visit to the historic city centre of Düsseldorf. Then you’ll embark on your first cycle tour, following the Rhine Cycle Path which runs all the way from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea, providing some of the most spectacular views in Europe. Your final destination for today is Duisburg. Known for having the biggest inland harbour of Europe. Duisburg had to be completely rebuilt from the ground-up, after 80% was destroyed by bombing in WW2. It's now a cosmopolitan and thoroughly modern German city which is not to be missed when visiting the Rhine.

Duisburg - Wesel | Wesel - Rees 44km or 50km

After breakfast, the ship will head along the Rhine towards Wesel, where your next cycling adventure begins. You’ll follow the river to the ancient town of Xanten, home of the world’s largest open-air archaeological museum where you can see the remains of Roman settlements. Don’t miss a trip to the medieval town centre and a visit to the Xanten Cathedral! Leaving Xanten, you’ll continue winding your way along the Rhine, drinking up the scenery in the Reeser Schanz nature reserve to reach your final destination – the fortified town of Rees.

Rees - Arnhem 41km or 50km

Today you’ll cross over the border into the Netherlands! Shortly after entering the Netherlands, you’ll reach the point where the Rhine river becomes the Rhine delta. A concrete dam divides the river into two. You can cross the river to pay a visit to the impressive fairytale castle of Doornenburg, one of the best-preserved castles in the Netherlands. Your final destination is Arnhem, a city well-known for its extensive WW2 history, and its role in the tactical assault Operation Market Garden. The ship will dock for the night on the edge of the city centre.

Arnhem 37km or 49km

Today’s cycling trip will take you away from the Rhine, and straight into the beautiful natural vistas of The Veluwe nature reserve. You’ll cycle in a northerly direction towards the unique Hanseatic town of Doesburg, situated next to the IJssel river. This town used to be the oldest fortified town of the Netherlands, and features over 150 monumental buildings, as well as the oldest tavern in the country, in business since 1478! It’s still open for business today!, and well worth a stop for some delicious apple pie and a cold beer. We’ll cycle back to the boat on the popular bike path running along the river IJssel. In the evening you’ll have the opportunity to explore Arnhem by night, and you’ll be free to have dinner at a restaurant of our choice.

• As the ship will remain stationary today, you also have the option to skip the bike tour and explore Arnhem by foot instead, exploring the Open Air Museum, doing some souvenir shopping, or finding out more about the fascinating WW2 history in the area.

Arnhem - Wijk bij Duurstede. 35km or 55kmj

Today is all about nature. After a relaxed breakfast, you’ll cycle into the heart of The Hoge Veluwe National Park, a nature reserve where over 500 plant species can be found in the varied, lush terrain consisting of forest, woodland heath and sparkling lakes. You may well catch a glimpse of a deer or a fox, or some spectacular birdlife. On your tour, you’ll have a chance to soak up some art with a visit to the Kröller-Müller Museum, renowned for its extensive sculpture garden and collection of over 80 Van Gogh paintings. After returning to the ship, you can enjoy dinner with magnificent views as the ship sails to your next destination: Wijk Bij Duurstede.

Wihk bih Duurstede - Breukelen | Breukelen - Amsterdam 36km or 46km

As you enjoy an elaborate breakfast, your ship will cruise to Breukelen where you’ll disembark to start your final day of cycling. Today your route takes you along the Vecht River in an area famous for its beautiful mansions, small castles, impressive houses and large gardens. After cycling through the villages of Nieuwersluis, Loenen and Vreeland you’ll arrive at Nigtevecht where you’ll have the opportunity to visit a traditional cheese farm, and see how the famous Dutch cheese wheels are made. You’ll continue cycling through the historical town of Muiden and on to Amsterdam where you will meet the barge for the final time at Amsterdam harbour in the centre of the old city.

Amsterdam

Today marks the end of your tour. After enjoying a hearty breakfast, say your last goodbye until next time and disembark by 9.30am

The tour details are barring changes, a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons