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Koblenz-Bad Wimpfen 8-day Bike & Barge Tour (PAT)
This tour is without doubt a journey along two very contrasting and beautiful German rivers – the Rhine and Neckar. The romantic Upper Middle Rhine region is famous worldwide as a river valley straight out of a picture book, with towering cliffs, steep vineyards, castles perched on virtually every hilltop and pretty villages lining the river banks. By contrast the Neckar valley, unlike the Rhine, is a well-kept secret known only by a very few tourists outside of Germany. The Neckar valley boasts picture-postcard medieval towns and villages, breathtaking views of castles and beautiful scenery at every turn of the river … it is simply a romantic gem waiting to be discovered by you on the best form of transport possible – a bicycle.
Onboard your floating hotel for the duration of this 8 day/7 night bike and barge tour, you are in for a very special treat as you explore the most beautiful sections of the Rhine and Neckar Rivers by bicycle. While the Upper Middle Rhine is famous for its history, castles and medieval towns and villages, it is the much lesser-known Neckar valley that promises to be the surprise card on this particular tour. What you will discover along the Neckar are ornately decorated half-timbered houses, impressive churches, castles, palaces and many historic monuments. Every city and village along the river has a unique atmosphere of its own, while the natural beauty of the valley has to be seen to be believed.
The journey along the Rhine and Neckar Rivers takes you from Koblenz to Bad Wimpfen, with the return trip taking place the following week from Bad Wimpfen back to Koblenz. On various dates, the barge also sails along the Moselle and Saar rivers from Koblenz to Saarburg and return a week later, with highlights including the ancient city of Trier, Cochem and Bernkastel. It is therefore possible to combine both tours to create a particularly diverse 14-day bike-boat holiday.
This tour is perfect for families with children or for anyone of any age for that matter as the cycle paths along the banks of both the Rhine and Neckar Rivers do not have any gradients of note and are asphalted or paved.
The 68 metre-long barge which is capable of accommodating a maximum of 68 guests, is your sailing home away from home for the week. She has been modernized to cater for boat and bike tours and in total has 34 twin cabins on upper and lower decks. All the cabins have two single beds standing in a right angle and are approx. 7 M², have a window (the windows on the upper deck can be opened, but for safety reasons, those on the lower deck are fixed), a shower and a toilet. All the cabins on the lower deck also have individually regulated air conditioning as does the restaurant and salon. In total there are 15 cabins on the lower deck and 19 cabins on the upper deck (supplement). The barge is an authentic river barge and features a nice salon with a bar and large windows in front of the top deck and a separate restaurant on the lower deck. On the partially covered sun deck there are sitting places (tables and chairs) for all guests and a cycle shed. The ship sails under the Dutch Flag and management and sailed in The Netherlands for many years. The language is German and English. Since 2011 the barge has been sailing exclusively in Germany and is a very popular ship for boat & bike tours.
Slow Tours offers other Bike & Barge tours in Europe
Embarkation: Koblenz
Your barge awaits you in Koblenz where the crew will welcome you onboard from 4pm. Your first night will be spent in this fascinating and historic city, an important defensive and economic centre for centuries. Highlights include the old castle of Ehrenbreitstein, which dominates the right bank of the Rhine, the 12th century Alte Burg Castle and old Koblenz town.
Koblenz - Boppard | Boppard – Rüdesheim Approx. 45km
Your cycle tour starts with sailing downstream along the river Rhine from Koblenz to Boppard where the Romans set up a fortress 2,000 years ago to guard the river along the beautiful UNESCO heritage-listed Upper Middle Rhine Valley. From there you will cycle on the left bank of the river past towering castles and through the Lorely valley to Rüdesheim. Your night will be spent in either Rüdesheim or Bingen.
Rüdesheim – Mainz Approx. 34-37km
Today you will have the choice of cycling on either the north bank of the Rhine from Rüdesheim through the beautiful Rheingau district to the historic village of Eltville and then onto Mainz or along the quiet left bank directly to the City of Mainz. In Mainz, a city with a rich history dating back to Roman times, you can enjoy many churches, museums and monuments. The most important are the Dom (cathedral), the Royal Palace, the State Theatre, the Citadel and the monument of Gutenberg.
Mainz – Nierstein Approx. 17-26km
Today’s cycling will take you via Laubenheim to Nierstein, the biggest vine growing community on the river Rhine, where you will re-join the barge to enjoy lunch on board. Later in the day, you will have the chance to join a very special excursion. Explore the vineyards with a tractor wagon including a wine-tasting and dinner at the local winegrowers (optional excursion, bookable onboard). Guests who do not participate will have dinner on board.
Nierstein - Mannheim | Mannheim – Heidelberg Approx. 26km
Today the barge will take you along the Rhine and into the Neckar River to Mannheim where you will start cycling to Heidelberg, your destination for the day. Along the way you will pass through the Celtic city of Ladenburg, one of the most colourful and best-preserved villages on the Neckar River. In Heidelberg, you can choose to walk to Heidelberg Castle on your own or you can join a guided tour through the city (optional excursion, bookable onboard). Heidelberg is a city that attracts tourists from all over the world keen to visit Heidelberg Castle, the Old Neckar Bridge, Philosophers' Way, the narrow, winding alleys of the Old Town, the numerous market squares and the city’s magnificent churches.
Heidelberg – Eberbach Approx. 36km
After breakfast you will cycle from Heidelberg via Ziegelhausen through the low mountain range of Odenwald to Neckarsteinach famous for the four old castles that guard the village to your destination for the day, the historic village of Eberbach. In the evening a night watchman in traditional clothing will guide you on a tour of the city (optional excursion, bookable onboard).
Eberbach – Bad Wimpfen Approx. 45km
The first stop on your final day of cycling is Burg Hornberg (Hornberg Castle) in Neckarzimmern. A partially ruined castle located on a steep outcrop overlooking the Neckar Valley, it is the largest and oldest castle in the valley. After visiting Burg Hornberg you will cycle to Bad Wimpfen, the destination of this tour. Make sure you explore Bad Wimpfen, a famous health resort on the river Neckar. The idyllic and romantic spa village is especially well-known for the warm, salty and revitalising water that attract people from throughout Germany and beyond. The main sights are the Blue Tower, the ‘Steinhaus’ (Stone House) and the medieval old town.
Disembarkation: Bad Wimpfen
After breakfast you will disembark, till 9am: End of tour.
The tour details are barring changes, a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons.
Tours marked with are special prices.
| Start | End | Max. No. Guests | Accommodation | Price p.p. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 05 2021 | Jun 12 2021 | 68 | Single rooms | 1,249€ | ||
| Double rooms | 899€ | |||||
| Jul 17 2021 | Jul 24 2021 | 68 | Single rooms | 1,249€ | ||
| Double rooms | 899€ | |||||
| Sep 11 2021 | Sep 18 2021 | 68 | Single rooms | 1,249€ | ||
| Double rooms | 899€ |
If you would like to drive yourself before or after your tour, ask us for a quote on any brand new Renault, Peugeot or Citroen vehicle for driving in Europe.
Pick up your vehicle from most capital cities in Europe and return it to your drop off destination. Top insurance cover. Email [email protected] for a competitive quote
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