Netherlands to Germany 8-day Bike and Barge Tour

Amsterdam Wijk Bij Duurstede

From 2pm you’ll be welcomed on board with tea and coffee and have the opportunity to meet the crew. Your tour will officially begin when the ship leaves the harbour and heads for the Amsterdam – Rhine channel. While cruising your guide will take her time to tell you all about what you can expect to see on the week to come. They’ll also give you a bike safety briefing. After you enjoy a freshly-prepared dinner served by our onboard chef, the ship will dock for the night in Wijk Bij Duurstede.

Wijk Bij Duurstede - Wageningen | Wageningen - Arnhem 35km or 40km

Today is all about nature. After a hearty breakfast on the ship, you’ll embark on your first bike excursion, going deep into the Hoge Veluwe National Park. The park features one of the most beautiful landscapes in the Netherlands, 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. You’ll also have a chance to soak up some art with a visit the Kröller-Müller Museum, renowned for its sculpture park and collection of over 80 Van Gogh paintings. When the day comes to an end you’ll cycle back down towards the river valley, and spend the night in Arnhem.

Arnhem 38km or 45km

Today we say goodbye to the Veluwe and 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 in the Netherlands, and features over 150 monumental buildings, as well as the oldest tavern in the country, founded in 1478! It’s still open for business, and well worth a stop for some delicious apple pie. We’ll cycle back to the boat on the popular bike path running along the banks of the river IJssel. In the evening you’ll have the opportunity to explore Arnhem by night and have dinner at a restaurant of your 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 - Pannerden 44km | Pannerden - Rees

As you enjoy an elaborate breakfast, your ship will cruise along the Pannerdens Kanaal, in the direction of Germany. Just before reaching the Rhine the ship will dock close to Fort Pannerden, constructed in 1869 and used as part of the Dutch defense effort in WW2. After a short visit you’ll cross the river and cycle over the border to visit the city of Kleve, built around the fairytale Schwanenburg Castle. Today’s final destination is the fortified town of Rees. In the evening you can rest and relax. Enjoy a delicious dinner on board. You’re also free to go for an evening stroll and sample some German liqueurs in Rees.

Rees - Wesel | Wesel - Duisburg 37km or 49km

In the morning, the ship will head along the Rhine towards Wesel where your next cycling adventure begins. From here we’ll follow quiet roads through the German countryside, stopping at pretty villages along the way. For the last leg of the trip you’ll leave the medieval times and head straight into the the modern age as you visit the largest inland harbour of Europe, located in Duisberg. Duisburg had to be completely rebuilt after WW2 as 80 percent of the houses were destroyed by bombings. They rebuilt the entire city from the ground-up, creating a cosmopolitan and thoroughly modern German city which is not to be missed when visiting the Rhine.

Duisburg - Düsseldorf 35km or 55km

This morning we'll leave the modern industry of Duisberg behind us and continue our journey along the Rhine Cycle Path, which runs all the way from the North Sea to the Swiss Alps, providing some of the most spectacular views in Europe. The path winds through an inviting landscape of wide fields and meadows, taking you all the way to our next destination: Düsseldorf. Düsseldorf is the capital of North-Rhine Westphalia, famous for its glamorous shopping streets and incredible offerings of contemporary art. In the city centre you can quench your thirst with a delicious icy beer at one of the traditional brewhouses.

Düsseldorf - Cologne 30 km or 55km

Today you’ll continue cycling along the Rhine to reach your final destination, Cologne. There is just so much to see in this diverse, ancient city with more than 2,000 years of history to explore. You can visit the oldest perfume factory in the world, and learn all about the creation of the famous Eau de Cologne. Or meander around the vast botanical gardens featuring an exquisite glass palace and don’t forget a visit the Cologne Cathedral or to one of its twelve large Romanesque churches. After your busy day of sightseeing you can return to the ship for a delicious farewell dinner on board.

Cologne

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