Amsterdam to Cochem

Princesse Royal, Magnifique I & III - 8 Day Tour

Day 1: Amsterdam -  Wijk bij Duurstede 
Day 2: Wijk bij Duurstede - Wageningen | Wageningen - Arnhem| Arnhem - Rees, 21 or 27 mi. (35 or 44 km)
Day 3: Rees - Wesel | Wesel - Duisburg | Duisburg - Düsseldorf, 24 mi. (40 km)
Day 4: Düsseldorf - Zons - Cologne, 17 or 33 mi. (28 or 54 km)
Day 5: Cologne - Bonn, 23 mi. (38 km)
Day 6: Bonn -  Remagen | Remagen - Koblenz, 27 mi. (44 km)
Day 7: Koblenz - Alken | Alken - Moselkern -  Cochem, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 8: Departure from Cochem following breakfast, by 9:30am

All distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change sometimes without prior notice.  Some waterways may be subject to occasional closures due to drought, storms, floods, canal, or lock repairs, or other unforeseen circumstances that make navigation unsafe or impossible. The captain reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary. 

Sections in italics are covered while boarded on ship.

Day 1: Amsterdam -  Wijk bij Duurstede
The embarkation time in Amsterdam is scheduled for 2 pm, so it is important to arrive on time. Once you have arrived, you will have a welcome meeting with the crew before the barge sets sail. Dinner will be served while you travel along the Amsterdam – Rhine Canal. The destination for tonight is Wijk bij Duurstede, which is one of the oldest settlements in the lowlands. The ship will dock there for the night.

Day 2: Wijk bij Duurstede - Wageningen | Wageningen - Arnhem| Arnhem - Rees, 21 or 27 mi. (35 or 44 km)
As the ship navigates to Wageningen, you enjoy your breakfast and the views. Once in Wageningen, the cycling itinerary follows a route over the high Veluwe nature reserve, through heathland and forest. The Netherlands is known for being flat but here you will find some slight natural height differences in the landscape, formed in the last Ice Age. In this period the “Hoge Veluwe” area was right on the edge of the ice. The barge awaits in Arnhem.  During dinner, the ship will navigate upstream into Germany. The destination for the night is Rees.

Day 3: Rees - Wesel | Wesel - Duisburg | Duisburg - Düsseldorf, 24 mi. (40 km)
The barge departs early this morning, destination: Wesel. From here the cycling will focus on the Ruhr area where Germany, and possibly Europe’s largest industries are located. Cities like Essen, Duisburg, Oberhausen, and Dortmund are intertwined together through a maze of highways, railways, and waterways. This region was once very prosperous and therefore a target in 1923, when French and Belgian troops tried to occupy it to enforce Prussia’s WWI reparation payments. From 1944 to 1945 the Ruhr was also a top target for the Allies. After so much conflict and industry, it’s hard to imagine that you can cycle here. The German government put a lot of effort into redeveloping the area after the closure of many factories. It may not always be scenic, but it’s an impressive and evolving post-industrial landscape not to be missed when visiting the Rhine. The ship picks you up at Duisburg and takes you on to Düsseldorf, as you enjoy your dinner on board. In the evening there’s time to visit the Altstadt, where you can try the famous local dark beer, Altbier. You’ll be amazed what an international city Düsseldorf is, with foreigners comprising almost a fifth of the population.

Day 4: Düsseldorf - Zons - Cologne, 17 or 33 mi. (28 or 54 km)
Your biking can begin directly from Düsseldorf or you can opt to start biking a bit later in the morning from Zons. Leaving Ruhr behind, the route follows the Rhine closely, arriving in Cologne early enough for some afternoon exploring. Founded by the Romans, Cologne is the oldest of Germany’s larger cities. In 50 AD it was already granted city status as a gift from the Roman empress Agrippina. Later, Cologne became one of the most important centers of the Holy Roman Empire. Its landmark is, of course, the Dom cathedral, located right next to the central station and railway bridge crossing the Rhine. Construction on the cathedral began in 1248 and was finally completed in 1880! The city was almost completely destroyed in the Allied bombings of 1944-1945. The city hall, however, dating from 1330, has been beautifully restored.

Day 5: Cologne - Bonn, 23 mi. (38 km)
You cycle close to the river again arriving in Bonn with enough time to  explore West Germany’s capital from 1945 until 1990. Berlin was re-established as the capital after Germany’s reunification, but Bonn continues to house six governmental departments. Like Cologne, Bonn was founded by the Romans, around the year 10 BC, as it was a good site to bridge the Rhine. Worth visiting are the old City Hall, the Münster Basilica, and the house where Beethoven was born. After dinner, you can join a city walk through Bonn.

Day 6: Bonn -  Remagen | Remagen - Koblenz, 27 mi. (44 km)
During breakfast, you sail to Remagen and take some time to explore this town’s rich historical past. Nowadays it’s best known for its once-famous Ludendorff Bridge, the only functional Rhine bridge captured by the Americans in Operation Lumberjack in March 1945. From Remagen, the biking incorporates a more romantic section of the Rhine valley with castle keeps, mansions and the first vineyards at the foothills of central Germany. You pass the beloved bathing resort of Bad Breisig and also Burg Rheineck. This stronghold, set in stunning scenery, dates back to 1100. You stop in Andernach, once a Roman settlement, a wonderful town with many historical sites. The day's destination is Koblenz whose name comes from the Latin confluentes, meaning the merging of two rivers (the Rhine and Moselle). The statue of Emperor Wilhelm of Prussia at the intersection of the two rivers is an impressive landmark. Today there is no dinner on board. You can select one of the local restaurants in Koblenz.

Day 7: Koblenz - Alken | Alken - Moselkern -  Cochem, 25 mi. (40 km)
In the morning, the boat crosses the first lock to enter the Moselle! Cyclists disembark in Alken to head to the foot of the hills where the Burg Eltz is hidden. Untouched by wars or fires, you will find this beautiful castle worth the effort of walking to it. The guided tour takes you back through the ages.

After, you continue cycling to Cochem, the most visited village on the Moselle River. A bustling and characteristic Mosel town with steep wine-clad mountains, wooded hills, an impressive castle, and a picturesque square with beautiful timber-framed houses and cafes. Time for a Moselle wine and your farewell diner!

Day 8: Departure from Cochem
Today marks the end of your tour. After enjoying a hearty breakfast you’ll say your last goodbyes, and can disembark anytime up until 9.30 a.m.

If biking or biking and boating is not your thing, take a look at all our trips in Europe & beyond!

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  5 out of 5 (1 Review)

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• Magnifique III

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  4.7 out of 5 (10 Reviews)

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  Electric Bicycle (E-Bike)

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