Amsterdam to Cologne

All distances are approximate. The above-planned itinerary is subject to change, even on very short notice, due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, docking location changes, lock repairs,  etc.

Amsterdam to Cologne

Day 1: Amsterdam, embarkation between 1 and 2 pm near the Central Trail Station. Sailing to Wijk bij Duurstede
Day 2: Wijk bij Duurstede, sailing to Wageningen cycling to Arnhem, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 3: Arnhem & Dutch Open Air Museum
Day 4: Arnhem, sailing to Pannerden, cycling to Rees, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 5: Rees, sailing to Wesel, cycling to Rhurort, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 6: Ruhrort - Düsseldorf, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 7: Düsseldorf, sailing to Zons, cycling to Cologne Rheinai Sport
Day 8: Departure

Day 1: Amsterdam, embarkation between 1 and 2 pm near the Central Trail Station. Sailing to Wijk bij Duurstede
Amsterdam, embarkation between 1 and 2 pm near the Central Trail Station. Sailing to Wijk bij Duurstede
When you arrive on board the ship you can put your luggage away in your cabin and then enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. It is also a good moment to become acquainted with the guide, skipper and crew, and of course your fellow passengers.

Please be on time as the barge will set sail around 2 on the Amsterdam-Rijncanal in a south-easterly direction. This is one of the busiest waterways in Europe. It was dug to connect Amsterdam Seaport with the European hinterland. You spend the night in Wijk bij Duurstede on the river that, up to that point, is called the Rhine, but downstream the name changes to Lek. During the early Middle Ages, this town was a prestigious trading center. The marauding expeditions of the Norsemen put an end to their flourishing period, however. The old city center is picturesque with its marketplace surrounded by trees, the town hall dating back to 1662 and the Main Church dating back to the 15th Century. The gothic tower has never been finished, though. On the other side of town, you will find the hidden ruins of Duurstede Castle, consisting of the (restored) Burgundy Tower and the Donjon (= bell tower) dating back to the 12th Century. In the 15th Century, Bishop David of Burgundy lived in the castle.

Day 2: Wijk bij Duurstede, sailing to Wageningen cycling to Arnhem, 31 mi. (50 km)
Enjoy breakfast while the boat cruises to the city of Wageningen and then cycle along the Nederrijn River through a wonderful river landscape. Later, you bike through National Park de Hoge Veluwe with its abundant beauty. You can visit the Kröller-Möller museum right in the middle of the park. Your bike tour ends today in Arnhem, famous for its role in WWII.

Day 3: Arnhem & Dutch Open Air Museum
Arnhem is the capital of the province of Gelderland. In September of 1944, the center of the town was heavily damaged by the efforts of the Allies to conquer the Rhine bridge (Operation “Market Garden”). The plan backfired. (The battle of Arnhem has been filmed in "A bridge too far"). Following the war, the city center was reconstructed to reflect its past patterns and design as closely as possible. Arnhem is generally known as the “Park City of the Netherlands” in large part due to its centuries-old city parks, which extend well into the city center. Sonsbeek Park is the most important part of the city. It is located against the city’s dam walls and offers a multitude of breathtaking views with far-reaching vistas of the Rhine river on the one hand and hidden, intimate corners on the other. It contains waterfalls, a deer camp, a belvedere and the watermill, “Arnhem”. In the afternoon you can visit the Dutch Open Air Museum

Day 4: Arnhem, sailing to Pannerden, cycling to Rees, 25 mi. (40 km)
After a wonderful sailing breakfast once again, biking begins in Pannerden. Before the German border, the route leads through Doornenburg, with its wonderfully maintained medieval stronghold. This fairy tale castle was the scene of many movies. From Doornenburg, you take the right bank of the Rhine and pass the border at Lobith. On the way to today's destination, Rees, you pass Emmerich, a larger town with a lovely boulevard along the Rhine. It is possible to stop at Kalkar. This beautiful town is also known for the failure of the German Nuclear Energy program in the 1970s. A completely finished nuclear processing plant was never put into operation and has been re-opened as an attraction park! The day ends in Rees, a town with an impressive and fortified town. 

Day 5: Rees, sailing to Wesel, cycling to Rhurort, 25 mi. (40 km)
From Wesel, the focus is on the Ruhr area where Germany’s, and perhaps even Europe’s largest industries are housed. On a surface of  4.600 km2, very rich in coal, a vast landscape folds out of steel plants and textile industries, combined with chemical industrial plants. Cities like Essen, Duisburg, Oberhaussen, and Dortmund are tied together through a maze of highways, railways, and waterways. Once very prosperous, it was a target in 1923 during WWI and WWII. The German government put a lot of effort into developing the area after numerous factories had closed down. In the afternoon, there is a visit to the enormous landscape park of Duisburg-Nord. The boat is waiting for you in Ruhrort. 

Day 6: Ruhrort - Düsseldorf, 26 mi. (42 km)
Leaving the Ruhr-area, the route leads to Krefeld. In the 18th century, Krefeld grew thanks to the textile industry. Velvet, silk, and brocade were sold to emperors and kings from all over the world. There is still the statue of a silk weaver. The weavers worked in small houses that simultaneously served as a factory and house. In Krefeld, one can still see some of these houses. Today's destination is  Düsseldorf. In the evening, there will be time to visit the Altstadt and to taste the famous local dark beer, Altbier. You will be amazed at what an international city this is, with almost a fifth of the population being foreigners.

Day 7: Düsseldorf, sailing to Zons, cycling to Cologne Rheinai Sport
Cycling direction Cologne you will stay close to the Rhine in order to be in Cologne not too late in the afternoon and having some time to look around. Cologne is the oldest of the bigger German cities, founded by the Romans. It got its city rights already 50 years after Christ as a gift from the Roman empress Agrippa. Later Cologne became one of the most important centers of the HolyRoman Empire. Landmark is, of course, the Cathedral right next to the railway station and the railway bridge over the Rhine. In 1248 they started with the construction of the cathedral and only finished it in 1880! The city was almost completely destroyed in 1944-1945. The city hall dating from 1330,is beautifully restored.

Day 8: Departure
Disembarkation by 10 am.

Cologne to Amsterdam

Day 1: Cologne, embarkation at 2 pm. Sailing to Dusseldorf
Day 2: Dusseldorf - Ruhrort, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 3: Ruhrort, sailing to Orsoy, cycling to Rees, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 4: Rees - Arnhem, cycling to Emmerich and Arnhem, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 5: Arnhem
Day 6: Arnhem, cycling to Wageningen, sailing to Wijk bij Duurstede, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 7: Wijk bij Duurstede, sailing to Breukelen, cycling to Amsterdam, 25 mi. (40 Km)
Day 8: Amsterdam, disembarkation by 10 am.

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You will be accommodated on the Premium class boat, the Sailing Home.

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  Built in 2001, the Sailing Home was designed specifically to provide a more attractive hotel ship during your carefree vacation. It was built to meet the latest wishes and ideas with respect to comfort and service. The experience of a lifetime: cycling through the most beautiful spots within the Netherlands while residing on a very comfortable, newly built and well-furnished ship. Read More