| Tour | Bike+Boat |
|---|---|
| Type | Guided |
| Skill | Easy |
| Length | 8 days |
| From | €1545 Rates |
| Tour Reviews |
Share This Tour
Tour Dates
July 11, 2020
Skill Level
This is an easy, guided bike and boat tour with average daily distances between 35 and 55 km.Tour Boats
Day-To-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Wolfsburg - Midland Canal
Day 2: Midland Canal - Braunschweig - Hannover
Day 3: Hannover - Minden
Day 4: Minden - Rheine - Münster
Day 5: Münster - Datteln - Oberhausen
Day 6: Oberhausen - Düsseldorf
Day 7: Düsseldorf – Zons - Cologne
Day 8: Cologne
*Daily cycling distances range between 35 and 55 km. 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.
Day 1: Arrival in Wolfsburg
Check in at 2 PM and then you will go directly to visit the VW Autostadt. After your visit, you will sail further on the Midland Canal, while you enjoy a welcome drink, learn about the ship, the tour, and more. Dinner will be served while sailing as well.
Day 2: Midland Canal - Braunschweig - Hannover
Today you will start sailing early and travel further along the Midland Canal. Your bike tour will be starting in Braunschweig, arriving at approximately 9 am. First, you will have the opportunity to visit this very charming and interesting Hanseatic city. Late in the morning, you begin cycling to Peine, situated on the Midland Canal. Here you will board the Merlijn and together sail approx. 4 hours, again enjoying dinner while you sail to Hannover.
Day 3: Hannover - Minden
Your bike tour starts at Hannover, where you first will have the chance to see the famous baroque gardens ‘Herrenhäuser Gardens, the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen’. After this visit, the bike tour starts and takes you along the Natural Preserve Steinhuder Lake. Your bike tour ends in Kohlenfeld, where the Merlijn will await and then navigate to Minden. Today you will experience one of the highlights of this trip, the Wasserstraßenkreuz (Aquatic Interchange), where the Midland Canal crosses the Weser River via a 13-meter high aqueduct. You will pass through the impressive River Weser Lock where the Merlijn will be lowered 13 meters to the Weser River. Your overnight stay will be in Minden. ETA will be 8 PM.
Day 4: Minden - Rheine - Münster
Again we start with a sailing breakfast while you enjoy the view on the beautiful surroundings of the Weserbergland. Your bike tour will be from Bad Essen to Bramsche, passing the Teutoburger Wald (Teutoburg Forest) a range of low, forested mountains in the German states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. You will also pass the Kalkrieser Berg (mountain) where the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest (Varusschlacht) took place. It is described as the Varian disaster by Roman historians, it took place in 9 AD when an alliance of Germanic tribes led by Arminius of the Cherusci ambushed and decisively destroyed three Roman legions and their auxiliaries, led by Publius Quinctilius Varus. You are invited to visit this former battlefield and learn more about the great history. Entrance fee is included in your trip. In Bramsche the Merlijn will await you, and from here to Münster we will sail together. Münster is a city of science, city of sculptures, city of the Peace of Westphalia. It is also a city of bicycles! This Hanseatic city - is a living metropolis with many faces. You will surely enjoy your night in the town, in the Altstadt.
Day 5: Münster - Datteln - Oberhausen
You start sailing from Münster early in the morning and your bike tour starts shortly after Senden and ends in Datteln. This region has one of the highest German concentrations of castles, palaces, and fortifications, Lüdinghausen having three by itself. First you will pass Vischering (1271). You can visit here and also stroll on the sandstone wall and have a look into the courtyard.
Day 6: Oberhausen - Düsseldorf
Your bike tour starts in Oberhausen and ends in Düsseldorf. Your cycling tour leads you through the so-called ‘Ruhr-Gebiet’ a very important German industrial area. Most of the cycling will be in the forest though, where you can have a look at the ‘Stinkesberg’ a historical mountain in this area. In Düsseldorf you will have time to explore this great city, the Altstadt is worth a visit. Tonight you will enjoy your dinner in one of the many restaurants here in Düsseldorf.
Day 7: Düsseldorf – Zons - Cologne
While you enjoy your breakfast, the Merlijn sails to Zons. From here you will cycle along the Rhine river to Cologne. In the afternoon you can visit Cologne, where the cathedral spires tower (The Dom) over Germany's oldest city and its innumerable cultural and historical treasures, world-famous museums and active art scene. People meet here for a Kölsch (a local beer). Life in Cologne is uncomplicated and vivacious. You will experience this great city even more in the Altstadt while enjoying a Kölsch as well! Last dinner and overnight stay in Cologne.
Day 8: Cologne
After breakfast time to say goodbye.
Looking for more? View all of our featured bike and barge tours, or view our full list of bike trips.
Email or Call 800-951-4384 +1 570-965-2064
Share This Tour
Pricing Information
Travel Details
This tour is run by Cour van der Vlies.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.
Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
Wolfsburg to Cologne Boats + Barges
Merlijn Germany, Netherlands Deluxe Class Boat "The Divine Miss M" as we lovingly call the Merlijn is a diva, for sure. What can we say? Is it the luxurious cabins with most comfortable beds you have ever slept in? Is it the lovely dining area with the large windows and skylight that let the air, light, and sun pour in? Or perhaps it is the sun deck, where you can relax with newfound friends, sharing good wine and good conversation. We think you will find it is the entire divine package! Step onboard and discover for yourself!
More Easy Bike + Barge Tours in Germany 1 to 3 of 27
Along the Danube-Passau-Belgrade-Vienna aboard the Primadonna Germany, Serbia, Austria Thursdays: October 3, 2019 Bike and boat tours along the Danube have always been a best seller and this tour will be no exception. Combine an active vacation with luxury, and you have …
| Tour | Bike+Boat |
|---|---|
| Type | Self Guided |
| Skill | Easy |
| Length | 8 days |
| From | €686 |
Along the Danube - Passau - Vienna - Budapest aboard the Primadonna Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia 2019 Fridays: July 12, July 19, July 26, August 2, … Get ready for a treat! This bike and boat tour along the mighty Danube is similar to our other Four Country Tour but is offered on a premium ship! The …
| Tour | Bike+Boat |
|---|---|
| Type | Self Guided |
| Skill | Easy |
| Length | 8 days |
| From | €934 |
Magdeburg to Berlin Germany Magdeburg to Berlin: June 22, 2019 This bike and barge tour in Germany highlights the cities and landscapes in the March of Brandenburg. Brandenburg, the north-east German state surrounding the …
| Tour | Bike+Boat |
|---|---|
| Type | Guided |
| Skill | Easy |
| Length | 7 days |
| From | €1470 |
Tour Reviews
Biked This Tour? Post Your Feedback
Read reviews for all bike tours