Rhine River Valley E-Bike & Boat

Day 1: Cologne | Cologne - Mainz
Day 2: Mainz (Middle Rhine Valley), 29 mi. (47 km)
Day 3: Mainz - Strasbourg, 15.5 mi. (25 km)
Day 4: Strasbourg - Münsterschwarzach (Upper Rhine Valley) | Munsterschwarzach -  Kehl (by transfer) | Kehl - Basel, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 5: Basel, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 6: Basel - Alsace - Colmar | Briesach - Koblenz, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 7: Koblenz - Moselle, 12.5 mi. (20 km)
Day 8: Departure or extension in Cologne

All distances are approximate. The italicized portions are covered while navigating on board the Aqua. The itinerary is subject to change, at times 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.

Day 1: Arrival in Cologne | Cologne - Mainz
Cologne (Köln) is a 2000-year-old city and is jam-packed with incredible historical sites, art museums, and architecture. On arrival in Cologne, you'll be met by your tour guides at Cologne Central Station at 1h30 pm. Your luggage will be collected and transferred to the boat, where a guided 'behind-the-scenes' tour of Cologne Cathedral will follow at 2 pm. This majestic Roman catholic cathedral church is steeped in history. Dating back to 1248, it's the largest Gothic church in northern Europe. In 1996 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one can see why. Its impressive twin spires (157 meters tall), interior volume, and shrine to the Three Kings make this one of the most visited cathedrals by pilgrims and visitors alike.

After the tour, you'll be transferred to the boat, where you will check-in. The boat will set sail for Main at 5 pm. A delicious dinner will be served on board. Overnight in Mainz.

Day 2: Mainz - Rhenish Slate Mountains - Bacharach - Oberwesel - Mainz (Middle Rhine Valley), 29 mi. (47 km)
Your first cycling day will take you through the recreational park of Rheinaue and onto the Rhenish Slate Mountains (Middle Rhine Highlands). Enjoy views of the Rhine River as it stretched several kilometers wide in places, here it narrows to a narrow bend creating a series of rapids.

The historic town of Bacharach is situated on one of the most scenic stretches of the Rhine. With its narrow alleyways, cobblestone streets, market square and surrounded by rolling vineyards it has a Gothic feel to it. There is a lot of history along the way such as the Pfalzgrafenstein Castle near Kaub. It is located on a small island in the middle of the Rhine. Built in the early 1300's, it was a former stronghold and was used to control traffic and collect toll fees from passing ships.

You will reach the boat in the afternoon, where it is docked in the medieval town of Mainz, with half-timbered houses and market squares. A delicious dinner will be served on board.

Day 3: Mainz  - Strasbourg | Strasbourg - Avolsheim | Avolsheim - Strasbourg (by transfer), 15.5 mi. (25 km)
Relax and unwind on board the Aqua boat as you sail towards Strasbourg. Enjoy a delicious lunch on the boat, before going on a guided city tour of Strasbourg. The impressive Cathedral Notre-Dame (also known as Strasbourg Minister), with its largely Gothic architecture, is one of Europe’s finest designs. Constructed in red sandstone, the sweeping spire, stained glass windows, statues, and astronomical clock make for a worthwhile visit. The historic quarter or ‘Petite France’ is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most picturesque in France. The cobblestone streets, canals, and neatly packed half-timbered houses that spill flowers in summer, exude an Alsatian charm, where fishermen, tanners, and millers once worked and lived. 

Your cycle route will lead you along the Vosges Mountains, past ancient Romanesque architecture, past green pastures, and along a picturesque canal to Avolsheim. You’ll then visit the Dompeter Church, a place of pilgrimage for many people suffering from health problems. A transfer will take you back to the boat. 

The ship will be docked in Strasbourg this evening. You can either enjoy dinner on board the boat or at a nearby local Alsatian restaurant in the lovely old town of Petite France. You can follow this with an evening stroll. The current menu and price is available from the guide. The additional dinner is at your own cost. Your guide can provide recommendations and make a reservation at the start of the cruise.  

Day 4: Strasbourg - Münsterschwarzach (Upper Rhine Valley) | Munsterschwarzach -  Kehl (by transfer) | Kehl - Basel, 25 mi. (40 km)
You will start cycling from the ship toward the Upper Rhine Valley on traffic-free paths. Your route will meander along peaceful canals, fruit-growing orchards, and large tobacco-growing farmland. Views of the Black Forest will stretch before you. A protected area for animals and plants, the nature reserve adjacent to the Rhine floodplains is one of the last floodplains in Europe that remains. 

Cycle onto the Rhine dam before reaching the famous Romanesque abbey of Münsterschwarzach on small side roads. The cycling day ends with a guided tour of the monastery church and you will be taken back to Kehl in a short bus ride, where the ship will be waiting for you to continue your journey. You will have dinner on board.

Day 5: Basel  - Schafmatt  (by transfer) | Schafmatt - Augst - Basel, 25 mi. (40 km)
From the boat, bike along the quiet promenade to the Middle Rhine Bridge. Here, your city tour guide will meet you and take you on a walking tour of the old town of Basel. The cultural capital of Switzerland, Basel is an impressive town with well-preserved 15th-century architecture, art museums, and iconic buildings, like the Basel Cathedral and ornamented Town Hall. After walking the cobblestone streets and indulging in a bit of shopping, a transfer will take you to the impressive Jura Mountains, located on the Swiss-French border. You’ll enjoy something to eat at Schafmatt, overlooking the splendor of the Alps. 

After lunch, you’ll saddle up again, and cycle to Augst. The route will take you along the verdant countryside, as you make your descent to the Rhine Valley. Also known as Augusta Raurica in Roman times, Augst has a rich heritage where ancient ruins of its theatre and forum still lie today. Crossing over to the German side of the Rhine, you will cycle back to Basel, and back over the border again before entering the city. The boat will be docked along the Rhine promenade, where you can relax onboard and take dinner.

Day 6: Basel - Alsace  - Colmar | Colmar - Breisach (by transfer) | Breisach - Koblenz, 19 mi. (30 km)
You'll go back in time as you cycle along quiet paths onto Breisach. Starting in Basel, at the junction between France, Germany, and Switzerland along the Rhine, this city has iconic architecture, a wealth of galleries, and must-see museums.

Your route leads you into the Alsace region of France with its lined vineyards and rolling countryside. Stopping in Breisach, built to be a fortified city in the 18th century, you can admire one of Fench master builder Vauban's fortresses, with its incredible height and towers. You continue onwards to Colmar, with the Vosges mountain range in view. On entering Colmar, you'll feel like you've landed in the pages of a medieval book: half-timbered houses in pastel colors, and cobblestone streets that wind along flower-lined canals. Located on the Alsace Wine Route, the city and its surrounds spill mouthwatering delicacies and wine from nearby vineyards. Pfister House, with its filigree carvings and wall paintings, is one such example of one of the charming attractions this city has to offer. 

In time for lunch, the bus will bring you back to the ship in Breisach. The afternoon can be spent sipping on a glass of chilled wine, admiring the view from the top deck as the boat sails towards Koblenz. Dinner will be served on board. 

Day 7: Koblenz - Moselle, 12.5 mi. (20 km)
The boat will sail through the narrowest part of the Rhine River between the North Sea and Switzerland - a.k.a Passage of Loreley - and past the legendary Lorelei Rock. Your afternoon cycling will take you along the Moselle River to Deutsches Eck or 'German Corner' - where the Mosel meets the Rhine River. Here, one can admire the famous 1987 statue of Kaiser Wilhelm I (the first German Emperor) on horseback. Your guide will take you on a fascinating tour of Koblenz, where you will discover more about Rhine romanticism: an interpretation of the landscape and history of the Rhine River during the 18th and 19th Centuries. 

Back onboard the boat, your final dinner will be served. 

Day 8: Departure or extension in Cologne
Your tour ends in Cologne after breakfast. Transfer to the main station for onward departure.

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