Germany - Mainz to Strasbourg (Kehl) Bike and Barge Tour 2019 Individual Self-guided 8 days / 7 nights The Rhine cycle route provides fine views over the Rhine, which has often been immortalised in story and song, was well as over untouched riverside forests in rich varied fauna and flora. The cycleway also leads through picturesque towns, villages and winegrowing areas. The region boasts a wealth of popular touristic destinations and cultural sites as well as of culinary specialties. You cannot miss a short detour to the Neckar River and to Heidelberg, a marvellous city steeped in history. Word are useless to describe the beautiful landscape, the unique cultural sites and the regional delicacies: you simply have to experience them yourself!
Itinerary Day to Day Day 1: Mainz Individual arrival to Mainz. Embarkation will be from 3:00 5:00. There may be time to explore the capital of Rhineland- Palatinate with its lovingly restored half-timbered houses and the Romanesque Cathedral of Saint Martin. Day 2: Mainz - Nierstein, Cycle Tour 20 km; Boat Tour Nierstein - Worms A short cycle leg and plenty of time for one to indulge oneself: Cycle on the Rhine Cycle Route with its well paved cycle ways directly alongside the Rhine to Nierstein. With almost 1,000 hectares of viticulture area, Nierstein is home to the largest wine growing community on the Rhine. Visit the historic Old Town with its medieval market square and the noble houses. In the afternoon, sail from Nierstein to Worms. Guests, who would like to cycle a longer stretch, can start the bike ride in Mainz and ride to Worms (60 km). Commons.wikimedia.org Day 3: Worms Heidelberg 45 km In the imperial city of Worms, you start for today s tour leg. From Mannheim, you follow the course of the marvellous Neckar River up to Heidelberg. The Roman city of Ladenburg with its historic Old Town is well worth a stop off. The ruin of Heidelberg Castle can be seen already from afar and towers over the city of Heidelberg, today s destination. Admire the famous Heidelberg red sandstone bridge or take a stroll through the narrow lanes and see the picturesque squares. Day 4: Heidelberg - Mannheim 47 km Via Eppelheim and Plankstadt, cycle today through the core of the region of Kurpfalz. Schwetzingen Castle and its gorgeous castle garden is just one reason to visit this charming town. From there the route leads you to today s destination, Mannheim. Almost all sights of the city, like the water tower and Mannheim Baroque Palace, are only a few minutes walking distance away from the city centre and are well worth visiting. Commons.wikimedia.org
Day 5: Mittwoch, Mannheim Speyer 20 km Alongside the numerous oxbow lakes of the Old Rhine leads the way to today s destination the cathedral city of Speyer. Enjoy a short bike ride through unspoilt nature, areas that are designated as natural nature reserves and natural flood plains. The Speyer cathedral was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1981. Day 6: Speyer Germersheim Cycle tour 25 km; Boat tour Germersheim - Plittersdorf By bike, continue your tour through the Palatinate region past oxbow lakes and untouched nature. Look forward to visiting the old fortified town of Germersheim with its numerous picturesque lanes, corners and squares. During dinner your ship moves on to Plittersdorf where you stay for the night. Flickr.com Day 7: Plittersdorf Gambsheim/Freistett, Cycle tour 40 km; Boat tour Gambshein Strasbourg (Kehl) On your last cycle stretch, cycle in an easy pace directly alongside the river through the gentle Rhine plain until you reach the lock station of Gambsheim/Freistett. Your ship waits for you to bring you to Kehl, connected by a bridge to the capital of the Alsace, the city of Strasbourg with its countless canals. If you feel like it, you have the possibility to stroll to the Strasbourg Minster, the landmark of the city, through the picturesque tanners quarter with its small historic halftimbered houses and enjoy a piece of French lust for life while the end of your journey approaches. If you like you can cycle the whole tour to Kehl (cycle tour Plittersdorf Kehl 60 km) Day 8: Departure from Strasbourg (Kehl) After breakfast disembarkation until 9:00 am. Individual journey home
Route Technical Characteristics: Tour Profile: Easy. The quality of the cycle ways along the route is excellent. Most of the stretches are paved or asphalted, and lead alongside the Rhine dikes without any gradients of note. This makes the trip suitable even for unpractised cyclist. Distance: 197 km Travel Season: Saturday departures from Mainz: May 18; June 29 and July 13, 2019 Saturday departures from Strasbourg: May 25; July 6 and July 20, 2019
Price per Person: MS Arkona Two Bed Cabin Main Deck 999.00 Two Bed Cabin Upper Deck with French Balcony 1199.00 Two Bed Cabin for Single Use Main Deck (limited number) 1498.00 One Bed Cabin Upper Deck with Panoramic Window 1598.00 Bike rental (7 speed unisex bicycle, with hand or pedal brake, 70.00 pannier bag) E-bike with free wheel (must be booked in 165.00 advance, limited number) Included: 7 nights in outside cabin with shower/wc in the booked category Programme according to itinerary Captain s greeting Welcome drink Full meals (7x breakfast, 6x light lunch on board (non-cyclists) or packed lunch for cyclists, 6x afternoon coffee and tea, 7 x dinner) Daily cabin cleaning, change of bedding and towels when required Port fees Daily information meeting Tour guide on board (does not cycle with group) Information pack with route book 1x per cabin Not Included: Arrival and departure Shuttles Entrance fees and excursions Ferry fares Drinks on board Insurances Tips (at your discretion) Own expenses
The cruise ship MS Arkona Artist rendering The MS Arkona is being completely refurbished during the winter of 2017/2018. The modern and elegant atmosphere aboard the vessel will make your journey a relaxed experience. The Upper deck holds the tastefully furbished saloon with bar and a bright and friendly restaurant. The spacious sun deck is partly shaded and features comfortable deck chairs, which invite the passengers to enjoy the passing scenery in relaxation. Both the Upper and the Main deck hold comfortable cabins of 11 m², furnished in a modern way. All cabins feature hotel style beds, en-suite facilities with shower and hair dryer, TV, safe and individually controlled air conditioning. Upper deck: twelve cabins with sliding glass doors and French balcony and two cabins with opening panoramic windows. Main deck: 34 two bed cabins with nonopening windows.
Bikes Hybrid Bike Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedaling brake sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm Also includes Saddle bag (water-repellent), handlebar bag (waterrepellent), service-set with tools and extra bicycle tube, pump and combination lock Electric Bike A Pedelec is an electro bike which assists with electric support only when pedaling. Composed on basis of KTM-bikes, adequate for our missions. The bike is easy to handle as you have a good weight distribution and a low balance point. Overall weight amounts to approx. 23 kg. An illuminated LCD display, a computer and a wattage display add to the comfort. Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion. www.okcycletours.com THIS IS A PARTNER TOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350 TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848