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Bike and boat tour, along the Mosel with MS Olympia

8 Days / 7 Nights
Easy

The history of this region of Germany dates back to Roman times 2,000 years ago. Beautiful half-timbered houses, vineyards, the Porta Nigra in Trier and the meeting of the Moselle and Rhine in Koblenz and Saarburg (also known as “Little Venice”) are just some of the highlights of this journey. At 544 kilometers, the Moselle is the longest tributary of the Rhine and one of the most important trade routes in Germany. The Saar River is the longest tributary of the Moselle at 246 km. The cycle paths are of very good quality and most of the cycling routes are paved and not challenging to cycle on. This tour is therefore also suitable for untrained cyclists.

2025

On the following departure dates, the journey from Koblenz to Saarburg will run as described:

  • 03.05 - 10.05.2025* Boarding in Bonn instead of Koblenz, departure from Bonn at 17:00.
  • Arrival in Andernach on 03.05.2025 at 22:00. Departure on day 2 from Andernach at 06:00. Arrival in Alken at 10:00.
  • The further course follows the schedule.
  • 26.07 - 02.08.2025
  • 09.08 - 16.08 ** Boarding in Andernach instead of Koblenz. Departure day 2 from Andernach at 06:00.
  • Arrival in Alken at 10:00. The further course follows the schedule.
  • 23.08 - 30.08.2025
  • 06.09 - 13.09.2025
  • 20.09 - 27.09.2025
  • 04.10 - 11.10.2025

On the dates in between, however, the tour will run in reverse order. The tour starts in Saarburg and ends in Koblenz.

The day programs will also be similar, but read backwards - and the cycling routes and distances will contain the same program, with slight variations. The departure dates for this edition are

  • 10.05 - 17.05.2025
  • 02.08 - 09.08.2025*** For this departure, day 7 of the program departs from Koblenz at 17:30 with arrival in Andernach at approx. 19:30. The tour ends here on August 9, with disembarkation in Andernach instead of Koblenz. The rest of the program follows the route as usual.
  • 16.08 - 23.08.2025
  • 30.80 - 06.09.2025
  • 13.09 - 20.09.2025
  • 27.09 - 04.10.2025
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  • A trip via the Oder Canal from Berlin to the Baltic Sea and Stralsund
  • Baroque castle in Oranienburg
  • The Finow Canal to Eberswalde with the oldest working lock in Germany.
  • The green Polish city of Stettin (Szczecin) at the mouth of the Oder
  • Cycling on the Baltic island of Usedom
  • Cycling on the island of Rügen
  • The beautiful circular square in Putbus
  • Via the Rügen dam to Stralsund
  • Well-chosen cycling routes, balancing culture and nature.
  • A cycling tour for the hobby cyclist who enjoys the tranquillity of MS Princess (your floating hotel) accompanying you throughout the tour - and the freedom of choice in participating in the individual cycling stages.

More about the route

The tour is a category 1 and you cycle along car-free paths, country roads with little traffic and paved cycle paths. There will also be stretches on dusty farm tracks and gravel roads, with a few short stretches along main roads. These are cycle routes that invite you to enjoy the surroundings at a leisurely pace. The routes are mostly flat with some hilly sections. However, there will be a few steep climbs and descents along the way.
It is always possible to skip a bike leg and stay on the boat instead.

Note: This tour is described from Berlin to Stralsund, but every two weeks the boat sails in the opposite direction.
You can read more specifically about this under our practical information, further down the page.

Itinerary

Here you can see the program for the tour

Embarkation between 4 and 5 p.m. You will spend the evening and first night in Koblenz.
*Please note the departure on May 3, 2025, starts in Bonn - where the boat departs at 5 p.m.
**Please note the departure on August 9, 2025, starts in Andernach - where the boat departs at 5 p.m.
***Please note the departure on August 2, 2025 (starting in Saarburg). Here, the trip ends in Andernach and not Koblenz.

By ship to Alken, where your bike tour starts. You are cycling to Moselkern and then on to Cochem. Cochem is a lovely little town with historical half-timbered-houses and a picturesque Old town. Inexperienced cyclists we recommend spending the day on board and use the day off to visit Cochem in the afternoon.

* Please note that if you choose a date where the route is from Saaburg to Koblenz, and this stage is the last one of the tour, the cycling distance on this day will be about 50 km. as you go all the way to Koblenz. Of course with the possibility to stay on board the boat. 

The bike tour will take you to Beilstein first, which you can explore during a short tour on your own. Pass Europe’s steepest vineyard at Bremmer Calmont. Today´s tour ends in the wine village of Zell on the Moselle. You should take the time to enjoy the popular wines.

You are cycling from Zell to romantic Traben-Trarbach, where Jugendstil architecture shows its best side. After that the middle aged market place of Bernkastel-Kues invites you for a rest. You will reach the ship in Kues after a tour through town.

Cycle tour to Piesport, the oldest winegrowing community along the Moselle. Visit the Roman cellars and the vineyards on your own. Further on you are going to Neumagen-Dhron which is the oldest wine city of Germany. After lunch break the tour continues to Mehring.

You will cycle via Pfalzel to Trier, where MS PATRIA is already waiting for you. Trier is one of the oldest cities of Germany and its Roman roots are still visible in impressive buildings as the Porta Nigra, the Konstantin basilica and the Amphitheatre.

Today you will be cycling along the river from Trier via Wasserbillig in Luxembourg to Saarburg, also called “little Venice”. In its centre you will find a waterfall of 20 meters deep as well as many baroque buildings and fisher houses.

Disembarkation after breakfast until 9:00 a.m. Individual journey home.
You can take the train from Saarburg to Koblenz. It takes approx. 2 hours and the price is around 25-30€ pr. person. 

 

See the boat

Prices and dates

Prices per person in EUR

Price includes

Possible options

  • Bike rental, including bike insurance
  • Arrival at the starting point of the tour
  • Admission to various museums and the like
  • City maps of the individual cities
  • Possible ferry tickets
  • Drinks on board
  • Travel tips
  • Travel and cancellation insurance
  • Handling fee of € 20

Bikes

You can choose between these bikes on the tour

7-speed Unisex Bike
Hub gears with coaster brake

High-quality unisex touring bike with coaster brake on the rear wheel.

Body size approx. 155cm - 190cm.

46cm
51cm
56cm
Unisex 7-speed E-bike
Hub gears with freewheel

High quality unisex e-bike with comfortable low entry.

Body size approx. 148cm - 195cm.

46cm "XS"
46cm
51cm
56cm

Practical info

Here you can get answers to various questions about your trip
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It is possible to alone on this tour and stay in a double room. This can be selected on the booking form.

All departures require at least 75 guests. Departures are cancelled minimum 21 days before departure (which rarely happens)

On all our cycling holidays it is possible bring your own bike but it also possible to rent a bike for the tour. The bikes you can rent are all perfectly suited for the tour and the local terrain and all bikes are perfectly maintained. If you want to rent a bike on your holiday, then you select this on the booking form where you can also see the price. Remember to write your height in the message field when you book so that we know which size bike you need.

PHOTOS OF THE BIKES ARE BELOW THIS TEXT

On this tour it is possible to rent the following bikes:

  • Unisex 7-gear bike – with back pedal breaks
  • Unisex ebike – with backpedal breaks

 

Equipment included in the bike rental:

  • Saddle bag (water repellent)
  • Handlebar bag (water repellent)
  • Service-set with tools and extra bicycle tube
  • Combination lock

 

Roadside assistance

All bikes are equipped with puncture resistant tyres which means that it is virtually impossible to puncture. No rule without exceptions, so should you experience a punctured tyre then you can quickly fix it by using the tools in the service-set. If the damage is greater than a simply puncture then you simply call us and we make sure that your bike is fixed or you will be supplied with a new bike as quickly as possible.

 

Insurance is included

Insurance against theft and damages are included in the bike rental. Should you have any problems of this nature then all you have to do is to let us know and we will supply a new bike as quickly as possible. Naturally, careless or mischievous behavior is exempt from this.  

Upon request, it is possible to bring your own bicycle on this tour. Approval from the boat is required, as there is a limit to the number of bicycles that can be accommodated. Your bicycle must be insured, and you must understand that it will be stored together with rental bicycles, packed tightly, and handled by the onboard staff.

Please note that the boat disclaims responsibility for damages and theft of privately brought bicycles.

If bringing an e-bike, it is required that the battery can be removed and brought into the cabin.

There will be a handling fee for bringing your own bicycle - see details on the booking page.

The flights to/from Luxemburg (closest airport) are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.

Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.

It works like this:

  1. You book your chosen holiday with us
  2. We confirm your holiday (usually within 2-4 business days)
  3. You arrange your transportation

Get a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 48 working hours). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.

On this journey you will stay on the boat. The price on this page is based on cabins on the main deck, but on the booking form you can choose to upgrade to cabins on the upper deck. The cabins are approximately 11 square metres in size and have a private shower/toilet.

The following is included in the price

  • 7x breakfast
  • 6x packed lunch for cyclists or lunch snack on board (non cyclists)
  • 6x afternoon coffee break
  • 7x 3-course-dinner
  • For a stress-free start to your trip, it is recommended to arrive at the starting point early in the evening of the day before. The individual return journey will take place on the last day of the trip.
  • The indicated cycling distance is an approximation and may differ from the actual distance.
  • This journey is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.
  • Further important information about your trip by bike and boat:
  • There is always a possibility of changes in the schedule and programme. In the event of extremely high or low water levels, the shipping company reserves the right to bridge parts of the route with a bus or to cancel the trip at short notice without liability (water level is force majeure). The same applies in the case of officially arranged lock and/or bridge repairs not previously announced or in the case of engine damage not caused by the fault of the ship.
  • Also be aware that your riverboat is both your "holiday hotel" and a working machine, constantly moving with engine power, even at night (sometimes with lock and bridge passengers and consequent ejection and retraction of structures). Particularly noise-sensitive guests are advised to bring earplugs. Lock passages are particularly associated with noise nuisance - it is the same on all boat trips - and unfortunately cannot be changed!
  • Please note that storage space in the cabin is very limited. In your luggage you should pack good rainwear (jacket and trousers), a helmet, sun hat and sun cream and sports shoes.

Tips are not included in the price.
It is customary to tip the crew of the riverboat at the end of the trip. The level is about 7-10€ from each participant. per day. On a trip like this of 7 days duration, about 50-70€ per person would be appropriate - depending on your experience.
There will typically be an envelope in the cabin for this purpose, or information will be provided to this effect at the end of the trip.

We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.

Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.

After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.

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