Cycling Holidays - Bike & Barge: Rotterdam to Cologne

Bike & Barge: Rotterdam to Cologne

Netherlands

Germany

From £925 P/P

Discover the natural beauty of the Lower Rhine by bike! The Lower Rhine Region is home to one of the most beautiful and largest cycle route networks in Europe.

Labyrinths of rivers on the Rhine delta in the Netherlands await. Quaint little towns and vibrant major cities along the route will be a welcome change and guarantee a relaxed and eventful stay.

Ride along high-quality routes, and explore this marvellous landscape.

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Itinerary
Itinerary

Day 1 (Sat): Rotterdam, Arrival and embarkation

Make your own way into Rotterdam. Embarkation will be from 3:00pm – 5:00pm. Enjoy your first evening on board the ship or take a stroll through the city of Rotterdam, where you will find Europe's largest port.

Day 2 (Sun): Rotterdam – Dordrecht, Cycle Tour approx. 40 km

First, your ride today will take you to Kinderdijk, an area which boasts the best-known windmills in the Netherlands. The 19 windmills, date back to the 18th century, but are beautifully preservedand have been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When you continue to ride, after a short while, you will reach today’s destination, Dordrecht. The oldest city in Holland is situated on an island and bordered by large rivers. It is characterised by numerous historic buildings, city ports, and its fantastic atmosphere.

Day 3 (Mon): Dordrecht – Gorinchem, Cycle Tour, approx. 37 km

Today, you will leave the lively cities behind and dive into the quietness of nature. You will pass through the national park of De Biesbosch, an adventurous labyrinth composed of rivers with crystal clear water and small islands. It is one of the few tidal freshwater zones in the world.

Day 4 (Tue): Gorinchem – Wijk bij Duurstede, Cycle Tour, approx. 50 km / Boat Tour Wijk bij Duurstede - Rhenen

This morning, it is time to leave the fortified city of Gorinchem. Enjoy riding through unspoilt nature. Follow the River Linge, a tributary of the Rhine, that will bring you to today’s destination Wijk bij Duurstede. Enjoy an evening boat ride to Rhenen.

Day 5 (Wed): Rhenen – Arnhem, Cycle Tour approx. 30 km / Boat tour Arnhem - Emmerich

The cycle route today will lead you along the Lower Rhine and past the foreshore of the dike. You will be riding through the Betuwe, one of the Netherland’s largest fruit-growing regions. A detour to the city centre will feel as though you have been transported to bygone times, as you discover narrow lanes and picturesque buildings. In the night you will sail from Arnhem to Emmerich by crossing the Dutch-German border en route.

Day 6 (Thu): Emmerich – Xanten, Cycle Tour approx. 31 km / Boat tour Xanten - Düsseldorf

You will start today’s bike ride in Emmerich where you will cycle past the nature reserve of the Reeser Schanz to the Roman city of Xanten. The Archaeological Park here is well worth a visit. Discover how the Romans lived over 2000 years ago.

Day 7 (Fri): Düsseldorf – Cologne, Cycle Tour approx. 55 km

By morning you will already have reached Düsseldorf, where you will start the final ride of your tour. You will ride along the well-developed Rhine cycle path on a particularly attractive section where historic Old Towns and idyllic nature are interspersed with industrial heritage. The towns located directly on the Rhine, often boasting well preserved medieval town walls and towers, and are woth taking the time to discover. Eventually you will reach Cologne; the Cathedral City where the vivid riverbank of the Rhine invites you in. Enjoy a cosy evening on board or enjoy an authentic Kölsch, in one of Cologne's numerous pubs.

Day 8 (Sat): Cologne, Disembarkation

After breakfast, disembarkation until 09:00. Individual journey home.
Route Overview

Route Overview

The routes along the river Rhine are completely flat, without any climbs.

Total distance cycled: 243 km

Route Map (For guidance only):

Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.

Tour Details (All times are subject to change)
Getting There

Getting There

We recommend flying to Cologne airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.

Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.

We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Rail Europe for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.

Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0161 703 8161 for more specific travel advice.

You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.

Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
What’s Included?

What’s Included?

The Bike & Barge: Cologne to Rotterdam cycling holiday includes accommodation on-board the MS Olympia and local support if required.

Included Services (Subject to confirmation)

7 nights aboard MS Olympia with private facilities and air conditioning
• Programme according itinerary
• Port fees included
• Captains greeting and Welcome drink
• Daily cabin cleaning, Changing of towels and bed cloths if wanted
• Full meals: 7x breakfast, 6x light lunch on board (non cyclists) or packed lunch for cyclists, 6x afternoon coffee break, 7x dinner
• Daily informational meeting
• Bike hire, Information pack with route book (one per cabin)

Services not included

Journey to Rotterdam and from Cologne, shuttles, entrance fees and excursions, ferry fares, rental bikes, travel insurances, parking fee, drinks on board, tips.
Bike Hire

Bike Hire

About the Rental Bikes

This cycling holiday uses quality crossbar and unisex hybrid bikes based on KTM frame technology, Selle Royal saddles, Shimano components and puncture-proof tyres to ensure that you have an enjoyable cycle tour. The bikes feature modern V-brakes, aluminium frames with mudguards, comfortable saddles and a rack for a supplied waterproof pannier.

You will also receive a handlebar bag and map holder for easy navigation when riding your daily itinerary. Prices advertised on the website include standard bike hire (unless stated). Colour and specification may vary from the image shown.

Unisex Bike (Colour may vary)

Men's Bike (Colour may vary)

Electric Bike (Colour may vary)

Accessories

If you would like GPX files for a suitable device, please request them at the time of booking. Devices are not provided and please make sure that you bring along with you any fittings required to attach the Garmin (or similar) to the handlebars. You might want to download maps onto your phone to avoid data charges when roaming.

All bikes are provided with standard flat pedals. You can bring your own cycling pedals, but ensure that you have the correct tools to remove the pedals if the tour does not have a welcome meeting. You may also not be able to travel through airports with the tools if you are carrying hand luggage only.

You can rent a men's bike with a crossbar, unisex/female bike with a sloping tube or an electric bike for a supplement.

Gears

7 speed bikes are equipped with a Shimano Nexus gear hub and 21 speed bikes have a Shimano Alivio derailleur. We request 21 speed bikes for all cycling holidays (when available).

Frame Sizing

When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly. Unisex frame 21-gears with freewheel. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 / 43 cm. Unisex 7-gears-bikes with back pedalling brake. Sizes: 56 / 51 / 46 cm. Men’s speed bikes 21-gears with free wheel and crossbar. Sizes: 64 / 60 / 56 "sloping" cm. Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use.

We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday!

Bike Hire Insurance

This cycle tour benefits from bike insurance against rental bike theft and damage in the holiday price. Please make sure you lock up the bike, leave it where told by the hotel and treat your hire bicycle as if the bike was your own. Any negligent treatment of the bike will exempt you from cover. We advise you to ensure that you have adequate travel insurance for your cycling holiday prior to arrival.

Electric Bike Hire

Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.

E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on 0161 703 8161.
Hotels

Hotels

MS Olympia

Comfortable and cosy river ship with family environment. The ship was refurbished in 2015/2016. The panoramic salon with bar in gentlemens club-style and the bright and friendly restaurant are waiting for you to pass relaxing hours here. A spacious, partly shaded sun deck and storage space for bicycles.

A total of 49 comfortable outside cabins for a max. of 96 guests are available.

Main deck: 21 two-bed-cabins (about 11m²).

Upper deck: 22 two-bed-cabins (about 11m²), 4 cabins of bigger size at the stern of the ship (12m²), 3 of which feature twin beds; during the trip increased noise perception as well as two single cabins about 9m². All cabins boast en-suite bathroom, hair dryer, telephone, TV, individual air conditioning/heating, fridge, safe, and large panoramic window. On the Upper deck, cabins feature opening windows.

Technical Details: Length 88.50 m. Width 10.50 m. Draught 1.30 m. Capacity max. 96 passengers. Flag Switzerland. Built 1984. Refurbished 2015/2016. Crew ca. 21

Date & Prices

You can now book this cycling holiday online using our secure booking engine. Book online here >>

Sailing Information:

Ship	Route Summary
MS Olympia	Rotterdam to Cologne

2021 Cycling Holiday Prices:

Season	Date Band	Arrival Day
Season 1:	22nd - 29th May \| 11th - 18th September	Saturdays

Main Deck Twin Cabin Information:

Season	Prices per person
Season 1: Main Deck:	£925
Season 1: Main Deck for Single use:	£1210
Rental Bike:	£70
Electric Bike Upgrade:	£155

Upper Deck Twin Cabin Information:

Season	Prices per person
Season 1: Upper Deck Astern:	£1020
Season 1: Upper Deck:	£1070
Season 1: Single Cabin Upper Deck:	£1260
Rental Bike:	£70
Electric Bike Upgrade:	£155

Date From	Date To
22 May 2021	29 May 2021
11 September 2021	18 September 2021

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