8 Day Rotterdam – Cologne

Embarkation in Rotterdam from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Enjoy your first evening on board or have a stroll through the city of Rotterdam with Europe’s largest port.

Cycle first along the Maas River until you reach Kinderdijk boasting the best-known windmills in the Netherlands. The 19 windmills, which date back to the 18th century, are beautifully preserved and are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue the cycle tour and after a short while, you reach today’s destination- Dordrecht. The oldest city in the Holland area lies on an island bordered by large rivers and is characterized by numerous historic buildings, city ports and a fantastic atmosphere.

For today’s cycle trip, leave behind the lively cities and dive into the quietness of nature: 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.

Leave the fortified city of Gorinchem and enjoy a bike ride through unspoilt nature. Follow the River Linge, a tributary of the Rhine, and by reaching today’s destination Wijk bij Duurstede.  Enjoy an evening cruise to Rhenen.

You cycle along the Lower Rhine and past the foreshore of the dike. Enjoy your Bike tour through the Betuwe – one of the Netherland’s largest fruit-growing regions. A detour to the city centre becomes a trip to bygone times with narrow lanes and picturesque buildings. In the night shipping from Arnhem to Emmerich by passing the Dutch-German border.

In Emmerich, start for today’s bike ride and cycle past the nature reserve of the Reeser Schanz to the Roman city of Xanten. The Archaeological Park is always worth a visit. Explore how the Romans lived and settles down 2000 years ago.

In the morning you will already have reached Düsseldorf from where you start your last cycle tour along the well-developed Rhine cycle path with 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, are well worth a detour. Eventually reach the Cathedral city of Cologne where the vivid riverbank of the Rhine invites for a stay. Enjoy a cosy evening on board or have a Kölsch, the typical beer from Cologne, in one of the numerous pubs.

Disembarkation after breakfast until 09:00 am.

All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended bike tours.

Alterations of schedule or programme:  Subject to change. If a route cannot be shipped as a result of low or high water or bad weather, the captain reserves the right to change the route in view of your safety (this will not be accepted as a reason for free withdrawal).

Cycle Tours: unguided. You will cycle between 30 and 55 km per day. The kilometres indicated for the suggested cycle tours are approximate. Cycle routes/ level of difficulty: 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. Luggage on board: We recommend waterproof rain gear, bike helmet, sun hat and sports shoes. We would like to ask you to do without hard-side luggage, as storage space in the cabin is very limited! Travel documents: EU-citizens (without special situations like dual citizenship, main residence abroad or a limited-validity passport) are required to have a valid passport or ID-card, not expiring within six (6) months of the return of your cruise. We kindly ask non-EU citizens, EU-nationals with multiple citizenship or anybody who has to respect special legal entry requirements for the country to visit, to inform about visa and entry documents at the competent embassy. This trip is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility.

Embarkation from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm. Enjoy a cozy evening on board the ship or taste a Kölsch, a typical beer from Cologne, in one of the numerous Old Town pubs with view over the Rhine. Besides its many historical treasures, the Cathedral City offers a considerable number of parks and gardens. 

Cycle along the Rhine Cycle Route on well-paved cycle ways, past quaint villages and with view over the other bank of the Rhine. This route offers variety between industry and idyll. At the end of this tour leg, you reach Düsseldorf. The multifaceted city is one of the leading cultural metropolis’ in Germany.

Already at night your ship will move to Roman City of Xanten. Almost 2000 years ago the Romans liked this tiny place and settled here. The Archaeological Park is worth a visit. Here you start your today cycle tour, passing nature reserves and moving on to the village Kalkar until you reach the oldest German suspension bridge in Emmerich. Your ship is waiting here to go on and to pass the Dutch-German border and brings you to Arnheim.

Today start for the cycle tour in Arnhem – a detour to the city centre will take you back to bygone days with narrow alleys and picturesque buildings. Continue cycling through the Betuwe – one of the Netherland’s largest fruit-growing regions, past dike foreland and reach Rhenen. In the evening, the ship will take you from Rhenen to Wijk bij Duurstede.

Enjoy your cycle tour through unspoilt nature and pass cute villages and the historic place of Fort Everdingen. Continue following the Linge River, a tributary of the Rhine to reach the fortified city of Gorinchem.

On your way from Gorinchem to Dordrecht, you pass by the national park of De Biesbosch, a green maze of rivers with crystal clear water and small forested islands. It is one of the few tidal freshwater zones in the world.  At the end of the day, from the quietness of nature dive into the vivid city life of Dordrecht. The oldest city in the Holland area lies on an island bordered by large rivers and is characterized by numerous historic buildings, city ports and a fantastic atmosphere.

On your last stretch, explore the best-known windmills in the Netherlands at Kinderdijk. The 19 windmills, which date back to the 18th century, are beautifully preserved and are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. The windmills are well worth a visit! Follow the route along the Maas River up to Rotterdam, one of the  largest ports in the world.

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

About this ship: Arkona

The 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.

Description of the cabins
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 single cabins with a small double bed (140cm) and opening panoramic windows.
Main deck: 34 two-bed cabins with non-opening windows.

Description of the ship
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.

On board language: German and English.
Credit cards: Visa, Master Card; Currency on board: Euro.

Facts about the ship:
Length:            83 m (272 ft.)
Width:             9.6 m (31.5 ft.)
Cabins:           58
Pass.:              96 (max.)

As this is one of the Boat and Bike tours what cover most of the famous sights around Amsterdam and popular places is always in high demand.

June 8  It is on request 

June  15 It is on request 

August 3 It is on request 

August 10 It is on request