Cologne to Mainz by Bike and Barge

Make your way to Cologne and the boat for embarkation at 4:00 pm. The crew will be waiting on board to welcome you. Enjoy the evening on board or stroll to one of the nearby pubs with views over the river and enjoy a Kölsch beer. Don't miss a visit to the Dom, Cologne's UNESCO World Heritage listed Gothic cathedral. Time permitting, climb its tower for great views of the city and river. Cologne has a great night life - bars, cafes, restaurants and shops and is easy to get around. There are also some good art museums, and a chocolate museum!

Before heading out on the cycle today, you can take the opportunity to walk through Cologne's old town and cathedral. Afterwards you will cycle to Bonn, the city of Beethoven. This federal city and former capital of Germany still has international flair. Along the way you can visit the leisure island Groov amidst a vast landscape of the Rheinaue wetland in the Cologne suburb Porz-Zundorf. In Bonn there are museums of interest such as the House of History, the Bundeskunsthalle and House of Beethoven. You can also visit the Bundesviertel on the ‘Path of Democracy’ in the former Government Quarter of Bonn.

The cycle today will lead you to Andernach. Along the way you will pass through Konigswinter with its Drachenburg Castle on the Drachenfels (steep ascent), and the Sea Life aquarium with more than 6,000 sea inhabitants. Today's destination is Andernach, famous for the world's largest cold water geyser - it has an impressive 60m (196ft) fountain.

On today's cycle you will find Engers Castle in Neuwied, built around the 17th century. Continue to the famous "Deutsche Eck" (German corner) where the Moselle river merges with the Rhine river at Koblenz. Another place of interest is the Ehrenbreitstein fortress, which you can reach by cable car across the river (tickets available for purchase on board).

Today you cycle through the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, known for its castles, historic towns and vineyards. Pass the romantic fortress Marksburg, the only hilltop castle of Middle Rhine which has never been destroyed. Continue to Boppard with its fortress Kurfürstliche Burg, before reaching St Goar. Here you will find the ruins of the fortress Rheinfels, the largest of its kind along the Rhine. Also worth visiting are the fortresses of Katz und Maus (cat and mouse) in St Goarshausen on the other side of the river.

You will cycle past more beautiful castles today including Burg Reichenstein and Burg Rheinstein, and the famous rock Loreley, before reaching Rudesheim. Rudesheim has beautiful half-timbered houses and we recommend exploring the historic town on foot. Alternatively, treat yourself with a ride on the cable car (payable locally) up to the Niederwald monument, for beautiful views over the old town and the river.

Today you will find the Rhine at its best (if you weren't already impressed!). Along the way is Eltville am Rhein with its castle Kurfurstliche Burg. The destination is Mainz, where you'll find numerous remarkable buildings including the cathedral Hoher Dom St Martin, one of the proud imperial cathedrals of Germany, and Kurfurstliches Schloss. In the old town you will find attractive alleys and squares including Augustinerstraße and the Kirschgarten with its lovely timber framed houses and wine restaurants. The Gutenberg Museum is also interesting.

Trip concludes after breakfast with disembarkation by 9 am. The itinerary operates in reverse from Mainz to Cologne every alternate departure - see below.