By Boat and Bike from Strasbourg to Mainz

After your arrival in Strasbourg, check in at 16:00 on your ship, the MS Olympia. On your first day, explore the beautiful old town with its picturesque half-timbered houses and the city's landmark, Strasbourg Cathedral. Stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets and along the numerous canals. Finally, treat yourself to a traditional tarte flambée in one of the small, cozy wine bars of the capital of Europe.

You can use the morning again to stroll through Strasbourg. The bike tour to the Gambsheim lock is comparatively short and runs through the Rhine valley. The MS Olympia awaits you there in the afternoon. You will continue your journey from Strasbourg to Mainz on board. Enjoy the view from the sun deck as your ship continues on the Rhine to Germersheim, where it arrives at night.

Visit the old fortress in Germersheim or treat yourself to a coffee in the cozy town center. Today's bike tour during your journey by bike and ship from Strasbourg to Mainz takes you through seemingly untouched nature. Along the arms of the Altrhein you will cycle relaxed through the Palatinate region to the cathedral city of Speyer, today's stage destination. How about a glass of Palatinate wine with a view of the imperial cathedral of Speyer? It is the largest preserved Romanesque church in Europe.

Since the cycling stage today is quite short, you will have plenty of time to relax and see the numerous sights. First, cycle leisurely through the beautiful nature past magnificent lakes and through nature reserves. Soon you will reach Mannheim. The city between the Rhine and Neckar rivers offers many opportunities to explore sights worth seeing. Visit the baroque castle complex and the water tower. Let yourself be enchanted by the brightly lit water games at the foot of the tower at dusk.

You leave Mannheim and cycle through the heart of the Electoral Palatinate to Schwetzingen. Don't miss visiting the heart of the city, the castle with its magnificent gardens. On your further way you leave the Rhine and cycle through the small towns of Plankstadt and Eppelheim to the Neckar. Even from a distance, you will recognize Heidelberg's landmark - the ruined castle, which towers high above the city. Not only the castle is impressive, also marvel at the sandstone bridge and treat yourself to a walk through the winding alleys of the old town. On the banks of the Neckar you then cycle back to Mannheim.

After yesterday's excursion to the Neckar, you will follow the Rhine again today. The MS Olympia awaits you again in Worms. Here stands the second of the three imperial cathedrals that you will visit on the journey by bike and ship from Strasbourg to Mainz. As the home of Kriemhild, Worms is also an important setting in the Saga of the Nibelungs. The Nibelungen Museum is dedicated to her mythical character.

Enjoy the first part of today's leg of your river cruise on the ship that takes you down the Rhine from Worms. Disembark in Nierstein, the largest wine-growing community on the Rhine. It's worth the climb to the Wartturm tower on the Roten Hang. From there you have a wonderful view of the Rhine valley. Or you can visit the historic town center with its medieval marketplace and noble houses. On the short cycling stage you follow the well-developed Rhine cycle path to the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate, Mainz.

After breakfast your journey by bike and ship from Strasbourg to Mainz ends. Until 09.00 o'clock you can check out and say goodbye to the crew.