Enjoy pedaling along the scenic Rhine river through Holland and Germany

What is more beautiful than a Dutch Master's painting? The landscapes that inspired the paintings! This bike and boat tour along the great Rhine river blends dazzling European cities, Medieval villages, and the idylic landscapes that inspired the likes of Rembrandt and Ruisdael. Start in either Amsterdam or Koblenz and bike through such cities as Arnhem, Remagen, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Bonn, and many more! Your floating accommodation the delightful Iris, navigates the Rhine with ease as you cycle the bike paths of these two iconic European countries.

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Highlights

• The diverse and exciting city of Amsterdam
• Hoge Veluwe National Park
• Kröller-Müller Art Gallery
• Bonn, the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven
• Koblenz, Germany's oldest and most beautiful cities

Daily program

Day 1: Amsterdam - Wijk bij Duurstede
The Iris awaits you in the heart of Amsterdam, ready to set off on this bike and boat adventure. You'll stop for the first ride of the trip along the glamorous Vecht, lined with beautiful and sophisticated houses. This winding little river is a branch of the Rhine, and although you're riding upstream, the terrain is flat. You'll stop biking in Breukelen, where Brooklyn, NY gets its name, and board the Iris once again for a short cruise to Wijk bij Duurstede. This small, fortified town was the subject of Jacob van Ruisdael's 1670 iconic Dutch landscape painting. Enjoy an evening stroll before settling into your comfortable cabin.

Day 2: Wijk bij Duurstede - Wageningen - Arnhem
No bike tour through Holland is complete without pedaling through the Hoge Veluwe National Park, home to Europe's largest drifting dunes. Hoge Veluwe contains an unprecedented diversity of plant and animal species, including a large number of rare ornamental species. Reaching the other side of the park, you are in for a treat: the world-famous Kröller-Müller art gallery, known for having the largest private Van Gogh collection in the world. Here you'll also find works by Claude Monet, Georges Seurat, Pablo Picasso, and Piet Mondriaan. Riding along, you'll finally reach Arnhem, a welcoming city with a vibrant atmosphere. Be sure to have a drink at one of its trendy bars or check out the exceptional museums.

Day 3: Arnhem - Pannerden - Rees
The day begins with a tour of the 13th-century Doornenburg Castle. Unfortunately, this castle found itself on the front lines as in 1944, following the failed Battle of Arnhem, it became headquarters for the Germans. British bombers promptly destroyed the castle in 1945 but just ten years later, it was rebuilt to all of its former glory. Time to say tot ziens (see ya) to Holland and head into Germany. In Emmerich, you cycle across Germany's longest suspension bridge. This bridge spans 1,600 ft over the Rhine and makes for an ideal photo op. The day ends in Rees, famous for its medieval wall, towers, and its promenade along the Rhine complete with art sculptures, restaurants, and cafes. This is the perfect spot to rest and refresh after a day of biking.

Day 4: Rees - Wesel - Düsseldorf
Biking along this part of the Rhine, you will notice remains of this area's industrial prowess. Factory stacks once used for coal have been quietly converted into other venues. You'll board the Iris to sail from the world's biggest inland harbor in Duisburg to the modern city of Düsseldorf. Here is where we recommend you drink an Altbier; a beer that is fermentated top-down and has a hoppy, bitter-crisp taste. The waiters won't ask if you want seconds, it will just appear in front of you! After a few refreshing drinks, you must explore the Altstadt or the Media Harbor, a riverside warehouse district that bustles with an international flair. In the evening, rub elbows with the locals at the 17th century Füchschen Brewery where the plate of choice is haxen or roast pork shank. Düsseldorf will enchant you!

Day 5: Düsseldorf - Cologne
Today's journey takes us from Düsseldorf to Cologne, where beer and soccer rivalries thrive. In Düsseldorf, Altbier reigns, but in Cologne, Kölsch is king. The largest city on our Rhine cruise, Cologne is steeped in history, dating back to Roman times when it was a northern military base. The Romans also introduced the tradition of wine-soaked meats, leading to today’s Rhineland specialties like Sauerbraten. Explore Cologne’s rich history at the Roman-Germanic Museum, then visit the iconic Cologne Cathedral, a 750-year-old Gothic masterpiece. Standing longer than a football field and holding 20,000 people, the cathedral is maintained by a team of 80 specialists. Don’t miss its unforgettable bells. For the best view of the cathedral, enjoy coffee, cake, and a stunning panorama at Café Reichard. For a taste of local culture, wander the medieval Hay Market, sip Kölsch beer, and try Himmel un Ääd—a comforting dish of apples and mashed potatoes. Whether you're into history, culture, or food, Cologne offers something for everyone.

Day 6: Cologne - Bonn
The ride into Bonn is spectacular, but even more spectacular is West Germany's former capital city. Bonn, the birthplace of musical genius Beethoven, is known for its many museums, but there is so much more to discover. For example, the many parks and gardens in this city are a treat on a sunny day, but what takes the cake are the first-rate Botanical Gardens at Poppelsdorf Palace. Here you'll see water lilies whose giant pads can hold a small child, and don't forget the world's rarest flowering plant the titan arum or corpse flower that takes 7 years just to blossom for one day! End your day with a stroll on the river promenade and have another brew at the Alter Zoll.

Day 7: Bonn - Koblenz
The Iris takes you past the Siebengebirge (seven hills) and enters the legendary middle Rhine valley. Here you'll see the iconic cliffs, dramatic castles, sloping vineyards, and the half-timbered villages that this region is famous for. The bike tour begins in Remagen, with a stop at Ludendorff Bridge. This is only one of two bridges still intact over the Rhine during the final days of WWII. The U.S. Army got 25,000 troops, six Army divisions, tanks, artillery, and trucks across this bridge. You'll continue pedaling through sleepy villages with old churches before arriving in Koblenz. The Iris docks in the shadows of the mighty Ehrenbreitenstein fortress. Koblenz is a perfect city to end your cycling tour in Germany as it offers a 5,000-year-long history!

Day 8: Departure from Koblenz
Disembarkation takes place after breakfast, around 9:30 am.

The daily biking distance is approximately 28 miles (44 km).

Photos

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Dates & Prices

Questions about pricing or options? Call +1-215-613-0874 to talk to a Tour Advisor now.

Included services

• 7 nights aboard the Iris in climate-controlled cabins
• 8 x breakfasts, 6 x packed lunches, 6 x dinners on board
• Coffee and tea on board
• Daily cabin cleaning
• Cycling tour guide (for groups of over 18 guests, a second guide will be added)
• Standard touring bike
• Helmets, panniers, and waterbottle
• Entrance to National Park Hoge Veluwe and Kroeller Mueller Museum

Tour Company

Map

Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.

Surface and terrain

This is a leisurely bike and boat tour. You'll be cycling on well-maintained asphalted bike paths and peaceful country roads. The daily biking distance is approximately 28 miles (44 km). The terrain is mostly flat.

How to get there

Tour start/end in Amsterdam
Nearest airport: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
Nearest train station: Amsterdam (Amsterdam Centraal)

Tour start/end in Koblenz
Nearest airport: Frankfurt International Airport (FRA
Nearest train station: Koblenz (Koblenz HBF)

Tips on getting to and from your tour.