Bike and boat: On the road from Mainto Cologne with the MS Switzerland

Today, the Rhine and its surrounding area will show you why the Upper Middle Rhine Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beautiful Rhine islands, steep slate cliffs, and vineyards characterize the region around Rüdesheim. The cycling route takes you past Eltville, with its Electoral Castle, and Oestrich-Winkel, whose landmark is a historic wine-loading crane, before arriving in Rüdesheim. A visit to the famous Drosselgasse is highly recommended.

Today you'll cycle along the Rhine through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, passing romantic castles and castle ruins. These include Reichenstein and Rheinstein castles. The famous Lorelei rock also lies on your route to St. Goar, today's destination. From the rock, you'll have a magnificent view of St. Goar and St. Goarshausen.

Boppard and Marksburg Castle are possible stops on your way to Koblenz with its famous Deutsches Eck (German Corner), where the Mosel flows into the Rhine. A fantastic view of the magnificent Rhine landscape can be enjoyed from Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, which is easily accessible by cable car. 

The route takes you past Neuwied with its Engers Castle to Andernach, your destination for today. Like Koblenz, Andernach is considered one of the oldest cities in Germany. Its famous feature is the cold-water geyser, which, with its 50- to 60-meter-high water jet, is considered the tallest in the world. Explore historic Andernach with sights such as the Round Tower, or visit the wine village of Leutesdorf, which can be reached by ferry from Andernach.

On the way to Bonn, a visit to Drachenburg Castle on the Drachenfels (steep climb) in Königswinter is worthwhile. Finally, you reach Bonn. The former capital of West Germany presents itself as both charmingly Rhineland and cosmopolitan. Numerous global organizations are still headquartered here, contributing to the international flair of Beethoven's city.

Before reaching Cologne by bike, a pleasant break on the "leisure island" Groov, nestled in the expansive Rhine meadows of the Cologne district of Porz-Zündorf, is highly recommended, weather permitting. Once in Cologne, you should take some time for a stroll through the Old Town. Perhaps you'll also visit one of the numerous museums and explore modern Cologne, such as the Rheinauhafen harbor with its iconic crane houses. For a more relaxed atmosphere, the city can be enjoyed, for example, in Cologne's breweries, where you can sample the city's famous Kölsch beer.

Disembarkation after breakfast at 09:00 AM. Departure on your own.