Cologne to Bamberg

Day 1: Arrival in Cologne. Short boat ride to Königswinter, 5 - 10 mi. (3 -6 km)
Day 2: Königswinter - Remagen - Koblenz, 28 mi. (45km)
Day 3: Koblenz - Oberwesel - Bingen/Rüdesheim, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 4: Bingen/Rüdesheim - Mainz - Frankfurt, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 5: Frankfurt - Ofenbach - Aschaffenburg, 28 mi  (45 km)
Day 6: Aschaffenburg - Miltenberg, 25 mi  (40 km)
Day 7: Miltenberg - Wertheim - Gemünden, 31 mi (50 km)
Day 8: Gemünden - Würzburg - Markbreit, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 9: Markbreit - Wipfeld/Schwarzach - Schweinfurt, 34 mi (54 km)
Day 10: Schweinfurt - Hassfurt - Bamberg, 22 mi  (35 km)
Day 11: Departure

All distances are approximate and subject to change due to changing weather conditions, lock repairs, or other unforeseen circumstances. The captain reserves the right to always put safety first and can make changes, even at the last minute, if he feels it is necessary.

Day 1: Arrival in Cologne. Short boat ride to Königswinter, 5 - 10 mi. (3 - 6 km)
Individual arrival in Cologne. Boarding begins at 10 am. At 12 pm, you will have a welcome meeting and introduction to the crew, the vessel, and the program to follow. During lunch, the Quo Vadis will motor to Königswinter, home to the fantastical castle, Schloss Drachenburg. Once moored, there will be an opportunity for a short bike ride to become accustomed to the bicycles.

Day 2: Königswinter - Remagen - Koblenz, 28 mi. (45km)
The day begins with a breakfast cruise to Remagen, famous for the Ludendorff Bridge, whose remnants remain today on the west bank of the Rhine. Despite the Nazi's attempt to destroy the bridge during WWII, it was captured intact by 9th Armored Division soldiers on March 7, 1945, enabling thousands of  American troops to pour over to the eastern side of the Rhine in Operation Lumberjack. There will be an opportunity to visit the Peace Museum, located in the bridgehead, dedicated to the history of the bridge and the event. The cycling itinerary begins here in this historical village through a more romantic, medieval section of the Rhine valley with castles and fortresses clinging to the hilltops and vineyards creeping up the slopes. The route leads through the spa resorts of Bad Breisig and also Bad Rhineeck. The itinerary includes a stop in Andernach, once a Roman settlement and then, arrival in Koblenz, where the Rhine & the Mosel Rivers meet. The city itself consists of the Alstadt (old city) and the Neustadt (new city). The Alstadt is the shape of a triangle, with 2 sides consisting of the Rhine & Mosel rivers, and the third side is covered by endless hills topped with fortresses.

Day 3: Koblenz - Oberwesel - Bingen/Rüdesheim, 26 mi. (42 km)
The barge sets off early this day. The highlight of the morning is to sail along the Loreley, the magnificent rock on the right bank of the Rhine River. The cycling begins in Oberwesel and leads along the Rhine river, passing charming villages such as Bacharach and Rüdesheim, known for its famous shopping street the Drosselgasse. Bingen is opposite Rüdesheim on the left bank of the Rhine.

Day 4: Bingen/Rüdesheim - Mainz - Frankfurt, 22 mi. (35 km)
Biking further along the Rhine river towards Mainz, the capital of Rhine-Palatinate. Smooth and perfectly flat bike lanes, apart from any distracting traffic, allowing you to ride in peace, In Mainz, you can stroll the old city of Mainz, through the  Old Town and inner city. Big, broad plazas, lovingly restored half-timbered houses and magnificent Baroque churches give the Old Town its charming character. In the afternoon, you board the Quo Vadis, and head to Frankfurt, a thriving metropolis with modern buildings, museums, and a lively shopping center.

Day 5: Frankfurt - Ofenbach - Aschafenburg, 28 mi  (45 km)
During breakfast, the Quo Vadis motors to Offenbach where the bike tour will begin. The cycling will lead to Bürgel, Mühlheim and then to Hanau, the town where the famous Grimm brothers were born. Via Steinheim, with its charming historic center, Kleinauheim, Hainstadt, and Klein-Krotzenheim, always along the Main River, and finally to the small and romantic city Seligenstadt with its meandering alleys, half-timber houses, and the basilica. After crossing the river on a small ferry, the cycling continues to Dettingen and Kleinostheim, to the day's destination, Aschaffenburg, with its museums, churches, and of course the famous castle! 

Day 6: Aschaffenburg - Miltenberg, 25 mi  (40 km)
Following the river (sometimes on the right bank and then again, on the left bank) the cycling leads through lovely small towns and villages, such as Obernberg, and further on, Klingenberg and Groszheubach, both famous for their fine red wines. The day ends in Miltenberg. This is a charming village because of its meandering streets and alleys, old restored half-timber houses and the historic market square, Alter Markt, located in the most beautiful part of Miltenberg, a wide-open space, with a slight slope to the hillside.  Be sure to go for a refreshment in the oldest pub of Germany, Gasthaus Zum Riesen. In the evening, there will be time to enjoy a bit of beer tasting.

Day 7: Miltenburg - Wertheim - Gemünden, 31 mi (50 km)
While you enjoy a sailing breakfast, the Quo Vadis motors from Miltenberg to Wertheim at the confluence of the Main and Tauber Rivers. Known for its glassworks, Franconian wine, and friendly people, it also possesses a historic center and mountain ruins. The route continues to Gemünden, passing the half-timber castle Homburg, through a varying landscape of climbing vineyards and forested mountain slopes, dotted with historic monuments, like the Triefenstein monastery. The day ends in Gemünden am Main, at the confluence of three rivers: Sinn, Saale and Main.

Day 8: Gemünden - Würzburg - Markbreit, 28 mi. (45 km)
Today the bike tour will lead you further along the Main River, passing Karlstadt with its historic center, Zellingen, and Erlabrunn. Afterward, you will reach Würzburg, the Baroque town on the Main River. Be sure to explore this beautiful city, hike the road that mounts gradually as you will go on and climb the fortress that offers a magnificent view on the historic center of Würzburg with its many towers. After your visit of Würzburg, you will embark the Quo Vadis and sail to the charming village of Marktbreit. During the cruise, enjoy the views of passing vineyards and hills full of vines and charming wine villages like Sommerhausen, Eibelstadt, and Ochsenfurt.

Day 9: Markbreit - Wipfeld/Schwarzach - Schweinfurt, 34 mi (54 km)
The boating begins in the morning, passing Kitzingen, famous for its leaning tower of which the story goes that’s its leaning because the builders, who - because of water shortage - mixing the mortar with wine instead of water, tasted a bit too much of the wine themselves. The day's bike tour will start at Wipfeld, close to Schwarzach, passing villages that are all very well known to wine connoisseurs like Sommerach, Nordheim and Volkach. Here you will admire a cultural highlight: the pilgrimage church ‘Maria im Weingarten’ and the famous ‘Madonna im Rosenkranz’ by Tilmann Riemenschneider. The boat will dock in the city of Schweinfurt, with its old town full of cozy little spots, the town hall, the tower, marketplace, museums, and galleries and amongst them all the artificial ‘Schweine’ (pigs).

Day 10: Schweinfurt - Hassfurt - Bamberg, 22 mi  (35 km)
Following a sailing breakfast, disembarkation will be in Hassfurt, famous for the late gothic Ritter chapel and the late gothic church at the market square with its valuable paintings (John the Baptist and Maria with child) by Tilmann Riemenschneider. From here we bike to the town of Eltmann and further on the Main river, passing the famous pilgrimage church Maria Limbach. We reach Bamberg, a very charming, historic bishops town with Villa Concordia, the historic lock 100, the water castle, the baroque house on the bridge and the former fishing settling Small Venice all emphasizing the tight connection between town and river.

Day 11: Departure
The program officially ends after breakfast. Perhaps you will choose to extend your stay in Bamberg!

If you’re looking for a different flavor, check out our full list of bike and boat tours or view all our featured bike trips, specials, and news.