Your JourneyDay 1 Arrive Rotterdam Embarkation 3 – 5 pm. Have a stroll through the city of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port. Be sure and visit the Maritime Museum whose vintage ships and exhibits trace the seafaring history. The city was almost reconstructed since WWll and has some interesting modern architecture. Day 2 Rotterdam – Dordrecht (40 km) Cycle to the best-known windmills in the Netherlands at Kinderdijk. The 19 windmills, which date back to the 18th century, are beautifully preserved and are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arrive Dordrecht, the oldest city in the Holland area which lies on an island bordered by large rivers. It has numerous historic buildings, city ports and a fantastic atmosphere. Day 3 Dordrecht – Gorinchem (30 km) Leave bustling Dordrecht for the tranquillity of the national park of De Biesbosch, a green maze of rivers with crystal clear water and small forested islands. It is one of the few tidal freshwater zones in the world. Day 4 Gorinchem – Wijk bij Duurstede (43 km) Leave the fortified city of Gorinchem and follow the River Linge, a tributary of the Rhine, to reach Wijk bij Duurstede at the edge of the „Utrechtse Heuvelrug“(Utrecht Hill Ridge), a tree-covered ridge of low sands created during the last glacial period. View Duurstede’s medieval castle dating back to the 13thC. Day 5 Wijk bij Duurstede – Rhenen – Arnhem (40 km) During breakfast cruise to Rhenen. Cycle along the Lower Rhine past the foreshore of the dike and reach Arnhem. Wander the city centre’s narrow alleyways lined with picturesque buildings Day 6 Arnhem – Emmerich – Wesel (50 km) Cruise across the German-Dutch border to Emmerich. Cycle through the nature reserve of Reeser Schanz then past the Roman city of Xanten before you reach the Hanseatic city of Wesel which has numerous remains of the Prussian past. Day 7 Wesel – Düsseldorf – Cologne (55 km) Cruise from Wesel to Dusseldorf where you start biking along the adventure trail „Rheinschiene“, a particularly attractive section where historic Old Towns and idyllic nature are interspersed with industrial heritage. The towns located directly on the Rhine, often have well preserved medieval town walls and towers, and are well worth a detour. Eventually reach the Cathedral city of Cologne. Day 8 Arrangements end in Cologne after breakfast. TerrainEasy cycling on paved cycle paths with little gradients. MealsBreakfast and dinner daily plus 6 picnic lunches.Trip Notes / Dates / Prices 2022Booking Form |
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Holland Meets Germany: Rotterdam to Cologne (NOT AVAILABLE)
8 Days / 7 Nights
Travel between South Holland‘s port city of Rotterdam with its proliferation of art, maritime tradition and futuristic architecture, to Germany’s 2000 year old cathedral town of Cologne spanning the Rhine River. Cycle from quaint Dutch towns and villages to the Lower Rhine region, one of the most beautiful cycle networks in Europe. When not cycling, soak up the magnificent landscapes from the sun deck and large panoramic windows of the lounge in your river boat.
Highlights:
- Cologne's magnificent cathedral.
- Dordrecht - Holland's oldest city situated on an island.
- Medieval towns of the Rheinschiene adventure trail.
- The windmills of the Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
