BIKE AND BARGE IRIS: Heidelberg to Amsterdam in a Nutshell

Heidelberg, sailing to Nierstein, option to cycle from Ladenburg

We start our tour with a sail to Ladenburg, or a bit further and drop you off for a first ride.

You will cycle along the Neckar to one of the oldest cities of Northern Europe, the capital of the Kingdom of the Burgundians in the early fifth century! The Worms Cathedral is one of the finest examples of Romanesque Architecture. Worms is not only Catholic but also known for its Jewish life in Europe during the Middle Ages, described on the UNESCO World Heritage site, along with those in Speyer and Mainz. We continue cycling along the Rhine to Nierstein, where the ship will dock for the night!

Sailing to Mainz, cycling to Ruedesheim 40 km. Stay for the night in Ruedesheim

Today’s bike paths pass by vineyards and reach Ruedesheim. The Romans already planted their vines here! Stroll through the “Drosselgasse”, famous for its entertaining music and taste some of the wines of this wine village. This tiny old “gasse” is only 144 meters long and has 37.508 paving stones. Visit the Asbach centre, home of Germans Brandy produced locally since 1892. Are you not into brandy? They make some great chocolate as well.

The old town, dating from the Middle Ages, and parts of the city’s fortifications like the Adlerturm (eagle tower) are maintained. Here, you will find cosy traditional wine taverns in historic half-timbered houses.

Ruedesheim Sail through the Loreley to St. Goar, cycling to Koblenz

We leave the IRIS at St. Goar; the bike ride first takes you to the ancient city of Boppard. Here, the Rhine takes a fantastic turn, nearly 180 degrees. Boppard has always been a visitors magnet with her precipitous vineyards, one of the nicest bank promenades on the Middle Rhine, and the oldest preserved Roman fort walls north of the Alps. Our tour ends in Koblenz, at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle. Here, we can stroll through the historical centre and have a beer at Deutsches Eck, where an enormous statue overlooks Rhine and Moselle.

Cycling from Bonn to Cologne, dinner on your own, IRIS stays the night in Cologne

Today, a great ride from West Germany’s former Capitol City. When the wall came down in 1990 most of the government moved back to Berlin. It’s the birthplace of musical genius Ludwig van Beethoven. Even after he’d lost his hearing in his ‘20s, Beethoven continued to write classics like Moonlight Sonata. It’s a tune that puts you in the Bonn mood. This is also where gummy bears are born every day. You can visit the world-famous Haribo factory with all the gummy sweets and gadgets—imagine Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Sure Bonn has its “museum mile,” but Bonn’s parks and gardens are the cat’s meow when it’s sunny. The first-rate Botanical Gardens at Poppelsdorf Palace are among the oldest. Have you ever seen a water lily whose giant pads hold the weight of a 95-pound child!? Let’s see if we have time to visit its highlights before cycling to the even greater city of Cologne!

Sailing to Leverkussen, cycling to Duesseldorf, sailing to Duisburg

You can probably also opt to cycle to Duesseldorf all the way, along the signposted Rhine River Path. The river meanders especially around Duesseldorf, it bends and turns and there is the iconic tower, which you can enter to have a beautiful view from the top!

Duesseldorf! We cycle to the modern, sparkling city of Düsseldorf—Germany’s fashion and advertising capital. Think supermodel Claudia Schiffer. And it’s here you drink Altbier, which doesn’t mean the beer is old; it’s a top-down fermentation style that’s hoppy and bitter-crisp. The waiters won’t ask if you want a second beer, it will just appear in front of you. We love that! Explore the Altstadt along the river or check out Media Harbor—the rehabbed riverside warehouse district that will blow your mind. The city sparkles with international flair, übermodern architecture and swanky folk. A casual feeling reigns in the evening when the “suits” loosen their ties at the 17th century Füchschen Brewery for roast pork shank (Haxen).

Cycling from Wesel to Rees or Millingen a.d. Rijn, sail to Arnheim NL

We sail through the great Ruhr region, which was once Germany’s blast furnace during the Industrial Revolution until recently. You’ll see historic factory stacks, now primarily quiet and converted into other uses and venues—a reminder of when coal was king. This area is also where Neanderthal Man was found in 1856. And it’s home to the mega supermarket chain Aldi.

Our cycling starts at Wesel, and from there, you can cycle to Rees or Millingen aan de Rijn; you have crossed the border cycling.

Cycling from Breukelen to Amsterdam, around 30 km or more

From the old Breukelen, the name given to Brooklyn, we cycle along the Canal and the Vecht River on bike paths straight into the city of Amsterdam. You will see some great bike paths and even bike bridges. Maybe have a beer at Brewery het IJ. Or just continue and find the IRIS docked in the city centre, and admire the view from the sun deck. What a great way to end an amazing bike tour! the IRIS is docked for the night and it is time to have our farewell dinner.

Time to leave!

After breakfast, we have to say goodbye! Departure time is 9.00 AM.