The three ships used on this tour offer virtually identical layouts, cabin sizes, and onboard amenities. No matter which ship you sail on, the inclusions, comfort level, and overall experience remain the same. Choose this itinerary for a tour aboard the AMADEUS Cara.
The Rhine & Moselle river bike and boat tour is an all-inclusive journey through Switzerland, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, designed for travelers who value comfort and ease. Gentle e-bike rides follow rivers, vineyards, and historic towns, while a luxurious river ship takes care of everything in between. With expert guides, full support, and no logistics to worry about, this is a relaxed, beautifully paced way to experience Europe—one scenic ride and smooth sail at a time.
Arrive in Basel and board the AMADEUS Cara in the afternoon. After settling into our cabins, we meet for a brief introduction to the journey ahead. In the early evening, the ship departs Basel and begins sailing downriver toward France, marking the start of our cycling and cruising adventure through some of Europe’s most scenic river landscapes.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: AMADEUS Cara river cruise boat
Our first cycling day takes us through Strasbourg and into the heart of Alsace. We explore the historic center with its impressive cathedral, half-timbered houses, and canals of “Little Venice,” before riding through vineyards and rolling countryside toward the medieval town of Obernai. A picnic lunch is enjoyed along the route before we return to Strasbourg.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 42 km (27 mi)
Accommodation: AMADEUS Cara river cruise boat
We begin in Speyer with a visit to its monumental Imperial Cathedral, then cycle through the Rhine plain toward Heidelberg. A guided walk introduces us to Heidelberg’s charming Old Town before we continue along the Neckar River to Mannheim. Today combines historic cities, riverside cycling, and varied landscapes.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 56 km (34 mi)
Accommodation: AMADEUS Cara river cruise boat
Today we ride through one of the most iconic stretches of the Rhine. Cycling through the Rheingau vineyards, we pass viewpoints like the Niederwald Monument and continue into the Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Castles, vineyards, and legendary landmarks such as the Loreley accompany us as we ride to Koblenz, where the Rhine meets the Moselle at the Deutsches Eck.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 67 km (41 mi)
Accommodation: AMADEUS Cara river cruise boat
In the afternoon, we set out on a scenic ride along the Moselle River. Vineyards line the slopes as we cycle toward Cochem, passing famous wine-growing areas including the Bremmer Calmont. Along the way, we visit a monastery ruin and enjoy a wine tasting, discovering the Roman roots of winemaking in this region.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 30 km (18 mi)
Accommodation: AMADEUS Cara river cruise boat
This morning we explore Cologne by e-bike on a panoramic city tour. We ride through historic neighborhoods, cross the Rhine for sweeping views, and follow riverside paths past the cathedral, Old Town, and modern Rheinauhafen district. Green spaces and lively quarters round out our exploration of this vibrant city.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 20 km (13 mi)
Accommodation: AMADEUS Cara river cruise boat
Our final cycling day brings us to the Netherlands. We explore Amsterdam’s canals, bridges, and historic neighborhoods before riding into the countryside of Waterland near the Ijsselmeer. Flat landscapes, traditional farmsteads, and classic Dutch scenery accompany us before we return to the city and enjoy a relaxing canal cruise.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 55 km (34 mi)
Accommodation: AMADEUS Cara river cruise boat
After breakfast, we disembark in Amsterdam. Continue your trip on your own or extend your stay in the city.
Meals: Breakfast
Included:
Add-ons:
Not included:
This Rhine river bike & boat tour is designed to feel comfortable and achievable for most active travelers. A basic to moderate level of fitness is all you need—you should enjoy being on a bike for a few hours, but there’s no expectation of high endurance or athletic training. With the help of e-bikes, which are included in the tour, longer distances feel much easier and more relaxed.
Over the course of the journey, the total cycling distance is around 270 km (167 miles), spread across several days, with the longest single ride reaching about 67 km (41 miles). Routes follow scenic, low-traffic paths through France, Germany, and the Netherlands, and a support vehicle is always available, giving you the freedom to ride as much—or as little—as you like.
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more France bike tours here!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Rental e-bikes are VELO DE VILLE AEB Classic models, selected for comfort, reliability, and ease on this Rhine river bike & boat tour. E-bike rentals are included in the price of the tour.
The step-through frame allows for easy mounting, while the Bosch motor system delivers smooth, quiet assistance throughout the ride. A 500 Wh battery provides reliable range for daily distances, and the Shimano drivetrain offers simple, dependable shifting. Hydraulic disc brakes ensure confident stopping power, and the suspension fork adds comfort on varied terrain. Puncture-protected Schwalbe tires complete a setup designed for relaxed, worry-free cycling.
Group sizes and pricing
Rhine river bike & boat tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
All cabins throughout the three boats offer the same thoughtful level of comfort, with private bathrooms, climate control, flexible bedding, and well-designed living space. The main difference between cabin categories is their location on the ship and how they connect to the river scenery.
AMADEUS Queen layout:
AMADEUS Riva & Cara layout:
The price for this Rhine river bike & boat tour is based on twin-share cabins, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. Please contact us before booking if interested.
The starting point of your Rhine river bike & boat tour is Basel, Switzerland. To get there, most people fly into Zurich Airport (ZRH), one hour away from Basel, or EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL), 20 minutes away from Basel. It’s best to use public transport or a taxi.
To make your arrival hassle-free, let your guides can arrange airport transfers for you—leave us a note if interested at checkout.
You will meet your guide and board the boat at 5 pm on Day 1. Note that the tour ends in Amsterdam.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.