Canals to Castles: Bike and Boat between Amsterdam and Koblenz

Day 1: Amsterdam - Wijk bij Duurstede

The Iris awaits you in the heart of Amsterdam, ready to set off on this bike and boat adventure. You'll stop for the first ride of the trip along the glamorous Vecht, lined with beautiful and sophisticated houses. This winding little river is a branch of the Rhine, and although you're riding upstream, the terrain is flat. You'll stop biking in Breukelen, where Brooklyn, NY gets its name, and board the Iris once again for a short cruise to Wijk bij Duurstede. This small, fortified town was the subject of Jacob van Ruisdael's 1670 iconic Dutch landscape painting. Enjoy an evening stroll before settling into your comfortable cabin.

Day 2: Wijk bij Duurstede - Wageningen - Arnhem

No bike tour through Holland is complete without pedaling through the Hoge Veluwe National Park, home to Europe's largest drifting dunes. Hoge Veluwe contains an unprecedented diversity of plant and animal species, including a large number of rare ornamental species. Reaching the other side of the park, you are in for a treat: the world-famous Kröller-Müller art gallery, known for having the largest private Van Gogh collection in the world. Here you'll also find works by Claude Monet, Georges Seurat, Pablo Picasso, and Piet Mondriaan. Riding along, you'll finally reach Arnhem, a welcoming city with a vibrant atmosphere. Be sure to have a drink at one of its trendy bars or check out the exceptional museums.

Day 3: Arnhem - Pannerden - Rees

The day begins with a tour of the 13th-century Doornenburg Castle. Unfortunately, this castle found itself on the front lines as in 1944, following the failed Battle of Arnhem, it became headquarters for the Germans. British bombers promptly destroyed the castle in 1945 but just ten years later, it was rebuilt to all of its former glory. Time to say tot ziens (see ya) to Holland and head into Germany. In Emmerich, you cycle across Germany's longest suspension bridge. This bridge spans 1,600 ft over the Rhine and makes for an ideal photo op. The day ends in Rees, famous for its medieval wall, towers, and its promenade along the Rhine complete with art sculptures, restaurants, and cafes. This is the perfect spot to rest and refresh after a day of biking.

Day 4: Rees - Wesel - Düsseldorf

Biking along this part of the Rhine, you will notice remains of this area's industrial prowess. Factory stacks once used for coal have been quietly converted into other venues. You'll board the Iris to sail from the world's biggest inland harbor in Duisburg to the modern city of Düsseldorf. Here is where we recommend you drink an Altbier; a beer that is fermentated top-down and has a hoppy, bitter-crisp taste. The waiters won't ask if you want seconds, it will just appear in front of you! After a few refreshing drinks, you must explore the Altstadt or the Media Harbor, a riverside warehouse district that bustles with an international flair. In the evening, rub elbows with the locals at the 17th century Füchschen Brewery where the plate of choice is haxen or roast pork shank. Düsseldorf will enchant you!

Day 5: Düsseldorf - Cologne

Today’s ride takes you from Düsseldorf to Cologne, two rival cities divided by beer and football pride. In Düsseldorf it’s Altbier, but in Cologne (Köln), Kölsch beer is king. As the largest city on our Rhine cruise and Germany’s fourth biggest, Cologne packs major attractions within easy walking distance. The city is ancient, founded as a Roman military base in 50 AD. You can see this history come alive at the Roman-Germanic Museum. No visit is complete without the Cologne Cathedral, a massive Gothic landmark that fits 20,000 people and requires more than 80 specialists to maintain. Its famous bells ring out across the city, free concerts included. For unbeatable cathedral views, stop at Café Reichard for coffee and cake. Then wander the medieval Hay Market (Heumarkt) where you can enjoy fresh Kölsch and try Cologne’s comfort-food classic, Himmel un Ääd (apples and mashed potatoes).

Day 6: Cologne - Bonn

The ride into Bonn is spectacular, but even more spectacular is West Germany's former capital city. Bonn, the birthplace of musical genius Beethoven, is known for its many museums, but there is so much more to discover. For example, the many parks and gardens in this city are a treat on a sunny day, but what takes the cake are the first-rate Botanical Gardens at Poppelsdorf Palace. Here you'll see water lilies whose giant pads can hold a small child, and don't forget the world's rarest flowering plant the titan arum or corpse flower that takes 7 years just to blossom for one day! End your day with a stroll on the river promenade and have another brew at the Alter Zoll.

Day 7: Bonn - Koblenz

The Iris takes you past the Siebengebirge (seven hills) and enters the legendary middle Rhine valley. Here you'll see the iconic cliffs, dramatic castles, sloping vineyards, and the half-timbered villages that this region is famous for. The bike tour begins in Remagen, with a stop at Ludendorff Bridge. This is only one of two bridges still intact over the Rhine during the final days of WWII. The U.S. Army got 25,000 troops, six Army divisions, tanks, artillery, and trucks across this bridge. You'll continue pedaling through sleepy villages with old churches before arriving in Koblenz. The Iris docks in the shadows of the mighty Ehrenbreitenstein fortress. Koblenz is a perfect city to end your cycling tour in Germany as it offers a 5,000-year-long history!

Day 8: Disembarkation from Koblenz

Departure at approximately 9 am, after breakfast.

The daily biking distance is approximately 28 miles (44 km).