Cycling between Mainz and Merzig in Germany!

Europe's rivers have been crucial for many human settlements as important sources of water and means of transportation. On this bike and boat tour, you'll travel on three of the most famous ones. You'll cycle between Mainz and Merzig, two quintessential German cities with lots of beautiful panoramas along the way.

The Merlijn will travel along the Rhine, Mosel, and Saar rivers, while you will cycle on flat paths through forests, meadows, and idyllic villages. You'll come across castles, ancient churches, and quiet farms. You'll discover architectural highlights which span over eight centuries of history!

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Highlights

• The beautiful city of Mainz
• The Loreley rock formation
• The Rhine River
• Porta Nigra
• Wine tasting
• Eltz Castle
• Trier, the oldest city in Germany

Daily program

Day 1: Arrival in Mainz, sailing Rüdesheim
You will find the Merlijn in the city of Mainz. At the confluence of the Rhine and Main rivers, Mainz is a wonderful town with an enthralling history. You will see plenty of half-timbered houses, old Baroque churches, and the incredible Old Town which will transport you back in time. Embarkation begins at 3:30 pm. You will enjoy a complimentary drink while the crew goes over information on the ship, the tour, and your bikes. At around 5 pm, the boat motors on to Rüdesheim where you'll spend the first night.

Day 2: Rüdesheim - St. Goar - Koblenz, the Romantic Rhin (25 mi/40 km)
You will enjoy a sailing breakfast on your way to St. Goar. Be sure to peek out the panoramic windows to catch a glimpse of the statue Loreley. In St. Goar, you will start pedaling along the Rhine river. You will make a stop in the ancient city of Boppard, a UNESCO World Heritage location well-known for its wine. You can take a chairlift for beautiful views of the surrounding area.

You will end your day in Koblenz, where the Mosel meets the Rhine.

Day 3: Koblenz - Alken - Cochem (25 mi/40 km)
During your breakfast, the Merlijn will cruise up the Mosel River to Alken. From Alken, you begin cycling to Moselkern. You are in for a treat today, as you will continue on to Elztal where you will find the stunning castle Eltz, considered the most beautiful castle in all of Europe! Situated on top of a cliff, this castle feels like it comes directly from a fairytale. After your visit, you will cycle to Cochem where the Merlijn is waiting. In Cochem, you will have some time to walk around this traditional German town.

Day 4: Cochem - Zell - Traben Trarbach (25 mi/40 km)
Departing from Cochem, your first stop today will be the small village of Beilstein. Beilstein is one of the loveliest destinations on this tour, it has delightful cobbled streets and picturesque small squares. You will continue cycling along the meandering Mosel River until reaching Sankt Aldegund. This village has a historical wine cellar with all kinds of goodies and is definitely worth a visit! You will eventually reach Zell which is home to the famous vineyard Zeller Schwarze Katz. You will board the Merlijn again to sail to Traben-Trarbach, the city of the art nouveau. After dinner, you will enjoy a wine tasting in a local winery.

Day 5: Traben Trarbach - Bernkastel Kues - Mehring - Trier (28 mi/45 km)
The Merlijn will cruise to Bernkastel-Kues, a quintessential medieval German town. The marketplace is lined with magnificent framework houses. By bike, you will pedal to the holiday resort of Mehring. This area is so gorgeous, the Roman poet Ausonius sang of the beautiful landscapes. In Mehring, you will meet up with the boat again to cruise to Trier. You will eat dinner on your own this evening to enjoy this lovely city.

Day 6: Trier - Saarburg (16 mi or 34 mi/25 or 55 km)
A morning city walk of Trier will allow you to see more of this historic place. Trier is the oldest city in Germany and features 9 fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You must visit the Trier Cathedral which alone makes your visit worth the while. The architectural mix of Gothic, Baroque and Romanesque elements attest to the cathedral’s long history. The real treat of your visit is seeing the Porta Nigra, or the "black gate". This most famous building of Trier was erected during the reign of Marcus Aurelius.

After your visit to Trier, you will bike to Saarburg along the Saar river. Tonight, you'll enjoy your dinner in this lively city.

Day 7: Saarburg - Merzig (20 mi/32 km)
You'll enjoy a tour through Saarburg before cycling to the Saar-loop, the famous river bend of the river Saar. The "Cloef" offers an amazing viewpoint over the landscape and this loop. From this point, you only have a few more miles to today's destination: the city of Merzig. In between, you'll pass through the classic village of Mettlach, home of the famous ceramic maker Villeroy & Boch.

Once in Merzig, you'll want to visit St. Peter‘s Parish Church and Gardens. Built in the 13th century, St. Peter‘s Church is the largest preserved Romanesque ecclesiastical building in Saarland. Furthermore, the town’s location along the Saar River makes it ideal for nature lovers; beautiful parks are great for a late-afternoon stroll. Historical farmhouses, built with a French flair, are a reminder that the French region of Lorraine isn’t too far off.

Day 8: Merzig
After breakfast, you will say goodbye to your new-found friends and continue your journey home.

Surface and terrain

This bike and barge tour is rated leisurely. The terrain is mostly flat on paved secondary roads and bike paths. All distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change and sometimes without prior notice, as some waterways are prone to flooding or drought. The captain reserves the right to make changes.

Boats

• Merlijn

How to get there

Tour start and end:

Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) or Luxembourg Airport (LUX)

The train station at Frankfurt Airport offers connections to the city center and other popular German cities. Luxembourg Airport is another option. You can even book a multi-city flight, arriving to one airport and departing from another.

Dates

Prices

Included services

• 7 x nights aboard the Merlijn
• 7 x breakfasts, 6 x packed lunches, & 6 x three-course dinners
• Welcome meeting and complimentary beverage
• Coffee, tea, & water on board
• Daily cabin cleaning
• 27-speed touring bike with waterproof pannier, water bottle, towel, & universal helmet
• Tour guide
• Wine tasting in Trarbach
• Harbor, bridges & lock fees
• Daily tour briefing
• GPS tracks available on request
• Wifi

Bike rentals

Included touring bicycle - Sensa Superlite (or similar brand/model)

Unisex model with lightweight aluminum frame (4 different sizes).

All bikes have 27-speeds, Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, and Sportourer FLX saddle.

The bikes come with a pannier bag, helmet, lock, water bottle, and towel.

Electric bicycle - Gudereit Brand (limited number)

The electric bikes feature 7 gears and a Bosch engine. The bikes come with a pannier bag, helmet, lock, water bottle, and towel. 

Read more about electrically-assisted bikes >.

Bike Protection
Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.

Tour Company