Rhine, Moselle & Saar 3-river tour in Germany
July 08 - 16 / 2025
Departure date: 08 july 2025
Average biking distance per day 30 to 60 km / Level: Easy
Highlights
Bike, barge & cruise the mighty ‘father’ Rhine, the ever-romantic Moselle, and beautiful rivers of the Saar. Visit the charming town of Rüdesheim, and the ‘black cat’ city of Zell, before marvelling at the famous Bernkastel and Roman city of Trier, and heading for ‘Little Venice’ Saarburg. Cruise along ‘the Romantic Rhine’ with its Lorely, the Moselle with its vineyards, and the River Saar, surrounded by mountains. Bike along these rivers and enjoy an included wine-tasting session at the well-known winery ‘Storck’.
Day-to-day itinerary
Day 1: Saarburg
Check in: 3:30 PM – 4 PM. There is a welcome aboard drink and crew introduction. We’ll also inform you about the tour and the ship, and give you a safety briefing. After dinner, there will be time to stroll through the city and enjoy a splendid view over the Saar valley. In the charming city itself, you’ll be impressed by the narrow alleys, framework houses, and Baroque constructions, as well as colourful seamen’s houses and fishermen’s dwellings. There is an overnight stay in Saarburg.
Day 2: Saarburg - Trier. Bike tour: 30-35 km
After breakfast, you will start your bike trip to Trier, by following the river Saar ‘downstream’. At Konz, the Saar meets the Moselle river. In the afternoon, there is enough time for a visit to the city, and there will be a tour by a local guide. Trier was once the capital of the Western Roman Empire, a Roman government seat, and is well known for its enormous Roman city gateway, the Porta Nigra, and its Roman Baths.
Day 3: Trier. Bike tour: 55-60 Km
Today we have a different day (than the average bike and barge day) in store for you. The Merlijn will stay docked in Trier for another full day and we offer several choices today. Those who came 100% for the cycling can get ready to enjoy one of the cycling highlights on this trip! Where most routes lead along the river, today's route is entirely through hilly countryside and free nature, and yet mostly on a gradually descending bike path! To achieve this, you go in the morning, together with your bicycle, by bus into the mountains and then follow an old railroad line, which has recently been transformed into a bicycle path, towards the Mosel. This ride will take most of the day…
Those who also deserve some rest during this vacation, want to go shopping or see more culture, will also find something to their liking. Leave the bike onboard for the day and walk into Trier to enjoy everything this city has to offer. A rich history, nice stores and plenty of terraces. Our guide can be helpful with your plans for the day.
Day 4: Trier – Mehring – Bernkastel – Traben Trarbach. Bike tour: 40-45 km
While enjoying your breakfast, the Merlijn will sail from Trier to the holiday resort of Mehring, where your bike tour will start. The Romans fell in love with this landscape more than 2000 years ago and built splendid country villas here. After visiting Neumagen-Drohn, you will cycle on to Bernkastel-Kues, where magnificent timber framework houses line the oldest market square in Europe. After a visit to this charming city, you’ll board the Merlijn and together we’ll depart for Traben Trarbach. At night, you’ll be offered a wine-tasting session at the Storck Winery.
Day 5: Traben Trarbach - Zell – Cochem. Bike tour: 40-45 km
During breakfast, we’ll head for Zell, famous for its ‘Zeller Schwarze Katz’ vineyard. Here, your bike tour starts, and you’ll cycle along the meandering Moselle and visit many charming villages, such as Alf and Sankt Aldegund: here you can visit a cellar with lots of liqueurs, wines and Mosel-made mustards, before heading to Bremm and finally Beilstein. After exploring this interesting medieval village, that has managed to remain intact, you will bike to Cochem, where the Merlijn will await you.
Day 6: Cochem – Koblenz. Bike tour: 40-45 km + Hike: 3 km
After breakfast, you will start biking from Cochem into the Eltztal. Here you will park your bikes and put your hiking shoes on. After a hike of approx. 40 minutes, you will reach the beautiful castle of Eltz. With its romantic clifftop location, the castle is one of the very few that has remained intact throughout its long history. Although you won’t be the only visitor, it’s worth it. After your visit, you will bike to Koblenz, where the Merlijn will be docked.
Day 7: Koblenz - Rüdesheim. Bike tour: 30-35 km
During breakfast, Merlijn will be taking you to Oberwesel. Today is one of the highlights of the trip: sailing through the ‘Romantic middle Rhine’ and passing by the Lorely; you might even hear her singing… this part of the Rhine is steeped in history, myths and legends. We’ll find a dock and your bike tour will start, following the Rhine gorge further from the river banks. At the end, you will reach Bingen, which is worth a stop and visit, after which you’ll cross the river by ferry to reach the charming and famous city of Rüdesheim with its ‘Drossegasse’. You might want to take the cable car up to the mountain for a spectacular view of the Rhine. We will stay here overnight.
Day 8: Rüdesheim - Mainz. Bike tour: 35-40 km
Today’s cycle tour starts from Rüdesheim, and goes along the River Rhine, as you pass by cosy little towns such as Oestrich-Winkel and Eltville. Don’t forget to stop at a traditional German bakery for a ‘Berliner’: a donut-like sweet treat stuffed with jam! The tour ends in Mainz, the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate. Mainz's Old Town is the pride and joy of the city scene. Spacious squares, lovingly restored half-timbered houses and magnificent Baroque churches lend the old town its "gemütliches" (charming) character. Merlijn awaits you here, and in the evening, a farewell dinner is served on board.
Day 9: Mainz
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye and continue your European trip or leave for the airport.
Included in your tour:
- 8 nights onboard Merlijn
- Individual climate control and private bathroom with shower, sink and toilet in all cabins
- Supply of bedding, towels, facial tissues, hand soap, shampoo, sewing kit, vanity kit, bathrobe & slippers
- Full service of staff, daily cleaning of the cabins, manned bar (no self-service)
- Porterage of luggage upon arrival and departure
- Daily loading and unloading of your bicycle to and from the ship
- Use of lightweight state-of-the-art bicycle
- Use of a waterproof bike bag, universal sized helmet, towel and a personal water bottle
- English speaking-tour guide (experienced guide who knows the route like the back of their hand)
- Brochures of the area available on board
- Harbour, lock and canal fees
Included culinary care:
- Welcome drink with bubbles
- All day unlimited coffee, tea, hot chocolate and potable ice water (self-service)
- Extensive breakfast buffet daily with at least; 2 warm dishes, freshly baked croissants or similar pastries, various types of bread, toaster, yoghurt, cereals, fresh fruit and various beverages.
- Packed lunch prepared by the staff in a special lunch bag with at least a lavish sandwich, snack and drink.
- 7 three-course dinners
- Dinners are based on ‘plate service’, meals are served in the dining area.
- Meals are perceived by our guests as “luxurious” or even “gourmet style”.
Included beverages during bar opening hours:
- Several sodas served from a small bottle
- Wide variety of wines (also non-alcoholic wine)
- Beer on tap and various beers from the bottle (also non-alcoholic beer)
Included excursions:
- Ferry costs on the bicycle route
- Entrance to the castle of Eltz
- Wine tasting session
- Guided city tour of Trier
Not included in your tour:
- 1 dinner
- Excursions, entrance fees and guided tours other than mentioned
- Beverages other than those mentioned (such as spirits and cocktails)
- City maps, bike maps, etc. (we have a lot available however we can’t guarantee every destination)
- Inbound and outbound journeys, such as flights, trains, bus or other type of transfers
- Insurances
- Gratuities (cash only)
- Electronic payments of your onboard expenses (cash only)
For your comfort, we rent out electric bikes at € 30,- each per day, reservations in advance are advisable.
The Cancellation policy also applies to pre-booked and reserved use of e-bike or any other extra requested services.
The general terms and conditions of Merlijn de magie van water B.V. apply to all bookings, offers and agreements. Please find them on our website under ‘Terms & Conditions’.
Merlijn complies the General Data Protection Regulation to protect your privacy. Please find them on our website under ‘Privacy statement’.
We reserve the right to modify schedule and/or program. If (part of) the route is not navigable due to weather conditions and/or other nautical reasons and/or is closed off due to circumstances and/or for safety reasons, the operator and/or the captain has the right to change the schedule. This includes changing the location of departure and/or arrival and temporarily suspending departure. Nautical and/or meteorological reasons are understood to mean, among others, weather conditions, the tide, obstruction of waterways/shipping lanes, and the condition of the ship. Closed off due to circumstances and/or safety reasons are understood to mean, among others, terrorism, diseases, natural disasters. Changes in schedule and/or program do not give the customer the right on free cancellation.