Rhine, Moselle & Saar 3-river tour in Germany

Day 1: Mainz - Rüdesheim.

Check in: 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM, Merlijn will sail to Rüdesheim, where we will stay overnight. We’ll present you with a welcome drink and introduce the crew. We will also provide information on the tour and the ship, and offer you a safety briefing. Dinner is enjoyed during the cruise. After dinner, there’s an opportunity for a stroll in Rüdesheim, a charming town along the Rhine.

Day 2: Rüdesheim – Oberwesel – Koblenz. Bike tour 30-35 Km

After you learn everything about your bike and cycling in a group, your first ride will start. Today is one of the highlights of the trip, as we Bike, Barge & Cruise the ‘Romantic Rhine’, with its abundance of legends and castles. We will pass the mighty ‘Lorely’, a mountain named after a mermaid with golden hair; you might even hear her siren call as we pass by… Afternoon you’ll board the Merlijn for an afternoon cruise to Koblenz where we stay overnight, at the confluence of the Rivers Rhine and Moselle.

Day 3: Koblenz – Cochem. Bike tour: 40-45 km + Hike: 3 km

During breakfast, we will cruise and pass the first 2 locks on the Moselle river. Afterwards, you will start biking into the Eltztal, where you will park the 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 cliff top 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. Afterwards, you will bike to Cochem, where the Merlijn will be waiting. In Cochem, you may want to pay a visit to the famous Reichsburg, or stroll through the cosy streets of this romantic city.

Day 4: Cochem – Zell – Traben Trarbach. Bike tour: 35-40 Km or extend to 55-60 Km

After breakfast, today’s cycling tour starts in Cochem, with the small village or Beilstein as the first stop. It’s well worth a visit, so enjoy a stroll through this medieval village, which is still completely intact. Along the meandering Moselle river, you will cycle on to Zell, which is famous for its ‘Zeller Schwarze Katz’ (Black Cat) vineyard. From Zell we offer you 2 options:

1. Board the Merlijn and together we will cruise on to Traben Trarbach.
2. Extend your bike tour and cycle on to Traben Trarbach.

Dinner will be served on board and afterwards you will be offered a wine-tasting session at the Winery of Storck.

Day 5: Traben-Trarbach - Trier. Bike tour: 35-40 km or extend to 50-55 km

After a cruising breakfast, today’s cycling tour will start. You will bike along the Moselle, with a first stop in Bernkastel-Kues. Here you can walk through the town and visit Germany’s oldest marketplace. After your visit, you will cycle on to Neumagen, from where we offer you 2 options:

1. Board the Merlijn and enjoy a relaxing cruising afternoon.
2. Extend your bike tour and cycle on to Mehring.

Mehring is the spot where the Romans first set foot, travelling from the Rhine to the Moselle river. The Romans fell in love with this landscape more than 2000 years ago and built splendid country villas here. In Mehring, you will board the Merlijn again, and together we will cruise towards Trier.

Day 6: 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 the 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 7: Trier – Saarburg.  Bike tour: 30-35 km

In the morning, you can explore Trier some more, as we will arrange a local guide to teach you all about the city. Trier was the capital of the Western Roman Empire, a Roman government seat, and is well known for its enormous city gateway, Porta Nigra. In the afternoon you will cycle to Saarburg.

The cityscape of Saarburg is characterised by narrow alleys, framework houses, and Baroque structures, as well as colourful fishing cottages and seafarers’ houses. The master architect of Berlin, Karl Friedrich Schinkel, already named the collection of romantic houses and small bridges on the Buttermarkt ‘Little Venice’ in the 19th century.

Day 8: Saarburg – Merzig. Bike tour: 30-35 Km + Hike: 3 km

After a tour through Saarburg and a splendid view over the city and the Saar valley, you cycle on for about 15 km to the Saar-loop near Orscholz, the renowned river bend of the Saar. More than any other region, it symbolizes the "rendezvous in Saarland": a junction of water and land. An excellent viewpoint over the landscape and the Saar loop is provided by the “Cloef” above, inviting you to stay for a brief spell. Depending on the group’s cycling ability, you can either bike or hike up to the viewpoint. On your way to today’s destination, you may want to include an excursion to the village of Villeroy & Boch: Mettlach. In Merzig, you will embark the Merlijn for the last time. We will have a farewell dinner on board and maybe a short after dinner walk, to the city.

Day 9: Merzig

After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye and continue your European trip or leave for the airport.