Bavarian Danube tour in Germany
'Altmühl valley and the start of the navigable Danube"
July 31 - August 07 / 2025
Departure date: 31 july 2025
Average biking distance per day 35 to 55 km / Level: Easy
Highlights
Bike, Barge and Cruise along the famous Blue Danube. You will explore Germany's best-known province Bavaria while biking the classical cycle routes ‘Altmühl, Regnitz & Donau radweg’, and get to sample traditional German cuisine by stopping at local bakeries and dining out one evening. There are small picturesque villages along the way, as well as the splendid natural scenery of the Altmühl valley and Danube River. Learn more about this province, shaped by King Ludwig I of Bavaria and influenced by Austrian architectural styles. Cruise along the Main-Danube canal and sail the Danube River from its earliest navigable point. Be amazed by the town of Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the lively university city of Nürnberg. Guided tour of the well-preserved mediaeval city of Regensburg included.
Day-to-day itinerary
Day 1: Bamberg – Overnight dock
Afternoon check in, afterwards Merlijn will set sail. We’ll present you with a welcome drink and introduce the crew. We will also provide information on the tour, the ship, and hold a safety briefing. After departing from Bamberg, your bike and barge cruise will really begin, so settle in the lounge or on the outside terrace with a drink, and let the Main-Danube canal amaze you! A delicious meal will be served and we’ll cruise until late at night.
*Please note that we will not visit Bamberg during the tour, we strongly recommend traveling a few days earlier to see and visit Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage site. And a very charming, historic bishops’ town, home to Villa Concordia, the historic lock 100, water castle, baroque house on the bridge, and the former fishing settlement of Klein Venedig (Little Venice) - all emphasizing the close connection between town and river.
Day 2: Overnight dock – Nürnberg - Roth. Bike tour: 30-35 km
We’ll start cruising early, after breakfast and a bike introduction, we set off for the fields of the Regnitz Valley, enjoying the wonderful natural surroundings! The tour for today goes along Stadeln and Fürth and is not too long, leaving you enough time to visit the historical centre of Nürnberg. Learn more about this historical, but also lively German university city. After your visit, you cycle on to the dock where Merlijn awaits you. Afternoon we cruise to Roth, passing one of the highest locks of the Main-Donau canal. After diner you can go for an afternoon stroll, here we’ll stay overnight.
Day 3: Roth – Riedenburg. Bike tour: 50-60 km
The bike rides will mostly be on gravel cycle paths, as you will see many others along this canal. After your first coffee stop at a traditional German bakery, you will continue your tour towards Berching. Some parts of these days bike tours will lead along the abandoned old Ludwig-Donau-Main Canal, which at one time linked the Rhine with the Danube at Kelheim. The canal was named after King Ludwig I of Bavaria, and built between 1836 and 1846. Construction of the roughly parallel but much larger Rhine–Main–Danube Canal that we know today was started in 1921, but wasn’t completed until 1992.
We’ll pass the village of Plankstetten, where the iconic Benedictine monastery on the edge of the forest, founded in 1129, dominates the surroundings. You then continue along the Main-Donau canal to Beilngries, in the heart of the ‘Altmühltal’. After a short break, you carry on through the Altmühl valley to today’s destination, which is Riedenburg. In this stunning medieval town, you might want to visit the St. John Baptist Church or the Church of Our Lady, which may look like a proper Baroque church today, but is a medieval one at heart, dating back to the 12th century.
Day 4: Riedenburg – Kelheim - Regensburg. Bike tour: 40-45 km
While you enjoy your breakfast, the Merlijn will continue its journey. As we draw closer to Essing, its technically unique wooden bridge will come into view. Measuring 193 metres in length, this work of art is the longest wooden bridge in Europe. This is the starting point for today’s bike tour. At first, you will mainly follow the towpath along the canal. The last section before the Kelheim lock is dammed and looks like a lake. You cross the lock by bridge and visit the city of Kelheim. You will then carry on to Regensburg, where the Altmühl bike route connects with the Danube bike route, which leads you to Regensburg. You will ride through ‘the Winzer vineyards’ and also visit Bad Abbach, popular for its sulphur and mud baths. Afternoon arrival at the ship, a well deserved diner will soon be served!
Day 5: Regensburg. Bike tour: 20-25 km
Merlijn stays in port today, giving you the opportunity to enjoy Regensburg to the fullest. It is a fascinatingly well-preserved mediaeval town. Highlights include the cathedral dating back to the 8th century, the collegiate church and the stone imperial bridge. You have many options; cycling, culture, relaxing, all possible. We will organise a guided bike tour with an interesting pit stop at the ‘Walhalla’ near Donaustauf, which King Ludwig I had built as a temple to honour notable Germans. We also arrange a local guide to show you the city of Regensburg.
Day 6: Regensburg - Straubing. Bike tour: 30-35 km or extend to 55-60 km
Early morning we cruise away from the bustling German town. At the next stop, your bike tour will start, and it takes you along the popular classic ‘Donau Radweg’. Arriving after lunch at todays destination Straubing, you can choose to explore town or if you haven't clocked up enough miles yet, you can carry on for an extended bike tour. Straubing is a ducal city, has Celtic and Roman roots, and is known for its unmistakeable green spired tower in the city centre, its picturesque town square, the baroque town houses, and the Graubünden Museum, which is worth a visit.
Day 7: Straubing - Passau. Bike tour: 40-45 km or extend to 55-60 km
In the morning we’ll cruise the most scenic stretch of the ‘blue’ Danube, enjoy the views from one of Merlijn’s terraces before you get on the paddles again! We’ll cruise along Bogen, located at the foot of the steep Bogen mountain. Next up is Pfelling, a small village, but one with nautical significance, as it registers the water level in this shallow section of the Danube.
Starting your last bike tour you’ll shortly visit Deggendorf, also known as the gateway to the Bavarian Forest. Upon arrival you might think you’ve cycled a loop; that’s because the centre of the town is very much like Straubing! The old town of Deggendorf, which is characterised by Gothic and Baroque styles, is definitely worth a visit.
The last stage of your bicycle tour on the Danube cycle path first leads you via Niederalteich, home to one of the oldest Benedictine monasteries in Bavaria. Merlijn awaits you for an afternoon cruise, there’s also an option to extend your bike tour to the vicinity of Passau. Whichever option you choose, you can spend the last part of your bike and barge cruise the same way you started it: cruising along with a drink on the terrace.
Together we will navigate the last lock and cruise into the three-river city of Passau, where the Inn, Ilz and Danube meet and merge. In the evening, a captain’s dinner will be served on board.
Day 8: Passau
After breakfast, it will be time to say goodbye and continue your European trip or leave for the airport. If you choose to continue your holiday, Passau is a good place to spend a few more days. Explore the three rivers by boat and enjoy the evening with a walk through the old town or a visit to Veste Oberhaus opposite. From 1867, the castle served as a penal institution, but today, it is home to the town museum, which has numerous permanent and special exhibitions.
- Please note that Passau is a very busy cruise port. We may not dock in Passau itself but may have to divert to the first available berth outside Passau.
Included in your tour:
- 7 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.
- 6 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
- Guided city tour in Regensburg
- Entrance and audio tour at Walhalla
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 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 with General Data Protection Regulations 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 to free cancellation.