Rhine & Neckar, Germany’s best kept secrets
September 10 - 18 / 2026
Departure date: 10 september 2026
. Endurance level: easy / Agility level: moderate
Highlights
Bike, Barge and cruise the mighty Rhine and charming Neckar river. Surrounded by mountains, vineyards and castles you will cycle your way through Germany’s best kept secrets. Visit the romantic cities of Mainz, Worms, Heidelberg, Heilbronn and Bad-Wimpfen. Enjoy a wine-tasting session and a guided city tour.
Our guides scale this tour higher than the well-known and similar trips along the Moselle River. The Neckar River is less known but according to reports; more beautiful, more attractive cycling routes, more nature, more castles and less touristy.
Day-to-day itinerary
Day 1: Mainz - Rüdesheim
Afternoon check in and Merlijn starts cruising. We will offer a welcome drink and introduce the crew. We also inform you about the tour, the ship and give you a safety briefing. At night you can stroll through Rudesheim, a well-known cruise destination famous for it’s cosy streets and half-timbered houses.
*Note: Mainz is not visited on our tour. Schedule an extra night to visit Mainz, which is known for its spacious squares, lovingly restored half-timbered houses and magnificent Baroque churches that lend the old town a “gemütliches” (charming) character.
Day 2: Rüdesheim – Nierstein. Bike tour: 30-40 km
In the morning Merlijn cruises on while you have breakfast and a bike introduction. At the next dock, your first bike tour will start from here and leads you along the Rhine river, enjoy the beautiful and always changing views from the saddle of your bike! Merlijn will be awaiting you in In Nierstein. Dinner is served by the chef and your guide will brief you about tomorrows ride. The day is not over yet, let’s get ready for a most interesting wine-tasting at a local winery this evening.
Day 3: Nierstein – Worms. Bike tour: 45-50 km
After breakfast the bike tour to Worms starts and takes you away from the Rhine, along the vineyards and sometimes a little rolling paths. Beautiful nature will be your reward! Worms is famous for its Cathedral and Marten Luther. In the afternoon you will have time to explore this interesting city. After dinner you may want to have a look at the famous Nibelungen tower, which is located directly at the Rhine river, close to the Merlijn.
Day 4: Worms – Heidelberg. Bike tour: 40-45 km
After another delicious breakfast onboard your bike tour will start. Partly Rhine, partly Neckar river today, the difference is noticeable. Merlijn will await you in the town of Ladenburg, a small ancient town, where it seems that time has stood still. After boarding the ship, we’ll cruise towards Heidelberg along the Neckar river.
Day 5: Heidelberg. Bike tour: 40-45 km
This day we intended for everyone to really get their money's worth! The ship will stay docked in Heidelberg, a fantastically beautiful city where the culture lover can indulge, but also the shopping fanatic can get his fill. Of course there will also be a cycle tour offered, or just relax onboard.
In the afternoon, look around for your favourite restaurant, because tonight you can try the local gastronomy during dinner on your own, in one of the many restaurants in Heidelberg.
Day 6: Heidelberg – Bad Wimpfen. Bike tour: 30-35 or extend to 50-55 km
During the morning cruise we’ll pass Hirschhorn, one of the pearls on the Neckar river, best to be seen from the ship’s terras. Today you will bike through the southern part of the Odenwald. Afternoon Merlijn will pick you up at a small dock and we cruise to Bad Wimpfen where we stay overnight.
Day 7: Bad Wimpfen - Ludwigsburg. Bike tour: 40-45 km
Todays cycling tour goes partly along the Neckar river, your guide will look for a castle to visit or have your picknick lunch, Castles are usually on a hill that takes some effort to climb. On the way you also pass by Heilbronn, which is a charming city known for its rich wine-making tradition in the Württemberg region. The city also offers a mix of history, culture, and modern industry, with attractions like the Kilianskirche and the annual Heilbronner Weindorf wine festival. We’ll end the day in Ludwigsburg, the city centre is located at a fair distance from the dock. Spend your evening onboard and we’ll visit town tomorrow.
Day 8: Ludwigsburg - Stuttgart. Bike tour: 30-35 km
Your last sailing breakfast onboard Merlijn. First you’ll cycle towards Ludwigsburg centre, located on a hill. After your visit, cycle along the Neckar river. We are getting closer to the industry of Stuttgart, your guide will look for the most beautiful route. Expect a beautiful ride where meadow landscapes alternate with small towns. We’ll serve a farewell dinner onboard, enjoy the evening and the cozy atmosphere with your new cycling friends.
Day 9: Stuttgart
Later that morning, it is time to say goodbye and continue your European trip or leave for the airport.
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Included in your tour:
- 8 nights onboard Merlijn
- Early check-in and late check-out
- Full service of staff, maintaining cabins, manned bar (no self-service)
- Porterage of luggage upon arrival and departure
- Private stateroom of 11 m2 with 2 comfortable beds (80 x 200 cm) that can be pushed together/separated. Individual climate control and private bathroom with shower, toilet, sink, heated and illuminated mirror. Coffee & tea-making facilities from Nespresso, a varied package with coffee cups included.
- Supply of bedding, towels, facial tissues, hand soap, shampoo, sewing kit, vanity kit, bathrobe & slippers.
- 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, city backpack, towel, water bottle, helmet with communication system.
- English speaking-tour guide (experienced guide who knows the route like the back of their hand)
- Support vehicle, there will be a staffed support vehicle on several days during the scheduled bike tours.
- Brochures of the area available on board
- Harbour, lock and canal fees
Included culinary care:
- Welcome drink with bubbles and warm snacks
- All day unlimited coffee & specialty-coffee prepared with fresh milk, variation of 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.
- 9 day tours include 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
- Guided tour in Heidelberg
- Wine tasting session
Not included in your tour:
- 1 dinner, the day and location will be announced at the start of the tour
- 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
- Gratuities (cash only)
- Electronic payments of your onboard expenses (cash only)
- Insurances, we strongly recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance as well as travel insurance.
Not included extra services on board (payable on board):
- Rental of electric bicycles €30,- per piece, per day. Reservations in advance are advisable
- Laundry service, current price available on board