Rhine & Neckar, Germany’s best kept secrets.
September 19 - 26 / 2026
Departure date: 19 september 2026
. Endurance level: moderate / 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: Stuttgart – overnight dock
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. Meanwhile Merlijn will be cruising the Neckar river downstream and passing through locks. Dinner will be served during the cruise.
Day 2: Overnight dock – Heilbronn. Bike tour: 35-40 km
In the morning Merlijn cruises on while you have breakfast and a bike introduction. Later that morning Merlijn will dock, your first bike tour will start from here and leads you along the Neckar river, enjoy the beautiful and always changing views from the saddle of your bike! You’ll pass by the town of Besigheim and Lauffen, both pearls of the Neckar area. Enjoy your first German pastry at a local bakery before heading on. At night dinner is served by the chef and your guide will brief you about tomorrows ride. Afterwards there’s still time for a stroll in the city Heilbronn, it offers a mix of history, culture, and modern industry.
Day 3: Heilbronn – Eberbach. Bike tour: 45-50 km or extend to 65-70 km
Wave goodbye while we cruise out of Heilbronn and head downstream again. At the next dock, the crew will unload your bike to start todays ride, are you ready? Barely used to the saddle, you already reach the next highlight of the tour: the city of ‘Bad-Wimpfen’. Situated on a hill it takes a little climb to reach it’s centre, but you’ll be rewarded with history and culture in this old city, known for it’s beautiful, recent restored tower. (usually open for visits)
Afternoon you can choose to board Merlijn or clock even more miles to the counter and cycle on to todays destination Eberbach. A sleepy town, perfect to stay overnight.
Day 4: Eberbach – Heidelberg. Bike tour: 35-40 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.
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 – Worms – Nierstein. Bike tour: 40-45 km
Another cruising breakfast while gliding down the river, take in the views and prepare for your bike tour. Where the Neckar merges into the Rhine river, is the perfect place for plenty of industries, the rivers in Europe are well exploited. However, there is also room for nature; it is believed that everything should be in balance. The bike tour therefore leads through the beautiful nature reserve of Lampertheim, many trails and forests on the itinerary today. We conclude in the town of Worms, by bike you will pass the center and after your visit board Merlin, your home for the tour. We serve you dinner as we cruise the Rhine. Arriving in Nierstein, the evening is not over yet, let’s get ready for a most interesting wine-tasting at a local winery this evening.
Day 7: Nierstein – Mainz. Bike tour: 30-35 km or extend to 50-55 km
Your last cycling day, starts from Nierstein. A beautiful ride along the river and crossing a ferry. Arriving in Mainz, the shorter route ends and the extended route continues. When everyone has cycled enough we’ll bring the bikes onboard for a last time. We’ll serve a farewell dinner onboard, enjoy the evening and the cozy atmosphere with your new cycling friends.
Day 8: Mainz
Later that morning, it is time to say goodbye and continue your European trip or leave for the airport.
*Note: Mainz is not visited on our tour. Schedule an extra night, or at least; leave in the afternoon 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.
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Included in your tour:
- 7 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.
- 8 day tours include 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 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