Rhine, Moselle & Saar 3-river tour in Germany
October 15 - 22 / 2026
Departure date: 15 october 2026
. Endurance level: easy / Agility level: moderate
Highlights
Bike, Barge & Cruise the mighty ‘father’ Rhine, the ever-romantic Moselle, and beautiful rivers of the Saar.
Visit the charming town of Rüdesheim, 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: Mainz - Rüdesheim
Afternoon check in and 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 – 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
In the morning, you will start biking from Cochem, with the small village of 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. Where you will board the Merlijn for a beautiful afternoon cruise along the Moselle river.
After dinner you will be offered a special wine-tasting session at the Winery of Storck, an experience which can’t be missed, a highlight this tour!
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 the next dock, from where we offer you 2 options:
- Board the Merlijn early and enjoy a relaxing cruising afternoon.
- 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 rural villas here. In Mehring, you will board the Merlijn again, and together we will cruise towards Trier. Tonight you will enjoy another delicious dinner on board.
Day 6: 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 7: 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 8: Merzig
Later that morning, it is time to say goodbye and continue your European trip or leave for the airport.
.jpg "Mainz -Merzig")
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 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, 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