Discover the scenic waterways of the Rhine, Moselle and Saar as you explore Germany by bike and boat

Journey along the Saar, Moselle, and Rhine as you cycle through picturesque towns, from Saarburg’s timeless architecture and Trier’s Roman relics to Bernkastel’s charming market squares and the dramatic vistas of the Middle Rhine.

Enjoy smooth cycle paths that follow the riverbanks, allowing you to pedal past centuries-old landmarks and alongside meandering waterways.

Along the way, you’ll sample wine, explore castles, and relax in quaint villages, all woven into a route that captures both the energy of town centers and the tranquility of the countryside.

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Highlights

• Trier - Ancient city with Roman relics
• Saarburg - Quaint town with traditional architecture
• Zell - Famed Black Cat vineyard
• Romantic Rhine - Scenic river stretch
• Loreley - Iconic rock
• Koblenz - City at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle
• Cochem - Fairytale town with castle
• Mainz - City blending past and present

Daily program

Day 1: Arrival in Saarburg
Arrive at the Merlijn and check in. Enjoy a complimentary drink while meeting the crew and receiving a briefing on the tour, the vessel, and safety protocols for the coming week. After dinner, take a stroll through the picturesque town, admiring the narrow alleys, half-timbered houses, Baroque architecture, and seamen’s and fishermen’s dwellings.

Day 2: Saarburg - Trier (19 - 22 miles / 30 - 35 km)
Depart Saarburg by bike, following the gentle flow of the Saar River downstream. At Konz, where the Saar meets the Moselle, continue your ride toward Trier, your destination for the night. Enjoy ample time in Trier to explore this ancient city on a guided tour. Discover relics of its Roman past, including the impressive Porta Nigra, ruins of Roman baths, and an amphitheater situated just outside the city center.

Day 3: Trier (34 - 37 miles / 55 - 60 km)
Today, the Merlijn remains anchored in Trier, offering you a day tailored to your interests. For cycling enthusiasts, take a bus into the mountains with your bike and enjoy a scenic ride back along a converted railway line to the Moselle. Alternatively, if you prefer a more relaxed pace, leave your bike onboard and immerse yourself in Trier’s culture and history at a leisurely pace

Day 4: Trier - Mehring - Bernkastel - Traben Trarbach (25 - 28 miles / 40 - 45 km)
Start your day with breakfast as the Merlijn sails from Trier to the resort town of Mehring, where your cycling journey begins. Enjoy the landscape that inspired the Romans to build grand country villas over 2,000 years ago. After a stop in Neumagen-Drohn, continue by bike to Bernkastel-Kues, where you'll find timber-framed houses surrounding Europe’s oldest market square. Later, board the Merlijn for the journey to Traben Trarbach, capped off by an evening wine-tasting session at the Storck Winery.

Day 5: Traben Trarbach - Zell - Cochem (25 - 28 miles / 40 - 45 km, or extend to 40 - 43 miles / 65 - 70 km)
Upon reaching Zell, renowned for its ‘Zeller Schwarze Katz’ vineyard, disembark and begin your ride along the winding Moselle River. Cycle past idyllic villages such as Alf and Sankt Aldegund, where you can visit a cellar stocked with local liqueurs, wines, and Mosel-made mustards. Continue through Bremm to the medieval village of Beilstein before heading to Cochem, where the Merlijn awaits your return.

Day 6: Cochem - Koblenz (25 - 28 miles / 40 - 45 km) + Hike (2 miles / 3 km)
After breakfast, set off by bike from Cochem into the scenic Eltztal. Enjoy a 40-minute hike to the magnificent, clifftop Eltz Castle, a rare gem that has withstood centuries of history. After your castle visit, continue cycling to Koblenz, where you’ll spend the night. Dinner is at your own discretion, offering a perfect opportunity to sample the local German cuisine.

Day 7: Koblenz – Oberwesel – Rüdesheim (19–22 miles / 30–35 km)
Following breakfast, the Merlijn sails toward Oberwesel. Enjoy cruising through the ‘Romantic Middle Rhine’, a stretch steeped in history and legends, including the fabled Loreley. Once in Oberwesel, begin your bike tour along the scenic Rhine gorge until you reach Bingen. After a brief stop, cross the river by ferry to the charming town of Rüdesheim, famous for its historic Drossegasse. For breathtaking panoramic views, consider a cable car ride up the nearby mountain.

Day 8: Rüdesheim - Mainz (22 - 25 miles / 35 - 40 km)
Cycle directly from Rüdesheim along the Rhine, passing through quaint towns like Oestrich-Winkel and Eltville. Don’t miss a stop at a traditional German bakery to enjoy a Berliner, a donut-like treat filled with jam. Your journey concludes in Mainz, the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate, celebrated for its charming Old Town with spacious squares, lovingly restored half-timbered houses, and stunning Baroque churches. Enjoy a farewell dinner on board to mark the final evening of your tour.

Day 9: Departure from Mainz
After breakfast, bid farewell to the Merlijn. It’s time to continue your European adventure or head to the airport for your onward journey.

Photos

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Dates & Prices

Questions about pricing or options? Call +1-215-613-0874 to talk to a Tour Advisor now.

Included services

• 8 nights aboard the Merlijn
• Welcome drink
• 8 x breakfast buffet, 7 x packed lunches, and 7 x three-course dinner
• Unlimited coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water
• A selection of sodas, wines (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), and beers on tap and from the bottle (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
• Supply of bedding, towels, facial tissues, hand soap, soap, shampoo, sewing kit, vanity kit, bathrobe, and slippers
• Daily cabin cleaning
• Tour guide and daily tour briefing
• 11-speed bicycle, which includes a waterproof pannier, towel
• Helmet with communication system
• Support vehicle on select days (2026 tours)
• Canal, bridge & harbor fees
• Ferry fees on cycle routes
• Entrance to the castle of Eltz
• Wine tasting session
• Guided city tour of Trier

Tour Company

Map

Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.

Surface and terrain

For most of your journey, you'll ride on well-maintained, mostly flat riverside cycle paths.

How to get there

Tour Start:
Nearest airport- Frankfurt International Airport (FRA)

Frankfurt Airport Train Station is located next to Terminal 1 and offers Deutsche Bahn connections to major cities. Local S-Bahn lines S8 and S9 take you to central Frankfurt in about 10–15 minutes. The train ride from Frankfurt Airport to Saarburg takes roughly 4 hours, usually with one or two transfers.

Tour End:
Nearest airport- Frankfurt International Airport (FRA)

From Mainz, train travel to Frankfurt Airport takes only about 1/2 hour with zero transfers