Northern Bavaria: Bike and Boat the Main River

Day 1: Nuremberg - Erlangen

Embarkation begins at 3:30. Welcome on board with a complimentary drink! Be prompt because at 5 pm the Merlijn will set sail for Erlangen. This tour will feature many locks, and each one, like a stairway, leads further down the mountain. Dinner on board followed by an after-dinner stroll through Baroque Erlangen, which by the way, is known for its beer!

Day 2: Erlangen - Bamberg
28 or 36 mi/45 or 57 km

Your route features the Regnitz valley on the official Main Cycle Route, considered to be Germany’s most beautiful bike route! You get to choose your path, either the "Canal Route", which follows the canal, or the longer and steeper, "Valley Route’" which leads through the valley.

Both routes cross each other several times, especially at the must-see city of Forcheim with its quaint half-timber houses.

You will visit the Pfalzmuseum (entrance included) with three special museums, the Archaeological Museum Oberfranken, the Municipal Museum, and the Traditional Costume Museum.

The day's destination is Bamberg, the city of seven hills, a very charming, historic bishops’ town. You will be offered an included guided beer-themed city tour. The Merlijn will be moored outside the city, and after your visit to the town, you can ride your bike to the ship at your own pace. Dinner will be served on board.

Day 3: Bamberg - Hassfurt - Schweinfurt
23 mil/36 km or extend to 33 mil/52 km

The Merlijn will navigate the Main River, tempered with locks and dams. After breakfast on board, the guided bike tour will start. You will bike along the Main Radweg (cycle path). The slogan the Germans use to describe this bike path is "cycle, marvel, and enjoy"! The route will follow the river, passing by several vineyards, the famous Maria Limbach pilgrimage church, and several little towns filled with half-timber houses. You will cycle to the town of Eltmann and then head for Hassfurt, famous for its late Gothic Ritter chapel and a late Gothic church in the market square. The boat awaits you at the edge of the city to take you on an afternoon cruise, or you can extend your bike tour and peddle on to Schweinfurt, where Merlijn will dock in the city. Schweinfurt (literally translated Swine Ford) has an old center full of cozy little areas, as well as a town hall, tower, and marketplace, with dozens of statues of Schweine’ (pigs) all about the town

Day 4: Schweinfurt - Volkach
19 mil/31 km

The famous wine town Volkach is located at the “tip” of the river loop and a great example of the typical Franconian joie de vivre. It is also the center of the wine, and fruit region. The rectangular market square with its typical Franconian Renaissance Town Hall and the stepped gable is well worth a visit. You spend the night in Volkach.

Day 5: Volkach - Marktbreit
22 mil/35 km or extend to 26 mil/41 km

Today you get to explore the heart of Franconian Wine Country by bike! You will pass through villages that wine connoisseurs will be familiar with, such as Nordheim and Sommerach. Further along the bike path, you pass the ancient towns of Dettelbach, where you might like to try some traditional German sweets from the bakery, and Kitzingen, famous for its leaning tower. Today’s destination, the historic town of Marktbreit will be a highlight for sure. Its pretty alleys and impressive townhouses make Marktbreit one of the most beautiful little cities of the region.

Day 6: Markbreit - Würzburg
19 mil/31 km

You leave Markbreit behind and press onward to historic and beautiful Würzbug, perched on a hill, surrounded by vineyards. The history dates back to 686 when it was a Franconian duchy and a pilgrimage point. Highlights here are the view over the town from Marienberg Fortress or Steinburg, the impressive pilgrimage church Käppele, the Würzburg Residence with its beautiful park, and the Old Main Bridge. Make sure that you don’t miss the old fishing quarter with its many narrow alleys and pretty houses. The local wine culture dates back to Roman times so this is a superb place to sample local fruits of the vine.

Day 7: Würzburg

Sadly, today is the official end of your tour. Looking back, you will realize that you have created not only lifelong memories, but friendships too!