Mainz to Merzig

Germany Bike + Boat Tour

Mainz, where the lovely Merlijn will be docked, is the starting point for this incredible tour. As the tour begins along the Rhine River, cyclists will be able to experience a true wonder: The Lorelei. The Lorelei is a rock formation which rises up some 120 meters from the water line. The heavy currents and a small waterfall create a murmuring sound, and this, combined with the echo it produces, make it seem like the rock is singing. The Rhine takes an amazing turn , nearly 180 degrees, at the ancient city of Boppard. Boppard, also called the ‘pearl on the River Rhine’, is home to the most famous observation spot on the river which can be reached via chairlift. Besides the natural wonders that can be witness on this tour, you can also see such awe-inspiring sights as the Eltz Castle. Eltz Castle is one of the most beautiful and best preserved castles in Germany; it is like a real-life fairytale. Continuing on, you will experience history coming alive in Trier, the city that inspired the Roman poet Ausonius to write many a beautiful song. Reminders of the once Roman occupation are everywhere: roman baths, the basilica, the Cathedral, the amphitheater, and the awe-inspiring city gate, Porta Nigra. As the tour comes to an end, you will visit what was once called “Little Venice” by master architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel: Saarburg. Saarburg is a charming town filled with framework houses and Baroque style buildings. Past this delightful town,  it is only a 15 mile bike ride towards your destination of Merzig. Merzig is filled with architectual highlights that span over an eight century history. St Peter’s church is an impressive example of the Romanesque style. Historical farmhouses, built with a French flair, are a reminder that the French region of Lorraine isn’t far off.  The Town Hall is a lovely white marvel with delicate red trim along its edges. The town’s location along the Saar River makes it ideal for nature lovers, as well. The beautiful parks are great for a late afternoon stroll, or a relaxing bike ride. It is the perfect ending to a perfect tour!

Where You’ll Stay

On the beautiful Merlijn, a comfort plus class ship.

What’s Included

• Full board
• Overnight stay in double room with climate control and private bathroom
• Hybrid 7-speed bicycle, bike bag, helmet and free water bottle
• Services of staff
• Daily room cleaning
• Welcome drink
• Harbor, bridges and lock fees
• Brochures of the area
• Tour guide
• Guided city tour in Trier, wine-tasting in Traben Trarbach

What’s Not Included

• Drinks
• 1 dinner
• 1 lunch
• Personal expenses
• Excursions
• Entrance fees
• Insurances
• Local travel, airfare

Tour Dates

• September 1, 2012

Skill Level

Terrain is mostly flat on asphalted roads or bike paths.

Tour Boats

• Merlijn

Day-To-Day Itinerary

1. Arrival in Mainz
2. Mainz – Koblenz: 25 miles (40 km)
3. Koblenz – Cochem: 15 miles (25 km)
4. Cochem – Traben: 34 miles (55 km)
5. Traben – Bernkastel Kues – Trier: 26 miles (42 km)
6. Trier – Saarbrug: 11 miles (18 km)
7. Saarburg – Merzig: 20 miles (32 km)
8. Departure from Merzig

*All distances are approximate. The above planned itinerary is subject to change due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, etc.

Saturday: Arrival in Mainz
The Merlijn, your sailing hotel, is docked in the city of Mainz. Embarkation starts at 4pm. The crew will present information about the ship, tours, and the bicycles while you sip a welcome drink. After dinner, there will be time to explore Mainz. Mainz’s inner city is its pride and joy; filled with spacious plazas, lovingly restored half-timbered houses and magnificent Baroque style churches. The ‘Old Town’ has a very charming and warm atmosphere.

Sunday: Mainz – Koblenz: 25 miles (40 km)
While eating breakfast on the Merlijn, you will have an excellent view of the Lorelei; a rock on the eastern bank of the Rhine near St. Goarshausen, Germany, which soars some 120 meters above the waterline. According to folklore, the mermaid, Lorelei, sings beautiful songs to lure passing sailors.
In St. Goar, the bike tour will start along the Rhine River, passing charming cities such as Boppard. There will be time to visit this ancient city, also called the ‘pearl of the river Rhine’. You can take a chair-lift up to the magnificent viewpoint on the Rhine loop.
The bike trip ends in Koblenz, where the Moselle meets the Rhine at the “German Corner”.

Monday: Koblenz – Cochem: 15 miles (25 km)
Once again, breakfast will be enjoyed aboard the Merlijn while cruising up the Moselle River to Alken. Here, the bike tour will start to Moselkern. You will ride into the Elztal and visit the castle of Elzt. Perched on a cliff, this castle is one of the very few that hasn’t been destroyed throughout its long history. Afterwards, the tour continues to Cochem, where the Merlijn is already docked. While in Cochem, you will definitely want to pay a visit to the famous Reichsburg or stroll through the cozy streets of this romantic city.

Tuesday: Cochem – Traben: 34 miles (55 km)
First, the Merlijn will cruise to Beilstein. This small village is still pristine after many years, and is a perfect place to walk and enjoy the scenery. Along the meandering Moselle River, you will bike via Zell, famous for its vineyard Zeller Schwarze Katz, towards Traben-Trarbach, the city of art nouveau. The night will end with a wine-tasting with a local grower.

Wednesday: Traben – Bernkastel Kues – Trier: 26 miles (42 km)
Breakfast will be served while sailing to Bernkastel-Kues. Gorgeous framework houses line the marketplace in this city. Later on, you will bike to the holiday resort of Mehring after passing through the interesting city of Neumagen-Drohn. The Romans fell in love with this landscape more than 2,000 years ago and built splendid country-villas here. The Roman poet Ausonius used to sing of this beautiful area. In Mehring, you will board the Merlijn again and start the cruise to Trier.

Thursday: Trier – Saarbrug: 11 miles (18 km)
In the morning, you will be able to enjoy a city tour of Trier. Trier was a Roman government seat and is well known for its Porta Nigra, a gigantic city gate. There are many remainders of Trier’s rich history, such as Roman Baths, the Basilica, the Cathedral, the Amphitheater, and the Landesmuseum.  There are many restaurants where lunch can be enjoyed. Afterward, the cycle to Saarburg will begin. The cityscape is embossed with narrow alleys, framework houses, and Baroque constructions, as well as colorful fishermen and sailor houses. The master architect of Berlin, Karl Friedrich Schinkel named the ensemble of romantic houses and small bridges on the Buttermarkt “Little Venice”. Tonight, dinner can be had in one of the local restaurants in Saarburg at your own expense.

Friday: Saarburg – Merzig: 20 miles (32 km)
After a tour through Saarburg, you will bike about 9 miles (15 km) to the Saar-loop near Orsholz, the renowned river bend of the Saar. More than any other region, it symbolizes the “rendezvous in Saarland”, a junction of water and land. “Cloef”, an excellent viewpoint over the landscape and the Saar loop, is where cyclists can take a short break. From there, it is only 6 miles (10 km) away from the destination, the city of Merzig. As you leave, you may want to visit the village of Villeroy & Boch, Mettlach. Villeroy & Boch is a design leader of quality tableware and fine crystal and manufactures its products all over the world. In Merzig, a short city tour will give you an opportunity to visit museums and explore structures dating over eight centuries.

Saturday: Departure from Merzig
Disembarkation will be at 9am, after breakfast

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Questions? Call us! 877-965-2064 or e-mail us