Bavaria Tour

Bamberg to Regensburg

Day 1: Bamberg
Day 2: Bamberg - Erlangen, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 3: Erlangen - Nuremberg, 19 mi. (31 km)
Day 4: Nuremberg -Roth - Berching, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 5: Berching - Riedenburg, 26 mi. (41 km)
Day 6: Riedenburg - Kelheim, 16 mi. (25 km)
Day 7: Kelheim - Regensburg, 24 mi. (38 km)
Day 8: Regensburg

*All distances are approximate. The above-planned itinerary is subject to change, even on very short notice,  due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, docking location changes, lock repairs,  etc.

Day 1: Bamberg
Check-in begins at 3:30 pm though you can drop your luggage off at 10 am. Do note that the cabins will not yet be ready for occupying. After official check-in, as you enjoy a welcome drink, the crew will be introduced and you will learn about your upcoming tour, the ship, the bikes, and safety. After dinner, you can stroll the city of Bamberg, a very charming, historic bishop's town with Villa Concordia, the historic lock 100, the water castle, and baroque houses.

Day 2: Bamberg - Erlangen, 25 mi. (40 km)
The bike tour of today (and tomorrow) will lead you thru ‘the Regnitz valley’. This valley connects from north to south the cities of: Forchheim, Erlangen, Fürth, and Nürnberg. The roads are well paved since it is an official ‘radweg’ (bike-road). On the way, you will visit Forchheim with its half-timber houses and its old guardhouse. Today’s destination is Erlangen, the beer city of Germany. Enjoy your dinner on board, spend your evening in the cozy lounge or drink a beer in town. Overnight stay in Erlangen.

Day 3: Erlangen - Nuremberg, 19 mi. (31 km)
Breakfast onboard, then continue riding thru the fields of the Regnitz valley. Enjoy this wonderful nature area at its fullest, it is even considered Germanys most beautiful bike-route! The tour of today is not too long, to give you enough time to visit the historic center of Nuremberg. A local guide can be arranged so that you learn about this historical, but also modern German university city.

Day 4: Nuremberg -Roth - Berching, 28 mi. (45 km)
This morning you will cruise with the Merlijn. First, a sailing breakfast, afterward enough time for a coffee while the captain navigates the ship through one of the highest locks on the Main-Danube-Canal, called ‘Leerstetten’. Your bike tour starts from the town ‘Roth’ and will lead you along the abandoned, old Ludwig-Donau-Main-Canal. You saw already ‘lock 100’ from this canal in Bamberg, from there it linked the Rhine river with the Danube river at Kelheim. This canal is named after King Ludwig I of Bavaria, and was built between 1836 and 1846. Construction of the roughly parallel, but much larger, Rhine–Main–Danube-Canal was started in 1921, but not completed until 1992. You will board the Merlijn in the city of Berching, where you will overnight at the highest point on this trip, 406 meters above sea level. Until today, you were sailing ‘upstream’ away from the Rhine river, and tomorrow, you will sail ‘downstream’ towards the Danube river.

Day 5: Berching - Riedenburg, 26 mi. (41 km)
Today the bike tour will lead you to the village of Plankstetten, founded in 1129.  The impressive Benedictine monastery on the edge of the forest dominates.  Continuing along the Main-Donau-canal to Beilngries, in the heart of ‘the Altmühltal’, you carry on riding thru the Altmühl valley to your destination of today; Riedenburg. This evening you will enjoy the local German Bavarian cuisine while eating your dinner out in Riedenburg.  

Day 6: Riedenburg - Kelheim, 16 mi. (25 km)
After breakfast, you begin cycling passing by Essing.  From a distance, you can spot the technically unique wooden bridge. With 193 meters, this artwork is the longest wooden bridge in Europe. From here you mainly follow the towpath along the canal. The last part, before the Kelheim Lock is dammed and looks like a lake. Shortly after you will reach Kelheim, where the Merlijn awaits you. After dinner, there is time for a stroll through the city. Worth seeing are the Liberation Hall, a memorial of the Battle of Leipzig, the historic city center, and the Duke's Castle from the 12th Century.

Day 7: Kelheim - Regensburg, 24 mi. (38 km)
Downstream from Kelheim the Main-Danube-canal merges with the Danube. Today you are offered two options; Bike your first miles along the Danube or cruise your first kilometers with the Merlijn on ‘the Blue Danube’.

 In Kelheim, the Altmühl-bike-route will meet the Danube-bike-route, this route leads to Regensburg. You will ride thru ‘the Winzer vineyards’ also you visit Bad Abbach, popular for its sulfur and mud baths. The destination for today is Regensburg, a fascinatingly well preserved medieval town. Worth seeing are the cathedral dating back to the 8th century, the collegiate church, the stone imperial bridge, and the gender door. Farewell dinner and overnight on board.

Day 8: Regensburg
Disembarkation after breakfast.

Regensburg to Bamberg

Detailed Itinerary coming soon!

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Accommodations on the Deluxe class barge, the Merlijn

• Merlijn

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  5 out of 5 (10 Reviews)

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  Deluxe Class Barge

  Touring Bicycle

  The Merlijn prides itself on the top quality bikes offered and as of 2023, have brand new standard bikes available. Although only your own helmet provides the best fit, bicycle helmets are available… Read More

  Electric Bicycle

  The Merlijn has unisex e-bikes available to rent. These must be reserved in advance. • Gudereit or ISY Brand … • 7 gears … • Bosch engine … Accessories … • Pannier bag … • Helmet rental included and… Read More

  "The Divine Miss M" as we lovingly call the Merlijn is a diva, for sure. What can we say? Is it the luxurious cabins with the most comfortable beds you have ever slept in? Is it the lovely dining area with the large windows and skylight that let the air, light, and sun pour in? Or perhaps it is the sun deck, where you can relax with newfound friends, sharing good wine and good conversation. We think you will find it is the entire divine package! Step on board and discover for yourself! Read More