Cologne to Saarburg

Day 1: Cologne
Day 2: Cologne - Bonn - Andernach, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 3: Andernach - Koblenz, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 4: Koblenz - Alken - Cochem, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 5: Cochem - Zell - Traben Trarbach, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 6: Traben-Trarbach - Bernkastel Kues - Mehring - Trier, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 7: Trier - Saarburg, 16 or 34 mi. (25 or 55 km)
Day 8: Saarburg

All distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change sometimes without prior notice.  Some waterways may be subject to occasional closures due to drought, storms, floods, canal or lock repairs, or other unforeseen circumstances that make navigation unsafe or impossible. The captain reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary.

Day 1: Cologne
Check is between 3:30 and 4 pm when you will be welcomed on board with a complimentary drink. Unpack, unwind, meet the crew and your fellow passengers and learn about the boat, the tour, and safety.

Day 2: Cologne - Bonn - Andernach, 28 mi. (45 km)
You start sailing early this morning, and as you enjoy your breakfast, you can also enjoy the upstream journey on the Rhine River. Your bike tour will start in Bonn, the city of Beethoven. After a short visit here, you will cycle along the Siebengebirge, a German range of hills to the East of the Rhine, consisting of more than 40 mountains and hills. Your bike tour will end in Andernach where the Merlijn will moor for the. night. After dinner, you can enjoy a city walk with your guide. 

Day 3: Andernach - Koblenz, 19 mi. (30 km)
Your bike tour will start from Andernach and leads you to Koblenz. You will be early enough in Koblenz to explore the city or to take the cable car up to Ehrenbreitenstein Castle on the other side of the Rhine river. Your crew can organize tickets as well as a local guide.

Day 4: Koblenz - Alken - Cochem, 25 mi. (40 km)
You will sail to Alken and pass the first two locks from the Moselle. Here you will start biking into the Eltztal and after a hike of approx. 40 minutes you will visit the beautiful castle of Eltz. Located in a romantic setting atop a cliff, the castle is one of the very few that has never been destroyed during its long history. The route then leads to Cochem, a lovely little town with historical half-timbered houses and a picturesque Old Town. You may want to pay a visit to the famous Reichsburg or stroll the medieval streets. 

Day 5: Cochem - Zell - Traben Trarbach, 25 mi. (40 km)
You begin to bike directly from Cochem with the first stop in Beilstein, a tiny medieval village known as the Sleeping Beauty of the Moselle. Until about 1900, this village was only accessible by boat. Along the meandering Moselle River, you will bike to Zell famous for its vineyard ‘Zeller Schwarze Katz’. Here in Zell you will board the Merlijn and then navigate to Traben Trarbach, the city of the art nouveau. Tonight you will be offered a wine tasting at the Winery of Storck.

Day 6: Traben-Trarbach - Bernkastel Kues - Mehring - Trier, 28 mi. (45 km)
During breakfast, the Merlijn motors to Bernkastel Kues. First, you will have some time for a tour of the city and a visit to the oldest marketplace of Germany. Your cycling itinerary then leads to the holiday resort of Mehring, passing Neumagen-Drohn. This is the spot where the Romans first set foot, traveling from the Rhine to the Moselle river. The Romans fell in love with this landscape more than 2000 years ago and built splendid country-villas here. In Mehring, you will board the Merlijn again to cruise to Trier. This is the perfect place to enjoy the local German cuisine, eating dinner out in one of the many local restaurants in Trier.

Day 7: Trier - Saarburg, 16 or 34 mi. (25 or 55 km)
In the morning, you can explore Trier a bit more. The crew can arrange a local city guide to teach you everything about Trier. Trier was the capital of the Western Roman Empire, a Roman government seat, and is well-known for its Porta Nigra, a gigantic city gate. In the afternoon you will bike to Saarburg. The cityscape of Saarburg is crisscrossed with narrow alleys, framework houses, Baroque constructions as well as colorful fishermen and sailor-houses. The master architect of Berlin, Karl Friedrich Schinkel already named the ensemble of romantic houses and small bridges on the Buttermarkt ‘Little Venice’ in the 19th century.

Day 8: Departure

• Merlijn

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  4.7 out of 5 (10 Reviews)

  View Boat

  Deluxe Class Barge

  Hybrid Bicycle

  The Merlijn prides itself on the top quality bikes offered. See photo below. Although only your own helmet provides the best fit, bicycle helmets are available to borrow on board for the week. These… Read More

  Electric Bicycle

  The Merlijn has e-bikes available to rent. You may reserve them in advance. The cost is €30 per day, payable on board, advanced reservation is required. Visa and MasterCard accepted for payment. •… 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 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 onboard and discover for yourself! Read More