Ludwigsburg to Koblenz

Aboard the Merlijn

Day 1: Arrival in Ludwigsburg - cruise to Marbach.
Day 2: Besigheim - Heilbronn, 16 mi. (26 km)
Day 3: Heilbronn - Eberbach, 26 or 35 mi. (42 or 56 km)
Day 4: Eberbach - Heidelberg, 20 mi. (32 km)
Day 5: Heidelberg - Worms, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 6: Worms - Nierstein, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 7: Nierstein - Mainz - Koblenz, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 8: Departure from Koblenz 

*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.

Day 1: Arrival in Ludwigsburg - cruise to Marbach
After arriving on board the Merlijn, you are welcomed with a cocktail. The afternoon is free, allowing you to explore Ludwigsburg. At 5 PM the Merlijn starts sailing to Marbach, a charming city on the Neckar river. Sailing dinner and overnight in Marbach. After dinner there is a chance to visit Marbach, where the famous writer Schiller was born. 

Day 2: Marbach - Besigheim - Heilbronn, 26 mi. (42 km)
While you enjoy breakfast the Merlijn takes you to Besigheim.  Your bike tour starts here along the Neckar river and you will come to Benningen. Roman history is evident here in the Castle Vicus. Tonight you will enjoy a wine tasting in Heilbronn. Dinner on board and overnight stay in Heilbronn.

Day 3: Heilbronn - Eberbach, 26 or 35 mi. (42 or 56 km)
Enjoy a sailing breakfast while Capitan Henk takes you to Neckarzimmern, where your bike tour begins. You will make a short tour towards the castle of Hornberg.
This castle is to be considered as one of the most beautiful castles in the Neckar valley. After 1259 the bishop of Speyer had his quarters here and in the 16th century it became the house of Berlichingen. The tour ends in Eberbach where the Merlijn is waiting. Enjoy dinner and overnight stay in Eberbach.

Day 4: Eberbach - Heidelberg, 20 mi. (32 km)
Today you will bike through the southern part of the Odenwald. From Eberbach you will pass Hirschhorn, one of the pearls on the Neckar river. Hirschhorn has a charming castle, a Carmelite Monastery and an interesting Market Church. In the afternoon you will be offered a city tour through Heidelberg. After the tour you will enjoy your dinner in one of the many restaurants in Heidelberg.

Day 5: Heidelberg - Worms, 26 mi. (42 km)
The Merlijn sails during breakfast to Ladenburg, where the bike tour to Worms begins. The barge cruises partly along the Neckar and partly along the Rhine river today, ending in Worms. Here you may want to have a look at the famous Nibelungen tower, which is located directly at the Rhine river, close to the Merlijn. And of course Worms is famous for its Cathedral and Marten Luther. At night you can explore the center of Worms a little more.

Day 6: Worms - Mainz, 35 mi. (55 km)
After breakfast the bike tour starts and soon takes you away from the Rhine River, along the vineyards and sometimes rolling paths. Beautiful nature will be your reward! Later along the ride the Rhine will be your companion again.  You will meet the Merlijn in Mainz, the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate. Here you will enjoy your dinner at your own expense in one of the many restaurants.  Overnight stay in Mainz.  

Day 7: Nierstein - Mainz - Koblenz, 25 mi. (40 km)
During breakfast the barge cruises to St. Goar, sailing through a unique landscape along the Rhine river.  We will pass the famous 'Lorelei', you can admire this while cruising as well as beautiful castles along the Rhine River.  Your bike tour starts in St. Goar and ends in Koblenz, situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers. After dinner you will have time to explore Koblenz.

Day 8: Departure from Koblenz 
After breakfast it is time to say goodbye and continue your European trip or leave for the airport.

Aboard the Quo Vadis

Day 1: Arrival to Ludwigsburg in the early afternoon - boat trip to Besigheim
The ship is docked at Hoheneck. Check in begins at 3 pm. You’ll have time to unpack, rest, or to explore the city. The Ludwigsburg Castle is definitely worth a visit. At 5 pm, you'll be officially welcomed you on board with a cocktail, followed by a boat trip. During the trip you will enjoy your dinner and afterwards you will have the opportunity to visit Besigheim.

Day 2: Besigheim - Heilbronn, cycling tour approx. 22 mi (35 km)
This first day of cycling starts in Besigheim. Proven vineyards and bright shell limestone are omnipresent in the landscape along the Neckar. The cycling route goes through Kirchheim, with the castle Liebenstein, and Lauffen, which houses the foundations of a Roman Estate dating back to the 2nd and 3rd century as well as many medieval sights. The ship will be waiting in Heilbronn, near the city. For the evening, a city tour in Heilbronn is planned.

Day 3: Heilbronn - Bad Wimpfen - Eberbach, cycling tour approx. 25 mi (40 km)
During breakfast, travel by boat to Bad Wimpfen where today's bike tour begins. Afterwards, make a short detour to Burg Hornberg. This castle is one of the most beautiful castles in the Neckar valley. Continue by bike along the Neckar until reaching Eberbach in the late afternoon. Enjoy the cheery life of the old Staufer city as you stroll through the winding streets and the small squares.

Day 4: Eberbach - Heidelberg, cycling tour approx. 22 mi (35 km)
Your first destination today is the castle town of Hirschhorn, the pearl of the Neckar valley. Worth a visit is the castle Hirschhorn, the former Carmelite monastery, and also as the market church. The route continues through the southern part of the Odenwald to Neckarsteinach. Via Neckargemünd, continue cycling to today's destination Heidelberg, where the boat is already waiting for you. In the late afternoon, enjoy a city tour through Heidelberg and a visit to the famous castle. Tonight you will have the opportunity to enjoy regional cuisine in one of the city's restaurants - at your own expense.

Day 5: Heidelberg - Ladenburg - Worms - Nierstein, cycling tour approx. 25 mi (40 km)
During breakfast, the Quo Vadis cruises to Ladenburg where today's bike tour begins. You'll cycle the last part of the Neckar and then along the Rhine, via Mannheim to Worms with its well-known Nibelungentor directly above the Rhine. Then, it's on to the wine village Nierstein, your destination for today.

Day 6: Nierstein - Mainz - Rüdesheim, cycling tour approx. 22 mi (36 km)
The boat takes you to Mainz during breakfast. Here you cycle to the center of Mainz and enjoy a city tour, with the possibility to visit one of the many museums. Today you will cycle along the Rhine until reaching the picturesque Rüdesheim. Do not miss the opportunity to take a stroll through the Drosselgasse, a cobblestone alley with many restored half-timbered houses in the heart of Rüdesheim's Old Town.

Day 7: Rüdesheim - Boppard - Koblenz, cycling tour approx. 28 mi (46 km)
Your last day of cycling takes you along the left bank of the Rhine, past towering castles, through the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to Boppard. Here, the Romans built a fortress for security and surveillance 2000 years ago. In the afternoon you will board the Quo Vadis and cruise to Koblenz, the last stop of your journey at the confluence of the Rhine and the Moselle.

Day 8: Departure in Koblenz
Departure after breakfast by 9:30 AM. 

Accommodations on board the comfort plus boats, the Merlijn or the Quo Vadis

• Merlijn

  Deluxe

  ?

  4.8 out of 5 (10 Reviews)

  View Boat

  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
• Quo Vadis

  Deluxe

  ?

  4.8 out of 5 (10 Reviews)

  View Boat

  Deluxe Class Barge

  City Touring Bicycle

  VSF Fahrradmanufactur touring bike (T-50 or T-300) • Aluminum frame (available in low entry or horizontal bar) with a weight of 15.8 kg … • VSF T-50 frame size 45 or 50 cm … • VSF T-300 fame size 50… Read More

  Electric Bicycle (E-Bike)

  Kreidler Vitality Eco 3 Electric Bike … • Aluminum frame … • Bosch Performance 250 watt motor … • Bosch 500 watt frame battery … • Shimano Deore gearing … • 9 speeds … • Shimano disc brakes … • Selle… Read More

  The beautiful MS Quo Vadis, a refurbished cargo barge, was put into service in April 2006 as a bike and boat vessel and continues to be lovingly maintained by her owners Rendert Jan de Waard and Ina Middelburg. The ship exudes a comfortable but stylish ambiance that will put you right at home. The upper deck with a restaurant, bar, and terrace will find you relaxing and enjoying newfound camaraderie. Delicious dishes prepared with fresh, organically grown products, whenever possible, will be a… Read More