Wolfsburg to Cologne

Day 1: Arrival in Wolfsburg - Midland Canal
Day 2: Midland Canal - Braunschweig - Peine - Hannover
Day 3: Hannover - Kohlenfeld - Minden
Day 4: Minden - Bad Essen - Bamsche - Münster
Day 5: Münster - Datteln - Oberhausen 
Day 6: Oberhausen - Düsseldorf 
Day 7: Düsseldorf – Zons - Cologne 
Day 8: Cologne 

*Daily cycling distances range between 35 and 55 km. 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: Arrival in Wolfsburg
Check-in at 1:30 pm. You can then immediately go to visit the VW Autostadt. 

You can explore the museum on your own and at 3 PM there will be a 45 min. guided tour through the park. Instead, you can also visit the charming city center of Wolfsburg.

You are officially welcomed on board at 4 pm and then at 5 pm, the Merlijn will depart Wolfsburg. We will show you your room, offer a welcome drink and introduce the crew. Also we inform you about the tour, the ship and give you a safety briefing. Enjoy the afternoon cruising until dinner is served. After dinner, we will dock and stay overnight in a rural surrounding.

Day 2: Midland Canal - Braunschweig -  Peine - Hannover
Today you will start sailing early and travel further along the Midland Canal. Your bike tour will be starting in Braunschweig, arriving at approximately 9 am.  First, you will have the opportunity to visit this very charming and interesting Hanseatic city. Late in the morning, you begin cycling to Peine, situated on the Midland Canal. Here you will board the Merlijn and together sail approx. 4 hours, again enjoying dinner while you sail to Hannover.

Day 3: Hannover - Kohlenfeld -  Minden
Your bike tour starts at Hannover, where you first will have the chance to see the famous baroque gardens ‘Herrenhäuser Gardens, the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen’. The route then leads along the Natural Preserve Steinhuder Lake, ending in Kohlenfeld, where the Merlijn will await and then navigate to Minden. Today you will experience one of the highlights of this trip, the Wasserstraßenkreuz (Aquatic Interchange), where the Midland Canal crosses the Weser River via a 13-meter high aqueduct. You will pass through the impressive River Weser Lock where the Merlijn will be lowered 13 meters to the Weser River. Your overnight stay will be in Minden.  

Day 4: Minden - Bad Essen - Bramsche - Münster
Again you start with a sailing breakfast while you enjoy the view on the beautiful surroundings of the Weserbergland. Your bike tour will be from Bad Essen to Bramsche, passing the Teutoburger Wald (Teutoburg Forest) a range of low, forested mountains in the German states of Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. You will also pass the Kalkrieser Berg (mountain) where the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest (Varusschlacht) took place. It is described as the Varian disaster by Roman historians, it took place in 9 AD when an alliance of Germanic tribes led by Arminius of the Cherusci ambushed and decisively destroyed three Roman legions and their auxiliaries, led by Publius Quinctilius Varus. You are invited to visit this former battlefield and learn more about the great history. Entrance fee is included in your trip. In Bramsche the Merlijn will await you, and from here to Münster, will be enjoyed on board.  Münster is a city of science, city of sculptures, city of the Peace of Westphalia. It is also a city of bicycles! This Hanseatic city is a living metropolis with many faces. You will surely enjoy your night in the town, in the Altstadt.

Day 5: Münster - Senden - Datteln - Oberhausen 
You start sailing from Münster early in the morning and your bike tour starts shortly after Senden and ends in Datteln. This region has one of the highest German concentrations of castles, palaces, and fortifications, Lüdinghausen having three by itself. First, you will pass Vischering Castle (1271). You can visit here and also stroll on the sandstone wall and have a look into the courtyard.  Aftwerwards, you will pass the Lüdinghausen Castle, built in 1271 as well. From here you bike further to Datteln where the Merlijn awaits you to navigate to Oberhausen.

Day 6: Oberhausen - Düsseldorf 
Your bike tour starts in Oberhausen and ends in Düsseldorf. Your cycling tour leads you through the so-called ‘Ruhr-Gebiet’ a very important German industrial area. Most of the cycling will be in the forest though, where you can have a look at the ‘Stinkesberg’ a historical mountain in this area. In Düsseldorf you will have time to explore this great city, the Altstadt is worth a visit. Tonight you will enjoy your dinner in one of the many restaurants here in Düsseldorf.

Day 7: Düsseldorf – Zons - Cologne 
While you enjoy your breakfast, the Merlijn sails to Zons. From here you will cycle along the Rhine river to Cologne. In the afternoon you can visit Cologne, where the cathedral spires tower (The Dom) over Germany's oldest city and its innumerable cultural and historical treasures, world-famous museums and active art scene. People meet here for a Kölsch (a local beer). Life in Cologne is uncomplicated and vivacious. You will experience this great city even more in the Altstadt while enjoying a Kölsch as well! Last dinner and overnight stay in Cologne. 

Day 8: Cologne 
After breakfast time to say goodbye.

Looking for more?  View all of our featured bike and barge tours, or view our full list of bike trips.

Accommodation onboard the Deluxe class vessel, the Merlijn

• Merlijn

  Deluxe

  ?

  4.8 out of 5 (10 Reviews)

  View Boat

  Deluxe Class Boat

  "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!