5 Star Merlijn boat/barge tour reviews — 1 to 30 of 208

4.9 out of 5

 


Bob D.
3 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Merzig to Nancy

The trip on the Merlijn was wonderful. The captain, crew, and guide were all 5 star. Accommodations on the barge were very nice, with modern baths, excellent lighting, and adequate storage. The guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the areas we biked through. The wine tour we had one evening was the best I have ever taken. One evening we all had a meal out at a German restaurant that was delightful. I like the bike helmet they provided. It networked with the guides helmet and she was able to give us information as we road on excellent bike paths.

Countries included in this tour?
Germany, Luxembourg, France

Deborah D.
4 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Merzig to Nancy

The Merlijn is the best sailing ship in all of Europe if you want to bike. The captains Coen and Cristina (also the ship owners) are just wonderful people. I feel like family every time I travel with them and this was my 8th trip with them (7 trips in the last year alone). So if you want 5 star accommodations, service and meals, this is the ship to sail on. Their bikes are the best out there and I feel confident in saying that as I have done 15 bike and barge trips! Give the Merlijn a try and you will be hooked like I am. The Merlijn also gets the best bike guides out there along with extremely friendly and caring crew. Love the Merlijn and Coen and Cristina.

Countries included in this tour?
Germany, Luxembourg, France

Mary P.
4 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Ludwigsburg to Mainz

Perfect trip from the ship, the Merlijn, and its crew headed by Coen and Cristina, to the dining, our guide, Thomas to the location along the Neckar and Rhine rivers with the little towns (and bakeries and cafés). It was like spending a holiday inside a magical storybook.

Countries included in this tour?
Germany

Petra S.
4 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Ludwigsburg to Mainz

Every part of the trip was memorable.
Although the weather didn't always cooperate we had an amazing time and when the skies opened up we managed to keep dry in a winery... Could be worse :)
The breakfasts were excellent, lots of selection cold and hot and nutritious, lunches were packed by the crew and again excellent. Dinners were three course meals and our last was a four course meal, absolutely delicious.

The boat and bikes were in perfect condition and always clean.

The staff was courteous and helpful, our guide Thomas knowledgeable and always watchful of the group.

The locations we stopped at were beautiful.

I had never ridden an e-bike before the trip but it was easy to learn and a lot of fun. No struggling to get up any hills :)

I would recommend this trip to anyone of all ages, as long as you can ride a bike.

I will go on more of these bike / ship trips!

Countries included in this tour?
Germany

Laura R.
4 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Saarburg to Mainz

This was a fantastic trip! The Merlijn was absolutely perfect. The crew was outstanding, the chef simply amazing. Our rooms were small but quite nice and always clean. Our bikes were so easy to ride and our guide, well I cannot think of any better guide that we could have had. A simply stunning view of Germany and the most fun way to see it.

Countries included in this tour?
Germany

Robert J.
4 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Saarburg to Mainz

Most memorable: The barge, Merlijn, and the captain, chef, crew and tour guide were spectacular. Highly recommended.
Tips: If traveling in September be prepared for cold, rainy weather.

Countries included in this tour?
Germany

Peter E.
4 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Saarburg to Mainz

Our guide Ilsa, providing historical information from Ancient Rome to the Middle Ages to Modern Times throughout the ride.
The crew were wonderful. Couldn’t be more pleased with the entire trip.

Countries included in this tour?
Germany

Kathryn M.
5 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Saarburg to Mainz

Coen and Christina and the crew. We appreciated how all of you worked together to make us comfortable and cared for.
For Elizabeth, the bike ride and for Kathryn the special attention given to me after the injury.

Recommend a suggested packing list.

Countries included in this tour?
Germany

Mary M.
5 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Saarburg to Mainz

The Merlin ship was extremely impressive. The captain and crew ensured all participants were well taken care of. Breakfast, lunch and dinner were fabulous, and the deserts were lovely! Our bike tour guide shared historical information on most outings, which was quite interesting. Additionally, there were tours along the way of castles and wineries - an added benefit. We highly recommend the trip and the Merlin ship in particular!

Countries included in this tour?
Germany

Margaret O.
5 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Saarburg to Mainz

First and foremost, the captain, chef and crew were outstanding. The trip would not have been the same without their host of talents & hospitality. The Merlijn itself was pristine with all the comforts of home. The passengers were treated like royalty. The bikes were upright which allowed for comfort and made the scenic views easily accessible. Our biking guide Ilse, was knowledgeable about all the historical sites we visited. She was extremely patient with her 22 riders. The cycling was easy with predominantly paved trails with minimal incline. Moving through large cities (ie:Trier) was often difficult with 22 riders often separated through stop lights. It may have been safer to split the groups.
It was our first trip to Germany and the scenery was stunning along the Saar, Mosel & Rhine rivers and many photo predominantly were included. We were especially impressed by the day we biked from Cochem to the town of Eltz, enjoyed an enchanting hike to the Eltz castle, toured castle and biked on to Koblenz. Another highlight was the tasting tour by the owner of Storck Winery in the town of Traben-Trarbach. The unexpected meeting of Captain Coen’s parents and rafting with their barge on the Rhine was delightful. We always looked forward to the cruises during and after breakfast!
Overall, the bike & barge was more than a bike trip. It was all the experiences of boating, dining, biking, hiking and making new friends from all over the world. We would highly recommend this trip!
Thank you Coen & Christina for making the magic happen on your Merlijn ☺️

Countries included in this tour?
Germany

Richard G.
5 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Berlin to Wolfsburg

This tour onboard the Merlijn was amazing. It was very well organized.
The crew, staff and tour guide provided to give us a magical experience.
We biked and toured through well crafted locations. We laughed and ate delicious meals. We made new friends!
I will cherish this week forever! Can't wait for the next one!

Countries included in this tour?
Germany

Julià F.
5 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Berlin to Wolfsburg

In fact, the whole trip was memorable! There are a few reasons why the whole trip surpasses by far the "one memorable moment" that most people enjoy taking from a trip. Firstly, the captain, the cook, the guide, and the rest of the members of the crew demonstrated one of the highest levels of professionalism and also a most friendly welcome aboard throughout the trip. Secondly, the Merlijn was kept in such a state of good care and good taste that it was the perfect "home away from home". And thirdly, although pure coincidence, from the very first moment we set sail and, again, throughout the trip, the best rapport and camaraderie permeated the whole group of twenty people who didn't know each other previously and came from so many different walks of life.

Countries included in this tour?
Germany

Gregory M.
5 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Berlin to Wolfsburg

Our Tripsite bike and barge tour with the Merlijn was absolutely fantastic!!! We now have such wonderful memories of the crew, food, our cycling guide, and the new friends we shared this adventure with. We can’t wait to go on another trip!!

Countries included in this tour?
Germany

jackie n.
5 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Berlin to Wolfsburg

Our Merlijn adventure was a magical package- from the cozy cabins, fabulous food, smooth! charming bike paths, and superior guide -to congenial fellow bikers. And the ebike made it possible for my elderly knees. The scenic rides were away from the hustle and bustle of large cities. Idyllic, highly recommend.

Countries included in this tour?
Germany

Sunita M.
6 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Berlin to Malchin

Boat and Crew was absolutely Fantastic. Lia our Bike Guide was Amazing.

Countries included in this tour?
Germany, Poland

Mark A.
7 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Berlin to Wolfsburg

The way the trip was arranged was very interesting. The cities were educational and the trails were easy to navigate.

Countries included in this tour?
Germany

JERRY W.
7 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Amsterdam to Bruges - 11 days

The tour itself was fantastic.

My interaction with tripsite was confusing and not reassuring. I’ve never encountered such a strange and needlessly cumbersome and costly process to book a trip.

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands, Belgium

Robin F.
8 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Amsterdam to Bruges - 11 days

Our bicycle tours led us through beautiful countryside, small seaside towns, farm land, medieval fortified towns, and city centers, all on designated bicycle paths. I loved the custom, belt-driven bikes, the cultural tours, the scenery, and back on the boat, the food was amazing! Co-captain and chef extraordinaire Christina fed us a wide variety of gourmet dinners, complete with a reasonably-sized, fabulous dessert. People with birthdays received whole, hand-made cakes to share. I felt thoroughly well-taken care of at all times. Also, the new bathrooms were quite nice— and the entire ship was cleaned to a fastidious degree every day!

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands, Belgium

Pam I.
9 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Tulip Tour - 7 day

Every day was a new adventure along winding canals from pastures, to fruit groves, windmills, cheese farms, little towns, and past back yards with sheep, chickens and goats.

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands

Mary S.
9 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Tulip Tour - 7 day

We got the feel of our trip from the start, when we were met at the dock by the captain, who took our luggage up to the deck. And his wife, Christina, who prepared the most delicious meals every evening explaining what we were about to feast on!!
And one of our most memorable experiences was our incredibly knowledgeable , organized and fun tour guide Japke!! The trip was amazing and the Merlijn and staff were wonderful.

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands

Josee P.
9 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Tulip Tour - 7 day

Amazing bike and barge trip! The ship was luxurious, extremely clean and well organized. The food was delicious,and the cook was very accommodating. The bed were very comfortable and the crew so friendly. Our guide was outstanding. We biked for 5 days in various gorgeous areas and learned so much about the Netherlands, the people, the history, the tulips business, the cheese and the windmills. We had time to explore on our own and to relax on a terrace or on the deck of the ship.

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands

Ellen H.
9 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Tulip Tour - 7 day

Every day was a great day and a new memory. One day it was windmills, another tulip fields and farm, and another a cheese farm and beautiful countryside. One tip would be that if you get an ebike to make sure you can handle the weight of the bike.

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands

Pamela F.
9 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Tulip Tour - 7 day

The biking through the windmills and tulips was such a different experience. Also, arrangements were made to talk to the miller at the windmill with a peek into the windmill itself and to the tulip grower and the cheese maker. Fabulous!
However, all parts of the Merlijn experience were outstanding!! That is the best barge we’ve ever been on and our second time on the Merlijn. (We had been on 2 other bike/barge trips.)
You can’t do better for a bike/barge trip than the Merlijn. The staff, the accommodations, and the food are fabulous!

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands

Sheryl C.
10 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Tulip Tour - 7 day

The biking was the best part of the trip for me. Our guide was so knowledgeable and took us through small towns so we could get a real feel for life in Amsterdam. She was great!

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands

Dianna R.
10 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Tulip Tour - 7 day

Most memorable part were the tulips. Visually, they were spectacular, but is was also interesting learning about growing them

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands

Luanne U.
10 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Tulip Tour - 7 day

The Merlijn boat has been beautifully redone for hosting passengers. The main salon is attractive and comfortable and the cabins are well appointed. The food was delicious and the menu was varied. All of the bikes (we rode e-bikes) were like brand new and in excellent working order. The provided helmets had a microphone system built in that allowed all 24 of us to hear everything our guide had to say! The biking tour was also excellent with extensive details and observations provided by our wonderful guide, Tamy! Last, but not least, I thought our breaks and bathroom stops were well timed. Thank you to the Captain and crew!

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands

Laura P.
10 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Tulip Tour - 7 day

Seeing the Netherlands up close from the bike was fantastic. Our guide was very knowledgeable and personable.

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands

Darlene G.
10 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Tulip Tour - 7 day

Biking under the excellent leadership of Tammy. The equipment was excellent. The pace of the trip perfect for retirement aged people

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands

Mark P.
10 months ago

Verified Reviewer

· Tulip Tour - 7 day

Barge and crew were great. Plentiful and tasty food. Our guide was superior

Countries included in this tour?
Netherlands

Sandra B.
October 22, 2023

Verified Reviewer

· Würzburg to Nuremberg

Sept 23 - 29, 2023 Nürnberg to Würzburg on the Merlijn : This was our 6th Bike & Barge trip with Tripsite (it would have been our 8th, but you know that story!), and we wouldn't dream of booking with anyone else! We'd taken a trip on the Merlijn in 2017, but since then, the interior has been renovated. Very nice! Food and accommodations were excellent, staff was friendly and helpful. Our bike guide, Thomas, prepped us each day, reviewing the routes and stops, always prioritizing our safety. The bikes were new and well maintained. The staff took the time to adjust each to personalize the fit and comfort. The hybrid bikes are Dutch and light weight, which my husband rode. This was the second trip I've taken using an e-bike and I'm hooked! The biking routes were generally level and we mostly rode on dedicated bike paths. When riding through a town, Thomas did a great job of keeping us together, advising us on how to approach intersections. Another fabulous B & B trip and we're already planning our 7th!

Countries included in this tour?
Germany