Rhine & Neckar, Germany’s best kept secrets. 2-river tour
Cycle along the amazing, nature-filled Neckar River!
September 29 - October 07 / 2025
Departure date: 29 september 2025
. Endurance level: easy / Agility level: moderate
Highlights
Bike, Barge and cruise the mighty Rhine and charming Neckar river. Surrounded by mountains, vineyards and castles you will cycle your way thru Germany’s best kept secrets. Visit the romantic cities of Mainz, Worms, Heidelberg, Heilbronn and more. Included excursion to a vineyards with wine-tasting and a guided city tour.
Our guides scale this tour higher than the well-known and similar trips along the Moselle River. The Neckar River is less known but according to reports; more beautiful, more attractive cycling routes, more nature, more castles and less touristy.
Day-to-day itinerary
Day 1: Mainz - Rüdesheim
Afternoon check in and Merlijn starts cruising. We will offer a welcome drink and introduce the crew. We also inform you about the tour, the ship and give you a safety briefing. At night you can stroll through Rudesheim, a well-known cruise destination famous for it’s cosy streets and half-timbered houses.
*Note: Mainz is not visited on our tour. Schedule an extra night to visit Mainz, which is known for its spacious squares, lovingly restored half-timbered houses and magnificent Baroque churches that lend the old town a “gemütliches” (charming) character.
Day 2: Rüdesheim – Nierstein. Bike tour: 30-40 km
In the morning Merlijn cruises on while you have breakfast and a bike introduction. At the next dock, your first bike tour will start from here and leads you along the Rhine river, enjoy the beautiful and always changing views from the saddle of your bike! Merlijn will be awaiting you in In Nierstein. Dinner is served by the chef and your guide will brief you about tomorrows ride. The day is not over yet, let’s get ready for a most interesting wine-tasting at a local winery this evening.
Day 3: Nierstein – Worms. Bike tour: 45-50 km
After breakfast the bike tour to Worms starts and takes you away from the Rhine, along the vineyards and sometimes a little rolling paths. Beautiful nature will be your reward! Worms is famous for its Cathedral and Marten Luther. In the afternoon you will have time to explore this interesting city. After dinner you may want to have a look at the famous Nibelungen tower, which is located directly at the Rhine river, close to the Merlijn.
Day 4: Worms – Heidelberg. Bike tour: 40-45 km
After another delicious breakfast onboard your bike tour will start. Partly Rhine, partly Neckar river today, the difference is noticeable. Merlijn will await you in the town of Ladenburg, a small ancient town, where it seems that time has stood still. After boarding the ship, we’ll cruise towards Heidelberg along the Neckar river.
Day 5: Heidelberg. Bike tour: 40-45 km
This day we intended for everyone to really get their money's worth! The ship will stay docked in Heidelberg, a fantastically beautiful city where the culture lover can indulge, but also the shopping fanatic can get his fill. Of course there will also be a cycle tour offered, or just relax onboard.
In the afternoon, look around for your favourite restaurant, because tonight you can try the local gastronomy during dinner on your own, in one of the many restaurants in Heidelberg.
Day 6: Heidelberg – Bad Wimpfen. Bike tour: 30-35 or extend to 50-55 km
During the morning cruise we’ll pass Hirschhorn, one of the pearls on the Neckar river, best to be seen from the ship’s terras. Today you will bike through the southern part of the Odenwald. Afternoon Merlijn will pick you up at a small dock and we cruise to Bad Wimpfen where we stay overnight.
Day 7: Bad Wimpfen - Ludwigsburg. Bike tour: 40-45 km
Todays cycling tour goes partly along the Neckar river, your guide will look for a castle to visit or have your picknick lunch, Castles are usually on a hill that takes some effort to climb. On the way you also pass by Heilbronn, which is a charming city known for its rich wine-making tradition in the Württemberg region. The city also offers a mix of history, culture, and modern industry, with attractions like the Kilianskirche and the annual Heilbronner Weindorf wine festival. We’ll end the day in Ludwigsburg, the city centre is located at a fair distance from the dock. Spend your evening onboard and we’ll visit town tomorrow.
Day 8: Ludwigsburg - Stuttgart. Bike tour: 30-35 km
Your last sailing breakfast onboard Merlijn. First you’ll cycle towards Ludwigsburg centre, located on a hill. After your visit, cycle along the Neckar river. We are getting closer to the industry of Stuttgart, your guide will look for the most beautiful route. Expect a beautiful ride where meadow landscapes alternate with small towns. We’ll serve a farewell dinner onboard, enjoy the evening and the cozy atmosphere with your new cycling friends.
Day 9: Stuttgart
After breakfast it is time to say goodbye and continue your European trip or leave for the airport.
Included in your tour:
- 8 nights onboard Merlijn
- Individual climate control and private bathroom with shower, sink and toilet in all cabins
- Supply of bedding, towels, facial tissues, hand soap, shampoo, sewing kit, vanity kit, bathrobe & slippers
- Full service of staff, daily cleaning of the cabins, manned bar (no self-service)
- Porterage of luggage upon arrival and departure
- Daily loading and unloading of your bicycle to and from the ship
- Use of lightweight state-of-the-art bicycle
- Use of a waterproof bike bag, universal sized helmet, towel and a personal water bottle
- English speaking-tour guide (experienced guide who knows the route like the back of their hand)
- Brochures of the area available on board
- Harbour, lock and canal fees
Included culinary care:
- Welcome drink with bubbles
- All day unlimited coffee, tea, hot chocolate and potable ice water (self-service)
- Extensive breakfast buffet daily with at least; 2 warm dishes, freshly baked croissants or similar pastries, various types of bread, toaster, yoghurt, cereals, fresh fruit and various beverages.
- Packed lunch prepared by the staff in a special lunch bag with at least a lavish sandwich, snack and drink.
- 7 three-course dinners
- Dinners are based on ‘plate service’, meals are served in the dining area.
- Meals are perceived by our guests as “luxurious” or even “gourmet style”.
Included beverages during bar opening hours:
- Several sodas served from a small bottle
- Wide variety of wines (also non-alcoholic wine)
- Beer on tap and various beers from the bottle (also non-alcoholic beer)
Included excursions:
- Ferry costs on the bicycle route
Not included in your tour:
- 1 dinner
- Excursions, entrance fees and guided tours other than mentioned
- Beverages other than those mentioned (such as spirits and cocktails)
- City maps, bike maps, etc. (we have a lot available however we can’t guarantee every destination)
- Inbound and outbound journeys, such as flights, trains, bus or other type of transfers
- Insurances
- Gratuities (cash only)
- Electronic payments of your onboard expenses (cash only)
For your comfort, we rent out electric bikes at € 30,- each per day, reservations in advance are advisable.
The Cancellation policy also applies to pre-booked and reserved use of e-bike or any other extra requested services.
The general terms and conditions of Merlijn de magie van water B.V. apply to all bookings, offers and agreements. Please find them on our website under ‘Terms & Conditions’.
Merlijn complies the General Data Protection Regulation to protect your privacy. Please find them on our website under ‘Privacy statement’.
We reserve the right to modify schedule and/or program. If (part of) the route is not navigable due to weather conditions and/or other nautical reasons and/or is closed off due to circumstances and/or for safety reasons, the operator and/or the captain has the right to change the schedule. This includes changing the location of departure and/or arrival and temporarily suspending departure. Nautical and/or meteorological reasons are understood to mean, among others, weather conditions, the tide, obstruction of waterways/shipping lanes, and the condition of the ship. Closed off due to circumstances and/or safety reasons are understood to mean, among others, terrorism, diseases, natural disasters. Changes in schedule and/or program do not give the customer the right on free cancellation.