Moselle & Saar 3-Countries tour
‘Touching Germany, Luxembourg & France”
October 16 - 23 / 2027
Departure date: 16 october 2027
. Endurance level: easy / Agility level: moderate
Highlights
This tour is reserved by a group, but not yet fully booked. please contact us to be waitlisted.
Bike, Barge & Cruise the beautiful Saar and charming Moselle, touching three countries. Fall in love with the French countryside and German mountains while cycling along the Moselle River on solid bike paths, and sample nectarean Luxembourg wines while visiting a wine cellar. Explore the ancient cities of Thionville, Metz & Nancy, and cruise along the River Saar, surrounded by mountains, and the Moselle with its swathes of vineyards.
Day-to-day itinerary
Day 1: Merzig – overnight berth
Afternoon check in. Merlijn will sail to her first overnight berth, a beautiful dock within natural surroundings. There will be a welcome drink and crew introduction. We’ll also inform you about the tour, the ship and give you a safety briefing. Dinner is enjoyed during the cruise, with an opportunity for a stroll in the natural area around the rural berth afterwards.
Day 2: overnight berth - Saarburg. Bike tour: 25-30 km + Hike 3 km
Breakfast will be served on board, after which there is a bike introduction. Today’s cycling tour takes you through the wonderful Saarland region. More than any other region, it symbolizes the "rendezvous in Saarland": a junction of water and land. From the start, it’s about 5 km to the excellent viewpoint over the surrounding landscape and the Saar loop at the ‘Cloef’. Depending on the abilities of the group, we will either bike or hike to the viewpoint above which invites you for a short stay. From here, you will bike further on to Saarburg, passing the village of Mettlach, well known for the products manufactured by Villeroy & Boch. The cityscape of Saarburg is characterised by narrow alleys, framework houses, and Baroque structures, as well as colourful fishing cottages and seafarers’ houses. The master architect of Berlin, Karl Friedrich Schinkel, already named the collection of romantic houses and small bridges on the Buttermarkt ‘Little Venice’ in the 19th century.
Day 3: Saarburg - Trier. Bike tour: 30-35 km
After breakfast, you will start your bike trip to Trier, by following the river Saar ‘downstream’. At Konz, the Saar meets the Moselle river. In the afternoon, there is enough time for a visit to the city, and there will be a tour by a local guide. Trier was once the capital of the Western Roman Empire, a Roman government seat, and is well known for its enormous Roman city gateway, the Porta Nigra, and its Roman Baths.
Day 4: Trier – Remich. Bike tour: 30-35 km or extend to 50-55 km
After breakfast, today’s cycle tour will start, with 2 different options: if you choose the longer bike route you will start cycling from Trier, or, if you choose the shorter route you will cruise along, as Merlijn takes you just past the border between Germany and Luxembourg. Luxembourg is a small country, but the capital (also called Luxembourg), is an important financial centre for Europe. You’ll cycle along the meandering Moselle towards Remich. After dinner, you’ll visit a wine cellar to sample a taste of the upper Mosel wines. The wines here are different to the middle Mosel styles, due to the geology, which lends the wines different characteristics.
Day 5: Remich – Thionville - Metz. Bike tour: 35-40 km or extend to 45-50 km
After another delicious breakfast on board, it’s time to get pedalling again. Soon you’ll pass by a town called Schengen, home to the famous ‘Schengen Agreement”, signed by 5 countries in 1985, known by everyone in Europe as it led to free passage between borders. From here, you’ll cycle into France. First stop: the fortress of Sierck-les-Bains, which was one of the palaces inhabited by the powerful Dukes of Lorraine. Further along, the tour will lead you through French countryside, riparian landscapes, wheat fields and tiny villages. You will reach Thionville, once the modern and industrial centre of the steel industry, now merely a historical city. The old centre is home to medieval ramparts, lovely gardens, old streets and the St. Maximin basilica, which houses one of the finest organs in the world. After your visit you can board the Merlijn, or extend the tour by a few more miles. You’ll enjoy an afternoon spent cruising the French Moselle. After dinner, we will reach the city of Metz, another ancient city strategically situated on a Roman trading route. Its cathedral is the 3rd largest Gothic church in France, Metz is full of stunning architecture, flowers, and great cafes. Don’t forget to visit Temple Neuf, as this church is stunning from every angle.
At Merlijn, we have a long-standing tradition of experiencing the local cuisine by dining ashore on one evening. At the start of the trip, we will let you know which evening this will be.
Day 6: Metz – Pont-à-Mousson. Bike tour: 30-40 km
Today, you will ride through the French countryside again, the precise route will be adjusted to the biking level of the group: mostly flat terrain following the Moselle - or a more challenging route across the hills. Each route will end in the calm and serene town of Pont-à-Mousson, where the Merlijn will await you.
Around the world, pipes and manhole covers carry the stamp of the town’s steel production. But Pont-à-Mousson was also home to a Jesuit university known throughout Europe, which explains the town’s incredible architectural heritage.
Day 7: Pont-à-Mousson – Nancy - Frouard. Bike tour: 45 -50 km
Your last bicycle tour will lead you to Nancy. The old city centre’s heritage dates from the Middle Ages to the 18th- century. The cathedral of Nancy, the Triumphal Arch and "Place de la Carriere" are fine examples of 18th Century architecture. The ‘Place Stanislas” is known for its World Heritage buildings. Visit one of the many interesting museums, do a spot of shopping, or simply relax at an outdoor cafe. After your visit, you’ll bike to the little town of Frouard, where the Merlijn is docked in the Nancy/Frouard harbour. In the evening, there is a farewell dinner.
Day 8: Nancy/Frouard
After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye and continue your European trip, or leave for the airport.
Included in your tour:
- 7 nights onboard Merlijn
- Early check-in and late check-out
- Full service of staff, maintaining cabins, manned bar (no self-service)
- Porterage of luggage upon arrival and departure
- Private stateroom of 11 m2 with 2 comfortable beds (80 x 200 cm) that can be pushed together/separated. Individual climate control and private bathroom with shower, toilet, sink, heated and illuminated mirror. Coffee & tea-making facilities from Nespresso, a varied package with coffee cups included.
- Supply of bedding, towels, facial tissues, hand soap, shampoo, sewing kit, vanity kit, bathrobe & slippers.
- 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, city backpack, towel, water bottle, helmet with communication system.
- 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 and warm snacks
- All day unlimited coffee & specialty-coffee prepared with fresh milk, variation of 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.
- 6 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
- Several long drinks
- Wide variety of wines (also non-alcoholic wine)
- Beer on tap (also non-alcoholic beer from a bottle)
Included excursions:
- Ferry costs on the bicycle route
- Wine tasting session
- Guided city tour
Not included in your tour:
- 1 dinner, the day and location will be announced at the start of the tour
- 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
- Gratuities (cash only)
- Electronic payments of your onboard expenses (cash only)
- Insurances, we strongly recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance as well as travel insurance.
Not included extra services on board (payable on board):
- Rental of electric bicycles €30,- per piece, per day. Reservations in advance are advisable
- Laundry service, current price available on board