Bremen to Magdeburg

Day 1: Bremen - Verden (Weser River)
Day 2: Verden - Hoya - Nienburg (Weser River)
Day 3: Nienburg - Stolzenau - Minden (Weser River, Midland Canal)
Day 4: Minden - Sachsenhagen - Hannover (Midland Canal)
Day 5: Hannover - Braunschweig - Wolfsburg
Day 6: Wolfsburg - Haldensleben (Midland Canal)
Day 7: Haldensleben - Magdeburg (Elbe)
Day 8: Departure

*Daily distances range from  22 to 31 miles (35 to 50 km) approximately. 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: Bremen - Verden (Weser River)
The Merlijn will be moored at the Schlachte Weser River Boardwalk. You will be welcomed aboard with a complimentary drink and be introduced to all the crew. You will also be given information on tour details and the boat. After dinner, there will be opportunity to visit the city of Bremen. The boat will be moored within a short walking distance of the famous Schnoorviertel, a small well-preserved area of medieval fishing houses from the 15th and 16th centuries. Artisans, goldsmiths, and gallery-owners now occupy many houses along the crooked lanes and tiny backyards, while restaurants and cafes cater to even the most discerning palate. The Schnoor, the oldest city quarter of Bremen, consists of a Medieval network of passageways. The old market square is dominated by the Statue of Roland, dating back to 1404. This symbol of civic liberty and freedom spread to other cities and has become a symbol of the new Europe. In the town center, there is also the statue of the Town Musicians of Bremen, erected in 1953, based on the folktale recorded by the Brothers Grimm. The Roland statue faces the St. Petri Cathedral, where you can visit the Cathedral Museum and the lead cellar (Bleikeller). Next to the Roland Statue you will find the City Hall. Both the Roland Statue and the City Hall are UNESCO World Heritage monuments. At 5 pm the Merlijn motors the Weser River upstream to Verden. You will enjoy the scenery of the Weserbergland already. After dinner you may want to stroll through the equestrian city of Verden along the Aller River, the mecca of the Hanoverian horse, a world-famous and powerful German warm-blood breed of horse.  Well worth seeing in Verden are the historical old city center along the Aller River with its pedestrian area Große Straße, the Gothic Dome in Verden, the Cathedral Quarter at the Lugenstein with its bars, the town hall, the Domherrenhaus (Cathedral Chapter House), the vintage train and much more.​

Day 2: Verden - Hoya - Nienburg (Weser River)
Today the bicycle tour will start in Verden and follow the Weser Cycling Route up to Hoya and finally to Nienburg. In Hoya, the city of earls, along the Mittelweser River you can follow the tracks of the famous Earl of Hoya during a stroll through the historical city center. Nienburg was documented as early as 1015 and offers many places of interest, like the Asparagus Well (Spargelbrunnen), the Whinnying Stallion, the bronze statue of the Magic Bayard Horse (Ros Bayard), the 14th century City Hall and the parish church, St. Martin, the main church of the city and the town’s landmark due to its impressive 72-meter tower!

Day 3: Nienburg - Stolzenau - Minden (Weser River, Midland Canal)
Your tour continues along the Weser Cycling Route from Nienburg to Stolzenau, crossing a beautiful and varied landscape of pristine nature as far as the eye can see. In the Weser Hills you can discover and experience nature at its best. In Stolzenau you will board the Merlijn again and continue the journey to Minden, where you will experience one of the highlights of this trip: the Wasserstraßenkreuz (Interchange), Aquatic where the Midland Canal crosses the Weser River via a 13-meter high aqueduct. Through the impressive River Weser Lock, the Merlijn will be raised for 13 meters right up to the Midland Canal. Our overnight stay will be in Minden along the Midland Canal.

Day 4: Minden - Sachsenhagen - Hannover (Midland Canal)
You start the day with a beautiful boat trip over the Mittelland Canal Bridge up the Weser River to Sachsenhagen. The bike portion begins with a ride towards Hannover, passing the Nature Reserve Steinhuder Lake. Once a small, quiet fishing village, today Steinhude is well-known as a recreation center in the Steinhuder Meer Nature Park. From Hannover, once again by boat, you will end the day in Peine.

Day 5: Hannover - Braunschweig - Wolfsburg
This morning, you will cast off quite early. During breakfast the Merlijn will take you to the city of Braunschweig, where today’s bicycle trip will leads to Wolfsburg. Tonight you will enjoy your dinner in one of the many restaurants in Wolfsburg.

Day 6: Wolfsburg - Haldensleben (Midland Canal)
Today, a guided tour of the Autostadt is offered which will take about 45 minutes. After that you can choose whether you would like to visit more production sites. Following the visit to the factory is your bike tour to Haldensleben, where you stay overnight. 

Day 7: Haldensleben - Magdeburg (Elbe)*
*Please note: We reserve the right to change our mooring spot in Magdeburg if the river Elbe is too shallow or too high for the Merlijn. Then, the Merlijn will be moored at the Midland Canal at the Waterway crossing of the Elbe river and the Canal, approx. 15 km from the city of Magdeburg. A transfer will be arranged for you if this is the case. 

You will start your bike tour in Haldensleben and then will cycle until the city of Magdeburg. Today’s route will follow the Midland Canal and the Elbe River. Close to Magdeburg the Merlijn will pass the Sparschleuse (water-saving lock) en will be lowered 20 meters to enter Magdeburg on the Elbe river. Magdeburg is the capital of the German federal state of Saxony-Anhalt and was documented as early as 805. The city is well known because of its important historical heritage as the royal palace of the Emperor Otto the 1st, the first Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, who was crowned in 962. Enjoy this city in our modern time and visit all the different attractions: Magdeburg Cathedral, the first cathedral designed and built in the Gothic architectural style on German ground and one of the largest churches in Germany, the Old Market and the Golden Rider Statue, a bronze copy of the first self-supporting statue of a rider north of the Alps, which can be found right in the heart of the city center. It was created in the year 1240 and presumably portrays the Emperor Otto I. Don’t forget to visit the old City Hall, the Green Citadel, the Hundertwasserhaus and many more places of interest.

Day 8: Individual departure

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Aboard the beautiful and very popular deluxe class vessel, the Merlijn

• Merlijn

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  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