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Overview
This bike and boat tour highlighting the mighty Danube is quite unique. Generally, a bike and boat tour along the Danube River requires a bigger more powerful boat, and therefore a large group. This tour features the deluxe vessel, the Merlijn, a small boat with a big heart, and with just 12 guest cabins, is the ultimate small-group experience.
Additionally, you will not just cycle the Danube Cycle Path, one of Europe's best known and therefore most popular, but also, the Altmuehl Cycle Path, exploring Germany's best-known province, Bavaria, rich in history, culinary culture, viticulture, art, and architecture.
There are small picturesque villages along the way, as well as the splendid natural scenery of the Altmühl valley and Danube River. Your destination is the three-river-city of Passau, with its well-preserved old town and attractions including the Stephansdom Cathedral.
Highlights
- Nuremberg's Gothic old town
- Picturesque Bavarian towns
- Historically and architecturally rich Plankstetten Monastery
- Altmühltal Nature Park
- Essing Timber Bridge
- Deggendorf, the gateway to the Bavarian Forest
- Three river city of Passau
- Guided city tour Regensburg
- Wine-tasting session
- Entrance & audio tour of Walhalla
Be sure to check out our full list of bike & barge tours in Germany.
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Itinerary
Nuremberg to Passau
Day 1: Nuremberg - Roth
Day 2: Roth - Berching, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 3: Berching - Riedenburg. 26 mi. (41 km)
Day 4: Riedenburg - Essing - Regensburg, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 5: Regensburg - Pondorf - Straubing 25 mi. (40 km) or extend to 33 mi. (53 km)
Day 6: Straubing - Deggendorf, 24 mi. (39 km) or extend to 31 mi. (49 km)
Day 7: Deggendorf - Vilshofen - Passau north - Passau, 24 mi. (38 km) or extend to 38 mi. (60 km)
Day 8: PassauAll distances are approximate. The itinerary is subject to change sometimes without prior notice. Some waterways may be subject to occasional closures due to drought, storms, floods, canal or lock repairs, or other unforeseen circumstances that make navigation unsafe or impossible. The captain reserves the right to make any changes deemed necessary.
Day 1: Nuremberg - Roth
Check-in onboard begins at 3:30 pm. Be prompt because at 5 pm the Merlijn will set sail for Roth where there is an overnight stay. As you enjoy a complimentary welcome beverage, the crew will be introduced and you will be provided information on the tour, the ship, and have a safety briefing. After departing from Nuremberg, your bike and barge cruise will really begin, so settle in the lounge or on the outside terrace with a drink, and let the Main-Danube canal amaze you! A meal will be served during the cruise and in the evening there will be time for an after-dinner stroll ashore.Day 2: Roth - Berching, 25 mi. (40 km)
After breakfast and a bike introduction, your cycle tour to the Rothsee will start, where bathing and sailing enthusiasts and surfers relax all year round. After your first coffee stop at a traditional German bakery, you will continue cycling, passing by the picturesque Bavarian towns of Allersberg and Freystadt.The last stretch of today’s tour will lead you along the abandoned old Ludwig-Donau-Main Canal, which at one time linked the Rhine with the Danube at Kelheim. The canal was named after King Ludwig I of Bavaria, and built between 1836 and 1846. Construction of the roughly parallel, but much larger Rhine-Main–Danube Canal that we know today was started in 1921, but wasn’t completed until 1992. You’ll board the Merlijn in the city of Berching for the overnight stay at the highest point on this trip, 406 meters above sea level. From Nuremberg, you will have sailed upstream away from the Rhine, and now you will sail downstream towards the Danube River.
Day 3: Berching - Riedenburg. 26 mi. (41 km)
Your cycling itinerary will lead you to the village of Plankstetten where the iconic Benedictine monastery on the edge of the forest, founded in 1129, dominates the surroundings. You then continue along the Main-Danube canal to Beilngries, in the heart of the Altmühltal. After a short break, you carry on through the Altmühl Valley to today’s destination, Riedenburg. In this stunning medieval town, you might want to visit the St. John Baptist Church or the Church of Our Lady, which may look like a proper Baroque church today, but is a medieval one at heart, dating back to the 12th century. At the Farmer’s Market, you can browse local specialties.Day 4: Riedenburg - Essing - Regensburg, 28 mi. (45 km )
The Merlijn will continue its journey and as Essing nears, its technically unique wooden bridge will come into view. Measuring 193 meters in length, this work of art is the longest wooden bridge in Europe. This is the starting point for today’s bike tour. At first, you will mainly follow the towpath along the canal. The last section before the Kelheim lock is dammed and looks like a lake. You cross the lock by a bridge and climb up the mountain to the Befreiungshalle. This Hall of Liberation was commissioned by King Ludwig I of Bavaria to commemorate the victories against Napoleon. What is particularly interesting is the view, where you can see the confluence of the Main Danube Canal and the Danube.After a visit to Kelheim, you carry on to Regensburg, where the Altmühl bike route connects with the Danube bike route, leading to Regensburg. You will ride through the Winzer vineyards and also visit Bad Abbach, popular for its sulfur and mud baths. The destination today is Regensburg, a fascinatingly well-preserved medieval town. Highlights include the cathedral dating back to the 8th century, the collegiate church, and the stone imperial bridge. At the end of the day, there is an opportunity for a guided city tour by a local guide. At night you can enjoy some local Bavarian cuisine as dinner is on your own this evening.
Day 5: Regensburg - Pondorf - Straubing 25 mi. (40 km) or extend to 33 mi. (53 km)
This morning, you leave the bustling German town by bike to cycle along the popular classic Danube Cycle Path to Pondorf. Here you can join the Merlijn for an afternoon cruise or cycle on to Straubing. After the first stretch, you can make an interesting pit stop at the Walhalla near Donaustauf, which King Ludwig I had built as a temple to honor notable Germans, entrance and audio tour included. You continue along the beautiful Danube to Castle Wörth, where you will have a view of the Gäuboden Plain of Bavaria, also called ‘the granary of Bavaria’. Follow the Danube path on to Pondorf, where the Merlijn will be moored. If you haven't clocked up enough miles yet, you can cycle on to the ducal city of Straubing. Straubing has Celtic and Roman roots and is known for its unmistakable green spired tower in the city center, its picturesque town square, the baroque townhouses, and the Graubünden Museum, which is always worth a visit.Day 6: Straubing - Deggendorf, 24 mi. (39 km) or extend to 31 mi. (49 km)
You will cycle from Straubing to Deggendorf, admiring the famous ‘blue’ Danube from your bike, as you follow its banks turn by turn. The first stop is Bogen, located at the foot of the steep Bogen mountain. Next up is Pfelling, a small village but one with nautical significance, as it registers the water level in this shallow section of the Danube. In Metten, you can enjoy the beautiful abbey and Prälaten garden. From here you can extend the tour by 10 km by cycling on to the stunning Castle Egg or continue directly to Deggendorf, also known as the gateway to the Bavarian Forest. Upon arrival, you might think you’ve cycled a loop because the center of the town is very much like Straubing! The old town, characterized by Gothic and Baroque styles, is definitely worth a visit.Day 7: Deggendorf - Vilshofen - Passau north - Passau, 24 mi. (38 km) or extend to 38 mi. (60 km)
The last stage of your bicycle tour on the Danube cycle path first leads you via Niederalteich, home to one of the oldest Benedictine monasteries in Bavaria, to Vilshofen, where the Merlijn awaits you for an afternoon cruise. You can also extend your bike tour to the vicinity of Passau. Whichever option you choose, you can spend the last part of your bike and barge cruise the same way you started it, cruising on board with a drink on the terrace as the boat navigates into the three-river city of Passau. Here the Inn, Ilz, and Danube meet and merge. In the evening, a captain’s dinner will be served on board.Day 8: Passau
After breakfast, it will be time to say goodbye! If you choose to continue your holiday, Passau is a good place to spend a few more days. Explore the three rivers by boat and enjoy the evening with a walk through the old town or a visit to Veste Oberhaus opposite. From 1867, the castle served as a penal institution, but today, it is home to the town museum, which has numerous permanent and special exhibitions. From the terrace, you have a wonderful view of the old town of Passau and the confluence of the three rivers.Passau to Nuremberg
Day 1: Passau - Vilshofen
Day 2: Vilshofen - Deggendorf, 24 mi. (38 km)
Day 3: Deggendorf - Straubing, 24 mi. (39 km) or extend to 31 mi. (49 km)
Day 4: Straubing - Pondorf - Refensburg, 40 km
Day 5: Regensburg - Essing - Riedenburg, 45 km or extend to 55 km
Day 6: Riedenburg - Berching, 41 km
Day 7: Berching - Roth - Nuremberg, 45 km
Day 8: NurembergLooking for more? View all of our featured bike and barge tours, or view our full list of tours.
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Map
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Boats & Bikes
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Merlijn
Deluxe Class Barge
"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
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Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights aboard the deluxe vessel, the Merlijn
- Complimentary welcome drink
- 7 breakfasts, 6 packed lunches, & 6 three-course dinners
- Coffee, tea, & iced water
- Supply of bedding, towels, facial tissues, hand soap, soap, shampoo, sewing kit, vanity kit, bathrobe & slippers
- Daily cleaning of your cabin
- Services of a tour guide
- Daily tour briefing
- 27-speed bicycle, including a waterproof pannier, towel, and universal helmet
- Complimentary water bottle
- Canal, bridge & harbor fees.
- All ferry fares en route
- Guided city tour of Regensburg
- Entrance & audio tour of Walhalla
- Wifi (signal speed/strength may vary)
What’s Not Included
- 1 dinner
- Drinks other than those mentioned
- City maps
- Bike maps
- Gratuities
- Bike Protection
- Travel Insurance
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Dates & Pricing
Dates
2023
Saturday departures
Nuremberg to Passau
August 5, 2023Passau to Nuremberg
September 16, 2023Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2023
Twin/Double $ 3065 £ 1491 $ 2,776 € 1740 Ft 717584 kr 253974 ₪ 7132 ¥ 289248 Mex$ 39307 NZ$ 3374 kr 20251 zł 7452 S$ 2587 kr 19327 CHF 1700 $ 1,930 Twin for Single-Use, On Request € 3132 Extra Options
Electric bike rental (payable onboard): $ 317 £ 154 $ 287 € 180 Ft 74233 kr 26273 ₪ 738 ¥ 29922 Mex$ 4066 NZ$ 349 kr 2095 zł 771 S$ 268 kr 1999 CHF 176 $ 200
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Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
This is an easy guided bike and boat tour with daily distances ranging from 35 to 60 km. The route features lovely cycle paths such as the Altmühl and Danube Cycle Paths.
Airport Info
The most convenient international airport to your tour start and finish is Munich International Airport (MUC)
Local Travel
If your tour starts in Nuremberg, you can take a train from the airport to Nuremberg with one transfer in the city of Munich. Travel time is approximately 2 hours depending on time of departure and type of train. If you tour begins in Passau, train travel time is approximately 2 1/4 hours.
Climate
The region has a moderate maritime climate, generally experiencing pleasantly mild winters and relatively cool summers. Please check local conditions prior to your departure
Recommended
Due to variations in wifi signal strength and speed, If you are dependent on a constant, strong, fast, and reliable signal at all times, please consider a a personal hot spot.
Remarks
The cycling itinerary offered on the Merlijn has been designed and is guided by an expert guide. During the trip, the guide will adjust the plans when necessary based on the ability of the group. You are given an overview of the itinerary each day.
If you would like to cycle on your own, this may be possible. The guide and/or captain can inform you where to find the ship at the end of the day, or what time to be at a location to board. There are several maps available on board for you to use.
GPS tracks and written turn-by-turn route descriptions are not available.Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements, and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Extra Stay
If you would like to book extra days during your time in Amsterdam or Germany, we advise Booking.com for researching and reserving your extra nights. You can read a detailed description of the hotels offered including a clear listing of amenities, customer reviews, and ratings.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Coen van der Vlies.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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