The Merlijn has e-bikes available to rent. Leaving the barge was bittersweet. Maybe plan to arrive earlier and have a few more hours before Captain's dinner? Thanks for leaving feedback about it! We are Coen & Cristina, here is a short introduction about us, the proud new owners of Merlijn. The Barge Merlijn, the owners, Coen and Christina and their entire team were par excellence ! *If you would like to bike the entire trip to Schweinfurt, it will be approximately 12 miles (20 … Most Memorable Part? The only thing I wish was a bit better, was the food. But the best thing was the food on the barge, especially the garlic butter. Experience our unique combination of cycling and cruising: you will explore a region and discover all there is … Holland Family Barge & Bike "Excellent itinerary and very interesting. Whether it was talking about a certain Benedictine Abbey, sampling barley at a brewery or adjusting a bike seat she was special. Merlijn Bruges to AmsterdamBelgium, Netherlands. †Important to note, due to steel construction of the ship, cruising locations, and other factors, Wifi signal speed, and strength may not be what you are accustomed to and may not meet your expectations. Step onboard and discover for yourself! Glad you had a great trip! 10 Day Tours (16) Starting from. We’ve been through wonderful places and we could learn a bit from Netherlands and its charms. Since then she is without a doubt the most elegant lady on the European rivers. Food was great with a plentiful breakfast buffet and a different menu each night. Thank you. Texts and images: Boat Bike Tours Ltd. This was my second trip on the Merlijn. The tours were well planned and excellent. They can be covered at night for complete darkness. You begin in Frankfurt…, Cycle along the Saar and Moselle rivers on this bike and barge tour in Germany through charming cities and villages. We hope to see you soon in another bike tour. Feb 11, 2012 - The Merlijn. The funniest was when Paul fell off and I never could keep a straight face around him again (Paul didn't get hurt except his pride btw). merlijn. The no. The scenery is…, This bike, barge, and cruise in Germany along the Main River and the Main-Danube channel features the region of Franconia, legendary for its cultural heritage. You can enjoy fresh air, water, and nature in all weather on the sun deck. Captain, mates and staff provided all the conveniences of home. Bike and Barge Holidays in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany on the Merlijn, a deluxe barge! The Merlijn was an exceptional venue for seeing Germany and our hosts took great care of us. This bike and barge tour through Germany aboard the lovely Merlijn will begin in the lovely town of Mainz. I always love the Merlijn and the new owners were great! We especially loved riding along lovely pathways through the vineyards, stopping to watch both mechanical and manual harvesting, with the fabulous aroma of ripened grapes filling our senses. The Merlijn prides itself on the top quality bikes offered. All the members of our group were very friendly and interacted very well together. (Entrance included). "It is difficult to say what the most memorable part of the trip was as each and every day brought wonderful new sights and experiences. 21 Bike and Barge trips through Europe with 5 reviews View Map. Curious about how Europe looks like from the water or the saddle of a bike? Your European Bike and Barge Adventure Awaits! I look forward to help you plan your next trip. Our group was so compatible...It was like traveling with family. Our guide Cornell was informed and professional. In France we sail the Moselle, as far as to Nancy. Our tour leader made every effort to enhance our experience with interesting information and spontaneous adventures. The lounge is comfortably furnished in a modern style with a restaurant area and lounge near the bar. From Hassfurt, the Merlijn will cruise to Schweinfurt, a cozy little town full of museums, galleries, and artificial ‘Schweine’ (pigs). At night after all her chores were done she would sit down with us and join in with a glass of wine to talk about the days bike tour. I thought the cadence of the trip was vey nice and I enjoyed the tours. Standard and Convenient barge cabins are arranged with two or more berths to a cabin- usually a bunk/rack type arrangement. 75.62%. Our guide , Lia was fantastic, with great sense of Humour and was prompt in taking care of any bike related issues . Comfort and Comfort Plus barge cabins are arranged with two twin beds each. In Germany we sail the Rhine, Moselle, Saar, Main, Main-Danube-canal, Danube, Neckar, Midlandcanal, Havel, Weser, Oder, Peene & more. This is the Barge part of our trip. The rides along the Rhine and Neckar rivers were beautiful. The proud owner, Walter van Berkum, is one of the most experienced ship builders and operators of the fleet: he converted several former cargo ships into beautiful passenger ships. Best value for great experience. Our guide and crew were the best! Cycle through the spring tulips of the Netherlands, the picturesque countrysides of France and Belgium or the Valley of the River Po in Italy on a guided European bike and barge tour. Cabins have round portholes (don't open). Food was pretty basic and could be improved, but that was not a high priority to me. Day 1 (Sat): Merzig - Schwemlingen. Most of all though it was the crew on the Merlijn that made it so fun for all of us. You may reserve them in advance. Our guide was very informative and had a great sense of humor. Most Memorable Part? Bruges to Amsterdam; Destinations. worth trying." Very much enjoyed the evening walks as extra value. Jantien even went out of her way to get a birthday cake for our daughter-in-law. Henk & Jantien are so friendly and accommodating and their staff, Gisbert (sp) who led the daily bike tours & Jaqui & Clara who do a little of everything were all so kind and awesome with everything they did. The bikes are very new and ride great. You can be assured that all of your dietary needs will be met. Captain Henk even put down a ladder to make climbing to the dock easier. Each day was a new mini adventure. Exceeded my expectations. Jehiel from Tripsite  •  2 years ago   Tripsite Staff. The food was delicious. A lunch is also served on board and the evening meal is sumptuous. The staff and bike guide definitely made the trip special as they went above and beyond to ensure we were satisfied. Loved the digestive walks after dinner of the various towns we were docked at. My two favorite memories are very different. Bedrooms/bathrooms were nor overly spacious but were very clean and the beds were comfortable.This was our first trip of this kind and also our first trip to Europe and the Crew of the Merlijn made it a wonderful experience we will never forget. I hope this footage helps you recall fond memories. Images: several organisations such as Visit Gent, Paris Tourist Office, Hanzesteden Marketing, Holland.com, and photographers such as Jan DHondt, Daniel Thierry, Marc Bertrand and Ellen Haars. Expect magical! Hi Molly, Thanks for this feedback. Explore the 'Herrenhausen gardens' & Volkswagen-car-city. Bike, walk & hike during the day then luxuriate on ship at night. Obviously, I cannot say enough positive about this experience. It was a great combination of leisure and biking, a well seasoned and flexible guide, and great food beautifully presented. Cruise in style on a converted vintage barge. Thank you for a wonderful and memorable trip! The entire trip was memorable , all 6 days of it , right from the moment we boarded till we disembarked everything was perfect, absolutely no complaints.The Barge Merlijn, the owners, Coen and Christina and their entire team were par excellence ! Built in 1930 as a freighter and converted to a luxurious and authentic cruise ship in 2002. The dining/lounge was large and spacious and made for a great place to interact with the other guests. The Merlijn is an extremely well managed boat with the owners attending to every detail in a friendly and caring manor. Our lunches were made and packed each day and boy, theses sandwiches and treats sure tasted great after putting some miles in. Finally our guide Lia, she was one of us. Explore each town and village and return to the Merlijn, your luxurious…, During this bike and boat tour in Northern Holland, you will explore the best of the urban north, such as Amsterdam, Alkmaar, and Volendam, but also the best of the rural landscape. What can we say? Be aware that road surfaces vary. The Old Town, its inner city, is the pride and joy of the city scene. Merlijn is a fully equipped small River-Cruise-Ship, capable of hosting 24 passengers. Most Memorable Part: Spending vacation time with my biking pals and meeting new riders on the barge. Loved the buffet meal in Poland-delicious food, great sitting outside by the water, great band & fun dancing! The crew of the Merlijn were fantastic and very concerned with guests comfort. The whole trip was very well organized. Lots of agriculture, forests, small villages and history. We would’ve turned right around & done it again if we could!!! We think you will find it is the entire divine package! Feb 11, 2012 - The Merlijn. The trip was great! ... from efficient email contacts, timely billing reminders, and tips for preparing for a unique trip such as a Bike and Barge in Amsterdam. It is a great way to travel. Aboard the Merlin the magic of water Cederlaan 12, NL- 3319 EW … So much to see and learn about. Biking along fields filled with tulips and a stop at the Keukenhof Gardens would certainly rate as one of the highlights of the trip. Our boat the Merlijn is a beautifully renovated barge. My favorite part was relaxing on the boat and the delicious meals prepared by our hosts, and visiting all the Christmas markets in the cities along the way.