Bike and Barge Cruise ~ October 13th-25th, 2021

This trip on the Merlijn was our club’s first ever Bike & Barge Cruise. Twenty-four excited travelers were happy to bike and cruise along the beautiful Saar and Moselle Rivers, touching three countries during the golden autumn season. Our first stop was Merzig, Germany where we enjoyed a city tour and time to explore on our own. The Hofbrau house across from our hotel provided the first schnitzel, apple strudel and Oktoberfest beers of our trip. All were excellent! Once we boarded the Merlijn, we enjoyed daily bike tours through the countryside followed by guided walks through ancient cities like Saarburg, Trier, Metz and Nancy. We biked by vineyards in Luxembourg and experienced a wine tasting in the idyllic village of Bech-Kleinmacher at the Schram & Fils winery that is over 100 years old. We saw beautiful cathedrals, city halls, palaces, stunning architecture and gardens dating from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. Our bike & tour guide, Ilsa, was a wealth of knowledge about each place we visited. On board the beautifully renovated Merlijn, Captain Coen and his wife, Christina, saw to our every need. Christina is a chef and the pastries and 3 course meals she prepared were fabulous. We kept Daniela busy behind the bar and Klara kept the barge immaculate and orderly. We ended our trip with two nights in Paris. The group had a free day there. Some traveled to Versailles, others to Normandy, but most stayed in the city to tour and take in the sights as well as the Parisian cuisine. Everyone had a wonderful time! Many travelers told me this was the “Trip of a Lifetime” for them and I have to agree. It was unforgettable! I’d like to thank all who traveled with us.

Jeannie Kilpatrick-Staubus, B & B Trip Leader