Embarkation and check-in is at 2pm in Metz. After a welcome meeting with the crew there is time for a bicycle fitting and a little test ride. After dinner your tour leader will take you for a walk through Metz. Metz is a beautiful old city strategically situated on a Roman trading route. St. Etienne Cathedral is the 3rd largest gothic church in France with flying buttresses and Marc Chagall stained glass windows. Metz is full of stunning architecture, flowers and great cafes. We recommend arriving in Metz one or more days earlier, so that you will have plenty of time to discover this interesting city.

Meals:  D

While having breakfast the boat cruises in the direction of Thionville. Close to this town your cycling begins. Thionville, once was the centre of the French steel industry. That might sound modern and industrial, but the city is ancient. The historic centre shows you the medieval ramparts, lovely gardens, old streets and St.Maximin basilica. The cycle route takes you through lovely French countryside, and friendly villages. You pass the fortress of Sierck-les-Bains, one of the palaces inhabited by the powerful Dukes of Lorraine. Via the valley of the Moselle you cross the French-Luxembourg border at Schengen. The “Schengen agreement” is something everybody in Europe has heard of, whereas almost nobody knows that it is named after this little town in Luxembourg at the 3-country border. Crossing the Luxembourg- French border we experienced the outcome of this agreement: no border controls. Close to your final destination Remich we will visit the small village of Nennig, stop at what once was an old Roman villa. A tile floor which lies in its original place, was once the centrepiece in this Roman villa. The creation reveals scenes from gladiator games in the amphitheatre.

Meals:  B,L,D

The river Moselle is the border between Germany and Luxembourg. We start following the river on the German side, but soon cross to the Luxembourg side. There we’ll visit a wine cooperative, specialized in the so called “Cremant”, the Champagne of the Moselle. After this there are two cycling options: One is easy, but a bit longer along the rivers. The shorter option is a bit more challenging, through the hills. Whichever you choose, the biking will lead you to Saarburg, an interesting old town situated in the most beautiful part of the Saar valley. Here the banks of the river are densely forested. The castle of Saarburg was built in the middle of the 10th century. In the middle of town we come across a waterfall about 20 meters high. At the foot of this waterfall there is an old mill, which is driven by the small river. In this part of town most of the old houses which date from the 17th and 18th Century, which gives Saarburg a special charm, are still intact.

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast our tour leader will take us for a short bicycle tour to Trier. After a guided walk there is time to discover and enjoy Trier on your own. Trier is known as the oldest city in Germany. The city was founded at the time by Caesar Augustus under the name of Augusta Trevorum. As a trading town and administrative centre, Trier flourished during the late imperial age. This Roman golden age has left a respectable number of monuments. Most authentic is the city gate Porta Nigra. Today there is no dinner on board. You can select one of the local restaurants of Trier.

Meals:  B,L

After a breakfast cruise we will start cycling from Schweich. We have now entered the “The Romantic Moselle”, the unofficial name for the mid- Moselle. Lovely vineyards stretch as far as the eye can see. We cruise past the heavy-hitters in the wine world: Trittenheim and Piesport. Trittenheim lies in a sharp hairpin turn on the river surrounded by mountains coated with vines. Around lunchtime, we arrive in Neumagen, an important centre of wine production. You can decide to join the barge from here or continue cycling to Bernkastel-Kues. This frequently visited, old and picturesque town produces the best wines of the Mid-Moselle. Pride of the town is the market square, with its picturesque timber-framed houses. A walk to the castle offers a beautiful view.

Meals:  B,L,D

The cycle route today takes us to the romantic village of Traben-Trarbach, located on the left bank of the Moselle and famous for its Jugendstil (art nouveau) architectural style. Further along the river our destination for the night is Zell on the Moselle, well known in the wine industry for the its Zeller Schwarze Katz white wine. Zell offers the perfect opportunity for you to get to know the wines of the Moselle.

Meals:  B,L,D

Beilstein, the “Sleeping Beauty of the Moselle”, is one of the best-preserved historical villages along the length of the river, and is the highlight of today’s cycling tour. Towering about the village are the ruins of Castle Metternich, which we have the opportunity to explore. Then onto our final destination Cochem, a typical Moselle town, with steep wine-clad mountains, wooded hills, an impressive castle and a picturesque square with beautiful timber-framed houses and cafes. A perfect place for a glass of local wine. A visit to Reichsburg Castle is also on the program. Farewell dinner tonight on board.

Meals:  B,L,D

Disembark after breakfast at 9:30am.

Meals:  B