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Duration
8 days
Activities
  • guided cycle
Accommodation
  • 7 nights in a twin share cabin
Meals
  • 6 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 7 Breakfasts

Price

$2650USD

 
 

Overview

Trip Code: MCH

Trip highlights


  • Exploring Metz and walking the cobble stone streets of Trier
  • Cycling along the Moselle past cool climate vineyards
  • Sampling local specialties including liqueurs, wines and charcuterie
  • Soaking up the hospitality on board the comfortable barge

The course of the Moselle River as it makes its way between Cochem and Metz offers so much for the cyclist. From little towns with rich histories, cool climate vineyards hugging the surrounding hills and enchanting cities like Cochem and Bernkastel, all are a delight to explore. Based on board a comfortable river boat, the cycling is expertly guided with carefully crafted visits to interesting sights each day. Choose from a longer or shorter bike ride, or relax on the sundeck and watch the changing scenes. Enroute, visit the former imperial Roman city of Trier with Germany's oldest cathedral and the famous 'Black Gate''. Continuing along a section of the Saar River, you visit the waterfalls of Saarburg before pedalling on to Luxembourg, the only Grand Duchy in Europe. In France taste the iconic 'Mirabellen' liqueur and explore the city of Metz. The itinerary operates in reverse from Metz to Cochem as indicated.

Trip Grading

introductory

More info about grading system

Expand all | Collapse all

Embarkation and check-in is at 4pm 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 you 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

Expand all | Collapse all

Embarkation and check-in is at 2pm in Cochem. After a welcome meeting with the crew, the tour leader will take you for a walk through this cosy and characteristic Moselle town, with steep wine-clad mountains, wooded hills, the majestic Reichbsburg Castle which we will visit and a picturesque square with beautiful timber-framed houses and cafes.

Meals:  D

Following breakfast, we will cycle to Beilstein, one of the best-preserved historical villages on the Moselle. The ruins of Castle Metternich sit towering above the village, and you’ll have the opportunity to explore them. After leaving Beilstein we'll pass Europe’s steepest vineyard – with slopes inclining up to 60 degrees – at Bremmer Calmont. Today’s tour ends in the wine village of Zell on the Moselle, well known in the industry for the wine Zeller Schwarze Katz. In Zell we recommend taking the opportunity to enjoy the wines of the Moselle valley.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we'll cycle from Zell to the romantic village of Traben-Trarbach, located on the Moselle’s left bank and famous for its Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) architecture. From here we pass through the wine city of Kröv – well-known for its popular Kröver wine and onto to Bernkastel-Kues, our destination for the night. The grand half-timbered houses that surround Bernkastel-Kues’s marketplace date back to the Middle Ages, and are a photographer’s delight. After touring the town, we make our way to the barge.

Meals:  B,L,D

From Bernkastel, the valley opens up and vineyards expand as far as the eye can see. Today we cruise past the heavy-hitters in the wine world: Brauneberg, Piesport, Trittenheim. Trittenheim lies in a sharp hairpin turn on the Brauneberg, the river surrounded by mountains coated with grapes. Around lunchtime we arrive in Neumagen, an important centre of wine production. You have the choice to join the barge from here or continue by bicycle to Schweich, where the barge will again be waiting. Once on board we cruise to Trier, the oldest city in Germany. Trier was founded around 15 BC by Caesar Augustus under th ename 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, which was built around 18 AD.

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast our tour leader will take us out for a walking tour of Trier to discover the Roman history. After lunch, hop back on the bikes and follow the Mosel and Saar river to our next destination, Saarburg. Saarburg is 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 20m 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 date from the 17th and 18th century, which give Saarburg such a picturesque look. Today there is no dinner on board. You can select and enjoy of the local restaurants of Saarburg.

Meals:  B,L

Today we have two cycling options. One is easy, but a bit longer cycling along the rivers. The other is a shorter option but is more challenging as you cycle through the hills. Whichever you choose, the cycling will lead you into the Grand Duchy Luxembourg. Here the Moselle forms the border between Germany and Luxembourg. Luxembourg is a small country, but her capital is an important finance centre and EU administrative city. On the way, we visit a wine cooperative, specialized in the so called “Cremant”, the Champagne of the Moselle. Close to Remich we can admire a Roman mosaic floor. The tile floor which lies in its original place, was once the centrepiece in a palatial Roman villa. The floor reveals scenes from gladiator games in the amphitheatre.

Meals:  B,L,D

While having breakfast we cruise to Schengen, where our cycling starts. 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. Soon we will cross the Luxembourg-French border. We pass the fortress of Sierck-les-cross Bains, one of the palaces inhabited by the powerful Dukes of Lorraine. The route is lovely through French countryside, and friendly villages. Around lunchtime we arrive in Thionville, the centre of the steel industry until the 1980s. That might sound modern and industrial, but the city is ancient. The historic centre shows us the medieval ramparts, lovely gardens, old streets and St.Maximin basilica. Here the ship is waiting to pick us up to cruise to Metz, another ancient city strategically situated on a Roman trading route. St.Etienne Cathedral is the 3rd larges gothic church in France with flying buttresses and Marc Chagall stained glass windows. Metz is full of stunning architecture, flowers and great cafes. Farewell dinner on board.

Meals:  B,L,D

Disembark after breakfast at 9.30am.

Meals:  B


Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.


Inclusions

  • 7 breakfasts, 6 packed lunches, 6 dinners (does not include drinks). Continental breakfasts are served and will usually consist of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices. At breakfast you will prepare your packed lunch for the day which will be sandwiches, fruit & juice. If you choose not to cycle on a particular day, the crew will serve lunch on board. Tea & coffee on board. Dinner will consist of three courses inclusive of either a pasta, vegetarian or meat dish.
  • 7 nights in a twin share cabin with ensuite facilities on a deluxe category barge (cabins are configured with two lower beds - supplement applies for premium lower deck twin (Princess Royal) or upper deck suite (Magnifique I) on select departures, or a single cabin). We do not match clients together so if you are travelling solo you will need to book a single cabin (limited and on a request basis).
  • Bike rental with handbrake or backpedal brake - 7 speed, helmet, waterproof pannier and water bottle (electric bike available on request - supplement applies)
  • Cycling Map (1 per cabin) plus navigational App with GPS tracks
  • Welcome drink and briefing on the first evening
  • Two multilingual tour guides for fully guided cycling tours (group size of 22 passengers or more), daily briefings
  • Several short walking tours
  • Linen and change of towels as required
  • Daily cabin cleaning
  • Entrance to Reichsburg in Cochem, Local wine tasting
  • Wi-fi
  • Fees for ferries
  • Emergency hotline

  • Travel to Cochem and from Metz or vice versa
  • Meals not listed as included: Dinner in either Trier or Saarburg depending on direction of travel
  • Drinks other than afternoon tea and coffee on board
  • Bike insurance
  • Travel insurance - mandatory
  • A supplement will apply if you are travelling a solo or book a single cabin
  • Entrance fees not listed as included
  • Transfers not listed as included
  • Tips - while tipping is not obligatory, it is customary to offer a tip if the guide and crew have done a good job. As a guide we would recommend EUR30-60 per person (to be distributed between the guide/s, captain and crew).
  • Catering for special diets (except Vegetarian). A supplement is payable for example lactose or gluten free diets - EUR65pp (subject to change) paid locally on board.
  • Fee to bring your own bike
  • Items of a personal nature

Cabins


Bike information


Grading

introductory  

INTRODUCTORY - GRADE 1 The cycling is introductory (1) grade with daily cycling distances from 27 to 53km (16 to 32mi). As with all of our cycling programs, wind and poor weather could make the trip grade change. Should you not wish to cycle there are walking options available. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos, visit a museum or enjoy the market places in many of the interesting towns visited. It is considered suitable for children, as long as they have road sense, are familiar with the workings of a bike (gear change etc) and are comfortable cycling alongside moving vehicles at times. *For safety reasons, we highly recommend that cycle helmets be worn during cycle sections.


Departure dates


Notes

M
Mid Season
H
High Season
DN1
High season is from 1 May to 1 July and 26 Aug to 30 Sep, Mid season is from 6 Jul to 24 Aug and 5 to 7 October. Supplement applies to high and mid season departures.
IT1
Trips begins in Metz
IT2
Trip beings in Cochem
Note:
Operates with the Princesse Royal (D), Operates with the Magnifique 1 (S)

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Priceper person from

$2650USD

Options & Supplements*
  • Own bike Supplement (parking space)USD$18
  • Own Electric Bike Supplement (charging and parking space)USD$37
  • Electric Bike SupplementUSD$220
  • Premium Twin Cabin Upgrade Supplement pp - Princesse RoyalUSD$370
  • Junior Suite Upgrade Supplement pp (Mag I)USD$490
  • Single Cabin Surcharge - Princesse RoyalUSD$720
  • Twin Cabin for Single use Surcharge - max 1 per depUSD$1210
*Prices listed are per person

Trip reviews


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