Ghostriders Bike & Barge cycle along the Moselle

Relaxing on the Moselle Bike Path | Ferienland Cochem Tourism

MS Olympia Docked

Cycle past lovely villages along the Moselle River in Luxembourg

Ghostriders, Treasures of the Baltic by Bike | Dennis Dawson

The town of Cochem on the Moselle River

MS Olympia twin cabin

Cycling along the Moselle Bike Path | Moselle Tourism

MS Olympia sails past a castle

Relaxing on the Moselle Bike Path | Ferienland Cochem Tourism

MS Olympia Docked

Cycle past lovely villages along the Moselle River in Luxembourg

Ghostriders, Treasures of the Baltic by Bike | Dennis Dawson

The town of Cochem on the Moselle River

MS Olympia twin cabin

Cycling along the Moselle Bike Path | Moselle Tourism

MS Olympia sails past a castle

Duration

8 days

Activities

self guided, escorted cycle

Accommodation

7 nights cabin

Meals

7 Dinners
6 Lunches
7 Breakfasts

Price

$AUD

Overview

Trip Code: SOG7402

Trip highlights

Cycling through the stunning Moselle Valley
Discovering the wine making traditions of the region and tasting local produce
Experiencing the area's rich history through its impressive castles and towns
Relaxing on board the comfortable barge
Enjoying the camaraderie of your group and other like-minded travellers

Originating in the Vosges Mountains in the French region of Alsace, the fabled Moselle River flows north along the Luxembourg border and into Germany for 545km in total before it meets the Rhine River at the cultural city of Koblenz. The picturesque valley formed by the river is home to a rich tradition of wine making, Germany's oldest town and a strong Roman and medieval heritage. The section between Koblenz and Cochem is known as 'castle country' due to its abundance of castles including the fairytale Eltz Castle considered to be one of the finest in Germany. Based on a comfortable barge, this cycle journey along the Moselle and its tributary, the Saar, offers an ideal balance of activity, history, culture and relaxation.

Trip Grading

introductory

More info about grading system

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Itinerary

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Day 1
Embarkation in Koblenz

Saturday 9 September - Make your own way to Koblenz and the boat. Embarkation is between 3-5 pm. You will spend the evening and first night in Koblenz.

Meals: D

Day 2
By boat to Alken then cycle to Cochem (29km)

Sunday 10 September - this morning during breakfast, cruise to Alken (approx 3hrs) before setting out on the first bike tour. Today you are cycling to Moselkern and on to Cochem. Cochem is a lovely little town with historical half-timbered-houses and a picturesque Old town. It's possible to spend the day on board and enjoy time to visit Cochem in the afternoon.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 3
Cycle via Beilstein to Zell (39km)

Monday 11 September - the bike tour will take you to Beilstein first, which you can explore during a short tour on your own. Pass Europe’s steepest vineyard at Bremmer Calmont. The cycling day ends in the wine village of Zell on the Moselle, where you might like to take time to enjoy the popular wines.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 4
Cycle via Traben-Trarbach to Kues (43km)

Tuesday 12 September - today you will cycle from Zell to the romantic town of Traben-Trarbach, where Art Nouveau architecture shows its best side. Continue to the market place of Bernkastel-Kues, dating from the Middle Ages, which invites you to take a rest. You will reach the boat in Kues after riding through town.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 5
Ride via Piesport and Neumagen-Dhron to Mehring (48km)

Wednesday 13 September - the ride today takes you to Piesport, the oldest winegrowing community along the Moselle. Here you can visit the Roman cellars and the vineyards. Further along you will arrive at Neumagen-Dhron, the oldest wine city of Germany. After a break for lunch the tour continues to Mehring.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 6
Cycle to Trier (26-29km)

Thursday 14 September - You will cycle via Pfalzel to Trier, where the boat will await your arrival. Trier is one of the oldest cities in Germany and its Roman heritage can be seen in impressive buildings including the Porta Nigra, the Konstantin basilica and the Amphitheatre.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 7
Cycle through Luxembourg to Saarburg (38km)

Friday 15 September - Today you will be cycling along the river from Trier via Wasserbillig in Luxembourg to Saarburg, also called “little Venice”. In Saarburg's centre you will find a 20m deep waterfall as well as many Baroque buildings and fisher houses.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 8
Trip concludes Saarburg

Saturday 16 September - Disembarkation after breakfast by 9:30am.

Meals: B

Inclusions

What's included

Full board consisting of 7 x breakfasts, 6x lunch package for cycle tours or a snack on board (non-cyclists), 6 x coffee or tea in the afternoon, 7 x 3-course-dinners.
Breakfasts are buffet style, including bread, cereals, cheese, meats, fruit, yoghurt and breakfast beverages. Picnic lunches are assembled at breakfast time. Dinners are served in the dining room.
Special diets may be catered for on request (e.g. lactose-free and gluten-free diet) however there will be an extra fee. Please advise us at the time of booking or at least 21 days prior to departure. Some special dietary supplements may need to be brought with you.
The trip base is 7 nights in a main deck cabin on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities on board MS Olympia. A supplement applies for other cabin types and deck levels. Please note: All reserved cabins are equipped with 2 single beds (twin). If a single cabin is required, a single supplement will be payable - this is for single use of a twin cabin. This applies also in the case of an odd number of bookings.
Welcome drink and information meeting on the first evening aboard
Bicycle rental - standard is 7 speed with hand and back pedal brakes (or freewheel hubs with hand brakes only - must be reserved in advance - limited number). The bike is supplied with a waterproof pannier and bicycle insurance. 8 speed electric bikes have been booked for a supplement (update: will be a mix of hand and back brake bikes, as everyone in the group has requested one).
Information pack including route notes & maps (one set per cabin), GPS Tracks are available in final documents
Daily cabin cleaning, linen and change of towels as required
Cruise director on board - does not cycle with the group, provides daily briefings
Escorted by Dennis

What's not included

Travel to Koblenz and from Saarburg
Drinks other than afternoon tea and coffee on board
Meals not detailed in the itinerary eg taken on-shore
Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry etc.
Entrance fees and sightseeing fees
Tips - while tipping is not obligatory, it is customary to offer a tip if the tour leader and crew have done a good job. As a guide we would recommend around EUR30-60 per passenger (to be distributed between the onboard staff).
Travel insurance - mandatory
Catering for special diets (except Vegetarian). A supplement is payable for lactose or gluten free diets - EUR25pp (subject to change) paid locally on board. See below for further details regarding catering for dietary requirements.
Helmet - please bring your own well fitted helmet from home
Note: A PCR test to board is no longer required.

Bike information

7 Speed Bike

Bicycles provided are 7 speed touring bikes with bike rack, panniers and repair kit and handbrake and/or backpedal brake. Helmets are not supplied locally but are mandatory on all bike tours, so you will need to bring your own well-fitted helmet.

Electric Bike

An electric bike is available on request. A supplement applies, see below. Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are designed to make cycling easier. The pedaling ‘boost’ provided by an e-bike opens up more options, allowing people of different fitness levels to cycle together or to allow less fit cyclists to take on routes they may otherwise consider too tough for their current capabilities.

Grading

introductory

INTRODUCTORY - GRADE 1 This trip involves 6 days cycling of between 26km and 49km/16 to 29mi per day usually along paved cycle paths across generally flat terrain. In and out of the cities there will be some traffic. You need only carry your camera/rain gear and water bottle. Your luggage remains on the boat.The trip is a grade 1 due to the flat terrain and dedicated cycle paths and is considered suitable for beginners. Electric bikes are available - supplement applies. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list.

Departure dates

Want to organise a private group?

Fundraising events, sporting groups, family treats; learn how you can organise a Private Group from just 6 travellers.

Priceper person from

$AUD

Options & Supplements*

Price for 22-24 passengers - Main deck (standard cabin)AUD$2540
Price with more than 25 passengers - Main deck (standard cabin)AUD$2490
Upper deck supplementAUD$340
Single supplement - main deckAUD$430
Single supplement - upper deckAUD$1000
e-bike supplementAUD$220

*Prices listed are per person

Trip reviews

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