Metz and Cochem Classic Version

Day 1: Metz

Make yourself at home in Metz, a city of glorious Gothic architecture and painterly promenades. The star of the show is undoubtedly St. Etienne Cathedral (or Metz Cathedral), whose towering spires cast their grand Gothic shadows over the city. Nicknamed the ‘Lantern of God’, St. Etienne glows wonderfully in the soft sunshine, offering an awe-inspiring vista. Within the incredible interior, sunlight filters through the Marc Chagall stained glass windows in mesmerizing hues.

You may consider arriving a day earlier to truly maximize your time in Metz. Alongside the cathedral, you’ll be eager to experience the city’s many enchanting cafes and quaint boutiques.

Boarding begins at 10 am with a welcome meeting delivered at 1:30 pm.

Day 2: Metz - Remich
25 or 31 miles/40 or 50 km

With breakfast served on board, you’ll feast while you float. Once at Talange Lock, you’ll take to the bike seat and set off on your first cycling adventure, following your guide through the gorgeous French countryside. Should you wish, you can stay on board slightly longer and embark from Thionville.

The Mosel Valley makes its verdant beauty known to you immediately on this tour, and you’ll meander through the glowing green hills past the castle at Sierck-les-Bains, once occupied by the powerful Dukes of Lorraine, which perches commandingly on the river’s bright banks.

Before you know it, France has become Luxembourg as you cross the border and ride towards the charming commune of Remich for your overnight stay. As your day winds down, you might like to explore nearby Nennig, where an ancient Roman mansion still boasts its dazzling mosaic floor, comprising three million individual tiles and depicting fascinating gladiator scenes. After dinner, you’ll savor a sparkling Cremant nightcap.

Day 3: Remich - Saarburg
28 miles/45 km

Ride and shine on the Remich to Saarburg leg of your trip! The Mosel Valley leads you as always through magnificent countryside as you cycle to the sublime city of Saarburg over the German border. En route, you’ll pause at a wine cellar where the crisp notes of local Mosel wines are sure to cleanse your palette.

Arriving in Saarburg is a little like journeying back in time - this old city, with its beautiful architecture, wonderful waterway, and quaint character, sits unassumingly in the serene Saar Valley. You’ll find the river banks hooded with dense forest, adding to the magical charm of an area once commanded by a grand castle peering over the treeline. Fill your mind with wonder as you gaze upon the waterfall at the center of the city, which nestles a quaint mill at its base.

Day 4: Saarburg - Trier
22 miles/35 km

Your excellent adventure takes you on to Trier, Germany’s oldest city. Trier is a history lover’s haven, boasting myriad impressive monuments from the Roman Golden Age. Founded around 15 BC by the imperious Caesar Augustus, ‘Augusta Trevorum’, as Trier was known at the time, became a prosperous trading town and proudly stood as one of the four capitals of the Roman Empire. These days, you can still see several remarkable Roman relics, including the Porta Nigra (Black Gate), one of the four gates formerly used to guard this city, and the largest Roman gate north of the Alps. No wonder it’s a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site! As you relax in the evening following your day’s ride, you’ll have plenty of time to find an establishment fit for feasting like an emperor.

Day 5: Trier - Bernkastel-Kues
31 miles/50 km

The verdant vineyards of the Mosel Valley beckon you and your bike today as you continue your tour to Bernkastel. If you haven’t heard of the wonderful white wine that put the Mosel Valley on the map, you’ll certainly get your fill of its flavorsome history on this leg, passing by Piesport, renowned for its popular ‘Piesporter Goldtrӧpfchen’. As you make an exciting hairpin turn, you’ll take in views of Trittenheim, where vineyards stretch in the shadows of majestic mountains, nestling the noble Laurantiuskapelle, known for its gothic choir.

Today’s destination is Bernkastel-Kues, and it doesn’t disappoint! Here, you’ll discover a postcard-perfect town with plenty of charm and a reputation for having the best wine regions in the Mid-Mosel area. Naturally, your tour takes you to a local wine cellar for some tantalizing tastings. In your downtime, it’s worth taking a walk to Market Square, where timber-framed houses make for a quaint, historic atmosphere.

Day 6: Bernkastel - Zell
28 miles/45 km

In the heart of Germany’s famous Moselle Valley, cyclists journey through endless rows of vineyards in one of Europe’s most scenic wine-producing regions. The bike route follows the Moselle River upstream, passing some of the steepest vineyards in the world before reaching Zell, a picturesque village where the river cuts through dramatic slate mountains, forming stunning oxbows and S-shaped curves. Zell is best known for the legendary Zeller Schwarze Katz (Black Cat)—a classic Mosel wine celebrated for its distinctive flavor and deep connection to the region’s winemaking heritage.

Day 7: Zell - Cochem
28 miles/45 km

Discover Traben-Trarbach, a riverside gem known for its elegant Art Nouveau architecture and its historic role in the 19th-century wine trade. Continue to Beilstein, the Sleeping Beauty of the Moselle. This medieval village has appeared in numerous films and is home to the Carmelite Monastery with the famous Black Madonna—a must-see and a perfect photo stop.

The day concludes in Cochem, a lively Moselle wine town surrounded by vineyard-covered hills and crowned by an impressive castle. Stroll through the old town square, admire the half-timbered houses, and enjoy a glass of local Mosel wine by the river.

Day 8: Departure from Cochem