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 Moselle 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 Moselle 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 & Daun excursion (28 miles/45 km)
Embark on your arranged shuttle bus through the Eifel Valley in the direction of Daun. You’ll be reunited with your bike in this rural town and begin your exciting ride along an old railway track, now a cycle path. There’ll be plenty of photo opportunities as you make your way past the many ‘maars’ (small lakes formed by volcanic craters), journeying over bridges and through tunnels. The small volcano museum in Strohn can be stopped at for an insightful overview of the ‘young’ volcanoes surrounding this beautiful area.

Day 7: Bernkastel-Kues - Cochem (28 miles/45 km)
Enjoy breakfast as your boat sails on to a major center of the Mosel wine region - Traben-Trarbach. Lying in the so-called ‘Valley of the Dawn’, Traben-Trarbach is certain to awaken your senses as arresting art nouveau buildings and woodland views vie for your attention.

Biking on from Zell, you’ll make your way toward Cochem along a meandering route that takes you past the Hoherott and Corrayer Berg wine regions, some of the best in the area. The excitement of your tour culminates in characterful Cochem, where your ride reaches its fabulous finale. This Mosel town sits majestically amongst the mountains, where wooded hills hide historical medieval fortresses, one of which features an intriguing museum you may wish to visit. Be sure to see the center too, where timber-framed houses make for a charming atmosphere.

Day 8: Departure from Cochem

*Please note, there will be a slight change to the 2024 itinerary. Day 6 will follow a route to Zell. Day 7 will follow a route from Zell to Cochem.

Day 1: Cochem
Arrive and get comfortable in Cochem, a characterful Mosel town sitting majestically amongst the mountains, where wooded hills hide historical medieval fortresses.

Once on board your beautiful boat, the crew will greet you with a drink and provide an introduction to your terrific tour. After dinner, you’ll embark on a quaint adventure as you take a town walk through Cochem, venturing into the center, where timber-framed houses make for a charming atmosphere.

Day 2: Cochem - Zell - Bernkastel-Kues (31 miles/50 km)
Watch the world go by as your boat drifts to Beilstein during breakfast. Beilstein, on the Württemberg wine route, is the beautiful town known for the Black Madonna, a treasured icon of the magnificent Carmelite Monastery, which enjoys grand views over the Mosel Valley. Your bike tour begins here in Beilstein with a rural ride upstream to Zell, a humble hamlet reached by following the river’s many exciting oxbows and zig-zagging turns, all in the shadow of the towering slate mountains.

Your meandering route takes you past the Hoherott and Corrayer Berg wine regions, some of the best in the area, and onwards to a major center of the Mosel wine region - Traben-Trarbach. Lying in the so-called ‘Valley of the Dawn’, Traben-Trarbach is certain to awaken your senses as arresting art nouveau buildings and woodland views vie for your attention.

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. In your downtime, it’s worth taking a walk to Market Square, where timber-framed houses make for a quaint, historic atmosphere. Additionally, check out the commanding views from the castle.

Day 3: Bernkastel-Kues & Daun excursion (28 miles/45 km)
Embark on your arranged shuttle bus through the Eifel Valley in the direction of Daun. You’ll be reunited with your bike in this rural town and begin your exciting ride along an old railway track, now a cycle path. There’ll be plenty of photo opportunities as you make your way past the many ‘maars’ (small lakes formed by volcanic craters), journeying over bridges and through tunnels. Your tour will take time to relax in a small, picturesque town, allowing you to grab an ice cream on one of the gorgeous terraces - a highlight of the tour. Later, after dinner, let your taste buds be tantalized by a wine tasting at the Josef Zimmerman cellar.

Day 4: Bernkastel-Kues - Trier (31 miles/50 km)
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.

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, as dinner isn’t served onboard tonight.

Day 5: Trier - Saarburg (22 miles/35 km)
Today, you’ll ride from Trier along the serene River Saar. 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 6: Saarburg - Remich (31 miles/50 km)
Meander through the magnificent Mosel Valley as the Germany/Luxembourg disappears beneath your bike wheels. Today’s wine tasting lets you savor the soft, sumptuous notes of local Luxembourg Elbling wine.

Day 7: Remich - Metz (25 miles/40 km)
This morning, you’ll glide 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. Your tour takes you on to Thionville, once at the center of the old steel industry, and with a city center that boasts the incredible beauty of the St. Maximin Church and the charming Châteaux de la Grange. It’s here that your bikes will be loaded onto the barge for the memorable cruise to Metz, a city whose gorgeous sandstone buildings has earned it the nickname ‘La Ville Jaune’ (‘The Yellow City’).

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. Alongside the cathedral, you’ll be eager to experience the city’s many enchanting cafes and quaint boutiques.

Day 8: Departure from Metz

*Please note, there will be a slight change to the 2024 itinerary. Day 2 will follow a route from Cochem to Zell. Day 3 will follow a route from Zell to Bernkastel-Kues.