Between Koblenz and Merzig on the Mosel & Saar Rivers

Day 1: Koblenz

Your first day in Koblenz is all about getting comfortable and enjoying the chance to explore this captivating, historical city. Your boat will be moored, ready to receive your luggage as early as 11 am, but with check-in and official welcome not scheduled until 2 pm.

Koblenz, a city named for its location at the confluence of the Rhine and Mosel rivers, originated as a Roman military post around 14 AD. Although the city suffered great damage during World War II, its most precious monuments can still be seen today, including the towering equestrian statue of Wilhelm I commanding the Deutsches Eck. Nearby, you can behold the beauty of the Romanesque Basilica St. Kastor, Koblenz’s oldest church, the towers of which peer up atmospherically above the burgeoning treeline.

Also unmissable is the Kurfürstliches Schloss, one of Germany’s most important Renaissance-era buildings, with its resplendent red brick exterior. With so much charm and historical intrigue, Koblenz is sure to keep you busy on your first afternoon and evening!

Day 2: Koblenz - Alken | Alken - Moselkern - Cochem
22 miles/37 km

Sail along to Alken in the morning where the bicycles will be unloaded, ready for your wonderful ride to begin! You’ll make your way to the memorable village of Moselkern with its world-famous Burg Eltz. Park up your bike and hike the last section to this colossal castle, a medieval stronghold celebrated as one of Western Europe’s most impressive surviving buildings from the Middle Ages. From here, your guide will lead you to characterful Cochem, a Mosel town sitting majestically amongst the mountains, where wooded hills hide historical medieval fortresses. Be sure to see the center in the evening too, where timber-framed houses and atmospheric wineries make for a charming atmosphere.

Day 3: Cochem - Beilstein - Zell
23 miles/38 km

After breakfast, you’ll pedal to breathtaking Beilstein, one of the best-preserved historic villages to grace the Mosel River, where you’ll find the magnificent remains of Metternich Castle sitting splendidly atop a steep hill. You’ll have time to explore these atmospheric ruins and capture photos to treasure against the romantic backdrop of the Mosel Valley.

Biking through Bremmer Calmont, you’ll pass the steepest vineyard in all of Europe, growing on an impressive 60-degree incline! You’ll journey on to Zell for tonight’s stay, a town known to be wonderful for wine tastings, especially of the famous ‘Zeller Schwartze Katze’ sparkly.

Day 4: Zell - Bernkastel-Kues
27 miles/45 km

Your German bike tour continues 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 architecture, Jugendstil buildings, and woodland views vie for your attention.

You’ll cycle on through the wine city of Kröv, where Kröver wine originated, through to beautiful Bernkastel-Kues, where you’ll spend the night. 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.

The barge in Kues will be waiting for your arrival after you’ve taken a tour through town, which includes an exploration of Market Square, with its abundance of medieval intrigue.

Day 5: Bernkastel-Kues - Neumagen - Schweich | Schweich - Trier
16 or 34 miles/27 or 54 km

Today you’ll ride into ‘The Romantic Mosel’, the worthy nickname of the mid-Mosel region, where verdant vineyards glisten with sun-ripened fruit. 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’. Just before, 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.

Around noon, Neumagen appears on the horizon, an ancient wine center during the Roman period, where the barge will be waiting if you’d like to take a load off. Alternatively, if you’re in the rhythm of the ride, you can continue by bicycle to Schweich to reconvene with the boat in this serene town. By barge, you’ll journey to Trier, Germany’s oldest city.

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!

Day 6: Trier - Wasserbillig - Saarburg
23 miles/38 km

Cycling into 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. As dinner isn’t served on board tonight, take your pick from a selection of special Saarburg establishments.

Day 7: Saarburg - Merzig
22 miles/37 km

Your final biking day is extra-special, including a visit to the spectacular Saarschleife, also known as the 'Great Bend in the Saar', a phenomenal natural wonder and photo opportunity. From atop the Cloef viewpoint, gaze out over an awe-inspiring panorama of lush forests serenely reflected in the Saar River, which carves a unique path through this attractive area.

You’ll make your way from the Saarschleife to Mettlach, with the chance to explore the renowned Villeroy & Boch ceramic factory, before your tour reaches its finale in magical Merzig. This town, in the sublime Saar Valley, hosts myriad fascinating museums, charming churches, and picturesque parks. Be sure to see the breathtaking St. Peter’s Basilica, which dates all the way back to the 12th Century, and the commanding former castle of Archbishop Sötern, now the town’s beautiful Town Hall.

Your barge will be ready to welcome you on board in Merzig for a celebratory final evening, with a delicious dinner and the chance to reflect on the trip’s many memorable experiences with your fellow riders.

Day 8: Departure from Merzig

Official disembarkation will take place after breakfast, around 9:30 am.

On the days when two distances are offered, the group will decide along with the guide between the shorter and longer route. The shorter distances may bypass some of the highlights.

Self-guided riding is also possible, don't hesitate to request GPS tracks prior to your departure.