Germany, Luxembourg and France
3-country Mosel
The countryside on both banks of the Mosel is splendid, the cool wines are delicious, the picturesque little towns have rich histories and the conditions for cycling are excellent. Here you find the perfect mix of ingredients for a fine bike & barge vacation. This tour takes us through a wonderful, varied region. We follow the river Mosel, partly in Germany, partly in France and partly in Luxembourg, past endless vineyards and enchanting old cities like Cochem and Bernkastel. It goes without saying that we will taste the local wines whenever we can. Then, of course, there is Trier, the oldest city in Germany with the Porta Nigra dating back to the first century A.D.
After Trier we follow the river Saar to visit charming Saarburg, with its stunning waterfalls in the center of town. We continue into Luxembourg and France with their welcoming villages and where the inhabitants are proud of their sweet, smooth wines and golden "Mirabellen" liqueur (plum liqueur). Our final destination is the city of Metz with her splendid cathedral.
Germany, Luxembourg and France: 3-country Mosel Tour Quick Info
| Tour Type | Bike and Barge |
|---|---|
| Accommodations | Barge - Sailing Home: 13 spacious guest cabins |
| Biking Tour Type | Guided in English |
| Biking Level | 1-2 |
| Duration | 8 days / 7 nights |
| Biking Distance | 44km/27.5mi approx. per day 265km/165mi approx. total |
| Bike Rental Available | Included |
| Tour starts in: | Cochem, Germany |
| Tour ends in: | Metz, France |
Day 1 (Sat): Cochem, Germany
Arrival
Welcoming drink
Dinner
Town walk through Cochem, a cozy and typical Mosel town with steep wine mountains, wooded hills, medieval fortresses and a picturesque center with beautiful timber-framed houses. The fortress also houses a museum.
Day 2 (Sun):
Cochem - Zell, Germany
Biking Tour approx. 40km/25mi
Breakfast
We follow the Mosel upstream and bike to Zell. Zell is beautifully situated on the Mosel, where the river meanders through the hills in many loops. The Hoherott (452 m) and the Corrayer Berg (425 m) are the best-known wine regions.
Dinner
Day 3 (Mon):
Zell - Bernkastel-Kues, Germany
Biking Tour approx. 50km/31mi
Breakfast
First stop today is Traben-Trarbach. This beautiful town is surrounded by woods and extensive vineyards, and is the major center of the wine trade in the Mosel region.
Our final destination is Bernkastel-Kues. Bernkastel is a frequently visited, old and picturesque town with the best wine regions of the Mid-Mosel. We visit wine cellars and savor the wine. Pride of the town is the market square with its picturesque timber-framed houses.
Dinner
Day 4 (Tue):
Bernkastel-Kues - Trier, Germany
Biking Tour approx. 50km/31mi
Breakfast
Upstream from Bernkastel the lovely vineyards stretch out in many places. White Mosel wines are well-known far beyond its borders. Today we cruise past Piesport and Trittenheim, both big names. Piesport produces a number of beautiful white wines. Especially the 'Piesporter Goldtröpfchen' enjoys great fame. Trittenheim lies in a sharp hairpin bend in the Mosel. It is surrounded by mountains covered with extensive vineyards. The Laurantiuskapelle with its Gothic choir is sitting right in the middle of the vines.
Later we cycle to Trier, an interesting and lively city, the oldest city in Germany. According to the Romans, Trier was founded around 15 B.C. by Caesar Augustus, who named it Augusta Trevorum. As a trading town and administrative center, Trier flourished during the late Imperial Age. This Roman golden age gave the town a respectable number of monuments. Most authentic is the city gate, Porta Nigra, which was built around 18 A.D.
Dinner
Day 5 (Wed):
Trier - Saarburg, Germany
Biking Tour approx. 35km/22mi
Breakfast
Today we follow the 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 with a 20-meter drop. At the foot of this waterfall there is an old mill, which is powered by the small river. In this part of town most of the old houses date back to the 17th and 18th century; they give Saarburg a very picturesque look.
Dinner
Town walk
Day 6 (Thu):
Saarburg, Germany - Remich, Luxembourg
Biking Tour approx. 50km/31mi
Breakfast
From Saarburg, we follow the valley of the Mosel to the south in the direction of Remich. Here the Mosel forms the border between Germany and Luxembourg and Remich is on Luxembourgian territory. On the way we visit a wine cellar so we can taste the fresh Mosel white wine.
We also visit a Roman mosaic floor in Nenning.
Dinner
Day 7 (Fri):
Remich, Luxembourg - Metz, France
Biking Tour approx. 40km/25mi
Breakfast
Today's tour leads us across the French-German border via the beautiful valley of the Mosel.
First we pass the castle of Sierck-les-Bains, beautifully situated on the banks of the Mosel River. On the top of the hill there is a castle from the 11th century, which was at stake in the battle between the Duke of Lorraine and the Archbishop of Trier in the 12th century. We cycle on to Thionville, a friendly city with an eventful past. First and foremost Thionville is the center of the former steel industry. But in the old town we see the ancient ramparts, the beautiful St. Maximin church and the Château de la Grange. Thionville is also part of the Maginot line, an enormous line of defense built early in the 20th century against a possible German invasion.
Around lunchtime we travel by barge from Thionville to Metz. This city is strategically situated between the Côtes de Moselle and the Plateau Lorrain. These days the rich medieval city is a traffic junction, an administrative center, a center of learning, but especially a lively center of trade. A visit to the St. Etienne Cathedral, one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals in France, is a must. This cathedral sits in the middle of the old city center, where shopping is also worthwhile.
Dinner
Day 8 (Sat): Metz, France
Breakfast
Departure
Changes:
Due to changing wind and weather conditions as well as organisational necessity we reserve the right to change the planned route accordingly. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary details, published times, and accommodations due to weather, local conditions, organization necessity or safety concerns.
Catering:
The cook will prepare a daily breakfast as well as dinner. Packed lunches for bike trips are prepared by the guest.
Requirements (Level 1 - 2):
Bicycle Helmet
We recommend you wear a helmet. Helmets are available on the barges, free of charge.
Bicycle Insurance
All our bicycles are fitted with proper locks. You are not liable for damage or theft of the bicycle, unless the bicycle was stolen during an excursion due to the fact that it was not locked properly.