Cycling in Germany - Rivers Moselle and Saar from Koblenz to Saarbrücken

Rivers Moselle and Saar from Koblenz to Saarbrücken

Cruise and Cycle

Self Guided

Grading

8 days/7 nights

£880pp Cabin Deck: £1065pp Upper Deck

Tour Code GE018

The Moselle Valley is a romantic river landscape, known throughout the world for its wine, which has also lent the valley its unique character. You'll find idyllic winegrowing villages and vineyards with familiar names, taverns and cultural history at every turn. A new vista with its own unique character awaits visitors around every twist and turn in the river. The amazing countryside in which the meandering Moselle carves its way through the rock is the oldest winegrowing region in Germany, shaped by a thousand years of cultivation.

The Saarland region takes its name from the River Saar, which starts off in a broad tranquil valley that becomes narrower after Merzig. The river breaks through the high forest near Mettlach, before twisting and winding its way to the Moselle at Konz. One of the most remarkable sights along this stretch of the river is the Saar Bow, which runs for seven kilometres near Mettlach.

Cycling in Germany - Mosel Bend

Includes

7 nights in Comfort ship
7 x breakfast, packed lunch, evening meal
Daily cabin cleaning service, change of towels upon request
Bike hire (7 speed with back pedal brake)
Maps and route information
Local tour guide in board (see note below)
Welcome drink and information meeting at the first evening on board
Coffee and cake until 4.30pm
Wine-tasting in Zell

Excludes

Flights
Cycling Helmets

Optional extras

Insurance £22pp
Single supplement £400
Extra night in Koblenz or Saarbrücken £60pp (Single £90)
Public car park in Koblenz about €56,- per week. No reservation possible.
Transfer back to Koblenz - about 2 hours by train, cost approx. €25,-
Or by minibus, available from 4 persons, price per person €60,-. Limited number available, reservation requested when booking the tour. Payable locally.

How to get there

Fly to Cologne – 1 to 1.5 hours by train to Koblenz
Fly to Frankfurt am Main – 1 to 1.5 hours by train to Koblenz

Although classified as a self guided holiday theres is a tour guide on board, who is there for the guests to answer questions, to advise about the cycle tours of the day, etc. Upon request of the guests he is also prepared to join them by bike on the cycle tours of the day. He is knowledgeable about the country, points of interest and background information.

Departure dates in 2009

	Koblenz to Saarbrücken		Saarbrücken to Kolblenz
April	0	25*	0	0
May	0	23	2*	30
June	0	0	0	0
July	0	4	0	0
August	1	0	0	0
September	0	0	0	5*
October	0	10*	0	0

*Price reduced by £80 per person for these dates

To book this holiday CLICK HERE

Daily Itinerary

Cycling in Germany The MS Fluvius is your home for the week and this river cruiser has a capacity of 38 people in 20 roomy and fully air-conditioned cabins. All cabins have en-suite shower/toilet, twin beds and colour TV. A spacious panorama saloon with bar and dining room and comfortable relaxing seats on two sun-decks.

We use an Austrian operator for these holidays, and as other agents in Europe and America, such as ourselves, sell these tours it is likely you will have a mix of Austrian, German and other nationalities on this tour adding to the cultural enjoyment.

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrive in Koblenz.

Founded by the Romans, Koblenz is set at the famous Deutsches Eck (German Corner), where the Rhine and Moselle rivers meet. Just a quick stroll around the town will highlight the appeal of Koblenz - its romantic narrow streets, historical squares and picturesque alleyways in the old quarter. Embarkation is from 4.00pm

Day 2 (Sunday): Koblenz to Cochem, 23 miles (37km).

The Fluvius takes you to Alken, where you mount our bicycles and cycle to Moselkern. A short detour into Elztal and a hike up to fortress Eltz. Then you rejoin the boat at Cochem.

Day 3 (Monday): Cochem to Zell an der Mosel, 22 miles (35km).

Beautiful Beilstein with its intact medieval historic old town belongs, together with Rothenburg ob der Tauber, to the historic treasures of Germany. During a city walk many historic details will be explained. This day comes to a gentle end in the wine growing town “Zell” with wine-tasting and a tasty dinner.

Day 4 (Tuesday): Zell an der Mosel to Bernkastel-Kues, 26 miles (41km).

Idyllic Traben Trarbach displays historic architecture at it’s best. Bernkastel is an ideal place to stroll on the stylish medieval market square. The quaint half-timbered houses clustered around the market square are typical gems of the Moselle region. After the city tour you join the boat again.

Day 5 (Wednesday): Bernkastel-Kues to Mehring, 20 miles (32km).

The route today takes you to Neumagen-Dhron, the oldest wine growing town of Germany. Lunch break on a wine-grower estate, afterwards cycle on to Mehring where the boat is waiting for you.

Cycling in Germany along the Mosel Day 6 (Thursday): Mehring to Konz, 22 miles (35km).

Via Pfalzel you cycle to Trier and then on to Konz, where you rejoin the boat. Opportunity to join a guided city tour of Trier (facultative). Roman emperors, bishops, electors and prominent citizens all left their mark on the town of Trier, as can be seen in it's magnificent art treasures and unique architectural monuments. The best known is the Porta Nigra, the massive Roman town gate.

Day 7 (Friday): Konz to Saarschleife, 31 miles (50km).

The Fluvius will transfer you to Saarburg, appropriately named “Little Venice” , famous for a 20m high waterfall in the middle of the city. Cycle tour to Mettlach with the porcelain museum of Villeroy & Boch. Cycle on to the Saar Bow a remarkable natural feature and enjoy unsurpassed views over the almost 360° river bend from a scenic viewpoint.

Day 8 (Saturday): Depart from Saarbrücken.

Time to swap addresses and photos, say goodbye to the crew and to make your way home.