Moselle and Saar Bike and Boat

A bike and boat cycling holiday along the beautiful Moselle and Saar rivers. Disembark each day for pleasant riverside cycle rides through the picturesque Moselle Valley. Visit atmospheric medieval villages and towns , steeped in history and viticulture such as Cochem, Traben-Trarbach, Bernkastel Kues and Trier.

The MS Olympia will be your floating hotel for the week and offers small but comfortable cabins, a sun deck as well as a pleasant lounge bar and restaurant. Daily rides lead you along the beautiful Moselle Valley on well-maintained cycle paths to historic towns and villages in Germany’s most famous wine-growing region. Of course, there will also be plenty of opportunities to sample the fine Moselle wines during this highly enjoyable cycling holiday.

Cochem

Highlights include the charming wine villages of Cochem, Beilstein, Traben-Trarbach and Bernkastel-Kues. The steep, cascading terraces of vineyards descending to the water’s edge along much of the route are also memorable and of course the simple pleasure of enjoying carefree cycling on scenic, riverside cycle paths.

The cycle rides on this trip are very easy-going and cover around 25 miles per day. There are hardly any hills and the vast majority of the riding will be on smooth, paved, riverside cycle paths. If you don’t fancy pedalling one day, you can always stay on-board and let the boat carry you past the majestic scenery to the next night’s stop.

Moselle and Saar Bike and Boat

A bike and boat cycling holiday along the beautiful Moselle and Saar rivers. Disembark each day for pleasant riverside cycle rides through the picturesque Moselle Valley. Visit atmospheric medieval villages and towns , steeped in history and viticulture such as Cochem, Traben-Trarbach, Bernkastel Kues and Trier.

The MS Olympia will be your floating hotel for the week and offers small but comfortable cabins, a sun deck as well as a pleasant lounge bar and restaurant. Daily rides lead you along the beautiful Moselle Valley on well-maintained cycle paths to historic towns and villages in Germany’s most famous wine-growing region. Of course, there will also be plenty of opportunities to sample the fine Moselle wines during this highly enjoyable cycling holiday.

Cochem

Highlights include the charming wine villages of Cochem, Beilstein, Traben-Trarbach and Bernkastel-Kues. The steep, cascading terraces of vineyards descending to the water’s edge along much of the route are also memorable and of course the simple pleasure of enjoying carefree cycling on scenic, riverside cycle paths.

The cycle rides on this trip are very easy-going and cover around 25 miles per day. There are hardly any hills and the vast majority of the riding will be on smooth, paved, riverside cycle paths. If you don’t fancy pedalling one day, you can always stay on-board and let the boat carry you past the majestic scenery to the next night’s stop.

Itinerary

This holiday also operates in reverse, see the Saar and Moselle route.

The captain reserves the right to make changes to the planned route due to changing wind, tide and weather conditions, and where required by organizational necessities.

Please note that this holiday also operates in the reverse direction.

Day 1 : Arrive Koblenz

On arrival in Koblenz, make your way to the MS Olympia and step on board. Embarkation is between 3pm and 5pm. After getting acquainted with your floating base for the week you’re free to relax so why not head into town to explore the city where the Rhine and Mosel rivers meet. The MS Olympia remains moored in Koblenz for the night

Day 2 : Koblenz – Alken – Moselkern – Cochem
18 miles/29 kms

The day starts with a pleasant cruise upstream to the village of Alken. It’s not long before we leave the city behind and enter a greener, more peaceful world of sloping vineyards, meadows and forests. In Alken we disembark with the bikes for our first ride with the river our constant companion as we cycle past terraced vineyards through small riverside towns. Our destination today is the gorgeous, perfectly preserved village of Cochem, overseen by a grand castle perched on the hillside above. There’s plenty of time to explore this charming little place as the MS Olympia remains moored here for the evening. For the less expereinced cyclists we suggest you consider spending the day on the boat and then exploring Cochem in the afternoon.Day 3: Cochem – Zell on the Moselle, 24 miles/39 kms

Day 3 : Cochem – Zell on the Moselle
24 miles/39 kms

After breakfast we disembark and continue our ride upstream beside the Moselle River. The scenery is breathtaking with terraced vineyards cascading down the ever steepening hillsides to the winding river. We recommend stopping to explore the quaint village of Beilstein and, if you have the energy, ascending to the castle ruin that overlooks the town. From here you can enjoy wonderful views along the river valley.

Cycling on you’ll pass a stunning natural ampitheatre of vineyards on a majestic loop of the river near the town of Bremm. Locals maintain these are the steepest vineyards in the world and they really are quite a sight.

The MS Olympia is waiting for us in the pleasant little wine village of Zell an der Mosel and here you should definitely take time to sample the local produce. The boat remains moored here for the night.

Day 4 : Zell on the Moselle – Traben-Trarbach – Bernkastel-Kues
27 miles/43 kms

After more pleasant and carefree cycling on dedicated cycle pths beside the river we arrive in the charming wine town of Traben-Trarbach. This is actually two villages, one on either side of the river, and here you can stop and admire the Art Nouveau or ‘Jugendstil’ architecture.

After a few more meanders in the river you reach the beautiful medieval wine village of Bernkastel-Kues. The narrow, tall, half-timbered houses of the Markt Platz (Market Square) are the perfect place to sit and enjoy a refreshment whilst drinking in the atmosphere.

The MS Olympia is moored for the night nearby so if you like you can return for an evening stroll after dinner.

Day 5 : Bernkastel-Kues – Mehring
29 miles/47 kms

A pleasant morning ride of roughly 18 kms brings us to the village of Piesport, the oldest wine producing community along the Moselle Valley. If you wish you can visit the Roman wine cellars and ancient vineyards above the village.

A little further on ride through Neumagen-Dhron, another ancient wine village in a pretty setting.

The village of Trittenheim enjoys a truly sensational setting on a majestic bend in the river surrounded by vineyards and a little further on you reach the pleasant wine town of Mehring where the MS Olympia is moored for the night.

Day 6 : Mehring – Trier
16 to 18 miles/26 to 29 kms

Our legs are well attuned to the cycling by now and the kilometers seem to click by more quickly as we continue our scenic cycling adventure along the Moselle Valley. Today’s relatively short ride brings us to the grand old city of Trier where there’s lots to see and do. Trier is Germany’s oldest city and it’s Roman roots are still very visible. Be sure to visit the lovely old market square and the Porta Nigra, the famous old Roman Gate. You may also want to visit the Romanseque Cathedral, the Imperial Baths and the Ampitheatre. A simple stroll through the winding streets of the old town is highly recommended.

The MS Olympia remains moored in Trier for the night.

Day 7 : Trier – Wasserbillig – Saarburg
23 miles/38 kms

Our final day in the saddle leads us briefly over the border to Luxembourg to the town of Wasserbillig. We then leave our old friend the Moselle River and follow a peaceful cycle path beside the Saar River to the town of Saarburg where our journey ends.

Also called Little Venice because of the river running through its centre, Saarburg is a a charming little place to conclude this highly enjoyable cycling holiday.

Day 8 : Saarburg - end of trip

After breakfast it’s time to disembark, by 9am, and head for home or your next adventure.

Bikes

Regular bikes provided are modern alloy framed models with 7 speeds. The bikes come equipped with pannier, lock and a repair kit with pump.

Electric bikes are also available.

Helmets are not provided so you will need to bring your own.

Accommodation

MS Olympia (comfort)

The MS Olympia is a well-appointed river cruiser offering a cosy atmosphere, comfortable cabins and a friendly welcoming crew, she can accommodate up to 96 guests. 21 of her 49 cabins are located on the lower deck with the remainder are on the upper deck. Each cabin occupies 11 m².

All cabins have a window but only the upper deck cabins feature windows that can be opened. All cabins feature ensuite shower/wc, hair dryer, TV, fridge and individually regulated air conditioning.

Occupants of the upper deck cabins towards the stern of the ship will notice perceptive engine and generator noise when the ship is in motion - therefore these cabins (eco cabins) are offered at a slightly lower price. There are two, slightly smaller, single cabins located on the upper deck and we also offer twin cabins for sole occupancy on both decks.

Other facilities include a pleasant lounge bar with large panoramic windows on the upper deck and a comfortable restaurant on the lower deck. In addition, the partially covered sun deck offers comfortable seating ideal for watching the scenery drift by.

Getting there

Fly to Luxembourg, Frankfurt Hahn or Cologne Airport and take the train to Koblenz.

Research flights from the UK here

Research trains here

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