Mosel and Saar River Route Germany Bike and Barge This tour along the Mosel and Saar combines the best of the German "Bundesländer" Rheinland Pfalz and Saarland. While cycling from Alken to Mettlach, you will go back in time as you visit the Roman villas and public baths along the two rivers, the Saar and the Mosel. In Trier you can visit the Porta Nigra. This ancient gateway is one of the best-known monuments from the Roman era. On day six you'll take a trip to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg in the village of Wasserbillig. As you cycle through one of Germany’s major wine-growing areas, it's possible to taste a lot of different local wines and see where they grow and how they're made. You can get acquainted with the excellent but uncomplicated wines from the Saar and the so-called "Spitzenweinen" along the Mosel, like the wine Zeller Schwarze Katz. The main ingredient for these wines is the Riesling, a white grape variety that dates back to the 15th century and is crowned "Queen of Grapes." Included in the Tour Price • 7 nights on board the ship (sheets, blankets, and two towels) • All breakfasts, packed lunches, and dinners • Coffee and tea on board • 24-speed bicycle, incl. pannier bag, water bottle, helmet, and bike insurance • Tour guide (multilingual) • Reservation costs • Ferry fees Daily Itinerary Sunday: Cochem – warmup ride You are asked to be on board the ship no later than 3 p.m.. Cochem is a charming town famous for its wines and dominated by the old Reichsburg. After storing your luggage and meeting your cycling companions, guide, captain, and crew, you may relax on board with a coffee or tea. Dinner on the boat will be followed by a preview of the cycling itinerary for the upcoming week. Monday: Cochem – Zell – 27 miles (44 km) We will meander along the river through five remarkable bends to the famous vineyards of Calmont. The steepest slopes have a gradient of 65%, which makes it quite difficult for the farmers to tend their vineyards. The lunch stop will be at the beautiful village of Beilstein, background in many movies. Today's endpoint is the city of the black cat, Zell. The story goes that when a few wine merchants from Aachen had to choose which wine barrel they should buy a black cat jumped onto one of the barrels to defend it. Of course, this made it clear for them which barrel they should buy. Van Gogh Tours Inc. • (781)-646-0096 • [email protected] Tuesday: Zell - Bernkastel Keus - 25 miles (40 km) As if it had imbibed a drink or two, the Mosel twists and turns its way through a green and fascinating landscape of vineyards and forests. Just after leaving Zell there will be another hiking opportunity that leads us to the “Marienburg” where you'll be awarded by a splendid view over the Mosel Meander. Along the way we’ll find some beautiful towns and villages, like the beautiful double city in Jugendstil, Traben Trarbach, and the so called "Winzendorf Wolf." The final destination is Bernkastel-Kues, a medieval town with romantic narrow streets, remarkable half-timbered houses, and enchanting nooks and crannies. Wednesday: Bernkastel-Kues - Moselle-Maare cycling trail – 34 miles (55 km) In the morning the cycle bus will take us to Daun, to the start of the Moselle-Maare cycling trail, - possibly the most famous cycling trail of the central Moselle. There's no simpler way to cycle to the Moselle valley than on the former railway line through the Volcanic Eifel! The road runs through the landscape of volcanoes and crater lakes, along magnificent viaducts, and past old railway stations. Light as a feather, we will continues along the Moselle bike path to Bernkastel-Kues. Thursday: Bernkastel Keus – near Trier – 31 miles (50 km) Along today’s route we will discover a lot of Roman villas and public baths, but also relics of other ancient civilizations such as the Celts. All those historical buildings are placed on the slopes along this ever-winding river. A highlight of the region is the "Piesporter Goldtröpfchen," a lovely local blended white wine that we'll taste in a local wine-bar. We will take the time to visit Trier, the oldest city of Germany, where you can visit some more Roman legacies like the Porta Nigra, the Basilica of Constantine the Great, and an amphitheater. Friday: Near Trier – Saarburg – 22 miles (35 km) During today’s tour we will switch rivers in the historical city of Konz, leaving the Mosel behind and going south along the Saar. Before you heading into the Saar we will go further west to jump over the border in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. One thing’s for sure, we’re not the first tourists in the area. It was around the year 365 A.D. that the Roman teacher and poet Magnus Ausonius wrote his hymn Mosella: "Greetings, river, framed by perfumed vineyard-covered hills, Framed by grass; river of greenest shores. Your strong waters carry ships, flowing in easy waves. Along the stream, and a glittering lake your depths emulate." We'll stay the night in Saarburg. Don’t forget to take a walk through the old town center with the famous waterfalls and pay a visit to the old city castle. Saturday: Saarburg – Mettlach - 22 miles (35km) From Saarburg we will cycle south along the Saar. Around the little village of Saarhölzbach we'll leave Rheinland Pfalz behind and enter the Saarland. The history of this little village goes back to the year 802 and the government of Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, king of Franks, king of Italy, and the first Holy Roman Emperor. Today we will have lunch in Mettlach, a little town along the Saar River where we'll visit the famous Villeroy & Boch porcelain museum. The day's highlight is the beautiful Saarschleife (Saar loop). You will have the opportunity to hike to a panoramic viewpoint looking out across the whole region. After this interesting hike we double back for a few kilometers to our final destination of Mettlach. Sunday: Tour Ends. After breakfast, our tour ends at 9.30 a.m. Van Gogh Tours Inc. • (781)-646-0096 • [email protected] Departure Point The barge embarks in Cochem, and the mooring location is about 1 mile from the train station. Please arrive on board between 2 and 3 p.m. From Cologne the train takes one hour and forty-five minutes, with one change in Koblenz. From Frankfurt the train takes two hours and fifteen minutes, with one change in Koblenz. For the exact departure times and prices check www.db.de . If you want you can bring your luggage in advance, from 12 Noon onwards. A map, detailed instructions to barge location, and the name of your boat will be provided after your final payment is received. Difficulty and Daily Mileage This tour is rated “easy” for its flat terrain and low mileage. All distances are approximate. The above planned itinerary is subject to change due to changing wind, weather conditions, and other unforeseen circumstances (such as mooring requirements). Travel Guidance The skipper and his mate are responsible for the smooth running of the barge. An experienced, multilingual guide indicates points of interest along the way, accompanies the bikers and can assist in case of flat tires or breakdowns. Route instructions are available if you prefer to ride on your own, but please let us know this ahead of time. The Bicycles A well maintained, comfortable 24-speed hybrid bicycle is available free of charge for each participant. Men and women’s models are available in sizes appropriate to your height. The bikes come with helmets, grip shifters, hand brakes, carrier bag, lock, repair kit, water bottle holders, water bottle, and bike insurance. If you prefer to bring your own bike you're welcome to do so at a discount. Electric bikes can be rented for this tour at a surcharge and need to be reserved at least 2 weeks in advance. We advise you only to rent an electric bike if you have first tried one at home. They're heavier than regular bikes and therefore can be difficult to maneuver. Meals The cook prepares all meals: a substantial breakfast and a three-course dinner of very good quality. A packed lunch may be prepared after breakfast. Tea and coffee will be ready when you arrive on board in the afternoon. There's a bar on board with reasonably-priced beer, wine, and soft drinks. If you have special meal requirements, please mention this when booking. In the case of a vegan and gluten-free diet there is an additional charge of $65 per week. The Barge Our motorized passenger vessels, about 35 - 40 meters in length, are former river vessels especially converted for this kind of holiday. On board you'll find a cozy dining room, a sun deck/a deck for the bicycles. All cabins are provided with running water (hot and cold), private shower and toilet, 220 voltage, and central heating. There's limited storage space in the cabin so we recommend 1 suitcase per person. You can slide the suitcase under your bed. Bike & barge vacations are for people who really enjoy the physical activity of cycling and who value sociability more than wholesale luxury. Van Gogh Tours Inc. • (781)-646-0096 • [email protected] WiFi WiFi is available on a limited basis on board, only in the lounge and on deck.