Full Itinerary and Tour details for

Merzig- 8-day Bike and Barge Tour (FLO)

Prices starting from. Trip Duration. Max Passengers. 1139 € 8 days 20

Start and Finish. Activity Level. Merzig to Koblenz 1

Experience. Tour Code. Bike & Barge Tours Europe #B1/2717 Merzig-Koblenz 8-day Bike and Barge Tour (FLO)

Tour Details and Description

As far as cycle touring destinations in Europe go, there are few better than the and River valleys in . During a cycling cruise you can find this out and experience it for yourself. In one word, it’s a “stunning” region, highlighted by an enchanting countryside, fairytale , award-winning vineyards on impossibly steep slopes and historic medieval towns and villages.

The ’s peaceful little sisters, the Moselle and Saar rivers, meander from one picturesque village to another, offering unsurpassed views of castles high on hills, stone-clad fortresses, picture perfect wineries and much, much more. On a day-to-day basis, as you cycle through this magical region, you will visit culturally rich cities, soak up the sights of untouched nature, and meet local winegrowers and bottlers. Also, importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to relive the rich history of the region. It is without doubt a cycling cruise not to be missed! The cycling paths along the banks of the Moselle and Saar Rivers do not have any gradients of note and are asphalted or paved.

The history of the region along the banks of the Moselle and Saar Rivers dates back to the Roman

Era, some 2000 or so years ago. For guests on a cycling cruise, there is so much to see: vineyards, beautiful half-timbered houses dating back to medieval times, the Roman-era Porta Nigra in – the oldest defensive structure in Germany and the “German Corner”. At the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers in Koblenz and , often referred to as “Little Venice”. These are just a few highlights of this memorable trip.

Accommodation:

The barge is a cosy and comfortable passenger barge for around 20 people. All of the 10 cabins have two single beds with the necessary facilities and

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enough space to store your belongings. In 2 of the • All distances are “approximate distances” of our cabins there is a foldaway bed for children up to 12 recommended bike tours. available on request. The nostalgically furnished • The tour details are barring any changes, for salon has a bar salon, a nice living room and example, as a result of nautical, technical or restaurant section where you will be served tasty meteorological conditions. food. Enjoy the scenery on the sundeck while cruising • The tours are accompanied by one or when the barge is moored in one of the knowledgeable and multi-lingual tour leader. picturesque harbours. • On days when two cycling routes are possible, the tour leader will choose to guide the longer or Included in the Bike and Barge shorter option in consultation with the group. Tour: • Not all highlights mentioned will be visited during • 8 days/7 nights the shorter cycling option. • 7 x breakfast • You can also choose to ride individually with the • Packed lunches help of a map (available onboard). • 6 x 3-course dinner • GPS tracks will be sent to you 4 weeks before the • Coffee and tea on board tour start date. • Welcome drink • In case you prefer a day of rest, you can skip the • Use of bed linen and towels bike tour and relax on board while cruising to the next town. • Daily cleaning of the cabin • Limitation of liability (damage) rental bicycle 10 • Daily briefings EUR/week Limitation of liability (damage) rental • Fully guided cycling tours e-bike 25 EUR/week • Some short walking tours • GPS tracks Arrival/parking/departure: • Use of a waterproof pannier bag • Transfer between Koblenz and Merzig: There is a • Fees for ferries good train connection between these two cities • Wi-Fi • Departure Saturday only Not included in the tour: • Drinks If you would like to rent a bike (85 EUR) or e-bike • Bicycle rental or E-bike rental (185 EUR), helmet (10 EUR), please contact our office when booking: [email protected] • helmet rental • Personal insurances • Gratuities (at your discretion) • Entrance fees and excursions • Transfers to/from the docking place • Parking fees

Notes:

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through the , a natural wonder at Orscholz. From the top of the Cloef you can take in this beautiful river loop as the Saar meanders through the densely forested valley. In the afternoon you will return to the barge in Saarburg. An interesting old town, Saarburg is situated in the most beautiful part of the Saar valley, where the river banks are cloaked in forest. The of Saarburg was built here in the middle of the 10th century. In the town’s centre, you’ll encounter a 20-meter-high waterfall with an old mill at its base, which is driven by a stream. Most of the old houses in this part of the town date back to the 17th and 18th centuries and are still intact, giving Saarburg its picturesque look.

Day 3

Saarburg – Wasserbillig (Lux) – Trier 32km Today’s tour travels from Saarburg following the idyllic nature reserve along the meandering banks of the River

Saar. Continue to Wasserbillig in Luxemburg and from here to the monument of “Igeler Säule”. You will Itinerary later reach Trier, your destination for the day, where the barge will be waiting for you. A walk through Trier, founded in the year 16 BC, is an overwhelming journey through the millennia, with no other place in Day 1 Germany able to give you such a sense of the Roman era. Highlights include impressive structures Merzig The barge awaits you in Merzig, where the such as the Porta Nigra, the Konstantinbasilika and crew will welcome you onboard from 2pm. You will the Roman Amphitheatre. Dine-in town tonight spend your first night and evening in Merzig. Sights according to your own wishes. are the Romanesque basilica of St Peter from the 12th century, and the former castle of Archbishop Day 4 Sötern (1625), a jewel of baroque architecture that now serves as a town hall. Trier – Neumagen – Bernkastel 27km or 54km Downstream from Trier, lovely vineyards traverse the Day 2 landscape in many places. The white wine has become a household name far abroad, and for good Merzig – Saarburg 37km After the distribution of reason. Today you cruise past and bicycles, on your first day of cycling, you will pedal to . The town of Trittenheim lies in a sharp where you may visit the famous ceramic hairpin bend in the Mosel, surrounded by mountains factory of Villeroy and Boch. Later, you continue covered with extensive vineyards. The

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Laurentiuskapelle, with its gothic choir, sits right in and, of course, their own wines. The “Pommerner the middle of the vines. Piesport produces a number Sonnenuhr” comes highly recommended. From of beautiful white wines, of which the “Piesporter Lehmen you cycle in the direction of the tour’s final Goldtröpfchen” in particular enjoys great fame. Your destination: Koblenz. This fascinating and historic city final destination is Bernkastel-Kues, whose medieval has been an important defensive and economic marketplace, with its many wood-timbered houses, centre for centuries. Highlights include the old castle invites you for a rest. of Ehrenbreitstein, which dominates the right bank of the Rhine, the 12th century Alte Burg Castle and old Day 5 Koblenz town.

Bernkastel-Kues – Traben-Trarbach – on the Day 8 Moselle 45km Today’s cycling tour takes you to the romantic village of Traben-Trarbach, located on the Koblenz End of your tour: disembarkation after left bank of the Moselle and famous for its Jugendstil breakfast until 9.30am (art nouveau) architectural style. Further along the Moselle your destination for the night is Zell on the Moselle, well known in the wine industry for the wine “Zeller Schwarze Katz”. In Zell we recommend taking the opportunity to get to know the good wines of the Mosel.

Day 6

Zell – Beilstein – 39km Beilstein, the “Sleeping Beauty of the Moselle”, is one of the best-preserved historical villages along the length of the river, and is the highlight of today’s cycling tour. Towering about the village are the ruins of Castle Metternich, which you’ll have the opportunity to explore. Today’s tour ends in Cochem, a lovely little town that features historical half-timbered houses, a picturesque old centre, and Reichsburg Castle.

Day 7

Cochem – | Moselkern – Koblenz 42km Today you travel to Moselkern by barge, from where you will visit the queen of German fortresses, the impressive Burg . You are still in the midst of wine territory and will cruise past , Pommern, Karden and Alken, amongst others. These are all typical Mosel towns, with nice timber-framed houses

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