Email a friend about VBT Bicycling Vacations. VBT   614 Monkton Road, Bristol, Vermont 05443-0711 1-800-245-3868 Mon-Fri 8:30 am to 5:30 pm EST Visit our Web site at www.vbt.com.

Heart of Europe: Bike & Barge Cochem-Metz - Detailed Itinerary

t

Day 1 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Depart U.S./Fly overnight to Berlin

Depart from the U.S. for Germany. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary and airline tickets.

Day 2 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Arrive in Berlin/Begin your Trip Extension

Upon arrival at Tegel airport in Berlin, Germany, claim your luggage and clear customs. If your luggage is lost, fill out a PIR form before leaving the customs area: VBT representatives are not allowed into the customs area. Make certain your VBT luggage tags are affixed to your bag so that your VBT representative can identify you. After exiting customs, enter the arrival hall and look for your VBT representative or driver, who will be holding a VBT sign. The VBT representative helps you transfer (approximately 1 hour) to your centrally located hotel in Berlin. At the hotel, you receive a city information package that helps you discover this unique city. You are free to do as you wish today.

Hotel: Art 'Otel Berlin Mitte

Day 3 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Berlin.

Continue to discover this amazing capital of culture and art. An optional City tour by bus will be available. This three-hour program may be booked with your VBT representative upon arrival in Berlin (it may not be booked in advance of travel). The approximate price is 250.00 Euros per group of 10, and includes the costs of a private bus, and the services of our local English-speaking guide.

Meals: B  Hotel: Art 'Otel Berlin Mitte

Day 4 of PRE-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Berlin.

Continue to discover this amazing capital of culture and art. An optional tour in Potsdam will be available today. This half-day program may be booked with your VBT representative upon arrival in Berlin (it may not be booked in advance of travel). The approximate price is 350.00 Euros per group of 10 and includes private transportation to/from Potsdam and the services of our local English-speaking guide.

Meals: B  Hotel: Art 'Otel Berlin Mitte

Day 1 of AIR PACKAGE Depart the U.S. and begin your crossing of the Atlantic Ocean.

VBT Air Package guests: Depart from the U.S. for Frankfurt, Germany. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary and airline tickets.

Day 1 of BIKE TOUR Begin Bike Tour

VBT No-Air Package guests: Upon arrival at the Frankfurt airport, claim your luggage and clear customs. Transfer on your own (approximately 90 minutes) to Hotel Brenner (Rizzastrasse 20-22, Koblenz, Germany, telephone +49 [0] 261 91 57 80) in Koblenz. You are responsible for your own transportation to the hotel. Taxi cost is approximately 180 euros/$220 USD. VBT Air Package guests: Upon arrival at the Frankfurt airport, claim your luggage and clear customs. If your luggage is lost, fill out a PIR form before leaving the customs area: VBT representatives are not allowed into the customs area. Make certain your VBT luggage tags are affixed to your bag so that your VBT representative can identify you. After exiting customs, enter the arrival hall and look for your VBT representative or driver, who will be holding a VBT sign. The representative helps you transfer via taxi or minibus (approximately 1 hour) to your hotel in Koblenz. If you cannot find the VBT representative or driver, or have been delayed due to waiting in customs or lost luggage, please go to the airport Meeting Point and wait there. Please note: VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you fly in earlier than the scheduled program dates, transportation from the airport will be at your own expense. Pre-Trip Extension guests: This morning, transfer from your hotel to the Berlin airport and your flight to Frankfurt. Upon arrival at the Frankfurt airport, claim your luggage and clear customs. If your luggage is lost, fill out a PIR form before leaving the customs area: VBT representatives are not allowed into the customs area. Make certain your VBT luggage tags are affixed to your bag so that your VBT representative can identify you. After exiting customs, enter the arrival hall and look for your VBT representative or driver, who will be holding a VBT sign. The representative helps you transfer via taxi or minibus (approximately 1 hour) to your hotel in Koblenz. If you cannot find the VBT representative or driver, or have been delayed due to waiting in customs or lost luggage, please go to the airport Meeting Point and wait there. Your VBT Trip Leader meets you at the Koblenz hotel at 2 p.m. If you miss this appointment, make sure you join the group at 6 p.m. for the briefing and cocktail reception, or call the Front Desk and leave a detailed message for your Trip Leader. Tonight, dinner is on your own at a typical German Wirtshaus or other city restaurant.

Meals: B  Hotel: Hotel Brenner

Day 2 of BIKE TOUR Cochem/Embark barge/Warm-up ride

After breakfast, transfer by coach (approximately 1 hour) to the city of Cochem. This characteristic Moselle town has wooded hills, medieval buildings and a picturesque center with beautiful, timber-framed houses. Climb up to the Reichsburg, a castle you visit with your Trip Leader, for spectacular views of the Moselle valley and its vineyards. The fairy-tale castle includes seven rooms of fine furniture and objects from different periods and styles. After your visit, walk back into town where you may shop and eat lunch on your own before boarding the barge at 2 p.m. Meet the crew and your second Trip Leader, then settle in before a bike safety session and a short warm-up ride along the Moselle on quiet bike paths. Return to the Sailing Home afterward and gather for a welcome dinner on board. This evening, the captain gives a talk on navigation and the barge's planned route. The barge moors in Cochem tonight.

Meals: B, D  Hotel: Barge Sailing Home

Day 3 of BIKE TOUR Bike to Zell/Traben-Trarbach/Cruise to Bernkastel-Kues

Today, follow the Moselle upstream and bike to Zell and Traben-Trarbach on an easy cycling path. Zell is beautifully situated on the Moselle, where the river meanders through the hills in many loops. Zell is one of the largest wine-producing communities on the river. One of the best wines made here, “Zeller Schwartze Katz” (black cat), is produced with grapes from 16 different locations. A sculpture on the market-square fountain shows a snarling cat on top of a wine barrel. Another interesting stop today is the village of Traben-Trarbach, an architectural jewel of Jugendstil surrounded by woods and extensive vineyards. Traben-Trarbach was at one time the world's second-largest wine-trading center in the world. At the turn of the century, the city's wine merchants built a number of fine Art Nouveau buildings, many of which are carefully preserved and continue to operate as wineries. An entire range of “Belle Époque” splendor was attracted to Traben-Trarbach, making the city a favorite destination for lovers of the baroque and classical styles. Board the barge in Traben-Trarbach, then cruise along the river into Bernkastel-Kues. Bernkastel and Kues, united in 1905, were once two small cities divided by the Moselle. The pride of this small city is the market square, with its picturesque timber-framed houses and decorated fountains, some dating to the 17th century. After dinner on board, stroll to the fascinating cellar of Josef Zimmermann via an elegant district of fine Jugendstill villas, many of which display “winegut” (winery) signs. The simple, fourth-generation Zimmermann operation contains a century-old cellar, wine barrels and the inviting tasting hall, where you taste five different wines.

Meals: B, D  Hotel: Barge Sailing Home

Day 4 of BIKE TOUR Shuttle and cycle to Daun/The “maars”/Bernkastel-Kues

Board a private coach and shuttle (approximately 45 minutes) through the Eifel Valley to the city of Daun. From there, take an exhilarating bike ride that starts out flat, then zooms downhill along a former railway track that is now a cycling path. The ride (partially unpaved) includes stretches through tunnels, over bridges and by small lakes formed from volcano craters (maars). See castles, vineyards and green forests before cycling through quiet villages. On the way, stop in Strohn for a visit to a small volcano museum. The region is scattered with “young” volcanoes that are around 12,000 years old. The typical craters found here, called maars, are actually volcano cones disguised inside the earth. In Strohn, stop to share a simple meal with a local family. Later, continue cycling to Bernkastel and relax before dinner on board.

Meals: B, L, D  Hotel: Barge Sailing Home

Day 5 of BIKE TOUR Cycle to Piesport/Trittenheim/Trier

Cycle toward Trier after breakfast this morning, passing Piesport and Trittenheim along the way. Both of these winemaking villages lie in scenic hairpin turns on the Moselle. See a reconstructed Roman winepress house in Piesport. Stop for lunch in Neumagen, where there are more ancient signs of the Romans, on your way to Trier, the oldest town in Germany. A slogan for Trier, a lively tourist and university town, claims that it is possible to see “2,000 years of history in 2,000 paces.” The Romans established their local capital here. In the Middle Ages, Frankish kings and the archbishops of Trier reigned. A local guide conducts a walking tour in the city center, where you learn about the Porta Nigra (“black gate”), the city landmark and largest city gate of the ancient world. Then visit the Amphitheater, the medieval Main Market and the Church of Our Lady (where you can see the throne of Constantine the Great), the rococo Electoral Palace, the Imperial Baths and extensive subterranean service passages. Trier's monuments are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Tonight, the barge moors in Trier. Your group eats dinner together in a centrally located restaurant.

Meals: B, D  Hotel: Barge Sailing Home

Day 6 of BIKE TOUR Cycle to Saarburg

Today we cycle on the Moselle's easy bike path from Trier to Konz, at the confluence of the rivers Moselle and Saar. Then continue cycling into the Saarland along the more intimate Saar River. Wooded mountains and wide meadow valleys, scattered with farmsteads and villages, alternate in harmony between the two rivers. Later this afternoon you reach Saarburg, a medieval jewel at the foot of a castle that towers above the river. The middle of town boasts a roaring 20-meter-high waterfall. Board the barge for lunch, then walk to the nearby clock factory and museum, “Mabilon,” which produced clocks until 2002. From there, choose between a scenic ride along the Saar River or time on your own in Saarburg. This evening is free; dine tonight on your own in a romantic restaurant on the Leuk River. Savor the hearty food and viez (apple wine) typical of this region. The barge moors in Saarburg.

Meals: B, L  Hotel: Barge Sailing Home

Day 7 of BIKE TOUR Wasserbilling/Nittel/Wormeldingen/Remich

Shuttle up to the village of Mannesbach, only four miles out of Saarburg, where you begin a beautiful ride in a forested region. In Konz, find the Moselle and continue pedaling on its easy biking path. Soon you arrive in Wasserbilling, where you cross the border into Luxembourg. The river forms a natural border between Luxembourg and Germany. Lunch is on your own — a picnic is provided. You may wish to eat at one of the many scenic picnic areas along the way. Rejoin the barge near Wormeldange, where you can opt to continue riding or cruise into Remich. You are now on the Route du Vin, famous for its vineyards and outstanding wines including Riesling and Cremant. As you approach Remich, take a short detour to Nennig and admire Europe's largest Roman mosaic (remarkably, it's 90 percent original and perfectly restored). Dinner tonight is on the barge, followed by a special treat: A local visitor joins us to share a glass of Cremant wine. The barge moors in Remich.

Meals: B, L, D  Hotel: Barge Sailing Home

Day 8 of BIKE TOUR Picnic at Fort Hackenberg, France

Cycle along the Moselle River, on a very quiet biking path, to Koenigsmachen. There, a turn inland and a pleasant rolling route in the Canner Valley lead you to the largest fort of the Maginot Line: Fort Hackenberg. The Maginot Line was a line of concrete fortifications, tank obstacles, machine-gun posts and defenses built by France along its borders with Germany and Italy after World War I during the run-up to World War II. It was a complete failure: The Germans easily maneuvered around it and invaded France. With an expert guide, ride a narrow-gauge railway to see the various blocks on the way to the fort's heart. Visit the central magazine, kitchen, barracks, hospital, the power station that today moves the electric trains and lifts, and the fuel and water reservoirs. Soldiers were able to live and fight here for three months without supplies from outside. After the visit, stop for a picnic lunch outside the fort, where one of the locals joins us and shares stories about the region. An optional ride takes you downhill and back to Keoningsmacher, where the barge begins quietly cruising into France until the next mooring point: Talange. Dinner is on the barge tonight.

Meals: B, L, D  Hotel: Barge Sailing Home

Day 9 of BIKE TOUR Metz, France

Early this morning, the barge cruises into the beautiful city of Metz, the capital of the Moselle and Lorraine and a main cultural center of France. After a final breakfast on our barge, disembark and bid farewell to the crew. Then take a pleasant walk into the city center via charming bridges and romantic corners. Pass the elegant 18th-century city theatre and the Palais de la Prefecture in the Place de la Comedie. Soon you see the imposing Cathedral of St. Etienne, one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals of France, built around 1250. Visit inside with your Trip Leader and admire the fine stained-glass windows, including a modern one by Marc Chagall. Stroll the city and the Saturday morning local market, shopping or sightseeing on the lively Place St. Louis and Place Saint-Jacques. Lunch is on your own. After your visit, board a private motorcoach to transfer to another great destination: Luxembourg City. Your hotel here is a stroll away from the main square and the Vieille Ville (old city). Check in to Hotel Le Royal, then have lunch on your own. Your Trip Leader leads an orientation walk and talk to help familiarize you with the city. Use the rest of your day to discover Luxembourg City, then have dinner on your own. The city boasts more Michelin stars per square mile than any other, and has a lively atmosphere in its many cafés, pubs and pizzerias. The biggest ethnic community here is from Portugal and adds a Latin flair.

Meals: B  Hotel: Hotel Le Royal

Day 10 of BIKE TOUR Luxembourg City

Continue exploring the city after breakfast today. Your Trip Leader holds a hospitality desk to give you with some inside tips. Luxembourg City overlooks the Petrusse and Alzette valleys and sits high on a rocky outcropping. It offers a combination of cobblestone-arched narrow streets and small, elegant palaces like the Palais Grand-Ducal and the Chambre des Deputes. The beautiful Chemin de la Cornice is said to be Europe's most beautiful terrace, with a pleasant promenade that passes restored ancient homes. The Casemates du Bock, a defensive labyrinth excavated in 1745 in the rocks beneath the city, is partly open to visitors. Other remarkable places include the Place de la Constitution and the cozy Place du Marche, still used for weekly flower and vegetable markets. Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers for a celebratory farewell dinner in a local restaurant.

Meals: B, D  Hotel: Hotel Le Royal

Day 11 of BIKE TOUR Depart for U.S. or begin your optional extension in Strasbourg

VBT No-Air Package guests: Your trip ends at the Luxembourg City hotel after breakfast. Continue to the central railway station (approximately 15 minutes, longer in rush hours) and from there transfer on your own to most European cities. Taxi cost to the railway station is approximately 15 euros/$20 USD. VBT Air Package guests: After breakfast, meet in the hotel lobby and transfer to the Luxembourg City airport for your flight back to the U.S. Please be sure that you are waiting at the designated transfer time and location. Check your “transfer reminder” for the scheduled time. Please note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the Front Desk to verify the times that breakfast is served. VBT Post-Trip Extension guests: If you have chosen the optional Post-Trip Extension, transfer to your Strasbourg hotel at 12:00 noon, arriving there around 2:00 p.m. After settling in, enjoy the next few days exploring on your own. VBT provides you with a city information booklet, which includes information and recommendations on what to see and do in Strasbourg. Earlier in your trip, your airport representative or Trip Leader advised you of the time a taxi will meet you at the hotel's reception area on the last day of your extension (Day 14) to take you to the airport for your flight back to the U.S. VBT recommends that you check your transfer time in your “Transfer Reminder.” The transfer is prearranged by VBT and is prepaid. VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense.

Meals: B  Hotel: Hotel Maison Rouge

Day 2 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Independent exploration of Strasbourg.

Many are the wonders that Strasbourg offers tourists: The Grand Île (Grand Island), Strasbourg's historic center and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has romantic bridges and medieval streets. The sandstone Gothic Cathedral, in the 15th century the world's tallest building, is home to a famous astronomical clock. The European Parliament is housed in the glass-and-cement Palais d'Europe, built early in the 1970s and mirrored in the waters of the Bassin de l'Ill at the confluence of the Ill River and the Marne-au-Rhine Canal. Stroll the pedestrian streets lined with white timber-framed buildings, beautiful shops and romantic restaurants. Or visit the outer reaches of the city via an inexpensive silent, modern tram line, with big glass windows that give you a nice view.

Meals: B  Hotel: Hotel Maison Rouge

Day 3 of POST-TRIP EXTENSION Strasbourg Extension concludes/Depart for home

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home. Please be sure that you are waiting at the designated transfer time and location. Please note: Lufthansa sometimes travels between Frankfurt airport and Strasbourg using a motor coach instead of an aircraft, but the airline takes care of your boarding pass and luggage transfer just as it does on a regular flight. Connect to your overseas flight in Frankfurt. VBT recommends that you check your transfer time in your “Transfer Reminder.” The transfer is prearranged by VBT and is prepaid. VBT transfer times and departure points are finalized in advance and cannot be modified for individual guests. If you extend your stay beyond the scheduled program dates, return transportation to the airport will be at your own expense. Please note: For guests with early-morning departures, breakfast at the hotel may not be available. Please check with the Front Desk to verify the times that breakfast is served.

Meals: B