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Heart of Europe: Bike & Barge Metz-Cochem

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Europe’s Moselle River isn’t a big name like the Rhine, the Danube or the Loire. Yet, as you cruise past timber-framed houses, vineyards, and medieval castles, you will wonder how it’s possible that this lovely destination is still unknown to many.   Detailed Itinerary

DISCOVER Trier, the oldest city in Germany, with a local guide EXPLORE Luxembourg City Old Quarters and Fortifications, UNESCO World Heritage sites SAMPLE Riesling white wine in one of the most popular wine regions in the world CYCLE easy, quiet bike paths all along the Moselle River and its valleys STROLL medieval city centers characterized by timber-framed houses and fountains PICNIC with a local host while learning about the region VISIT Fort Hackenberg, the largest fort of the Maginot Line RELAX on the deck of your comfortable barge, Sailing Home

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Air-Inclusive Tour Roundtrip international airfare Transfers AND the option to add our Low-Cost Trip Extensions: Pre-trip: Strasbourg • 2 nights for $345 Post-trip: Berlin • 3 nights for $395 7 nights aboard a canal barge, 1 night in a Koblenz hotel, 2 nights in a Luxembourg City hotel 21 meals - 10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 picnic lunches, 7 dinners 1 glass of wine with all dinners aboard the barge FREE use of our custom VBT bicycle and helmet Service of two bilingual VBT Bike Trip Leaders 6 days of cycling with FULL VAN SUPPORT during the cruise portion of your trip Sightseeing and cultural activities 5% Frequent Traveler Credit to use on your next VBT bicycling vacation Special Good Buy discount Land-Only Tour 10 nights in 3 and 5 star hotels and a private barge 7 nights aboard a canal barge, 1 night in a Koblenz hotel, 2 nights in a Luxembourg City hotel 21 meals - 10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 picnic lunches, 7 dinners 1 glass of wine with all dinners aboard the barge FREE use of our custom VBT bicycle and helmet Service of two bilingual VBT Bike Trip Leaders 6 days of cycling with FULL VAN SUPPORT during the cruise portion of your trip Sightseeing and cultural activities 5% Frequent Traveler Credit to use on your next VBT bicycling vacation Special Good Buy discount

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Rating Level: Easy This tour offers easy terrain throughout the trip. It is ideal for beginning cyclists. Full Van Support: Enjoy more flexibility and choice with full van support throughout your vacation. Group Size: 14-24 Daily Mileage: 15-35 miles Daily Cycling Times: 2-4 hours Avg. Daily High Temperature: Trier: Jul 73°, Aug 73°, Sep 67°, Oct 57°

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Art 'Otel Berlin Mitte Art’Otel Berlin Mitte is a boutique hotel, combining traditional building décor and modern design and architecture. The hotel, centrally located in the heart of Berlin on the Spree River, is decorated as an Art Gallery with artworks from Georg Baselitz, one of Germany’s most famous contemporary artists. The outstanding hall is covered with a glass roof and joins the modern wing of the hotel with the wing from the 17th century. On the back of the hotel, the Spree River flows quietly, far from traffic and hustle in the Fischerinsel district. On its banks, you find cafés and restaurants. Art’Otel’s boat, moored nearly, becomes a restaurant for hotel guests in summertime! website: www.artotels.de Barge Sailing Home The Sailing Home is a comfortable, two-deck motor passenger ship featuring 12 twin-bedded cabins, each with private shower and toilet. In service since April 2001, the barge is fully air-conditioned and heated throughout. Inside, the salon and bar are decorated in a modern Victorian style and have a relaxed atmosphere. There is a sundeck available for guests at the bow. Smoking is only permitted outside on the sundeck. The barge moors each night. Drinks of all types are available for purchase at the bar on board the Sailing Home. It is not customary for guests to bring their own drinks and use the facilities of the barge (including ice, glasses and crew services); your understanding is appreciated. Onboard meal menus are set, though the chef is happy to accommodate vegetarians and those on restricted diets for health reasons. Hotel Brenner Located in the Koblenz city center, this family-run property welcomes you with warm hospitality. Rooms are comfortably sized, and most overlook a small, well-maintained garden where you may eat breakfast. Hotel Brenner is stylishly decorated with hand-painted flowers on the ceilings and walls, and antique furnishings. website: www.hotel-brenner.de Hotel Le Royal This luxury property, centrally located in Luxembourg City, has a beautiful garden and is only a few steps from the Old Town and shops. All rooms are spacious, elegant, fully air-conditioned and Internet-ready. website: www.hotelroyal.lu

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Strasbourg 2008 2 nights for only $ 345 Two nights at Hotel La Maison Rouge • Daily breakfast • Full information packet • Airport transfers A beautiful and exciting city, Strasbourg’s famous sights include both the modern and historic. The Grand Île, Strasbourg’s historic center and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features beautiful bridges and medieval streets, rustic timber-framed buildings, elegant shops and a modern, silent tram that transports you throughout the surrounding area. Visit the sandstone Gothic Cathedral and its astronomical clock, the Palais d’Europe that houses European Parliament, and the remarkable Cathedrale Notre-Dame. Stroll through La Petite France, Strasbourg’s historic 16th-century neighborhood, which gets its character from the cobblestone streets, colorful houses and pretty canals. Available only with the Air Inclusive Package. Note: Single supplement for this extension is $ 185. top Berlin 2008 3 nights for only $ 395 Three nights at Art’Otel Berlin Mitte • Airfare between Berlin and Frankfurt • Daily breakfast • City information package and hospitality desk • Airport transfers Explore one of Europe’s most influential centers of politics, culture, science and art. Visit the Brandenburg Gate, which served as the gate to Eastern Berlin until 1989. See Rathaus Schoneberg, where John F. Kennedy made his famous speech, “Ich bin ein Berliner.” Journey to The Museum Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with more than 150 museums. Or simply spend time in the city, peeking into trendy boutiques, art studios, cafés and gourmet restaurants—Berlin is also a UNESCO City of Design. Available only with the Air Inclusive Package. Note: Single supplement for this extension is $ 185.

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Group Discount Program: You can earn a FREE VBT tour with our generous group discount program. Click here for details. Refer a Friend and Earn $100 Travel Credit: If you refer a Friend to VBT and they choose to travel with us, you earn $100 travel credit toward your next trip and your friend gets $50 off their first VBT trip. Click here for details. Good Buy Plan: The earlier you pay, the more you save. If you book early and pay in full by check, you can lock in your trip cost plus earn up to a 10% discount. 5% Frequent Traveler Credit: You will automatically receive a 5% travel credit good for your next VBT trip. This credit is good for one full year. Savings for Single Travelers: If you are on a tour where sharing is possible and you would like to share a room, we will do our best to match you with a roommate. We will charge you only 50% of the single supplement; if a match is available, we will refund you the single supplement after you return. If requested and available, single supplement is $1,195. Best Value Guaranteed: Click here for details. We reserve the right to correct errors. top