Germany, Luxembourg & France Bike & Boat: Mosel River Valley
Explore a fascinating crossroads of history— Germany, France, and Luxembourg—on this memorable Mosel bike tour, from Cochem to Metz. Accommodations aboard a luxury barge complement your experience
Guided Bike & Boat
- Daily Mileage: 6 - 38|
- Biking: 1 - 4 hr|
Starting From
11-day Air Package
$5,545
8-day Bike Tour Only
$4,345
Per person, double occupancy

Germany, Luxembourg & France Bike & Boat: Mosel River Valley
Cycle along Europe’s most scenic river and experience three very different cultures—Germany, France, and Luxembourg—on one exhilarating journey. On this Mosel bike tour, you’ll also drift along the waterway aboard a luxurious barge, admiring shifting landscapes from the comfort of a deck chair and enjoying sumptuous meals and a spirit of camaraderie all along the way. On our carefully curated routes, you’ll pedal past vineyards and forests, castles and half-timbered villages … explore the beautiful Eifel Valley, the dual city of Bernkastel-Kues, the Roman ruins of Trier, and cosmopolitan Luxembourg City … and enjoy exclusive events like a private wine tasting at a family-owned estate. Don’t miss this chance to explore this charming pocket of Europe!What to Expect
This tour offers easy terrain on bike paths and roads through both urban and rural areas. Our VBT support shuttle is available every day at designated points for those who would like assistance.
- Daily Mileage: 6 - 38|
- Biking: 1 - 4 hr|
- Group Size: 2
Cycling
Cyclists
Support
Tour Highlights
- Experience three countries—Germany, France, and Luxembourg—up close, by bike
- View quaint villages, lush vineyards and forests, and fairytale castles as you roll along a scenic river
- Explore the ancient Roman and medieval treasures of Trier
- Enjoy a private wine tasting in a century-old cellar
- Relax on your barge and sip Germany's finest Rieslings and beers
Average High /
Low Temperature (°F):
Jun67º/51º
Jul71º/55º
Aug71º/55º
Sep64º/50º
Oct54º/43º
Average
Precipitation:
Jun2.6 in
Jul2.7 in
Aug2.7 in
Sep2.5 in
Oct2.7 in
Air Package | Tour Only |
|
---|---|---|
Roundtrip international airfare | ||
Airport car service for arrival and departure | ||
One night in Koblenz and one night in Luxembourg City in conveniently located hotels with daily breakfast | ||
7 nights aboard a private deluxe canal barge | ||
16 meals: 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners |

Step-Through (Mixte Hybrid) Comfort Bicycle
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Step-Over (Diamond) Comfort Bicycle
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Road Bicycle (Aluminum alloy frame)
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Electric-Assisted Bicycle (E-bike)
See More >Biking Packages Include:
Custom VBT Bike and Helmet
Two Local, Bilingual Trip Leaders
Vehicle Support
Luggage Transfers
Ride with GPS and Daily Route Notes
Welcome Reception
Facilitated Cultural Experiences
Your Choice of VBT Branded Gear for Your Adventure
Itinerary
Thu, Aug 25 to Sun, Sep 4 - 2022
Show Itinerary:
Depart home for Germany. The particulars of your arrival overseas are detailed with your flight itinerary.
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 in the customs area. Make certain your VBT luggage tags are affixed to your bag so your VBT representative can identify you as you enter the arrival hall. Your VBT representative will be holding a VBT sign and will help you transfer via taxi or minibus (approximately 90 minutes) to your hotel in Koblenz. If you cannot find the VBT representative, or have been delayed in customs because of lost luggage or another reason, please go to the airport Meeting Point and wait there for a few minutes. If nobody arrives, you may wish to telephone our transportation company, Garske Touristik, at 0261 92 24 727.
Your hotel room may not be available until 2:00 p.m. You may store your luggage with the front desk if you arrive before that time. At 4:00 p.m., meet our local guide in the hotel lobby for a 1½-hour walking tour around the historic Old Town of Koblenz. It’s a 15-minute walk to the starting point of the tour, so we recommend you leave the hotel with everything you’ll need to have dinner on your own in the Old Town at tour’s end.
Accommodation: Hotel Brenner, Koblenz
At 9:00 a.m., meet a VBT representative in the hotel lobby for your transfer by coach (approximately one hour 40 minutes) to the city of Cochem. Please ensure that all luggage you will not need during the day today is loaded onto the luggage minibus. It will be taken directly to the barge and delivered to your cabin.
On arrival, meet one of your VBT trip leaders, who will acquaint you with this characteristic Mosel town beloved for its wooded hills, medieval buildings, and a picturesque center with beautiful, timber-framed houses. Hike or shuttle with a local guide to Reichsburg Castle, where you enjoy a tour and spectacular views of the Mosel 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 2:00 p.m. Meet the crew and your second VBT trip leader, then settle in before a bike-safety session and a short warm-up ride to Beilstein on quiet bike paths along the Mosel River. Reunite with your barge in Beilstein, where it will moor for the night. Gather with your travel mates for a welcome drink and toast this most rewarding way to bike Europe! Enjoy dinner on board.
Please note regarding WiFi on board the barge: Due to the nature of the barge movements, Internet access is not always available. If stable Internet access is critical to you, VBT recommends that you purchase your own bundle before traveling overseas.
Please note regarding Ride with GPS: There is limited WiFi on board. If you wish to use Ride with GPS on your smartphone, VBT also recommends that you download your VBT Maps & Route Notes from a WiFi zone prior to arrival on the boat. During your vacation, you will be able to follow these route notes on your smartphone with turn-by-turn voice navigation as you ride. As always, VBT also provides our traditional printed maps and route notes during the tour.
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today’s Ride Choice:
Cumulative Distance Range: 10 km (6 miles)
Afternoon
Beilstein Warm-up: 10 km (6 miles)
What to Expect: The ride to Beilstein is easy along the river. Get acquainted with your route notes and bicycle. Check your brakes and play with shifting your full range of gears.
Today, cruise the Mosel upstream and disembark for a ride on an easy cycling path to Zell and Traben-Trarbach. Beautifully situated on the Mosel where the river twists and turns through the hills, Zell is one of the largest wine-producing communities on the river. The beloved wine Zeller Schwarze Katze (Black Cat) is produced here with grapes from 16 different locations. Be sure to notice the sculpture on the market-square fountain depicting a snarling cat atop a wine barrel.
Next, cycle to the village of Traben-Trarbach, an architectural jewel of the German Art Nouveau movement known as Jugendstil. The surrounding woodlands and extensive vineyards add to its irresistible charm. Traben-Trarbach was once the world’s second-largest wine-trading center. At the height of its prosperity at the turn of the 20th 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. There’ll be time to admire a wide range of Belle Époque splendor during your visit; you’ll quickly see why the city is a favorite destination for lovers of baroque and classical architecture, too.
Rejoin your barge in Traben-Trarbach, then cruise into Bernkastel-Kues, once two small wine-making towns on either side of the Mosel before they were united in 1905. The pride of today’s dual city is the market square, with its picturesque timber-framed houses and decorative sculpted fountains, some dating to the 17th century.
Dinner is on board tonight. Afterward, the captain speaks about navigation and your planned route.
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today’s Ride Choices:
Cumulative Distance Range: 28 – 48 km (17 – 30 miles)
Morning
Beilstein to Zell: 28 km (17 miles)
Afternoon
Zell to Traben-Trabach: 20 km (13 miles)
What to Expect: The Mosel meanders in scenic hairpin turns through the steepest vineyards in Europe. The scenery is breathtaking, and many interesting sights can be explored along the way. You cross the river a few times, but continue to follow it upstream to the mooring point in Traben-Trarbach. You will find great places for lunch in charming villages. Short option riders join the barge here. Enjoy beautiful riding through quaint half-timbered wine villages and vineyards along the river to the Art Nouveau town of Traben-Trarbach, where we meet the barge and cruise to Bernkastel-Kues.
This morning, shuttle (approximately 45 minutes) through the scenic Eifel Valley to the town of Daun, a spa town fed by mineral springs. Return to your bicycle here and enjoy an exhilarating spin, climbing a slight incline at first and then coasting downhill along a former railway converted into a cycling path. This exciting ride includes stretches through tunnels, over bridges, and past small lakes formed from volcanic craters known as maars. Pass stately castles, lush vineyards, green forests, and quiet villages that invite you to pause and explore.
Along the way, stop in Gillenfeld to enjoy a simple lunch hosted by Sigrid and Leo Lenerz. At their simple cozy café idyllically located in an old barn, they specialize in regional products from local producers. Later, ride back to Bernkastel, where you can relax before dinner on board.
After dinner, stroll to the fascinating wine cellar of Josef Zimmermann via an elegant district of fine Art Nouveau villas, many of which display signs proclaiming their status as a weingut, or winery estate. The simple, fourth-generation Zimmermann operation boasts a century-old cellar full of wine barrels and an inviting tasting hall. Your welcoming host will guide you through a tasting of four different wines during your visit.
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today’s Ride Choices:
Cumulative Distance Range: 16 – 64 km (18 – 40 miles)
Morning
Daun to Gillenfeld: 16 km (10 miles)
Afternoon
Gillenfeld to Laufeld: 12 km (8 miles)
Laufeld to Wittlich: 15 km (9 miles)
Wittlich to Bernkastel-Kues: 21 km (13 miles)
What to Expect: Bike an invigorating rails-to-trails route known locally as the MMR, a mainly flat or downhill bike path with a few gradual climbs at the beginning. Meet up at a cozy café in Gillenfeld for lunch. Take our support vehicle after lunch if you wish to avoid hills, then continue on the MMR bike path coasting through illuminated tunnels and a viaduct before a thrilling, gradual descent into Wittlich town. From Wittlich you may shuttle back to the barge or ride flat and easy bike paths along a small river through gorgeous forest and farmlands to the Mosel River, where your barge awaits.
After breakfast, you cycle toward Trier, the oldest town in Germany, passing Piesport and Trittenheim along the way. Both of these winemaking villages lie on scenic hairpin turns of the Mosel. In Piesport, you will see a reconstructed Roman winepress. Stop for lunch in one of the small villages along your route, such as Neumagen-Dhron, where you witness more signs of ancient Rome. Rejoin the barge in Schweich for a leisurely cruise to Trier.
The people of Trier might tell you that it is possible to see “2,000 years of history in 2,000 paces” in their city. The Romans established their local capital here. In the Middle Ages, Frankish kings and the archbishops of Trier reigned. Here you can learn about the Porta Nigra (“Black Gate”), a city landmark and the largest city gate of the ancient world; the amphitheater; the medieval Market Square; the High Cathedral of St. Peter, Germany’s oldest Cathedral; and Constantine’s Imperial Throne Hall. Then there’s the rococo Electoral Palace and the ruins of the Imperial Baths with their extensive subterranean passages. It is an astounding repository of history that leaves little doubt why all of Trier’s monuments have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Tonight, your barge moors here, so you can try one of the local restaurants for dinner on your own.
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast
Today’s Ride Choices:
Cumulative Distance Range: 27 – 56 km (16 – 34 miles)
Morning
Bernkastel-Kues to Neumagen: 27 km (16 miles)
Afternoon
Neumagen to Schweich: 29 km (18 miles)
What to Expect: Ride to Neumagen, where you can rejoin the barge. Or spend the morning on board and start biking from Neumagen. There are a few short ascents and descents along the river and through the vineyards; as you ride, you might witness the barge passing through the locks in Detzem. Then it’s all aboard in Schweich for a cruise into Trier, the former Imperial city of Rome’s late Classical period.
This morning, you have time to explore Trier, with its shops and Roman history, before taking a local train to Konz, scenically situated where the Saar River flows into the Mosel. Here, you meet the barge for lunch, then set off on an afternoon spin into the Saarland along the more intimate Saar River. Wooded mountains, wide meadows, farmsteads, and villages mark your progress as you ride. Later this afternoon, you reach Saarburg, a medieval riverside jewel at the foot of a castle. The town center boasts a roaring 65-foot (19.8-meter) waterfall. Choose between a scenic ride along the Saar River or free time in Saarburg.
This evening, you may dine on your own in a restaurant on the Leuk River. Savor the hearty food and sip a crisp Saar River Riesling, or try viez, an apple cider typical of this region. The barge moors in Saarburg.
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today’s Ride Choices:
Cumulative Distance Range: 19 – 34 km (11 – 20 miles)
Afternoon
Konz to Saarburg: 19 km (11 miles)
OR
Saarburg Loop: 34 km (20 miles)
What to Expect: After lunch on board, your afternoon ride begins by crossing over a bridge at the confluence of the Mosel and Saar rivers. The riverside ride to lovely medieval Saarburg is easy, passing fruit orchards and vineyard-clad slopes. While you wait for the barge to arrive, take the opportunity to explore the town, perhaps climbing the steps to the castle ruins. For more miles along the Saar bike path, ride up the right bank, navigate a narrow unpaved path through the forest, and cross over the big locks and bridge down the other side back to Saarburg.
Directions to enjoy free time in Saarburg:
Visit the central square and waterfall: From your barge, walk up the small ramp, down the road, and under the bridge. From here, an uphill street leads past typical houses and into the square. After admiring the waterfall, perhaps stop in one of the cafés or restaurants.
Visit the castle from the central square: Cross the bridge over the waterfall and turn right toward “Galerie am Wasserfall.” Take a left and follow the street to the castle, passing a church on your left. The castle keep offers a great view.
Visit the castle directly from the barge: This shorter but steeper walk starts at the stairs behind the white building. Look for the sign that reads “Schörgenhummer.” At the top of the stairs, you can join the path to the castle.
This morning, walk to the nearby former bell foundry and museum, Mabilon, which produced bells until 2002. Later, cycle along the banks of the Saar River to Konz, at the confluence of the Mosel and Saar rivers. Then, follow the Mosel River, the natural border between Luxembourg and Germany, along an easy biking path. Soon you’ll arrive in Wasserbillig and cross the border into Luxembourg.
In Nittel, Germany, rejoin the barge for lunch. This afternoon, you can opt to continue cycling with our longer option or cruise into Remich, Luxembourg.
Our longer option follows the renowned Route du Vin, famous for its vineyards and outstanding wines, including Riesling and Cremant. Approaching Remich, take a short detour to Nennig and admire Europe’s largest Roman mosaic; remarkably, 90% of it is original and perfectly restored. Dinner tonight is on the barge, moored in Remich.
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today’s Ride Choices:
Cumulative Distance Range: 21 – 44 km (14 – 27 miles)
Morning
Saarburg to Wasserbillig: 23 km (14 miles)
Afternoon
Nittel to Remich: 21 km (13 miles)
What to Expect: Ride along the Saar River back to its confluence with the Mosel, crossing a few bridges. Ride along the Luxembourg side to meet the barge in Wasserbillig for a cruising lunch to Nittel, Germany. An easy spin along the Mosel River through vineyards and small villages ends at the Roman mosaic for a film and tour of the ruins.
Ride a tranquil bike path along the Mosel River this morning, crossing from Luxembourg into Germany and France. Then, turn inland and follow a pleasant rolling route through small villages to Rodemack, known as “Little Carcassonne Lorraine” and ranked one of the most beautiful villages in France. In this charming hamlet, admire marvels of construction that span the ages, including fortifications erected over many centuries. Impressive ramparts and walls encircle the village, and cobbled alleys lead to a labyrinth of back streets and an impressive fortress.
Enjoy a picnic lunch with free time to explore on your own.
Today’s longer option leads to Thionville, where you board your barge and cruise into Metz, France. This evening, enjoy your final onboard dinner.
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today’s Ride Choices:
Cumulative Distance Range: 30 – 53 km (18 – 40 miles)
Morning
Remich to Rodemack: 30 km (18 miles)
Afternoon
Rodemack toThionville with Shuttles: 11 km (7 miles)
Rodemack to Thionville: 23 km (15 miles)
What to Expect: Enjoy flat, easy cycling along the Mosel River to the three-country border zone, crossing from Luxembourg into Germany and France. Cycle through French farmlands, on a mix of quiet country roads and bike lanes. Finish the day biking through France along the Mosel, riding through breathtaking French countryside of the Lorraine region into Thionville, where the barge waits. Shuttles are available to assist you if required during the day.
After a final breakfast on our barge, bid farewell to the crew and VBT trip leaders, and say hello to your local guide as you disembark in Metz, France, nestled at the confluence of the Mosel and Seille rivers. Enjoy a pleasant walk into this charming city, a quaint tapestry of bridges and romantic corners. Pass the elegant 18th-century city theater and the Palais de la Prefecture in the Place de la Comedie. Visit the imposing Cathedral of St. Etienne, one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals of France, built around 1250. Here, admire the fine stained-glass windows, including a modern work by Marc Chagall.
Then, walk to the Saturday morning local market, to the lively Place St. Louis, and to Place Saint-Jacques, where there’ll be time to shop or explore. Lunch is on your own.
After, take a private shuttle to Luxembourg City. En route, there will be a short 15-minute stop at the Luxembourg American Cemetery so you may honor those who fell here during World War II.
Check into the Hotel Le Royal, a stroll away from the main square and the Old City. The rest of your day is free to discover this fascinating capital of one of Europe’s smallest countries. Explore cobblestone-arched narrow streets and small elegant palaces such as the Palais Grand-Ducal and the Chambre des Deputes. The beautiful Chemin de la Corniche is said to be Europe’s most beautiful terrace, with a pleasant promenade that passes restored ancient homes. You’ll also bask in the beauty of the city’s two major squares: the regal Place de la Constitution and the cozy Place du Marche, still used for weekly flower and vegetable markets.
Tonight, dine 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, adding a Latin flair to its nightlife and menus.
Accommodation: Hotel Le Royal, Luxembourg City
Included Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast,* meet in the hotel lobby and transfer to the Luxembourg City airport for your flight back home.** Please be sure that you are waiting at the designated transfer time and location.
*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 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.
Included Meals: Breakfast
All you have to do is get to the airport. On our Air Packages, we’ll take care of the rest, handling all the logistics, so you can travel with peace of mind. Spend your first night aloft and arrive refreshed for an unforgettable trip.
A VBT representative will greet you at the airport to start your adventure off right. A complimentary car service will whisk you to your centrally located hotel in Koblenz. From here, you are perfectly positioned to explore this charming city at your leisure.
Accommodation: Hotel Brenner, Koblenz
After an included breakfast, meet a VBT representative in the hotel lobby at 9:00 a.m. for your transportation by coach (approximately 1.75 hours) to the city of Cochem. Please ensure that all luggage you will not need during the day today is loaded onto the luggage minibus. It will be taken directly to the barge and delivered to your cabin.
On arrival, meet one of your VBT trip leaders, who will acquaint you with this characteristic Mosel town beloved for its wooded hills, medieval buildings, and a picturesque center with beautiful, timber-framed houses. Hike or shuttle with a local guide to Reichsburg Castle, where you enjoy a tour and spectacular views of the Mosel 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 2:00 p.m. Meet the crew and your second VBT trip leader, then settle in before a bike-safety session and a short warm-up ride to Beilstein on quiet bike paths along the Mosel River. Reunite with your barge in Beilstein, where it will moor for the night. Gather with your travel mates for a welcome drink and toast this most rewarding way to bike Europe! Enjoy dinner on board.
Today’s Ride Choice
Afternoon: Bielstein Warm-up – 10 km (6 miles)
What to Expect: The ride to Beilstein is easy along the river. Get acquainted with your route notes and bicycle. Check your brakes and play with shifting your full range of gears.
Cumulative Distance Range: 10 km (6 miles)
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, cruise the Mosel upstream and disembark for a ride on an easy cycling path to Zell and Traben-Trarbach. Beautifully situated on the Mosel where the river twists and turns through the hills, Zell is one of the largest wine-producing communities on the river. The beloved wine Zeller Schwarze Katze (Black Cat) is produced here with grapes from 16 different locations. Be sure to notice the sculpture on the market-square fountain depicting a snarling cat atop a wine barrel.
Next, cycle to the village of Traben-Trarbach, an architectural jewel of the German Art Nouveau movement known as Jugendstil. The surrounding woodlands and extensive vineyards add to its irresistible charm. Traben-Trarbach was once the world’s second-largest wine-trading center. At the height of its prosperity at the turn of the 20th 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. There’ll be time to admire a wide range of Belle Époque splendor during your visit; you’ll quickly see why the city is a favorite destination for lovers of baroque and classical architecture, too.
Rejoin your barge in Traben-Trarbach, then cruise into Bernkastel-Kues, once two small wine-making towns on either side of the Mosel before they were united in 1905. The pride of today’s dual city is the market square, with its picturesque timber-framed houses and decorative sculpted fountains, some dating to the 17th century.
Dinner is on board tonight. Afterward, the captain speaks about navigation and your planned route.
Today’s Ride Choices
Morning: Beilstein to Zell – 28 km (17 miles)
Afternoon: Zell to Traben-Trabach – 20 km (13 miles)
What to Expect: The Mosel meanders in scenic hairpin turns through the steepest vineyards in Europe. The scenery is breathtaking, and many interesting sights can be explored along the way. You cross the river a few times, but continue to follow it upstream to the mooring point in Traben-Trarbach. You will find great places for lunch in charming villages. Short option riders join the barge here. Enjoy beautiful riding through quaint half-timbered wine villages and vineyards along the river to the Art Nouveau town of Traben-Trarbach, where we meet the barge and cruise to Bernkastel-Kues.
Cumulative Distance Range: 28 – 48 km (17 – 30 miles)
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, travel (approximately 45 minutes) through the scenic Eifel Valley to the town of Daun, a spa town fed by mineral springs. Return to your bicycle here and enjoy an exhilarating spin, climbing a slight incline at first and then coasting downhill along a former railway converted into a cycling path. This exciting ride includes stretches through tunnels, over bridges, and past small lakes formed from volcanic craters known as maars. Pass stately castles, lush vineyards, green forests, and quiet villages that invite you to pause and explore.
Along the way, stop in Gillenfeld to enjoy a simple lunch hosted by Sigrid and Leo Lenerz. At their simple cozy café idyllically located in an old barn, they specialize in regional products from local producers. Later, ride back to Bernkastel, where you can relax before dinner on board.
After dinner, stroll to the fascinating wine cellar of Josef Zimmermann via an elegant district of fine Art Nouveau villas, many of which display signs proclaiming their status as a weingut, or winery estate. The simple, fourth-generation Zimmermann operation boasts a century-old cellar full of wine barrels and an inviting tasting hall. Your welcoming host will guide you through a tasting of four different wines during your visit.
Today’s Ride Choices
Morning: Daun to Gillenfeld – 16 km (10 miles)
Afternoon: Gillenfeld to Laufeld – 12 km (8 miles) | Laufeld to Wittlich – 15 km (9 miles) | Wittlich to Bernkastel-Kues – 21 km (13 miles)
What to Expect: Bike an invigorating rails-to-trails route known locally as the MMR, a mainly flat or downhill bike path with a few gradual climbs at the beginning. Meet up at a cozy café in Gillenfeld for lunch. Take our support vehicle after lunch if you wish to avoid hills, then continue on the MMR bike path coasting through illuminated tunnels and a viaduct before a thrilling, gradual descent into Wittlich town. From Wittlich you may shuttle back to the barge or ride flat and easy bike paths along a small river through gorgeous forest and farmlands to the Mosel River, where your barge awaits.
Cumulative Distance Range: 16 – 64 km (18 – 40 miles)
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, you cycle toward Trier, the oldest town in Germany, passing Piesport and Trittenheim along the way. Both of these winemaking villages lie on scenic hairpin turns of the Mosel. In Piesport, you will see a reconstructed Roman winepress. Stop for lunch in one of the small villages along your route, such as Neumagen-Dhron, where you witness more signs of ancient Rome. Rejoin the barge in Schweich for a leisurely cruise to Trier.
The people of Trier might tell you that it is possible to see “2,000 years of history in 2,000 paces” in their city. The Romans established their local capital here. In the Middle Ages, Frankish kings and the archbishops of Trier reigned. Here you can learn about the Porta Nigra (“Black Gate”), a city landmark and the largest city gate of the ancient world; the amphitheater; the medieval Market Square; the High Cathedral of St. Peter, Germany’s oldest Cathedral; and Constantine’s Imperial Throne Hall. Then there’s the rococo Electoral Palace and the ruins of the Imperial Baths with their extensive subterranean passages. It is an astounding repository of history that leaves little doubt why all of Trier’s monuments have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Tonight, your barge moors here, so you can try one of the local restaurants for dinner on your own.
Today’s Ride Choices
Morning: Bernkastel-Kues to Neumagen – 27 km (16 miles)
Afternoon: Neumagen to Schweich – 29 km (18 miles)
What to Expect: Ride to Neumagen, where you can rejoin the barge. Or spend the morning on board and start biking from Neumagen. There are a few short ascents and descents along the river and through the vineyards; as you ride, you might witness the barge passing through the locks in Detzem. Then it’s all aboard in Schweich for a cruise into Trier, the former Imperial city of Rome’s late Classical period.
Cumulative Distance Range: 27 – 56 km (16 – 34 miles)
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast
This morning, you have time to explore Trier, with its shops and Roman history, before taking a local train to Konz, scenically situated where the Saar River flows into the Mosel. Here, you meet the barge for lunch, then set off on an afternoon spin into the Saarland along the more intimate Saar River. Wooded mountains, wide meadows, farmsteads, and villages mark your progress as you ride. Later this afternoon, you reach Saarburg, a medieval riverside jewel at the foot of a castle. The town center boasts a roaring 65-foot (19.8-meter) waterfall. Choose between a scenic ride along the Saar River or free time in Saarburg.
This evening, you may dine on your own in a restaurant on the Leuk River. Savor the hearty food and sip a crisp Saar River Riesling, or try viez, an apple cider typical of this region. The barge moors in Saarburg.
Today’s Ride Choices
Afternoon: Konz to Saarburg – 19 km (11 miles ) OR Saarburg Loop – 34 km (20 miles)
What to Expect: After lunch on board, your afternoon ride begins by crossing over a bridge at the confluence of the Mosel and Saar rivers. The riverside ride to lovely medieval Saarburg is easy, passing fruit orchards and vineyard-clad slopes. While you wait for the barge to arrive, take the opportunity to explore the town, perhaps climbing the steps to the castle ruins. For more miles along the Saar bike path, ride up the right bank, navigate a narrow unpaved path through the forest, and cross over the big locks and bridge down the other side back to Saarburg.
Cumulative Distance Range: 19 – 34 km (11 – 20 miles)
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, walk to the nearby former bell foundry and museum, Mabilon, which produced bells until 2002. Later, cycle along the banks of the Saar River to Konz, at the confluence of the Mosel and Saar rivers. Then, follow the Mosel River, the natural border between Luxembourg and Germany, along an easy biking path. Soon you’ll arrive in Wasserbillig and cross the border into Luxembourg.
In Nittel, Germany, rejoin the barge for lunch. This afternoon, you can opt to continue cycling with our longer option or cruise into Remich, Luxembourg.
Our longer option follows the renowned Route du Vin, famous for its vineyards and outstanding wines, including Riesling and Cremant. Approaching Remich, take a short detour to Nennig and admire Europe’s largest Roman mosaic; remarkably, 90% of it is original and perfectly restored. Dinner tonight is on the barge, moored in Remich.
Today’s Ride Choices
Morning: Saarburg to Wasserbillig – 23 km (14 miles)
Afternoon: Nittel to Remich – 21 km (13 miles)
What to Expect: Ride along the Saar River back to its confluence with the Mosel, crossing a few bridges. Ride along the Luxembourg side to meet the barge in Wasserbillig for a cruising lunch to Nittel, Germany. An easy spin along the Mosel River through vineyards and small villages ends at the Roman mosaic for a film and tour of the ruins.
Cumulative Distance Range: 21 – 44 km (14 – 27 miles)
Accommodation:BargeIris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride a tranquil bike path along the Mosel River this morning, crossing from Luxembourg into Germany and France. Then, turn inland and follow a pleasant rolling route through small villages to Rodemack, known as “Little Carcassonne Lorraine” and ranked one of the most beautiful villages in France. In this charming hamlet, admire marvels of construction that span the ages, including fortifications erected over many centuries. Impressive ramparts and walls encircle the village, and cobbled alleys lead to a labyrinth of back streets and an impressive fortress.
Enjoy a picnic lunch with free time to explore on your own.
Today’s longer option leads to Thionville, where you board your barge and cruise into Metz, France. This evening, enjoy your final onboard dinner.
Today’s Ride Choices
Morning: Remich to Rodemack – 30 km (18 miles)
Afternoon: Rodemack to Thionville with Shuttles – 11 km (7 miles) | Rodemack to Thionville – 23 km (15 miles)
What to Expect: Enjoy flat, easy cycling along the Mosel River to the three-country border zone, crossing from Luxembourg into Germany and France. Cycle through French farmlands, on a mix of quiet country roads and bike lanes. Finish the day biking through France along the Mosel, riding through breathtaking French countryside of the Lorraine region into Thionville, where the barge waits. Vehicle support is available to assist you if required during the day.
Cumulative Distance Range: 30 – 53 km (18 – 40 miles)
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a final breakfast on our barge, bid farewell to the crew and VBT trip leaders, and say hello to your local guide as you disembark in Metz, France, nestled at the confluence of the Mosel and Seille rivers. Enjoy a pleasant walk into this charming city, a quaint tapestry of bridges and romantic corners. Pass the elegant 18th-century city theater and the Palais de la Prefecture in the Place de la Comedie. Visit the imposing Cathedral of St. Etienne, one of the most beautiful Gothic cathedrals of France, built around 1250. Here, admire the fine stained-glass windows, including a modern work by Marc Chagall.
Then, walk to the Saturday morning local market, to the lively Place St. Louis, and to Place Saint-Jacques, where there’ll be time to shop or explore. Lunch is on your own.
After, take private transportation to Luxembourg City. En route, there will be a short 15-minute stop at the Luxembourg American Cemetery so you may honor those who fell here during World War II.
Check into the Hotel Le Royal, a stroll away from the main square and the Old City. The rest of your day is free to discover this fascinating capital of one of Europe’s smallest countries. Explore cobblestone-arched narrow streets and small elegant palaces such as the Palais Grand-Ducal and the Chambre des Deputes. The beautiful Chemin de la Corniche is said to be Europe’s most beautiful terrace, with a pleasant promenade that passes restored ancient homes. You’ll also bask in the beauty of the city’s two major squares: the regal Place de la Constitution and the cozy Place du Marche, still used for weekly flower and vegetable markets.
Tonight, dine 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, adding a Latin flair to its nightlife and menus.
Accommodation: Hotel Le Royal, Luxemboug City
Included Meals: Breakfast
After an included breakfast this morning, complimentary transportation to the Luxembourg City airport will be provided (an approximately 15-minute drive, depending on traffic) for your departing flight.
Included Meals: Breakfast

Sat, Aug 27 to Sat, Sep 3 - 2022
Show Itinerary:
You are responsible for making your way to Cochem to meet your barge. Please arrive between 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. Please note that you cannot embark before this time, as the barge is being prepared for you. If you are late, you must contact the barge as soon as possible to make alternate arrangements because we sail shortly after this time.
The barge will be moored in Cochem at Uferstrasse, on the right bank just downstream from the bridge. Contact telephone number is +49 151 57 81 33 06 or +31 620 245 095.
Meet the crew and your VBT trip leaders, then freshen up in your cabin and change before a bike-safety session and a short warm-up ride to Beilstein on quiet bike paths along the tranquil Mosel River. Reunite with your barge in Beilstein, where it will moor for the night. Gather with your travel mates for a welcome drink and dinner on board.
Please note regarding WiFi on board the barge: Due to the nature of the barge movements, Internet access is not always available. If stable Internet access is critical to you, VBT recommends that you purchase your own bundle before traveling overseas.
Please note regarding Ride with GPS: There is limited WiFi on board. If you wish to use Ride with GPS on your smartphone, VBT also recommends that you download your VBT Maps & Route Notes from a WiFi zone prior to arrival on the boat. During your vacation, you will be able to follow these route notes on your smartphone with turn-by-turn voice navigation as you ride. As always, VBT also provides our traditional printed maps and route notes during the tour.
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Dinner
Today’s Ride Choice:
Cumulative Distance Range: 10 km (6 miles)
Afternoon
Beilstein Warm-up: 10 km (6 miles)
What to Expect: The ride to Beilstein is easy along the river. Get acquainted with your route notes and bicycle. Check your brakes and play with shifting your full range of gears.
Today, cruise the Mosel upstream and disembark for a ride on an easy cycling path to Zell and Traben-Trarbach. Beautifully situated on the Mosel where the river twists and turns through the hills, Zell is one of the largest wine-producing communities on the river. The beloved wine Zeller Schwarze Katze (Black Cat) is produced here with grapes from 16 different locations. Be sure to notice the sculpture on the market-square fountain depicting a snarling cat atop a wine barrel.
Next, cycle to the village of Traben-Trarbach, an architectural jewel of the German Art Nouveau movement known as Jugendstil. The surrounding woodlands and extensive vineyards add to its irresistible charm. Traben-Trarbach was once the world’s second-largest wine-trading center. At the height of its prosperity at the turn of the 20th 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. There’ll be time to admire a wide range of Belle Époque splendor during your visit; you’ll quickly see why the city is a favorite destination for lovers of baroque and classical architecture, too.
Rejoin your barge in Traben-Trarbach, then cruise into Bernkastel-Kues, once two small wine-making towns on either side of the Mosel before they were united in 1905. The pride of today’s dual city is the market square, with its picturesque timber-framed houses and decorative sculpted fountains, some dating to the 17th century.
Dinner is on board tonight. Afterward, the captain speaks about navigation and your planned route.
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Today’s Ride Choices:
Cumulative Distance Range: 28 – 48 km (17 – 30 miles)
Morning
Beilstein to Zell: 28 km (17 miles)
Afternoon
Zell to Traben-Trabach: 20 km (13 miles)
What to Expect: The Mosel meanders in scenic hairpin turns through the steepest vineyards in Europe. The scenery is breathtaking, and many interesting sights can be explored along the way. You cross the river a few times, but continue to follow it upstream to the mooring point in Traben-Trarbach. You will find great places for lunch in charming villages. Short option riders join the barge here. Enjoy beautiful riding through quaint half-timbered wine villages and vineyards along the river to the Art Nouveau town of Traben-Trarbach, where we meet the barge and cruise to Bernkastel-Kues.
This morning, shuttle (approximately 45 minutes) through the scenic Eifel Valley to the town of Daun, a spa town fed by mineral springs. Return to your bicycle here and enjoy an exhilarating spin, climbing a slight incline at first and then coasting downhill along a former railway converted into a cycling path. This exciting ride includes stretches through tunnels, over bridges, and past small lakes formed from volcanic craters known as maars. Pass stately castles, lush vineyards, green forests, and quiet villages that invite you to pause and explore.
Along the way, stop in Gillenfeld to enjoy a simple lunch hosted by Sigrid and Leo Lenerz. At their simple cozy café idyllically located in an old barn, they specialize in regional products from local producers. Later, ride back to Bernkastel, where you can relax before dinner on board.
After dinner, stroll to the fascinating wine cellar of Josef Zimmermann via an elegant district of fine Art Nouveau villas, many of which display signs proclaiming their status as a weingut, or winery estate. The simple, fourth-generation Zimmermann operation boasts a century-old cellar full of wine barrels and an inviting tasting hall. Your welcoming host will guide you through a tasting of four different wines during your visit.
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today’s Ride Choices:
Cumulative Distance Range: 16 – 64 km (18 – 40 miles)
Morning
Daun to Gillenfeld: 16 km (10 miles)
Afternoon
Gillenfeld to Laufeld: 12 km (8 miles)
Laufeld to Wittlich: 15 km (9 miles)
Wittlich to Bernkastel-Kues: 21 km (13 miles)
What to Expect: Bike an invigorating rails-to-trails route known locally as the MMR, a mainly flat or downhill bike path with a few gradual climbs at the beginning. Meet up at a cozy café in Gillenfeld for lunch. Take our support vehicle after lunch if you wish to avoid hills, then continue on the MMR bike path coasting through illuminated tunnels and a viaduct before a thrilling, gradual descent into Wittlich town. From Wittlich you may shuttle back to the barge or ride flat and easy bike paths along a small river through gorgeous forest and farmlands to the Mosel River, where your barge awaits.
After breakfast, you cycle toward Trier, the oldest town in Germany, passing Piesport and Trittenheim along the way. Both of these winemaking villages lie on scenic hairpin turns of the Mosel. In Piesport, you will see a reconstructed Roman winepress. Stop for lunch in one of the small villages along your route, such as Neumagen-Dhron, where you witness more signs of ancient Rome. Rejoin the barge in Schweich for a leisurely cruise to Trier.
The people of Trier might tell you that it is possible to see “2,000 years of history in 2,000 paces” in their city. The Romans established their local capital here. In the Middle Ages, Frankish kings and the archbishops of Trier reigned. Here you can learn about the Porta Nigra (“Black Gate”), a city landmark and the largest city gate of the ancient world; the amphitheater; the medieval Market Square; the High Cathedral of St. Peter, Germany’s oldest Cathedral; and Constantine’s Imperial Throne Hall. Then there’s the rococo Electoral Palace and the ruins of the Imperial Baths with their extensive subterranean passages. It is an astounding repository of history that leaves little doubt why all of Trier’s monuments have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Tonight, your barge moors here, so you can try one of the local restaurants for dinner on your own.
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast
Today’s Ride Choices:
Cumulative Distance Range: 27 – 56 km (16 – 34 miles)
Morning
Bernkastel-Kues to Neumagen: 27 km (16 miles)
Afternoon
Neumagen to Schweich: 29 km (18 miles)
What to Expect: Ride to Neumagen, where you can rejoin the barge. Or spend the morning on board and start biking from Neumagen. There are a few short ascents and descents along the river and through the vineyards; as you ride, you might witness the barge passing through the locks in Detzem. Then it’s all aboard in Schweich for a cruise into Trier, the former Imperial city of Rome’s late Classical period.
This morning, you have time to explore Trier, with its shops and Roman history, before taking a local train to Konz, scenically situated where the Saar River flows into the Mosel. Here, you meet the barge for lunch, then set off on an afternoon spin into the Saarland along the more intimate Saar River. Wooded mountains, wide meadows, farmsteads, and villages mark your progress as you ride. Later this afternoon, you reach Saarburg, a medieval riverside jewel at the foot of a castle. The town center boasts a roaring 65-foot (19.8-meter) waterfall. Choose between a scenic ride along the Saar River or free time in Saarburg.
This evening, you may dine on your own in a restaurant on the Leuk River. Savor the hearty food and sip a crisp Saar River Riesling, or try viez, an apple cider typical of this region. The barge moors in Saarburg.
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today’s Ride Choices:
Cumulative Distance Range: 19 – 34 km (11 – 20 miles)
Afternoon
Konz to Saarburg: 19 km (11 miles)
OR
Saarburg Loop: 34 km (20 miles)
What to Expect: After lunch on board, your afternoon ride begins by crossing over a bridge at the confluence of the Mosel and Saar rivers. The riverside ride to lovely medieval Saarburg is easy, passing fruit orchards and vineyard-clad slopes. While you wait for the barge to arrive, take the opportunity to explore the town, perhaps climbing the steps to the castle ruins. For more miles along the Saar bike path, ride up the right bank, navigate a narrow unpaved path through the forest, and cross over the big locks and bridge down the other side back to Saarburg.
Directions to enjoy free time in Saarburg:
Visit the central square and waterfall: From your barge, walk up the small ramp, down the road, and under the bridge. From here, an uphill street leads past typical houses and into the square. After admiring the waterfall, perhaps stop in one of the cafés or restaurants.
Visit the castle from the central square: Cross the bridge over the waterfall and turn right toward “Galerie am Wasserfall.” Take a left and follow the street to the castle, passing a church on your left. The castle keep offers a great view.
Visit the castle directly from the barge: This shorter but steeper walk starts at the stairs behind the white building. Look for the sign that reads “Schörgenhummer.” At the top of the stairs, you can join the path to the castle.
This morning, walk to the nearby former bell foundry and museum, Mabilon, which produced bells until 2002. Later, cycle along the banks of the Saar River to Konz, at the confluence of the Mosel and Saar rivers. Then, follow the Mosel River, the natural border between Luxembourg and Germany, along an easy biking path. Soon you’ll arrive in Wasserbillig and cross the border into Luxembourg.
In Nittel, Germany, rejoin the barge for lunch. This afternoon, you can opt to continue cycling with our longer option or cruise into Remich, Luxembourg.
Our longer option follows the renowned Route du Vin, famous for its vineyards and outstanding wines, including Riesling and Cremant. Approaching Remich, take a short detour to Nennig and admire Europe’s largest Roman mosaic; remarkably, 90% of it is original and perfectly restored. Dinner tonight is on the barge, moored in Remich.
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today’s Ride Choices:
Cumulative Distance Range: 21 – 44 km (14 – 27 miles)
Morning
Saarburg to Wasserbillig: 23 km (14 miles)
Afternoon
Nittel to Remich: 21 km (13 miles)
What to Expect: Ride along the Saar River back to its confluence with the Mosel, crossing a few bridges. Ride along the Luxembourg side to meet the barge in Wasserbillig for a cruising lunch to Nittel, Germany. An easy spin along the Mosel River through vineyards and small villages ends at the Roman mosaic for a film and tour of the ruins.
Ride a tranquil bike path along the Mosel River this morning, crossing from Luxembourg into Germany and France. Then, turn inland and follow a pleasant rolling route through small villages to Rodemack, known as “Little Carcassonne Lorraine” and ranked one of the most beautiful villages in France. In this charming hamlet, admire marvels of construction that span the ages, including fortifications erected over many centuries. Impressive ramparts and walls encircle the village, and cobbled alleys lead to a labyrinth of back streets and an impressive fortress.
Enjoy a picnic lunch with free time to explore on your own.
Today’s longer option leads to Thionville, where you board your barge and cruise into Metz, France. This evening, enjoy your final onboard dinner.
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today’s Ride Choices:
Cumulative Distance Range: 30 – 53 km (18 – 40 miles)
Morning
Remich to Rodemack: 30 km (18 miles)
Afternoon
Rodemack toThionville with Shuttles: 11 km (7 miles)
Rodemack to Thionville: 23 km (15 miles)
What to Expect: Enjoy flat, easy cycling along the Mosel River to the three-country border zone, crossing from Luxembourg into Germany and France. Cycle through French farmlands, on a mix of quiet country roads and bike lanes. Finish the day biking through France along the Mosel, riding through breathtaking French countryside of the Lorraine region into Thionville, where the barge waits. Shuttles are available to assist you if required during the day.
After breakfast, your tour ends in Metz, France. It is important that you leave the barge no later than 9:00 a.m. so that the crew can prepare for their next guests.
Included Meals: Breakfast
You are responsible for making your way to Cochem to meet your barge. Please arrive between 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. Please note that you cannot embark before this time, as the barge is being prepared for you. If you are late, you must contact the barge as soon as possible to make alternate arrangements because we sail shortly after this time.
The barge will be moored in Cochem at Uferstrasse, on the right bank just downstream from the bridge. Contact telephone number is +49 151 57 81 33 06 or +31 620 245 095.
Meet the crew and your VBT trip leaders, then freshen up in your cabin and change before a bike-safety session and a short warm-up ride to Beilstein on quiet bike paths along the tranquil Mosel River. Reunite with your barge in Beilstein, where it will moor for the night. Gather with your travel mates for a welcome drink and dinner on board.
Today’s Ride Choice:
Afternoon: Bielstein Warm-up – 10 km (6 miles)
What to Expect: The ride to Beilstein is easy along the river. Get acquainted with your route notes and bicycle. Check your brakes and play with shifting your full range of gears.
Cumulative Distance Range: 10 km (6 miles)
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Dinner
Today, cruise the Mosel upstream and disembark for a ride on an easy cycling path to Zell and Traben-Trarbach. Beautifully situated on the Mosel where the river twists and turns through the hills, Zell is one of the largest wine-producing communities on the river. The beloved wine Zeller Schwarze Katze (Black Cat) is produced here with grapes from 16 different locations. Be sure to notice the sculpture on the market-square fountain depicting a snarling cat atop a wine barrel.
Next, cycle to the village of Traben-Trarbach, an architectural jewel of the German Art Nouveau movement known as Jugendstil. The surrounding woodlands and extensive vineyards add to its irresistible charm. Traben-Trarbach was once the world’s second-largest wine-trading center. At the height of its prosperity at the turn of the 20th 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. There’ll be time to admire a wide range of Belle Époque splendor during your visit; you’ll quickly see why the city is a favorite destination for lovers of baroque and classical architecture, too.
Rejoin your barge in Traben-Trarbach, then cruise into Bernkastel-Kues, once two small wine-making towns on either side of the Mosel before they were united in 1905. The pride of today’s dual city is the market square, with its picturesque timber-framed houses and decorative sculpted fountains, some dating to the 17th century.
Dinner is on board tonight. Afterward, the captain speaks about navigation and your planned route.
Today’s Ride Choices
Morning: Beilstein to Zell – 28 km (17 miles)
Afternoon: Zell to Traben-Trabach – 20 km (13 miles)
What to Expect: The Mosel meanders in scenic hairpin turns through the steepest vineyards in Europe. The scenery is breathtaking, and many interesting sights can be explored along the way. You cross the river a few times, but continue to follow it upstream to the mooring point in Traben-Trarbach. You will find great places for lunch in charming villages. Short option riders join the barge here. Enjoy beautiful riding through quaint half-timbered wine villages and vineyards along the river to the Art Nouveau town of Traben-Trarbach, where we meet the barge and cruise to Bernkastel-Kues.
Cumulative Distance Range: 28 – 48 km (17 – 30 miles)
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, travel (approximately 45 minutes) through the scenic Eifel Valley to the town of Daun, a spa town fed by mineral springs. Return to your bicycle here and enjoy an exhilarating spin, climbing a slight incline at first and then coasting downhill along a former railway converted into a cycling path. This exciting ride includes stretches through tunnels, over bridges, and past small lakes formed from volcanic craters known as maars. Pass stately castles, lush vineyards, green forests, and quiet villages that invite you to pause and explore.
Along the way, stop in Gillenfeld to enjoy a simple lunch hosted by Sigrid and Leo Lenerz. At their simple cozy café idyllically located in an old barn, they specialize in regional products from local producers. Later, ride back to Bernkastel, where you can relax before dinner on board.
After dinner, stroll to the fascinating wine cellar of Josef Zimmermann via an elegant district of fine Art Nouveau villas, many of which display signs proclaiming their status as a weingut, or winery estate. The simple, fourth-generation Zimmermann operation boasts a century-old cellar full of wine barrels and an inviting tasting hall. Your welcoming host will guide you through a tasting of four different wines during your visit.
Today’s Ride Choices
Morning: Daun to Gillenfeld – 16 km (10 miles)
Afternoon: Gillenfeld to Laufeld – 12 km (8 miles) | Laufeld to Wittlich – 15 km (9 miles) | Wittlich to Bernkastel-Kues – 21 km (13 miles)
What to Expect: Bike an invigorating rails-to-trails route known locally as the MMR, a mainly flat or downhill bike path with a few gradual climbs at the beginning. Meet up at a cozy café in Gillenfeld for lunch. Take our support vehicle after lunch if you wish to avoid hills, then continue on the MMR bike path coasting through illuminated tunnels and a viaduct before a thrilling, gradual descent into Wittlich town. From Wittlich you may shuttle back to the barge or ride flat and easy bike paths along a small river through gorgeous forest and farmlands to the Mosel River, where your barge awaits.
Cumulative Distance Range: 16 – 64 km (18 – 40 miles)
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, you cycle toward Trier, the oldest town in Germany, passing Piesport and Trittenheim along the way. Both of these winemaking villages lie on scenic hairpin turns of the Mosel. In Piesport, you will see a reconstructed Roman winepress. Stop for lunch in one of the small villages along your route, such as Neumagen-Dhron, where you witness more signs of ancient Rome. Rejoin the barge in Schweich for a leisurely cruise to Trier.
The people of Trier might tell you that it is possible to see “2,000 years of history in 2,000 paces” in their city. The Romans established their local capital here. In the Middle Ages, Frankish kings and the archbishops of Trier reigned. Here you can learn about the Porta Nigra (“Black Gate”), a city landmark and the largest city gate of the ancient world; the amphitheater; the medieval Market Square; the High Cathedral of St. Peter, Germany’s oldest Cathedral; and Constantine’s Imperial Throne Hall. Then there’s the rococo Electoral Palace and the ruins of the Imperial Baths with their extensive subterranean passages. It is an astounding repository of history that leaves little doubt why all of Trier’s monuments have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Tonight, your barge moors here, so you can try one of the local restaurants for dinner on your own.
Today’s Ride Choices
Morning: Bernkastel-Kues to Neumagen – 27 km (16 miles)
Afternoon: Neumagen to Schweich – 29 km (18 miles)
What to Expect: Ride to Neumagen, where you can rejoin the barge. Or spend the morning on board and start biking from Neumagen. There are a few short ascents and descents along the river and through the vineyards; as you ride, you might witness the barge passing through the locks in Detzem. Then it’s all aboard in Schweich for a cruise into Trier, the former Imperial city of Rome’s late Classical period.
Cumulative Distance Range: 27 – 56 km (16 – 34 miles)
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast
This morning, you have time to explore Trier, with its shops and Roman history, before taking a local train to Konz, scenically situated where the Saar River flows into the Mosel. Here, you meet the barge for lunch, then set off on an afternoon spin into the Saarland along the more intimate Saar River. Wooded mountains, wide meadows, farmsteads, and villages mark your progress as you ride. Later this afternoon, you reach Saarburg, a medieval riverside jewel at the foot of a castle. The town center boasts a roaring 65-foot (19.8-meter) waterfall. Choose between a scenic ride along the Saar River or free time in Saarburg.
This evening, you may dine on your own in a restaurant on the Leuk River. Savor the hearty food and sip a crisp Saar River Riesling, or try viez, an apple cider typical of this region. The barge moors in Saarburg.
Today’s Ride Choices
Afternoon: Konz to Saarburg – 19 km (11 miles ) OR Saarburg Loop – 34 km (20 miles)
What to Expect: After lunch on board, your afternoon ride begins by crossing over a bridge at the confluence of the Mosel and Saar rivers. The riverside ride to lovely medieval Saarburg is easy, passing fruit orchards and vineyard-clad slopes. While you wait for the barge to arrive, take the opportunity to explore the town, perhaps climbing the steps to the castle ruins. For more miles along the Saar bike path, ride up the right bank, navigate a narrow unpaved path through the forest, and cross over the big locks and bridge down the other side back to Saarburg.
Cumulative Distance Range: 19 – 34 km (11 – 20 miles)
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning, walk to the nearby former bell foundry and museum, Mabilon, which produced bells until 2002. Later, cycle along the banks of the Saar River to Konz, at the confluence of the Mosel and Saar rivers. Then, follow the Mosel River, the natural border between Luxembourg and Germany, along an easy biking path. Soon you’ll arrive in Wasserbillig and cross the border into Luxembourg.
In Nittel, Germany, rejoin the barge for lunch. This afternoon, you can opt to continue cycling with our longer option or cruise into Remich, Luxembourg.
Our longer option follows the renowned Route du Vin, famous for its vineyards and outstanding wines, including Riesling and Cremant. Approaching Remich, take a short detour to Nennig and admire Europe’s largest Roman mosaic; remarkably, 90% of it is original and perfectly restored. Dinner tonight is on the barge, moored in Remich.
Today’s Ride Choices
Morning: Saarburg to Wasserbillig – 23 km (14 miles)
Afternoon: Nittel to Remich – 21 km (13 miles)
What to Expect: Ride along the Saar River back to its confluence with the Mosel, crossing a few bridges. Ride along the Luxembourg side to meet the barge in Wasserbillig for a cruising lunch to Nittel, Germany. An easy spin along the Mosel River through vineyards and small villages ends at the Roman mosaic for a film and tour of the ruins.
Cumulative Distance Range: 21 – 44 km (14 – 27 miles)
Accommodation:BargeIris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride a tranquil bike path along the Mosel River this morning, crossing from Luxembourg into Germany and France. Then, turn inland and follow a pleasant rolling route through small villages to Rodemack, known as “Little Carcassonne Lorraine” and ranked one of the most beautiful villages in France. In this charming hamlet, admire marvels of construction that span the ages, including fortifications erected over many centuries. Impressive ramparts and walls encircle the village, and cobbled alleys lead to a labyrinth of back streets and an impressive fortress.
Enjoy a picnic lunch with free time to explore on your own.
Today’s longer option leads to Thionville, where you board your barge and cruise into Metz, France. This evening, enjoy your final onboard dinner.
Today’s Ride Choices
Morning: Remich to Rodemack – 30 km (18 miles)
Afternoon: Rodemack to Thionville with Shuttles – 11 km (7 miles) | Rodemack to Thionville – 23 km (15 miles)
What to Expect: Enjoy flat, easy cycling along the Mosel River to the three-country border zone, crossing from Luxembourg into Germany and France. Cycle through French farmlands, on a mix of quiet country roads and bike lanes. Finish the day biking through France along the Mosel, riding through breathtaking French countryside of the Lorraine region into Thionville, where the barge waits. Vehicle support is available to assist you if required during the day.
Cumulative Distance Range: 30 – 53 km (18 – 40 miles)
Accommodation: Barge Iris
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After an included breakfast, your tour ends in Metz, France. It is important that you leave the barge no later than 9:00 a.m. so that the crew can prepare for their next guests.
Included Meals: Breakfast

Accommodations
Hotel Brenner
Located in the Koblenz city center, the family-run Hotel Brenner welcomes you with warm hospitality and understated elegance. Set in a traditional house, the property has been painstakingly restored with the skill of local craftspeople, artists, and interior designers. Admire the hand-painted flowers on the ceilings and walls and the many period furnishings. The air-conditioned rooms are comfortably sized and offer free WiFi. Most overlook a small, well-maintained garden where you may start your day with a delicious, generous breakfast.
Barge Iris
A luxurious and spacious, two-deck, 24-passenger barge with a homelike atmosphere, the Iris was put into service in April 2005. Its 12 comfortable cabins have private bathrooms with showers, and the barge has central heating and air conditioning throughout. Common areas include a dining area, a lounge with a bar and a sun deck at the bow. The barge moors each night. Drinks of all types are available for purchase at the bar on board the Iris. It is not customary for guests to bring their own wine and liquor on board; 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.
Please note regarding Wi-Fi on board the barge:
Please be advised that the WiFi connection varies and is not guaranteed. If Internet access is critical during your travel, we recommend purchasing your own bundle before traveling overseas. Available on limited departures.
Click here to view deck plans
Hotel Le Royal Luxembourg
This luxury property, one of the Leading Hotels of the World, is centrally located in Luxembourg City. Sophisticated European hospitality and impeccable service are its calling cards. It boasts a beautiful garden and is only a few steps from the Old Town and shops. Close each day with a drink in the piano bar and a taste of French gastronomy at one of its two onsite restaurants. All rooms are spacious, elegant, and fully air conditioned. The hotel is part of Luxembourg’s “Hot City,” a citywide network of free WiFi.
Enjoy Your Vacation Longer With Low-Cost Trip Extensions
Air Package Only
2022 Pre-Trip Extension - Berlin
3 Nights From $645 per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement: From $145
- 3 nights at Park Plaza Wallstreet Berlin Mitte Hotel
- Airport car service for arrival
- Car service to train station
- Car service from Frankfurt train station to Koblenz
- Daily breakfast
- City information
All you have to do is get to the airport. On our Air Packages, we’ll take care of the rest, handling all the logistics, so you can travel with peace of mind. Spend your first night aloft and arrive refreshed for an unforgettable trip.
Start off your first day in Berlin right by having a VBT representative greet you at the airport. A complimentary car service will whisk you to your centrally located hotel. From here, you are perfectly positioned to explore this charming city at your leisure.
Accommodation: Park Plaza Wallstreet Berlin Mitte Hotel
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to explore on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Accommodation:Park Plaza Wallstreet Berlin Mitte Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to explore on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Accommodation: Park Plaza Wallstreet Berlin Mitte Hotel
Included Meals: Breakfast
This morning, your VBT representative will meet you in the hotel and accompany you on the 20-minute transportation to Berlin Hauptbahnhof (the Berlin Main railway station), where you will board the high-speed Intercity Express (ICE) to Frankfurt (approximately 4.25 hours). We recommend you buy a picnic lunch for your journey.
A VBT representative will meet you on your arrival platform inside Frankfurt station. Make certain your VBT luggage tags are affixed to your bag so he or she can identify you and arrange your transportation (approximately 90 minutes) to your hotel in Koblenz.
At 4:00 p.m., meet your local guide in the hotel lobby for a 1.5-hour walking tour around the historic Old Town of Koblenz. It’s a 15-minute walk to the starting point of the tour, so we recommend you leave the hotel with everything you’ll need to have dinner on your own in the Old Town at tour’s end.
Accommodation: Hotel Brenner, Koblenz
Included Meals: Breakfast
Air Package Only
2022 Post-Trip Extension - Munich
3 Nights From $545 per person, double occupancy
Single Supplement: From $145
- 3 nights at Hotel Laimer Hof
- Flight from Luxembourg City and Munich
- Walking tour of Munich
- Airport car service for departure
- Daily breakfast
- City Information
After an included breakfast this morning, complimentary transportation will be provided to the Luxembourg Airport for your flight to Munich. Upon arrival, you will be met by a driver or a representative who will provide transportation to the hotel.
VBT provides you with city information that includes recommendations for what to see and do in Munich.
After settling in, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure. Perhaps you’ll walk to the nearby Nymphenburg Palace and Gardens.
At 3:00 p.m., a local guide will meet you at the hotel for a walking tour. He or she will show you how to buy tram tickets for your ride into Munich’s center and the city’s main square, the Marienplatz. Then, enjoy an informative walk through the historic streets thronged with street musicians and artists and past magnificent buildings. You’ll no doubt want to return to visit many of them in more detail during the next two days. Your guide will point out restaurants where you can enjoy dinner this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to continue exploring on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Accommodation:Hotel Laimer Hof, Munich
Included Meals: Breakfast
After a delicious included breakfast at your hotel, you are free to continue exploring on your own, using our included city information packet to guide your discoveries.
Accommodation:Hotel Laimer Hof, Munich
Included Meals: Breakfast
After an included breakfast this morning, complimentary transportation will be provided to the Munich airport (an approximately 40 to 60 minute drive, depending on traffic) for your departing flight.
Included Meals: Breakfast

Guest Reviews 76 out of 77 (99%) of reviewers recommend this tour
Dates & Prices
Air Package
11 days, includes round-trip international airfare , airport shuttle, and additional hotel nights with included breakfast.
Single Supplement: From $2,195
Departing From New York, NY (JFK)
Tour Only
8 Days. Includes bike vacation only.
Single Supplement: From $1,845
For more information, call: 800-245-3868
Please note: Special savings cannot be combined with any other offer. Standard Terms & Conditions apply when purchasing this trip. Prices include all airline surcharges and Government taxes and fees. Ask our Tour Consultants for details. Every effort has been made to produce this information accurately. We reserve the right to correct errors. Prices are based on preferences selected above, including meals and sightseeing as specified in What’s Included. All prices are subject to change. Departure dates and prices shown may be updated several times daily, and apply to new bookings only.


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