Metz to Cochem

Metz to Cochem

Day 1: Arrival in Metz
Day 2: Metz - Remich, 26 or 31 mi. (41 or 49 km)
Day 3: Remich - Saarburg, 24 or 29 mi. (40 or 48 km)
Day 4: Saarburg - Trier, 19 mi. (32 km)
Day 5: Trier - Schweig | Schweig - Neumagen - Bernkastel, 16 or 32 mi. (27 or 53 km)
Day 6: Bernkastel - Kues - Traben Trarbach - Zell on the Moselle, 27 mi. (45 km)
Day 7: Zell - Beilstein - Cochem, 24 mi. (39 km)
Day 8: Departure from Cochem 

Sections in italics are navigated onboard the ship.

On the days that two cycling distances are offered, the tour leader, in conferring with the group, will choose to guide either the shorter route or the longer route. Not all the highlights will be visited during the shorter route.

You can also choose to ride self-guided utilizing maps available on board. GPS tracks will be sent to you 4 weeks before the tour start date

Day 1: Arrival in Metz
Embarkation and check-in are at 2 p.m. in Metz.  You are welcome to leave your luggage on board from 11 am but the cabins will not be ready for check-in at that time. Once on board and checked in, a welcome meeting with the crew and bicycle fitting is on the docket followed by a short test ride. After dinner, your tour leader will take you for a walk through Metz, a beautiful old city strategically situated on the ancient Roman trading route. St. Etienne Cathedral is the 3rd largest gothic church in France with flying buttresses and Marc Chagall stained glass windows. Metz is full of stunning architecture, flowers, and great cafes. We advise you to come to Metz one or more days earlier so that you will have plenty of time to discover this interesting city.

Day 2: Metz - Remich, 26 or 31 mi. (41 or 49 km)
While having breakfast you will cruise in the direction of Thionville. Close to town, the Princessa Royal will dock and your cycling itinerary begins. Thionville, once was the center of the French steel industry, which may sound quite industrial but is misleading.  The city is very old and the historic center features medieval ramparts, lovely gardens, old streets, and St.Maximin basilica. The route is lovely through the French countryside and friendly villages. You pass the fortress of Sierck-les-Bains, one of the palaces inhabited by the powerful Dukes of Lorraine. Via the valley of the Moselle you cross the French-Luxembourg border at Schengen. The “Schengen agreement” is something everybody in Europe has heard of, whereas almost nobody knows that it is named after this little town in Luxembourg at the 3-country border. As you cross the Luxembourg- French border, you experience the outcome of this agreement: no border controls. Close to your final destination, Remich you will visit the small village of Nennig and stop at what once was an old Roman villa. A tile floor that lies in its original place, was once the centerpiece in this Roman villa. The scene (in 3 million individual tile pieces) reveals scenes from gladiator games in the amphitheater.

Day 3: Remich - Saarburg, 24 or 29 mi. (40 or 48 km)
Here the Moselle River is actually the border between Germany and Luxembourg. You start following the river on the German side, but soon you will cross over to the Luxembourg side. There you’ll visit a wine cooperative, specialized “Cremant”, or the Champagne of the Moselle followed by two cycling options: One is easy, but a bit longer along the rivers. The shorter option is a bit more challenging, through the hills. Whatever your choice is, the biking will lead you to Saarburg, an interesting old town situated in the most beautiful part of the Saar valley. Here the banks of the river are densely forested. The castle of Saarburg was built here in the middle of the 10th century. In the middle of town, you come across a waterfall of 20 meters high. At the foot of this waterfall, there is an old mill, which is powered by the small river. In this part of town, most of the old houses, still intact, are from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Day 4: Saarburg - Trier, 19 mi. (32 km)
After breakfast, your tour leader will take you for a short bicycle tour to Trier. You will arrive there around lunchtime. After a guided walk, there is time to discover and enjoy Trier on your own. Trier is known as the oldest city in Germany. The city was founded around 15 BC by Caesar Augustus under the name of Augusta Trevorum. As a trading town and administrative center, Trier flourished during the late imperial age. This Roman golden age has left us with a respectable number of monuments. Most authentic is the city gate Porta Nigra, which was built around 18 AD. Today there is no dinner on board. You can select one of the local restaurants of Trier.

Day 5: Trier - Schweig | Schweig - Neumagen - Bernkastel, 16 or 32 mi. (27 or 53 km)
After a breakfast cruise, you will start your bicycle tour in Schweich. You have now entered the “The Romantic Moselle”, the unofficial name for the mid- Moselle.  Lovely vineyards expand as far as the eye can see. You cruise past the heavy-hitters in the wine world: Trittenheim and Piesport. Trittenheim lies in a sharp hairpin turn on the river surrounded by mountains coated with grapes. Piesport is beloved by the Brits for the “little golden droplets.” Around lunchtime, you will arrive in Neumagen, already in Roman times an important center of wine production. You can decide to join the barge from here or continue by bicycle to Bernkastel-Kues. This frequently visited, old, and picturesque town produces the best wines of the Mid-Moselle. The pride of the town is the market square, with its picturesque timber-framed houses. A walk to the castle offers a beautiful view.

Day 6: Bernkastel - Kues - Traben Trarbach - Zell on the Moselle, 27 mi. (45 km)
Today’s cycling tour takes you to the romantic village of Traben-Trarbach, located on the left bank of the Moselle and famous for its Jugendstil (art nouveau) architectural style. Further along the Moselle your destination for the night is Zell on the Moselle, well known in the wine industry for the wine “Zeller Schwarze Katz”. In Zell we recommend taking the opportunity to get to know the good wines of the Mosel.

Day 7: Zell - Beilstein - Cochem, 24 mi. (39 km)
Beilstein, the “Sleeping Beauty of the Moselle”, is one of the best-preserved historical villages along the length of the river, and is the highlight of today’s cycling tour. Towering about the village are the ruins of Castle Metternich, which you’ll have the opportunity to explore. Then onto your final destination Cochem, a cozy and characteristic Moselle town, with steep wine-clad mountains, wooded hills, an impressive castle and a picturesque square with beautiful timber-framed houses and cafes. A perfect place for a glass of local wine. A visit to the Reichsburg Castle is on the program.

Day 8: Departure from Cochem 
End of tour. Disembarkation by 9:30 am.

Cochem to Metz

Day 1: Cochem, check-in at 2 pm.
Day 2: Cochem - Zell, 24 mi. (39 km)
Day 3: Zell on the Moselle - Bernkastel-Kues, 27 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Bernkastel - Kues - Neumagen - Schweich | Schweich - Tier, 18 or 34 mi. (28 or 54 km)
Day 5: Trier - Saarburg, 18 mi. (28 km)
Day 6: Saarburg - Remich, 27 or 32 mi. (45 or 53 km)
Day 7: Remich - Schengen | Schengen - Thionville | Thionville - Metz, 18 mi. (30 km)
Day 8: Metz

Metz to Cochem

Day 1: Metz
Day 2: Metz - Remich, 26 or 31 mi. (41 or 49 km)
Day 3: Remich - Saarburg, 24 or 29 mi. (40 or 48 km)
Day 4: Saarburg - Trier, 19 mi. (32 km)
Day 5: Trier - Schweich | Schweich - Neumagen - Bernkastel-kues, 16 or 32 mi. (27 or 53 km)
Day 6. Bernkastel-Kues & Daun excrusion, 39 mi. (62 km)
Day 7:  Bernkastel-Kues - Traben Trarbach | Traben - Trarbach - Zell - Cochem, 23 or 37 mi. (38 km or 61 km)
Day 8: Cochem

More details coming soon!

Metz to Cochem

Day 1: Arrival in Metz
Day 2: Metz - Remich, 25/31 mi. (40/50 km)
Day 3: Remich - Saarburg, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Saarburg - Trier, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 5: Trier - Bernkastel, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 6: Bernkastel- Daun - Bernkastel, rail to trail, 38 mi. (60 km)
Day 7: Bernkastel - Zell - Cochem, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 8: Departure from Cochem 

Day 1: Arrival in Metz
Boarding time begins at 1:00 PM. There is a welcome meeting at 1:30 PM.  Metz is an ancient city strategically situated on a Roman trading route.  St.Etienne Cathedral is the 3rd largest gothic church in France with flying buttresses and Marc Chagall stained glass windows. Metz is full of stunning architecture, flowers, and great cafes. Worth considering arriving here a day earlier!

Day 2: Metz - Remich, 25/31 mi. (40/50 km)
You will enjoy breakfast while you sail. The first opportunity to cycle today is from the lock of Talange. This route goes through the French countryside but it is also possible to stay on board a bit longer and start from Thionville. Via the beautiful valley of the Mosel, you bike across the French border into Luxembourg,  passing the castle of Sierck-les-Bains, beautifully situated on the banks of the Mosel river. On top of the hill, there is a castle from the 11th century, which was at stake in the battle between the Duke of Lorraine and the archbishop of Trier in the 12th century. Overnight is in Remich. Here the Mosel forms the border between Germany and Luxembourg with Remich on  Luxembourg ground. Close to Remich, you may visit the small village of Nenning and can visit an old roman mansion. The nearly undamaged mosaic floor in the party hall is extremely beautiful. After dinner, you can join a little ‘cremant’ tasting. Cremant is the sparkling white wine Remich is famous for.

Day 3: Remich - Saarburg, 28 mi. (45 km)
Today's route follows the valley of the Mosel and Saar to the north to visit charming Saarburg. On the way, there is an opportunity to visit a wine cellar to taste the fresh Mosel white wine. Saarburg is an interesting old town situated in the most beautiful part of the Saar valley. The banks of the river are densely forested. The castle of Saarburg was built here in the 10th century. In the middle of town, there is a waterfall 20 meters high. At the foot of this waterfall, there is an old mill, which is powered by the river. In this part of town, most of the old houses from the 17th and 18th centuries are still intact.

Day 4: Saarburg - Trier, 22 mi. (35 km)
Today's destination is Trier, an interesting and lively city, the oldest city in Germany. According to the Romans, Trier was founded around 15 B.C.  by Caesar Augustus under the name of Augusta Trevorum. As a trading town and administrative center, Trier flourished during the late imperial age. This Roman golden age has left us with a respectable number of monuments. Most authentic is the Porta Nigra, Black Gate, once a part of a system of four city gates, one of which stood at each side of the roughly rectangular Roman city. The Porta Nigra guarded the northern entry to the Roman city. It is today the largest Roman city gate north of the Alps and has been designated a World Heritage Site. This evening you are free to enjoy the city and dine on your own.

Day 5: Trier - Bernkastel, 31 mi. (50 km)
From Trier, downstream, you will encounter lovely vineyards. The white Mosel wine is known far and wide. Continuing on past Trittenheim and Piesport, both quite interesting.  Piesport produces a number of beautiful white wines, especially the ‘Piesporter Goldtröpfchen. Trittenheim lies in a sharp hairpin turn in the Mosel. It is surrounded by mountains covered with extensive vineyards. The Laurantiuskapelle with its gothic choir is sitting right in the middle of the vines. Today's destination is Bernkastel-Kues. Bernkastel is a frequently visited, old, and picturesque town, with the best wine regions of the Mid-Mosel. Visits to wine cellars are on the agenda and the opportunity to experience and relish the wine. The pride of the town is the market square, with its picturesque timber-framed houses.

Day 6: Bernkastel, 28 mi. (45 km)
This morning, a shuttle bus takes you (approximately 45 minutes) through the Eifel Valley to the city of Daun. From there, take an exhilarating bike ride along a former railway track that is now a cycling path. The ride includes stretches through tunnels, over bridges, and by small lakes formed from volcano craters, known as maars. On the way, we can stop in Strohn for a visit to a small volcano museum. The region is scattered with “young” volcanoes about 12,000 years old.

Day 7: Bernkastel - Cochem, 28 mi. (45 km)
During breakfast, you sail to Traben Trarbach. Traben-Trarbach is surrounded by woods and extensive vineyards and is the major center of the wine trade in the Mosel region. This little city has some interesting art nouveau buildings. Biking from Zell, beautifully situated on the Mosel, the river meanders through the hills in many loops. The Hoherott (452 m) and the Corrayer Berg (425 m) are the best-known wine regions. The final destination is Cochem, a cozy and characteristic Mosel town, with steep wine mountains, wooded hills, medieval fortresses and a picturesque center with beautiful timber-framed houses. The fortress houses a museum that is worth a visit.

Day 8: Individual departure from Cochem

Cochem to Metz

Day 1: Cochem
Day 2: Cochem - Zell - Bernkastel, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 3: Bernkastel Railway Maare Mosel, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Bernkastel - Trier, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 5: Trier - Saarburg, 22 mi. (35 km) 
Day 6: Saarburg - Remich, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 7: Remich - Metz, 25 mi. (40 km)
Day 8: Departure from Metz  

Day 1: Cochem
After arriving on board, the crew will welcome you with a drink and an introduction to the week ahead.  Following dinner is a town walk through Cochem, a cozy and characteristic Mosel town, with steep wine mountains, wooded hills, a medieval fortress and a picturesque center with beautiful timber-framed houses. 

Day 2: Cochem - Zell - Bernkastel, 31 mi. (50 km)
During breakfast, the Iris will cruise to Beilstein, the Sleeping Beauty on the Mosel. You will have the chance to see the venerated and rare relic the Black Madonna in the chapel of the Carmelite Monastery overlooking the valley. From here your bike tour starts and you follow the Mosel upstream to Zell, a beautiful hamlet where the river slices through slate mountains in dramatic oxbows and S turns.  The Hoherott (452 m) and the Corrayer Berg (425 m) are the best-known wine regions and Zeller Schwarze Katz is a legendary Mosel Wine. You continue to Traben-Trarbach. This little town has some special art nouveau buildings and is the major center of the wine trade in the Mosel region. From Traben, you cruise to Bernkastel-Kues. Bernkastel is a frequently visited, old, and picturesque town, with the best wine regions of the Mid-Mosel. Pride of the town is the market square, with its picturesque timber-framed houses. A walk to the castle offers a beautiful view.

Day 3: Bernkastel - Kues, 28 mi. (45 km)
This morning, you will leave the river and the vineyards behind, and a bus will take you (approximately 45 minutes) through the Eifel Valley to the city of Daun. From there, enjoy an exhilarating bike ride along a former railway track that is now a cycling path. The ride includes stretches through tunnels, over bridges, and along small lakes formed from volcano craters, known as maars. After the last tunnel, we have a break in a local little town where you will love to have well-deserved ice cream on the terraces, well deserved! this day is the highlight of our biking experiences. Following dinner, stroll to the fascinating cellar of Josef Zimmermann for a wine tasting. 

Day 4: Bernkastel-Kues - Trier, 31 mi. (50 km)
Upstream from Bernkastel, you'll see many vineyards stretched out for miles. Today, the barge cruises past Piesport and Trittenheim. Piesport produces a number of beautiful white wines, one of them is the famous ‘Piesporter Goldtröpfchen. Trittenheim lies in a sharp hairpin turn in the Mosel. It is surrounded by mountains covered with extensive vineyards. The Laurantiuskapelle with its gothic choir sits right in the middle of the vines. In Schweich, board the barge and cruise the rest of the way to Trier, an interesting and lively city, and the oldest city in Germany. According to the Romans, Trier was founded around 15 BC by Caesar Augustus under the name of Augusta Trevorum.  As a trading town and administrative center, Trier flourished during the late imperial age. A number of monuments still exist from this Roman Golden Age. Most authentic is the city gate Porta Nigra, which was built around 18 AD. Trier has also some interesting churches and a cathedral, a colorful baroque city center, and a rococo palace. Today there is no dinner on board. You can select one of the local restaurants in Trier. 

Day 5: Trier - Saarburg, 22 mi. (35 km) 
Today, follow the Saar river to our next destination, Saarburg. Saarburg is an interesting old town situated in the most beautiful part of the Saar valley. Here the banks of the river are densely forested. The castle of Saarburg was built here in the middle of the 10th century. In the middle of town, is a wonderful waterfall of 20 meters high. At the foot of this waterfall, there is an old mill, which is powered by the river. In this part of town, most of the old houses from the 17th and 18th centuries, which give Saarburg such a picturesque look, are still intact. Enjoy a town walk following dinner.

Day 6: Saarburg - Remich (Luxembourg), 31 mi. (50 km)
From Saarburg, follow the valley of the Mosel to the south into the direction of Remich. Here the Mosel forms the border between Germany and Luxembourg. Here you can taste the Luxembourg Elbling wine which is said to be softer than the German Riesling. You will also have the opportunity to visit a unique Roman mosaic floor in Nennig.

Day 7: Remich - Metz (France), 25 mi. (40 km)
Today’s tour leads you via the beautiful valley of the Mosel across the French-German border. First, pass the castle of Sierck-les-Bains, beautifully situated on the banks of the Mosel river. On top of the hill, there is a castle from the 11th century, which was at stake in the battle between the Duke of Lorraine and the archbishop of Trier in the 12th century. Cycle to bike to Thionville, a versatile city with an eventful past. First and foremost, Thionville is the center of the steel industry of old. But the old city center shows us the old ramparts, the beautiful St.-Maximin church, and the château de la Grange. Thionville is also part of the Maginot line, an enormous line of defense, built early in the 20th century against a possible German invasion. Around lunchtime,  join the barge at Thionville and cruise to Metz, “la ville jaune” (yellow city), so called because of its yellow sandstone buildings This city is strategically situated between Côtes de Moselle and the Plateau Lorrain. These days, the rich medieval city is a traffic junction, an administrative center, a center of learning, but especially a lively center of trade. A visit to the St.Etienne Cathedral, one of the most beautiful gothic cathedrals in France, is a must. This cathedral sits in the middle of the old city center, where shopping is also excellent.

Day 8: Departure from Metz  

Your guided tour ends after breakfast. You can leave your luggage on board until lunchtime and go and enjoy some more of Metz. Visit the Cathedral!