Metz to Cochem

Day-To-Day Itinerary

METZ TO COCHEM

Day 1: Arrival in Metz
Day 2: Metz - Remich, 19/31 mi. (30/50 km)
Day 3: Remich - Saarburg, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Saarburg - Trier, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 5: Trier - Bernkastel-Kues, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 6: Bernkastel-Kues, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 7: Bernkastel-Kues - 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 to arrive here a day earlier!

Day 2: Metz - Remich, 19/31 mi. (30/50 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 winecellar 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 of 20 meters high. At the foot of this waterfall there is an old mill, which is driven by the small river. In this part of town most of the old houses from the 17th and 18th century 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-Kues, 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 is on the agenda and the opportunity to experience and  relish the wine. Pride of the town is the market square, with its picturesque timber-framed houses.

Day 6: Bernkastel-Kues, 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-Kues - Zell - 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 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. 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-Kues, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Bernkastel-Kues - 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 mediaeval 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. From here your bike tour starts and you follow the Mosel upstream to Zell.
Zell is beautifully situated on the Mosel, where 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 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 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, 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 rail way 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.
On the way, you can stop in Strohn for a visit to a small volcano museum. The region is scattered with “young” volcanoes about 12,000 years old. Following dinner, stroll to the fascinating cellar of Josef Zimmermann for a winetasting. 

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 toTrier, 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 of 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 driven by the small river. In this part of town, most of the old houses from the 17th and 18th century, which give Saarburg such a picturesque look, are still intact. Enjoy a town walk following dinner.

Day 6: Saarburg - Remich, 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, 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 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 defence, 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  

*All distances are approximate. The above planned itinerary is subject to change due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, etc

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• Metz to Cochem
• Metz a Cochem
• Metz a Cochem