Your program

The two quiet little sisters of the Rhine, the Moselle and Saar rivers, meander from one picturesque village to another. The course offers an unobstructed view over the castles perched on the hills and stone fortresses. A perfect picture of the trip offered by the Moselle and Saar bike and barge. The tour takes you from Koblenz to Saarburg or alternately from Saarburg to Koblenz. The regional history along the river banks dates back to Roman times, 2000 years ago. For travellers there are many things to see: beautiful half-timbered houses dating from the medieval period, vineyards, the Porta Nigra in Trier (fortified gate from Roman times), the oldest defensive structures in Germany, and the "German corner" at the junction of the Moselle and Rhine rivers which reminds us of a "Little Venice", all are memorable places. The Moselle, 544 km long, is the longest tributary of the Rhine and Germany's most important transport route. The Saar River, 246 km long, is the longest tributary of the Moselle. Roads along the banks are paved. A destination for those who like to be autonomous and resourceful in a different language!

Koblenz to Saarburg itinerary

 

Day 1 (saturday) : Koblenz

Boarding your floating hotel around 4 pm. You can begin to settle in your cabin while enjoying a welcome cocktail with a presentation of the crew who will accompany you throughout your week of sailing.  Overnight on board the barge at the port of Koblenz.

Day 2 (sunday) : Koblenz — Alken – Cochem (28 km)

Your ship will take you to Alken. You start in the morning by bike to Moselkern and then to Cochem. This charming town has historic half-timbered houses, a picturesque town centre and Reichsburg Castle.

Day 3 (monday) : Cochem – Beilstein - Zell (39 km)

After breakfast you will pedal to Beilstein, one of the best preserved historic villages along the Moselle.  Raised above the village, the ruins of Metternich Castle, which you have the opportunity to discover.  After Beilstein, you will pass by the vineyard located on one of the steepest slopes in Europe, between 50 and 55 degrees, in Bremmer Calmont. The day ends in the small wine village of Zell.

Day 4 (tuesday) : Zell – Bernkastel Kues (46 to 49 km)

Today you drive from Zell to the romantic village of Traben-Trarbach, known for its architectural style Jugendstil (new art). The village is located on the left bank of the Moselle River. From there, you cross the town of Krov, where Krover's popular wine is produced, to your final destination Bernkastel-Kues. The half-timbered houses surrounding the town's market square date from the Middle Ages, an attraction of choice for photography lovers. Your boat is waiting for you in Kues. In the evening you can visit a local vineyard and taste Moselle wines (optional, booking on board).

Day 5 (wednesday) : Bernkastel Kues – Mehring (46 km)

Today, everything by bike focuses on the history of wine along the Moselle. After lunch, you drive to Piesport, the oldest vine growing community. If you are interested, you can participate in a guided excursion (option) on the Roman history of the cellars and vineyards of the region. At the end of the morning, your destination is Neumagen-Dhon, known as the oldest wine-growing town in Germany. After dinner, your journey continues to Mehring, another important community in wine culture. The MS Patria awaits you there to spend the night.

Day 6 (thursday) : Mehring — Trier (26 km)

You move to Trier via Pfalzel, where you find the boat.  In the afternoon, you can discover the city on foot with a guide of Roman tradition (option). The cultural heritage of Trier, one of Germany's oldest cities, is worth discovering. Alternatively, you can walk on your own through the city founded in 16 BC. You will make an amazing journey through the millennia of this city. No other place in Germany gives you the chance to live an experience in Roman times. The highlights of the visit: the Porta Nigra, the Konstantin Basilica and the Roman Amphitheatre.

Day 7 (friday) : Trier — Saarburg – Mettlach – Saarburg (26 to 64 km)

You have two choices: drive from Trier to Saarburg along the banks of the Saar River. Or, you can stay on board and enjoy the scenery from the boat. The history of the small village of Saarburg, also called "Little Venice" featuring Saar Castle, a monument found in official documents as early as 964, Saarburg Falls on the river Leuk and several historic buildings. You will end the day in Mettlach, where you visit the famous porcelain factory Villeroy and Boch before returning to Saarburg.

Day 8 (saturday) : Saarburg, end of circuit 

After lunch, disembarkation at 10:00.  

Saarburg to Koblenz itinerary

 

Day 1 (saturday) : Saarburg, boarding at 4 pm

Boarding your floating hotel around 4 pm. You can start in your cabin and enjoy a welcome cocktail with a presentation of the crew who will accompany you throughout your week of sailing. The history of the small village of Saarburg, also called "Little Venice" featuring Saar Castle, a monument found in official documents as early as 964, Saarburg Falls on the river Leuk and several historic buildings. Overnight on board the barge.

Day 2 (sunday) : Saarburg – Saarschleife – Igele Säule – Wasserbilling — Trier (24-64 km)

After the bike distribution for your first day you will pedal from Saarburg to Igeler Säule via the picturesque Saarschleife (Saar loop).  From there you continue on the Wasserbilling in Luxembourg before entering Trier. The latter is the destination of the day when the MS Patria awaits you there. The cultural heritage of Trier, one of Germany's oldest cities, is worth discovering. If you arrive early, you can make a city tour with a guide (to reserve on board the boat). Or a walk along the 16 BC, is an amazing journey through the millennia of this city. No other place in Germany gives you the chance to live an experience in Roman times. The highlights of the visit: the Porta Nigra, the Konstantin Basilica and the Roman Amphitheatre.

Day 3 (monday) : Trier – Pfalzel — Mehring (26 km)

After breakfast you cycle from Trier via the charming village of Pfalzel to Mehring. The Moselle-Saar-Ruwer region is home to the largest community of wine producers and is well known for its white wines. In the evening, you have time to explore the village of Mehrig.

Day 4 (tuesday) : Mehring – Piesport – Bernkastel-Kues (46 km)

You will drive to Bernkastel-Kues. The market reminds you of the middle Ages with its many half-timbered houses and invites you to take a break. On the way, you pass Neumagen-Dhron, the oldest wine-producing town in Germany. Further on, you reach Piesport, an important community of vineyards along the Moselle River. You can book a guided tour (at your own expense) which allows you to visit Roman cellars and vineyards. In the evening, you have the chance to visit a local producer and taste a local wine (booking possible on board the boat).

Day 5 (wednesday) : Bernkastel-Kues – Traben-Trarbach — Zell (46-49 km)

Your bike tour today takes you to the romantic village of Traben-Trarbach on the left bank of the Moselle. This place is known for its architectural style Jugendstil (new art). Further on, tonight's final destination is Zell, renowned for its wine industry and Zeller Schwarze Katz wine.

Day 6 (thursday) : Zell – Beilstein - Cochem (39 km)

Beilstein, the "sleeping beauty" of the Moselle and one of the best preserved historic villages that fills your cycling day. From the top of the village tower, you have the opportunity to see the ruins of Metternich Castle. The day ends in Cochem, a charming small town featuring historic half-timbered houses, a picturesque town centre and Reichsburg Castle.

Day 7 (friday) : Cochem — Alken (29 km)

After breakfast you cycle to Alken, one of the oldest cities on the Moselle, for your last day of cycling. Your boat awaits you there and then sails to Koblenz where you spend your last night. Koblenz, a fascinating historical city, has been an important defensive and economic centre for centuries. To see, the old castle of Ehrenbreitstein which dominates the right bank of the Rhine, the castle of XIIe century the Alte Burg and the old Moselle.

Day 8 (saturday) : Saarburg, end of circuit 

After lunch, disembarkation at 10:00.  

Notes on the course :

• The Koblenz-Saar route against the current. Road in false flat.
• Small train station in Saarburg. You must plan to eat before arriving at the station. It's better to buy tickets in advance online.
• Water bottle supplied daily and a rigid lunch box
• Bicycle path all along
• You are welcome to leave your luggage on the boat from 11 am.

 

Description of the barge MS Patria :

• 68 meters long
• 68-passenger capacity
• 15 cabins on the main deck and 19 cabins on the upper deck (with supplement) of approximately 7m2
• Two twin beds per cabin positioned L-shaped
• Equipped cabins: one window (opens in the upper deck cabins), one shower and one toilet per cabin, air conditioning (main cabin, restaurant and saloon), dryer, shower gel and soap.
• Common air: lounge with bar, restaurant on main deck and partially covered terrace.

   

The price of the package varies according to the type of cabin and the date of departure. Please contact our travel specialists to check rates and availability.