France, Luxembourg and Germany 3 Countries in 8-days

Metz

Embarkation and check-in is at 2pm in Metz. After a welcome meeting with the crew, there is time for bicycle fitting and a little test ride. After dinner, your tour leader will take you for a walk through Metz. Metz is a beautiful old 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. 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.

Metz - Remich 42km

While having breakfast you will cruise in the direction of Thionville. Close to this town your bicycle tour starts. Thionville, once was the centre of the French steel industry. That might sound modern and industrial, but the city is ancient. The historic centre shows you the 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. At crossing the Luxembourg- French border we experienced the outcome of this agreement: no border controls. Close to your final destination Remich you will visit the small village of Nennig, stop at what once was an old Roman villa. A tile floor which lies in its original place, was once the centrepiece in this Roman villa. The scene (in 3 million individual tile pieces) reveals scenes from gladiator games in the amphitheatre.

Remich - Saarburg 40km 0r 48km

The river Moselle is where the borders between Germany and Luxembourg lay. You start following the river on the German side, but soon you will hop to the Luxembourg side. There you’ll visit a wine cooperative, specialized in the so-called “Cremant”, say the Champagne of the Moselle. Then there are 2 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, 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 20 metres 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 are from the 17th and 18th century, which gives Saarburg such a picturesque look, are still intact.

Saarburg - Trier 32km

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 15BC by Caesar Augustus under the name of Augusta Trevorum. As a trading town and administrative centre, 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 18AD. Today there is no dinner on board. You can select one of the local restaurants of Trier.

Trier - Schweich | Schweich - Neumagen - Bernkastel - Kues 27km or 53km

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 centre of wine production. You can decide to join the barge from here or continue by bicycle to Bernkastel-Kues. This frequently visited ancient and picturesque town produces the best wines of the Mid-Moselle. Pride of the town is the market square, with its picturesque timber-framed houses. A walk to the castle offers a beautiful view.

Bernkastel - Kues - Traben - Trarbach - Zell on the Moselle 45km

Today’s cycling tour takes you to the romantic village Traben-Trarbach, located on the left bank of the Moselle and famous for its Jugendstil (art nouveau) architectural style. Further along the river, your destination for the night is Zell on the Moselle, well known in the wine industry for its Zeller Schwarze Katz white wine. Zell offers the perfect opportunity for you to get to know the good wines of the Moselle.

Zell - Beilstein - Cochem 39km

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 Reichsburg Castle is also on the program.

Cochem

Sadly your tour ends today after breakfast. Disembarkation by 9.30am.

The planned itinerary is subject to change due to nautical, technical or meteorological reasons and other unforeseen circumstances. If there is low or high water and a route cannot be shipped, the captain reserves the right to change the route in view of your safety (this cannot be accepted as a reason for free withdrawal).