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Saarburg to Koblenz 8-day Bike & Barge Tour (PAT)
As far as cycle touring destinations in Europe go there are few better than the Moselle and Saar River Valleys in Germany. It is a “stunning” region highlighted by an enchanting countryside, fairy tale castles, award-winning vineyards on impossibly steep slopes and historic medieval towns and villages. The Rhine’s peaceful little sisters, the Moselle and Saar Rivers, as they meander from picturesque village to village offer unsurpassed views of castles high on the hills, stone-clad fortresses, picture-perfect wineries and much, much more. On a day to day basis as you cycle through this magical region, you will visit culturally rich cities. Soak up the sights of untouched nature, meet local winegrowers and bottlers and importantly get the opportunity to relive the rich history of the region.
It is without a doubt a cycle tour not to be missed!
The history of the region, along the banks of the Moselle and Saar Rivers, dates back to the Roman Era, some 2,000 or so years ago. For guests on a bike and barge tour, there is much to see beautiful timbered houses from medieval times, magnificent vineyards and the Porta Nigra a large Roman city gate in Trier, Germany. You'll also visit a headland in Koblenz known as the “German Corner” where you'll find a statue of William l, a German emperor who was responsible for unifying Germany. The surrounding region sits at the junction of the Moselle and Rhine Rivers in Koblenz and Saarburg and is widely referred to as “Little Venice”. These are just a few of the highlights of this unforgettable trip!
The Moselle, with a length of 544 km, is the Rhine’s longest tributary and is also the second most important shipping route in Germany, while the Saar, with a length of 246 km, is the Moselle’s longest tributary.
This tour is perfect for families with children or for anyone of any age for that matter as the cycle paths along the banks of the Moselle and Saar Rivers do not have any gradients of note and are asphalted or paved.
Your floating hotel for the duration of the tour will be a much loved 68 metre-long barge for bike-boat holidays. Capable of accommodating a maximum of 68 guests, this will be your sailing home away from home for the week. Completely modernized, it has 34 twin cabins on upper and lower decks. All the cabins have two single beds in a right angle and are approx. 7 M². Each has a window (the windows on the upper deck can be opened, but for safety reasons, those on the lower deck are fixed), a shower and a toilet. All the cabins on the lower deck also have individually regulated air conditioning as does the restaurant and salon. In total there are 15 cabins on the lower deck and 19 cabins on the upper deck (supplement). This authentic river barge also features a nice salon with a bar and large windows in front of the top deck and a separate restaurant on the lower deck. On the partially covered sun deck, there are tables and chairs to accommodate all guests. The ship sails under the Dutch Flag because it sailed in The Netherlands for many years. Since 2011 she has been sailing exclusively in Germany and is a very popular ship for boat & bike tours.
A wonderful trip and great value!
Language:
This tour is conducted in German and English.
Extras:
Upper deck cabins from 749 EUR p.p
If you would like to rent a bike (75 EUR) or e-bike (165 EUR), please contact our office when booking: [email protected]
Slow Tours offers other Bike & Barge tours in Europe
Embarkation: Saarburg
Board in Saarburg where the crew will welcome you from 4pm. You will spend your first night in Saarburg a welcoming city that you are encouraged to explore. Highlights include Saarburg Castle (Saar Castle), a massive complex mentioned in official documents as early as 964, the Saarburg Waterfall on the River Leuk and many historical buildings.
Saarburg – Saarschleife – Igele Säule – Wasserbillig (Lux) – Trier Approx.38km
After the distribution of bicycles, your first day of cycling will see you pedal from Saarburg along the idyllic nature reserve of the abandoned meander of the River Saar. Continue on to Wasserbillig in Luxemburg and from here to the “Igeler Säule”. Later reaching Trier, your destination for the day, where the barge will be waiting for you. If you are interested you can book a guided city walk in Trier (not included). A walk through Trier founded in 16 BC is an overwhelming journey through the millennia. No other place in Germany is able to give you a better chance to experience the time of the Romans. Highlights include impressive structures such as the Porta Nigra, the Konstantin Basilica and the Roman Amphitheatre.
Trier – Pfalzel – Mehring Approx. 26km or 29km
After breakfast you will cycle from Trier via the charming village of Pfalzel to Mehring, famous for its white wine and home to the largest wine-growing community in the Moselle-Saar-Ruwer region. In the evening you will have time to explore the village.
Mehring – Piesport - Bernkastel-Kues Approx. 47km
Reaching Bernkastel-Kues by bike is delightful. The market place from the Middle Ages with many wood timbered houses invites you for a rest stop to relax and put your feet up for a while. On your way once more, you come to Neumagen-Dhron which is the oldest wine city of Germany. Further on Piesport, the oldest winegrowing community along the Moselle. Here you can book a guided tour and visit the Roman cellars and the vineyards. In the evening you will have the chance to visit a local winegrowers place and enjoy a wine tasting with the famous Moselle wines (optional, bookable on board).
Bernkastel-Kues – Traben-Trarbach – Zell Approx. 46-49km
Today’s bike tour will take 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, well known in the wine industry for the wine “Zeller Schwarze Katz”. In Zell you should use the opportunity to get to know the good wines of the Mosel.
Zell – Beilstein – Cochem Approx. 39km
Beilstein, ‘the Sleeping Beauty of the Moselle’ and one of the best-preserved historical villages along the length of the Moselle is the highlight of today’s cycle tour. Towering above the village, which you will have the opportunity to explore, are the ruins of Castle Metternich. Today’s tour will end in Cochem, a lovely little town that features historical half-timbered-houses, a picturesque old town and Reichsburg Castle.
Cochem – Alken Approx. 29km | Alken – Koblenz
After breakfast, your final day of cycling will see you pedal to Alken, one of the oldest cities on the Moselle. Here your barge will be waiting for you to sail to Koblenz, where you will spend your final night on board. Koblenz, a fascinating and historic city, has been an important defensive and economic centre for centuries. Highlights include the old castle of Ehrenbreitstein which dominates the right bank of the Rhine, the 12th century Alte Burg Castle and old Koblenz town.
Disembarkation: Koblenz
After breakfast: disembarkation and end of the tour.
The tour details are barring changes, a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons
Tours marked with are special prices.
| Start | End | Max. No. Guests | Accommodation | Price p.p. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 02 2021 | Oct 09 2021 | 68 | Single rooms | 1,099€ | ||
| Double rooms | 749€ | |||||
| Oct 16 2021 | Oct 23 2021 | 68 | Single rooms | 799€ | ||
| Double rooms | 499€ | |||||
| May 07 2022 | May 07 2022 | 68 | Single rooms | 999€ | ||
| Double rooms | 699€ | |||||
| Jun 04 2022 | Jun 11 2022 | 68 | Single rooms | 1,299€ | ||
| Double rooms | 949€ | |||||
| Jun 18 2022 | Jun 25 2022 | 68 | Single rooms | 1,299€ | ||
| Double rooms | 949€ | |||||
| Jul 02 2022 | Jul 09 2022 | 68 | Single rooms | 1,299€ | ||
| Double rooms | 949€ | |||||
| Jul 30 2022 | Aug 06 2022 | 68 | Single rooms | 1,299€ | ||
| Double rooms | 949€ | |||||
| Aug 13 2022 | Aug 20 2022 | 68 | Single rooms | 1,299€ | ||
| Double rooms | 949€ | |||||
| Aug 27 2022 | Sep 03 2022 | 68 | Single rooms | 1,299€ | ||
| Double rooms | 949€ | |||||
| Sep 24 2022 | Oct 01 2022 | 68 | Single rooms | 1,299€ | ||
| Double rooms | 949€ | |||||
| Oct 08 2022 | Oct 15 2022 | 68 | Single rooms | 949€ | ||
| Double rooms | 649€ | |||||
| Oct 22 2022 | Oct 29 2022 | 68 | Single rooms | 949€ | ||
| Double rooms | 649€ |
If you would like to drive yourself before or after your tour, ask us for a quote on any brand new Renault, Peugeot or Citroen vehicle for driving in Europe.
Pick up your vehicle from most capital cities in Europe and return it to your drop off destination. Top insurance cover. Email [email protected] for a competitive quote
44
Our bike and barge tour certainly exceeded our expectations. The captain and crew were very welcoming and always went out of their way to ensure all our needs were met. While the cabin was on the small size, it was certainly adequate in the circumstances as we were mostly cycling during the day or socialising in the common areas of the vessel at other times. Being a small boat meant we got to know all fellow travellers by sight and got to know quite a few very well. We were the only Australians on board, with around 30 British, quite a few Germans, six Canadians and two Swedes. At the end of the first day's cycling we had quite a few sore spots but thankfully we rode these out the next day and suffered no ill effects from then on. Although the weather was quite often cloudy and misty, particularly in the mornings, it proved to be perfect for bike riding. Winds were generally slight and we only experienced a half an hour's rain on one day. We were certainly disappointed when the tour concluded. The highlights for us were travelling through numerous tiny villages and taking in the history of the region through which the Saar and Moselle rivers meander. We also enjoyed getting to know our fellow cyclists and sharing anecdotes with them. At the end of the tour we hired another vehicle and drove around the middle Rhine region before heading to the Essen area where we had a wedding to attend (the principal reason for our visit to Germany). After the tranquility of the barge and bike experience, this came as quite a shock to us in terms of congestion and development. Wendy and Nigel Summertown, Australia