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Germany

Saarburg – Koblenz or Koblenz – Saarburg

Along the Moselle and the Saar rivers
Saarburg One way tour. Possible in both directions. Koblenz
From €1049 p.p.
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Saarburg – Koblenz or Koblenz – Saarburg

Highlights of this tour

As far as cycle touring destinations in Europe go, there are few better than the Moselle and Saar river valleys in Germany. During a cycling cruise you can find out and experience yourself. In one word: 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, meandering from one picturesque village to the other, offer unsurpassed views of castles high on the hills, stone-clad fortresses, […]

Gentle biking amongst stunning vineyards

Learn about Roman history in Trier

Taste the region’s fine Riesling wines

Ship with max. 96 passengers

Guidance
  • Guided cycling: A tour leader will guide you during the cycling days
  • Independent cycling: No tour leader, the ships’ crew does daily briefing, independent cycling
guidance Independent cycling
Difficulty
  • Level 1: easy tours, very flat terrain
  • Level 2: quite easy tours, mostly flat terrain
  • Level 3: requires a higher level of exertion, medium hilly terrain
  • Level 4: for experienced cyclists, hilly terrain with climbs
Difficulty level 1 Difficulty level 1
Duration of the tour.
tijd2 Created with Sketch.
8 days

About this tour

As far as cycle touring destinations in Europe go, there are few better than the Moselle and Saar river valleys in Germany. During a cycling cruise you can find out and experience yourself. In one word: 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, meandering from one picturesque village to the other, 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, will soak up the sights of untouched nature, will meet local winegrowers and bottlers and, importantly, will get the opportunity to relive the rich history of the region. It is without doubt a cycling cruise not to be missed! The cycle paths along the banks of the Moselle and Saar Rivers do not have any gradients of note and are asphalted or paved.

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. 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 cycling cruise there is so much to see: beautiful timbered houses dating back to medieval times, vineyards, the Porta Nigra in Trier, built in Roman times, the oldest defensive structure in Germany, the “German Corner” at the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers in Koblenz and Saarburg, widely referred to as “Little Venice”, are just a few of the highlights of this memorable trip.

The ship – Your sailing hotel
In between cycling excursions, you cruise along with the ship, which travels to a new destination every day. You dine, sleep and eat breakfast on board. You’ll receive a packed lunch every day, and you can usually choose between a longer or shorter bike ride. It’s also possible to spend a day on board if you like. There are rental bikes on board, but you can also bring your own if you mention it when booking (on request).

Perfect for more experienced cyclists
With a detailed map of the area and a suggested route for close-range explorations, you decide where you head and how fast you ride. During the evening prior to next day’s cycling tour, the ship’s crew will explain some difficult parts, offer tips about the nicest places to stop for a drink or lunch, and mention the best highlights. In case of emergencies or problems, the crew can be contacted. But – as the ship is sailing to the next port – they can only offer assistance by phone.

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Day to day program Saarburg to Koblenz

Parts that are printed in italics will be covered by the ship.

All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended cycling tours

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).

Day 1: Saarburg

The ship awaits you in Saarburg where the crew will welcome you on board as from 4 p.m. You will spend your first night and evening 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. You will be officially welcomed on board by the captain and crew at 6 p.m..

Day 2: Saarburg – Wasserbillig (Lux) – Trier (38 km/24 mi.)

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 to Wasserbillig in Luxemburg and from here to the “Igeler Säule”. Later you will reach Trier, your destination for the day, where the ship will be waiting for you.

Day 3: Trier – Pfalzel – Mehring (26 km/16 mi. or 29 km/18 mi.)

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 winegrowing community in the Moselle-Saar-Ruwer region.

Day 4: Mehring – Piesport – Bernkastel-Kues (47 km/29 mi.)

You will reach Bernkastel-Kues by bicycle. The market place from the Middle Ages with many wood timbered houses invites you for a rest. On your way you come to Neumagen-Dhron which is the oldest wine city of Germany. Further on you reach Piesport, the oldest winegrowing community along the Moselle. Here is the largest ever found Roman wine complex North of the Alps. You should take the time to enjoy the popular wines.

Day 5: Bernkastel-Kues – Traben-Trarbach – Zell on the Moselle (43 km/27 mi.)

Today’s cycling 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 on the Moselle, 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 (optional, not included).

Day 6: Zell – Beilstein – Cochem (39 km/24 mi.)

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 cycling 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.

Day 7: Cochem – Koblenz, day of rest on board | Alternative Cochem – Alken – Koblenz (50 km/30 mi.)

Today you can spend the day on board and relax on the sundeck. Enjoy the beautiful Moselle landscape passing by and stroll along the “Deutsche Eck” in Koblenz in the afternoon, where Moselle and Rhine flow together. Experienced cyclists can cycle from Cochem to Koblenz and visit Burg Eltz.

Day 8: Koblenz

End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.00 a.m.

Good to know
  • Cycle tours: The daily cycling tours are non-guided, independent tours. You will ride individually with the help of a detailed cycling map and printed route notes (available on board). The on-board tour manager will provide you with all necessary tour information during her/his daily briefings. The on-board tour manager doesn’t cycle her-/himself but can always be reached on her/his cell phone.
  • Bike routes / degree of difficulty: The quality of the bike paths is very good. The Moselle cycle path runs mostly on paved or asphalted roads without significant gradients. Therefore, this trip is also suitable for untrained cyclists.
  • Excursions (optional): We offer a small excursion program, that can be booked directly on board at the cruise director only. You will get a brief description together with your travel documents. Depending on the number of participants some excursions could be carried out in 2 languages (German/ English).
  • Luggage on board: We recommend waterproof rain gear, bike helmet, sun hat and sports shoes. We would like to ask you to do without hard-side luggage, as storage space in the cabin is very limited!
  • Travel documents: EU-citizens (without special situations like dual citizenship, main residence abroad or a limited-validity passport) are required to have a valid passport or ID-card, not expiring within six (6) months of the return of your cruise. We kindly ask non-EU citizens, EU-nationals with multiple citizenship or anybody who has to respect special legal entry requirements for the country to visit, to inform about visa and entry documents at the competent embassy.
  • This tour is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Day to day program Koblenz to Saarburg

Parts that are printed in italics will be covered by the ship.

All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended cycling tours

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).

Parts that are printed in italics will be covered by the ship.

All distances are “approximate distances” of recommended cycling tours

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).

Day 1: Koblenz / on May 4: Bonn*

The ship awaits you in Koblenz (on in Bonn on May 4th) where the crew will welcome you on board as from 4 p.m. You’ll spend your first night in this fascinating and historic city, an important defensive and economic center 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.

*Only departure 4th May 2024: Embarkation in Bonn instead of Koblenz, departure Bonn 5 p.m. Arrival in Andernach on
4th May 2024 at 10 p.m. Departure on day 2 from Andernach at 7 a.m. Arrival in Alken at 10 a.m. The further program according to the timeline.

Day 2: Koblenz – Alken | Alken – Moselkern – Cochem (29 km/18 mi.)

Your tour starts this morning as the ship sails to Alken where, following the distribution of bicycles, you will start pedaling via Moselkern to Cochem, your destination for the day. Cochem is a lovely little town that features historical half-timbered-houses, a picturesque old town and Reichsburg Castle.

Inexperienced cyclists we recommend spending the day on board and use the day off to visit Cochem in the afternoon.

Day 3: Cochem – Beilstein – Zell on the Moselle (39 km/24 mi.)

After breakfast you will cycle to Beilstein, one of the best preserved historical villages along the length of the Moselle. Towering above the village, which you will have the opportunity to explore, are the ruins of Castle Metternich. After leaving Beilstein you will pass Europe’s steepest vineyard – with slopes between 50 and 55 degrees – at Bremmer Calmont. Today’s tour ends in the wine village of Zell on the Moselle, 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 (optional, not included).

Day 4: Zell on the Moselle – Bernkastel-Kues (43 km/26 mi.)

Today you will cycle from Zell on the Moselle to the romantic village of Traben-Trarbach, located on the left bank of the Moselle and famous for its Jugendstil (art nouveau) architectural style. From there you pass through the wine city of Kröv – famous for producing the popular Kröver wine – to Bernkastel-Kues, your destination for the night. The grand half-timbered houses that surround Bernkastel-Kues’s market place date back to the Middle Ages and are a photographer’s delight. You will reach the ship in Kues after a tour through town.

Day 5: Bernkastel-Kues –Piesport – Mehring (47 km/29 mi.)

Today’s cycling tour is all about the history of wine growing along the Moselle. After breakfast you will cycle to Piesport, the oldest winegrowing community along the Moselle.  Here is the largest ever found Roman wine complex North of the Alps. Later in the morning you will cycle to Neumagen-Dhron, widely recognized as the oldest wine growing city in Germany. After the lunch break, the tour continues to Mehring, another village famous for its fine white wine, where your floating hotel will be waiting for you.

Day 6: Mehring – Trier (26 km/16 mi. or 29 km/18 mi.)

You will cycle via Pfalzel to Trier, where the ship is waiting for you. Trier is undoubtedly the historic highlight of the tour. A walk through the 16 B.C. founded Trier is an overwhelming journey through the millennia, with no other place in Germany 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.

Day 7: Trier –  Wasserbillig (Lux) – Saarburg (38 km/23 mi.)

Today you will be cycling along the river from Trier via Wasserbillig in Luxembourg to Saarburg, also called “little Venice”. The cityscape is characterized by narrow streets, half-timbered houses, Baroque buildings, colorful fishermen and boatmen houses and ofcourse the waterfall of 20 meters deep.

Day 8: Saarburg

End of your tour: Disembarkation after breakfast until 9.00 a.m.

Good to know
  • Cycle tours: The daily cycling tours are non-guided, independent tours. You will ride individually with the help of a detailed cycling map and printed route notes (available on board). The on-board tour manager will provide you with all necessary tour information during her/his daily briefings. The on-board tour manager doesn’t cycle her-/himself but can always be reached on her/his cell phone.
  • Bike routes / degree of difficulty: The quality of the bike paths is very good. The Moselle cycle path runs mostly on paved or asphalted roads without significant gradients. Therefore, this trip is also suitable for untrained cyclists.
  • Excursions (optional): We offer a small excursion program, that can be booked directly on board at the cruise director only. You will get a brief description together with your travel documents. Depending on the number of participants some excursions could be carried out in 2 languages (German/ English).
  • Luggage on board: We recommend waterproof rain gear, bike helmet, sun hat and sports shoes. We would like to ask you to do without hard-side luggage, as storage space in the cabin is very limited!
  • Travel documents: EU-citizens (without special situations like dual citizenship, main residence abroad or a limited-validity passport) are required to have a valid passport or ID-card, not expiring within six (6) months of the return of your cruise. We kindly ask non-EU citizens, EU-nationals with multiple citizenship or anybody who has to respect special legal entry requirements for the country to visit, to inform about visa and entry documents at the competent embassy.
  • This tour is not suitable for people with reduced mobility.

Prices & availability

To view the availability of this tour and/or book online please click on the button below. A new screen will open.


Prices & information

Pricing overview - 2024
Cabin type For May - Sept. 21 Sept. 28 - Oct. 5
Twin cabin on lower deck 2 pers. € 1199 € 1049 Twin lower deck for single use 1 pers. € 1559 € 1369 Twin cabin on upper deck astern* 2 pers. € 1299 € 1149 Twin cabin on upper deck 2 pers. € 1349 € 1199 Single cabin upper deck 1 pers. € 1499 € 1199 Twin upper deck for single use 1 pers. € 1759 € 1559
Included in this tour
  • 8 days/7 nights
  • 7 x breakfast
  • Packed lunches or noontime snacks
  • 7 x 3-course dinner
  • Coffee and tea on board till 4 PM
  • Welcome drink
  • Use of bed linen and towels
  • Daily cleaning of the cabin
  • Climate-controlled cabin
  • Daily briefings by multilingual (German/English) on board tour manager
  • Independent cycling tours (on board tour manager can be reached on his cell phone)
  • GPS tracks
  • Maps and notes for cycling tours (1 set per cabin)
  • Carbon offset payment to the non-profit organization Justdiggit
Excluded in this tour
  • Drinks
  • Coffee and tea on board after 4 PM
  • Bicycle rental or E-bike rental incl. pannier bag
  • Helmet (not available on board)
  • Personal insurances
  • Gratuities (at your discretion)
  • Entrance fees and excursions
  • City maps
  • Fees for ferries
  • Transfers to/from the docking place
  • Parking fees
  • SGR Insolvency protection
  • Wi-Fi (unlimited data package to be purchased on board: € 10 per device)
SGR Insolvency protection (mandatory consumer contribution SGR insolvency protection guarantee scheme: € 5 per person - will be specified separately on the booking confirmation)
Bicycles/E-Bikes
  • High-quality 28 inch unisex bike from Velo de Ville wit 7-gear. The bikes have free wheel OR backpedal brakes (please indicate upon booking), rental bike insurance and pannier bags.
  • The E-Bikes with a deep entry and a full integrated battery pack from Bosch are also from Velo de Ville. The 8 speed Nexus hub circuit, a Bosch medium Motor and a big 500 Wh battery pack will bring you up to 100 km per loading cycle. The E-bikes have free wheel OR backpedal brakes (please indicate upon booking), rental bike insurance and pannier bags.
  • Bringing own bicycles/E-bikes: On request only – due to lack of space on sun deck. We exclude any liability for loss, theft and damage – this also applies to damage caused by transportation from shore to ship or vice versa.
Additional options & information - 2024

2024:

  • Rental bicycle: €89 per week (bike with freewheel OR backpedal brake, please indicate by booking) (bicycle only included for departures on Sept. 30)
  • Rental E-Bike: €199 per week (only on request, e-bike with freewheel OR backpedal brake, please indicate by booking, limited number available)
  • Bring your own bike/E-Bike: €29 per week (on request only, limited number)
  • Bike helmet: We recommend to wear a bike helmet. Please bring your own bike helmet (no onboard selling).

 

Transfers:
Between Saarburg and Koblenz by train (in 2 hrs. for about € 25 p.p., group tickets can be bought on board with the tour manager).

Car park options:

  • Saarburg:

Public parking near the pier in Saarburg (unguarded, not reservable). Costs approx. € 25/week.
Parking space near the train station in Saarburg (unguarded, not reservable). Costs approx. € 10 per week.

  • Koblenz:

Public car park near the pier in Koblenz from approx. € 125/week and free commuter parking outside. From there you can take the public bus into the city. No reservation possible.
Parking in Koblenz at Ehrenbreitstein station (unguarded, not reservable). Costs from approx. € 15/week.
Please note: In Koblenz, the car cannot be loaded or unloaded in front of the ship!

Excursion program: when the cycle stages and docking times make it possible an excursion program is compiled, which is bookable and payable only on board. Depending on the nationalities of the participants the excursions are available if necessary bilingual German-English.

Minimum number of participants: 75 guests (must have been reached within 21 days prior to departure).

Partner tour: Legal notice: Boat Bike Tours is not the organizing operator, but the travel agent for this tour; this is a so called ‘partner tour’, available on request. Tour operator is: SE Tours GmbH, Bremerhaven, Germany.



Reviews

based on 16 reviews on
26 Oct 2023

Colleen Sayer

This was the second Boat/Bike tour I have been on and I was very satisfied with most everything that I experienced. The cycling tour was great – the difficulty level was as advertised and the route took us through very beautiful countryside. The maps and directions were very easy to follow. I would have liked more specific information about some of the possible sites to explore in the different towns. While they were mentioned as possible stops, we didn’t really get directions on how to access them. The food on board the boat was wonderful – breakfasts included a good variety of options and the dinner meals were delicious! The staff were very friendly and always willing to help out and answer questions. All in all, a great experience I would definitely recommend!

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 27 Oct 2023

Thank you for your positive feedback and for choosing Boat Bike Tours! We're delighted you had a great experience and enjoyed the cycling tour, food, and our friendly staff. Your suggestion about more specific information on town sites is noted, and we appreciate your recommendation!

7 Sep 2023

nick

I am not a biker but I wanted to see the whole river, and particularly the locks, in daylight which is not possible on most river cruises. Everything met my hopes and expectations. The only downside was that we were not able to moor near the town centre at two places which made on-shore excursions somewhat less convenient. The crew were efficient and friendly and the food was excellent, particularly at lunch-time when I was often the only passenger on board. They all took a lot of trouble to look after their only English guest.

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 4 Oct 2023

Thank you really much for this review! We are really happy that you enjoyed our tour. However, we apologize that not everything met your expectations. We are continuously trying to improve our services and will take your feedback into consideration! Hopefully, we can welcome you on board again soon. Best wishes, Boat Bike Tours

28 Aug 2023

Barbara Long

The tour on the MS Olympia was all we had hoped for. The crew accommodations, and food exceeded our expectations. We enjoyed our daily biking and the optional excursions. It’s such a beautiful ride through the Mosel River. Our only complaint would have been to have extra pillows and to discard broken chairs in the lounge but these were minor inconveniences compared to the wonderful experience we had! We can’t wait to plan our next trip.

Reply from Boat Bike Tours 2 Nov 2023

We're thrilled to hear that your experience on the MS Olympia exceeded your expectations, with great crew, accommodations, and food. Your feedback is duly noted, and we'll work on improvements. We can't wait to help you plan your next trip, and we look forward to hosting you again in the future! Best regards, Boat Bike Tours

9 Aug 2021

Sherman Hanna

We just completed back to back 7 day cruises on the Patria — first from Bad Wimpfen on the Neckar River to Koblenz on the Rhine, then from Koblenz up the Mosel River, then to Saarburg on the Saar River. We previously had been on 5 bike cruises on rivers (plus many other cruises), and our time on the Patria was the best experience we have had in terms of the crew, all of whom went out of their way to provide a great experience. Every crew member, from the captain to the housekeeper, were friendly and responsive to passenger needs. The ship, the Patria, had excellent food, and the public spaces were very nice. We enjoyed spending time on the sun deck, and could always find seats under the shaded area. The lounge was nice. The cabins were small but were well appointed and comfortable. Our tour guides were great, and we especially appreciated the enthusiasm of Dagmar, who helped us anticipate any challenges on the routes. Though paths were flooded in a few places, the routes each day were excellent.


Available ships for this tour

Motor ship Olympia Germany, Netherlands

Deck chairs

Elegant interiors

TV in the cabins

Individually controlled air conditioning

max. 96 passengers
49 cabins
3 tours available with this ship

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