Discover varied nature, immerse yourself in history and experience two of Germany’s most famous wine-growing regions along the beautiful rivers Rhine and Moselle on this wonderful trip. Where the Celts settled and the Romans introduced viticulture, the Rhine and Moselle and the excellent cycle paths along their banks connect all the sights on this tour by bike and boat. The start and end point is the Roman city of Koblenz, where the Moselle flows into the Rhine at the “Deutsche Eck”.
The Middle Rhine Valley is one of the most beautiful and oldest cultural landscapes in Europe and is considered the epitome of Rhine romance. Due to the great diversity and beauty of the Middle Rhine, the river valley between Koblenz and Bingen and Rüdesheim has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002. The narrow and rugged Rhine Valley has always inspired painters, poets, thinkers and musicians. Around 40 castles, palaces and fortresses tower high above both banks, picturesque villages and towns are strung along the river like pearls on a string, with vine-covered slopes in between. You will see the Loreley Rock, where, according to legend, the beautiful Loreley with her long blonde hair enchanted the Rhine boatmen with her song and drove them to their doom. Upstream are Bingen and Rüdesheim, and the beautiful old Roman city of Mainz is the southernmost city on this tour.
The Moselle valley is best known for its Riesling wines. The vineyards offer ideal conditions for growing this popular grape variety. However, there are not only numerous cozy winegrowing villages along the Moselle, but also fantastic views, fairytale castles and much more. The steep slopes are characteristic of the Lower Moselle near Winningen. Terraced steep slopes can be found here. The pearl of the Moselle idyll, Eltz Castle, is magically nestled in the countryside not far from the river valley. A particularly idyllic section of the river valley is the Moselle loop near the picturesque Bremm between Cochem and Zell. This is the location of the Calmont, the steepest vineyard in Europe. Beilstein, Traben-Trarbach and Bernkastel-Kues are other beautiful towns on the Moselle that are famous for their wines. In Cochem, the Reichsburg castle towers high on a rock above the town.
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 can make 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.
You cycle independently
During this trip there is an expert and experienced tour leader on board. He or she will discuss the next day’s cycling routes on a daily basis and provide you with tips and information about the route. You will cycle the tours independently and at your own pace using a detailed cycling map, GPS directions via the free Ride With GPS app and printed route descriptions (available on board). The tour leader will also cycle the routes, so they will be riding nearby and can be reached by phone in case of emergencies, problems or questions.
