MOSELLE RIVER CRUISE AND CYCLING TRIP 2024!
Cruise by barge on the beautiful Moselle river from Germany through Luxembourg and into France. Cycle through vineyards and fairytale towns - your e-bike or regular bike is included. End with two nights in Paris.
AUGUST 25 – SEPTEMBER 5, 2024
(10 NIGHTS/12 DAYS)
Our 2024 bike and barge trip will explore the beautiful vineyards and ancient villages of the Moselle river from Germany through Luxembourg and end with two nights in Paris. The countryside on both banks of the Moselle is splendid, the cool wines taste delicious, and the picturesque little towns have rich histories. Beautiful fairytale towns like Cochem and Bernkastel (just google some pictures), Trier, with it's well preserved Roman ruins, Saarburg, with waterfalls right in the city center, and more.
In addition to all the amazing scenery, this trip includes:
- Round-trip air from Miami: MIA/FRA – CDG/MIA (est.) (flights and pricing subject to change)
- All PRIVATE ground transfers
- (7) night/8 day cruise from Cochem Germany to Metz France
- PRIVATE DELUXE CHARTER on MAGNIFIQUE III including Welcome reception with welcome drink
- 7 Breakfasts, 6 Dinners (3-course)
- Daily packed Lunches during cruise
- Daily afternoon coffee and tea
- Daily briefings, Fully guided cycling tours (2 tour leaders, 2 groups)
- Some short walking tours
- Fees for ferries, Entrance Museum Remagen, Entrance Burg Eltz
- Winetasting at a local winery
- GPS tracks, Use of a helmet, Use of a waterproof pannier bag ∙ Biodegradable water bottle
- Use of bed linen and towels, Daily cleaning of the cabin, Climate controlled cabin, Wi-Fi on board
- All Local Taxes
- E-Bike rental/helmet included, Standard bike optional ($180 less)
- (1) nights in Cochem 4-star hotel w/breakfast
- (2) nights in Paris 4-star hotel w/breakfast
- NOT INCLUDED: Gratuities, alcoholic beverages & insurance
- Price based on currency of 1.12 US Dollar to the Euro. All prices subject to change.
Price
These newly renovated lower deck cabins (129 sq.ft.) have two separate single beds, which, in most cabins, on prior request,
can be set together as a double bed
Price: $5,849 Lower Deck Cabin Per person, double occupancy
Payment Schedule
- $500 - at sign up ($2000 if after Nov 22, 2023)
- $1500 - due Nov 22, 2023
- Balance due FEB 21, 2024
All payments are subject to the Boca Ski Club Trip Cancelation Policy
Detailed Cruise Itinerary:
The countryside on both banks of the Moselle is splendid, the wines are delicious, and the picturesque little towns have rich histories. The conditions for cycling are excellent indeed. You follow the river Moselle, partly in Germany, partly in France and partly in Luxembourg, along the endless vineyards and the enchanting old cities like Cochem and Bernkastel. Then, of course, there is Trier, once an imperial Roman city. You will see the remnants of this glorious past in Germany’s oldest cathedral, amphitheater, the emperor’s throne hall and famous “black gate,” the remains of the ancient city wall. After Trier you will bike along the river Saar to visit charming Saarburg, with the stunning waterfalls in the city center. Then onto tiny Luxembourg, the only Grand Duchy in Europe. The last day you cycle in France with her welcoming villages, where the inhabitants are proud of their sweet, smooth wines and golden “Mirabellen” liqueur. The tour end in the city of Metz, with her splendid Gothic cathedral.
Day 0: Miami to Frankfurt, Germany
We fly from Miami overnight to Frankfurt, arriving the next day.
Day 1: Cochem, Germany
On the day of our arrival, we'll spend the night at a hotel in Cochem, before boarding the ship the next day.
Day 2: Cochem
Embarkation and check-in is at 2 p.m. in Cochem. After a welcome meeting with the crew, the tour leader will take you for a walk through this 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 visit to Cochem’s majestic Reichsburg Castle is on the program.
Day 3: Cochem – Zell (39 km/24 mi.)
Following breakfast, you’ll cycle to Beilstein, one of the best-preserved historical villages on the Moselle. The ruins of Castle Metternich sit towering above the village, and you’ll have the opportunity to explore them. After leaving Beilstein you’ll pass Europe’s steepest vineyard – with slopes inclining up to 60 degrees – at Bremmer Calmont. Today’s tour ends in the wine village of Zell on the Moselle, well known in the industry for the wine Zeller Schwarze Katz. In Zell we recommend taking the opportunity to get to know the good wines of the Moselle valley.
Day 4: Zell on the Moselle – Bernkastel-Kues (45 km/27 mi.)
Today you’ll cycle from Zell to the romantic village of Traben-Trarbach, located on the Moselle’s left bank and famous for its Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) architecture. From there you pass through the wine city of Kröv – well-known for its popular Kröver wine – to Bernkastel-Kues, your destination for the night. The grand half-timbered houses that surround Bernkastel-Kues’s marketplace date back to the Middle Ages, and are a photographer’s delight. You’ll reach the barge in Kues after a tour through town.
Day 5: Bernkastel-Kues – Neumagen – Schweich (28 km/18 mi. or 54 km/34 mi.) | Schweich – Trier
From Bernkastel, the valley opens up and vineyards expand as far as the eye can see. Today we cruise past the heavy-hitters in the wine world: Brauneberg, Piesport, Trittenheim. Piesport is beloved by the Brits for the “little golden droplets.” Trittenheim lies in a sharp hairpin turn on the river surrounded by mountains coated with grapes. Around lunchtime you will arrive in Neumagen, already in Roman times an important center of wine production. You can decide to join the barge from here or continue by bicycle to Schweich, where again the barge will be waiting for you. Once on board you will cruise to Trier, the oldest city in Germany. Trier was founded around 15 before Christ by Caesar Augustus under the name of Augusta Trevorum. As a trading town and administrative center, 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 18 after Christ.
Day 6: Trier – Saarburg (28 km/18 mi.)
In the morning your tour leader will take you into Trier and walk you around in Roman history. There is also time to discover and enjoy Trier on your own.
After lunch you will hop on your bicycles and follow the Mosel and Saar river to our next destination, Saarburg. Saarburg is 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 of 20 meters 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 from the 17th and 18th century, which give Saarburg such a picturesque look, are still intact. Today there is no dinner on board. You can select one of the local restaurants of Saarburg.
Day 7: Saarburg – Remich (45 km/27 mi. or 53 km/32 mi.)
Today 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 is, the cycling will lead you into the Grand Duchy Luxembourg. Here the Moselle forms the border between Germany and Luxembourg. Luxembourg is a small country, but her capital (also called Luxembourg) is an important finance center and EU administrative city. On the way, at the Luxembourg side, we visit a wine cooperative, specialized in the so called “Cremant”, say the Champagne of the
Moselle. Close to Remich you can admire a Roman mosaic floor. The tile floor which lies in its original place, was once the centerpiece in a palatial Roman villa. The scene (in 3 million individual tile pieces) reveals scenes from gladiator games in the amphitheater.
Day 8: Remich – Schengen | Schengen – Thionville (30 km/18 mi.) | Thionville – Metz
While having breakfast you will cruise to Schengen, where your cycling tour will start. 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. Soon we will cross the Luxembourg- French border and experience the outcome of this agreement: no border controls. We pass the fortress of Sierck-les-Bains, one of the palaces inhabited by the powerful Dukes of Lorraine. The route is lovely through French countryside, and friendly villages. Around lunchtime you will arrive in Thionville, the center of the steel industry until the 1980s. That might sound modern and industrial, but the city is ancient. The historic center shows us the medieval ramparts, lovely gardens, old streets and St.Maximin basilica. Here the ship is waiting to pick you up to cruise to Metz, another ancient 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.
Day 9: Metz
End of tour. Disembarkation after breakfast, at around 9:30 a.m.
Day 9-11: Paris
After leaving the boat we'll transfer via bus to Paris (approx 3.5 hours), where we'll spend two nights in a the Hotel Mercure Paris Alesia before flying back to the US.
Good to know
Cycling route distances in the travel program are approximate.
On some days you can choose between a longer and a shorter cycling route. Please note that on the shorter routes you may not be able to visit all the highlights mentioned. ∙ If you prefer not to cycle on a particular day, you’re welcome to stay on board and relax while the ship cruises to the next landing place.
The tour itinerary and route are subject to possible changes due to nautical, technical or meteorological reasons, or other unforeseen events.
On the arrival day, you can leave your luggage on board the ship from 11.00 am. ∙ A detailed cycling map and a GPS app are available for guests who wish to cycle individually and at their own pace. The tour guide is always available via cell phone in case of questions, breakdowns or emergencies.
Facts about the ship
- Length: 67 m, Width: 7.2 m, Crew: 5, Cabins: 21, Passengers: 40 max
The Magnifique III meets the highest standards for comfort for bike and barge tours. The vessel sails under Dutch flag and management on several tours in The Netherlands and Belgium.
The upper deck has a large, tastefully furnished salon with a restaurant area, a nice bar a lounge area with cozy sitting corners, a wide screen TV and large panoramic windows. There are also two TV screens showing the real-time movement and position of the barge. Wi-Fi is available. Large glass doors open to the beautiful partially roofed teak wood sundeck with chairs and tables on the aft deck. There is a cycle deck for bikes on the front deck. On the top deck, the barge has a whirlpool/Jacuzzi and some deckchairs to relax and enjoy the scenery while cruising.
The lower deck has fourteen beautiful twin cabins (12 m² – 129 sq.ft.) with two separate single beds. In most cabins and all suites, on prior request, the beds can be set together as a double bed.
All cabins have en-suite facilities with a shower, toilet and basin. The cabins on the lower deck have portholes (fixed for safety reasons). The air conditioning in all cabins can be individually regulated. Furthermore, in each cabin you will find a flat screen satellite TV, a mini safe and a hair dryer.
The upper deck has a large, tastefully furnished salon with a restaurant area, a nice bar a lounge area with cozy sitting corners, a wide screen TV and large panoramic windows. There are also two TV screens showing the real-time movement and position of the barge. Wi-Fi is available. Large glass doors open to the beautiful partially roofed teak wood sundeck with chairs and tables on the aft deck. There is a cycle deck for bikes on the front deck. On the top deck, the barge has a whirlpool/Jacuzzi and some deckchairs to relax and enjoy the scenery while cruising.
Flight Information:
25 AUG 2024 MIA to FRA (Direct)
Lufthansa/Swiss Air Flight LH463
Departs MIA (Miami) 4:45pm
Arrives FRA (Frankfurt) 7:50am (+1 day)
05 SEP 2024 CDG-MIA (1 layover, Zurich, 2.5 hrs)
Lufthansa/Swiss Air Flight LX633
Departs CDG (Paris) 9:50 am
Arrives ZRH (Zurich) 11:10 am
Lufthansa/Swiss Air Flight LX064
Departs ZRH (Zurich) 1:05 pm
Arrives MIA (Miami) 5:15 pm
Flight dates/times subject to change.
Hotel in Paris:
Mercure Paris Alésia
185 Boulevard Brune
75014 Paris
France
Travel Insurance:
We strongly recommend that you source travel insurance. Boca Ski Club does not recommend any particular insurer.
2024 VISA CHANGES FOR EUROPE:
https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/etias/us-citizens/
https://www.handyvisas.com/etias/requirements-for-americans/
Starting in 2024, Americans will need to register online with the ETIAS system before their trip to get visa-free entry . By completing an ETIAS application for US citizens online, you can avoid having to go through a lengthy visa application process at a European embassy or consulate.
Do US Citizens Need a Visa to Visit Europe?
American citizens do not need a visa to visit countries in the Schengen Area or for prospective member states that are preparing to join Schengen. This includes most European Union (EU countries) and a few others.
Starting in 2024 , Americans will need to register online with the ETIAS system before their trip to get visa-free entry.
By completing an ETIAS application for US citizens online, you can avoid having to go through a length visa application process at a European embassy or consulate.
What is the ETIAS for US citizens?
The European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is a digital visa waiver system. It allows eligible travelers to visit the Schengen Area without a visa.
It is being introduced as a security measure to screen travelers who have not had to apply for a visa. It is modeled on similar systems around the world such as the US ESTA.
The ETIAS system is designed to be quick and convenient, while providing an extra layer of security for the Schengen border.
It will take a matter of minutes for American applicants to enter their details. Confirmation of the approved ETIAS visa waiver for US citizens will be delivered by email within a few business days at most, making it a much simpler and faster process than applying for a visa.
Countries that Americans Can Visit with ETIAS
The ETIAS for US citizens allows Americans to visit any country within the Schengen Area. The Schengen Area currently consists of 27 member states: 23 European Union (EU) countries and the 4 members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
This means that ETIAS will grant Americans access to most of the EU member states, with only the Republic of Ireland maintaining a separate visa policy.
As of 7/31/23 ETIAS is not yet live, but you can sign up for updates and find more information here: https://etias.com/etias-application