Bike and Barge Germany: Saarburg - Koblenz
MS Patria
The history of the region along the banks of the Moselle and Saar Rivers dates back to the Roman Era, some 2000 or so years ago. For guests on a bike and barge tour on board the MS Patria there is much to see... beautiful timbered houses dating back to medieval times, vineyards, the Porta Nigra, built by the Romans in Trier and the oldest defensive structure in Germany, the "German corner" at the junction 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 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 the MS Patria, a much loved ship for bike-boat holidays for many years.
The journey along the Moselle and Saar Rivers takes you from Koblenz to Saarburg, with the return trip taking place the following week from Saarburg back to Koblenz. On various dates the MS Patria also sails along the Rhine and Neckar Rivers from Koblenz to Bad Wimpfen and return a week later. Highlights of both tours include the fascinating cities of Heidelberg, Worms and Mainz and much more. It is therefore possible to combine both tours to create a particularly diverse 14-day bike-boat holiday.
MS Patria:
On the Moselle and Saar Rivers by Bike & Barge Tour the 68 metre-long MS Patria, which is capable of accommodating a maximum of 68 guests, is your sailing home away from home for the week. The MS Patria has been modernized to cater for boat and bike tours and in total 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, have 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). The MS Patria is an authentic river barge and 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 sitting places (tables and chairs) for all guests and a cycle shed. The ship sails under the Dutch Flag and management and sailed in The Netherlands for many years. Since 2011 the MS Patria has been sailing exclusively in Germany and is a very popular ship for boat & bike tours. Language on board: German and English.
Tour Details Germany: From Saarburg to Koblenz | MS Patria
Day 1 (Sat): Embarkation: Saarburg
The MS Patria awaits you in Saarburg where the crew will welcome you on board from 4 pm. 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.
Day 2 (Sun): Saarburg - Saarschleife - Igele Säule - Wasserbillig (Lux) - Trier (Approx. 26-64 km/16-39 mi.)
Following the distribution of bicycles your first day of cycling will see you pedal from Saarburg via the picturesque Saarschleife (Saar Loop) to the Igeler Säule. From here you will continue on to Wasserbillig in Luxemburg before pedalling to Trier, your destination for the day and where the MS Patria will be waiting for you. If you are interested you can book an optional guided excursion of Trier (bookable on board). A walk through the 16 BC-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 3 (Mon): Trier - Pfalzel - Mehring (Approx. 26 km/16 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. In the evening you will have time to explore the village.
Day 4 (Tue): Mehring - Piesport - Bernkastel-Kues (Approx. 46 km/28 mi.)
You will reach Bernkastel-Kues by bike. 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 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).
Day 5 (Wed): Bernkastel-Kues - Traben-Trarbach - Zell (Approx. 46-49 km/28-30 mi.)
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".
Day 6 (Thu): Zell - Beilstein - Cochem (Approx. 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 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.
Day 7 (Fri): Cochem - Alken (Approx. 29 km/18 mi.) | Alken - Koblenz
After breakfast your final day of cycling will see you pedal to Alken, one of the oldest cities on the Moselle, where the MS Patria 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.
Day 8 (Sat): Disembarkation: Koblenz
After breakfast: disembarkation and end of the tour.
Daily self-guided cycling tours. All distances are "approximate distances" of recommended bike tours.
When guests do not want to cycle, they can stay on board, relax and enjoy sailing.
The tour details are barring changes, a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons.
On the first day you are welcome to bring your luggage on board from 11am.
Tour Details Germany: From Koblenz to Saarburg | MS Patria
Day 1 (Sat): Embarkation: Koblenz
The MS Patria awaits you in Koblenz where the crew will welcome you on board from 4pm. Your first night will be spent in this fascinating and historic city, 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.
Day 2 (Sun): Koblenz - Alken | Alken - Moselkern - Cochem (Approx. 28 km/17 mi.)
Your tour starts this morning as the MS Patria sails to Alken where, following the distribution of bicycles, you will start pedalling 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.
Day 3 (Mon): Cochem - Beilstein - Zell on the Moselle (Approx. 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 Beilsten 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.
Day 4 (Tue): Zell on the Moselle - Bernkastel-Kues (Approx. 46-49 km/28-30 mi.)
Today you will cycle from Zell 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. In the evening you will have the chance to visit a local winegrowers place and enjoy a wine tasting with the famous Moselle wines (excursion, optional, bookable on board).
Day 5 (Wed): Bernkastel-Kues -Piesport - Mehring (Approx. 46 km/28 mi.)
Today's cycle 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 where, if you are interested, you can take part in an optional excursion (bookable on board) of a guided tour to historic Roman cellars and vineyards. Later in the morning you will cycle to Neumagen-Dhron, widely recognised 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 the MS Patria will be waiting for you.
Day 6 (Thu): Mehring - Trier (Approx. 26 km/16 mi.)
You will cycle via Pfalzel to Trier, where the ship is waiting for you. In the afternoon you can explore the city in a special kind of way. Book a city walk with a "traditional Roman". Trier is undoubtedly the historic highlight of the tour. A walk through the 16 BC-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 (Fri): Trier - Saarburg - Mettlach - Saarburg (Approx. 26-64 km/16-40 mi.)
You have two choices today: you can either cycle from Trier to Saarburg along the banks of the Saar River or you can elect to take it easy and enjoy the beautiful scenery from your barge the MS Patria. Saarburg, also known as "Little Venice", features 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. If you elect to cycle from Saarburg to Mettlach you can visit the "Villeroy & Boch" factory before returning to Saarburg.
Day 8 (Sat): Saarburg
After breakfast: disembarkation and end of tour.
Daily self-guided cycling tours. All distances are "approximate distances" of recommended bike tours.
When guests do not want to cycle, they can stay on board, relax and enjoy sailing.
The tour details are barring changes, a.o. as a result of nautical, technical or meteorological reasons.
On the first day you are welcome to bring your luggage on board from 10am.
BICYCLES:
The bicycles on board are mostly unisex touring bikes with normal mount (ladies model), with 7 gears, handbrake and/or pedal brake and a pannier bag. There are a limited number of bikes with freewheel hubs and E-Bikes available on request. A rental bicycle is optional. Guests are also allowed to bring their own bicycles (at no extra cost). However, the crew or tour operators are in no way responsible for any damage, loss or theft of such bicycles. In Germany bikers are not obligated by law to wear a bike helmet. Bike helmets are not available on board.
Important information:
- Basically, we reserve the right to make changes of routing and program. 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). - The interior of the ship is a non-smoking zone: smoking is only allowed on the sun deck. - Embarkation: Guests may bring their luggage on board as from 10:00 hours, boarding will take place in the afternoon from 15:00 hours to 17:00 hours. - Disembarkation: After breakfast by 09:00 hours. - Bicycles on board: Unisex bicycles with normal mount (ladies model), 7 gears, hand brake and pedal brake and pannier bag, limited number of freewheel hub bikes. E-Bikes are only available after prior request (by booking) and confirmation and at limited number. Please indicate your body height by booking. Own bikes can be brought at your own risk (limited number of own bikes, no responsibility for lost and damages).- Cycle tours: All distances are "approximate distances" of recommended bike tours. When a guest does not want to cycle one day, she/he can skip the bike tour and relax on board while cruising to the next harbour. - The bike tours: are individual, at your own pace, without a tour guide, but with daily briefings on board and detailed bicycle maps and directions. Nearly all cycle tours can be classified as being easy. - Excursions: The excursions mentioned in the programme are all optional (surcharge - not included in the tour price) and can be booked directly on board at the tour guide.- Luggage: we recommend: rainwear, bicycle helmet, sunhat and sneakers. - Diet: (i.e.: lactosefree, glutenfree) possible on request and for an extra charge of EUR 50. Must be booked at least 14 days prior to departure. (to be paid directly on board) - Travel documents: EU-nationals need a valid passport.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The General Conditions (travel conditions) of Boat Bike Tours B.V. apply to cycling cruises, as well as to confirmation and cancellation of such tours. In principle, children are very welcome on board. However, before booking, we advise that you satisfy yourself that your child is able to manage daily cycle trips. Guests are allowed to bring their own children's bikes or child seats. Of course you may stay one or more days on board (children under the age of 18 years must be under supervision). Children's discount on request. The interior of the ship is a no-smoking zone: smoking is only allowed on the sun deck. As a safety measure, a statutory smoking ban applies in all cabins; this means that all cabins and rooms on board are no-smoking zones.
Characteristics:
Operator:
Participants:
from 40 up to 68
Tourtype:
individual
Children:
yes
Regions:
Cochem, Eifel, Koblenz, Luxembourg, Moselle, Rheinland-Pfalz, Rhine, Saar, Saarland, Trier
Countries:
Germany, Luxembourg
Benefits:
- Tour and accommodation on board 8 days/7 nights (Saturday-Saturday) from/to Koblenz or Saarburg, cabin in the booked category
- Full board (7x breakfast, 6x picnic lunch during bike tours or noontime snack, 7x three or four course dinner)
- Daily coffee and tea till 4 PM
- Use of bed linen and towels (change of towels daily possible)
- daily short cleaning of the cabin
- Welcome drink
- Board manager (multilingual English and German) with daily briefings of the bike tours
- The board manager doesn't cycle but can always be reached on his cell phone
- Printed instructions and detailed maps for the daily bike tours, 1 set per cabin
Start date: on request
End date:
Duration:
Price:
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Startdate
Middate
On request
Additional costs:
- All other costs: on request (bikehire, cabin categories, additional nights, transfers and so on)