Friday, April 12, 2024

2024: Best Day-Trip Boat Cruises on the Moselle River in Germany

mosel river cruise

Once on board, you can not only travel comfortably from one port to the next, but also enjoy the unique scenery slowly passing you by while you relax on board. The romantic Moselle meanders through an enchanting landscape of castles, picture-book villages and terraced slate slopes. The land here is one of the richest wine regions in the world and offers history dating back to Roman times. A river winding through a narrow valley, lined on both sides by idyllic towns, majestic castles, enchanting palaces and beautiful vineyards - the Moselle is undoubtedly one of the most charming river landscapes in all of Europe. Like no other river, you can enjoy a unique blend of history, architecture, culture and culinary delights on a cruise on the Moselle.

Hike the Moselsteig Trail and sip wine along the way

The Mosel River courses through the peaceful countryside of Germany, Luxembourg and France. Sailings of the Mosel -- or the Moselle, as it's known in France -- are often combined with cruises of the Rhine River. The route is lined by some of Europe's most enchanting cities, as well as grand castles, lush vineyards and picture-perfect medieval villages. Like most of Europe's great rivers, the Moselle features both industrial stretches and scenic regions. That said, the Middle to Lower Moselle (where the river snakes its way from Trier to Koblenz through a series of steep bends) is just lovely.

Best Day-Trip Boat Cruises on the Moselle River in Germany

His astronomical instruments and apparatus, including the world's oldest celestial sphere, can be seen in the hospital library. All of those sites have UNESCO World Heritage Site status, but Trier is not just a repository of Roman remains. It's also a thriving modern university city, close enough to Luxembourg to have more of a cosmopolitan than a Germanic feel.

Moselle River Cruise Tips

With a settled history that predates the Romans, it is yours to discover on one of our Moselle river cruises. The Moselle region in Luxembourg has been a very popular excursion and holiday destination for many decades. Incredible landscapes, picturesque villages, award-winning wines and gastronomic treats provide a varied offer for active holidaymakers, gourmets and explorers.

A river cruise on the magnificent Moselle: Why this fairy-tale waterway in Europe is poised to make waves - Toronto Star

A river cruise on the magnificent Moselle: Why this fairy-tale waterway in Europe is poised to make waves.

Posted: Sun, 19 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Not only is Bernkastel-Kues a particularly beautiful town but the meandering Moselle is at its most beautiful in this region. Kolb offers a variety of excursion cruises from Cochem to other popular Moselle destinations. Cruises downriver to Koblenz or to visit Burg Eltz are classics but the views are better upriver from Cochem.

But the river can be at its best October, when autumn colors gild the landscape and temperatures are warm and pleasant but not hot enough to make sightseeing a drag. The Goldstück often arrives from Alken while a fun combination is a bike ride and wine tasting. Return tickets for Moselle River cruises are only marginally more expensive than one-way fares. On long cruises such as Cochem to Koblenz or Traben-Trarbach, the one-way fare is around €28 (return €39).

You can have take a break to rest in one of the romantic vineyards and taste the wines that are famous all over the country. Seek inspiration from our most popular itineraries to start planning your unforgettable voyage. Metz is a notable city in the French Moselle region and is a perfect introduction to the French side. This charming town offers French wines, cuisine (unbeatable and better than German, TBH), and beautiful historical landmarks. Other exciting things to do in Bernkastel Kues include booking a wine tasting or a river cruise. If you can, try to time your visit during the city’s annual wine fest in late August or for the Christmas Market home to one of Germany’s largest advent calendars.

Bernkastel Kues

mosel river cruise

However, the town is only about 4,000 people and quite small, making it best for a day trip. The castle is open for tours seasonally, and features a scenic hiking route that encircles the castle grounds and offers excellent views. It’s not easy to reach via public transportation and is best to drive, although there is a bus you can take from Koblenz.

Romantic Rhine & Moselle (Start Amsterdam, End Zurich)

The Roman Path (Römerweg) takes you by the ruins of a small castle (Ramstein Burg), swinging rope bridges, spacious caves, the Geierlay lookout, and ancient Roman mines. Wine lovers are certainly spoiled for choice when it comes to wine bars, tours, and tastings throughout the Mosel Valley. Prepare to sample endless pours of classic German Riesling wine, roses, and occasional red. Koblenz is one of the largest cities in the Mosel Valley and is perched where the Rhine and Mosel rivers meet. Trier is known as Germany’s oldest city thanks to its historical ties to ancient Rome. In fact, some of the best things to do in Trier include seeing well-preserved ruins like the famed Porta Nigra and Roman baths.

These riverboats call frequently at stops along the route, where it is possible to join the cruise or to disembark for sightseeing. Multiple-day cruises on the Moselle River are popular but less common than on for example the Rhine or the Danube Rivers. Day-trip excursion cruises usually operate within small regions, especially around Cochem, Bernkastel-Kues, and Trier where panorama cruises and excursions are possible. From Koblenz, riverboats mostly cruise up the Rhine rather than up the Mosel.

Festivities include concerts, fairs, firework displays, oompah bands, processions and, best of all, lots of wine. Excursion cruises from Trier go downriver to Bernkastel-Kues (over four hours each way) or upstream and into the Saar River to Saarburg (two hours). Trier, famous for its Roman monuments and as the birthplace of Karl Marx, is also a popular departure point from Moselle River cruises. Cruises in winter are limited but some are available during the romantic Advent and Christmas market seasons, especially in Bernkastel and Trier. Tickets for the panorama cruise of KD in Cochem are easy to buy online (and usually a bit cheaper). However, for other cruises buy tickets from kiosks at major stops or directly on the boat.

The panorama excursion cruises are usually an hour with up to 12 departures per day. These panorama cruises are very similar and the best choice is usually simply the next boat to depart. Prices, around €12 for the one-hour cruise, are the same for both cruise lines. Boat cruises are available most days on the Mosel from early April (or Easter if it falls in March) to late October.

Tickets may be bought online too but for Kolb it is still a cumbersome process. Dogs usually go for free, bicycles may add €3-4 depending on the cruise. KD has a long list of special fares but these are more useful on Rhine cruises.

This vibrant city boasts a historic old town, a monumental fortress, and river promenades, providing a perfect blend of cultural exploration and picturesque landscapes. As the region’s largest city, it’s where many of Mosel’s train routes connect and continue. The river passes alongside the main downtown area, lined with terrace seating. Some unique things to do in Cochem include hiking the Pinnerkruez loop, riding the cable car, and enjoying a Knights Meal at the Reichsburg Castle. This mid-sized city makes for a perfect day trip or jumping off point for a weekend exploring other nearby places like Luxembourg.

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