Moselle River Itineraries

Moselle River Cruise in 1 Week

Quieter than its big sister the Rhine, the Moselle River packs a pretty punch: majestic castles, verdant vineyards, welcoming villages and centuries of history. For those with a week, a Moselle River cruise is a pleasing package of the region’s culture, cuisine and captivating landscape.

Day 1, Andernach: Arrive and get acquainted with your river cruise vessel and your Moselle River tour guides.

Day 2, Koblenz: Europe’s mighty Rhine meets the romantic Moselle. Take time to visit the massive Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.

Day 3, Cochem: Imagine life as a royal as you gaze down upon the Moselle River from the dramatic Reichsburg Castle, the valley’s largest.

Day 4, Beilstein: Short on tourist attractions, Beilstein lures guests for authentic riverside afternoons walking along its river promenade and enjoying a glass of local wine by the water’s edge.

Day 5, Bernkastel-Kues: This charming city dates back to 3000 BC, and is a vision of gabled, half-timbered houses, castle ruins and a lively medieval marketplace.

Day 6, Trier: Shop and snack your way through the colorful market square of this, Germany’s oldest city.

Day 7, Traben-Trarbach: History and architecture buffs love Traben-Trarbach for its ancient treasures. This was the second largest wine trading city in Europe at the turn of the 20th century.

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Cruising the Moselle and Rhine Rivers in 2 Weeks

Why stop at one glorious river when you can sail two of Europe’s most storied and beautiful waterways. Spend two weeks sailing from Basel to Amsterdam, through Germany’s famous Black Forest, past Strasbourg’s gothic cathedral, within the cliffs of the magnificent Rhine Gorge and beside inviting wine villages.

Day 1, Basel: Explore the ship and enjoy a dinner with other guests on your first night onboard.

Day 2, Breisach: Take an excursion to the Black Forest to visit the Vogtsbauernohf open-air museum and see a traditional Bavarian butter-making demo, then bike amongst the pastel-painted houses.

Day 3, Strasbourg: Visit a museum, explore the city center and photograph the city’s gothic, stained-class cathedral.

Day 4, Ludwigshafen: Take a day trip to Heidelberg and hike the same hill as ancient philosophers and explore its hilltop castle.

Day 5, Rüdesheim/Rhine Gorge: Tour the Mechanical Music Museum and enjoy a coffee or wine tasting.

Day 6, Koblenz: In Koblenz, the Moselle meets the mighty Rhine. Explore the massive Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, once part of the Prussian defenses against the French.

Day 7, Bernkastel-Kues: Dating back to 3000 BC, this charming village lures guests with its gabled, half-timbered houses, castle ruins and medieval marketplace. Active-minded guests will enjoy a cycling tour outside the village.

Day 8, Thionville: Take a guided tour in Metz, a city with 3,000 years of history, to visit the gothic cathedral, Imperial Palace and France’s oldest opera house. Later, explore on your own by bicycle.

Day 9, Grevenmacher: Take an excursion to Trier, where you can explore the Roman Baths and photograph the stunningly preserved Porta Nigra gate.

Day 10, Beilstein: Enjoy some free time here, in the “Sleeping Beauty of the Moselle,” biking or walking past unspoiled 15th-century buildings, castle-dotted hills and inviting vineyards.

Day 11, Treis-Karden: Wander through this romantic village and perhaps visit the impressive Burg Eltz castle, more than 800 years old.

Day 12, Cologne: Raise a glass of Kölsch pale lager – prost! – in the Rhineland’s capital city, then visit its renowned twin-steepled gothic cathedral.

Day 13, Amsterdam: Embark on a guided canal cruise to see the stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age,” cycle through the Dutch countryside and visit the city’s many fascinating museums and galleries.

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Active Moselle River Cruises

Seeking a more active trip? Whether you’re up for hiking or biking, or a bit of both, there are several Moselle River cruises that include more heart-pumping excursions, whether that’s cycling between vineyards or hiking through the forest to a hidden medieval-era castle.