
Thinking about taking an active holiday, but not sure what the right trip is for you? Well, it’s time to check out Boat Bike Tours! Our route from Metz to Cochem was an incredible week of scenic views, delicious food, and endless cycling. If you are considering booking your first trip with Boat Bike, then this is for you! Our article is packed full of tips, info on the exact route, and all about our experience biking the Moselle River.
Arrival in Metz France
If possible, we recommend arriving a day or two early in Metz. This is a beautiful French city which is the perfect size to see in a short time period. Metz is home to stunning architecture, great restaurants, and so much history.
You will be able to board your Boat Bike Tour starting at 2pm. The first day is all about meeting the crew, settling into your cabin, and getting ready for cycling excursion.
There is a short briefing to introduce everyone on the ship, and then you’ll be fitted for your bike. Obviously, this is one of the most important parts of this week long cruise!
When booking your trip, you’ll have the option of an electric or normal bike. The e-bike cost slightly more, but it’s well worth it if you need a little extra assistance over the 7 days.
We chose to go with the electric bike as it was our first cycling trip of this length. Be sure to check out our full Q&A here, where we answer all the most important questions about Boat Bike Tours.
Dining On Our Boat Bike Tour
The first dinner set the stage for a full week of delicious meals on the ship! Every night, there is a three course menu that is prepared by the chef. If you have any dietary restrictions you should tell them after you book your trip.
Brigitte has a wild mushroom allergy and the chef was super accommodating. He assured us they wouldn’t use the ones I’m allergic to on board.
So what was for dinner? To start we had a hot zucchini soup with croutons. Then came out a stewed beef, potato casserole, warm salad, and pork chops. Finally, their was a small custard with strawberry ice-cream, and a chocolate mouse. Needless to say, the chef really impressed us on night one!
After a full meal, we settled in for our nightly briefing, where our guides explained the plan for the next day. A group of us took a guided tour around Metz to end the night and see many of the best historical sites.
One Week With Boat Bike Tours
Day 1: Metz to Remich
It was impossible to wake up and not feel excited about our first day of biking! We started off with a scrumptious breakfast of yogurt and granola with orange juice. There was also a platter of different breads, meats, cheeses, jams, and fruit to choose from.
One of the unique things about Boat Bike Tours is that after breakfast, you make sandwiches to take with you for lunch. All the ingredients are super fresh, and our sandwiches were paired with fruit, juice boxes, and granola bars.
There were two options offered to us the previous night at the briefing. A long ride which was 49km (31 miles), and a shorter one of 41km (26 miles). We had this choice on a couple of different days during our Boat and Bike tour.
We decided to go with the short ride to start the trip so we could enjoy the morning on the river. While the first group took off after breakfast, we cruised down the Moselle on the boat and took in the views. When it was time to take off, a group of about 10 of us disembarked and hopped on our bikes.
Now, we should tell you that the first day was very wet! We started with some light rain, which turned heavier throughout the day. It would eventually clear up later on in the afternoon, and we ended up having great weather for the rest of our Boat Bike Tour.
The rain will not stop the group from riding so it’s important to plan accordingly. That means proper rain gear for the cool days, with loose clothing and sunblock for the hot ones.
We stopped in the small town of Thionville for a coffee around noon. It also happened to be the weekly market that day! We took a fun stroll through the different vendors before continuing on.
Cycling Across Borders
Once the rain really starting coming down, our guide had us stop at a cafe to grab some hot drinks and warm up. We were able to eat our lunch that we packed earlier here as well.
After the storm started to pass, we packed up our things and were on our way. The weather didn’t take away from the beauty of the ride, especially with what we would see next!
We started in France, crossed the river to Germany, went to Luxembourg, back to Germany, and ended the night parked in Luxembourg. The route involved some sections going over bridges and through town on the main road. Yet, most of it was on the nicer bike paths during our trip with Bike Boat Tours.
This was certainly the first time we could say we went to three countries in just one day… never mind cycling through them!
Once we arrived back on board it was time for a shower. After that, it was typical for everyone to head to the lounge or sundeck to grab a drink before dinner.
This night started out with a mixed antipasto with meats, cheeses, and other Italian specialties. The chef then prepared a homemade lasagna with local vegetables from France.
For dessert, we had a cake that was made from a Dutch sweet bread. It had a tasty warm custard on the bottom with whipped cream on top. Yum!
Day 2: Remich to Saarburg
The second day of riding was one of the longest of the route! 48 km (30 miles) might sound intimidating if you’re not an avid cyclist. However, almost the entire path is flat along the beautiful Moselle River.
Maybe we were warmed up from the first ride (or just knew what to expect now), but this day really flew by. We began with a giant breakfast spread which was pretty similar every morning. Still, you can expect a few special additions such as bacon, pancakes, or toasted sandwiches.
On this day, the boat split into two groups. It was essentially those who wanted to move a little faster vs riders who were enjoying a slower pace. Biking through the wineries was so magical and got us so excited for our first stop.
Exploring More of Luxembourg
Cutting from Germany back into Luxembourg, we cruised to a wine co-op. Here we tried Crémant which is the Luxembourg’s popular sparkling wine. This was certainly a fun way to take a break from biking!
Even though it was just before 11am, we had to taste a glass of the famous Crémant. It was so good that we bought a bottle to bring with us and saved it for the final night on board!
Continuing on, we coasted up the Moselle River where we stopped in another Luxembourg town for lunch. It was nice having a whole hour to walk around and see it on our own. We took our packed lunches down to the river with a view before heading to a small cafe.
While we LOVED cycling with the group, you do have the option to go on your own anytime you wish. You can easily follow the directions using the Ride With GPS app on your phone. Boat Bike Tours uploads their official routes here so you’ll never get lost.
We decided to do the rest of our ride by ourselves so we could take our time. Our E-bikes made for a completely relaxing day with plenty of photo stops. Honestly, it didn’t feel at all like we had biked close to 30 miles!
Don’t worry, though. If you’re up for the extra challenge, you can go with a normal bike or simply not over-utilize the e-bike features.
→ 10 Questions About Boat Bike Tours in Europe (Helpful Q&A!)
Arriving in Saarburg Germany
When we finally made it to Saarburg the boat was still an hour behind us. The docking times can be unpredictable as they go through lochs or sometimes have to wait to park at the next destination.
Luckily, that just gives you more of a chance to discover the different towns each night! We used the extra hour to cycle up to a castle for stunning views over the valley and town.
We then climbed up the 107 steps to the top of the Saarbug Tower before cycling down to the city center. Saarburg is what you’ve probably dreamed about when thinking of a small German town.
We were snapping photos at every turn, and were completely captivated by the local life around the river. After a nice walk around town, we stopped at a cute cafe for our first German Hefeweizen of the Boat Bike Tour. Check out our full guide to Saarburg here.
As you can see, this day was completely packed! The boat surprised us with a barbecue night for dinner, and we sat outside thinking of what was to come next.
Day 4: Saarburg to Trier
Our morning started with a self-guided adventure towards Trier. Since we had already seen a lot of Saarburg the prior day, we decided to take off on our own and slowly make our way to the next stop.
The GPS was simple to follow and we had an amazing time. We stopped at Weingut & Gästehaus Cantzheim for a coffee which we highly recommend. It’s a vineyard with a French-style chalet in a stunning setting.
This was one of the shorter cycling days with Boat Bike Tours so we weren’t in any rush to get to Trier. As we made our way into the large city, we could see that this would be quite a different experience than the small towns we’d seen so far.
Our Magnifique I boat wouldn’t be there until 6:15pm which gave us some time to ride into the city and lock our bikes up. We had an hour to walk around on our own before meeting up with the group for an official tour.
A local guide was arranged by Boat Bike Tours to take us through what’s known as Germany’s oldest city. We were so happy to have a guide to show us Saint Peter’s Cathedral, the massive Roman gate Porta Nigra, and more of the fascinating historical sites. Here’s more of the best things to do in Trier before your own trip!
To our surprise, this ended up being an extra exciting night in the city. Germany was playing in the European Football Championship, and a massive viewing party was set up across from where our boat docked. We were able to watch the first half with the local fans before heading back to the ship for dinner.
Day 5: Trier to Bernkastel-Kues
While every day on the ship was amazing, there was something special about this one that made it memorable. After fueling up on another delicious breakfast, we again had the choice to pick between a long and short ride.
We decided on the shorter route as we wanted to experience what it was like sailing along the Moselle River. Know that most of the time on the boat was spent stationary if you took the full day rides.
Funny enough, the group that took off for the longer route was following our boat all morning! We were able to wave to them at several spots as we spotted them along the river.
Honestly, it would be hard to do this section of the Moselle justice with simple words. The vertical fields of grapes cover every inch of the hillside, jetting high into the sky. It’s easy to see why this is known as the steepest wine growing region in Europe!
Around 11:30am, the boat docked and we unloaded our bikes after lunch. Our ride would not disappoint, as we had the Moselle River to one side and endless green vineyards to the other. Every twist and turn presented another photo stop, and it was hard to not slam on our breaks!
The Marx Winery
We made our daily coffee break about halfway through, but our favorite stop would be the next one. You will recognize the Marx Winery from the large hay barrels and pop up stands.
Our group decided to make their way back to the boat. However, after seeing the food and wine coming out, we just couldn’t bring ourselves to leave so fast.
We told our tour leader Hans that we would finish the last 30 minutes of the ride on our own. That is one thing that we really loved about the rides. It was no problem to break off for a little bit if we saw something that caught our eye.
This family-run vineyard not only had amazing wines, but the roasted pork sandwiches were a highlight of our day! We spent over an hour enjoying the views before taking off to our final destination of Bernkastel-Keus.
Unfortunately, right at the end of our ride, massive storm clouds rolled in. We were absolutely hammered with an intense rain storm! This is why you should always pack your rain gear for the day, even if there’s sunny skies when you leave.
Our Night in Bernkastel-Kues
We arrived Bernkastel-Kues soaking wet, but so excited to explore the city. The boat was docked just steps from the entrance to the center.
This happened to be the only night during the cruise that dinner wasn’t included. It gave us the opportunity to head into town on our own and treat ourselves.
Once we showered and got off the boat, it was time to see what Bernkastel was all about. First off, you should know that this small city is absolutely gorgeous.
We would even go as far to say that it’s one of the most beautiful in this region of Germany! Read about the 6 most amazing things we did in Bernkastel-Kues here.
After exploring the small city center, we knew we had to hike up to the castle above. Most of the Boat Bike Tour takes you along the river, so to get a birds eye view was simply incredible.
The hike up to the top of the Landshut Castle is crazy steep, and a bit difficult after several days of cycling. Still, know that it is so worth it!
At first, we didn’t realize that there was a high-end restaurant in the middle of the castle. Be sure to make a reservation in advance if you’d like to eat dinner here.
You can also walk around the old ruins and there are several benches that overlook the entire valley. Once we’d spent some time up top, we strolled back into town and grabbed a pizza at Ristorante Pizzeria Da Salvatore. We got it to takeaway and had a glass of wine at a small kiosk on the river.
Day 6: Bernkastel-Kues to Zell
I know we might sound like a broken record at this point, but this day was straight out of a fairy tale! We had the perfect cool weather, bright blue skies, and our legs were thankfully not too sore.
Since we wanted a relaxing day, we started off again with the second group to take lots of photos and enjoy the scenery. We were originally a little worried booking with Boat Bike Tours in middle of July that it might be too hot. Yet, besides a couple of showers, we couldn’t have asked for better weather.
Halfway into our ride we stopped at a small cafe on the river. On this day, we decided to skip our normal coffee and try something we’d never had before.
The drink was a mix of local grape juice and sparkling mineral water to form a delicious spritzer. Definitely make sure to try this if you see it out on your journey!
Around lunch time we pulled into the town of Traben-Trarbach. This is yet another scenic town that’s known for its colorful architecture and surrounding vineyards.
Most days we were feasting on our pre-made sandwiches from the boat. Nevertheless, if you’re craving a local spot, there is a small sausage stand (location) at the Brückentor Trarbach gate.
About 30 minutes from Traben-Trarbach, we would stop in the small town of Reil Germany. There are several nice cafes and restaurants right on the water, making it the perfect place to stop for a cold drink.
Know that after you pass Reil, it will be one of the best sections of this Boat Bike Tours route. The entire river is certainly stunning. Yet, cycling directly through the vineyards with grapes hanging on both sides of you is out of this world!
Wine Tasting in Zell
When we made it to the boat in Zell we didn’t have long before we were heading out as a group. This was one special event that everyone had been excited for.
We walked through the town wine tasting at a local cellar. Of course, tasting the wine at Weingut Treis was a delightful experience! We also enjoyed learning about the production process and history of the area from the owner.
In total, we tried 5 different amazing wines from the Moselle region. We even grabbed a bottle of our favorite rosé to enjoy that night on the boat. It would not be our last trip to Zell, as you can see here.
There is a full bar on the Magnifique I with beer, wine, and spirits. You can also buy your own from local establishments to drink onboard for a small corkage fee.
The entire boat was full of enthusiasm and energy when we got back for dinner. Maybe that had something to do with all the wine, but who knows!
It would be another fabulous dinner with veal cooked to perfection, and hazelnut ice cream to finish. We then decided to call it an early night as the next morning would be our last day of riding.
Day 7: Zell to Cochem
Taking off on the final morning of biking was bittersweet. It was a beautiful day with clear skies which was the ideal ending. As always though, it’s a little sad when any trip comes to a close!
Everyone was moving a little slow after six days of riding, but the final route was a flat and smooth ride. After cycling through several small villages, we crossed a bridge and saw our ship sailing right below us.
While the entire route was mind-blowing, we weren’t ready for what we were about see next! Beilstein ended up being one of the prettiest towns of our Bike Boat Tour. There are a small cluster of bright houses at the base of the mountain, with a massive castle that sits atop the riverside village.
We made a point to climb to the top of almost every castle we saw, and this day would be no different. This was a great way to see the historic sites and get a view of the town from above.
It was a steep climb 15 minutes up to the top. Yet, once we were there, the scene over the entire valley was so incredible! The Metternich Castle has a restaurant where you can grab lunch, a quick coffee, or even an ice cold beer.
Coasting into Cochem
The last thirty minutes of the ride went way too fast, and before we knew it we were gliding into Cochem. If you’ve never been to Cochem, it’s a famous town with colorful buildings that sit along the harbor.
The main feature is the tremendous Cochem Castle, which dates back over 1,000 years. It looks straight out of a storybook, and we would find out it was an inspiration for Hogwarts from the Harry Potter movies.
After a quick refresher on the boat, everyone made the short hike to the top of the castle for a guided tour. We could definitely feel the burn on the way up after biking over 200 miles in the last week! Here’s a few more fun things to do in Cochem if you have time.
We ended our stupendous week of eating with a four course dinner. It included a salmon salad, cappuccino lobster bisque, filet mignon, and baked Alaska.
The next morning we had breakfast on the boat with castle views. The guests slowly made their way off the ship one by one, and headed home or to other parts of Europe to continue their vacations.
Is Boat Bike Tours Right For You?
If you couldn’t tell, we were completely blown away by this trip with Boat Bike Tours! We’ve done a lot of adventure tourism in the past, but this was our first experience with this style of cruising.
Having a floating hotel follow you along the route is so ideal for an active holiday. You’re able to enjoy the cycling and sights without having to backtrack, or worry about packing or unpacking your luggage.
This was truly the ultimate way to see the Moselle Valley! As far as the route was concerned, we were extremely impressed. From the vineyards to the castles and small river towns, it had everything we wanted and more.
You do need to have a certain level of fitness to complete the journey. However, by picking a level 1 route (out of 3), most of the biking trails were flat and easy riding.
Have any questions on this article or want to share your own experience with Boat Bike Tours? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
This experience was made possible in collaboration with Boat Bike Tours. As always, any opinions and recommendations remain our own.
Wow – your trip looks fantastic. We did a biking trip in the Douro Valley a year ago and loved the experience – specially the ebikes! We have never done a bike trip with a barge but have heard from others that it is a great way to see the country. A few questions . . .
What are the rooms like? I think I read that the rooms were equipped with personal bathrooms. I checked their website but didn’t see any pictures of the rooms. Do they have windows? My husband is claustrophobic so a window is essential for a comfortable stay for us. Are you able to stand up in the rooms? Thanks for any quick info you can offer and your thoughts on this. I will also contact Boat Bike Tours for more details. Great blog! Happy traveling to you two : )
Author
Yes, the rooms all have bathrooms and you can stand up in them. Our twin cabin was quite small, but on a boat like this it’s really just for sleeping. Check out this other article we did which has more info on this ship:
10 Questions About Boat Bike Tours in Europe (Helpful Q&A!)
We did have the opportunity to sail on one of their larger ships in the Netherlands after this. This boat had slightly bigger rooms, but also around 100 more passengers than our barge on the Moselle. Hope that helps!