Moselle Bike and Barge

Moselle Bike and Barge Germany / Sept. 26 - Oct. 4, 2009

This barge was vetted by Sherrie Beasley and was reported as “one of the nicest we’ve ever been on!” Early fall in Germany’s premier wine country with accommodations aboard the award winning Merlijn de magie van water V.O.F. promises to be one of the most beautiful bike trips OTHGI has offered.

OTHGI will have exclusive use of the Merlijn – a luxury, air-conditioned, 22 passenger, Dutch-flagged riverboat – for the entire week as we meander the Rhine, Moselle and Saar rivers from Mainz to Merzig. You will start each day with a hearty breakfast buffet and relax in the evenings with a sumptuous 3 course dinner prepared daily by the on-board chef.

Our trip will start with a comfortable motor-coach ride from Frankfurt International Airport to the city of Mainz, where you will board our sailing hotel. After the Captain’s Cocktail Party and dinner, you will have time to explore Mainz’s Old Town with its magnificent Baroque churches and lovingly-restored, half-timbered houses. To enhance the overall experience for our group, this trip includes two private bike guides for the week.

The Moselle, the longest tributary of the Rhine river, is known around the world for its romantic river scenery. Flanked by idyllic winegrowing villages, this elegant and

curvaceous river was once popular with the ancient Romans and Celts, who left behind numerous architectural and cultural monuments that you will encounter on this trip. Our pace will be leisurely enough,averaging 21 miles a day, to afford you the time to explore the evidence of these ancient cultures, drink in the splendid landscapes and enjoying the romance and ambience of this amazing countryside.

On our way back to Frankfurt, we will have a stop in Wiesbaden. You’ll get to know the individual atmosphere of Wiesbaden with an English-speaking guided tour of the Old Town area and ride up the Nerobergbahn (Neroberg Mountain Railway) to the top of the 1443 foot landmark mountain, Neroberg. Our farewell lunch at the summit will reward you with an incredible view of this beautiful city.

After our stop in Wiesbaden, our motor-coach will take you back to Frankfurt for an overnight at the 4-star Sheraton Frankfurt Hotel. The Sheraton is linked via a glass pedestrian bridge with Terminal 1 of Frankfurt International Airport. This convenience will afford you the time to relax and savor this wonderful trip before your flight home.