One Week in Moselle River

What You Should Know Before Going On A Moselle River Tour

Common Moselle River Cruise & Guided Tour Lengths

Although one might immediately think “river cruise” when considering a Moselle River guided tour, there are actually several ways to enjoy the region. Driving, cycling, biking and, yes, river cruising are all insightful ways to explore the valley - several Moselle River tours combine a couple modes of travel, for example, cruising and cycling.

This allows one to move away from the water and explore farther afield - the better to take advantage of all those great wineries! Most Moselle River guided tours hit the highlights in about one week’s time, though one could add a Rhine River guided tour and make it a two-week journey if time allows.

Physical Level Requirements for a Moselle River Cruise

For the most part, a Moselle River tour is not physically demanding. If you wish to engage in cycling and hiking excursions, those are certainly available and at various difficulty levels, but it’s just as rewarding to spend your time moving between your river boat and leisurely walks around the river’s many historic villages.

Remember that these towns are centuries-old and the roads and side streets may be uneven or cobblestone, so sturdy shoes and even a walking stick (depending on your level of comfort) are recommended. Several of the castle visits will require an uphill or stair walk, although many have built cablecars to make the ascent easier.

Top Moselle River Destinations

Moselle River tours are the simplest way to make sure you’re hitting the high points of the valley - and to hone in on your interests and tastes. All about wine? Mix is up with a river cruise and cycling tour that connects one wine village to another. History buff? There’s more than enough to stir your imagination of days gone by in Trier, Cochem, Trabel-Trarbach and Piesport. Look for these biggies when choosing your Moselle River tour: Burg Eltz, Koblenz, Bernkastel-Kues, Zell, Stolzenfels Castle and the Moselsteig hiking trail.

What’s the Weather Like on the Moselle River?

Adding to its perennial appeal, the Moselle River valley has a Mediterranean-esque climate, with mild to hot summers and a multitude of sunny days over the course of eight to nine months. Generally speaking, the warmest month is July (although there can be quite a bit of rainfall then), the coolest month is January and the driest month is March. For the most ideal weather, aim for the end of April through the end of October.

Who Will Enjoy a Moselle River Cruise?

1. Wine lovers - The Moselle River winds through the heart of wine country in Germany, affording countless opportunities to explore local vineyards, meet with friendly vintners and their families and, of course, taste their famous white wines, renowned Rieslings and superb reds.

Adorable wine towns like Cochem and Bernkastel make for lovely afternoons of shopping, exploring and indulging. Fun fact: Sample Bernkastel’s most celebrated wine, the Bernkasteler Doctor, which is said to have cured the illness of a local elector.

2. History buffs - From the long list of Roman ruins in Trier to the tiny town of Trittenheim (first mentioned in 893 AD!), from the Middle Mosel’s lively, medieval-era marketplaces and 17th-century timber-frame houses to the not-to-be-missed Burg Eltz, never destroyed and owned by the same family since the 12th century, the Moselle is a history book come to life.

3. River cruise fans - The river cruise genre is for those who long to slow down and enjoy the finer things in life at a leisurely pace. The vessel typically docks right in the center of town, allowing for immediate sightseeing instead of transfer by car or bus. Most itineraries are all-inclusive, taking away the worry of being nickel and dimed throughout the cruise, and because there are fewer passengers than the mega ships, there is a distinctly local flavor to the experience - usually in the form of regional ingredients for onboard meals, village musicians or folk dancers and locally sourced experts who act as sightseeing guides.